On the plains several dozen miles away, several temporary campsites were set up, with bonfires lit around their perimeters and patrol teams circling them.

In the largest tent among them, Luo Zhen, Xu Miaozhen, Yi Yao, Jiang Ruoqing, Ye Wanqiu, Zhao Jiangning, Lianyi, Chun Lan, Xia Lan, Qiu Lan, Dong Lan, Zhang Ru—all the women who had shared intimate moments with Chen Mo—were lying in a line on the ground.

Two blankets were spread on the ground.

The tent was spacious enough that all the women lying together could turn over, but they couldn’t make big movements.

Convenient? Certainly not.

But it was just for one night until daybreak when they would continue their journey. If each woman had her own tent along with a maid, that would make quite a scene. They worried about gossip that might trouble Chen Mo, so they chose to make do for a night.

After all, by now all the women were well acquainted; who hadn’t seen each other?

Truth be told, it was a bit embarrassing for everyone to be in one tent.

Chen Mo wasn’t there, and except for Chun Lan, who had a big heart and was already pretending to sleep with her eyes closed, the rest of the women felt a bit bored.

Lianyi lay at the edge, sideways, arms crossed, occasionally turning her head to see the undulating mountains, though one peak stood taller than the others.

Lianyi subtly lifted herself, stealing a glance. Ah, it was Xu Miaozhen’s.

Though she always thought they were big, they had never laid together like this before, all lying flat. Compared to those next to her, Xu Miaozhen naturally towered over the others.

Lianyi felt a bit envious.

Jiang Ruoqing wanted to chat with her apprentice to ease the awkwardness. Among the women, her bond with her apprentice was particularly strong, and by now, both had also become Chen Mo’s women.

But when she turned her head, her view was entirely blocked by Xu Miaozhen’s chest, making it impossible to see her beloved apprentice.

"Miaozhen, can I switch places with you? I want to chat with Yao Yao," Jiang Ruoqing said.

Xu Miaozhen of course had no objections, so the two of them swapped places right there.

Zhao Jiangning, who was on the other side of Jiang Ruoqing, found it easier to talk when Xu Miaozhen replaced her, immediately starting a conversation: "Why hasn’t the master arrived yet?"

"The master said he was waiting for General Huangfu. When we were on the road earlier, didn’t we meet General Huangfu? If we calculate the time, by nightfall General Huangfu would reach Bianliang, and if the master meets him, he will definitely drink and chat. It certainly wouldn’t end in just one or two hours.

Based on this timing, the master is just now setting out from Bianliang," Luo Zhen took over the conversation.

Zhao Jiangning was momentarily stunned.

"He’s riding my Snow Dragon Steed; if he’s alone, he’ll catch up with us quickly," Jiang Ruoqing suddenly responded.

This made Xu Miaozhen smile awkwardly.

"Miaozhen, was Nanyang fun?" Zhao Jiangning continued to talk with Xu Miaozhen.

"I don’t know," Xu Miaozhen shook her head: "I was only staying in a small mountain village before, then I became the lady’s and master’s maid and followed the lady to the capital. I haven’t had the chance to properly tour Nanyang."

"Nanyang used to be fun, but now due to the rebellion, many families are torn apart, everything is in ruins and needs repair; having something to eat is already good enough," Luo Zhen chose to join their conversation circle.

Soon, the women began chatting in small circles.

Yi Yao said to Jiang Ruoqing, "Master, where’s Little Jiu?"

"It’s lying on top of the tent," Jiang Ruoqing pointed upwards, saying, "I’ve noticed this little thing is quite attached to him."

Yi Yao nodded: "I’ve heard that Little Jiu was saved by the master and Fu Mao Empress from a villain, and since the master saved its life, that’s probably why Little Jiu is attached to the master."

Lianyi initiated a conversation with the quieter Ye Wanqiu: "Wanqiu, how come I haven’t seen Fanqiu?"

"I handed it over to Qingping," said Wanqiu, considering Fanqiu’s large size. If it were to enter the tent, it would take up a person’s space, making it cramped.

Perhaps noticing "Wanqiu" speaking, Luo Zhen suddenly sat up and asked, "Wanqiu, how come Chief Qi’s cousin-in-law is also coming with us to Nanyang?"

Luo Zhen remembered the Consort Yu they met during the day. According to Quan Qiyang’s introduction, she was his cousin-in-law, and Luo Zhen had seen her once during a stroll.

At that time, she even thought Consort Yu was Quan Qiyang’s wife.

"Ah... Ah, I don’t know either." Meeting Consort Yu again today had made Ye Wanqiu somewhat uneasy. Even though Chen Mo had told her the matter was resolved, knowing each other’s identities made facing each other still a bit awkward.

"Isn’t it normal for her to follow since Chief Qi is with the master?" Yi Yao said.

"I don’t know why, it just feels strange," Luo Zhen said.

"You’re worried Chief Qi’s cousin-in-law might fall into his evil hands, right?" Jiang Ruoqing teased.

This tease was directed at Chen Mo.

Ye Wanqiu’s face suddenly turned red.

...

"Achoo," in Consort Yu’s tent, Qi Nichang suddenly sneezed.

A maid who was making her bed heard her sneeze and quickly asked, "Miss, have you caught a cold?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Qi Nichang shook her head: "Maybe an upset stomach because of the water and soil. Where is cousin?"

"An upset stomach?" The maid looked puzzled, as they hadn’t been away from Bianliang for too long. But as a servant, she dared not ask boldly and said, "The master said he’s keeping watch tonight."

Qi Nichang nodded and then asked, "Has Chen Mo returned?"

The maid shook her head: "I don’t know, but if Chen Mo had returned, there would definitely be some commotion in the camp."

...

Chen Mo rode along the track marks on the ground, rushing all the way.

The Snow Dragon Steed could travel thousands of miles a day, and now being lightly burdened, it could reach its top speed. By the latter half of the night, Chen Mo had caught up with Luo Zhen and the others.

Clip-clop—

The sound of hooves echoed outside the camp, and the guards immediately perked up: "Who goes there?"

The patrolling soldiers heard the sound and started heading over.

Chen Mo pulled out the Military Talisman from his pocket: "It’s me."

"Sir," the guards hurriedly greeted him respectfully.

The approaching patrol soldiers, upon seeing it was Chen Mo, breathed a sigh of relief and were just about to greet him when...

Chen Mo waved his hand, saying, "No need, everyone should be asleep, so keep it down.

Where’s my tent?"

A soldier led Chen Mo to the tent where the women were staying.

Curled up on the roof of the tent, Little Jiu saw Chen Mo and immediately jumped down, leaping straight into Chen Mo’s arms.

Chen Mo opened his arms and caught it steadily: "Little Jiu, why are you outside?"

Little Jiu chattered a bit, saying it was waiting for him.

"Good boy," Chen Mo patted Little Jiu’s head, then let it go and entered the tent.

Upon entering, Chen Mo was taken aback.

"Why... why are you all sleeping together?"