Chapter 6, Long Journey

* * * *

Just like... her feelings towards Qin Dayong... she did not truly want her to die for him, but rather... it was the same kind of sentiment she had for Qin Dayong...

Her expression was somber, and her gaze became hazy again

"Hmm?" Li Rongzhi said casually. Seeing her savoring the soup with great enjoyment, he wore a broad smile.

She did not deliberately hide her presence; a few light-sleeping men saw her and then closed their eyes again

As the raindrops drifted in through the window, Li Rongzhi finally regained a slight sense of awareness and noticed his fingers lightly tapping on his knee. He only exhibited this subconscious action when he felt a hint of irritation or unease in his mind. At present, he was not facing any crisis, so why would he display such behavior?

Li Rongzhi responded with a sound and smiled as he took it. He then looked at the figure under the quilt, set down the medicine jar, and gently lifted a corner to reveal her head, so as to prevent her from suffocating under the covers

Young Master Zhou said that if it is an external injury, apply the treatment three times a day; if it is an internal injury, then drink it mixed with water

"Second Miss, I understand." he replied

She must say that she was successfully bought off; if he were not of royal status, she would truly be willing to be deceived in this way, directly abducting him to live a life on the mountains of the Great Wei.

Lin Xiu was greatly pleased and left upon receiving the order. After a short while, he returned, muttering to himself, saying:

"Does the Prince of Xixuan Wutong live..." The warm voice pondered, then bitterly smiled: "I should meet him in person, but, Lin Xiu, you see, I cannot leave right now. Please go and tell Young Master Wu that this is the way back to Dawei. Regardless of what the Second Young Lady has said to him, he is still a person from Xixuan and it is not appropriate to continue on. Please ask him to return."

Usually, she appears to have a somewhat silly and naive demeanor, but her sleeping face carries a hint of childlike innocence. He notices his own palm appearing pale against her slightly darker cheek, evoking an impulse to imagine his hands caressing every delicate part of her skin. He pauses in thought, revealing a hint of self-doubt, then quickly shifts his gaze to the medicine jar, and smiles faintly.

The color of the carriage, the ebony plaque in hand, the jade green hue on the robe, and the slightly cool white shirt of the parasol tree before me

He smiled slightly, indulging her childish behavior, completely ignoring the corpse half-lying by the car. When he realized that she was not trying to smell the fish soup scent from his palm, but was actually kissing his palm, the smile on his face froze.

Li Rongzhi's expression remained unchanged, still warm and pleasant

That night in the brothel, she thought she had found a companion, someone to end her loneliness. She did not need him to protect her as a man; she only wanted him to accept her, unafraid of gossip, and to be genuinely and selflessly by her side. Little did she know, fate always enjoyed playing tricks on her

To speak frankly, she is not threatening and is easy to get along with. While taking advantage of her, he also feels pity for her situation in the Western Xuan. Without jeopardizing his own safety, he helps her a little, and these two years have been relatively pleasant, though there are occasional regrets. If they were in a different location, perhaps they could treat each other sincerely, but he questions himself, if faced with the same situation, it would be impossible for him to risk his life to seek medicine for her

The prince has a kind heart, and I feel ashamed in comparison to him. That voice sounded dejected. The curtain was also lowered.

It is also very good. The prince treats everyone well, and precisely because he is so kind, I fear that Miss Xu Er may misunderstand when she awakens. Your Highness, the decree from the Western Xuan is somewhat ambiguous, seemingly intending to make this Miss Er the prince's person. However, Your Highness has stated that you will adhere to the ancestral system and only welcome one consort. If she thinks that your kindness towards her is to take her as a concubine, then...

Wu Tong raised an almost imperceptible eyebrow and slowly extended his hand as well

She glanced at him, no longer concerned, and walked back to the camp with him

He averted his handsome gaze and said softly

Her beautiful face completely fell apart. "Your Highness, is this really the soup I have been drinking lately?"

Her gaze was glued to the colorless bowl

I mentioned to him that the second young lady has been in a daze during this time, even needing someone to watch over her while she eats and drinks, to which he replied that it was of no concern.

"Rongzhi wishes to hear the details."

She sighed deeply and said, "Xu Da is incompetent. Thanks to the prince's assistance, it is not in Xu Da's nature to be ungrateful. Once the prince ascends the throne, Xu Da will be able to wander to other countries. In this vast world, is there not a place for Xu Da to find refuge?"

Li Rongzhi lifted the hem of his robe and sat on the low stone beside her

If one is not awake, how can one work for him? Given his current identity and the situation he will face, it is simply impossible to take care of a child who does not wish to awaken for an extended period of time

"You are truly a blessing, aren't you? Look, now that I am on your carriage, no one can harm me. It is the people of the Western Xuan who do not recognize a good person. A true talent must be placed in the right position to shine. Xu Da, you are not without merit." After a pause, he looked at her and sighed softly, "Is that Young Master Huang in your dreams? If he is the one you hold in your heart, he would surely take care of you for a lifetime."

"Fish soup? Your Highness, we are on the road..."

Since it is of little use to the second young lady, you may either give it away or keep it for now

Whose voice is that? Somewhat annoyed

"It is not a problem. You go ahead and do your thing, you can also go down."

"Here, do you want to hold my hand?" The hand was raised in front of her.

The descendants of the Wu family have been beggars and prostitutes for generations. Although the second young lady has redeemed Wu Tongsheng, he still bears the status of a slave. This time, he has secretly escaped from the capital to follow her. If the second young lady wishes to remain in Xixuan, regardless of how the Xixuan royal family harms or pressures her, he will certainly risk his life to protect her. If the second young lady truly becomes like a floating weed with no roots, never to return to Xixuan, then Wu Tongsheng will also be unable to return home, becoming a rootless person alongside her.

Indeed... it is very unpalatable, which shows that if one goes through life in a daze, it is quite easy to be deceived... However, her capacity for fantasy is quite formidable, so she continues to drink!

Lin Xiu, upon hearing this, hurriedly went to take care of it

She... believed that she was undoubtedly doomed to die. She... thought that her death was justified. She... assumed that when she regained her senses, it would be the next life, where she could finally live joyfully, no longer burdened by the name Xu Da.

"Your Highness, Master Wu requests to see Miss Xu Er." Someone whispered outside her consciousness

I remember now, it was that day when the young master Zhou rushed to report Xu Da for taking benefits

To live is merely to be utilized by others, merely to remain in a bleak world. Who would truly treat her well? If only that day... there were a Young Master Huang, how wonderful it would be! If only that day... that Young Master Huang would leave with her, how wonderful it would be... Even if they left Xixuan, as long as there was someone sincerely by her side, they could gradually adapt to a new life. If only... that Young Master Huang truly existed, how wonderful it would be... Why is it that he does not exist?

Xu Da smiled quietly and said

Who is the prince

After a while, Lin Xiu called out softly from outside the door

She is somewhat tired and lies down on the soft blanket

She握 tightly, the strength of her grip compelled Wutong to exert the same force.

"Yes," Lin Xiu said softly, "I do not know how he got the news that Miss Xu Er has been exiled... and has been taken in by the prince. He came secretly.

The place where she was located kept swaying gently, and every time she opened her eyes, she saw a person in a white robe sitting by the car. She could not clearly see this person's face, but he treated her very well... very well...

"This..." For more than a month, that young noble from Wu had been following their convoy without ever trying to ingratiate himself with them. He could hardly claim to understand Wu Tongsheng, but someone who could follow them for over a month just to see Xu Da, and who appeared to protect Xu Da's carriage when they were struggling to fend off mountain bandits, he thought, must surely be no ordinary person

Xu Da was playing with the belt of her robe, and for some reason, her gaze slowly lifted and fell upon his face, locking eyes with him.

The man before her did not look up, carefully took her hands, and wiped away the moisture.

He had to admit that this young lady from the Xu family was a beauty... but even a beauty should not be so unrestrained, as he secretly glanced at the hand of his lord that was reaching into the quilt

I believe he is willing! In the Western Xuan, he can only beg or become a prostitute. If he does not follow the prince out of the Western Xuan, is he supposed to follow... follow... the second young lady?

The cold moonlight cascaded down from above her head, filling her surroundings with lunar radiance. She wore a one-foot-long phoenix robe, the robe in deep black, and under the moonlight, the golden phoenix seemed to be a soaring, bare phoenix, entwined around this tranquil young lady.

"Second Miss, if you are tired, you may rest for a while. The soup will be served later for you to drink. You love seafood, and you must not miss it."

Lin Xiu called softly from outside the door, "Your Highness, the quilt has arrived." He stepped onto the carriage, intending to cover Xu Da with it, but Li Rongzhi took the initiative to accept it and placed it over her.

Tears flowed silently in a continuous stream, rolling down between her garments. A corner of the grayish dark hue was forcefully lifted, revealing a thick, deep red color.

Li Rongzhi stared at the red string for a moment, then slowly raised his eyes to gaze at her

Xu Da first heard the phrase "biting the tongue to commit suicide," and her mind was filled with images of blood everywhere. When she heard him mention this matter again, dark scenes flashed before her eyes, and her lips moved slightly

The carriage jolted again with a thud, and she fell into his arms. Instinctively, he cupped her head with both hands, and once the carriage steadied, he helped her sit up properly and smiled at her, asking, "Are you alright?"

The carriage was quite spacious, and it was evident that Li Rongzhi had given her the main carriage, as it could easily accommodate two people. She looked down and noticed that she was still wearing the robes of Xixuan. Feeling a bit cold, she casually grabbed a dark outer robe and put it on. Glancing at the bag on the cabinet, she took out her heart knot and tucked it into her bosom before pushing open the carriage door and jumping down.

Her heart's knot is only meant for a little boy whose origins are unknown, yet she is unwilling to give it to a prince of the Great Wei dynasty

Lin Xiu felt that the morning wind today was indeed too cold. He took out a silver fur cloak and approached one of the spacious carriages. He lightly leaped up, half-opened the carriage door, and said softly

What happened... How did you feed her? How did you get soup all over her?

On that day of the street fair, both you and Qin Dayong were present. My late father once said during his imprisonment, "Once one loses power, there will be no chance of a comeback. It is a pity that his only son, despite his talents, will see his bright future extinguished like a withered lamp." He cautioned his only son that if the Wu family were fortunate enough to have their only heir survive in this world, he should not compromise his pride for the sake of court officials. He listed the officials in the court one by one, and when he reached the Xu family, he sighed, saying that Xu Taishi was a son-in-law and would not wade into such murky waters. The daughters of the Xu family are like dragons and phoenixes among people, as proud as his only son, indifferent to the ups and downs of the world. Only the second Miss Xu might have some sympathy for the Wu family, but unfortunately, the second Miss lacks the capability, rendering all discussions futile." He paused, his cold tone suddenly deepening as he fixed his gaze upon her, saying, "On that day, Wu Tongsheng was begging on Changxiao Street, forced to witness the desecration of my father's corpse. At that moment, he thought that life was nothing more than this, and that he might as well give up his life. Little did he know that such an event would occur; he did not believe in ghosts or deities, and at that time, the second Miss was also present, yet he thought it was Qin Dayong, the Chief of the Imperial Guards, who could not bear to act against him in secret.

Even now, as he gazes at her grayish-white face, what emerges in his mind is the blood-soaked figure of Xu Da from that day. The blood flowed profusely, yet he held on with all his might, all for... Qin Dayong?

"Your Highness, Master Wu has said that he does not need any wishes, he only hopes to see the Second Miss once."

Having finished speaking, he brushed past him and got into the car to rest

He propped his chin on his hand, his long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. He gently lifted the eyelid and looked under the warm blanket, only to find Xu Da's face buried in the bedding, with his palm resting against her cheek.

"Lord Linxiu, this servant has been very careful in administering the medicine, but the second young lady took three sips, and two of them were forgotten to be swallowed, which of course left her in a state of..."

Wutong withdrew his indifferent gaze. He sat directly opposite Xu Da, taking out a blackwood plaque from his bosom and placing it between the two of them

With a soft sound, it echoed from the place where the light reflected. She did not pay much attention to it; she gently pulled down the hands of the man who was covering her, bringing her nose close to his palm.

During these days, his care for her, providing her with food and comfort, is it not in anticipation of her awakening, hoping that she will wholeheartedly dedicate herself to him?

"Let's think of a way to make fish soup tonight." The gentle voice seeped into her consciousness

* * * *

It is not difficult at all, compared to the prince, it is hardly a burden. Lin Xiu wanted to respond this way, but quickly changed her mind, her gaze lingering on Xu Da's sleeping face.

She looked him in the eye and said, "Young Master Wu, please do not hold yesterday's events in your heart. If Xu Zhi or Xu Hui were present, they would certainly have done better than I could a thousand times. On that day, Xu Da made a promise to you, but now..." She smiled bitterly, "The entire city has become a void. If Young Master does not mind, let us go to the Great Wei together."

Your Highness?

From the moment she was determined by Yuan Tu at the age of five, her life has been filled with happiness and unhappiness, being utilized and compared.

He subconsciously brushed her long hair aside, his mind deeply occupied with the image of her bloodied face, making it hard to forget the shock he felt when he first saw her.

Well, the prince was aware of the story that would define my life when I was five years old. At that time, the only path before young Xu Da was a mundane and incompetent one, yet she felt unwilling to accept it. After all, they were all born of the same mother; how could there be such a difference? Thus, young Xu Da worked hard to study, whether it be literature or martial arts, palace etiquette, or the situations of the four nations, she dedicated herself to learning... Unfortunately, she still could not compare to her sisters. She remembered a year when a renowned guest hoped to come under her name, and she was very pleased, thinking her efforts would finally be rewarded. Little did she know..." She smiled broadly and said, "Little did she know that when Guo asked Xu to relay the message, that capable person was merely someone blinded by self-interest, who had once sought to ally with Xu but failed, and thus sought to enter the Xu residence through young Xu Da.

"Your Highness, I have never understood what is so good about being the Emperor of the Great Wei. You only need one Empress, which is not as good as the wealthy families with their three wives and four concubines, and certainly not comparable to the Western Xuan Emperor with his three palaces and six courtyards. As the Emperor, you cannot even enjoy good food; seasonal fruits and vegetables are a rare treat, and you cannot sleep in until you wake naturally. Every day, before the night turns to dawn, you must attend court. To rule the world seems to be the pinnacle of power, but the effort and dedication required behind the scenes are beyond what ordinary people can compare to. Xu Da sees that Your Highness is not a foolish and indulgent person; the road ahead will be very difficult."

The other side sleeper is the maid who is taking care of her at the Xu residence, which indicates that this maid has gained the deep trust of Li Rongzhi, allowing her to bring her all the way back to the Great Wei

The night breeze seeped through the cracks of the carriage, and she suddenly opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling for quite a while before sitting up abruptly.

How did Qin Dayong manage to make her open her heart completely?

Xu Da smiled gently and said, "Would the prince like to hear the stories of my youth?"

She was tired and wanted to sleep, reaching out to grasp these hands to fall asleep. Unexpectedly, a cold and icy palm interposed and took her hand, placing a piece of wood into her palm

If only... if only she could treat him with such selflessness as well

It turned out that after she regained her senses, it was still Xu Da

Li Rongzhi

Li Rongzhi, upon hearing this, gently smiled and said

Without thinking too much, he saw the raindrops falling on Xu Da, who was near the window, and without saying a word, he drew the curtains.

Li Rongzhi gave a bitter smile and said, "Let's wait a little longer; perhaps she will let go later."

Xu Da truly feels regret for this proud child of heaven. Clearly, he should be a remarkable talent soaring to great heights in the Western Xuan, yet he is dragged down by his father to beg and sell himself. If that night at the Zui Xin Lou he had encountered not her, but Xu Zhi, he would certainly not have fallen to the point of leaving his homeland, or even facing the prospect of being buried in a foreign land.

"...The prince seems pleased." She seemed to have misread; there was a faint trace of regret on Li Rongzhi's handsome face. What could he possibly regret? Had she not already willingly devoted herself to him?

When Lin Xiu's turn to stand night watch came, he saw Xu Da getting out of the car by himself and murmured

For the past two months, she has been living in a daze, yet she has been keenly aware of every move in the outside world. Li Rongzhi has been taking care of her without their intervention, betting that during this time she would be able to discern who truly cares for her, wouldn't he

Indeed, what is so good about being the Emperor of the Great Wei? Yet, this is a path I must take.

She instinctively grasped the warm hand of this person and brought it close to her cheek, curling her body tightly into a shrimp-like shape, and only then did she peacefully close her eyes and fall asleep

His gaze was still somewhat dazed, as if he did not know where he was. He smiled gently, took off the pendant from his waist, and tied it to her belt instead. He spoke softly:

In recent days, Li Rongzhi has not been able to sleep soundly, fearing unexpected incidents. Now, taking advantage of the convoy's departure from Beijing, he closes his eyes to rest, feeling an incredible warmth in his left hand that has been held, spreading throughout his body

Indeed, no matter how great the storms may be, they have been concealed beneath her serene countenance. She is no longer the child who once suffered greatly and needed care.

Li Rongzhi's eyes curved slightly. "Have I not treated you well?"

Then, he just stared at her intently

Li Rongzhi sighed inwardly, and then he was taken aback, unable to fully comprehend why he had sighed.

He opened his mouth to prophesy, and outside the vehicle, someone dragged out the corpse, shouting:

Li Rongzhi's expression was somewhat subtle, yet he said with a slight smile, "The convoy shall continue on. Please invite Young Master Wu to come aboard this carriage. If his robes are stained with too much blood, find him an outer robe to wear, so as not to frighten the Second Young Lady."

A few drops of fish soup splashed out, and the person feeding her let out a soft sigh, placing the bowl aside and taking out a cloth to gently wipe her face.

Bringing her out of the Western Mysterious Realm was indeed an extreme risk; what he valued was merely her... her smoothness. A person who could survive even after poisoning to the point of bleeding from all seven orifices, is that not considered extremely fortunate and blessed? How could no one in the Western Mysterious Realm have noticed this?

"Lin Xiu, what kind of person do you think Wu Tongsheng is?" he said absentmindedly. When he came to his senses, he realized that he was carefully untangling the fine strands of hair that were caught in her earrings, to prevent her from inadvertently pulling and hurting her earlobe.

Li Rongzhi smiled and said, "The second young lady would never think like this." His gaze flickered to the small pouch on the carriage cabinet. On that day, her robe was covered in blood, and after changing it for her, all the items from the hidden pocket of her clothing were taken out, among which was that string of heart knots...

Nevertheless, he stepped forward and carefully served her some soup. "Miss Er, since you missed dinner, I knew you would be hungry. The prince had this soup kept warm for you. You cried so much this afternoon, I thought you would have calmed down by now." Little did he know, she had cried herself to sleep, and in the end, it was the prince who silently helped her lie down.

"The bat beside the golden dragon can never be Xu Da, but Xu Da is one to repay kindness. Since the day Xu Da was poisoned in the Western Xuan, he has already died once. If the prince wishes to make use of Xu Da, then he should do so to the fullest. If Xu Da's life of peace can help the prince ascend to the throne smoothly, then Xu Da would willingly sacrifice himself to protect the prince's ascension." After saying this, she took out a knot of hearts from her bosom, smiled, and without any hesitation, pulled it in front of Li Rongzhi.

"Second Miss, Wutong Sheng has arrived as promised. Do you still remember the decree from that day?" The voice was cold and eerie.

Before her, everything was dim and unclear, and there was a figure speaking. She could not see clearly, yet she knew that the gentle voice belonged to this person. This voice was like the spring sunshine before she turned five, warm and comforting, bringing a sense of peace.

As she gazed into the night, relying solely on the moonlight and the campfire illuminating the ground, she squinted slightly, attempting to look into the distance. However, she realized that her eyesight was not as clear as it once was. There were about ten carriages... This convoy was indeed a bit sparse. She thought that the prince's convoy returning to the Great Wei should stretch endlessly to the horizon, yet it appeared so... simple

"Hey, stop pulling." A pair of hands entered her line of sight, preventing her from tugging.

"Your Highness, the wind is strong today; it is likely that it will rain later. You should put on an extra layer of clothing." He involuntarily glanced at the ever-sleeping Xu Da and added, "Should we add another quilt?"

* * * *

Lin Xiu muttered and retreated outside

He paused slightly, his fingers suddenly coming to a halt

She hung her head, and although this person's hand was cold and penetrated deep into her heart, she did not withdraw her hand

Not long after, Lin Xiu delivered a jar of medicinal mud.

The delicate body curled up under the quilt resembled a shrimp, even in deep sleep, was she still on guard? Guarding against whom? Li Rongzhi hesitated for a moment, then closed his ink-black eyes, allowing his fingertips to feel the subtle and shallow breaths on her cheek.

Still the same Xu Da, who is being exploited by others

Xu Hui has been associating with extraordinary individuals who possess the ability to communicate with spirits since childhood, and Dangui is one of them. He does not particularly like me; well, to be precise, none of her group is very willing to approach me. There was one time when I merely got a little closer, and he couldn't help but spit it out, covering me completely in the process. She reminisced about this awkward memory with a sense of nostalgia, her heart already very calm. Does this indicate that she has severed many of her emotional attachments? She chuckled softly and continued, "Your Highness, do you still remember that New Year's Eve when I was to take on the position of the Western Phoenix Feather Order? You learned that I would definitely be at the Baile Pavilion where the hostages were held, so you discreetly arranged a competition at the pavilion, offering a precious sword as a prize... Indeed, that precious sword was fortunate enough to end up in my hands."

She nodded in agreement, glanced at him briefly, and then quickly turned back to gaze steadily at him

The prince always speaks with a smile, and Xu Da can never tell whether it is insincere or genuine. However, it is a fact that the prince has been personally taking care of Xu Da during this time. The prince is always sincere in his dealings with others; even when trying to win someone's heart, he invests his efforts wholeheartedly. Yet, if one invests too much effort, one must be cautious not to become ensnared oneself. Xu Da is self-aware and does not overthink, but in the future, if there are truly worthy investments, whether in a phoenix or a bat, the prince may inadvertently fall into a trap during the process of winning them over, making it difficult to extricate himself.

"Does the second young lady clearly understand what she will face upon entering the Great Wei with him?"

He did not stop her; he merely adjusted his sitting posture from time to time to accommodate her

Xu Da paid no attention to his contemplation and walked deeper into the forest with a bowl in hand. She found a large rock where the moonlight could spill into the woods and sat down, taking a small sip of the soup.

Since he has helped this king repel the mountain bandits, this king will grant him one wish. Go and ask him what he desires. Tell him to think it over carefully

In terms of medical skills, Xiao Zhou is comparable to Xi Xuan, but Da Wei is significantly better than Xi Xuan, and the same applies to pharmaceuticals. Otherwise, there wouldn't be talk of doctors from Xi Xuan and Xiao Zhou going to Da Wei to seek knowledge.

"Those you encounter are merely people who first take advantage of you and then feel remorse," he said softly, and then called out, "Lin Xiu."

The second young lady has made a decision, and Wu Tongsheng will naturally comply

Li Rongzhi also remained silent. His gentle eyes were fixed on the scenery outside the car window. Outside was the magnificent landscape of Xixuan, with fine raindrops falling diagonally, enveloping the distant, continuous mountains in a light mist. This was indeed a beautiful forest scene that could uplift one's spirits, yet at this moment, the convoy moved forward quietly and with remarkable regularity.

These gray hands are familiar to her. The owner of the hands has been kindly accompanying her for meals every day during this time. In her heart, she always calls him Young Master Huang.

"Hmm?" He raised a gentle smile

The owner of those hands slightly bowed their head and said softly

Li Rongzhi set down the bowl, looked at Xu Da, and smiled, saying: "If it were an ordinary person, even if I treated him like a stranger, he would still approach me in hopes of a bright future; but if it were someone with lofty aspirations, without my efforts to win her over, how could she ever regard me with any esteem"

"In the past two days, the second young lady's appetite has improved, which is a good thing." The man smiled warmly, brushing her hair aside. "Once we arrive in Da Wei, the second young lady will have as much seafood as she desires."

The one who truly protected her has already bitten his tongue and committed suicide in the Western Prison! Who else in this world will protect her?

The heart knot has turned into an ordinary red string

"Are you out of your mind?" The person heard the footsteps, turned around, and saw. "Your Highness..."

She does not quite understand... does not remember...

Indeed, the second young lady has now recovered her health and is willing to accompany me to the Great Wei, which brings me great joy

Li Rongzhi smiled and said, "Does Young Master Wu agree?"

"...Your Highness... Although it is said that the Second Miss is escorting you back to Da Wei, in reality, it is Your Highness who is protecting her, for she can no longer return. Now she is in a daze, and each day, apart from eating, drinking, and relieving herself, she ignores anyone who speaks to her. Yet, Your Highness still goes to great lengths to care for her... What if that Second Prince of Xi Xuan goes mad and pursues her..."

Lin Xiu observed the situation and softly remarked, "The prince treats this Miss Xu Er very well"

Indeed. If he comes in a grand manner, his future days in Xixuan will not be easy. You go tell him that the young lady is unable to meet him due to illness, and I, on her behalf, have accepted the medicine. When the second young lady awakens, I will personally hand it over to him and will also inform her of the difficulties faced by Young Master Zhou. The internal affairs of the Xixuan princes may stir up again, so I kindly ask Young Master Zhou to return to the hostages' residence quickly to avoid any misfortunes.

In Xu Da's vision, everything was shrouded in a gray haze. She felt a bit anxious because the indistinct figures occupying her bed made it impossible for her to sleep.

"So proactive..." This woman, who lives a dull and aimless life, has several times felt hungry in the middle of the night and has learned to get out of bed to find something to eat. The first time, she even knocked over a pot on the stove, injuring her hands, which startled the prince, who stared at her hands for a long time. After that, a maid was assigned to watch over her; if she felt hungry at night, the maid would prepare a bowl of soup for her to drink.

Three days later, as dawn broke, the cold wind blew fiercely, and the city gates opened for the first time. The convoy returning to the Great Wei was moving at an extremely slow pace out of the capital.

Li Rongzhi pulled up the sand curtain of the car window to shield against the cold. In the slightly cool interior of the car, there were only him and the reclining Xu Da. His gaze fell upon Xu Da's face as he extended his other hand to brush aside the strands of hair that covered her face

At that time, she was still thinking that if Xu Hui or Xu Zhi were here, they would surely come up with thousands of better methods, without having to do it in such a sneaky manner as she did

"Second Miss, I am Li Rongzhi. You have been tired for so many years, it does not matter, sleep as long as you need, just remember to wake up."

Could it be that in the Western Xuan, he lived smoothly, with no one considering him a thorn in their side? He was on very good terms with the officials and the crown prince, and his attendants and servants were willing to serve him because he moved people with his "sincerity." Such genuine devotion... If he did not first deceive himself into believing it was sincere, how could he possibly touch the hearts of others?

"Is that so?" he said without surprise. "The second young lady is not in a very good situation at the moment. Have you made it clear to her?"

"Lin Xiu, when we left the Great Wei back then, knowing full well that one day we would return to our homeland, you still cried uncontrollably. Now, the second young lady can never return home again; if you were this king, you would do the same."

His dark eyes, cold and piercing, passed over her to look at Li Rongzhi, and he said

Yes, he said that for more than two years he has been under the care of Miss Xu Er. The other day, he saw Miss Er bleeding from her seven orifices and thought she must have been injured, so he sent the secret medicine from the small state of Zhou, which can be used to replenish vital energy

During these days, Miss Er has mentioned the abundant seafood, local customs, and folk traditions of the prosperous Great Wei, but she has forgotten to mention the differences between Great Wei and the Western Xuan. In the Western Xuan, the ruler is likened to a phoenix reborn from the ashes, but in Great Wei, the emperor is associated with the dragon, and by his side is a bat. In Great Wei, the bat symbolizes good fortune. Miss Er, you are like this creature in my heart. Great Wei is my hometown... For me, it is a place far superior to Western Xuan. Perhaps you may not adapt at first, but over time, you will surely come to love such a place." After hesitating for a moment, he gently brushed her hair near her ear, so as not to pull it. Then, he extended his warm hand to cover her eyes.

Different scenes emerge

Someone got onto the carriage and sat right in front of her. He spoke softly:

A waft of fragrance stimulated the hunger within her. She approached the campfire, assessing the leftover clam soup from tonight's meal. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as her gaze fell upon a bowl of the remaining clam soup

She laughed heartily and said, "Since there is no one in this world who truly cares for me anymore, what use is it?"

She did not respond to him, feeling full and extremely sleepy. She reached out and gathered both of his hands into her embrace, continuing to sleep.

Li Rongzhi smiled and said, "Then let's add another blanket. Thank you for your hard work, Lin Xiu"

The first hue that fell into her tearful eyes was a warm moonlight white, located to her right

She smiled, slightly leaning forward to fasten the ornament around his waist. She looked up, her bright eyes sparkling, and said

"Miss Er seems a bit weary; it would be better to return to the carriage and rest for a while." he said gently

Has Young Master Zhou left?

She smiled

"You drink very cleanly." The man set the bowl down and smiled as he covered her with a blanket. "But drinking this fish soup all the time won't do; even I can see the fish eyes mixed in the soup, Second Young Lady, it turns out you are quite picky with your food."

Lin Xiu has been given orders once again

Her lips twitched. Knowing full well that he had done his best, she felt terribly deceived at the thought of having regarded such a thing as a delicious fish soup for quite some time

"Your Highness, she has been like this for the past few days... has she lost her mind?"

Shouldn't he say that this woman is actually very resilient and will not starve to death

My subordinate observes that his skills are exceptional, and it is likely that he ranks among the top few in the four nations. With a single shot, he can pierce through three men in the blink of an eye. The Western Xuan lacks the ability to recognize such talent, wasting a strong general like him! Although there are many capable individuals under the prince, none possess his level of strength. Why does the prince not take him under his wing?

* * * *

Do you think Xiao Zhou's medicine is better, or is it Da Wei's that is better

The sound was gently cool, and her cheeks felt cool as well. The grayish scenery before her suddenly became blurred and distorted

"Do not look at me like that... You should wake up; I can no longer take care of you like this..."

"My dear son, those external accusations have nothing to do with you. Your aspirations are noble, and to say that you follow Xu Da is indeed a great injustice to you. For now, bear with it; if one day someone in the court seeks to exonerate Lord Wu, you can return openly and honorably. For this time, consider it a journey; if your heart can be at ease, then let it be at ease. Master Yuan Tu once said, 'The cycle of life is ultimately interconnected. If you live joyfully in this life, the next life will surely be fulfilling.' Since we must go through this life regardless of joy or sorrow, it is better to allow ourselves some joy." She said sincerely.

Her gaze slowly shifted to his indistinct face

Someone lifted the car curtain and quietly asked, as if trying not to disturb anyone

His left hand was warm, and he had lost count of how many times he had tried to pull his hand away, but she held on tightly with both hands... Does she even know who she is holding onto? Now, in her dreams, is she holding onto Li Yongzhi, or that little official named Young Master Huang from that night?

My late father could not endure the torture in prison and bit his tongue to end his life. After his death, his body was paraded through the streets, and when it reached Changxiao Street, the furnace connected to three uncontrollable horses, causing disturbances in the palace by malevolent spirits. They hastily sent someone to bury my late father. Miss, do you still remember this matter?

"Young Master Wu... Thank you for your hard work"

"If it were usual, I would have no right to inquire into what you wish to discuss privately with the Second Young Lady. However, she is currently somewhat confused and unable to make decisions for herself. Since I am acting on her behalf to meet you, I must take responsibility to prevent any mishaps. Therefore, I must apologize to the Second Young Lady."

......Hmm?

Has the second young lady regained her senses

She sighed in relief and said, "As long as you understand, that is good enough." With a smile in her eyes, she turned to return to the carriage. Upon seeing Li Rongzhi still standing behind her, clad in flowing white robes, exuding an air of nobility and elegance tinged with a hint of solitude, she was momentarily taken aback. Then, she cupped her fists in salute and said, "Your Highness, you should rest early; you have truly worked hard these days."

A young and handsome man boarded the carriage. He first glanced at Xu Da, who was seated inside, and then cast a look at Li Rongzhi.

"At first, it was genuine fish soup, but later it became impossible to find, so I had to settle for a clam sauce purchased from passing merchants." A warm voice sounded from behind her

"......Your Highness, Young Master Wu has been following us for over a month. I initially had little patience for him, but who would have thought that his skills could rival a hundred men? No wonder the people of Xixuan have called him a natural-born warrior. Just now, it was he who protected this carriage... We are about to cross the border, and after all, he is a man of Xixuan..."

* * * *

A tremor ran deep within her heart. Born as a person of the Western Xuan, and dying as a ghost of the Western Xuan, she had always believed that this was her life. Now, the person who had treated her the best had already departed, and her place to stand had also been taken away... Her entire world had collapsed... Was she still alive? What meaning did life hold for her now?

Your Highness, the heir of the small Zhou Kingdom requests an audience

"If the Second Miss were in the Western Xuan, I would wait for your recovery before discussing matters. However, as we are approaching the junction between the Great Wei and the Western Xuan, once we enter the Great Wei, the Second Miss will inevitably become embroiled in the struggle for the imperial throne of the Great Wei." Wu Tongsheng disregarded Li Rongzhi, who was listening beside him, and continued, "Therefore, Wu Tongsheng has no choice but to insist on meeting the Miss."

Is the prince all right

They are all dead." Ling Xiu gritted her teeth. "These are not mountain bandits; they are clearly using the guise of mountain bandits, but in reality...

He curved his lips again, gently adjusting her robe. "Miss Er has been resting for nearly two months; it is time to regain your spirits. If..." He intended to say that if there were no impending crises and she wished to continue in this manner, he would not stop her, but as the words reached his lips, he found them somewhat strange.

Is it for a Qin Dayong who has already lost all value?

He certainly would not think that the prince is a reckless wastrel who randomly touches an unconscious girl, but rather that Xu Da has been tightly gripping his prince's hand since losing consciousness... He grumbled in dissatisfaction and asked again, "Should I call a maid over?"

When she saw the Paulownia tree resting a short distance away, her expression softened slightly, and she quickly walked up to him.

Upon considering this, Li Rongzhi averted his gaze and no longer looked at her

She has a strong fondness for seafood, but the supply of seafood in the Western Xuān region is limited, and what is available is exceedingly precious. Aware that the seafood sauces and fresh seafood available in the current market cannot compare in flavor, she still dug into all her savings to bring back all the seafood sauces from the Western Xuān region to quench her thirst for them.

Ah...

Indeed... is it the second young lady...

She would rather see her dreams of companionship shattered than to not return to the days of old

Not only did it cause her to fall from ecstasy to hell, but it also led to the untimely death of the only person who truly cared for her

She slowly released her hands from the embrace.

The bright light reflected, catching her attention. She turned her head to look, and the gentle man extended his hand to cover her eyes, calmly saying, "Hey, don't look. The second young lady is still recuperating, so don't be disturbed."

Someone lifted the car curtain and shouted, "Li Rongzhi!"

She vaguely recalled that it was indeed her doing

It was precisely because of that night that the world she stood upon collapsed entirely; she would rather die for the child of her leader than leave Xixuan; she would rather endure the discrimination brought about by Master Yuan Tu's prophecy than see Qin Dayong perish.

Suddenly, the owner of those hands noticed her unusual behavior and firmly tightened his grip on her hand

The clear and moist black eyes gazed at her, without taking over.

Wu Tongsheng said again

Since they are all mountain bandits, this king shall eliminate these sources of calamity for the Western Xuan, and the Western Xuan court should not pursue any accountability.

Lin Xiu is present

"The prince is in a foreign land, yet he even has to grasp the trivial matters around Xu Da, which is truly exhausting. You know I can use both hands, and I have been searching for a long knife suitable for both. You have sent me this precious sword, such flattery and bribery, Xu Da truly feels unworthy of it. In these past two years, I have not done any bribery for the prince. " After a pause, she still smiled and said, "I think the prince already knows that a few days ago, Prince Beitang had contacted me. He knows that Xu Da suffers from the prophecy of Yuan Tu, and he pretended to seek out Master Yuan Tu to calculate a bad fate, beating him up to vent my anger. Alas, your roundabout methods of winning my favor through bribery are indeed very precious. What merit does Xu Da have? What merit does he have?"

She does not want to face it, yet the scenery in her view gradually takes on color

She wanted to laugh out loud. Protect her? Who would protect Xu Da without any self-interest? This person may have a kind heart, but his schemes are equally profound. I fear that at this moment, facing his subordinates who share in the hardships, he would not speak his true feelings.

Li Rongzhi smiled like a warm breeze and said

With a loud bang, the carriage shook violently.

She lowered her head, attracted by the ornament at her waist shaped like a small bat. She tugged at it with her fingers and heard the gentle laughter of the person sitting to her right.

"In the past, I always thought of becoming a phoenix, but in reality, I was merely a self-deceiving crow. How could a crow ever transform into a phoenix? I have finally understood this principle." She removed the bat ornament from her waist and presented it to him. "Surely, Your Highness has never heard of a crow transforming into a bat, has he?"

At that time, she hesitated for a long time. On Changxiao Street, there were people who had lost their fathers, and how could one bear to see their father in such a state? Even if there were countless grievances, once a person dies, it is all over. Why should innocent children be burdened with this suffering?

The night breeze brushed against his snow-white robe, her unbound ink-black hair glimmering under the moonlight, resembling a tranquil river flowing through the starry night sky

... It's okay. Lin Xiu, did you leave anyone alive?" He watched her movements and whispered, "Stop licking, there's still soup. Let me feed you again." He forcefully withdrew his hands and held the soup bowl with his slender and handsome eyes lowered.

Lin Xiu was stunned, feeling that the prince's words seemed to have another meaning.

The corners of his mouth are often curved, and he appears dull and colorless. Who is it... Mr. Huang?

Wu Tong's gaze was bright, fixed upon her smiling face. He recalled that whenever he saw her in the capital of Xixuan, he thought of the phoenix giving birth to a crow, and thus turned away in disdain. It was only at this moment that he truly recognized Xu Da of Xixuan.

Li Rongzhi pondered for a moment, deciding not to disturb Xu Da, and said softly

Ultimately, she felt a sense of remorse in her heart. She was filled with guilt, and her demeanor immediately softened. As a member of the Xixuan family, there was no need to be constrained by formalities, nor was there any distinction between genders. She reached out her hand to him

Yes

Little Zhou Kingdom