Chapter 27: Warm Intentions Melt

  It's Xia Jingting's person.

  Zhan Jing also shouted loudly: "I am Zhan Jing, the commander of the Ling Wang Fu guards. Are you here to find the princess and General Shao?"

  "It turned out to be the General Commander, I apologize for my disrespect. We are indeed here on the orders of our general to find the Crown Prince and Fourth Miss." As soon as he finished speaking, he arrived right in front of them, despite the dark rain-soaked night, his horse riding skills were still impressive, leaving one in awe.

  The newcomer bowed his head slightly on horseback and said humbly: "I am from Jingchu, a first-class guard of the Protector General's Mansion."

  "Thorny escort." War Jing rode up on horseback, "What are you doing? Have you found the princess and General Shao?"

  The light was dim and unclear, except for the nearby area. Jingchu's gaze only briefly swept over the Ling Wangfu guards' bodies, not paying much attention to them. He continued to speak with Zhan Er: "We were searching in the outskirts when we encountered the white horse of the crown prince. This white horse has been following the crown prince for many years and is extremely intelligent. It led us to this place, but unfortunately, the heavy rain washed away the road ahead, so we are currently cutting down trees to pave a new path."

  Zhan Jing's heart skipped a beat, and he involuntarily looked towards the person at the front of the queue. Seeing that person slightly nodding in indication, he hastily loudly instructed: "Everyone work together to help, quickly pave the road, and rescue the princess from her predicament."

  "Yes." The crowd responded in unison.

  Jingchu bowed slightly and said: "Thanks for your trouble."

  In the dead of night, the rain finally subsided, pattering down like tears that couldn't stop flowing. The cave was quiet, with only an occasional crackling sound from the sparks in the fire. Xiaoyang suddenly opened her eyes, straightened up and changed her sitting position, adding some dry grass to the fire. She turned her head to look at Xiati, who was curled up into a small ball beside her, and felt a pang in her heart. She got up quietly and walked over to him.

  As the night wore on, the cave grew colder. Although he sat by the fire, he couldn't shake off the chill that seeped into his bones. He was only wearing an undergarment, and his outer cloak had been wrapped around her since they fell asleep in the summer. Yet, despite this, she seemed to be sleeping restlessly, afraid of the cold. What to do? Although they were siblings, he couldn't very well take her in his arms to warm her up. After some thought, he remembered that women often felt cold in their feet. He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to touch her feet, and indeed, they were icy. Gently, he removed her shoes and socks, carefully covering her slender, pale feet with his hands. Slowly exhaling, he gently lifted the hem of his garment and tucked her chilly toes into his chest.

  She spent the night like this, and when the sky brightened, Xia Tian opened her eyes in a daze, with a splitting headache. The ground was wet and hard, extremely uncomfortable to lie on, only her feet were warm. Her toes moved slightly, and the feeling was warm, smooth, and gentle. What was it? Before she could figure it out, her restless foot had already been caught by a large hand.

  "Don't move!" Xiaoyang smiled and took her feet out of his arms, carefully helping her put on her shoes and socks.

  In the summer, she sat up and stroked her head, looking at her own feet and then at his wrinkled collar. Her eyes moved, and she handed him the clothes on her body, while she herself picked up the purple crown he had taken off last night.

  The crown held in hand is exquisite, resembling a half-opened camellia, with a bright silver base inlaid with fine purple gemstones. A silver hairpin passes through the middle to secure the bun, and two pale purple ribbons hang down from the back of the crown, adding a touch of elegance and flair.

  As soon as he put on his robe, Xia Tian immediately stepped forward and pulled down on his arm.

  Xia Yang slightly dazed, though unaware of what she wanted to do, still sat down as she wished. Lifting her eyes, she caught sight of the sweet smile on her lips, and her heart relaxed, so she also smiled and sat up straight, letting her arrange things.

  She used her fingers as a comb to tidy up his disheveled hair and coil it into a bun, then carefully placed the purple coronet on top of the bun and secured it with hairpins. Lowering his head, although his face still showed unmistakable fatigue, his eyes were bright and clear, his lips curved like a crescent moon, and his clean and elegant face shone brightly like a sunny spring day.

  Their eyes met for a moment, and both of them silently stared at each other.

  In Xia Tian's eyes were unreserved dependence and trust, while in Xia Yang's eyes...

  "What are you doing?"

  A stern rebuke, the voice was not loud but carried an unignorable sense of majesty and oppression.

  Xia Yang stood up upon hearing the sound, and Xia Tian also turned his head back in surprise.

  The wild grass at the entrance was swept aside, and three people walked in, two in front and one behind. Jingchu caught sight of Xiaoyang and bowed with a smile, saying "Young Master". Zhanjing didn't make a sound, looked at Xiatiān for a moment, and silently paid his respects. The person behind them wore a large rain cloak, their hat pulled low so that their face couldn't be seen. It was clear that the previous words had come from their mouth.

  Xia Yang didn't bother to look at Jing Chu and Zhan Er, but instead gazed directly at the person behind them with a clear and piercing gaze. He said calmly, "Third Highness wants to know what Xia Yang and Tian Er are doing? Why not come forward and take a look?"