If it hadn’t been for Li Nan, perhaps to Ji Xinhe, it would just mean that Xiao Bei had lost a playmate who grew up with her, Ah Guai had lost a quiet and taciturn little uncle, and she had lost a loyal and trustworthy confidante.
But this person could have been someone else.
Despite all his efforts over the years, he had strived to do well in everything, learn martial arts, and everything she would need. He would learn and do his best to become an irreplaceable person.
But without Mu Houchu, for Ji Xinhe, it would mean losing the chance to rely on someone. She would probably live even more tired now, because she was habitually strong, habitually taking charge of everything, and habitually becoming the backbone for everyone.
Only Mu Houchu could make her let down her guard, dispel her unease, and let him hold up the sky for her. He was the harbor where she could rest assured, and the man who made her realize she was a woman.
Such a difference, Xiao Chaihuo knew very early on. It was precisely because he could see it clearly that he never imagined anything unrealistic.
It was not that he didn’t want to have her, but he knew that he could never surpass Mu Houchu’s place in her heart. Mu Houchu did not just occupy that place; he was that place. Without Mu Houchu, that place would disappear, and no one could replace it.
This fact was cruel to him, but Xiao Chaihuo had no choice but to face reality.
Xiao Chaihuo slightly lowered his gaze, hiding the trace of sadness in his eyes.
Xin He picked up the tea cup and took a sip before saying softly, "Wait a while before you go back. When you get to a hidden place, turn around and check on that drunkard from just now."
Xiao Chaihuo’s eyes narrowed, and he immediately asked, "Does the princess think there’s something wrong with that man?"
Ji Xinhe replied indifferently, "Mu Houchu has always been very strict in military discipline. It’s unlikely that someone in the army would drink during the day. Even if someone dared to do so, how could they happen to know that there was a beautiful woman in the arsenal?"
It wasn’t that Ji Xinhe was overly suspicious, but under the current situation, she would not treat any small inconsistencies as coincidences. Instead, she needed to investigate thoroughly to feel at ease.
Xiao Chaihuo became more vigilant and clenched his fists, saying, "Yes."
The horse carriage stopped at a hidden place.
Ji Xinhe handed him a token: "This is the army’s token for entering and exiting the camp. Use it to enter discreetly without attracting attention. Investigate whether the drunkard has someone behind him or if someone is deliberately guiding him. Report back to me immediately."
Xiao Chaihuo nodded: "Yes."
And then he jumped off the carriage.
Xin He lifted the curtain and said, "Be careful. If anyone discovers you, just tell them my name."
A military camp was indeed not an ordinary place. In case Xiao Chaihuo, an outsider, was discovered, it was very likely that he would be treated as a spy and executed.
Ji Xinhe would rather expose herself than let Xiao Chaihuo face any danger to his life.
A faint warmth filled Xiao Chaihuo’s heart. He pursed his lips and nodded, "I will be careful."
His mood had just turned gloomy, but now it vanished instantly. What he had always wanted was simple. Why bother chasing after unrealistic things? As long as he could help her, shoulder some of her worries, and become someone she could trust completely, wouldn’t that be enough?
Her kindness to him, even if it was just a little kindness towards a brother, was enough to make him content and happy.
Just like right now, she probably didn’t know that a simple "be careful" could dispel the sadness in his heart.
As Xiao Chaihuo’s figure disappeared from sight, Xin He put down the curtain and said, "Let’s go."
At the coachman’s signal, the carriage sped towards the Royal Mansion.
Indeed, Xin He was very tired. This time, when she returned to the Royal Mansion, Shulan and Xiaoyu were anxiously waiting at the entrance. They only breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her carriage.
"The princess is back." Shulan quickly brought a stool and helped Xin He out of the carriage.
Xin He said softly, "Hmm."
"Did everything go smoothly today for the princess?"
Xin He forced a smile, "It was OK."
Shulan wanted to ask more questions, but Xiaoyu tugged at her sleeve and gave her a look. Shulan noticed the fatigue on Ji Xinhe’s face and quickly shut her mouth, ushering her in.
As soon as Xin He touched the bed, she fell asleep. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Shulan and Xiaoyu left the room and sighed, "The princess must be exhausted these days."
Xiaoyu shook her head gently, "In this situation, there’s really no way to not be tired."
Physical exhaustion was nothing, but the key was that they were constantly on edge mentally.
Mu Houchu had left Yu State, and there was always the risk of being discovered by the Emperor. But being discovered was only a matter of time. This time, he was going to Lian City and working under the Emperor’s nose. Once the Emperor noticed, he would surely pursue them relentlessly. How could Ji Xinhe not worry?
With Mu Houchu’s safety weighing on her mind, she was still in charge of affairs in Yu State, fearing that her inadequacy would burden him. She was actually very tired, too.
Shulan sighed, "I wonder when His Highness will return. The princess is struggling too hard on her own."
"We can only hope that this turbulence will end sooner rather than later," Xiaoyu murmured.
They both knew in their hearts that it would end sooner or later, but how it would end was still unknown.
Hopefully, everything would go smoothly.
Even as night fell and darkness enveloped everything, Ji Xinhe still didn’t wake up. Shulan and Xiaoyu thought that she should at least eat something, but they couldn’t bear to wake her since she was sleeping so soundly.
So they gave up.
When Xiao Chaihuo returned in a hurry, Shulan was not surprised. He had been very proactive in handling matters for heart over the years, and rushing back overnight was quite common.
"The princess is sleeping," Shulan whispered.
Xiao Chaihuo pursed his lips, "I’ll wait here."
"Is there something urgent? Otherwise, we should wake up the princess..."
"No need."
Shulan fell silent, thinking that perhaps Xiao Chaihuo didn’t want to wake her up either. She said, "I’ll go to the kitchen and watch the food, it’s still hot."
With that, she turned and left.
Xiao Chaihuo stood alone outside the door, guarding it. There was only a faintly lit candle inside the room, and the dim light shined through the window lattice, making his thin and lonely figure even more desolate.
Xiao Chaihuo stood straight, his back to the door, under the eaves.
Suddenly, the cold night sky began to flutter with tiny snowflakes. It was winter already.
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