Chapter 155 -
The road was long and pitch-black. The quiet sound of their horses’ hooves was the only noise breaking the dark, freezing night.
By the time they reached the big army camp, it was still deep into the night. Torches flickered in the biting wind, casting long, dancing shadows across hundreds of brown tents that stretched over the frozen land.
As Yueqing and Lu Yue rode through the heavy wooden gates, the entire camp was a hive of chaotic activity.
Even at this late hour, soldiers were moving everywhere. Messengers ran between tents carrying urgent reports, supply wagons were being unpacked, and big iron pots steamed over open fires as tired men lined up for hot broth. Nearby, field doctors rushed back and forth, helping soldiers wrapped in bloody bandages.
Every guard and soldier who saw her stopped dead in their tracks, staring in total shock. Whispers quickly spread through the torchlight.
"Is that... Madam Yueqing?"
"She was missing for a month! Where did she come from?"
"Why is she arriving at the camp in the middle of the night?"
Ignoring the stares, Lu Yue quickly got down from her horse and helped Yueqing down. Yueqing pulled her heavy fur hood up, keeping her face calm as she stepped onto the cold snow.
"Madam, this way," Lu Yue whispered, staying right beside her.
They walked through the busy camp toward the secondary command tent.
As they got closer, Yueqing slowed her steps. The front flap of the big canvas tent was pulled open, letting out warm yellow light from oil lamps inside. Standing around a large map table with his top officers was Wenzhe.
He had taken off his heavy armor, wearing only a plain shirt with his sleeves rolled up. He looked pale and completely exhausted from three days of riding without sleep, but his voice was hard and clear as he gave orders about supplies and wounded men.
Yueqing stopped right outside the tent in the cold night, watching him work as her breath smoked in the dark air.
Soon, the officers finished receiving their orders. They bowed to Wenzhe and began walking out of the tent, chatting in low voices about the night’s duties.
As the last soldier stepped outside, he froze upon seeing Yueqing standing in the dark. He bowed his head quickly in respect and hurried past her into the snowy camp.
The tent went quiet.
Yueqing pulled back the heavy canvas flap and stepped inside.
The air inside was much warmer, smelling faintly of charcoal, ink, and iron. Wenzhe was still standing by the large wooden map table, leaning over the scattered scrolls with both hands pressed flat against the wood. His head hung low, his shoulders stiff with bone-deep exhaustion.
He didn’t look up when he heard the soft rustle of the tent flap.
"Leave the report on the tray," Wenzhe said, his voice raspy and dry from the cold wind. "And bring a fresh cup of tea."
Yueqing didn’t answer. She took a slow step closer, her boots making a soft sound on the woven floor mats.
Recognizing the silence, Wenzhe slowly raised his head. His dark, bloodshot eyes met hers in the dim yellow light of the oil lamps.
For a long moment, neither of them said a word.
Before Wenzhe could even open his mouth, her thoughts greeted him first.
The moment his bloodshot eyes locked onto hers, her mind spoke directly into his head, clear and ringing in the quiet space between them.
[He looks so exhausted... He really rode three days straight through the snow without rest.]
Wenzhe’s hands tightened into fists against the edge of the wooden table, his knuckles turning stark white. He didn’t say a word, his face remaining a cold, blank mask, but his jaw clenched as her voice continued to echo softly in his mind.
[I know how it looked tonight at the market when you saw me with Xiao Chen. He set that up on purpose.]
Her thoughts flickered with a quiet, hollow ache.
[It’s not like we love each other anyway... but did you really have to ride past me like I was a complete stranger?]
Outside, the tent was thick with tension. Wenzhe stood at his full height, his dark, bloodshot eyes fixed on her pale face. He slowly let out a long, icy breath, his spoken voice completely flat and devoid of emotion.
"What are you doing here?"
Before Wenzhe could even open his mouth, her thoughts greeted him first.
"Last time I checked, I was your wife and I’m pretty sure I stil am," Yueqing said aloud, her voice calm and firm.
[Why am I even explaining myself to him?] her thoughts snapped inside his head, sharp and annoyed. [He’s the one who acted like I didn’t exist. Look at him, standing there like a statue.]
Wenzhe didn’t move. His bloodshot eyes stayed fixed on her face, his chest rising and falling in heavy, tired breaths.
[He looks so worn out,] her mind softened just a little as she noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the dried blood on his sleeves. [He can barely stand, but he’s still trying to look so distant and scary.]
"Yueqing, if you came here just to disturb me, I really do not have time for you," Wenzhe said, turning his eyes back to the map on the table. "Go back to your tent, or go back to the mansion you came from. Don’t be a nuisance to me."
He kept staring down at the scrolls, pretending to read, but every ounce of his focus was completely locked on her, waiting to see what she would do next.
[Look at him pretending to read,] her mind sneered inside his head, sharp and bitter. [He acts like I’m a bug he wants to step on. Fine. Let him choke on his stupid pride.]
Yueqing just stood there, staring at him in total silence for a long moment. Then, without saying another word, she turned around and quietly walked out of the tent.
The moment the heavy canvas flap fell shut behind her, the silence in the room became unbearable.
A heavy sigh escaped Wenzhe’s lips. He ran a hand through his hair in complete frustration, his jaw tight as the earlier scene flashed in his mind again, the memory of Xiao Chen’s arms wrapped tightly around Yueqing in the crowded market.
His blood boiled with pure, dangerous rage.
"I’ll kill him," Wenzhe muttered into the empty, quiet tent, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the map table. "I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him."