Marrying the Crown Prince

To be honest, this was the first time that Baixilou had fought with bandits.

After all, in their boss's view, if it can be smoothed over with some money, it's better not to waste lives.

But when the amount of silver increases, what does human life matter?

Seeing that a fight had broken out ahead, Li Zixiao ordered without hesitation, "Huo Cheng, go up and help."

Huo Cheng rushed forward without hesitation.

Having lost their protection, Li Zixiao followed the other villagers and retreated into hiding.

Of course, some men with backbone also rushed forward, carrying sickles for cutting grass and chopping wood.

The men in front were slaughtering everyone, while the women behind them gripped their sickles tightly or picked up whatever sticks they could find on the ground, their eyes fierce as they stared intently ahead.

With Huo Cheng joining the fight, the bandits are no longer a threat, and it's only a matter of time before they are captured.

The bandit leader understood this principle, so he made a gesture, and soon several men rushed towards the woman in the back.

They knew that if they could capture just one or two people and use them as hostages, they could escape.

These women were all big-breasted and thick-waisted, clearly good at bearing children. Capturing them to the mountain stronghold to be their wives would be perfect.

Although the sky was hazy, anyone who looked over could still tell that Li Zixiao was different from the other women.

Therefore, Li Zixiao became their primary target.

Soon, the unarmed Li Zixiao was taken hostage.

A large cleaver was held to her neck. Huo Cheng was startled and glared fiercely at the thief. "Release her, and I'll give you a way out."

The thief looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was the bastard who had killed more than ten of his own brothers.

"Hahaha, so it's your wife." He said, pressing the blade a few inches closer to Li Zixiao's neck. "Don't come any closer, or I'll kill her right now!"

Bright red blood flowed from Li Zixiao's fair neck, instantly staining Huo Cheng's eyes red.

"Stop!" Huo Cheng shouted, then looked at the manager of Baixilou Restaurant, "Stop it all! Tell them all to stop!"

Huo Cheng had just saved many people, including the steward, so when faced with his agitation, the steward gritted his teeth and said, "Stop!"

The bandits burst into laughter when they saw that it was effective.

"Hahahaha, uh..."

The arrogant laughter abruptly stopped.

He looked down and saw a gleaming hairpin piercing his heart.

Li Zixiao forcefully pulled the hairpin out, and warm blood gushed out, splashing onto half of her face.

The bandit finally collapsed to the ground.

Li Zixiao took out a handkerchief from her bosom and carefully wiped the wound on her neck.

Everyone crowded around, and the steward took out a tinderbox. Huo Cheng used the light to carefully examine the wound. Seeing that it was not serious, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"That was really close." Even though Huo Cheng was a veteran of countless battles, he was still terrified when he saw that scene again.

Li Zixiao clutched her wound, her eyes glancing sideways at the lifeless figure on the ground, somewhat stunned.

She was also taken hostage in the same way back then.

At that moment, Yang Yu'an, holding a longbow, had a sharp gaze. The arrow grazed her shoulder and pierced the man's throat.

The steward came over with the medicine, saying, "This medicine is a gift for the young lady."

"girl?"

Li Zixiao slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. "Okay, thank you."

Huo Cheng's performance was witnessed by everyone, especially the steward, who warmly invited him and Li Zixiao to rest in the carriage.

If Huo Cheng were alone, he would naturally decline; but Li Zixiao was also there...

"Thank you very much, sir." Huo Cheng clasped his hands in thanks.

When they arrived at their destination, it was already broad daylight, and Li Zixiao's wounds had already been bandaged with clean and tidy cloths.

Huo Cheng bid farewell to the manager and the escort agency's warm invitation, and left with Li Zixiao.

As before, the two found an inn to stay in.

I slept until midnight before waking up.

Li Zixiao opened the window and looked at the full moon hanging high in the sky, and the vexation in her heart dissipated.

She closed her eyes, feeling the refreshing breeze on her face.

As a result, Li Zixiao caught a cold the next day.

After listening to the doctor's words, Li Zixiao, who was leaning against the back of the chair and half-dead, felt a little guilty.

Huo Cheng, however, was good-natured. "In that case, let's rest here for a few days until you've recovered, and then we'll set off again."

"Okay." Li Zixiao nodded—this was the only option for now.

It must be admitted that Li Zixiao's physical condition is quite good; in just three days, she was no longer in serious condition.

During these three days, Huo Cheng was not idle. He went out to gather information, bought horses, and prepared dry rations.

Finally, this time they were able to ride horses, and of course, they paid for it with Li Zixiao's gold leaves.

Once on horseback, the speed increased dramatically, and thus, in just one day, they covered a distance of about a hundred li.

Huo Cheng looked at the sky and finally decided to rest in the dilapidated temple in front of him.

Li Zixiao went to find firewood, while Huo Cheng first tied up the horse, then cleared out a clean spot and sprinkled medicinal powder to repel mosquitoes, snakes, and ants.

Soon, the firewood was lit, and the two men sat around the campfire, eating dry rations.

After a long day of running around, Li Zixiao quickly lay down and fell asleep.

Hearing her steady breathing, Huo Cheng was finally able to stare at her without restraint. When he saw a dark spot of dust on Li Zixiao's left cheek, his expression softened.

He slowly raised his eyes and looked at the stars in the sky.

Countless glittering stars blinked quietly, twinkling and emitting a faint yet bright light, soft and warm.

Huo Cheng's heart became increasingly calm.

Just as dawn was breaking, Huo Cheng woke Li Zixiao up.

Li Zixiao opened her eyes with difficulty.

"Your Highness, you've worked hard," Huo Cheng said with a stern face.

His expression was so serious that Li Zixiao interpreted it as—"You sleep way too well, don't you?"

Li Zixiao: "..."

Watching her retreating figure, Huo Cheng was somewhat bewildered, completely unaware of why the princess was angry.

Could it be because I didn't get enough rest?

At noon, they tied the horses to the riverbank. Huo Cheng processed the pheasants they had just hunted, while Li Zixiao, as before, was in charge of gathering firewood.

Strangely enough, the two of them did not discuss anything and were just doing their own thing, but they had a very high level of understanding, as if they had been living together for a long time.

After lunch, they let the horses out to graze, and the two of them sat down to rest in the shade of a tree.

With nothing else to do, Li Zixiao struck up a casual conversation, "Do you have any wives or concubines at home? How old are your children?"

"Your Highness, I am not married," Huo Cheng replied.

"Oh?"

It's rare to find someone his age who is still unmarried.

Seeing Li Zixiao's puzzled yet interested expression, Huo Cheng explained, "When I joined the army, I was only eighteen years old and not yet engaged."

"Later on, the battlefield was a place where swords and spears had no eyes, and I was afraid of ruining the life of my beloved, so I never arranged a marriage for her."

"I see." Li Zixiao nodded, indicating her understanding.

At this point, Huo Cheng suddenly frowned, quickly lay down on the ground, put his ear to the ground, and listened quietly with a serious and solemn expression.

Li Zixiao also got up.