Ji Lingchuan watched Song Yihuan's sly look, his fingers itching to ruffle her hair.
Resisting the impulse, he said, "It's very likely."
"If there's chaos during the autumn hunt, it means he's unfit to sit on the throne. Heaven intends to bring disaster to the State of Yu. In this way, we'll have a reason to start a war."
Song Yihuan found it absurd. The current emperor had emerged victorious from the chaos back then and smoothly ascended the throne, which meant he had the recognition of the late emperor. However, some people were so cruel as to scheme all this for the throne, disregarding the safety of the people of Yu.
If that person really succeeded and ascended the throne, Song Yihuan didn't know what Yu would become.
Thankfully, thankfully Ji Lingchuan and the emperor had countermeasures.
"What should we do next?" Song Yihuan asked. "Should we wait for the reinforcements or go back on our own?"
Ji Lingchuan looked at the sky outside and said, "The reinforcements won't come. The army prioritizes the emperor's safety. We'll go back on our own."
Song Yihuan thought it made sense. With Ji Lingchuan's skills, it would probably hurt his pride if others came to rescue them. And if the two of them spent the night alone in the mountains and were seen, it would be hard to explain.
Thinking of this, she remembered the intimate actions between them last night.
She secretly clenched the corner of her dress and stole a cautious glance at him, a faint bitterness welling up in her heart.
He didn't mention what happened last night, and naturally, she couldn't bring it up either. For a young girl, this was related to her innocence.
She was the younger sister of his wife. If she were to break this layer of ambiguity, he would have no choice but to take her into his house.
She didn't dare to dream of being the concubine of the prince's heir. If she followed him, at most, she would only be a concubine.
But then she laughed at herself.
Since she had already decided to take revenge on her elder sister, why should she still care about these things?
It was just a concubine. What did it matter?
Raising her head, she said to Ji Lingchuan, "Brother Ling, let me take a look at your wound. After a night, it probably needs to be redressed."
Ji Lingchuan didn't refuse. Instead, he took off his inner garment voluntarily.
Different from yesterday and before when he was being treated, this time Ji Lingchuan was awake, and it was broad daylight, allowing Song Yihuan to clearly see Ji Lingchuan's strong and muscular body.
His body was wrapped in strips torn from a woman's dress, and the strips had delicate apricot flower patterns on them, looking rather out of place.
Song Yihuan stepped forward. First, she walked around to the front of him and untied the knot of the strip. The petite woman squatted in front of Ji Lingchuan, with her head down and a serious look on her face. Ji Lingchuan only needed to lower his head to see her black hair and her delicate side face. The elegant fragrance of apricot flowers from the woman wafted over continuously, making him subconsciously hold his breath.
After Song Yihuan untied the strip, she walked around to his back to check the wounds on his body.
In the bright sunlight, one could clearly see the wound on his shoulder caused by the crazy horse and the new wound he suffered when he fell off the cliff yesterday. The wound kicked by the crazy horse had already scabbed over and new flesh had grown, while the new wound from yesterday was oozing pus after a night.
Ji Lingchuan had already prepared himself for the dressing change. Who would have thought that there was no sound behind him. Then he felt warm liquid drop on his shoulder.
His heart skipped a beat. He turned his head and saw a tear - streaked face.
Song Yihuan was crying uncontrollably behind him.
"Why are you crying?" he asked with a touch of helplessness.
Song Yihuan wiped her tears and said, "I feel so sad when I think about how you got these wounds, Brother Ling."
The sadness was real, and so was the heartache. This time, she didn't hold back her emotions but let them out.
No man could resist a beautiful woman crying in front of him, especially when this woman was the one he held dear in his heart.
His big hand caressed her fair and beautiful face. Ji Lingchuan wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with his fingers, his voice hoarse. "It's just a minor injury. I'm lucky that the bones weren't hurt."
What he was even more grateful for was that he had endured all these hardships alone, and she hadn't been hurt at all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have forgiven himself.
Song Yihuan nodded and said nothing more. Instead, she found a clean stone and started to mash the herbs she had brought back.
Just like yesterday, after she mashed all the herbs, she dripped them onto his wounds and re - treated the wounds on his body.
Her fingers would occasionally brush against his skin, and the tingling sensation was hard for him to ignore. He had to force himself to think about something else to divert his attention.
I don't know how long it took before she finally finished treating his wounds and wrapped a clean strip around him.
In order to treat his wounds and reduce his fever, her apricot flower dress was already in a mess.
She had just cried, and the corners of her eyes and the tip of her nose were red, looking extremely pitiful. When she picked up the blood - stained strip and was about to go outside to deal with it, Ji Lingchuan grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
Song Yihuan's heart skipped a beat. She tilted her head slightly and looked at the man who was much taller than her. "Brother Ling, what's wrong?"
He looked down at her intently. His gaze slowly swept across her moist deer - like eyes and finally landed on her rosy and plump lips. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down. He tightened his hand slightly and asked,
"Don't you have anything else you want to say to me?"
At this moment and in this place, there were only the two of them. She didn't have to worry about being threatened with her life. She could pour out her grievances to him.
For example, why she had to replace Song Nanxin to consummate the marriage with him, why she had to replace Song Nanxin to go to the Imperial College and complete Song Nanxin's schoolwork.
As long as she said it, he would believe her and help her find a way to solve it.
They had missed so much. He had searched so hard to find her and confirm who she was. He wouldn't let her leave his side again.
As long as she said it, he would definitely do everything he could to make it possible for her to stay by his side legitimately.
He couldn't imagine how she had suffered after he took her virginity. He also couldn't imagine that if this absurd substitute consummation of marriage hadn't happened, would she really have married Gu Yunzheng and become the daughter - in - law of the Gu family?
Facing Ji Lingchuan's dark and deep eyes, Song Yihuan misunderstood his intention.
It was he who had taken liberties with her last night. But when he woke up, he acted as if nothing had happened. Did he expect her to be the first to bring it up?
Gently pulling her hand out of his, Song Yihuan lowered her head. "I have nothing to say."
After saying that, she walked out of the cave and went to the stream to wash the blood - stained strip in her hand.
Watching her leaving back, Ji Lingchuan clenched his fists.
He could see her avoidance and concealment. Did she not trust him that's why she didn't want to talk to him more?
He murmured almost inaudibly, "Song Yihuan, what on earth do you want to do?"