Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 820 - 618: In the Tenth Month, Snow Falls in the Northern Frontier

"It really is—North wind sweeps the ground, white grass bends, Hu’s sky in October sees the first snow."

Perhaps because they were close to Tongguan, and her nerves were tensing up, Shang Ruyi, despite the cold wind howling in her ears, clearly heard someone in the troops behind her sigh helplessly. Upon hearing this, her brow furrowed even tighter.

Today marked the third day of their march.

Just three days ago, on the sixth of October, the day Yu Wenquan ascended the throne, they received their orders at dawn, each leading twenty thousand vanguard troops on an expedition. Who would have thought that the very next day, the weather would suddenly turn cold, and the further north they went, the colder it became. Not only did it start to rain, but the rain mixed with sleet, and the wind, carrying a chill, lashed across their cheeks, stinging like a slicing knife.

At this time, a poem began to circulate among the troops—

North wind sweeps the ground, white grass bends, Hu’s sky in October sees the first snow. Suddenly, as if blown by a spring breeze overnight, thousands of trees bloom with pear blossoms.

Scattered into beaded curtains, wet silk draperies, fox fur can’t warm the thin brocade quilt. The General’s horn bow cannot be drawn, the Protector’s iron armor is cold and difficult to wear.

Upon inquiry, it was found that this poem was crafted by the official of Jixian Hall. It was said to have been composed casually, yet has garnered countless praises from the troops, especially as they approached Tongguan. Though it had not yet reached the stage of snow in Hu’s sky as described in the poem, the chill of "fox fur can’t warm thin brocade quilt" made all the more people admire Lord Yu’s agile mind, seemingly possessing the power of foreknowledge.

At this moment, the scene before them indeed perfectly matched the depiction in the poem—

On both sides of the road, wild grasses were crushed by the wind, and overhead, fine snowflakes were carried by the wind, fluttering messily. When the flakes finally settled, they formed a frost-like layer on the tips of the grass.

Although the army set out prepared with winter clothing, no one expected the weather to turn cold so quickly, slowing their march considerably, and eliciting complaints from everyone.

Among the grumbles, there was a young voice, its complaint quite distinctive from the others—

"I’m so hungry."

Regardless of whether this voice was familiar or not, upon hearing these three words, everyone knew who was speaking. Shang Ruyi turned her head and sure enough saw Shantong’er, riding beside her, pouting, with one hand holding the reins, the other clutching his belly, his small face scrunched up, and looking ahead muttering, "When can we get to Tongguan?"

Someone beside laughed and said, "We’ll have to fight once we leave Tongguan, aren’t you afraid?"

Shantong’er pouted and said, "Leaving Tongguan is for fighting, isn’t it? But, one must eat a full meal before fighting."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Amidst the laughter, a gust of wind suddenly whipped by, flipping his headscarf off, revealing a bald head peppered with stubble.

Shantong’er cried out, "Ah, it’s cold!"

Though he was already initiated into the world and began growing his hair, it hadn’t been long, and there was only a short prickly patch akin to hedgehog spikes. Adults passing by couldn’t resist giving it a rub. In such cold weather, his scalp felt chilly, so Shantong’er sulkily took a piece of cloth to wrap around his head as a headscarf.

As the wind blew his headscarf away, he quickly reached out to grab it, but his young age and short arms meant he narrowly missed, making him cry out in anxiety.

At this moment, a large hand suddenly shot out and caught the headscarf.

It was Shen Tu Tai.

He swiftly returned the headscarf to Shantong’er’s head, and then gave his prickly head a gentle rub. The fierce tiger-like face, covered with coarse beard, broke into a pleasant smile, "Lao Jiu, be more careful."

Shantong’er immediately smiled back, "Thank you, Seventh Brother!"

Saying this, he took the headscarf himself and securely wrapped it around his head again. Those around him couldn’t help but laughingly admire his effort.

Shang Ruyi also smiled and then turned back.

Just in time to see Yu Wenye, riding ahead, seemingly turning his face at the sounds, just when she turned her head towards him, he immediately turned away.

Their eyes didn’t even meet.

Shang Ruyi clenched the reins, her hands almost numb from the cold wind, tightened involuntarily.

The two of them hadn’t spoken in three days.

Only since the morning they set out.

Shang Ruyi vividly recalled that morning at dawn, before the sky had fully brightened, outside Mingde Gate, when the torches in everyone’s hands lit and dimmed, casting the world into a flickering, anxious turbulance. She stood among the crowd watching Yu Wenye in the Bright Armor that unknown hands had fitted him with, gallantly step by step walking towards her.