Oops! My Inner Thoughts Are Ruining The Plot

Chapter 172: Chapter

The morning sun rose cold and pale over the mountains, doing little to thaw the frozen earth of the valley.

When Yueqing opened her eyes, the camp was already alive with the heavy clatter of iron armor and the harsh commands of captains preparing their lines. She sat up slowly, her sore ribs twinging beneath her linen bandages, and looked toward the small wooden table beside her bed.

The golden-wrapped pastry was gone.

Only a tiny dusting of fine sugar and crumpled foil remained where Xiao Chen’s gift had sat the night before.

Yueqing’s brow furrowed slightly.

[Did Lu Yue clean it up?] she thought, pushing herself up and wrapping her thick cloak around her shoulders. [Or did that block of wood actually eat it?]

She pushed open the tent flap and stepped outside into the crisp, bitter air, expecting to see Wenzhe waiting nearby as he usually did. But the space outside her tent was empty. Soldiers were marching in tight formation toward the southern ridge, their faces grim and set.

Commander Guo stood near the center grounds, inspecting a group of mounted guards. Spotting Yueqing, he walked over and bowed respectfully.

"Madam Xi," Commander Guo said smoothly. "The carriage for your departure is already prepared and waiting near the main gate. Whenever you are ready to leave, we can begin heading back to the capital."

Yueqing paused, her eyes sweeping over the bustling camp. "Where is Wenzhe?"

"General Wenzhe rode out over an hour ago with the advance guard toward the Northern Pass," Commander Guo replied.

Yueqing froze, a sudden, heavy knot tightening in her chest. "He left already?"

"Yes, Madam."

"Without saying a word to me?" Her voice dropped, a strange, hollow ache opening in her chest.

She looked back toward his silent, empty strategy tent. Even when they fought, even when he was furious with her, Wenzhe never left the camp without stepping into her quarters first. He would always leave a cold warning, a sharp demand for her to stay put, or at least a brief glance before riding out. To leave for a major, dangerous military operation in total silence, without a single goodbye... felt completely wrong.

[Is he really that angry with me?] Yueqing thought, a faint sting of annoyance and worry mixing together in her mind. [Fine. Go fight your battle, you stubborn block of wood.]

She turned away from Commander Guo and walked back to her tent.

Inside, Lu Yue was already finishing up the last of their packing. Most of their luggage had been secured the night before, so only a few personal items remained.

"Madam," Lu Yue said, quickly stepping forward to help Yueqing out of her outer cloak. "The camp physician is here to check on you one last time before we depart."

The old physician stepped inside, carrying a small wooden case. He checked Yueqing’s pulse and carefully inspected her bandages.

"The healing is progressing well, Madam Xi," the physician advised gently, handing Lu Yue two small jars of medicinal salve. "However, the road back to the capital is long and rough. You must keep warm, rest as much as possible inside the carriage, and apply this ointment to your ribs twice a day. Do not push your body."

"Thank you, Doctor," Yueqing replied, giving a polite nod.

Once the physician bowed his way out, Lu Yue helped Yueqing layer into a warm, heavy travel robe and wrapped a plush fur cloak securely over her shoulders.

"Everything is loaded into the carriage, Madam," Lu Yue said softly, picking up the small medical pouch. "We are ready when you are."

Yueqing took one last look around the warm, quiet tent. She lingered for a brief second, half-expecting Wenzhe to walk through the flap with his usual stern expression, but only the cold mountain wind rustled the canvas wall.

"Let’s go," Yueqing said quietly.

They walked out toward the main gates, where a sturdy, double-lined carriage stood waiting with a heavy escort of Wenzhe’s personal guards. Lu Yue helped her mistress step up into the warm interior before climbing in beside her and pulling the heavy velvet curtains shut against the draft.

With a soft jerk, the wheels began to turn, crunching steadily against the frozen snow as the carriage pulled out of the camp.

Yueqing leaned her head back against the padded cushions, resting her hand over her sore ribs as she closed her eyes.

[Why do I feel so uneasy?] Yueqing thought, frowning to herself. [It’s just a normal military mission. That block of wood has been in a hundred battles. He has his whole army with him.]

Still, no matter how much she tried to convince herself he was fine, the heavy worry in her chest only grew worse.

Lu Yue sat across from her, carefully filling a small metal hand-warmer with hot coals before passing it over. Seeing her mistress’s pale, worried face, the maid spoke up gently.

"Madam," Lu Yue said softly. "Please do not worry so much. General Wenzhe is the strongest commander in the empire. He does this all the time. He will finish the battle and come back to the capital before you know it."

Yueqing took the warm metal container into her cold hands and looked down at it. "I know, Lu Yue. It’s just... he didn’t even say goodbye. He didn’t come to my tent, he didn’t leave a note, nothing. He just rode away."

Lu Yue paused, her fingers tightening around her sleeves.

In truth, Lu Yue had seen the General early that morning before the sun came up. She had gone to get hot water near the main tent and saw Wenzhe getting on his horse.

He had looked terrifying. His face was ghostly pale, his dark eyes red and full of a scary, silent anger that made all the soldiers stay far away from him. Something had been very, very wrong with him this morning.

Lu Yue swallowed hard, deciding to keep quiet.

Madam is already hurt and worried. If I tell her how angry and scary the General looked, she will only worry more on this long trip.

"The General was probably just busy with his troops, Madam," Lu Yue lied gently, giving her a small, comforting smile. "You know how serious he gets before a fight. He probably just didn’t want to wake you up."

Yueqing let out a long, quiet sigh and rested her head against the cool carriage window.

"Maybe you’re right..." Yueqing whispered softly.

She closed her eyes, trying her best to relax. But as the carriage took her further and further away from the mountains, the heavy, bad feeling in her heart refused to go away.

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