The source of the epidemic is unknown, and this epidemic may never end.

Therefore, when Qiao Diyi led the team ahead, Qiao Zhongguo gave a death order as the commander-in-chief - the source of the epidemic must be eliminated!

Before the team set out north, the "think tank" in Beijing and Imperial Physician Zou had already discussed the source of the epidemic.

If this epidemic was a natural disaster, then the problem might be with the livestock or the warhorse camp in the city.

If it was man-made, it must be the sinister intentions of the northern bandits!

The two countries face each other across the river and are on guard against each other. The northern bandits have succeeded today, either because there is a traitor in the city, or... they are simply making moves outside the city!

The drinking water for the people of Wuding and the military camp are closely related to the Wuding River. If the problem lies in the Wuding River, then everything makes sense!

At this time, Qiao Diyi and his three companions were traveling upstream along the Wuding River heading westward.

The wind was blowing fiercely, and the cold air blew into the bones. Even Qiao Diyi and Qiao Bo grimaced with cold.

Qiao Diyi turned his head to look beside him from time to time, but Xiao Qianyue always followed closely beside him without complaining.

Qiao Bo was riding his horse behind him, and seeing this he couldn't help but praise inwardly: The Second Young Master's wife is indeed the daughter of a general!

It gets dark early in the north. Seeing that it was getting dark all around, Qiao Diyi reined in his horse and stopped.

He looked far away along the Wuding River with his sharp eyes, then turned his head and made a gesture to Xiao Qianyue and Qiao Bo.

I can't run anymore, otherwise if I fall late at night, the consequences will be disastrous.

Qiao Bo felt relieved to see Qiao Diyi so calm.

He had fought alongside the general in the North for several years. The nights were deep and cold, and there were countless unknowns hidden in the North.

The second young master had never been to the northern border, and he was worried that the young master would become anxious and act impulsively after hearing about the tragic situation in Wuding.

Now that he saw that the Second Young Master knew when to act and had a plan in mind, he was completely relieved.

"Yue'er, Qiao Bo, if it gets any later we won't be able to see the road. Let's find a place to rest for the night and then set off tomorrow morning."

Qiao Diyi spoke in a deep voice, then turned his horse's head and looked for a suitable place to land.

In this regard, Job was more experienced and soon found a small valley sheltered from the wind.

Qiao Diyi got off the horse and hurried to Xiao Qianyue's side.

"Yue'er, can you still move?"

Xiao Qianyue nodded. She supported herself on the horse's back and turned over. However, the moment she stepped on the ground, she immediately fell onto Qiao Diyi.

Her legs and feet had been frozen and numb from running against the wind all the way. Now she had no feeling at all and could not even stand.

Qiao Bo was making a fire nearby. Seeing this, he hurriedly said, "Young Master, quickly bring the young mistress over to warm up by the fire. She is freezing cold, and we need to revive her blood circulation as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Diyi immediately picked up Xiao Qianyue and carried her sideways. He walked to the fire in two or three steps, held her in his arms and sat down.

Qiao Bo stared at the fire without raising his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "Young Madam, please don't be so polite, let the young master massage your legs."

"This is not a joke. When I followed the general to fight in the northern border, one of our brothers was so cold that he had to cut off one of his hands to save his life."

Xiao Qianyue was a little embarrassed at first, but now that she heard that her hands and feet were going to be chopped off, she stopped being so reserved and hurriedly pulled Qiao Diyi's hand and pressed it against her leg.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, help me press it, I can't lose my leg!"

Qiao Diyi did not dare to be careless. He quickly asked Xiao Qianyue to sit firmly, and he reached out and placed his hand on Xiao Qianyue's leg.

The wide cloak wrapped their bodies together, and soon the heat rose and the cold gradually disappeared. Xiao Qianyue moved her feet and finally felt that she was alive again.

Qiao Diyi never stopped what he was doing. There was no romantic feeling in his heart, only heartache and pity.

Xiao Qianyue's face was a little hot at this moment. Her legs seemed to become sensitive after regaining consciousness. She felt numb and itchy when being rubbed by Qiao Diyi's broad and thick palms with moderate force.

Qiao Bo was right opposite, and Xiao Qianyue was too embarrassed to cry out that she was itchy, so she quickly spoke to divert attention.

"Erlang, Qiao Bo, if the source of the epidemic is really in the upper reaches of the Wuding River, will the northern bandits send people to guard it?"

Qiao Diyi paused for a moment, then nodded with a serious look, "We have to be careful tomorrow. If we find any clues, we may have to abandon our horses and walk."

"If possible... we must capture one or two alive and interrogate them thoroughly!"

Xiao Qianyue nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, and at this time Qiao Bo handed over some dry food.

"It's bitterly cold here. I'm sorry to trouble you, Madam."

Xiao Qianyue raised her hand to take the dry food and said with a smile: "Well, Uncle Qiao, what's the point of saying that I feel wronged? I just hope I didn't hold you back. I didn't know before I came here that the North Territory is really cold!"

Xiao Qianyue raised her foot to stand up, but Qiao Diyi held her down.

"No need to go, just sit down, it's too cold outside."

Qiao Diyi took the other piece of cake and took a big bite.

Xiao Qianyue turned her head to look at him, vaguely catching a glimpse of his ears which were red from the firelight. She lowered her head to think for a moment, then sat still and began to munch on her dry food.

Qiao Bo quickly lowered his head and pretended not to hear.

The conditions here were really harsh. After the three of them dealt with it casually and talked a few words about Wuding City, they closed their eyes and rested.

It was agreed that Qiao Bo would guard the first half of the night and Qiao Diyi would guard the second half.

Qiao Diyi leaned against the big rock behind him and hugged Xiao Qianyue tightly in his arms.

"Yue'er, take a nap."

Xiao Qianyue was extremely tired, and she knew that only by staying in good spirits could she keep up with their pace tomorrow.

"good."

She simply nodded and leaned into Qiao Diyi's arms, but only for a while and soon fell asleep.

Perhaps it was instinct, she curled up into a ball and pressed against Qiao Diyi again and again, as if she wanted to get into his body.

Qiao Diyi sat silently for a while, and couldn't help feeling a little strange, which was also instinct.

He was a little embarrassed and looked up awkwardly, just in time to meet Job's teasing gaze.

Qiao Diyi felt his body getting hotter. Qiao Bo smiled and suddenly said in a low voice: "Young Master, the Young Madam is amazing. Back then, we were all young and ignorant. When we first followed the general to the northern border, we complained bitterly."

"I'm afraid the young lady must have felt very uncomfortable on this journey, but I have never heard her complain."

When Qiao Diyi heard this, his heart suddenly softened and he couldn't help but hug the person in his arms tighter.

Xiao Qianyue felt the warmth approaching and went further inside.

Qiao Diyi froze up, took a deep breath, and said to Qiao Bo:

"Job, change it. I'll keep watch for half the night. I can't sleep."

His voice was slightly hoarse, losing some of his youthfulness.

Qiao Bo smiled softly, with a profound look of "I understand everything as someone who has been through this", and nodded to Qiao Diyi.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Master."

Qiao Bo leaned against the stone wall with his clothes on, and soon his breathing became even.

I am really tired after running all the way.

Qiao Diyi slowly adjusted his breathing, and after a while the restlessness in his body gradually subsided. He raised his head and looked into the darkness in the distance, his brows gradually becoming cold.

The young man from Kyoto was full of vigor and ambition, but after witnessing Wu Ding's passion and righteousness, he couldn't help feeling ashamed.

At this moment, in the cold dark night of the North, the boy shed his impetuousness and grew up quietly.