Chapter 67

Clad in white that surpassed the snow, unstained by even a speck of dust, Pei Muci hesitated before returning to his carriage to change into a fresh robe free of any lingering odors. He then stood beside the tent of the bathhouse, as if waiting for something.

The guards stationed outside the tent exchanged glances. Gu Hanjiang walked over, casually draping an arm around the leader of the guards. "People like us are prone to drawing unwarranted anger, so let's not be an eyesore here."

He was half a head shorter than the guard leader, yet he leaned heavily onto the man's shoulders, looking every bit like a ruffian of loose morals.

Pei Muci’s gaze drifted toward them, causing the guard leader to instinctively tense his legs, frozen and too terrified to even twitch.

Gu Hanjiang chuckled and smoothed things over with a sheepish grin. "You put on such a heart-pounding spectacle for me, surely you won't begrudge me inviting a few folks over to drink and calm our nerves?"

Knowing Pei Muci's methods, Gu Hanjiang hadn't even dared to follow him into the tent. Later, when the prison guards cleared out buckets of blood-stained, dirty water, it had given him quite a shock.

Yet, it was entirely understandable. Anyone who saw their own woman pinned beneath a vulgar foreigner would find it impossible to suppress their fury.

"Off you go, off you go. You've all had a hard journey, go unwind a bit." Gu Hanjiang tried his best to lighten the atmosphere.

The guard captain cast a covert glance upward to gauge Pei Muci's expression.

Gu Hanjiang jumped up and smacked him on the head. "Back when I commanded you lot, you obeyed my every word. Now that Pei Yuanxi is back, you've all turned your coats?"

"Military Advisor Gu, how could we possibly mean that?" The captain rubbed his ear.

Gu Hanjiang refused to let it go. "Then what *do* you mean? That I can no longer order you around?"

Pei Muci was listening intently for any movement inside the tent, and the noisy commotion frayed his already irritated nerves. He cast a cold glance at the two men and said indifferently, "Granted."

The guards immediately snapped to attention, as if they had simply been waiting for those exact words.

"Let's go! We won't return until we're thoroughly drunk!" Acting like a local bandit king, Gu Hanjiang buddy-hushed everyone in sight and led a column of soldiers away.

"Lord, then we shall..." The leader cautiously slipped out from under Gu Hanjiang's arm and spoke with trembling hesitation.

Anxious only to be rid of this chattering cricket, Pei Muci waved a hand dismissively. "Go."

The group did not wander far, choosing an open clearing just outside the camp perimeter where An Qi, directed by Gu Hanjiang, hauled over several crates of potent liquor.

Although alcohol was strictly forbidden within the military camp, this troop served as the Lord's personal shadow guards, and since Xi Zhi and Xi Xing were still present, their immediate utility was minimal.

As dusk began to fall, Pei Muci stood silently outside the curtains. The fading light filtered through the slit of the fabric, casting a long, slender shadow of his figure.

His wide, moon-tinted robes hung loosely, swaying gently in the breeze.

From within the tent came a muffled groan, seemingly trapped deep in someone's chest, followed by a faint, crisp sound of bone breaking—a distinct *crack*.

Pei Muci gently pressed his lips together. The gloomy, oppressive aura surrounding him vanished the instant he lifted the curtain, transforming him once more into an elegant young nobleman in flowing white.

Upon entering, he found the two individuals seated in close proximity. Qing Wu’s eyes were red-rimmed, the corners of her mouth trembling slightly as she collapsed limply into the lounge chair, completely drained of strength.

Pei Muci utterly despised the thought of other men seeing her in such a state. Just as he moved to usher the visitor out, Du Jin produced a narrow-necked jar, scooped out a dollop of ointment, and smeared it directly onto the deepest bruise on Qing Wu's knee.

Before she could even catch her breath, Qing Wu abruptly propped herself up and stared at the object in his hand.

"What on earth is this? It hurts so much!"

It wasn't the heart-stopping agony of bone-setting, but rather a sensation akin to countless crabs and shrimps biting into her knees with sharp claws. The stinging, numb torment was almost unbearable, though not quite severe enough to unleash a scream.

"This is the finest healing salve available. This is the last jar I have left." Du Jin brushed aside her delicate, blocking hands and massaged the medicinal power deep into the bruise.

His movements were practiced and efficient, focused entirely on the efficacy of the treatment rather than her comfort.

Wincing and baring her teeth in pain, Qing Wu fell back against the chair, covering her eyes with the back of her hand while her lower legs trembled uncontrollably with every press of his hands.

Having finished treating her limbs, Du Jin looked up at Pei Muci.

"A-Wu likely still has some injuries elsewhere. I'll leave her in your care."

From beginning to end, he exhibited no overstepping behavior, acting entirely like a caring, devoted older brother.

Pei Muci ground his back teeth together, yet he was completely powerless against Du Jin and could not utter a single harsh word.

After all, both Qing Wu and Gu Hanjiang fiercely protected him; touching him was entirely out of the question.

"I can do it myself." Qing Wu only wanted to find some quiet, secluded spot to apply the medicine at her own pace. Their heavy hands and lack of restraint were simply forcing her to endure needless extra agony.

Pei Muci caught sight of Qing Wu covered by nothing more than a blanket barely sufficient to preserve her modesty, and a surge of fresh anger flared within him. He stepped forward, intending to pick her up and carry her away.

To his surprise, Qing Wu took the initiative, reaching out to wrap her arms around his waist as her voice softened, laced with lingering pain.

"Please, let's not use this anymore, it hurts too much. Can we use an oral medicine instead?"

When Pei Muci looked down at her, the tears welling in Qing Wu's eyes spilled over, running down her cheeks as she even rubbed her face aggrievedly against the sash of his belt.

His movements paused, and his resolve wavered. Just as his heart began to soften, Du Jin suddenly spoke up, "Since A-Wu is willing to take medicine, I shall prescribe an additional oral draught for you."

True to his word, he actually produced a sheet of Xuan paper and began writing a prescription.

"No, no, I won't." Qing Wu buried her face in his embrace and shook her head, sending an uncontrollable wave of tingling warmth rippling across Pei Muci's waist.

Du Jin shot him a helpless look, as if silently blaming him for barging in at such an inopportune moment.

During the painful bone-setting earlier, Qing Wu had merely let out muffled groans, but now she was weeping pear blossoms drenched in rain—how could anyone possibly find the heart to press on with the treatment?

It was only in moments like these that Pei Muci willingly humbled himself before Du Jin.

He lifted Qing Wu's chin, using his thumb to gently wipe away the tear tracks on her cheek.

In truth, he was well aware that her current display was likely an act put on for his benefit, but she so rarely showed him this vulnerable side of herself.

He asked himself: how could he possibly refuse her?

And so, his brows furrowing tightly, he could only yield. "Your Highness, Physician Du speaks with reason."

"Go away! Both of you, get out!" Qing Wu didn't shout; instead, she muttered in a soft, aggrieved tone.

Just as both men were momentarily stunned by her reaction, she abruptly released Pei Muci, snatched the ties from his collar, wrapped herself tightly in his detached cloak, and bolted for the door.

While Du Jin was powerless to stop her in such a physical manner, Pei Muci certainly wouldn't let her succeed.

He stepped down onto the trailing hem of the cloak and, with a swift pivot, caught her in his grasp.

As Qing Wu tried to duck and burrow away, Pei Muci gave her no chance, grabbing her by the shoulders and lifting her bodily into the air.

The billowing cloak instantly fell back around her.

Apprehensive, she instinctively clutched at the collar beneath her hands, remaining completely silent.

Pei Muci raised an eyebrow toward Du Jin. "The medicine."

Du Jin slipped the medicine bottle into Pei Muci's sleeve pocket, thoughtfully adding a roll of gauze alongside it.

Gauze was, after all, far softer than a belt; regardless of how it was used, it would prove much more comfortable.

"Many thanks." Leaving behind those brief words, Pei Muci scooped the person in his arms and strode out of the bathhouse.

Indignant, Qing Wu could scarcely find the words. "Since when have you two become so chummy?!"

Yet, seeing that Du Jin had secured a safe foothold here, the boulder that had been weighing heavily on her heart finally settled into place.

"We have always been of one mind when it comes to Your Highness's health, though my attitude toward him depends entirely on Your Highness," Pei Muci murmured leisurely.

He always felt an inexplicable, unspoken rapport between Du Jin and Qing Wu, likely rooted in the subconscious habits formed by years of living together. Such an unconventional intimacy left him lacking the confidence to tear it apart, which only fueled his inward discontent.

An Qi, recently appointed as Gu Hanjiang's "lackey," scurried over eagerly. "Lord, the tent has already been prepared. This way, please."

Passing by the campfires crackling with the personal guards along the way, Pei Muci wore a solemn expression.

"No getting drunk, and no causing trouble."

A dozen or so men sprang up instantly as if their trousers had caught fire, chorusing their agreement in unison, save for Gu Hanjiang, who let out a disdainful scoff.

Seeing Du Jin emerge from the washroom, Gu Hanjiang waved enthusiastically from afar and patted the spot beside him. "Physician Du, come sit here!"

---

Inside the tent, the furnishings were simple, separated from the inner chamber merely by a thin veil of gauze.

After finishing the application of the medicine, Pei Muci extinguished two of the candle stands. "I will make them pay the price."

"Mn!" Qing Wu was hardly a saint; naturally, she had no intention of returning injury with kindness. "Remember to question Qin Susu."

Pei Muci gently massaged her shoulders with soft, fluid motions. "Very well."

In truth, that individual had already confessed to everything long ago. While it wouldn't drastically alter his overarching plan, minor adjustments to the trajectory were still necessary.

"Get some rest. I'll be right back."

Qing Wu nodded, though a nagging premonition whispered in the back of her mind: was he going to come back later to settle accounts with her?

Pei Muci offered a faint smile, tucked the quilt securely around her, and stepped outside to find An Qi.

Turning her head slightly, Qing Wu watched his upright silhouette slowly fade into the dimness, eventually vanishing from sight.

The arduous journey had indeed drained much of her energy, compounded by the physical toll of struggling against the tribal chieftain. As she stared at the flickering candlewick, drowsiness washed over her as promised.

Just as she drifted toward the realm of dreams, a sudden, booming chant rang out from outside.

"Hey! Heh-hey!"

Qing Wu pulled the blanket over her head, tossing and turning, but the high-penetration singing refused to be muffled.

With a long sigh, she decided to get up and see what on earth was happening.

Planting her feet by the edge of the bed, she surveyed the room.

In this spacious chamber, there wasn't a single set of women's garments!

Would someone as meticulous as Pei Muci overlook such a simple detail?

The answer was painfully obvious.

So, did he think he could restrict her movements with this trick?!

She refused to play by his rules!

Tearing off a single-layered panel of men's robe fabric from the clothing rack, Qing Wu tied two ribbons around the hems to fashion makeshift trouser legs, using this as her undergarment. Over it, she draped a wide, sweeping crane cloak, wrapping herself securely from head to toe before striding out.

Before parting the tent flap, she absentmindedly used Pei Muci's jade hairpin to gather her sleek, flowing hair up onto the crown of her head.

Having gone through two rounds of drinks, the guards were drunkenly bickering and swapping nonsense. The bolder ones even directly brought up the diversion Gu Hanjiang had mentioned earlier.

"Military Advisor Gu, you call us brothers out here, but you don't even set out a couple of dishes of food? We're just drinking dry wine?"

Gu Hanjiang laughed and scolded them, "Is having wine to drink not enough?"

The soldiers exchanged mischievous grins. "Didn't we notice several Han women in this tribe when we arrived?"

This remark instantly piqued the interest of those nearby, their eyes gleaming.

Gu Hanjiang's expression chilled in an instant. "If you have the guts, go try it and see if Pei Yuanxi’s military staff breaks your legs."

"No, no, no, the Military Advisor misunderstands our intent." Realizing that while Gu Hanjiang usually appeared amiable, he remained utterly unyielding when it mattered, the soldiers hastened to explain. "If we are fortunate enough to follow the Lord back to the city, don't we also wish to settle down and give our aging mothers some peace of mind?"

Surprised, Gu Hanjiang hadn't expected this to be their reasoning. "You lot will all earn military merits once we return; what's the rush?"

"Look at how precarious our lives are—good families from ordinary backgrounds wouldn't deign to look at us anyway," the soldiers joked uproariously, seemingly indifferent to their own short lifespans.

Du Jin was the first to spot Qing Wu. Devoid of facial cosmetics, her dignified and solemn black cloak embroidered with gold thread masked her striking features, lending her an ethereal, otherworldly grace.

Recognizing her, some of the guards stood up to pay their respects, while those unfamiliar with her instinctively rose to their feet as well to welcome her.

In an instant, everyone grew rigidly constrained, standing in place as though awaiting inspection by a commanding officer.

Qing Wu walked up before the gathered men, exuding an innate, lofty detachment.

"Sit."