"However," An Jing added, "can you really live this simple pastoral life with me forever?"
Xiao Changyi answered honestly, "I have always wanted to live with you, and I have planned to do so. However, if one day Xiyun Kingdom is invaded by another country and I am needed to lead troops into battle, I will go to the battlefield. Jing Er, forgive me for not being able to give you a complete guarantee. Although the surrounding countries have signed a non-aggression peace treaty with Xiyun Kingdom, the world is unpredictable; they might go back on their word and invade our land again. And I, being from Xiyun, could not stand by idly if my country is in trouble. Moreover, the land where we live is part of Xiyun Kingdom’s territory, and only if Xiyun Kingdom is at peace can our home here be truly secure."
An Jing tightened her arms around Xiao Changyi’s waist and said earnestly, "My lord, you need not ask for my forgiveness. I was once a soldier, and it was after sacrificing for my country that I came here. I truly understand you. On this matter, I will not ask anything of you, but will join you on the battlefield. The day you said to me, ’Where you go, I go,’ I now give those words back to you—wherever you are, I am too. Whether in life or in death, we will be together, never to be parted."
Xiao Changyi was well aware of An Jing’s temperament and knew that if he went to war one day, even if he did not let her come, she would certainly follow him secretly. Therefore, he never entertained the idea of leaving her alone at home to worry while he went to battle.
"Yes," Xiao Changyi nodded, "in life or in death, we will be together, never to be parted."
An Jing smiled, "Then we have agreed upon this."
"Yes." Xiao Changyi’s cool lips curved into a slight smile as well.
"I hope that there will be no more wars so that we can continue living this kind of pastoral life."
"I share the same hope," he affirmed.
Only after the two had bathed did they lie down to sleep in bed. Nights in winter were much colder than days, and even though An Jing was wrapped in thick blankets, she still felt cold. Therefore, she held her husband, Xiao Changyi, tightly. Even though he was often cold in demeanor, his body temperature was higher than hers.
Then, An Jing no longer felt cold.
Since the two were wed, they always embraced each other as they fell asleep. You hold me, and I hold you.
Tonight was no different; An Jing held Xiao Changyi tightly, and he held her just as firmly.
To say they did it for warmth would not be as accurate as saying that holding him or her, they felt secure in their hearts.
Yet that night, An Jing found herself unable to sleep.
Even though An Jing’s eyes were closed, her mind was contemplating what would happen if one day she and Xiao Changyi truly went into battle.
This was not modern times; there were no advanced weapons. Fighting wars back then was much harsher than in the present.
In ancient times, there were many instances where battles were lost due to insufficient food and fodder, giving rise to the saying "Before the troops move, food and fodder go first."
It was clear how crucial food and fodder were for an army engaged in battle.
Although An Jing was prepared to join Xiao Changyi on the battlefield, she still hoped that the two of them could come back alive. And the significant issue of food and fodder was one that An Jing felt more assured handling herself, as there were numerous examples of problems with military rations in ancient times.
The future was unpredictable, and war could break out at any time, requiring her lord to take to the field. By then, it would be too late to start thinking about provisioning supplies.
Therefore, An Jing decided it was best to prepare for the worst.
To stock up on food supplies!