CHAPTER 16

Arranging Yi Huan’s situation was relatively simple.

Had Fu Chengyu not returned, Yi Qiancheng might have had to think about where to place his sister. After all, there were many who eyed Shaji covetously. The group of black-clad men from Qifeng Mountain a few days ago was a prime example.

But now that Fu Chengyu had come back, Yi Qiancheng felt completely at ease leaving him in charge of the city’s defenses. Not because he trusted Fu Chengyu’s character—despite having grown up together, they were never on the same wavelength.

His confidence stemmed from the fact that Fu Chengyu was genuinely smart, even outshining his father, Fu Yi, in certain areas.

Fu Chengyu would leave Song Yuan to guard Shaji while taking Fu Yi to Yingtong himself. With the authority to mobilize troops resting in Song Yuan’s hands, Fu Chengyu wouldn’t be able to stir up much trouble.

On the day they left Shaji, Yi Huan came to see them off.

At the city gate, Yi Qiancheng spoke to her gently, “Huan’er, go back now.”

“Brother, take care on your journey.”

“Hmm. If anything happens, remember to find Song Yuan or Fu Chengyu. Take good care of yourself and stay healthy.”

“Huān’er knows.”

Fu Chengyu was also part of the group seeing them off. No one forced him to come; he couldn’t control his own legs and followed along. Hearing this, he gave Yi Huān a half-smile, as if mocking her.

“Brother, could you... come over here for a moment?”

Yi Huān pulled Yi Qiancheng aside, away from the crowd.

“Brother, treat your sister-in-law well. Although I don’t know the reason you’re going to Yingdong, you and sister-in-law are supposed to spend your life together. Don’t act impulsively and do anything that might hurt her.”

Yi Qiancheng’s smile froze for a moment, then he said, “I won’t.”

Yi Huān felt a little relieved. She wasn’t too worried about herself because, after all, she would stay safely at home, and as long as she didn’t provoke Fu Chengyu, everything would be fine.

Yi Qiancheng was taking troops to Yingdong. Lin Sheng could faintly guess that he would eventually help save Yingdong.

Otherwise, even if there were wars in Yingdong, it wouldn’t be possible for Yi Qiancheng to bring such a large army. She still had a sense that Yi Qiancheng had ulterior motives, but if Yingdong fell, everything would be lost. No matter the conspiracy, the most important thing was saving Yingdong.

Yi Qiancheng rode a horse, while Lin Sheng traveled in a carriage.

The two maids by their side were also very happy.

“Miss, we can return to Yingdong!” After all, it was their hometown, and even if the situation wasn’t ideal, they were still glad to go back.

Lin Sheng felt light-hearted. “Yes, finally bringing this great man back.”

Yi Qiancheng’s army was marching quickly, and Lin Sheng’s carriage was also drawn by good horses. Except for mealtimes, they were on the road.

The only awkward part was where to rest for the night. He was leading soldiers, and they were traveling on wide roads, so it was impossible to stop at inns.

When night fell, Lin Sheng saw the soldiers efficiently setting up tents and realized this urgent issue.

“Get down.” Yi Qiancheng stood outside the carriage and spoke to her. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt there was a subtle awkwardness in his tone.

Lin Sheng had a bad feeling.

Soon, her intuition proved correct. She was informed that she would have to sleep in the same tent with Yi Qiancheng tonight.

Lin Sheng bit her lip, feeling a bit scared. The trauma from their wedding night was too great, and she feared Yi Qiancheng might do something irrational and harm her.

Moreover, this was their first time sharing a tent, and she felt uneasy.

Two maids helped her change clothes, let down her hair, and helped her clean up before leaving the tent. Lin Sheng couldn’t express her fears to them, so she silently lamented in her heart.

She could do sweet talk, but going... going to that place was really too much.

Just the thought of sharing a space made her feel awkward. The only thing she was relieved about was that Yi Qiancheng didn’t seem interested in touching her, so at least she felt safe.

While she was lost in her thoughts, Yi Qiancheng lifted the tent flap and entered. His face showed no emotion.

“Sleep.”

“Okay.” She moved over to make room for him.

He glanced at Lin Sheng, seemed to pause for a second, then slowly started undressing.

Lin Sheng, who had never experienced this before, felt shy. Her usual tough facade disappeared, and she stiffened, avoiding looking at Yi Qiancheng as she lay silently in the corner.

Soon, he lay down beside her.

Lin Sheng felt her scalp tingle. The same sense of danger, like being threatened by a blade, seemed to return. She felt as if his eyes were burning through her, staring her down as if to pierce a hole in her back. She scooted away, wishing she could just melt into the tent.

“Oh? Is this what it means to love me to the point of not being able to control it?”

Out of nowhere, Yi Qiancheng spoke, his warm breath brushing her ear.

“...” Lin Sheng turned around and saw his face up close. His deep eyes were inscrutable, and she couldn’t tell what expression he had.

Lin Sheng wanted to run out of the tent and squeeze in with the maids!

“Hubby, you’re just too charming, I... I can’t look at you directly.”

“Your performance doesn’t seem like that,” he said, his gaze dark and filled with an unspeakable emotion. “So, you must have a hidden agenda in marrying me, right?”

“No! I truly admire you, my sincere feelings are as clear as the sun and moon!” She forced out a dry smile.

He chuckled softly, and to Lin Sheng, it sounded mocking.

Out of instinct, Lin Sheng wanted to distance herself from him and leaned back further.

Yi Qiancheng suddenly grabbed her wrist, pressing his body closer to hers.