With legs weak, the sickly stable boy became a mad regent.

On the day of departure, Shen Nannan woke up before dawn.

There was no one beside her. She reached out and touched the mattress; it was still warm, indicating that Xiao Yunzhao had just gotten up.

A very faint sound of armor plates colliding came from outside.

Shen Nannan put on her nightgown and slowly sat up, supporting herself on the edge of the bed. Before she could even get out of bed, the curtains of the inner room were lifted.

Xiao Yunzhao had already changed into a black battle robe.

However, his armor was not fully on, and only half of it was tied around his waist. He probably hadn't expected Shen Nannan to wake up so quickly, so he paused slightly before walking to the bedside.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

"How can I sleep dressed like that?"

Shen Nannan looked up at him.

The dim candlelight fell on the man, casting a dark luster on his cold, hard armor. His long hair was tied up high, and the tenderness that belonged to a newlywed husband in his eyes had faded considerably, transforming him back into the Prince Zhao who inspired fear in the court and terrified the enemy.

Unlike in the dream, there was no blood on his armor.

Shen Nannan looked at him for a moment before reaching out her hand. "Help me up."

"Sitting is fine too." Xiao Yunzhao didn't let her get off the ground, but carried her and the quilt to the soft couch in front of the dressing table, and put two soft pillows behind her waist.

Shen Nannan looked at the armor that wasn't fastened properly on his body. "Come here."

Xiao Yunzhao walked up to her as instructed.

Shen Nannan fastened the straps on his nail guards one by one. Her movements were not very skilled, and she tied one in the wrong direction. After untying it again, she tried twice more before she could fasten it properly.

Xiao Yunzhao kept his head down, looking at her without urging her. "Did you wear these things yourself when you went to war before?"

"Mo Bai will tidy it up for me."

"Then why aren't we using him today?"

"The lady is here," the man replied matter-of-factly.

Shen Nannan paused, looked up at him, and asked, "What if I don't wake up?"

"I'll sit by the bed and wait for you to wake up."

"Everyone outside is waiting for you to leave the city. Aren't you afraid of being late?"

"It won't be wrong."

Xiao Yunzhao took her hand and cupped her slightly cold fingertips in his palm. "The North Gate isn't far from here."

Shen Nannan did not expose him.

Even if the journey from the Shen residence to the North Gate is unobstructed, it is by no means a short distance. Today, countless commoners and court officials are waiting in the streets; if he leaves even a moment later, there will be more unforeseen circumstances.

He just wanted to spend a little more time with her before he left.

Even though everyone knows that this expedition was a hoax from the start.

Suddenly, a rooster crowed outside.

Qiu Yun brought hot water and breakfast with her men. Just as she reached the door, she saw the princess sitting on the soft couch, bowing her head to tie the leather belt around Prince Zhao's waist.

She quickly told the maid behind her to stop, and didn't rush in.

Hearing the noise, Shen Nannan looked up and said, "Bring in breakfast."

Mo Bai, standing outside, couldn't help but remind him, "The palace envoys have arrived at the north gate, and the two military supervisors are waiting outside the west camp. In another half hour, the prince should leave the residence."

Xiao Yunzhao remained expressionless. "Let them wait."

Mo Bai immediately dared not say anything more.

Shen Nannan tugged at Xiao Yunzhao's sleeve, "Let's have breakfast first."

She knew that if he hadn't been there to keep her company, he probably wouldn't have stayed even for half an hour.

"Although you won't actually go to the North today, it will take a long time to circle back from the North Gate. If you travel on an empty stomach, you'll have a stomachache when you get back."

Xiao Yunzhao sat down next to her.

Shen Nannan didn't have much of an appetite, only drank a small half bowl of porridge, and then picked up a steamed bun and handed it to Xiao Yunzhao.

The man didn't reach out; he simply lowered his head and took a bite.

"Take it yourself."

"It's inconvenient to use my hands." Xiao Yunzhao raised his wrist, which was covered by a wristband.

Shen Nannan glanced down.

He could even hold a knife properly.

Now I can't even hold a steamed bun.

She knew he was doing it on purpose, but she still fed him the rest.

Xiao Yunzhao slowly finished eating, then looked down at her and said, "I want more."

There's still some on the table.

"The food the lady feeds is delicious."

Shen Nannan was rendered speechless by his self-righteous demeanor and could only pick up another one.

The faint sounds of servants moving luggage could be heard outside.

The entire Shen family knew that Prince Zhao was going to war today, but no one knew that all that was sent out was that flag and that army.

The closer it got to parting, the faster time seemed to pass in the room.

Before they had finished eating the basket of steamed buns, Mo Bai whispered again from outside the door, "Your Highness, it's time to go."

This time, Xiao Yunzhao did not keep anyone waiting.

He draped Shen Nannan's clothes over her shoulders, then bent down to put on her soft shoes before lifting her off the couch.

"I was already reluctant to part with it."

"But we can't let them see it today."

Shen Nannan patted his shoulder, "Put me down, I'll walk you to the door."

Xiao Yunzhao remained silent for a moment, but finally put her down.

Even after landing, his arms remained tightly wrapped around her waist, as if he were ready to pick her up again at any moment with every step she took.

The area outside the Shen residence was already packed with people.

Besides the servants in the mansion, there were also envoys sent from the palace and several officials responsible for seeing them off.

Many people were also standing on both sides of the street.

Some people genuinely wanted to see Prince Zhao go to war, while others were simply drawn in by the rumors that had been circulating for days.

Many more people hid behind the crowd.

As soon as the door opened, the crowd that had been whispering fell silent.

Xiao Yunzhao, clad in black armor and with a long sword at his waist, walked out of the door step by step.

Shen Nannan walked beside him.

Today she wore a begonia-red dress, covered by a snow-white fox fur coat. Her slightly protruding belly was partially concealed by the loose dress, but its soft curves were still visible.

Everyone was watching her.

The most talked-about rumor a few days ago was that Prince Zhao was being held back by his pregnant wife and was reluctant to travel north.

Now, Shen Nannan personally escorted the person out.

There were no tears on her face, nor did she show any intention of stopping them.

When she reached the horse, she even took the riding whip from Mo Bai's hand and handed it to Xiao Yunzhao.

"The winds are strong at the border, Your Highness, please take care on your journey."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for people nearby to hear clearly.

Xiao Yunzhao did not answer immediately.

He looked at Shen Nannan standing in front of him.

Even though he knew he would be back before noon, he still felt a restless urge to leave.

It was as if, as soon as she turned around and mounted her horse, she would stand again in that place where he could not see her.

Shen Nannan noticed his hesitation and subtly hooked her finger around his palm.

"Ah Chao".

She moved closer under the guise of adjusting his cloak, her voice reaching only his ears.

"Remember to come back for dinner."

The coldness that had been surging in Xiao Yunzhao's eyes slowly dissipated.

He took her hand, his fingertips gently stroking the wedding ring on her finger before taking the riding crop.

"wait for me."

After saying that, he leaned down and kissed Shen Nannan on the forehead.