Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Chapter 174 I can smell it, it’s manly

"Just these two days."

"So fast..." Qinglan couldn't help but sigh. They hadn't even entered the mountain yet, and he felt so cold that his bones ached just in the camp. How could he bear it after entering the mountain?

Tang Ling had already asked Qing Lan to pack up and be ready to go into the mountains. The first snow had already fallen, and it was time for them to go into the mountains. Tang Ling couldn't wait any longer; he wanted to see Qi Xiao.

Others didn't know, and even he himself had never imagined, that he would miss Qi Xiao so intensely, day and night, pulling him unconsciously toward the invisible mountains in the distance, and the invisible person hidden deep within them. From the moment they separated, the strong and uncontrollable feeling had been there, a constant concern. The more he got used to this longing, the more it would generate more and more thoughts. It felt like there was an unfillable hole in his heart, a sharp wind blowing, trying to sweep him in.

Tang Ling sighed and told Qing Lan to go ahead. He had other things to do.

It was almost dusk when Qi Xiao returned to the camp. He rode back on horseback, dusty and exhausted, his coat covered in mud, snow, leaves, and grass. At first glance, he looked like a poor beggar who had just appeared out of nowhere. He came back alone, and he brought nothing with him. The soldiers at the camp gate almost stopped him from entering, checking his badge repeatedly before letting him in.

Chi Yue was also startled when he saw Qi Xiao outside Tang Ling's tent: "Your Highness?"

Qi Xiao glanced at Chi Yue, waved his hand, and headed towards Tang Ling's tent. Chi Yue stood there in a daze for a moment, then suddenly smiled and quickly ordered someone to prepare hot water for bathing.

Qi Xiao took off his outer coat and shoes outside the tent because they were too dirty.

So when Tang Ling looked up, she saw Qi Xiao without shoes.

"...Why are you back?" Tang Ling stood up and looked at Qi Xiao as if he was dreaming. He hurriedly lowered his head to glance at what he was writing on the desk. The ink was clear and the words were coherent. This was not a dream!

Qi Xiao hurried back excitedly. Finally, he saw the person he had been thinking about day and night. He wanted to rush over and hug her, but Tang Ling's silent look made his heart skip a beat. Could it be that she disliked his dirty appearance?

Tang Ling suddenly woke up from a dream. She ran two steps and threw herself into Qi Xiao's arms, cupping his cheeks and smiling silently. His palms caressed Qi Xiao's messy stubble, which stung him a little, itchy, but for some reason made him feel crazy. He didn't have time to think before he leaned in and kissed Qi Xiao.

Tang Ling smells so good. Qi Xiao thought silently, wrapping his arms around Tang Ling tightly. He also thought, he seems to have lost some weight, why is his waist so thin and soft?

"Why are you back?" Tang Ling gasped heavily.

"I miss you." Qi Xiao didn't have time to explain, and he kissed Tang Ling passionately again. They had only been separated for ten days, but he couldn't help thinking about her day and night. Only when he held Tang Ling in his arms at this moment, he seemed to be able to breathe and let his heart continue beating. But this satisfaction only lasted for a moment. When he couldn't help himself, Qi Xiao tore open Tang Ling's clothes.

"Tang Ling...I miss you so much."

"I know, I miss you too."

Qi Xiao kissed Tang Ling's heart, suppressed her desire, and slowly let her go.

"what happened?"

"...It's so dirty, I stink, can't you smell it?"

Tang Ling laughed: "I can smell it, it's a man's scent."

Qi Xiao blushed inexplicably. What the hell was Tang Ling saying?! This is killing me!

Tang Ling leaned against Qi Xiao's chest and said with a smile, "I've been in the army for many years. Can't I stand this?"

Qi Xiao suddenly became unhappy. Is he the same as those stinky men?

Tang Ling touched Qi Xiao's stubble, with many subtle emotions mixed in her heart, making him a little confused for a moment: love, heartache, reluctance to leave, and the desire to protect him.

"Why did you come back suddenly?"

"I'm here to pick you up. We're going into the mountains tomorrow."

"went well?"

"It's not smooth, just barely."

"Chen Heng has been transporting things to the mountains these past few days. I thought you were making good progress. Isn't that right?"

Qi Xiao shook his head. "Cutting trees to clear a path is too slow, so we can only use wheelbarrows to transport supplies. We dug ten cellars along three roads to store supplies. Anything that can't be transported is stored there first, and when the weather is good, we'll dig it out and use a sled to pull it."

"How about you? Is it hard? Are you getting along well with the soldiers?"

"Well, you know me. From a distance or close up, I don't look like a prince. After entering the mountains, the nobleman became a beggar. We don't dislike each other, so naturally there is no grudge between us."

Tang Ling was amused. She rubbed the dark circles under Qi Xiao's eyes with her fingertips and couldn't help but sigh, "Thank you for your hard work."

"I'm fine, I'm just worried you can't handle it. Although you've been following Marquis Xun An all year round, military life wouldn't be difficult for you, but Fenglin Mountain is different. Other seasons make people live like wild beasts, but winter is truly life-threatening."

"Qinglan prepared some medicine to keep out the cold, two doses a day. I started taking it a few days ago, so don't worry."

Qi Xiao nodded, but he was still worried. In the military camp, there were stoves and fires, but after entering the mountains, there would be many more difficult days.

Tang Ling held Qi Xiao's face and said, "If you act too concerned about me and worried about me, it will make the soldiers feel dissatisfied and resentful. Don't show such an expression in the future."

"Okay." Qi Xiao lowered his head slightly and rested it on Tang Ling's forehead. In fact, Tang Ling was more worried about him.

"Your Highness, the hot water is ready." Chi Yue shouted outside the tent.

"It's cold, the water is cooling down quickly, I'll help you wash."

Qi Xiao smiled: "Okay."