The massive convoy surged toward the city gate, drawing the same curious gazes and whispered commentary as when they had arrived.
The Garrison Commander naturally wanted to be among the escorts, but with so many officials of higher rank present, he couldn't manage to get close.
"How is this Lady Qi the Worldly Heir's wife?" he muttered, still slightly bewildered, pulling aside a clerk from the General's Compound for a hushed word.
My dear uncle, you are trying to kill me! A whole pack of wolves was looking for you, the Worldly Heir's wife, and you slipped into the city quietly, pretending to be just a doctor! Pretending to be cross with the army surgeons! Pretending you were going to the battlefield!
And what about Jiang Hai! Heavens, doesn't the boy know anything? Isn't he subordinate to the Worldly Heir? Does he have the gall of a leopard to chase after the Worldly Heir’s woman and fawn over her! Isn't he inviting death?
Oh, right! He was sent off to Liaodong with a single word from the Worldly Heir the moment he returned...
I knew it! That’s why he was suddenly dispatched there—he brought it upon himself!
The Garrison Commander slammed his thigh again with a resounding smack!
My dear uncle! Am I going to be next?
He’s certainly accumulated quite a ledger of his own sins!
Just tell me, tell me, what in the world is going on here!
What kind of game are you two playing?
You’re gambling with the lives of all of us!
“You don’t know?” the clerk whispered back. “The Worldly Heir and the Young Mistress have actually divorced.”
The Garrison Commander’s eyes widened.
Divorced?
Yes, divorced!
He slapped his own forehead!
This is maddening! They were wrong from the very start!
A divorced Young Mistress naturally wouldn't arrive with the retinue of a Young Mistress! And of course, she wouldn't easily proclaim her status!
“It’s a long story, really. In short, they’ve been muddled through this mess without anyone knowing exactly what happened, but both of them still hold feelings for the other,” the clerk said, stroking his beard. “So, they are married and not married at the same time. No one can say for sure, so they just keep muddling along like this.”
That’s why Lady Qi dared not claim to be the Worldly Heir’s wife of Dingxi Marquisate.
That’s why the Worldly Heir dared not acknowledge Lady Qi as his wife in front of everyone.
And that’s why they’ve trapped us all!
“The pastries are exquisite, they have a superb cook—yes, a superb cook! She is the Worldly Heir’s wife!” he mumbled, raising his hand to strike himself again. “This prodigal woman has ruined me!”
The Garrison Commander sat down heavily, shifting uncomfortably.
“Oh, right, who is that other official?” he asked quietly, noticing something else as he looked toward the carriage surrounded by officials ahead.
“That one? Do you know about the Empress Taizu?” the clerk inquired.
Was that an insult?
The Garrison Commander glared at the clerk. Did he have to talk like that? Did he look like a fool to everyone now?
The clerk realized how ridiculous his question sounded and chuckled to himself.
“That is the Imperial Physician who saved Empress Taizu’s life back then,” he murmured. “The Empress Taizu and the Emperor Taizu were devoted from a young age, but she suffered many hardships, leaving her with chronic ailments that flared up several times, putting her in mortal danger each time. Each time, it was this Imperial Physician’s miraculous skill that brought her back. So, what do you think his standing is? Nowadays, there are fewer than five people allowed to sit in the Emperor’s presence; he is one of them.”
My dear uncle!
The Garrison Commander swallowed hard.
“And he seems quite close to the Worldly Heir. Did he come specifically to see the Worldly Heir?” he asked, his voice trembling.
He already suspected the answer, but he dared not believe it.
The clerk glanced at him with a measure of pity.
No wonder he only achieved the rank of Garrison Commander at such an old age; his mind is certainly not sharp.
“Lord Zhou has been commanded by Imperial Edict to bring the Divine Doctor Lady Qi to the capital,” he said.
Divine Doctor...
The Garrison Commander covered his face with his hand.
A Worldly Heir’s wife, and a Divine Doctor summoned by the Emperor—and he sent them both to the army surgeons’ camp, right on the front lines of the battle...
Uncle, save me.
At that moment, he wasn't the only one crying out for help. Lü Baoshan spurred his horse onward, using his knowledge of the terrain to take shortcuts, racing back to Pengshan Fort before the main crowd could arrive.
As soon as he dismounted, several remaining officers eagerly greeted him.
“Sir, what did the Garrison Commander say?” they urgently asked.
Lü Baoshan was in no mood for that; he shouted, his throat burning, “Where is she?”
The others finally caught on quickly.
“Don't worry, Sir, she’s already been sent to Songshan Fort,” they chuckled proudly. “She left as soon as we mentioned it, very easy to trick. Seems she hasn't completely lost her wits to infatuation yet, throwing tantrums because she has backing...”
Lü Baoshan gasped and slapped his thigh again, then kicked the nearest man before remounting without another word.
Easy to trick, no tantrums...
What did she have to throw tantrums about!
That was her own man!
Whether she threw a tantrum or not, he was still her man!
Lü Baoshan galloped away, leaving the group staring blankly, wondering what had happened. Before they could recover, another contingent of riders approached at a furious pace.
Leading them was Chang Yuncheng.
“General...” everyone quickly paid their respects.
Chang Yuncheng’s horse thundered past, kicking up a cloud of dust.
“What’s wrong?”
The men coughed violently, shouting their questions.
Behind Chang Yuncheng’s personal guard were Lü Baoshan’s men, their faces drawn with misery.
“The General saw through it! We... we didn’t keep her...” they admitted dejectedly.
They couldn't even hide their usual joy or anger, let alone coordinate a deliberate deception.
There was no urgent military matter at all; Chang Yuncheng saw through their flimsy story within a few sentences and extracted the truth.
Chang Yuncheng trembled with rage, which quickly turned to fear.
This was the border, a place frequented not only by the main armies of the (bandit-slaves) but also by their scattered cavalry.
It was winter, nearing the New Year, the time when the, desperate for supplies, were most likely to raid.
She was a woman, a beautiful woman, the kind who would draw stares even in the capital.
These bastards! These absolute bastards!
No, he was the bastard!
Chang Yuncheng’s teeth ground together in fury.
If it weren't for him, why would she have come here!
If it weren't for him, how would they have ended up in this state, unable to acknowledge each other as husband and wife!
If it weren't for him, she would be married to Wang Qian now, living a life of respect and contentment in the warm, prosperous Jiangnan!
If it weren't for him, why would she be forced to flee east in such disarray, why would she be so ridiculously mixed in with a group of men, enduring ridicule and laughter!
Chang Yuncheng raised his whip and lashed himself fiercely across the back.
His personal guards flinched in shock, watching the fine, heavy cloak instantly tear open.
Chang Yuncheng’s horse picked up speed, quickly overtaking the horse ahead.
“Hey? Worldly Heir! Let me explain...” Lü Baoshan shouted as the figure rushed past them like a gust of wind.
Chang Yuncheng was already far ahead.
My gods, this time I’m finished!
Lü Baoshan urged his horse forward.
Qi Yue knew nothing of the events unfolding. Without a shadow of a doubt, she cheerfully followed the group of army surgeons, escorted by guards, into Songshan Fort.
It wasn’t far from Pengshan Fort, perhaps half a day’s journey by carriage. It shared the same layout as Pengshan Fort, having suffered in the last great battle. Because it was further northwest, the impact was greater, and the city walls were more damaged, still unrepaired.
There were more wounded soldiers here, and their conditions were severe. But just like at Pengshan Fort, Qi Yue had limited means now. She could only focus on cleaning wounds, hoping to save them from sepsis or tetanus.
The presence of women among the surgeons astonished the men of Songshan Fort, especially such a beautiful woman.
“She’s one of our own brothers’ women,” the accompanying soldiers privately told the garrison troops.
Qi Yue heard this and smiled.
Chang Yuncheng was a general, their comrade-in-arms, after all.
That wasn't wrong.
She returned to her work.
It was at this moment that Chang Yuncheng burst in.
“Qi Yueliang!” he shouted loudly, his gaze sweeping across the dilapidated, foul-smelling room, unable to spot her immediately, his heart sinking.
Qi Yue stood up from the ground, still holding a pair of scissors, her face etched with surprise.
Why was he here too?
Before she could respond, Chang Yuncheng saw her.
He strode over and, right in front of everyone, grabbed her in a fierce embrace, like a long-lost treasure.
Everyone inside and out stared wide-eyed.
Qi Yue was startled, nearly pricking him with the scissors. She quickly pulled her hand away and dropped them.
“What’s wrong?” she asked urgently.
Chang Yuncheng held her tightly, neither speaking nor letting go.
Qi Yue looked at the stunned crowd and felt a slight urge to laugh. While such displays meant little to her, she had to consider the sensibilities of the common people in ancient times.
“Hey, it hasn't even been a day. Do we need to act like we’ve been separated for three autumns?” she chuckled softly. “Mind your image, General.”
Chang Yuncheng snapped straight but did not release her; instead, he kept his arm around her.
“Let me introduce you all. This is my woman, Chang Yuncheng’s woman. She is a physician, a divine doctor,” he stated, his eyes sweeping over the men, emphasizing every word. “She will be treating you, so everyone can rest assured.”
It sounded as if jaws were dropping throughout the room.
This is their brother’s woman...
Is this brother a bit too formidable...?
Who among the common folk in Gansu didn't know Chang Yuncheng?
The Martial General stationed in Zhangye Garrison!
The Martial General’s woman was here to treat them...
Were they still drunk from the victory feast after the retreated? Had they not woken up yet?
Noises of hurried footsteps and pounding hooves sounded from outside the door.
“Sir, Sir...” Lü Baoshan stumbled in frantically. “Madam, Madam, are you alright?”
He charged toward the man and woman standing close together and dropped to his knees.
“General, your subordinate was blind and ignorant, I did not know this was the Madam!” he cried, his voice hoarse. “This subordinate deserves a thousand deaths!”
Chang Yuncheng let out a long breath.
He tightened his arm around the woman before him once more.
Yes, she was his woman. He would say so wherever he went, and he dared to say so. His fate was sealed; it would never change.
“So that’s how it is.”
Qi Yue finally understood and couldn't help but smile.
These people were truly something...
“That boy Jiang Hai, how dare he say such a thing!” she laughed again, shaking her head.
As she spoke, they were already back at Pengshan Fort; it was already midnight.
This short trip out and back had brought about an earth-shattering change.
Qi Yue did not return to her old, humble hut but instead settled in Chang Yuncheng’s bright, spacious official quarters, where the di long (underfloor heating) was warm, soft red hangings draped the beds, and two pots of narcissus bloomed.
Qi Yue examined every corner meticulously. She had often been here over the past few days, but as a doctor, it felt inappropriate to snoop around someone’s room. Besides, time had been too short to examine people thoroughly. Now, she had plenty of time to look.
Chang Yuncheng pulled her into his embrace.
“Ignorance is forgivable. It’s also our fault for not making things clear to everyone,” Qi Yue smiled.
“These damned brutes!” Chang Yuncheng cursed again resentfully. He glanced down and saw the teasing smile on Qi Yue’s face, thinking of something. “I don’t have a habit of... of taking other men’s women! Never have!”
Qi Yue laughed out loud.
“Is that phrase meant to protest too much, or something else?” she teased, reaching up to pinch Chang Yuncheng’s cheek.
“It’s the other thing, the other thing,” Chang Yuncheng quickly affirmed. To prevent this clever woman from weaving him into a verbal trap, he bent down and kissed her lips.
No need to worry about being discovered, no need to worry about running out of time, no need to worry about interruptions.
This was his room, and she was his woman, declared to all.
This was what he had every right to do.
It was a long kiss, transitioning from intense passion to tenderness, and back to intensity.
When they parted to catch their breath, Qi Yue was already too weak to stand, hanging limply against him like water.
“Not bad, making rapid progress,” she managed to joke, rubbing her face against Chang Yuncheng’s chest.
Chang Yuncheng’s chuckle rumbled deep in his chest.
“Is that the only thing progressing rapidly? Aren't there any other areas?” he murmured, his hand already moving beneath her clothes.
“Ah, what are you talking about? I don’t understand,” Qi Yue chirped, looking up at him, blinking her large eyes innocently.
This look, paired with her words, could drive a man mad.
Chang Yuncheng reached out and swept her up into his arms.
“You don’t need to understand the words. You just need to see,” he smiled. “We have the entire night, which should be enough time for you to understand.”
Qi Yue laughed heartily.
“So, will the Worldly Heir still go for his morning run?” she asked teasingly.
“To hell with running! I only want to run circles around you until I’m satisfied,” Chang Yuncheng growled low and heavily.
These crude words instantly ignited their passion, and their breathing grew ragged.
Qi Yue looked at him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and rested her head against his chest, as docile as a little lamb.
Chang Yuncheng felt a feverish heat course through him. Without further hesitation, he carried her and strode toward the inner chambers. Just as he turned, a commotion arose outside.
“Sir, Sir, absolutely not, perhaps tomorrow...”
“...Worldly Heir, Worldly Heir, there are guests...”
The guard’s loud shout clearly indicated that he couldn't stop the approaching visitors.
Chang Yuncheng was furious.
Who dared!
Who was so blind!
To interrupt him at a moment like this!
“Get out!” he roared outside.
As his words faded, the door was violently thrown open.
A small, slight figure rushed in.
Qi Yue gasped and struggled down, quickly moving aside. Chang Yuncheng, enraged, lifted his foot, ready to kick the intruder out.
“Ha. Ha.” The newcomer let out a strange, half-laughing sound and stepped out from the dim lamplight.
Upon seeing who it was, Qi Yue stopped hiding and instead cried out with joyful surprise.
“Doctor Zhou! Why are you here?” she called out.
Zhou Maochun looked at her.
“Why am I here?” His voice trembled, clearly filled with emotion. Then he turned to Chang Yuncheng, throwing his arms wide. “Chang Yuncheng! Worldly Heir! I have missed you terribly!”