CHAPTER 715: CHAPTER 301: SEEKING SHELTER FROM THE RAIN (FIRST UPDATE)

Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing took shelter inside the dilapidated temple.

Except for Song Yanqing, the other three were all drenched.

Two soldiers lit a fire under Xie Ruotong’s instruction.

When autumn comes, a drop in temperature follows the rain.

"General Xie, I don’t think the rain will stop anytime soon. You’re soaked through. Please take off your clothes to dry them by the fire. We’ll stand guard outside for you," a soldier hurriedly suggested.

Xie Ruotong did not refuse; she nodded her head.

She planned to let the other two dry their clothes by the fire after hers were done.

"This subordinate will leave now."

The two soldiers left.

Song Yanqing also stood up, preparing to leave.

"Song Yanqing, you stay here," Xie Ruotong called out to him.

Song Yanqing was slightly taken aback.

He looked at Xie Ruotong.

"It’s windy and rainy outside, and it’s getting colder," Xie Ruotong said indifferently, "Your body can’t withstand it, stay here."

Song Yanqing remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Mhm."

Inside the shabby temple.

Song Yanqing had his back turned to Xie Ruotong.

Behind him was the campfire, and beside it was Xie Ruotong.

Because the rain had suddenly intensified, it grew darker, and the temple became even gloomier. The flickering light of the fire cast shadows on the walls.

Song Yanqing saw... Xie Ruotong’s shadow.

He watched as she removed her garments one by one, placing them on a rack set up beside her.

Her delicate and soft body, curved and contoured, seemed to materialize before Song Yanqing’s eyes.

His throat involuntarily swallowed.

He wasn’t sure if it was the heat from the fire, but Song Yanqing suddenly felt a bit warm.

"Achoo!"

A sneeze suddenly echoed inside the temple.

Song Yanqing’s body jolted.

His heart began to inexplicably race.

His face seemed to flush with heat.

He felt as though the graceful silhouette in front of him was very, very close.

Within reach.

He restrained the restlessness inside him.

Then he took off his outer garment without turning back, "You wear my clothes first."

Xie Ruotong was hugging her body at that moment.

Since she was soaked through, she had stripped everything off.

Despite the fire in front of her, she still felt somewhat cold.

Hearing Song Yanqing speak, she looked up at him.

Song Yanqing hadn’t turned around at all from beginning to end.

This was also the reason why she allowed Song Yanqing to stay.

One should not peep at others without their permission.

Song Yanqing was always well-mannered.

"No need... Achoo," Xie Ruotong sneezed again.

The decrepit temple was draughty.

A gust of wind blew in, chilling to the bone.

"I’m not cold. Near the fire, I actually feel a bit warm," Song Yanqing said hurriedly.

Really a bit warm...

Sweat seemed to bead on his forehead.

Xie Ruotong hesitated for a moment but still sat up a bit and took the clothes from Song Yanqing’s hands.

The clothes were somewhat long.

The two of them were separated by the fire.

Song Yanqing, with his back turned, didn’t see it, and Xie Ruotong didn’t notice either; as Song Yanqing let go, the hem of the clothing fell directly onto the fire and instantly caught alight.

"Ah!" Xie Ruotong exclaimed in shock.

Song Yanqing heard the noise and instinctively turned around.

He turned around just to see Xie Ruotong trying to put out the flaming clothes with her bare hands, and then he saw...

Xie Ruotong quickly extinguished the flames on the clothes, then raising her head just in time to see Song Yanqing’s gaze.

Song Yanqing abruptly turned his head away.

Xie Ruotong pursed her lips.

"I’m sorry," Song Yanqing apologized.

His ears were red.

Xie Ruotong did not speak but wrapped Song Yanqing’s clothes around her body.

It seemed to still hold some warmth.

The warmth from Song Yanqing’s body left an indescribable taste in her.

That look in Song Yanqing’s eyes just now...

Forget it.

It’s not that important.

After all, when you’re away from home, there’s less to fuss about.

Besides, it’s not like Song Yanqing hasn’t seen it before.

There’s really no need to be so petty.

Song Yanqing didn’t hear a response from Xie Ruotong.

And he knew that Xie Ruotong was angry.

So he maintained his silence again.

Both of them were very quiet.

Not knowing how long passed.

Xie Ruotong’s clothes were mostly dry, she quickly got changed, then walked over to Song Yanqing and handed him his clothes.

Song Yanqing looked at Xie Ruotong’s hand and didn’t dare to look up at her face.

At that moment, Song Yanqing’s cheeks were still flushed.

"It’s a bit scorched. Just make do with it for now, we can look for a tailor’s shop in town to buy a new one later," Xie Ruotong said.

She knew how much Song Yanqing valued these things.

Whether at home or outside, he was meticulous and clean.

"It doesn’t matter," Song Yanqing said and hurriedly put on his coat from Xie Ruotong’s hands.

After giving the clothes to Song Yanqing, Xie Ruotong left.

She opened the rickety doors of the temple to find two soldiers sitting under the eaves, shivering with cold.

Seeing Xie Ruotong coming out, they hurriedly saluted, "General Xie."

"Come in," she said.

"Yes, General."

Only then did the two soldiers come in and sit by the fire.

"Take off your clothes and dry them," Xie Ruotong ordered.

"This..." Both soldiers were young and unmarried, naturally feeling embarrassed about matters of the opposite sex.

After all, General Xie was a woman and it was uncomfortable for them to change clothes in front of her.

"When on a military campaign, there’s no need for such fuss," Xie Ruotong stated frankly.

"Yes, General." The soldiers didn’t dare to disobey Xie Ruotong.

So somewhat sheepishly, they stripped off their clothes.

Naked from the waist up, they kept on their undershorts.

"I’ll go see how much longer it will rain," said Xie Ruotong, who after all stood up and left.

There shouldn’t be any awkwardness.

But Song Yanqing... it was truly hard for her to feel at ease.

She stood at the entrance of the temple, staring at the grey sky and the relentless rain.

If it continues like this, it seems we’ll have to spend the night here.

She wondered whether the Prince and Princess had a smooth journey.

Xie Ruotong stood at the entrance for a long time.

Until...

When the two soldiers had their clothes dry and called her back, she finally returned.

"Is there any dry food?" Xie Ruotong asked.

"Yes," the soldiers quickly replied.

Then they took out a few hardcakes from their packs.

"General Xie." The soldiers offered her the hardcakes.

"Give them to him, I’m not hungry," said Xie Ruotong.

Song Yanqing was quiet the whole time.

Only now does he seem to glance up at Xie Ruotong.

"I’m not hungry either," said Song Yanqing.

"You should eat something even if you’re not hungry," said Xie Ruotong indifferently, "The journey to the border is still lengthy."

Song Yanqing then took a hardcake.

The cake was very tough, and Song Yanqing seemed to struggle to eat it.

And truly, he didn’t have much of an appetite.

So he only ate a small piece.

And truly couldn’t eat anymore.

"Lord Song, when you’re out and about, you need to make do. Once you’re in the military camp, there won’t be as much food available, and on the battlefield, this is all there is to eat," Xie Ruotong spoke with evident dissatisfaction as she saw him eat so little.

"Understood," said Song Yanqing with a nod.

And then silently, he tore off bits of the hardcake he was about to put down and put them into his mouth.

It was difficult to eat.

But still, he ate it all.