If those pretty maids knew about this, they would probably burst out laughing and whisper among themselves, teasing her in various ways.
Gu Qinlan showed a rare hint of shyness.
Her mind was racing, but she eventually fell asleep without realizing it.
Zheng Dinglian continued walking quietly. The road down the mountain was indeed treacherous and difficult to traverse. The terrain was steep and the soil was slippery, requiring him to be careful with every step.
Such a journey can easily lead to mental breakdown.
However, he felt unusually peaceful, even somewhat relaxed.
Having struggled back from the brink of death on the battlefield, the life he longed for most was not one of glitz and glamour, but rather the peaceful and tranquil days spent with his dearest loved ones.
Just like it is now.
He carried her on his back, trudging along the muddy mountain path. And she drifted off to sleep peacefully on his back.
This ordinary happiness may seem insignificant to others, but it is extremely precious to him.
When Gu Qinlan opened her eyes again, dusk was falling, and the group descending the mountain had already lit torches.
She was surprised and somewhat embarrassed to find that she had slept for nearly two hours.
"Put me down, you've been carrying me for so long."
Even if he is very strong, he will inevitably feel tired.
Zheng Dinglian lifted her up a bit: "It's alright, we'll be at the military camp in a little while. Don't get down, or you'll get your shoes dirty with mud."
Unable to persuade him, Gu Qinlan had no choice but to remain silent.
Sure enough, they soon saw the lights of the military camp.
"The Crown Prince is back."
A sharp-eyed sentry shouted the message into the camp, and soon a large number of people swarmed toward them.
The men from Prince Duan's mansion had been trekking along the mountain roads for half a day and were exhausted. In the end, they all had to be helped into the military camp.
Gu Qinlan arrived at the entrance of the military camp and said to Zheng Dinglian, "We've arrived. Put me down."
It might be bearable up in the mountains, since they were all servants from my own household, and I wasn't afraid of them gossiping.
But the military camp was crowded with people and eyes, and she found it hard to bear.
Zheng Dinglian did not put her down, but instead quickened his pace, instructing as he walked: "Prepare some hot water and bring it to my tent so that Madam can wash her face and feet."
Instantly, countless eyes turned to Gu Qinlan.
Embarrassed, she buried her head deeply in the crook of his neck.
Zheng Dinglian noticed her actions and said in a serious tone, "There's no need to be shy. You are the wife I solemnly married. Who would dare to talk nonsense?"
Gu Qinlan was filled with shame and indignation, and gently pinched his waist.
Although Zheng Dinglian was being pinched, he did not feel any pain. Instead, he chuckled happily.
She was gently laid down only after they entered his tent.
Her feet hadn't touched the ground for a while, and she swayed slightly.
Zheng Dinglian immediately and firmly held her hand: "Be careful."
Gu Qinlan had just regained her footing and was about to express her gratitude when a clear and melodious voice suddenly came from outside the tent: "Young Master, I've brought you water."
"Come in."
As soon as Zheng Dinglian finished speaking, the curtain was lifted.
A tall woman walked in with two soldiers carrying buckets of water.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Meiyun bowed to Zheng Dinglian, then turned to Gu Qinlan with a smile and said, "This must be the Crown Prince's wife? This is Meiyun, my daughter."
"Madam has been staying in the cave these past few days, and I suppose she hasn't had a chance to properly groom herself. If you have any needs, please just tell me, and I will do my best to arrange them."
After saying this, Meiyun directed the two soldiers to put down the wooden bucket, preparing to provide the lady with what she needed.
"Madam, I have specially added precious medicinal herbs to this bath water. Whether you are bathing or soaking your feet, it will have a wonderful effect on soothing your body and mind. You may call your personal maid in to serve you attentively."
Then, she walked lightly toward Zheng Dinglian, her face beaming with a gentle smile: "Your Highness, you have worked hard all day. I have prepared warm bathwater for you in the tent next door. Please come and take a bath."
Zheng Dinglian frowned slightly, took two steps back to keep a distance from her: "I'm sorry to trouble you, Miss Mei, but I'm a rough person by nature and don't care about such formalities. After you finish bathing, I'll just use the remaining water to finish quickly."
"From now on, you don't need to worry about these trivial matters, I'm not used to having others do it for me."
His words were quite impolite, making Meiyun feel embarrassed and unsure of what to do.
Mei Yun stood there awkwardly, an unnatural smile on her lips: "Your Highness, I only wanted to share your burdens, I..."
Zheng Dinglian interrupted her: "No need. I have my wife by my side and loyal attendants. No matter how worried I am, I will not trouble Miss Mei. Miss Mei, it is late at night. My wife and I will soon wash up and go to bed."
Mei Yun bowed helplessly, then turned and left the tent.
After she left, Zheng Dinglian picked up the bucket, poured hot water into the washbasin, and then personally carried the basin to Gu Qinlan's side.
He picked up a soft handkerchief and handed it to Gu Qinlan: "Military life is tough, please use mine for now."
Gu Qinlan thanked him softly, took the handkerchief, and carefully wiped her hands and face.
As she bent down to wash the handkerchief, Zheng Dinglian naturally took it, rinsed it twice in the water, wrung it out, and then used it directly to wipe his face.
"this……"
This handkerchief, she just used it.
Gu Qinlan hesitated, thinking to herself: the conditions in this military camp are already simple, and she shouldn't be too picky. Besides, it's just a handkerchief.
After Zheng Dinglian finished washing up, he explained while rubbing his handkerchief: "That Miss Meiyun came with me from the northern frontier. Her brother was once my capable lieutenant in the army. She knew medicine and disguised herself as a man to serve as a military doctor. Her brother was unfortunately seriously wounded on the battlefield and could not be saved. Before he died, he entrusted me to take care of her. She took great care of us along the way."
Gu Qinlan asked in surprise, "Luo Feng is here with you too?"
Zheng Dinglian nodded: "Yes, her injuries are serious, and she has been in a coma for more than two months."
Gu Qinlan pleaded anxiously, "Could you take me to see her?"
Zheng Dinglian naturally wouldn't refuse.
So the two of them went together to the tent where Luo Feng was.
Upon entering the tent, one sees several soldiers guarding Luo Feng's bedside, while Luo Feng remains fast asleep.
Gu Qinlan rushed forward and saw that Luo Feng's face was as pale as wax and her body was so thin that she was almost just a skeleton.
"Feiyun, how is Luofeng's injury?"
Fei Yun had just finished examining Luo Feng's pulse when he shook his head and sighed, "The injuries are extremely serious, having damaged the very foundation of her body. It's a miracle she survived. It's all thanks to Miss Mei Yun's superb medical skills; otherwise, Luo Feng would have already perished."
Gu Qinlan nodded slightly, indicating that she understood. She instructed Po Lang and Liu Ying, "You two step back first. I want to personally examine Luo Feng's injuries."
Po Lang, Liu Ying, and Zheng Dinglian all left the tent.
Inside the tent, only Gu Qinlan and Feiyun remained.
Feiyun carefully lifted Luofeng's blanket.
Gu Qinlan immediately covered her mouth, utterly astonished.
On Luo Feng's body, there was hardly a patch of undamaged skin. There were deep wounds on both shoulders, revealing the bone, and the rest of her body was covered with a mixture of old and new scars, a shocking sight.
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