Blossom in Adversity

C79. Keeping Warm Together.

Chapter 79: Keeping Warm Together

Human potential is limitless. Once we overcome the most challenging times, we discover that we can endure even more.

The snow had piled up thickly, showing no signs of stopping. Today, the wind had picked up, howling as it carried the snow, sending a chill straight through to the bone.

In this freezing weather, the group had no choice but to press on.

Hua Zhi did not allow herself to retreat.

Gu Yanxi approached her with his horse, "I might offend you today."

Shao Yao chimed in, "Hua Zhi, the weather is terrible. My riding skills are not good enough, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."

Hua Zhi nodded nonchalantly and was the first to mount her horse.

Gu Yanxi followed suit, opening his thick cloak to shield Hua Zhi within it. As their temperatures melded together, even amidst the snow and ice, Hua Zhi could feel the warmth emanating from behind her.

"Let's go!"

The horse gradually picked up speed, galloping faster.

The saddle was not that big, and even though they weren't pressed together tightly, there wasn't much room to spare. Their bodies occasionally brushed against each other. At first, Huazhi tried to maintain her posture, but as time passed, she realized it was futile. Since the other party had no objections, she let go, knowing that she would bear the consequences. As long as she didn't mind, it was fine.

With this intimacy, they almost leaned against each other, and the benefits were clear. With someone to lean on, Hua Zhi felt much at ease.

Gu Yanxi subtly adjusted their position to make Hua Zhi more comfortable, without any other gestures. He saw this as a form of practice, fully aware that every move he made at this moment would shape his image in Hua Zhi's eyes. His performance on this journey was crucial to earning her trust.

Both had their own thoughts, but their collaboration became increasingly seamless. Hua Zhi took over the reins halfway, allowing Gu Yanxi to rest and recover, alternating like this made the journey easier.

Today's journey was a stretch that couldn't reach the post station, so Gu Yanxi led the group to a small village.

The sound of horse hooves startled the villagers, and they emerged from their homes with pitchforks or axes in hand, their eyes wary.

Hua Zhi remembered Gu Yanxi's words and only truly believed in the ferocity of the Northern people when she saw it with her own eyes.

"Don't dismount. I'll go."

Hua Zhi subconsciously held onto his hand grabbing the reins and looked back at him.

Gu Yanxi's heart warmed, reassuring her gently, "Don't worry, I know someone here."

Hua Zhi glanced in that direction and said, "I'll have Dongzi escort two others with you."

Gu Yanxi did not refuse her kindness. After dismounting, he looked at Shao Yao.

Shao Yao nodded slightly, putting Gu Yanxi at ease. Poison and medicine were intertwined, and when it came down to it, Shao Yao's mastery of poison was even more impressive than her medical skills.

Watching them enter the village, Shao Yao rode closer to Hua Zhi and walked alongside her. "Yan-ge is really capable. I pity anyone who tries to harm him... Lin Ying, why do you treat everyone so differently?!"

Shao Yao quickly rode away, feeling a bit sour. Why did even a horse have to compete with her for Hua Zhi's attention?

"Playful thing." Hua Zhi stroked the horse's mane. Lin Ying clearly enjoyed playing with Shao Yao, always managing to scare her as if it were real.

In the midst of the commotion ahead, Hua Zhi quickly looked up and met Gu Yanxi's gaze. They locked eyes for a moment, and a smile appeared in Gu Yanxi's eyes as he nodded slightly.

Hua Zhi felt relieved.

"This is Chen Tu, a longtime acquaintance. Chen Tu, you may address her as Miss."

"Miss." Chen Tu called out smoothly, Shizi's attitude towards her making him willing to call her the Shizi's consort without hesitation.

Hua Zhi dismounted and bowed to him, "Apologies for the intrusion."

Chen Tu hurriedly stepped aside, "Miss, what are you doing? Everyone faces difficulties when traveling, especially in such bad weather. Let's go inside quickly."

Chen Tu's house was just at the entrance of the village, and they arrived after a few steps. Hua Zhi scanned the area and noticed that the people who had peeked out earlier had retreated back inside, and all the doors were securely shut.

Inside and outside the home felt like two different worlds. After sipping a cup of hot water and sitting beside the fire, Hua Zhi soon found the thick cloak too warm to wear. She removed it in the inner room, washed her face and hands with hot water, and when she came back out, a plate of freshly baked bread had been laid out on the table, filling the stomachs of the group who had only nibbled on dry rations for lunch.

Chen Tu entered briskly with a large earthenware pot, enthusiastically inviting them, "Come and have some hot soup to warm up. It's so cold today."

Gu Yanxi awkwardly scooped soup into a bowl. Chen Tu didn't dare let the Shizi do it, reaching out to take the ladle from him. Gu Yanxi simply placed the bowl in front of Hua Zhi, saying, "The bread is hard, eat it with the soup."

"Thank you."

The taste of the egg soup wasn't exceptional, but the warmth it provided when consumed made their entire bodies feel cozy. Taste didn't matter as much anymore.

Hua Zhi was sweating from the heat, so she moved her chair further away from the fire.

With the last bite of bread in his mouth, Gu Yanxi reminded her, "Sit closer, it's good to sweat a little."

Hua Zhi had no choice but to move closer again, looking somewhat relaxed and lazy.

Gu Yanxi had never seen Hua Zhi like this before and couldn't help but glance at her a few times. Sitting next to her, he found a grand reason to say, "Bring out the map and take a look."

Shao Yao went to the inner room and handed the map to the Shizi with special care.

Gu Yanxi spread it out on his lap and looked at it, saying, "It will take another two days."

Hua Zhi leaned over to take a look, and Gu Yanxi naturally moved the stool closer to her.

"Will we arrive the day after tomorrow or the day after that?"

"The day after that. The closer we get to the North, the colder it gets. We can't rush too much, even considering the horses." Gu Yanxi folded the map, saying, "We'll arrive by noon the day after that."

Two and a half more days. Hua Zhi watched the sparks crackling, feeling a bit sluggish, probably from being too warm and full, her mind working slower than usual.

"How long do you plan to stay there, Miss?"

"Two or three days. I need a good rest for two days before I have the courage to return." Resting her cheek on her hand, Hua Zhi felt lazy all over, "The return journey may be even more difficult."

Gu Yanxi didn't say anything to further dampen morale, just said, "Perhaps we'll be lucky and the snow will have stopped by the time we return."

"Let's hope so." Hua Zhi smiled, feigning ignorance of the fact that it would be even colder after the snow melted. "Tonight, I want to sleep by this fire."

Chen Tu exclaimed, "I've already warmed up the kang bed in the house. It's even warmer than here. If you're tired, why not rest inside?"

"I can't claim the host's bed..."

"I dare not let you do so. I usually stay in the west wing, which is quite messy. I wouldn't invite a guest in there." Hua Zhi understood immediately and stopped refusing, pulling Shao Yao up and saying, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

"No need for any ceremony, Miss. Make yourself at home."