Under Xie Qianyun’s "attentive" care, Xiao Luming did not vomit for the first time after arriving at the inn; he just rested a while, drank some tea, and was able to have dinner with a good appetite, eating quite a bit.

For the next few days, Xiao Luming was traveling while holding a piece of ginger in his mouth, and being gently massaged at the temples by Xie Qianyun, he no longer had any vomiting reactions.

There were two days left in the journey.

Xie Qianyun and Xiao Luming were still in the carriage.

Suddenly, Xiao Luming heard a faint snoring sound.

Xiao Luming opened his eyes.

As soon as he opened them, he saw Xie Qianyun had fallen asleep sitting up, her head swaying with the motion of the carriage, looking somewhat amusing.

Even though she was asleep, her hand continued to press his temples involuntarily.

It was as if it were a subconscious action.

Xiao Luming felt a slight stirring in his chest.

Throughout the journey since getting on the carriage, Xie Qianyun had almost never stopped massaging his temples, and he had noticed her occasionally rubbing her own sore fingers or the time when she got off the carriage, nearly tumbling because her legs had gone numb from letting him lay there too long.

However, Xie Qianyun never complained once from start to finish, nor did she ever stop.

Xiao Luming slowly sat up from Xie Qianyun’s lap.

Xie Qianyun seemed to stir a little.

With swift hands, Xiao Luming quickly supported Xie Qianyun.

Xie Qianyun leaned against Xiao Luming’s chest, nuzzling as though trying to find a more comfortable position.

Xiao Luming’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.

Soon, Xie Qianyun’s even breathing could be heard again.

Xiao Luming remained still.

His eyes slowly lowered, looking at Xie Qianyun leaning against his chest.

Her face was very small.

It seemed after staying in the Imperial Palace for a while, her skin had become noticeably tender, white, and smooth, her naturally puckered lips unnecessarily red at this moment.

Xiao Luming redirected his gaze.

Then he just maintained that posture, staring absentmindedly at the carriage ceiling.

Xie Qianyun woke up from her sleep.

She yawned.

Last night she had been discussing military plans with Wu Huahao until quite late.

Today she was clearly somewhat exhausted.

Upon opening her eyes, she felt something was not quite right before realizing the next instant that she had been sleeping on Xiao Luming’s chest.

That explained why she kept dreaming of roaring thunderstorms.

She kept thinking they were in battle?!

But it turned out to be... Xiao Luming’s heartbeat.

Was his heartbeat always that loud?!

Was there a problem with his heart?!

Xie Qianyun thought about many things in her mind.

"Awake, yet still not getting up?!" came Xiao Luming’s cold voice from above.

Xie Qianyun felt that Xiao Luming’s body was indeed much warmer than his face.

She moved away from his chest and asked, "Does Your Majesty still feel nauseous?"

Xiao Luming was a bit taken aback.

He had been so preoccupied on the journey that he nearly forgot about his discomfort.

Seeing Xiao Luming’s expression, Xie Qianyun knew he was fine.

"I told you, if Your Majesty gets used to it, it’s fine." Xie Qianyun stretched, yawning.

Xiao Luming frowned.

In front of him, Xie Qianyun was not holding back at all.

She lifted the curtain to take a look outside. "Wu Huahao, where have we reached?"

"Your Ladyship," Wu Huahao, riding alongside the carriage, replied, "if we rest tonight, we’ll reach the camp by tomorrow evening. If we continue through the night, we can be there by morning."

"Then let’s keep going, skip the rest. Have the soldiers eat some dry rations on the ground before moving out."

"Understood."

Xie Qianyun dropped the curtain. "Your Majesty isn’t feeling nauseous anymore. Is it okay to keep traveling?"

Xiao Luming didn’t respond.

Usually, silence means consent.

Other than his bad temper, the young emperor was also quite taciturn.

Xie Qianyun didn’t mind.

She stood up and got out of the carriage directly.

Xiao Luming frowned.

Couldn’t Xie Qianyun, this spirited individual, stop for even a moment?

As soon as the army halted, she disappeared.

Leaving Xiao Luming alone in the carriage, feeling inexplicably irritable.

"Your Majesty." Wu Shen entered the carriage.

Xiao Luming glanced at Wu Shen.

"Would you like some dry food?" Wu Shen asked respectfully.

Wondering what he did wrong to offend the emperor.

He was just here to deliver food.

Xiao Luming looked at the hard cake and took it.

The cake was hard and tasteless.

Compared to food from the Imperial Palace, or even the inn, it was lacking.

Xiao Luming chewed without tasting, feeling a dull ache from biting.

"Where is the Empress?" Xiao Luming asked.

"Her Ladyship and the Young Master joined the soldiers to eat dry rations," Wu Shen replied.

"..." Xiao Luming chewed the hard cake.

It was becoming increasingly tasteless.

"Would you like me to call Her Ladyship back..." Wu Shen asked cautiously.

"No need," Xiao Luming refused outright.

He was used to dining alone, having grown up in the Imperial Palace.

He didn’t need company.

A short while later.

Xie Qianyun returned to the carriage.

Upon returning, she noticed Xiao Luming’s face seemed longer.

Thinking for a moment, Xie Qianyun asked, "Is the Emperor not used to the dry cake?"

Xiao Luming said nothing.

"I figured as much. So when I saw wild fruits by the roadside, I picked a few for you to quench your thirst and cool down." Xie Qianyun revealed the green fruits in her cloaked lap.

Xiao Luming’s eyes flickered.

A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

So, did Xie Qianyun specifically pick fruits for him?!

"Are they edible?" Xiao Luming asked nonchalantly, with a hint of pride.

"Of course." Xie Qianyun took one, wiped it on her clothes, and took a bite herself.

After biting, she handed it to Xiao Luming.

Implying she had eaten it, there was no poison.

Though slightly disdainful, Xiao Luming still accepted it and took a bite from the untouched side.

The fruit was tart, crunchy, with a sweet aftertaste.

The taste was not bad.

Inside, Xiao Luming seemed to feel some emotional ripples.