His words instantly brought Jiang Xingyan back to last night’s dream.
Yun Chunfeng was still murmuring to himself, “Young Lady, as long as I can stay by your side, Yun-ge is willing to do anything, even serve as your ox or horse.”
Jiang Xingyan’s face flushed with embarrassment. How could she possibly focus on the military strategy book now?
She stood up and walked into the inner tent.
Was Yun-ge delirious from a high fever?
Just as she reached the bedside, Yun Chunfeng suddenly sat bolt upright, startling her.
“State Preceptor, you—”
Beads of sweat rolled down Yun Chunfeng’s face, tracing along his sharp jawline and pale, slender neck before disappearing into his inner robe.
His ghastly complexion and bloodless lips made the cinnabar mole at the corner of his eye stand out like a drop of fresh blood.
He lowered his gaze, his eyelashes trembling slightly. The sheer fragility he exuded made one want to pull him into an embrace and cherish him.
Jiang Xingyan stared, mesmerized, and swallowed unconsciously.
Remembering she was still in Huo Ci’s body, she pushed those inappropriate thoughts out of her mind and asked in a deliberately stiff tone, “Are you feeling better, State Preceptor?”
Yun Chunfeng nodded weakly. “Thanks to General Huo, I’ve caused you trouble. I’ll take my leave now.”
He struggled to get up but couldn’t stand, his legs giving way as he collapsed to the floor. He looked up at her with pitiful eyes.
Even without pupils, his gaze conveyed unmistakable helplessness and sorrow.
What else could Jiang Xingyan do? She had to indulge Yun-ge.
She hauled him up from the floor and pushed him back onto the bed.
“Just rest here.”
Yun Chunfeng kept his eyes downcast and sighed softly, voluntarily bringing up his dream.
“Forgive my embarrassment, General. I dreamed again of my days at the Jiang residence, hence my loss of composure.”
Jiang Xingyan pretended indifference while subtly probing, “State Preceptor, you now stand second only to the Emperor. Dreaming of your childhood as a playmate probably doesn’t bring fond memories, does it?”
“General, you misunderstand. Those were the happiest days of my life.”
“Only the Young Lady could give Yun-ge a home.”
Jiang Xingyan: !
Exactly what he’d said in her dream last night!
Her heart pounded like a drum as she cautiously asked, “State Preceptor, did you have the same dream last night?”
Yun Chunfeng countered, “Oh? General seems quite interested?”
Jiang Xingyan awkwardly rubbed the tip of her nose.
She had overstepped.
“Dream matters aren’t worth discussing.”
Silence fell between them, creating an awkward atmosphere.
“General!”
Xin Zhui burst into the tent unexpectedly.
Since he mentioned hosting a banquet for the soldiers to apologize tonight, Jiang Xingyan hadn’t seen him all day.
He hadn’t even followed her to the morning court session.
“Where have you been all day?”
Xin Zhui proudly raised the wine jar he’d hidden behind his back. “Of course, I was getting good wine! Tonight, we drink until we drop, General!”
Jiang Xingyan casually acknowledged him and sent him on his way.
Watching his spirited retreating figure, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
“This kid thought I was some evil spirit just yesterday.”
“Thanks to the State Preceptor intervening, that basin of black dog blood would’ve drenched me otherwise.”
“What was he thinking? How could I possibly be an imposter?”
Seeing Xin Zhui had suddenly made Jiang Xingyan want to subtly probe Yun Chunfeng about the soul-swapping incident.
Hence her deliberate comments.
Yun Chunfeng remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, “I am ignorant in such matters, truly.”
Jiang Xingyan narrowed her eyes.
How could the esteemed State Preceptor not know about possession by wandering spirits?
Why such secrecy? Is there more to this?
Noticing her suspicious gaze, Yun Chunfeng paled further, pressed a hand to his temple, and looked on the verge of fainting.
Jiang Xingyan couldn’t press further. She took out the medicine gourd Yun Chunfeng had given her last night, poured out a soothing pill, and fed it to him.
She made him drink plenty of water and watched as he lay back down, his complexion gradually improving, before she felt relieved.
“General, an elderly man delivered many wontons at the entrance, saying you ordered them.”
Jiang Xingyan nodded. “Yes, distribute them among the soldiers.”
“The old man is skilled, but he’s advanced in years and probably couldn’t make too many. Prioritize the vanguard camp.”
“He’ll come every day from now on. Eventually, all soldiers will get to taste them.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Ah, wait, bring me a bowl first.”
The soldier acknowledged and left.
Soon, someone else entered.
Jiang Xingyan, absorbed in her military book, didn’t notice who it was and casually pointed toward the inner tent. “Take it in there for the State Preceptor.”
The person didn’t move, only laughed bitterly.
Jiang Xingyan looked up, surprised to see Huo Ci.
His hair was loosely tied, and he wore coarse hemp clothes she’d never seen before. In his hands was a steaming bowl of wontons.
His face was deathly pale, and he swayed unsteadily, but his eyes were fixed intently on Jiang Xingyan.
Gathered grievance and resentment simmered in his almond-shaped eyes.
“So it’s true the State Preceptor is unwell, and my husband left me behind for him?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Xingyan’s expression instantly turned cold.
What right did he have to question her actions?
If not for his reckless behavior, would they be in this situation?
If she hadn’t noticed something was wrong and rescued him, he’d already be dead—how could he stand here questioning her now?
Huo Ci knew he was in the wrong and that Jiang Xingyan had saved him.
But when he woke up, all he heard was that she’d left him for Yun Chunfeng.
How could that not shatter his heart?
“I dare not ask for much, but may I have just one bowl of wontons, Husband—”
“No. These are for the State Preceptor.”
Huo Ci stood frozen.
Though he’d expected this outcome.
He’d clung to his last ounce of strength to come here—could she not even spare him a shred of pity?
He already knew he was wrong.
Large teardrops fell into the bowl.
Yun Chunfeng lifted the tent flap and stepped out, saying timidly, “General, please give it to your wife. It doesn’t matter whether I eat or not.”
Jiang Xingyan rose irritably, snatched the bowl from Huo Ci’s hands, and shoved it into Yun Chunfeng’s arms.
“Eat it if you want, otherwise throw it away.”
She strode resolutely out of the tent.
Behind her, Huo Ci was suddenly reminded of the past—how Jiang Xingyan would eagerly save delicacies for him, watching him eat with sparkling eyes.
When had it all changed?
Overwhelmed by regret and despair, his vision went dark, and he fainted.