Having grown up relying on her mother and younger brother, Yan Ning understands the importance of independence and being the core of her family. Therefore, she possesses a maturity and composure beyond her years, unlike many eighteen-year-old girls, and she rarely depends on others. Aside from Jia Jia, Yan Ning doesn't easily reveal her emotions to anyone. Especially towards boys, she always maintains a certain distance, which is why many call her an "ice queen."
Here, Yan Ning feared she would gradually become dependent on Fukang'an, but without him, in this era where life was cheap, she could die at any moment. She knew that when people felt insecure, they were easily drawn to those who offered help.
She was already eighteen, and her understanding of love was no longer naive. Knowing full well that a love across time and space was doomed to fail, must she truly endure the tragedy of never being able to meet again, even in death?
Since nothing has come of it, Yan Ning told herself silently that she shouldn't let feelings develop.
"I'm tired, I want to rest." She was afraid that if she stayed with Fukang'an any longer, her strength would crumble. She lay down with her back to Fukang'an, unable to see his expression, and didn't want to think about anything related to him.
Fukang'an looked at Yan Ning, who had her back to him, his brows furrowed, his heroic spirit gathered in one spot, and his heart was filled with doubt.
What kind of woman is she? One moment she's so fragile and needs my protection, the next she's so cold and distant.
He shook his head helplessly and then left.
Yan Ning heard the footsteps fading into the distance and slowly opened her eyes.
Now that she's come here, she must be able to find a way back, and she has to go back; her mother and younger brother need her care. The most important thing now is to survive here, no matter what, to return to Beijing and find a way back.
She couldn't let a man she'd only known for a day sway her mind, she bit her lip and made a silent resolution.
During the night, Yan Ning woke up many times in a daze, all of which were nightmares of being killed here. By the time she was fully awake, it was noon.
In a daze, there was still a sense of unreality. However, Yan Ning told herself that she had to adapt to life here. She was a tough woman, not a soft girl who needed to be taken care of at all times.
She planned to go to Fukang'an and ask him to arrange something for her; she didn't want to be a freeloader here. The way General Agui had looked at her yesterday clearly showed he saw her as one of those delicate, sheltered women kept by generals in ancient times. Although she needed Fukang'an's protection to survive here, she didn't want to exchange her feelings for a peaceful life.
As soon as Yan Ning stepped out of the military tent, Zhao Xing came to greet her. "Miss, you're awake. This servant will go and prepare breakfast and water for you to wash your face." It seemed that he was more familiar with Yan Ning now, as Zhao Xing was not as hesitant as he had been yesterday.
After Zhao Xing said that, Yan Ning also felt hungry, so she went back to the military tent to wait for Zhao Xing, while also thinking about how to talk to Fukang'an.
A short while later, Zhao Xing returned carrying a tray, followed by a soldier carrying a basin of water. Zhao Xing arranged the food, said "Please enjoy, young lady," and then left.
Yan Ning looked at the dishes on the table, a mix of meat and vegetables. Although she was very hungry, she didn't eat much because she had something on her mind. She then asked Zhao Xing to take the dishes away.
Fearing a repeat of yesterday's incident, she stopped Zhao Xing, who was about to leave, and asked him to sit down to find out what was going on.
Zhao Xing told Yan Ning that they were currently attacking the chieftains of Da Jinchuan and Xiao Jinchuan, namely Maogong and Jinghua, because they were rebelling against the Qing Dynasty. There were three generals here; Agui was the highest-ranking, while Fukang'an, being too young, was the lowest-ranking. The three generals were stationed in three separate camps. Yesterday, Agui had come to discuss strategies for breaching the enemy's fortifications with Fukang'an. Last night, Fukang'an went to the enemy camp to gather intelligence and hadn't returned yet.
"Zhao Xing, take me for a walk."
Yan Ning wanted to see what she could do here, but she was afraid that if she went out, she would run into the patrolling soldiers all the time. Just thinking about it made her feel uneasy.
Zhao Xing readily agreed. Before leaving, Fukang'an instructed him to follow Yan Ning closely and not let her suffer any grievances or fright.
With Zhao Xing by her side, the soldiers no longer treated Yan Ning as if she were invisible. Although they only gave her a slight bow, it made her feel much better.
"Looks like you have quite a bit of authority here!" Yan Ning felt relieved and couldn't help but tease Zhao Xing.
"This servant has no authority whatsoever. Everyone knows who Miss Yan Ning is now," Zhao Xing said, scratching his head and smiling at Yan Ning.
"My identity? What identity?" Yan Ning was startled. Did they really think she possessed sorcery? Her expression subtly changed.
"Yesterday, the general carried you all the way back to the military tent. Even someone as stupid as me could see that."
Seeing Zhao Xing's precocious demeanor, Yan Ning's face fell. Her worries had come true; the entire military camp probably misunderstood her relationship with Fukang'an.
There were more than twenty military tents of various sizes here, some for storing provisions, some for living quarters, and some for storing equipment. However, in Yan Ning's eyes, they all looked the same. If Zhao Xing hadn't been with her, she probably wouldn't have been able to find her own tent.
Back in her military tent, Yan Ning saw some Qing Dynasty-style women's clothing and shoes on the table. There were no women's clothes or other women in the military camp, so these must have been brought back for her by Fukang'an.
Yan Ning looked through the clothes; they were all different colors and types. Ancient women often favored elaborate, brightly colored clothing, but Yan Ning preferred simple, elegant garments.
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