The Slender Waist-Chapter 698 - 503: Sending Warmth at Night

The carriage hurtled down the official road.

Wheels rolled thunderously, jolting against the cold wind, their pace quickening ever more.

Fields and mountains passed by the carriage window one by one, from dawn to sunset, and gradually a few night lamps could be seen, flickering dimly and brightly...

Night had fallen.

Winter nights amidst war are exceptionally chilly.

All along the way, hardly a single commoner could be seen.

Yishui Pier had already been taken under control by the Northern Yong Army; no civilian boats were coming and going.

Feng Yun had the carriage stop outside the blockade line before stepping forward.

Unexpectedly, the Cavalry Colonel stationed at the dock was an unfamiliar face who did not recognize the Princess of Yonghuai disguised in men’s clothing.

After eyeing Feng Yun from head to toe, he approached and began shooing people away.

"This is a military stronghold; no civilians allowed. Where did you come from? Go on, get out of here!"

This time, coming from Huaxi, Feng Yun traveled light to avoid delays. Only Ge Guang and Ge Yi, the two brothers, Xiaoman, and a few others including Qian Sanniu and Ye Chuang, and Lin Zhuo accompanied her.

For convenience during the journey, she hadn’t dressed in women’s clothes, but instead donned loose men’s attire, resembling a noble young master traveling with his servants.

To avoid further complications, Feng Yun gave Ye Chuang a look, signaling him to reveal their identity.

Ye Chuang stepped forward with a smile and called out "Brother," then said:

"We are all on the same side here. This lady is the Princess of Yonghuai..."

The wind on the pier was strong, and the Colonel did not hear his words clearly. He thought Ye Chuang was just a servant trying to ingratiate himself, furrowed his brow and turned sour.

"This is a military order. I don’t care who you are, get back!"

He waved his hand impatiently, then snorted.

"Can’t you see everyone else is moving from the north to the south? I’ve never seen such fools, heading north to their deaths."

"What kind of way is that to speak?"

Just as Ye Chuang was about to argue, seeing his tall and mighty figure, the man reached for his sword.

"Back off! Take one more step, and you’ll be charged with assaulting a fortress and be executed without mercy!"

Ye Chuang stopped, heh, and chuckled.

"Fierce, aren’t you brother. Got quite a temper there..."

During his years in the Imperial Guard Camp of the Northern Yong Army, he himself was a firecracker, easily ignited, when had he ever taken such nonsense?

Despite his explanation, when the other party did not listen and instead threatened violence, Ye Chuang could not hold back and reached for his sword.

"All right, all right, looking for a fight are you? Then let’s have a go..."

"Ye Chuang." Feng Yun stopped him and bowed slightly towards the Colonel, "Sorry, we did not make ourselves clear..."

Her words had barely begun when suddenly a light call was heard.

"Aunt?"

The voice of Ao Qi carried in the night breeze, and Feng Yun turned to look.

Indeed it was him, mounted on a horse, with a scrape on his neck, a lean visage but eyes bright and spirited, dark and lucid.

"What are you doing here?" Ye Chuang asked before Feng Yun, smiling as he retracted his waist sword, his gaze sparkling as he looked at Ao Qi.

Ao Qi glanced at him then turned towards Feng Yun:

"I’m coordinating with Shi Yin to separate our forces to lighten the logistic burden. The Purple Lightning Army moves ahead; the Red Armor Army will cross the river tonight as backup."

Ye Chuang, having served in the military for years, understood the rationale behind splitting forces. Too many people moving at once would be troublesome, not to mention the issue of supplies and provisions.

He didn’t question further but pointed out: "Your timing couldn’t be better. Quick, come and explain to this fool who can’t see what’s in front of him..."

His gaze turned to the Colonel, and then he continued: "The Princess wants to cross the river to find the Prince, and this gentleman here not only refuses to let us through but even cursed the Princess to death..."

This was indeed a bit of an exaggeration.

Feng Yun glanced at him, "Don’t talk nonsense."

Ao Qi looked over, confused, "What exactly happened?"

Only then did the Colonel realize he hadn’t heard clearly what had been said before.

Turns out this handsome young man, was actually the Princess of Yonghuai in disguise...

He was dead.

The Colonel’s face changed dramatically as he hurriedly bowed to beg forgiveness.

"General Ao, I did not recognize the Princess’s true face and have made a grave mistake..."

Ao Qi glanced at him, "The Princess won’t take this to heart. You may go, I’ve got this."

The Colonel, without lifting his head, gave Feng Yun a fist salute, hastily bowed and said.

"Your Magnanimity, Princess..."

Feng Yun looked at his tense appearance, and gently smiled, "What you did just now was very good; not only should you not be blamed, but you should also be rewarded."

The person was taken aback.

He looked up and saw the smile in the Princess’s eyes, it wasn’t fake.

He was overjoyed, "Thank you, Princess."

Once the person had left in high spirits, Ao Qi finally dismounted and walked over to Feng Yun.

"The battle ahead has not yet been decided, it would be better for my aunt to stay on the south bank and wait for the outcome..."

Feng Yun softly smiled, "Aren’t you all going to cross the river? I can just go with you."

Ao Qi was indeed going to cross the river.

But he couldn’t take Feng Yun with him.

He said, "War is not child’s play..."

"I know, that’s why I want to go."

Feng Yun saw Ao Qi pursing his lips, his face full of disapproval, and she chuckled again.

"Don’t worry, I won’t drag you down. I will talk to Uncle myself, he won’t blame you."

Ao Qi: "I’m not blaming Uncle for responsibility, I am worried about you."

His tone was stern, nearly pressing his lips into a straight line, and before he finished speaking, he shot Ye Chuang a glare.

"It is not a place for my aunt to come. Ye Chuang, take my aunt back at once."

Ye Chuang met his gaze, offering a helpless expression.

"Subordinate... will follow orders."

Ao Qi frowned even deeper.

"Then I will personally send someone to escort you back."

"Ao Qi." Feng Yun saw his stubbornness, her face grew serious, and her tone became heavier, "Not only am I the Princess of Yonghuai, but I am also the Chief Historian of the Prince of Yonghuai Residence. At this time, I should be by the King’s side."

Ao Qi’s breath tightened.

In private, she was his aunt, an elder.

In public, she was the Fourth Rank Chief Historian of the Regent Prince’s Mansion, her rank was not lower than his.

What she wanted to do was not up to him to question.

After a moment of silence, Ao Qi tightened his grip on the reins.

"Fine, I will take you across the river. But one thing..."

Feng Yun fixed her gaze on him, regaining her smile, "What? You say it, I will follow."

Ao Qi said, "Before we see Uncle, you must stay by my side."

Feng Yun knew he was concerned about her safety, she pursed her lips slightly and nodded gently.

"I will abide by the military regulations. Besides, I am afraid of death too, is there anywhere safer than being by General Ao’s side? Don’t worry, I won’t run off."

Her tone was soft and carried a touch of relaxed jest, but Ao Qi did not seem to be in the mood to respond, simply nodding and walking forward with a stern face.

"Follow me."

The lights on the pier flickered in the night.

As she boarded the boat, Feng Yun sneezed twice.

This season really was cold, especially on the river at night; sitting inside the cabin felt like sitting in an ice hole.

Xiaoman quickly added an article of clothing for her.

"I’ll go and ask for a brazier from General Ao..."

"No need." Feng Yun stopped her, "Just endure it and it will pass."

When soldiers are on campaign, everything is kept simple; braziers and coal are for cooking, not for warmth—a luxury the soldiers couldn’t enjoy, she couldn’t trouble others further...

Xiaoman felt sorry for her, silently sitting to one side, rubbing her hands.

"It really is cold on this boat."

"Hmm." Feng Yun said, "It will be better once we reach the other side of the river."

"I wonder if the King has made a fire..." Xiaoman glanced at her, concerned for her well-being, "The King surely couldn’t be without fire either. What if the Princess gets chilled?"

Feng Yun smiled faintly and was about to speak when she heard Ye Chuang’s voice.

"Madam, I have brought you a brazier."

Feng Yun was stunned, "Come in."

Ye Chuang was carrying a lit brazier, as if holding a small sun, walking merrily in front.

Behind him followed the silent Ao Qi.