In the starry night sky, beneath the bright moonlight, a line of black-clothed figures advanced through the midnight dust. The leading black horse galloped with all its might, followed by a throng of black-clothed figures who left dust in their wake, their pace so fast that not even the dust could catch up with them.
In such a rush through the night, several horses had already died from exhaustion. Now, they were but a shichen’s distance from the Zheng Capital. The followers intended to persuade their master to rest before continuing the journey, but they simply couldn’t catch up with him.
When they reached the gates of Zheng Capital City, they had already abandoned their horses and, knowing the way well, they scaled the walls at a secluded corner and slipped inside. Soone was waiting for them, hastily preparing fresh mounts. The group set off again, swiftly disappearing into the night.
Zheng Nianru felt a distinct twitching in her eyelids, which worsened as evening approached, to the point where it beca incessant. She resisted Nanny Yun’s urge to call for a physician, as Zheng Nianru was in unusually high spirits and managed to bear the discomfort.
Also, due to the cold, Zheng Nianru did not seek amusent or entertainnt and did not feel bored. Instead, she spent ti embroidering with Snow Willow and the others before retiring early to bed. As she slept fitfully, suddenly, two shadowy figures darted into the back courtyard of Prince Duan’s Mansion—one leading, the other moving even faster, as if desperate to get to the forefront. They stopped in front of a courtyard where lights were still on. The guide gestured silently towards the lit room.
The second black-clothed figure, having reached this point, was no longer in such a hurry, almost as if the sentint of "ho-sickness strikes upon nearing ho." The first figure was surprised; having heard from their brothers that the Princely Heir had hurried here through the night without rest, why hesitate now at the last step?
The man wanted to enter, wished to burst through the doors. She was asleep, and even a re glance would be enough for him, without disturbing her, just standing quietly by her side would satisfy him.
But now, standing here, Nann Yu dared not proceed.
The first figure grew impatient; if they weren’t so familiar with Prince Duan’s Mansion, they would have been discovered by the guards at this point. Standing in the moonlight like a lamppost, it was only a matter of ti before he’d be spotted.
Restless, the black-clad figure glanced nervously around, hearing the approaching footsteps of the changing guard. Just as he was about to speak, Nann Yu finally moved. With sudden resolve, he leapt into the courtyard and hurried underneath the corridor, approaching the softly lit room.
Inside, where the light glimred faintly, Nann Yu could distinctly hear the breathing of three people. The softest of these breaths imdiately softened him, as if his very bones had been brushed by feathers. Unaware, he smiled faintly, his movents growing even lighter as he quietly opened and swiftly closed the door, not letting in even a hint of cold air.
Advancing in the darkness, the corners of the man’s mouth lifted involuntarily. Days of fatigue evaporated, as if all the hardships, all the dangers he faced, were worth it just for this mont.
"Who?" Nian Xia suddenly woke, her instincts telling her soone else was in the room. In the very next mont, without even putting on her shoes, she rushed inside. Nian Xia’s shout awakened Fu Dong, who leapt out from an inner side room, only to see a shadowy figure standing before the Commandery Princess’s bed.
Fu Dong and Nian Xia were frozen in place. That figure... it didn’t quite resemble the Crown Prince.
"Who?" This ti it was Fu Dong, her voice much softer, uneasily glancing towards the exterior. Nian Xia’s voice had been so loud, was everyone outside dead to the world?
Fu Dong sensed this wasn’t Zheng Congyuan; he wouldn’t be this silent. He would have let them know his identity at Nian Xia’s first outcry—or even upon entering the room.
The man suddenly stepped forward, prompting Fu Dong to take a step to block the front of Zheng Nianru’s bed. Wearing only a thin layer of clothing, she was trembling, either from fear or cold.
"Don’t co any closer. This is Prince Duan’s Mansion. Just one shout and you won’t be able to escape," Fu Dong weakly threatened the figure before her.
Nann Yu found such threats to be quite amiable. Just as he was about to speak, the bed curtain was suddenly lifted, and Zheng Nianru gripped the curtain with one hand, eyes already fixed on the dark silhouette before her.
Nann Yu stared fixedly at the woman whose head was the only thing visible, and with the dim light in the room, he could only see a very blurry shadow. Even with the blurry shadow, it was enough to offset the longing he had suffered these past days. It was enough.
Moving forward, Nann Yu intentionally wanted the other party to say his na.
Nian Xia suddenly picked up a lantern from the side, and the room instantly lit up, exposing the man in black clothes in the bright light.
Zheng Nianru paused slightly, recognizing the man before her at a glance, despite the great change. The man had quickly shed his youthful tenderness, his figure had beco much rougher, he had grown taller, his skin was healthy, and his chin was covered with uneven stubble – it was the scent of a man weathered by the elents.
"Nann Yu—" Zheng Nianru began, he looked so much like the Nann Yu from the battlefield in her previous life, even his now coarse voice, and his strong and muscular torso were clearly etched in her mory.
Fu Dong and Nian Xia stumbled, with Fu Dong nearly falling. The lantern in Nian Xia’s hand had dropped to the floor, and a thousand galloping mythical beasts seed to race through her heart.
Nann Yu, pleased with himself, took a step forward, noticed that there was still warm tea on the table, and picked up the teapot to gulp it down. He drank all the water in the teapot in one go.
Fu Dong glared at the teapot, wishing that it had been poisoned.
Zheng Nianru didn’t speak but just watched the figure. Why was he here? At this ti, why would he co? If her mory served her right, this mont was critical for Nann State, and no news had co of Nann Yu ascending the throne.
Fu Dong looked at his Commandery Princess. What was he doing here?
Zheng Nianru returned a glance. How would she know?
Nann Yu put down the teapot and headed straight for the bed. This action imdiately made the three others tense. Just as Fu Dong was about to speak, Nann Yu had already sat down on the footstool in front of the bed, sprawling confidently with a gaze that revealed more than just self-assurance but also boldness. The man looked at Zheng Nianru on the bed, said nothing, and laid down to sleep. Fatigue swept over him instantly—if only he could hold on for a mont longer, he would have said a word to the person before him.
But, there would be plenty of ti in the days to co, wouldn’t there...
Fu Dong and Nian Xia were imdiately frozen in place, both looking towards Zheng Nianru. What should their Commandery Princess do? Was it ti to act? Especially at such a crucial mont, this boy couldn’t be allowed to stay, and he might be discovered by the Crown Prince’s people at any mont.
In an instant, Nian Xia lost all sense of sleepiness. Just thinking about what might happen next was simply... simply...
Zheng Nianru was displeased. She gave each of them a look, what could she do? Whoever could get the person out should take action. Zheng Nianru flicked the curtain back and continued to sleep. Let whoever cared take care of it.
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