Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Chapter 169: Cold and Warm on the Heart

At dusk, Chen Heng pulled Lu Xiulin aside and asked quietly, "What is the temperament of His Highness the Ninth Prince? Since His Highness has condescended to come to our Dingyuan Army, he should be well served. But isn't serving dinner too perfunctory and likely to displease His Highness? Besides, isn't there... Mr. Tang here?"

Lu Xiulin didn't know what Qi Xiao's temper was like, but he watched Bai Xiqiao grow up. Since Bai Xiqiao could stay with Qi Xiao, this prince's temper must be quite different from those pampered people in Yuanjing City.

"General Chen, we just need to do what His Majesty and His Highness have ordered us to do, and ignore any unnecessary matters."

"...Okay, I'll listen to you."

Unlike Lu Xiulin, Chen Heng didn't come from the Dingyuan Army. Instead, he was transferred from Liaoshan Commandery four years ago. Living in both the north and south was a struggle. Liaoshan Commandery was plagued by constant wind and sand, and the people ate dirt. Chen Heng thought it was the most miserable place in the world, and he thought Fenglin Mountain couldn't be any worse. But once inside, the sand and soil disappeared, and the mountains became densely forested, with grass growing as tall as a man. Not only was there no path, but even people were nowhere to be found. His first time in the mountains, he stepped into a pit and remained frozen in a ravine for three hours before anyone found him. The mosquitoes nearly devoured him, practically killing him.

It took him four years to finally get to like Fenglin Mountain. The mountain god probably finally treated him as half one of his own, and he had no problem coming in and out, like an old mountain dweller.

Chen Heng will be thirty after the Chinese New Year. He is also a man who grew up listening to the legend of General Bai Liu. He has a special yearning for the Dingyuan Army. Although he found that the Dingyuan Army was no longer what it used to be after its disbandment after he arrived, he still thought that this was the legacy of General Bai Liu. He had to build a decent Dingyuan Army no matter what, otherwise he would not be able to explain himself when he went down to the lower levels in the future.

This feeling of admiration began to flutter again after Chen Heng saw Lu Xiulin. Lu Xiulin used to be the deputy general of General Bai Liu. When he arrived at the Dingyuan military camp to select soldiers, he saw the soldiers brought by Chen Heng, which made Lu Xiulin feel deeply moved. He couldn't help but pat Chen Heng on the shoulder and gave him an affirmative look, which made Chen Heng so happy that he couldn't sleep all night.

Now, even if Chen Heng was asked to give up the position of head coach immediately, he would be willing to do so. Naturally, he would ask Lu Xiulin about everything and listen to Lu Xiulin.

***

The Dingyuan Army's camp was much simpler than the ones used during the Baiyan Mountain hunt. Chen Heng didn't dare neglect Qi Xiao and was eager to give him his own tent. Fortunately, Lu Xiulin stopped him and gave Qi Xiao a tent according to the standards of a deputy general. If nothing else, it was enough for two people to live in.

After dinner, hot water was prepared for Qi Xiao to bathe. There was no partition in the tent, only a wooden screen. The steam from the hot water spread out, which reminded people of what happened in Baiyan Mountain. However, this time, Qi Xiao was not the only one whose clothes were in disarray.

"What are you doing! Let go!" Tang Ling whispered softly, but Qi Xiao turned a deaf ear to her and stretched out his hand to tear off his belt.

"Wash yours, don't pull my clothes."

"Let's take a shower together. You've been riding for several days and there's a thick layer of dirt on your body. I'll help you take it off."

"You..." Tang Ling wanted to pull Qi Xiao off her, but Qi Xiao made her clothes messy.

"Are you shy? This isn't your first time, is it?"

"Be more restrained..." Tang Ling had been looked at with caring eyes by Chi Yue these past few days. He felt that his waist pain would never be cured.

"Is it about the inn?" Qi Xiao chuckled softly against his neck, his hands wandering restlessly. "We've already reached Yuanzhou. We don't need to ride any more. I'll be gentle so as not to hurt you."

Tang Ling was so embarrassed by Qi Xiao, and she couldn't resist his soft and hard persuasion. She almost cried out, biting her lips tightly and said angrily: "Stop, stop it..."

Qi Xiao held Tang Ling's face and kissed her deeply, relishing every breath he took. Tang Ling's skin was very smooth and delicate, and Qi Xiao's torment had left a thin layer of sweat on her skin. It seemed as if even the sweat was fragrant, tempting him to lick and taste it.

Why is it that Qi Xiao looks like he has rolled in the mud and is covered in dust after running around for days, but Tang Ling is fine? The young master is like jade, and he feels both cool and warm when he touches her heart.

Tang Ling's legs were weakened by Qi Xiao's kiss. She had no choice but to let Qi Xiao carry her into the bathtub. The two of them squeezed together, their bodies entangled and their legs stacked, and they were inseparable.

"Sir, Bai Xiqiao is back."

Ye Huai's voice sounded outside the tent, startling Tang Ling, who quickly buried her face in the water.

Qi Xiao chuckled: "I know, let him go eat something hot first."

Qi Xiao lifted Tang Ling out of the water: "Are you so shy? Ye Huai is guarding outside, Bai Xiqiao won't come in."

Tang Ling glared at him and said, "Wash quickly!"

***

In late autumn at Fenglin Mountain, the wind is so cold that it makes people shiver. The damp cold air is like lingering fog, separating the sky and the earth. The moonlight cannot penetrate, and it seems unreal like a weak firefly hidden in a dream.

Qi Xiao put an outer coat on Tang Ling before they walked out of the tent together, but he was still shivering all over because of the cold wind blowing in his face.

Qi Xiao held Tang Ling's hand, a hint of worry between his brows. "It's going to be even colder once we get into the mountains. If the mountains are really closed due to heavy snow, it's going to be very difficult to endure."

Tang Ling chuckled, "Isn't there a hot spring? I don't have to endure the cold with the soldiers, but you have to be careful not to catch a cold."

Qi Xiao gripped Tang Ling's hand a little tighter. While they would spend most of their time hiding in Fenglin Mountain in the hot spring valley, Tang Ling wouldn't have to endure much hardship. However, they needed to reach Qi before the spring snow melted, which meant marching through the icy snow and traversing Fenglin Mountain.

At the average pace, it would take about ten days, but in the dead of winter, when the mountains were covered in snow, it would take at least five more days. And that was based on his and Bai Xiqiao's physical abilities. Not only would Tang Ling, but even ordinary soldiers wouldn't be able to keep up. In other words, for nearly a month, they weren't hiding in the valley to avoid the wind and snow, but were on the march. Not only were they marching through the snow, but they also had to cross the mountains on foot without horses.

How could he endure it?

Tang Ling pulled Qi Xiao and held him tightly with her backhand: "Qi Xiao. I'm not as weak and useless as you think. So, don't look at me with such pity."

"..." Qi Xiao was stunned for a moment, then sighed softly, "I'm sorry."

"Let's go, Baixi Bridge is getting anxious."

The two of them arrived at the tent at Baixi Bridge in a few steps. Zong Sheng and Chi Yue had arrived earlier.

But Bai Xiqiao didn't wait long. As soon as he came back, he devoured the entire table of food in a flash, not even wiping his mouth before falling asleep. When Zong Sheng and Chi Yue arrived, Bai Xiqiao was already sound asleep. They called him twice but he didn't wake up, so they just let him go back to sleep.

"Master, Young Master Tang." Zong Sheng lifted the curtain for Qi Xiao and welcomed him in.

"Your Highness, Young Master." Chi Yue raised his voice deliberately, waking up Bai Xiqiao who was in a daze.

"...Shut up and stop making noise."

Chi Yue rolled his eyes and quietly stepped aside. He had done his best.

Qi Xiao stepped forward and grabbed Bai Xiqiao's collar. Bai Xiqiao closed his eyes and directly pinched Qi Xiao's wrist, unable to forget the fight even in his dreams.

"Brother, get up."

Bai Xiqiao opened his eyes and finally saw clearly that the person in front of him was Qi Xiao: "Xiao'er?"

"Wake up." Qi Xiao pulled Bai Xiqiao up.

Bai Xiqiao raised his hand and rubbed his cheeks to wake up.

"went well?"

Qi Xiao was naturally asking about the construction of the plank road.