Chapter 118 Spending the Night in a Dilapidated Temple, Subjected to Smoke and Vomiting
The exile procession descended the mountain, and the second and third branches of the family, who had lagged behind, arrived just in time.
Old Liao then led them through the canyon path where the bandits of Black Wind Village often ambushed them overnight. They encountered no bandits along the way and were safe without any danger. After passing through the canyon, the escorts relaxed.
It was getting late, and everyone was too tired to walk any further. They found a dilapidated temple to rest in. The temple was small, and it could only accommodate half of the people. The other half had to rest outside.
There were bandits nearby, and there might be wild animals in the woods in front of them. Nobody wanted to stay outside. Without waiting for the guards to announce it, those in the lead rushed in to grab a spot.
Xiao Xuance and Yun Zhaoxue walked at the front of the group and managed to grab a spot in the corner.
Soon the room was packed with people, and there was no room left. People kept pushing forward at the door, almost piling up on top of each other, making it impossible for those inside to get out.
A gust of wind blew in from the doorway, bringing with it a pungent mix of odors, including body odor, foot odor, and more, making one want to vomit.
Yun Zhaoxue couldn't stand the smell, so she climbed onto the window and vomited twice, but nothing came out. She then climbed out the window and walked a few meters before daring to breathe. The other people in the room didn't react as strongly.
Yang thought she was experiencing morning sickness and was so anxious that she wanted to climb out to check on her.
Xiao Xuance walked to the window with the water bag in his hand. "Mother, I'll go."
"Okay, go quickly. Xue'er probably can't stand the smell and is nauseous from morning sickness. If she gets angry, you'll have to put up with it. It's harder for her to travel while pregnant than for us, so please be more understanding."
While cleaning her stall, Xiao Xiuning thought to herself, "She's working hard? Her complexion is rosy and her face is clean; she doesn't look like someone who's been exiled at all."
Yun Zhaoxue leaned against a pillar and vomited, "Ugh..."
A handkerchief was handed to him. "Here you go."
Yun Zhaoxue's vomiting masked the other person's voice, and she didn't notice the sound for a moment. Just as she was about to reach out to take it, she saw that the hand was slender and white, the kind of hand that comes from a life of luxury, not the dark hand of a military general like Xiao Xuance.
She withdrew her hand, but the other person extended it forward again, so she took a step back.
She suddenly bumped into someone and stumbled forward. Before she could regain her balance, an arm wrapped around her from below her chest, and her back slammed into the other person's solid chest with a "thud!"
Xiao Xuance was knocked off his feet by her and staggered backward.
Yun Zhaoxue clearly felt that he was unsteady on his feet. She reached out and grabbed his arm, her gaze falling on his legs. His leg injury had flared up again.
I've been busy traveling these past few days and haven't had time to pay attention to his legs, nor have I heard him say that his legs hurt.
If we perform surgery on him, it will take a hundred days to recover from the injury, and he won't be able to walk for at least two months. He'll need a wheelchair or carriage. Who will push him then?
It's too high-profile for the Third Prince to be carried by guards. He's just left the capital, and all sides are watching him closely. It's not advisable to be too conspicuous.
Moreover, their relationship is not yet at a point where she should reveal her secrets; she needs to observe the situation further.
After Xiao Xuance steadied himself, he handed the water pouch in his hand to Yun Zhaoxue so she could rinse her mouth, while his wary gaze swept over the Third Prince.
The two locked eyes; one gaze was sharp and wary, while the other was gentle and smiling.
The Third Prince smiled helplessly, putting the handkerchief behind his back. "Young Master Xiao, don't misunderstand. Xue'er and I are cousins. In a way, you're my cousin-in-law."
He stepped closer to Xiao Xuance, leaning slightly forward, his lowered voice unable to conceal his ambition, "Good brother-in-law, all the past troubles stemmed from differing stances. Let's sit down and have a good drink another day, and let bygones be bygones. If you help me, when I return to the capital, I will definitely seek justice for the Prince of Zhenbei. The two of us, one of us in charge of the court, the other leading the army north, will drive out the foreign enemies, reclaim lost territory, and unify the world. What do you think?"
He had three wives and concubines by his side. No matter how beautiful Yun Zhaoxue was, she was already a married woman carrying another man's child. No matter how thirsty he was, he, a prince, would not covet her.
He happened to be nearby and saw Yun Zhaoxue vomiting. In order to persuade Xiao Xuance to join him, he came over and offered her a handkerchief as a gesture of goodwill.
He never wanted just one woman, but the whole world.
Xiao Xuance said calmly, "I'm just a useless exiled man. I don't have that much ability. You've come to the wrong person."
The Third Prince continued, "You do have it, but you're unwilling. Think it over carefully. I am definitely your best choice. I only have brotherly affection for Xue'er, not romantic feelings for her. She has been pampered since childhood, and as her name suggests, she has snow-white skin. Her clothes are easily rubbed raw if they are not made of fine material. She can't bear a hard life. Can you bear to let her eat chaff and wild vegetables with you?"
Yun Zhaoxue rinsed her mouth and drank some spiritual spring water to feel a little better. She saw the two whispering to each other and was about to eavesdrop when she saw them talking about something.
The third prince nodded slightly to her, then turned and left.
Xiao Xuance's jaw tightened, his eyes darkened, and intense jealousy filled his heart, making him feel both sore and swollen. He couldn't help but ask, "Why did you take his handkerchief just now?"
I asked and then regretted it. What if she answered that it was because she liked the other person?
Her subordinates reported that she was deeply in love with the Third Prince but could not have him, so she found Shen Yan, who looked somewhat like the Third Prince, to be her substitute.
Seeing his expression, Yun Zhaoxue was completely bewildered. It was just a handkerchief, wasn't it? Why was he acting like she had been caught cheating on him?
She said, "I didn't answer."
"You reached out your hand."
Yun Zhaoxue said, "I thought he was you."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuance's brows relaxed, the gloom in his eyes dissipated, and a faint light appeared. His gaze was fixed on her intently, as if he wanted to draw her in, and he was excitedly eager to touch her.
Even if I can't hug you, just touching you would be nice.
"Slap!" Yun Zhaoxue angrily slapped his hand away, her tone furious, "What do you suspect me of now? I told you I cut all ties with him long ago, we have nothing to do with each other."
Xiao Xuance replied, "I believe you."
"I trust you! You always say you trust me, but you always doubt me." Yun Zhaoxue angrily threw the water pouch at his arms with a "smack!"
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