The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Thinking of this, Xun Hao's panic and disappointment faded away, replaced by a calm and focused look, like a hunter eyeing its prey.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open.

Guo Jia walked out with a sullen face. When he looked up, he saw Xun Hao standing outside the door, looking somewhat bewildered.

Guo Jia's heart skipped a beat.

How long has he been standing here? Did he hear anything?

"Yanruo?" Guo Jia's voice softened involuntarily. "What are you doing here? It's windy, why aren't you wearing another layer?"

Xun Hao seemed to have just come to his senses. He raised his eyes, and Guo Jia's figure was reflected in his clear eyes. He did not answer Guo Jia's question, but only asked softly, "Fengxiao... are you leaving?"

Guo Jia's heart softened instantly. The anger he felt from arguing with Xun Yu vanished in an instant.

"Who told you that?" Guo Jia stepped forward and naturally took Xun Hao's hand.

"I just went to see the lord and heard what he said." Xun Hao lowered his head, his long eyelashes drooping, concealing all the emotions in his eyes. "The lord said that my brother recommended you to inspect the various prefectures, and it will take two or three months."

Guo Jia gently comforted him, "It will only take a month or two."

"Can't we send someone else?" Xun Hao's tone held a stubborn disappointment. "Brother Fengxiao, please don't go, okay?"

He had seen Xun Hao calmly analyze the battle situation, had seen him devise a vicious plan with a smile, and had seen him weak and pitiful when he was ill. But he had never seen him express his reluctance and dependence so openly.

It turns out that he was also afraid of leaving.

This realization filled Guo Jia with an indescribable joy. He even felt that Xun Wenruo's move was a stroke of genius.

If it weren't for this incident, how could he have heard Yan Ruo's plea to stay?

"The lord's order has been given; it cannot be taken lightly." Guo Jia's voice was extremely gentle. "But rest assured, I will go and return quickly, at most within a month."

"One month is too long," Xun Hao muttered softly, raising his eyes with a hint of grievance about to spill over.

In Guo Jia's eyes, this hesitant expression was the most direct confession.

He's gone, what will happen to Yanruo?

A soft cough came from behind the two of them.

Xun Yu emerged from the courtyard at some point. His expression was normal, showing no trace of the argument that had just taken place. However, his gaze turned cold when it fell on Guo Jia's hand holding Xun Hao's.

"Yanruo, stop fooling around." Xun Yu's tone carried the authority of an elder brother. "Fengxiao's trip carries great responsibility, concerning the smooth implementation of government orders throughout Yanzhou. You should prioritize the overall situation."

It seems that his elder brother is determined to make Guo Jia leave, probably to cut off his hopes. Xun Haoming knows that his elder brother is right to do so, but he is still reluctant to part with him.

He had just realized his own feelings when he was about to face separation.

Guo Jia pulled Xun Hao behind him, placing him between himself and Xun Yu, and gave Xun Yu a cold smile: "Brother Wenruo is right. However, the lord's order is for me to inspect the various prefectures, but it doesn't specify when I should depart. It wouldn't be unreasonable for me to pack my things and stay with Yanruo for a couple more days, would it?"

These words were both an announcement and a provocation.

Xun Yu's expression darkened, but he couldn't say anything more. He couldn't very well tell him to get out of here right now, immediately. That would make him seem too deliberate and would be unbecoming of a young master from a noble family.

"Whatever you say," Xun Yu uttered through gritted teeth.

"Come on, come with me back to pack my things." Guo Jia pulled him towards his courtyard. "And while you're at it, help me figure out which county I should visit first to get back the fastest."

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Xun Yu's gaze softened.

Guo Jia's thoughts have been confirmed today, and he has also seen Yan Ruo's dependence on him.

He admitted that Guo Jia, though unconventional in his actions, possessed extraordinary talent and was genuinely kind to Yan Ruo. But it was precisely because of this that he was even more worried.

Yanruo was physically weak from childhood, and his personality was much more introverted and perceptive than that of his peers.

He was always worried that Yanruo might mistake this habit, which had grown from years of companionship, for an obsession with him.

Therefore, let's separate them for a while and give each other room to calmly reflect.

If, after this period of separation, Yanruo's feelings haven't diminished, and she's convinced that she can't live without Guo Fengxiao...

Then he, as the elder brother, stopped trying to stop him.

Xun Hao followed Guo Jia back to the courtyard and watched as Guo Jia slowly packed clothes and bamboo slips into a box, repeatedly forbidding him from drinking alcohol outside.

Guo Jia simply took out a few pieces of clothing and put them back, clearly not thinking about packing his luggage.

"Brother Fengxiao," he asked softly, "the journey is long; will you write back?"

"Of course I will write it down," Guo Jia replied without hesitation. "I will write it down to report my itinerary to the lord, and then I will write a separate copy for you, telling you what interesting people I met and what fun sights I saw along the way."

"Was it only written for me?" Xun Hao seized on the key point in his words and asked casually.

Guo Jia was taken aback, then realized what he meant and chuckled softly, "Of course, I'll only write this for you. I wouldn't bother writing for anyone else."

"Then you must be careful on your journey. Yanzhou has just been pacified, and bandits have not been eradicated yet, so do not be reckless." Xun Hao turned around, no longer looking into Guo Jia's eyes, but lowered his head to help him pack his luggage.

"I know." Guo Jia released him, his mood improving. Yan Ruo was concerned about him.

"Make sure you have enough food and clothing. I'll have Doctor Hua prepare some herbs to dispel cold and dampness for you. Remember to carry them with you and decoct them for daily use."

"it is good."

"Also, since you've never liked sweets, I'll have the cook prepare some dried meat and savory pastries for you to eat on the road."

"Um."

"Oh, and bring your usual square pillow too, so you won't have trouble sleeping in a new place."

Xun Hao kept talking, putting things into his bag one by one, as if he wanted to pack up all his concern for this person.

Guo Jia looked at him, his smile growing ever deeper.

Xun Hao looked at his smiling face. "Since you are currently unable to obtain what you desire, this is the most vulnerable time in your heart. Then, let me take advantage of this weakness."

Two days later, Guo Jia finally embarked on his journey.

Before he left, Xun Hao personally draped a cloak over Guo Jia's shoulders and carefully tied the tie around his neck. His fingertips brushed against Guo Jia's neck, eliciting a soft chuckle from the man.

"What, are you really that reluctant to part with me?" Guo Jia whispered in his ear.

"The journey is cold, Brother Fengxiao, please take care." Xun Hao did not answer directly, but took a step back, creating some distance between them. "I'll wait for you to come back."

Guo Jia looked at him, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He longed to pull this man into his arms and tell him that he, too, missed him even before he left. But in the end, he simply raised his hand and gently flicked that smooth forehead.