A quick calculation reveals that I am destined to lack love.
"My lord," Binghu said, seeing Haqiya had returned, before approaching her and asking, "My lord, why did you bring such a burden along?" Binghu hadn't known Haqiya was in the carriage; only after the carriage stopped and Haqiya emerged did he learn, through some inquiries, that she was the little princess Sujiha had been looking for that morning.
"Who says she's a burden? This is our blessing!" Tang Feng ladled a bowl of hot soup from the pot and handed it to Binghu. Binghu waved her hands repeatedly, but Tang Feng didn't care. He took the bowl back, drank a sip himself, and then said, "She's a princess of the Qiang and Hu tribes. I always felt that if the Qiang and Hu didn't send troops to keep an eye on us, it would be a problem in the future. With this princess, it's different. If we get along well, she can testify for us, and it's not impossible that we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."
"I see! As expected of you, sir." Binghu nodded, casting an envious glance at Tang Feng. "Then... sir, where will you sleep tonight?" Hearing Binghu's words, Tang Feng also wondered. Yes, where would he sleep? There was only one carriage. He sighed, "Where else can I sleep? I'll just lie down and close my eyes." He then lay down directly on the grass.
Unlike Xiling, the grasslands have a large temperature difference between day and night. Tang Feng woke up early in the morning, his whole body soaked with dew. While he was changing his clothes, he saw Haqiya come out of the carriage. "Oh! You're up early. I was going to go in and pull off your blanket."
“We grassland people wake up at the crack of dawn; it’s our wild nature,” Hachiya said, standing by the carriage with her hands on her hips, watching Tang Feng tie her belt. “You’re so clumsy, let me help you.”
"Hey, hey, hey? Stay away from me!" Tang Feng saw Haqiya pounce on him like a hungry wolf. Remembering what she had asked him to marry her last night, he shuddered and raised his leg to block Haqiya's path, preventing her from getting closer. After Tang Feng fastened his belt, he stood still and asked, "Why are you always hovering around me! Go do what you're supposed to be doing!"
“What can I do?” Hachia pulled out a whip from her waist. “I want to ride a horse, not this damn carriage! It rattles and clangs, it feels like it’s going to fall apart.”
At this moment, Tang Feng couldn't be happier to hear him say that. He waved his hand and had Liu Yiwan bring a horse. "Go ahead! Take it or leave it in the carriage. I almost broke my back yesterday because I slept outside for you." It was a bit of a grievance, though. Tang Feng had never suffered like this before. He was practically spoiled rotten by Zhou Ziliang when he was in Xiling. Even when they had a tiff before Lishan Academy, it was Zhou Ziliang who slept on the ground.
"Serves you right! If you were willing to marry me, you could sleep with me!"
"Let's stop this topic! I can't marry you, and I don't want to hold you back. Alright! Miss, get on your horse quickly, I need to go back and rest too. Look at my dark circles!" Tang Feng got into the carriage and leaned back, closing his eyes to rest. He felt he had been overworking his brain these past few days, and he had a premonition that he might get sick. He hadn't been sick in a long time; the last time was when he was betrothed in Xiling. Now his head was a little dizzy and throbbing, but he was in an unfamiliar place, far from any village or shop, so he had to be careful. Before leaving, Tang Feng summoned Liu Yiwan and asked him to boil some water for him. Just as he finished instructing Liu Yiwan, Qin Liuliu boarded the carriage, crying, "Brother, brother, that princess is trying to steal our bows and arrows!" Tang Feng frowned upon hearing this. This Haqiya was truly a handful. He initially didn't want to pay attention, but he had indeed heard the commotion outside. Tang Feng helped himself to his seat in the carriage, pulled back the curtain, and said, "When are you going to stop this nonsense? Let's get going! Are you not planning to return to Yanyun? Or are you going to add to the Qiang and Hu tribes' ranks?"
Seeing that Tang Feng was angry, Binghu quickly snatched the bow and arrow from Hachiya's hand and said to the delegation, "Get ready, we're setting off."
Liu Yiwan brought hot water to Tang Feng. "Young Master, please enjoy, it's a bit hot." Tang Feng held the cup, looking at the scenery outside. He wondered what Ziliang was doing. If he succeeded this time, he planned to talk to him about the marriage. After spending so much time together, it was time to give Ziliang an explanation. Then... his father would be quite happy! And his aunt, she doted on him so much. If she lived with Ziliang, his life would probably be even better. Thinking of this, Tang Feng felt his headache lessen, and even felt much lighter.
During the midday break, Haqiya threw a tantrum, insisting on getting the bow and arrows from Binghu, claiming she wanted to shoot geese for Tang Feng to eat. Tang Feng had never eaten such things before and was filled with resistance, but after thinking about what else he could eat on the grassland, he nodded and went with Haqiya. Sitting on the ground, Tang Feng watched Haqiya ride off on her horse, unable to suppress a chuckle. Then, he straightened his expression and said to Binghu, "What are you standing there for! Follow her! Don't let your good fortune slip away!"
Ever since Tang Feng left, Zhou Ziliang has been staying in the military camp. At home, he's often scolded by his wife because Tang Feng was going to the Qiang and Hu regions without telling her. So now the old lady finds fault with him in every way. Although she knows Tang Feng didn't want her to worry, she's still very angry. The Qiang and Hu regions are so far away, and her son isn't even going with them! He's just like his father—useless at everything.
Zhou Ziliang had been constantly worried about Tang Feng while in the military camp, wondering how he was doing. Tang Feng hadn't sent a single letter since going to the Qiang and Hu tribes; even a simple message would have been helpful! Seeing that Zhou Ziliang was preoccupied with the affairs of the camp, Chen Ke said, "Young Marquis, don't worry. Your wife is very fortunate; she'll definitely be alright in the Qiang and Hu."
"It's been two or three months since Xiao Feng left, and he hasn't sent a single letter back. I wonder if he's encountered some trouble," Zhou Ziliang sighed. Even if Tang Feng, as the mission's driver, was too busy to remember, Liu Yiwan should have done so, but Zhou Ziliang didn't dare to write a letter rashly for fear of causing Tang Feng unnecessary trouble.
"Young Marquis, His Highness Prince Duan is at the door and says he wants to see you," a soldier at the door reported as Zhou Ziliang was thinking. He exchanged a glance with Chen Ke and asked, "What do you think he wants from me?"
"This humble general believes it's most likely related to the young mistress's matter. Would you like to meet her?"
"See him! Why wouldn't I see him! Xiao Feng has been absent-minded and sullen ever since he came back from his place. I want to see what kind of explanation he has for me. Tell the Prince to wait for me at the main camp and say I'll be there soon."
Chen Ke accepted the order and went downstairs. Actually, Chen Ke wasn't too happy either. Although she comforted Zhou Ziliang by saying Tang Feng was alright, who knew? The Qiang and Hu were barbarian lands, and Tang Feng looked weak and uncouth. What if he was bullied by them? And having just heard Zhou Ziliang's strong opinion about Prince Duan, she couldn't help but feel a bit angry.
"Your Highness, please wait in the main camp! Our Marquis will be here shortly." After saying this, Chen Ke bowed and turned to leave. Shen Qinghang watched Chen Ke walk away, pointed at his back, and said in a trembling voice, "What kind of behavior is this! What kind of behavior is this! Zhou Ziliang is such a person who cares about etiquette, how could he have trained soldiers like this?"
"Forget it, I think it was probably Zhou Ziliang's idea too! In the end, I felt a little bad for him, sending Tang Feng to the Qiang and Hu tribes. I understand he's upset," Li Yunrui said with a smile, his face completely unconcerned.
After waiting for about half an incense stick's time, Zhou Ziliang finally entered. As soon as he entered the military camp, Shen Qinghang's expression turned sour, and he said sarcastically, "Brother Ziliang, the soldiers in your camp really don't know their place. They don't even give the Prince a friendly look." Zhou Ziliang bowed to Li Yunrui and said, "Your Highness, I'm sorry. My brothers in the army are all very close to Xiaofeng. Hearing that you sent him to the Qiang and Hu tribes, they were understandably angry. If they said anything unpleasant, I hope Your Highness will forgive them."
"It's not that those soldiers are angry; I think it's you who are unhappy! I know you resent me for sending Tang Feng to the Qiang and Hu tribes, but Zhou Ziliang, let me tell you, ever since Tang Feng made that bet with me at Lishan Academy, he can't escape these things. Besides, this is what he should do. Does the young marquis expect me to pawnshop and support idlers?"
“Your Highness, I don’t know what you said to Xiao Feng that day, but he came back so depressed. I don’t care, but if something happens to Xiao Feng, I will not let it go. You’d better think twice in the future. I believe that my Marquis’s mansion can take care of Xiao Feng without any problem.”
Meanwhile, Tang Feng was still propping his head up, watching Haqiya shoot the wild goose with her bow! Tang Feng felt he might have caught a chill last night; he was dizzy and lightheaded, feeling like he was about to collapse after just a few steps. He didn't know when his throat had started hurting, so he coughed twice and said in a hoarse voice to Qin Liuliu, "Liuliu, go eat with them! Don't worry about me, I'm going to rest for a while." With that, Tang Feng lay down, pulling the blanket up a little. Feeling a bit cold, he curled up on his side, his forehead against the edge of the carriage, finding the cool wood against his forehead somewhat more comfortable. "Liuliu is right, if only Ziliang were here..."
Qin Liuliu ran out and saw that the iron pot was already filled. Haqiya, holding a bowl, specially served Tang Feng a large goose leg and asked, "Hey! Little one, where's your brother? The soup is ready, hurry up and call him to come eat."
"My brother is resting, can you please keep your voice down? Is that even a girl's voice?" Qin Liuliu said, hands on her hips, somewhat annoyed.
"Why are you resting in the middle of the day? I'll go check on him." Hachia went inside and saw Tang Feng lying there. He hadn't woken up despite the commotion she'd made getting in the car. Hachia frowned, sat down, and nudged Tang Feng. "Hey! It's time to eat. Why are you sleeping so early?" Seeing that Tang Feng ignored her, she tugged at his sleeve.
"Get out of the way! You can keep making a scene outside, don't bother me!" Tang Feng didn't move, still lying there. Seeing he was unmoved, Haqiya threw a pillow at him. "Fine, just stay lazy! I've done some calculations, are you just starved for love? Curling yourself up like that, my father says it's a sign of being unloved."
"Screw you!" Tang Feng was shivering from the cold, hugging the blanket and enduring his headache. "Get out of here! Tell Binghu to hurry up and get going after dinner. Don't stand there laughing and joking. Do you think I'm deaf?"
"He really knows how to boss people around." Even the usually oblivious Hachiya felt that something was off about Tang Feng. After agreeing, she got out of the car. After giving Binghu some instructions, Hachiya called Liu Yiwan over and asked, "Hey, is he your young master?"
"So what if it is?"
"Is he sick?" Hachia frowned, recalling how Tang Feng had been trembling earlier. "He was lying in the car, and he didn't seem to be feeling well."
After listening, Liu Yiwan pushed Haqiya aside and got into the carriage.
Tang Feng thought Haqiya had returned, so he coughed twice and cleared his throat. "Didn't I tell you to leave? Why did you come back?"
"Young Master, it's me." Liu Yiwan sat down next to Tang Feng and touched his forehead. "Young Master, you might have a fever."
"I'm not stupid, do you need to tell me?" Tang Feng said, propping himself up to sit up. "Don't worry, it's not a serious illness. I probably caught a chill last night. I'll probably feel better after a good night's sleep. Don't let that princess come up again, she's a nuisance."
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