Quick Wear: The first person to love the host

The next morning, Qin Wujiu woke up in his tent and saw his personal guard come in with a letter: "Strategist, there is a letter for you."

Qin Wujiu originally planned to look at it after finishing his breakfast, but when he caught sight of the familiar, elegant yet slightly restrained handwriting on the envelope, his brows immediately furrowed: "When was it sent?"

The guard reported truthfully, "About an hour ago, Young Master Shen instructed that he must personally hand it over to you once you woke up."

An hour ago?

Why would someone suddenly send him a letter, especially before dawn? Qin Wujiu's heart sank, and he quickly tore open the envelope.

The letter was short, containing only a few words:

Brother Wujiu:

An urgent matter has arisen in Jiangnan, and I must depart for home immediately. I cannot bid farewell in person, and I hope you will understand.

The winds of the north are fierce; I hope you take good care of yourself. If fate allows, we will meet again in Jiangnan.

Qianlan's hasty writing

Qin Wujiu held the letter tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white.

The news that Shen Qianlan was going back to Jiangnan caught Qin Wujiu completely off guard. Although he had been mentally prepared, the situation was tense. The Shen family had previously made a big show of transporting grain to support the prince, and the second prince would probably retaliate for it. As a member of the Shen family, Shen Qianlan naturally had to protect her family.

If he had known earlier that Shen Qianlan would leave this morning, he wouldn't have thrown a tantrum and left last night. He might have even been able to see him off. In fact, an hour... if he had ridden at full speed, he might have been able to catch up.

Qin Wujiu paced back and forth in the tent, his mind in turmoil.

On what grounds should we pursue them?

But why should we say goodbye so formally when we are colleagues? Besides, I have never expressed any feelings for him. Wouldn't it be presumptuous to chase after him like this?

But if we don't pursue it...

Qin Wujiu walked to the edge of the tent and gazed at the vast snowfield in the distance.

He remembered Shen Qianlan, who always liked to "discuss military affairs" with him; he remembered the way Shen Qianlan took notes diligently even though he didn't understand military strategy; he remembered the decisiveness with which Shen Qianlan saved him in Black River Valley; and he remembered the fleeting, unconcealed light in Shen Qianlan's eyes when he occasionally looked at him.

"Strategist, should we prepare the horses?" The guard asked cautiously, noticing his uncertain expression.

Qin Wujiu remained silent for a long time before finally taking a deep breath: "Prepare the horses. The fastest ones."

-

The north wind whipped up snowflakes that stung my face.

Qin Wujiu spurred his horse out of the camp and headed south. He didn't know which road Shen Qianlan had taken, so he could only rely on his intuition and chase after her along the nearest official road in the direction of Jiangnan.

One hour... two hours...

Just when he was about to give up, a solitary pavilion came into view beside the official road ahead.

There are people in the pavilion.

Qin Wujiu reined in his horse to slow down, his heart pounding like a drum. He dismounted and slowly approached.

Shen Qianlan, wearing a dark blue cloak, stood in the pavilion, gazing blankly at the snow scene outside the courtyard.

Hearing the sound of hooves, he turned around, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned into a gentle smile: "I was thinking that if you hadn't come in two hours, I would have left."

Thankfully, he was able to wait.

Shen Qianlan silently added a sentence in her mind.

Qin Wujiu's Adam's apple bobbed slightly: "Why wait?"

"Because I wanted to see you one last time," Shen Qianlan said frankly, though her ears turned slightly red. "I also wanted to see... if you would come."

He knew that Qin Wujiu got up at the same time every day, and from the time the letter was handed to him to the time he caught up with him, two hours was more than enough.

The two were three steps apart, yet it felt as if there was a thin sheet of paper between them, easily pierced.

Qin Wujiu stepped forward: "Is it an urgent matter in Jiangnan? Is it the Shen family..."

“My cousin and the prince are worried about retaliation from the Second Prince’s faction, so they asked me to go back and make preparations.” Shen Qianlan also stepped forward. “Actually, I should have left last night, but I… I want to wait and see.”

"What are you waiting for?"

"I'll wait for you." Shen Qianlan raised her head and looked directly into his eyes. "Qin Wujiu, if I don't say these things now, I'm afraid I'll never have the chance again."

Qin Wujiu's heart skipped a beat.

Shen Qianlan took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly: "I know that society has different social classes, and I, a mere merchant, am unworthy of you, a renowned strategist of the northern frontier. I also know that mutual affection between men is not accepted by society. But..."

He paused, his eyes slightly red: "But these days, I've made excuses to see you every day. Seeing your focused profile when you analyze the battle situation, listening to your calm voice when you talk about military strategy, or even just sitting across from you drinking tea, I feel... I feel happy."

Qin Wujiu stared at him blankly, and the city in his heart that had been frozen for many years collapsed at this moment.

“I originally thought it would be fine to just keep it hidden like this. But last night when I was packing, I suddenly got scared.” Shen Qianlan’s voice choked up. “I’m afraid that this parting will be forever. I’m afraid that you will never know that there is someone who has secretly liked you for so long in the wind and snow of the north.”

After speaking, he lowered his head, not daring to look at Qin Wujiu's reaction.

After a long while, a warm hand gently lifted his chin. Qin Wujiu gazed at him, his eyes filled with a tenderness he had never seen before: "Shen Qianlan, do you know why I've come?"

Shen Qianlan shook her head.

"After reading your letter, I suddenly realized something," Qin Wujiu said, word by word, "There are some things in this world that you will regret for the rest of your life if you don't do them."

He grasped Shen Qianlan's cold hand: "So what if you're a merchant? The person I, Qin Wujiu, love is the best. What if men love each other? In this life, I only seek a clear conscience, not the understanding of the world."

Shen Qianlan's tears finally fell: "You...you like me too?"

"If you don't like it, why bother chasing it for a hundred miles?" Qin Wujiu smiled bitterly. "It's just that I've always been cautious, always thinking of waiting for the right opportunity. But I forgot that the rarest thing in this world is when our hearts are in sync, and you happen to be willing to come to me."

The two looked at each other and smiled, both with tears in their eyes.

Shen Qianlan suddenly remembered something, took out a jade pendant from her bosom, and stuffed it into Qin Wujiu's hand: "This is the jade pendant I have worn since I was a child. Keep it. When I return to Jiangnan and make sure that the family is safe, I will inform my grandfather about our matter."

He gripped Qin Wujiu's hand tightly, his tone resolute: "I will ask my grandfather for permission. If he does not agree... I will request to be expelled from the clan. Rest assured, I, Shen Qianlan, will never let you down in this life. At that time, I hope Wujiu will not despise me."

"Don't act impulsively. The old man is getting on in years. Even if he doesn't accept it, it's okay. We can think of a solution later."

Qin Wujiu gripped the jade pendant tightly in his palm, then took off his own short dagger and placed it in Shen Qianlan's hand: "This dagger has been with me for many years. Seeing it is like seeing me. Jiangnan is a long way, so be careful in everything you do. If you encounter any difficulties, send me a message at any time."

Shen Qianlan nodded emphatically: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

A north wind howled, and outside the Ten Mile Pavilion, two horses stood side by side. After a long while, Shen Qianlan mounted her horse, glanced back at Qin Wujiu one last time, and spurred her horse southward.

Qin Wujiu stood there, watching the figure gradually disappear into the snow and mist.

He gripped the still-warm jade pendant in his hand and murmured softly, "Qianlan, you must be safe."

-

Qin Wujiu did not return to the military camp, but instead rode straight to the Prince's Mansion.

It was already afternoon when they arrived at the Prince's Mansion.

As soon as Qin Wujiu stepped into the study, he saw Qi Jinyu and Su Ziyu standing side by side, seemingly waiting for him.

Qi Jinyu glanced at him and said indifferently, "Did you catch up?"

Qin Wujiu lowered his eyes and nodded, a little embarrassed: "I caught up with him."

Su Ziyu forced a smile, and the look in her eyes when she looked at Qin Wujiu was no longer the helplessness she had shown when she saw the troublemaker; it had all turned into curiosity and teasing as she looked at her cousin-in-law.

Qin Wujiu felt a little awkward under the gaze, and after trying to hold back, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Su, is there something you need?"

Su Ziyu shook her head. "It's nothing."

After saying that, she gave a kind, aunt-like smile.

Qin Wujiu felt a chill run down his spine from his laughter. Although he and Shen Qianlan had pledged their lives to each other and were now involved with Su Ziyu, it didn't mean his opinion of Su Ziyu had changed. He still didn't like her.

Besides, this person's smile was too eerie; I had a feeling he harbored ill intentions. Qin Wujiu kept a straight face, "It's good that you're alright, Your Highness. I was thinking..."

“Cousin-in-law!!” Su Ziyu suddenly exclaimed.

Qin Wujiu froze on the spot, his head moving slowly toward Su Ziyu like a machine stuck in a malfunction. "You... what did you just call me?"