"Don't stand there, let's go back to the tent!" Dongfang Zhan, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, had a gentle but unsmiling face. He strode past Li Youlan, and the gust of wind he created carried a scent of ambergris.
"Yes!" Li Youlan blinked, wiping away the tears in her eyes. She was all alone nearby, and standing there like a silly goose was indeed something to be laughed at.
"The old prince's illness has improved by six or seven points, and he will not stay in the desolate mountains for long. When you go back, remember to pack your things!" Dongfang Zhan walked six or seven meters away, his gentle voice carried on the wind.
"Yes!" Li Youlan replied softly, glancing at Dongfang Zhan discreetly. This cousin was a well-known gentle and refined gentleman in the capital, showing concern and care for every woman. However, she felt that while his attitude was gentle, his subtle actions revealed indifference and aloofness, as if there was a layer of ice between them, making it impossible for her to get close.
The old prince had just recovered from a serious illness and his body was not yet fully healed. He returned to his tent, had a simple breakfast, and fell asleep on the soft couch. Dongfang Heng, Shen Lixue, and Dongfang Xun left the room, instructed the guards to take good care of him, and then returned to their respective tents.
Shen Lixue's black hair was loosely tied behind her back, exuding a natural beauty. Dongfang Heng pressed her down to the table, untied the rope from her black hair, and gently combed it with a wooden comb: "Why don't you tie your hair up?"
Although she looks beautiful, she should dress formally when going out. Not tying her hair up is too casual and will attract gossip.
"I don't know how to do it!" Shen Lixue said honestly. Ancient hairstyles were too complicated, and Qiuhe and Yanyue usually helped her with her hair, so she was happy to have some free time and was too lazy to learn.
In the mirror, her jet-black hair flew up and down in Dongfang Heng's hands, and after a moment it was tied into an exquisite updo. A few pearl flowers were inserted lightly, in the perfect position. The azure teardrop earrings complemented her clothes perfectly. Her jade-like fingers gently put them on her. A beautiful woman with exquisite makeup appeared in the mirror, not much different from Shen Lixue's attire in the palace.
"You can do hair?" Shen Lixue squinted at Dongfang Heng: "Whose hair did you practice on?" Dongfang Heng is a grown man, and not only can he do hair, but he does it so exquisitely. He must be very skilled and has done it more than once. But this is the first time he has done Shen Lixue's hair.
"Are you jealous?" Dongfang Heng smiled and gently embraced Shen Lixue, resting his chin on her shoulder as he looked at the mirror. The man in the mirror was incredibly handsome, and the woman was stunningly beautiful; they were truly a match made in heaven.
"Confess honestly!" A dangerous glint flashed in Shen Lixue's narrowed eyes.
Dongfang Heng gently brushed his handsome profile against Shen Lixue's beautiful face: "When I was little, I often saw my father styling my mother's hair, and without realizing it, I remembered it!"
"Really?" Shen Lixue thought about it carefully. Although Dongfang Heng's hair-tying movements were fast, they were indeed a bit clumsy.
Dongfang Heng smiled: "My elder brother has also seen Father tie Mother's hair. Father's movements are neither too fast nor too slow, very warm and enjoyable. We can see his every move clearly. After watching it two or three times, we can remember it completely. If you don't believe me, call him here and ask him!"
"No need to call me anymore, I believe you!" Shen Lixue turned her head and placed a light kiss on Dongfang Heng's sexy thin lips as a reward for tying his hair up.
However, Dongfang Heng disliked the kind of shallow, fleeting kisses that only touched the surface of the water. He held her lips in his mouth and deepened the kiss. His kiss was very gentle, like a spring breeze, like being in a warm, clear spring, and one would unconsciously become immersed in it, with light, shallow breaths turning into rapid breaths.
“Dongfang… Heng!” Shen Lixue protested, her breathing labored.
Dongfang Heng reluctantly left her for a moment, looking at the bright bronze mirror with deep eyes, trying to calm his emotions: "I really want to get to three months from now!" His voice was hoarse, as if he was trying his best to suppress something.
“Three months…it will be very soon…” Shen Lixue’s face flushed red as she took a deep breath.
"Your Highness!" Zi Mo's urgent call rang out from outside the tent, as if something terrible had happened.
Shen Lixue was startled and hurriedly pushed Dongfang Heng away. She turned around to look in the mirror. The person in the mirror had a fair face and peach-like cheeks, her eyes were full of affection, she was charming and alluring, and her cherry-red lips were slightly swollen.
Dongfang Heng calmed himself down and looked towards the tent entrance: "What is it?"
"Your Highness, the military tally of the Imperial City Guard has been switched!" Zi Mo lifted the curtain, stepped into the tent, and said in a low voice.
Shen Lixue abruptly stopped combing her hair. Having gained half of Dongfang Heng's internal strength, her hearing was incredibly sharp. Although Zi Mo tried his best to lower his voice, she could still hear him clearly.
"When did this happen?" Dongfang Heng's gaze sharpened, becoming as deep and unfathomable as a still pool.
"The message sent by carrier pigeon says that last night, the entire capital was placed under martial law, and people leaving the city will be subject to very strict checks!" Zi Mo reported respectfully.
The Imperial City Guard is responsible for the safety of the entire Qingyan capital. If the person with the military seal orders them to rebel against Qingyan, the capital will inevitably fall, and the Qingyan Kingdom will be finished.
Dongfang Heng's sharp eyes narrowed instantly: "The Imperial City Guard has more than 30,000 men, both inside and outside the city, and is under the emperor's supervision. The military tally is also in his hands. To be able to secretly switch the military tally in the emperor's possession, that person must be in the palace!" And someone whom the emperor trusts quite a bit!
Shen Lixue nodded: "That person switched the military tally last night, and there has been no movement since then. He should not have left the city yet!" If he hasn't left the city, he can't mobilize the guards outside the city, so naturally he can't rebel.
"Let's rush back immediately!" Dongfang Heng's gaze was solemn. In this peaceful and prosperous era, the people live and work in peace and contentment. If someone rebels and captures the capital, the Dongfang royal family will indeed decline, but it will be the common people who suffer.
Thinking of the old prince's haggard and tired appearance, Shen Lixue frowned: "The old prince's health is still very weak, and he should not travel long distances for the time being!"
Dongfang Heng looked at the clear blue sky outside: "Then let Grandpa stay here for a few days, and Big Brother stay to take care of him. Let's go back to the capital first!" The matter of the military seal concerns the entire Qingyan. It is extremely urgent and cannot be delayed.
Zi Mo led over a fast horse. Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue had already packed up, said goodbye to the old prince, and walked out of the tent. They were met by Dongfang Zhan, Li Youlan, and others who were preparing to mount their horses.
The men exchanged glances, said nothing, and understood each other perfectly. They stepped into the stirrups and mounted their horses.
Upon seeing Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue riding together, Dongfang Zhan's gaze sharpened, but he said nothing, gripping the reins and focusing intently on the road ahead.
Li Youlan raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with sarcasm: "It's a pity that Princess Lixue can't ride a horse. I'd love to have a horsemanship contest with her."
Shen Lixue smiled slightly: "As a woman, you should learn what you are supposed to know. Riding a fast horse and galloping freely is the masculine spirit that men should have. You are a woman, but your horsemanship is so good that it's like a tomboy. Be careful, or no one will want you!"
Her voice was sweet and charming, sounding like a friendly banter without any hint of sarcasm. Li Youlan was left speechless and couldn't refute her, otherwise it would be admitting that he was a tomboy. She glared at Shen Lixue resentfully, gritting her teeth in anger.
"Let's go!" Dongfang Heng spurred his horse, and it neighed loudly, galloping forward at full speed. Shen Lixue's purple robes fluttered in the wind, releasing a faint fragrance.
Standing in Dongfang Zhan's direction, he saw a slender figure in Dongfang Heng's arms, her dark hair swaying gently in the wind. His gaze darkened, and he raised the reins, riding his horse at full gallop.
Li Youlan, Zimo, and the guards followed closely behind, with more than a dozen fast horses galloping along the road, kicking up clouds of smoke and dust.
Just like when they arrived, the group was in a hurry, rushing around for a whole day before finally reaching the capital.
As night fell, the city gates were closed and all was quiet. No one wanted to leave the city. Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue entered the city, dismounted, and walked. The long streets were deserted, without a single person in sight.
Turning the corner and walking onto the commercial street, the street was a bit more lively. There were no more stalls on both sides of the street, but the shops were all open, and there were quite a few pedestrians walking around. The atmosphere was still quite lively, without the tension and anxiety that preceded the rebellion.
Zi Mo stepped forward and took the reins of the fast horse from Dongfang Heng: "Your Highness, where are you going?"
Dongfang Heng's sharp gaze swept across the entire street: "Enter the palace, to meet the Emperor!"
"Cousin, I'm going back to the Li residence first!" Li Youlan is a girl and is not suitable to participate in important court affairs, so she has no intention of entering the palace.
"Alright!" Dongfang Zhan nodded, his tone indifferent: "You few escort Youlan back to the manor!"
"Yes!" The guards of the Prince Zhan's mansion responded respectfully, escorting Li Youlan onto the road leading to the Li residence.