unedited

Meng Huan walked over to the heatstroke person’s family and friends and handed them a water bottle. “You can use it.”

The young man was fair and white, and his fingertips were white and slim as he looked down at them.

Anyone knew what a jug of water on a hot day meant, and they were grateful. “Thank you.”

“It’s okay.”

Meng Huan turned around, ready to continue on his way.

But a vibration rang out behind him, changing from soft to hard, like the ground was thundering. It even vaguely turned into a roaring rumble, like heaven and earth were about to be shaken and tipped over.

Meng Huan was baffled. “What is this?”

Zhu Dong tiptoed. “This is the sound of horses’ hooves. The prince’s army is catching up.”

The prince’s army?

Hearing Lin Bozhou’s name, Meng Huan turned around.

A few wisps of flying banners were revealed in the dust, and the man at the head was holding a giant banner with one hand and the reins of the horses with the other hand, galloping in the dust.

And behind him, more soldiers and horses were revealed, like a newly unfurled mast, like a gradually gathering ant colony, trampling the dirt road into a rolling, dusty sky, like a storm approaching the crowd.

“Stand back. Be careful of being trampled by the horses.”

Zhu Dong reminded.

Meng Huan retreated to the roadside.

The banner bearer, carrying a large banner with a flying dragon crest representing the commander-in-chief, rode past them hurriedly as the horses galloped away.

And behind him, thousands of soldiers and horses were towing.

…… Such a magnificent and grand scene.

Meng Huan’s heart could not stop beating wildly, his eyes reflecting the army and horses, and a marvel rolled out of his throat. “Wow–”

His eyes moved slightly to look at the middle of the crowd.

Several rows of steeds escorted the commander-in-chief. Lin Bozhou had long ago stopped wearing the prince’s clothes and changed into a golden-red military flying fish suit with a fierce and colorful python around his shoulders and neck, his robe fluttering. He held his horse’s rope tightly amidst the smoke and dust, and his dark and heroic eyebrows were pressed extremely low.

His posture was so aloof, not looking at the people on the road, like a god who crushed the crowd. Ordinary people could only catch a quick glimpse of his departing back.

Looking up at him from a distance from a low position, Meng Huan suddenly felt so insignificant. When the tall and vigorous horses swept past rapidly, Lin Bozhou inclined his head towards his side and glanced as if there was some kind of sensor, his eyes dark.

–But only for a short, short moment.

The horses, escorted by their steeds, galloped away.

The figures became distant into dots, and the intense hoof beats still echoed in Meng Huan’s ears.

He stood in place, his upturned little face fair and clean, his lips slightly open, his eyes dark and luminous.

Zhu Dong also recovered from the shock. “So, who does not want to gallop with a horse and a sword to fight for the country? You see, the prince is really dazzling.”

Meng Huan returned to his senses and mumbled, “Right.”

So dazzling.

So charming.

It even gave Meng Huan a dizzying sensation.

And……

–He was also his husband.

This was the softest and sweetest thought in Meng Huan’s heart.

Zhu Dong waved his hands and cheered up. “I want to fight and ride too. I want to make merit too! I also want to be like the prince!”

Meng Huan smiled, tilted his head, and looked at the blinding sun. “Let’s go.”

After the commander-in-chief swept by, then came the sturdy soldiers. The soldiers had no horses to ride but marched quickly while holding their weapons, stretching over the entire road for miles.

Meng Huan walked beside this group. Early autumn sunset covered the sky, and the sky was rendered with a thick haze. The field had freshly harvested crops, golden yellow light scattered among emerald green, and the smell of ripening melons and fruits came through, fresh and pleasant.

Before his eyes stood the gate fence of the camp, Zhu Dong had tears streaming down his face. “Finally, we have arrived. I’m speechless.”

“Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo……” Meng Huan went straight there, kneeling on the ground with difficulty and crawling forward, stood up, entered the camp gate, and found the prince’s tent inside.

Everyone was eating dinner, laughing at them both. “Youngster has tender feet and can not walk fast, right?”

Meng Huan did not have the mind to be embarrassed and hurriedly drank water. After drinking, he went to scoop rice.

Family members, rice!

Have you eaten rice, buddy? Have you eaten rice, buddy?

White, plump, steaming rice! And vegetables! And vegetables! I’ve never seen such warmth in rice in my life. Meng Huan ate three bowls with tears in his eyes.

After eating until his stomach was full, Meng Huan finally felt the strength of his body back at this moment, smelling his own sweat stench. His body’s cotton clothes absorbed sweat, and the smell could only be described as dizzying.

Meng Huan had slight mysophobia and asked, “Can we take a bath?”

“Yes, aren’t we stationed along the river? You can go out and wash.” Zhu Dong was lazy. “I don’t want to wash. I don’t even want to move a finger right now.”

He did not want to move, so Meng Huan grabbed his clothes and went out the door by himself.

Unlike what he imagined, he thought there would be a lot of soldiers and generals bathing in the river, but it was untrue. They had strict military laws that did not let anyone dare enter the water, and violators were punished by military law.

The water upstream was to be used for the men and horses to drink.

Meng Huan went downstream holding a roll of clothes and met some people bathing, who were just followers of the various government battalions, not established generals. It was dark, and the group found a hidden corner to undress, giggling and rubbing their backs and clothes.

Meng Huan also wanted to find a corner where he would not be seen.

He walked some distance along the shallow bank to the river’s opposite bank, with tree branches covering it. Only after ensuring the place was concealed did Meng Huan tentatively put his hand into the cold river water.

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