No need to call me
Gu Jinghong extended a finger and gently pressed it between his eyebrows, asking, "Has someone offended the Prince?"
Xiao Chengyan, his expression unreadable, asked, "What do you think?"
Gu Jinghong reached out and tugged at Xiao Chengyan's sleeve, stroking it gently: "Your Highness, Jinghong was indeed wrong about what happened yesterday."
His expression remained unchanged: "Oh? What's wrong with it?"
“I shouldn’t have sent Changfeng away… I needed to make precise calculations at the time, and Changfeng’s presence affected me.”
Xiao Chengyan squinted at her: "...It sounds like Changfeng is wrong?"
Gu Jinghong didn't argue with him, "That's why..."
Before the words were finished—
"Brother Chengyan—!"
A soft, almost cloyingly sweet female voice, tinged with a sob, suddenly rang out in the tent! Accompanied by the hurried cries of a guard: "Miss Mu! The Prince is in a meeting! You cannot..."
The delicate voice rang out again: "I have the prince's token, how dare you stop me?!"
Gu Jinghong's brow twitched—Miss Mu? Mu Chuchu?!
The tent flap was suddenly lifted again.
A petite pink figure, like a startled butterfly, rushed in without hesitation. Her pink, high-waisted dress fluttered, her jade pendants jingling, making her stand out starkly in this war-torn land.
Xiao Chengyan's expression suddenly stiffened, and he subconsciously looked at Gu Jinghong, his jawline taut like a knife.
In the blink of an eye, Mu Chuchu arrived in front of Xiao Chengyan with a fragrant breeze.
Her eyes were filled with tears, on the verge of sobbing, her voice dripping with sweet longing and grievance: "Brother Chengyan! You've been back in the Southwest for so long, why have you been staying in the military camp? Why won't you let Chuchu come over? The camp is so empty and desolate... Chuchu is so scared to be alone, I miss you so much!"
As she spoke, she reached out and tried to grab Xiao Chengyan's arm, which was resting on the armrest, and leaned softly against him as if seeking protection.
"I know you've been working hard, so I specially made your favorite hibiscus cake and ginseng soup. Would you like to try some? You haven't been eating or sleeping well in the army camp, and you look pale..."
Just as her fingertips were about to touch the edge of his black armor sleeve—
"Mu Chuchu!"
Xiao Chengyan suddenly shouted to stop him, and took a step back as if avoiding a snake or scorpion.
The movement aggravated his left shoulder injury, and a tearing pain instantly caused cold sweat to bead on his forehead, while his anger erupted like lava.
Xiao Chengyan's cold gaze locked onto her, as icy as ice: "This is a military camp, how dare you trespass on it! Who gave you the audacity!"
This sharp shout, carrying the chilling killing intent of a battlefield commander, made Mu Chuchu's delicate body tremble. Her outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and the grievance on her face was instantly replaced by horror.
Gu Jinghong was stunned—so this was Mu Chuchu?
The woman who was supposedly a "stand-in" like her?
But...why?
She carefully examined Mu Chuchu's face—willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips; she was the epitome of a beautiful woman from Jiangnan, gentle and graceful, and pitiful.
But... this face doesn't resemble Gu Jinghong's at all!
No wonder Xiao Chengyan said that day that seeing Mu Chuchu would disprove the "stand-in" theory. How could stand-ins look so different?
On second thought, Gu Jinghong suddenly had a new idea.
She originally wanted to persuade Xiao Chengyan to let her leave, but her reasons ultimately failed to hold water.
But things are different now; Mu Chuchu has arrived—and the piece of cloth that was needed has reappeared.
Mu Chuchu seemed stunned by Xiao Chengyan's harsh shout, staring blankly at him, not hearing the cold rebuke at all, only catching his pale and haggard face.
A moment later, she cried out again, her voice trembling with tears, "Brother Chengyan! Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell? Let me see..."
She was still unwilling to give up and tried to go forward again.
Xiao Chengyan's voice was cold and stern: "Guards! Drag her back to the headquarters! If she escapes again without my order, she will be dealt with according to military law!"
"yes!"
Changfeng quickly brought in two burly men who, without saying a word, grabbed Mu Chuchu from both sides and dragged her away from the tent.
"Brother Chengyan! No! Chu Chu just wanted to see you..."
Mu Chuchu panicked and tried to struggle.
The curtains fell, shutting out the disturbing cries.
Xiao Chengyan stood still, his chest rising and falling almost imperceptibly. He was clearly angered by the sudden disruption, and the dark red mark on his left shoulder seemed even more glaring.
He closed his eyes, suppressing the anger in his heart.
The next moment, he looked up at Gu Jinghong: "Ah Hong... listen to me."
Gu Jinghong looked at Xiao Chengyan, and a slight smile slowly curved her rosy lips.
The smile was exquisitely beautiful, yet icy cold, devoid of any warmth, like an ice lotus blooming atop a snow-capped mountain. The clear, crisp voice echoed through the silent tent.
"The prince is burdened with military affairs, working tirelessly day and night, which is truly arduous. What is even more remarkable is that his confidante is so affectionate and caring, going to great lengths to sneak into the military camp at night just to bring him a bowl of warm soup."
"In public affairs, Your Highness is a strategist who can win battles from afar; in private affairs, he is also able to win the heart of this beautiful woman... He truly embodies the principle of 'not neglecting either public or private matters,' making him an excellent example of 'keeping public and private affairs separate.'"
Xiao Chengyan suddenly reached out and pulled Gu Jinghong over.
A sharp pain shot through his old wound on his shoulder blade, causing him to sway almost imperceptibly, but he immediately straightened his back.
"Jinghong, don't be ridiculous. I told you before, I only saved her life because I pitied her and let her stay in the Southwest Campaign. If you don't like it, I can have her kicked out right away."
Gu Jinghong was secretly delighted.
Firstly, she could clearly sense Xiao Chengyan's concern for her; secondly, she had never seen Xiao Chengyan in such a flustered state before, which she found both novel and interesting, and she deliberately wanted to tease him.
But she had a serious expression on her face. "No, otherwise it would make me, Gu Jinghong, seem petty. I would force such a soft and sweet girl to have nowhere to go."
Xiao Chengyan finally realized how jealousy made him feel.
It was novel, and it made him feel valued and happy, but he couldn't handle it when faced with reality.
Comparing the two, it still couldn't handle the superior one.
After hesitating for a moment, he tentatively pulled her into his arms and asked, "So what do you want to do?"
Fortunately, Gu Jinghong did not refuse, but simply said, "I want to go to the headquarters."
Xiao Chengyan was taken aback.
Looking at Gu Jinghong's submissive appearance, he actually felt very strange.
A few days ago, he asked her to go to the military headquarters to hide, but she refused. Today, after going around in circles, she insists on going... If he doesn't agree, it seems like he's not romantic, but if he agrees, he feels like he's been tricked.
In particular, he seemed to inexplicably see a hint of a smile in her eyes, and that strange sense of unease resurfaced in his heart.
He was still puzzled: "Do you really just want to stay at the headquarters?"
Gu Jinghong raised an eyebrow: "What? Mu Chuchu can stay, but I can't?"
This is a classic example of misrepresentation.
Xiao Chengyan could naturally tell, and not only could he tell, he was also very clear that Gu Jinghong had set a trap for him.
Upon careful consideration, Gu Jinghong's presence in the military camp did indeed make him uneasy.
Especially since the newly adjusted gunpowder exploded in front of so many people yesterday, making her too conspicuous and special, he couldn't focus enough attention on her if she remained in the army.
So he replied to her good-naturedly, "Whatever you say. Just one thing: don't leave the camp."
He reached out and stroked her hair twice, then said, "Back in the Prince's mansion, didn't I give you a token? That token is valid at the military headquarters too. If you need anything, just have the steward at the headquarters handle it. Once things are settled in the military camp, I'll come to the military headquarters to find you."
Once they leave the headquarters, they will be out of Xiao Chengyan's control, he couldn't help but remind him.
Although Xiao Chengyan did not doubt Gu Jinghong's ability to protect herself, the loss of control always made him uneasy, especially since Jinghong was so beautiful that she was bound to attract unwanted attention.
The Southwest may not have Xie Yan, but it still has Wang Yan, Li Yan, and Shen Yan...
Gu Jinghong looked up at Xiao Chengyan and blinked: "That plaque..."
"how?"
"Mu Chuchu also has one?"
Xiao Chengyan scoffed: "How could she possibly have that?"
"Then what she just mentioned, 'the prince's token,' is...?"
"What else could it be? It's just a feint to get into the camp. What kind of token could she possibly have?"
At this point, Xiao Chengyan hugged Gu Jinghong tightly again, and warned her once more: "Don't be reckless. If anything happens, just send someone to report. The headquarters is not far from here. You can go back and forth in a day by fast horse."
Gu Jinghong nodded, her tone so gentle it betrayed no emotion: "Mm."
For some reason, Xiao Chengyan always felt uneasy.
...
The carriage traveled along the official road, its interior filled with a fragrant aroma that clashed with the clean and refreshing scent emanating from Gu Jinghong.
Mu Chuchu fiddled with the jade bracelet on her wrist, her gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over Gu Jinghong's injured hand and her plain yet stunningly beautiful face, her tone cloyingly sweet.
"Sister Gu's injury is truly heartbreaking to see. Brother Chengyan must be heartbroken, right? He can't bear to see those around him suffer. The other day, when I accidentally cut my finger in the camp, although he scolded me for being careless, he turned around and had the steward wrap all the sharp weapons in the mansion with soft corners. He really made a mountain out of a molehill."
Gu Jinghong closed her eyes to rest: "Is that so? Your Highness is indeed thoughtful."
Mu Chuchu perked up and became even more interested. She deliberately leaned forward and lowered her voice.
"Of course! Brother Chengyan may seem cold on the outside but is warm on the inside. Everyone in the camp knows that. In the backyard of his study where he often stays, there is a small side gate. Sometimes when he is tired from reviewing official documents, he finds it too noisy to go in and out through the main gate, so he will quietly go out from there to relax by the stream in the back mountain... I'm afraid even the guards Changfeng might not know about this."
Gu Jinghong's fingers, which were resting on her knees, paused almost imperceptibly for a moment.
Mu Chuchu, however, mistook Gu Jinghong's silence for jealousy and disappointment, and felt a sense of satisfaction.
"And another thing, the peach grove on the east side of the camp is absolutely beautiful when it's in bloom. Last year, when the flowers were at their peak, Brother Chengyan even allowed me to host a small banquet there, just the two of us, drinking and admiring the flowers... He even praised my plum wine, saying it tasted even better than the tribute wine from the capital..."
Gu Jinghong slowly opened his eyes, his clear gaze falling on Mu Chuchu.
Mu Chuchu felt a little uneasy under that gaze, and forced a coquettish tone, saying, "Sister...why are you looking at me like that?"
“Miss Mu,” Gu Jinghong said in a calm voice, “First of all, my surname is Gu and yours is Mu. We are not sisters, so I cannot accept the title of ‘sister’ and there is no need for me to call you that anymore.”
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