383: Warmth grows like vines

That night, the campfire in the camp gradually died out, its dark red embers flickering in the darkness like slumbering stars.

The evening wind, carrying the coolness of the night, swept past the rows of tents, causing the canvas to rustle softly. The women had long since fallen into a deep sleep, their even, drawn-out breaths intertwining with the sound of the wind to weave a tranquil nocturnal melody.

Taking advantage of the night's cover, Ye Nianrui lifted the hem of her skirt and tread lightly forward. Her skirt fluttered gently in the moonlight like butterfly wings as she slipped silently into Situ Jun's tent.

Inside the tent, the brazier was still burning. Its dancing flames dispelled the chill of the night, and the air was filled with the faint scent of charcoal.

Situ Jun was sitting before a desk, holding a translucent communication Jade Slip between his fingertips, his Divine Sense immersed within it. A hint of a barely perceptible gravity lingered between his brows, as if he were pondering some thorny, important matter.

Seeing Ye Nianrui's quiet intrusion, a flash of surprise first appeared in his eyes. Then, the gravity melted away like ice and snow, transforming into a gaze full of tender smiles, brimming with the starlight of the candle flame. It was as if her arrival was the most delightful gift in this long, long night.

Seeing the unresolvable tenderness in Situ Jun's eyes, Ye Nianrui's heart was instantly wrapped in layers of warmth. All her reserve and unease dissipated without a trace, like ice and snow brushed by a spring breeze.

She quickly threw herself into Situ Jun's embrace, feeling his strong arms wrap tightly around her. The unique scent of him lingered at the tip of her nose, filling her heart with peace and a sense of security.

"Have you been tired these past few days?"

Situ Jun looked down at the woman in his arms, his fingertips gently stroking her long hair. His voice was low and gentle, carrying a reassuring strength.

Ye Nianrui shook her head, burying her cheek deeply in his chest. Listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat and feeling the warmth transmitted from his palm, the corners of her mouth lifted in a faint smile as she softly recounted the day's amusing events:

"Younger Sister Jiang Ya made quite a spectacle of herself today. She mistook the pink-purple wildflowers on the grassland for rare medicinal herbs, carefully wrapped them in brocade, and stored them in her medicine basket. She kept insisting to us that these 'herbs' were brimming with Spiritual Qi. In the end, Sister Embroiderer saw through it at a glance and teased her for half the day, saying her 'medicinal herbs' were too brightly colored and could only be used to adorn one's hair, that they would look extremely beautiful tucked into a bun."

Her voice carried a chirping laughter, and her eyes sparkled with lively light, as if she were seeing Jiang Ya's flustered yet adorable expression once more.

"In the afternoon, the caravan also encountered a migrating herd of antelope, a full thousand strong. They were like a surging tide—an extremely spectacular sight that made everyone lift their carriage curtains to watch."

As she spoke, she lifted her head, her eyes full of longing, and asked softly:

"Young Master, what exactly is the Northern Frontier City like? What do the people there do in their daily lives? Does it also have such vast grasslands and so many beautiful flowers?"

Situ Jun listened patiently, his fingertips gently stroking the top of her head, occasionally responding:

"The Northern Frontier City is much livelier than the grasslands. It has towering city walls, broad streets, and merchants from various tribes who gather there with exotic treasures. In the city, there are Cultivators coming and going, and also Mortals living and working in peace. As for flowers, there are quite a few planted in the City Lord's Manor gardens. Once we arrive, I'll take you to see them."

His voice was tender and lingering, filled with infinite longing for the future and harboring a unique doting affection just for her, filling Ye Nianrui's heart with anticipation.

The night deepened. The candle flame inside the tent flickered, casting a hazy, ambiguous glow that stretched the shadows of their embracing figures long and long, projecting them onto the tent's cloth walls like an affectionate silhouette.

Situ Jun lowered his head, his gaze falling on her soft lips, his eyes filled with a deep affection too thick to dissolve, like aged fine wine, mellow and intoxicating.

He slowly leaned down, gently kissing her lips. His movements were soft and lingering, carrying an irresistible tenderness and possessiveness, like spring rain nourishing parched earth, delicate and affectionate.

Ye Nianrui closed her eyes, pouring all her feelings into this ultimate tenderness. Her arms tightly wound around his neck as she felt his deep affection and love, forgetting all the troubles and noise of the world.

At this moment, it was as if only the two of them remained between heaven and earth, only their intermingled heartbeats and breaths, quietly flowing in the silent night.

Before dawn, the Morning Star still twinkled on the horizon, emitting a faint yet persistent light.

Reluctantly, Ye Nianrui loosened her arms from around Situ Jun. She quietly straightened her clothes, her gaze lingering tenderly on Situ Jun's sleeping face for a moment. Her fingertips couldn't resist lightly brushing over his brows and eyes, feeling his warmth.

Carefully, she pulled aside the tent flap. Just as when she arrived, she retreated with light steps back to her own tent, afraid of waking the sleeping women and disturbing this secret sweetness that belonged solely to her.

Lying on the soft bedding, the tenderness of the previous night replayed incessantly in Ye Nianrui's mind. Her cheeks were still burning, her heartbeat involuntarily quickening, her heart full of sweet palpitations, as if holding a lively little rabbit. She tossed and turned for a long time before finally falling asleep in the lingering sweetness, a faint smile still on her lips.

And after she left, Situ Jun slowly opened his eyes. Not a trace of sleepiness remained in their depths.

He extended his fingertips, as if they still retained her warmth and fragrance. That delicate touch and elegant scent lingered in his heart, refusing to dissipate.

He sat quietly for a moment, a gentle smile unconsciously curling at the corner of his mouth. The gravity that had accumulated in his heart over recent days due to matters concerning the Heaven-Patrolling Iron Cavalry of the Dragon Imperial Dynasty also dissipated considerably.

This kind of secret rendezvous, undisturbed by others, only made the affection between them grow stronger, like fine wine maturing, becoming more mellow and moving with the passage of time.

On this day, the caravan arrived at a scenic river valley. This place was already near the Northern Frontier territory. The chill in the air gradually dissipated, replaced by a moist warmth that was refreshing to both body and mind.

A clear stream flowed through the gorge, its babbling waters tinkling like heavenly music, echoing endlessly through the mountain valley, washing away the weariness of the journey.

The banks were covered with unknown wildflowers: red like fire, passionate and unrestrained; yellow like gold, brilliant and dazzling; purple like twilight, hazy and romantic; and pink, white, and flowers of every color vying in bloom, dazzlingly brilliant, adorning the riverbank like a fairyland.

A gentle breeze wafted through, carrying the fragrance of flowers in all directions, refreshing the heart and mind, enticing swarms of butterflies to dance gracefully, fluttering among the flower clusters. Complementing the gorgeous sea of flowers, they formed a vibrant springtime tableau.

Seeing this beautiful scenery, the women all cheered and jumped for joy, their long-suppressed moods completely released at this moment.

Jiang Ya, being the most vivacious, was the first to propose:

"The scenery here is so wonderful—clear waters and green mountains, fragrant flowers lining the path. Why don't we rest here for a day? We can enjoy ourselves to the fullest and not waste this splendid springtime."

Chen Yufei also chimed in:

"Yes, yes. Traveling for days on end is truly exhausting. It would be wonderful to relax here for a while."

Seeing this, Situ Jun's gaze swept over the anticipation and excitement in everyone's eyes. His own eyes were full of indulgent smiles as he nodded with a smile and agreed:

"Very well. Everyone has been working hard these past days. Let's rest here for a day and relax properly."