Jiang Xingyan’s heart raced, and her hands unconsciously tightened, clutching the shawl draped over her.
Yun Ge’er half-lowered his eyes, his cheeks flushed, looking utterly submissive, as if he would let her do anything to him. Even from such an unflattering angle, his beauty remained breathtaking.
The atmosphere suddenly grew intensely intimate.
“To Yun Ge’er, wherever the Young Mistress is, that is home.”
His eyelashes fluttered as he slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes filled with sincere devotion.
“Young Mistress, will you give Yun Ge’er a home?”
He leaned closer and closer, his breath warm and sweet against her face, sending tingles straight to her heart. She wanted to break free, but both her hands were pinned to the couch, leaving her with no strength to resist.
Her eyes widened, her heart pounding wildly. Though she knew this was improper, she couldn’t help but lose herself in his faint, cool scent of snow pine.
Yun Ge’er didn’t overstep—he merely pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
The cool, gentle touch seemed to unlock desires she had long suppressed deep within. She nearly gasped, biting her lower lip hard to hold back the sound.
Suddenly, the weight above her vanished. Yun Ge’er had risen and knelt beside the couch again, a look of restraint flashing across his face.
“It won’t be long, Young Mistress. Yun Ge’er will never leave you again.”
His voice grew softer and softer, and Jiang Xingyan was once again swept away by overwhelming drowsiness, her eyes closing against her will.
But she fought to stay awake, struggling desperately. No, Yun Ge’er, don’t go yet. Take me to see Grandfather!
“Yun Ge’er!”
Jiang Xingyan bolted upright, her heart sinking with disappointment the moment she saw the military camp tent around her. She was still trapped in Huo Ci’s body, with no idea when she would return to her own.
Recalling the dream, her ears burned with embarrassment. How could she have such an uncontrollable dream? And why did Yun Ge’er appear in such an irresistible way?
She took a few deep breaths, temporarily pushing those tantalizing images from her mind.
In the dream, one of Yun Ge’er’s words had struck a chord. She shouldn’t cling to the idea of a home given by others—whether by her grandfather or Huo Ci. They shouldn’t be her only source of hope.
She would build a home for herself. A home no one could take away.
Suddenly, clarity washed over her, as if clouds had parted in her heart. She stepped out of the tent and gazed at the bright moonlight, silently praying for her grandfather. May he live for himself in his next life, free from hardship. His beloved Yan Yan had learned to take care of herself.
The night watchman’s clapper sounded clearly, marking the fourth watch. In the tent next to hers, Yun Chunfeng’s candle suddenly flickered to life.
Flustered, Jiang Xingyan hurried away without thinking. After such an embarrassing dream, she wasn’t ready to face Yun Chunfeng as usual. She also wondered if he had heard her cry out “Yun Ge’er” upon waking.
Walking aimlessly, she found herself facing a small hut blocking her path—a dead end. Under the dim torchlight, two crudely written words were scrawled on the door: Latrine.
Jiang Xingyan was speechless. Could it be any more vulgar? But then again, the military camp was full of rough men, few of whom were literate. Elegant phrasing was the last thing on their minds.
She initially thought to turn back, but nature’s call persuaded her to take care of business here. The soldiers were still asleep, and she would only be a moment.
With that thought, she stepped inside.
Contrary to her expectations of filth and stench, the place was clean and odorless. Over the past few days, she had grown accustomed to all of Huo Ci’s bodily functions, though she still resented his morning condition for being so uncomfortably persistent.
Bam!
The wooden door of the latrine was suddenly kicked open.
“Dammit! This latrine is so far away. If I didn’t have strong kidneys, I’d have pissed myself by now!”
Xin Zhui barged in recklessly. Despite having received forty military strikes the day before, he was still full of energy—whether due to his youth or Old Zhang’s effective medicine.
He noticed “Huo Ci” standing dumbly inside but didn’t have time to wonder why the general wasn’t using the private latrine attached to his own tent instead of coming all the way here. He was genuinely on the verge of bursting.
But he couldn’t resist a bit of male competition. “General, hurry up and take out your equipment! Let’s see who’s better today.”
He yanked down his pants and stood next to “Huo Ci,” ready to relieve himself.
The next second, “Huo Ci” kicked him out with a swift, powerful move.
“You pervert, get out!”
Xin Zhui lay on the ground in a daze, watching the general flee in panic, his own pants now soaked. As the warmth faded, the chilly spring wind hit him, and he shuddered violently.
Any lingering drowsiness vanished instantly. His mind now clear, Xin Zhui ignored his wet pants and didn’t bother checking if the general’s kick had damaged anything important.
He scrambled to his feet, staring intently at the general’s retreating figure, and gritted his teeth. “Dammit, I’ve finally caught you! So, the general isn’t just possessed by a ghost—it’s a fucking female ghost!”