Chapter 446 - 445: Exhaustion

Chapter 446: Chapter 445: Exhaustion

Du Yunluo was slightly taken aback.

Mu Lianxiao said again, "He probably doesn’t think much of us. The desert is treacherous, impossible to cross.

It’s been a year and a half, and the Han people haven’t reached outside Ancient Meili City. Wuna Li is probably laughing at us.

At the end of September and the beginning of October, that’s when the Dazi retreat their troops from the Northern Border back to Ancient Meili, and the city is at its most lax."

When it came to military campaigns, Du Yunluo understood only half of it, but she listened attentively to Mu Lianxiao speak.

The two talked for a while, and seeing the sun slightly to the west, Mu Lianxiao took Du Yunluo outside.

The garrison wasn’t far from the city wall, and from a distance, Du Yunluo saw that tall and solid wall, even more spectacular than she imagined.

Ming Liu brought Mu Lianxiao’s horse over.

Mu Lianxiao lifted Du Yunluo onto the horse, mounted himself, held her tightly, and kicked the horse’s side gently.

The horse wasn’t fast, but Du Yunluo still felt her seat jolt. Fortunately, the embrace behind her was very familiar, and she didn’t feel scared.

The city gate was half open, and soldiers drilling not far outside returned neatly inside the pass, while Mu Lianxiao took her outside.

The desert was right in front of them.

The yellow sands stretched endlessly, meeting the horizon.

Du Yunluo widened her eyes; in both her lives, it was the first time she saw the desert with her own eyes.

Compared to this vast desert, her existence seemed so small, like a grain of sand.

She wanted to see the Gobi desert and oasis that Zhuang Ke mentioned, but even with Mu Lianxiao, they couldn’t go that far.

Mu Lianxiao read her thoughts and said, "The depths of the desert are dangerous. I’m afraid this horse knows the way better than I do. Last month, my brother’s horse injured its rear. He rode my horse into the desert to find a path. He’s cautious, saying even if he recognizes the way, it’s been months since that route was last traveled. Better to check again."

Du Yunluo chuckled.

Like they say, an old horse knows the way.

Before the city gate closed, Mu Lianxiao brought Du Yunluo back inside the pass.

That night, Du Yunluo slept soundly. The bed wasn’t deep, but she always slept clinging to Mu Lianxiao, so she didn’t mind the space and slept through til dawn.

Outside, the sound of soldiers drilling was earth-shattering. Du Yunluo woke up suddenly, rubbed her eyes, and got up.

As she didn’t bring a maid, Mu Lianxiao fetched water for her. After washing, she casually tied her long hair in a simple style.

Once Mu Lianxiao had everything arranged, they took a carriage back to the town.

Brother Yan hadn’t seen Du Yunluo for a day, his eyes sparkling, arms reaching to be held.

Du Yunluo quickly picked up her son, kissing him twice, making Brother Yan giggle.

"Sister-in-law, didn’t he trouble you?" Du Yunluo asked Zhuang Ke with a smile.

While changing Brother Hui’s diaper, Zhuang Ke replied, "No trouble at all. Brother Yan sleeps so soundly at night. When Hui was his age, he really could make a fuss at night."

Talking about child-rearing, the two had endless things to say.

Mu Lianxiao couldn’t get a word in with the women, so he carried his son and walked around the courtyard, talking to Mu Liankang about matters in the barracks.

September gradually passed.

It was cold at night here, not quite enough to light the large bed, but they still added more clothes and blankets.

With the day of deployment drawing nearer, Mu Lianxiao was especially busy those days, not showing up for nearly half a month.

Du Yunluo sent Jiuxi to Shanyu Pass to see him a few times.

Jiuxi returned and said, "Madam, when I arrived this time, Master was just having dinner. The jerky and pickles you asked me to bring, Master really liked them."

Du Yunluo smiled. Life in the military was tough, incomparable to the Capital, not even close to Xuancheng.

The town was a bit barren and couldn’t produce anything good, so they could only send some jerky and pickles for a little taste.

"Master also said, don’t worry, everything is fine." Jiuxi added.

Jin Rui pursed her lips, smiling, "Is everything really fine?"

Jiuxi scratched his head, chuckling, "More or less, but Master did look a bit tired. Probably hasn’t been resting well at night."

Du Yunluo nodded, expecting as much.

Mu Lianxiao must have been busy late into the night, otherwise, he would’ve found time to return to the town.

Zhuang Ke came to chat with her and laughed, "Your heart is quite anxious."

Du Yunluo smiled.

Having faced many hardships in her previous life, she thought she was very patient, but as the day of deployment approached, she grew a little restless.

Caring too much leads to chaos, that’s the truth.

Zhuang Ke wiped Brother Hui’s drool, letting the three siblings play together, discussing Mu Liankang’s time as a bandit with Du Yunluo.

"He’d leave at a moment’s notice, not knowing when he’d return. Sometimes, while we’re talking, I’d turn around, and he’d already be gone." Zhuang Ke smiled, "At first, I wasn’t used to it, but seeing everyone else was the same, I got used to it."

As they chatted away, Mu Liankang and Mu Lianxiao returned.

Zhuang Ke stood up in surprise.

Du Yunluo chuckled, "See, are you used to it now?"

Zhuang Ke blushed slightly, lightly punched Du Yunluo.

After Zhuang Ke took Sister Ying and Brother Hui home, Du Yunluo had someone prepare hot water for Mu Lianxiao.

Under Mu Lianxiao’s eyes were faint dark circles. Du Yunluo felt distressed; he was usually full of energy, when had he looked so tired?

When the hot water was brought in, Mu Lianxiao soaked his whole body in it, finally feeling his blood circulate smoothly.

He closed his eyes and rested for a while.

Soon, he heard light footsteps, turned his head to see Du Yunluo rolling up her sleeves, and laughed, "What is it?"

Du Yunluo walked to the side of the tub, pressing both hands on Mu Lianxiao’s shoulders, exerting some force, "Shall I give you a massage?"

The soft, delicate hands landed on his tense shoulders and neck. Mu Lianxiao let out a comfortable sigh.

Du Yunluo didn’t have much strength in her hands, but she worked hard at it, massaging from his shoulders to his neck.

Mu Lianxiao relaxed his body.

Du Yunluo’s hands were slightly cool, now dampened with some hot water. It was an indescribable comfort on his skin.

She lowered her head, eyes fixed on his back, methodically applying pressure, "Should I press a bit harder?"

Mu Lianxiao looked up at her, "Your hands are only so strong, how much harder can they press?"

Du Yunluo huffed, stood on tiptoe then fell back down, hoping to add more pressure.

With her movement, her chest undulated, catching Mu Lianxiao’s eyes, his gaze deep and fathomless.

"Yunluo," Mu Lianxiao called her in a hoarse voice, "that’s enough."

"Enough?"

"If you keep pressing, I’ll want to pull you into the water with me."

Du Yunluo was taken aback, her eyes glancing past the water, and her cheeks flushed. She took a few steps back, grabbed a cloth to wipe her hands, then tossed it onto Mu Lianxiao’s shoulder, "Aren’t you supposed to be tired?"