A Fierce Wife, A Gentle Husband - Chapter 4

The carriage rocked gently along.

Shen Wei sat huddled in the corner with his bundle, looking like a timid little bride.

I softened my voice. “Why don’t you rest at home for a few days? I’ll come and collect you when I return from camp.”

He shook his head at once and scooted closer.

“The camp is near the Shen residence. If I go with you, we can still visit my family the day after tomorrow if there’s time.”

Our eyes met. His ears turned pink as he added, “I’m particular about beds. I can’t sleep without you beside me.”

Even he did not seem to believe it.

The carriage had barely left the city when this man who was so “particular about beds” fell asleep against my shoulder.

When I tilted my head, I could see his fanlike lashes quivering with each breath. He slept with complete trust.

I shifted to make him more comfortable.

“Keep the carriage steady,” I told the driver.

“Yes, Captain.”

The whip traced a light arc through the air.

It was almost dusk when we reached camp.

The carriage stopped outside the gate. I jumped down, and the moment my boots struck the ground, I saw Yun Zhi striding toward us from the command tent.

He had changed into pale, moon-white robes that day, as if he had taken special care with his appearance.

His perpetually cool eyes brightened the instant he saw me, and the corner of his mouth curved.

“Captain Hua, you—”

Before he could finish, I turned and reached into the carriage.

Shen Wei emerged, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Without a trace of hesitation, he put his hand in mine and let me help him down.

He landed unsteadily and caught my arm for balance.

“Wife, are we here?”

His voice was still soft with sleep.

“We’re here.”

I looked back.

The smile on Yun Zhi’s lips froze before it could fully bloom. His gaze chilled at once.

His eyes lingered on my hand around Shen Wei’s arm.

When he spoke again, his voice had returned to its customary coolness.

“Now that Captain Hua has returned, please proceed to the command tent immediately. We must discuss the scouts and our defensive deployment.”

He placed particular weight on *defensive deployment*, as though reminding me why I was here.

Before I could answer, Shen Wei rubbed his eyes and looked at him curiously.

“Sir, will discussing military affairs take long?”

“My wife has been traveling all day and hasn’t eaten.”

Yun Zhi paused. His voice grew colder. “The situation is urgent. It cannot be delayed.”

“Oh.” Shen Wei turned to me. “Wife, you go ahead. I’ll look around and find something for you to eat.”

He took a small oil-paper parcel from his robe and tucked it into my hand.

“Have this first. I secretly brought some osmanthus cakes when we left.”

At the sight of those carefully protected cakes, Yun Zhi’s expression darkened further.

“Let’s go, Strategist Yun.” I started walking. “We wouldn’t want to delay our ‘urgent business.’”

Yun Zhi drew a deep breath and turned away.