The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Throughout the entire day, Pei Yan did not turn around and say a single word to Shun Shun.

He didn't even offer her a sip of water.

The cold wind was like a knife, stinging my face.

Shun Shun's inner thighs were already chafed raw by the saddle, and it was burning painful. Every bump was like rubbing salt into the wound.

But she bit her lower lip and didn't utter a sound.

Pei Yan rode at the very front, occasionally glancing back out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing that her hands were red from the cold and her eyebrows were covered with snowflakes, she kept her back straight and gripped the reins tightly.

Pei Yan felt as if a clump of castor beans was stuck in his throat, causing both pain and numbness.

He had thought that with such a harsh and cold journey, she would eventually give up.

Once they reach the post station, she will be unable to bear it any longer and will ask to leave. At that time, he can have the postmaster send someone to escort her back to the capital.

But he didn't expect that Shunshun was far more stubborn than he had imagined.

Pei Yan felt as if countless ants were gnawing at his heart, a mixture of impatience, frustration, and heartache.

As evening approached, the sky darkened and the snow fell even more heavily.

The group finally arrived at a post station beside the official road in Zhending County.

Because of the snow, many merchants were stranded on the road, and the post station was noisy and crowded.

The postmaster, looking distressed, rubbed his hands together as he approached.

"Gentlemen, I'm really sorry, but all the single rooms in the 'Heaven' and 'Earth' sections are full, and they're all overcrowded."

"There's only one large dormitory room left, I wonder..."

Xiao San raised an eyebrow and was about to show his waist token when Pei Yan raised his hand to stop him.

"Just a large dormitory-style bed."

Pei Yan made the decision expressionlessly, then turned to look at Shunshun, who had just dismounted and whose legs were trembling slightly.

"It's the middle of nowhere, there's no room for fancy accommodations. If you don't like it, I'll send someone to take you back to the capital first thing tomorrow morning."

Shunshun lifted her eyelids and glanced at him indifferently.

"If you can stay here, so can I. When you're traveling, there's no need to be so delicate."

At dinner, the postmaster brought out a large bowl of coarse noodle soup, which was thin and watery with only a few specks of oil floating on top.

There was only one charcoal brazier in the room, and they used the charcoal they brought themselves.

Everyone sat around the long table, slurping their food.

Shun Shun held the rough porcelain bowl, initially feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Seeing that no one seemed to mind, they carefully wiped the rims of their bowls with handkerchiefs and then lowered their heads to eat, one bite after another.

Not only did they finish the noodles, but they also drank every last drop of the slightly bitter broth at the bottom of the bowl.

After the meal, everyone found a spot on the shared sleeping platform.

Shun Shun chose the innermost corner against the wall.

She lay down fully clothed, pulled the cloak over herself, faced the wall, and turned her back to Pei Yan.

Xiao San nudged Pei Yan with his elbow, winking and lowering his voice:

"Sir, Madam has suffered a lot on this journey. Could you at least say a few words to comfort her?"

"This room is a bit drafty, it might get really cold at night. You can hold her while you sleep, it'll keep you warmer."

Pei Yan's jawline was taut, and his hands were clasped together in front of his chest.

"Since she has chosen this path, she can only try to adapt. If she wants to be comfortable, she should hurry back."

If Shunshun is truly determined to follow him, the road ahead will only become more difficult, and he cannot be soft-hearted.

If you choose to stay, you must understand that he will not comfort her or take care of her alone on this journey.

These words were so ruthless that even Xiao San shook his head upon hearing them.

Shunshun turned her back to them and twitched the corners of her mouth in the darkness.

Who cares if he tries to coax them!

When she first entered the Pei household as a concubine, she had already experienced his cold, arrogant, and hypocritical behavior firsthand.

Now, in order to get her back, they're putting on airs again.

I thought that by planning my trip to Wuchang with him, he would be somewhat touched, but I never expected this...

Is it because she likes to make decisions on her own?

But then she thought about it again and suppressed the bitterness and grievance.

Her trip was for the greater good, not for sightseeing or to cause trouble for Pei Yan.

Now that we've decided to travel together, we can't expect things to be the same as at home!

Besides, everyone eats, drinks, and lives the same way, so what is there for her to feel wronged about?

After a day of riding, Shun Shun's bones were almost falling apart, and soon his breathing gradually became long and even.

It was late at night.

The sound of snoring rose and fell from the large communal sleeping area.

Pei Yan was woken up just as he fell asleep.

He opened his eyes, and in the dim moonlight, his gaze was fixed on the small body that was facing away from him.

The faint scent of her bath soap wafted through the air.

Pei Yan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his long legs moved slightly, as if he wanted to move over and hug her.

But in the end, he gritted his teeth and restrained the impulse.

He simply pulled his heavy cloak over her shoulders and back, carefully tucking in even the corners.

The next morning.

As dawn broke, sounds began to emanate from the courtyard of the post station.

Pei Yan pushed open the door and stepped out, a faint dark circle under his eyes.

In the courtyard, Liu Dieyi grabbed a handful of clean snow and vigorously rubbed it on her face and neck.

"This snow feels so good when you rub it on your skin, it's really refreshing!"

Shunshun got up at some point.

She found it novel and imitated Liu Dieyi, scooping up a handful of snow and wiping it on her face with gritted teeth.

The icy snow made her gasp.

Liu Dieyi egged her on from the side, "Like me, rub it with your palms, that'll make it faster!"

After rubbing, my cheeks felt like they were on fire.

Shunshun exhaled a breath of white air, feeling extremely refreshed.

Suddenly her gaze shifted downwards and landed on his neck.

"This amulet...could it be...?"

Liu Dieyi curled her lips into a smile and reached out to pinch it.

"Lu Yunzheng gave it to me, saying it was his talisman, probably something his parents had prayed for for him before."

Shun Shun was stunned for a long time, then gave him a meaningful look.

"No, this was something my brother asked for for our family back then."

"Before Brother Lu went to the southwest, I specially found this in the old house and gave it to him."

The smile on Liu Dieyi's lips vanished instantly: "These are Murong Sheng's belongings?"

"Hmm, I didn't expect him to be willing to give this to you." Shun Shun looked up at the sky with a slight smile.

That's good. My brother can finally rest in peace now.

"Young Master Liu, please make sure you return safely and unharmed."

Shun Shun withdrew his gaze and said gently:

"Oh, right, I promised you that when you left Beijing, I would buy a cartload of iron farm tools for you to take back to Miao territory, but I didn't expect..."

Liu Dieyi waved her hand magnanimously.

"It's alright, the Emperor has already agreed to sell us the salt and iron at half price."

"Once we resolve the Wuchang issue, wouldn't it be easy to buy iron to make farm tools?"

Seeing how open-minded he was, Shunshun silently breathed a sigh of relief.

But I must repay the young master's kindness; I'll just have to find another opportunity.

Pei Yan stood under the eaves, watching Shun Shun, her face red from the cold but full of energy, chatting happily with Liu Dieyi. The corners of his mouth unconsciously pursed into a straight line.

What exactly is he so obsessed with?

His Shunshun is beautiful, capable, and has a good temper; she is liked by everyone wherever she goes.

By deliberately ignoring her, isn't he the one who ends up suffering?

Pei Yan pulled out two dried biscuits that he had kept in his bosom since early morning, and strode over with a sullen face.

He kept one piece for himself and presented the other straight to Shun Shun.

He cleared his dry, tight throat, concealing the unease in his eyes:

"Shunshun, eat this, it's hot, I..."

After rubbing her face, Shun Shun was about to tie her hair up again.

Seeing the pancake handed to him, he raised an eyebrow and glanced at it with a mysterious look.

He was smoothing his hair with both hands, showing no intention of taking it.

Her voice was chilling, carrying an undisguised sarcasm.

"How could I trouble Lord Pei? Weren't you determined to ignore me?"