Chapter 10, Cheng Yi

"Go in, go in, the young master is asking you to enter." A soldier came out from the second gate, looking at her with a somewhat ambiguous gaze, chuckling to himself.

Cheng Yi nodded, finally showing some response

Jing Xuan's personal guard frowned at the coarse food on the stone table, feeling quite troubled. After exchanging glances, one of them quickly walked out.

Oh—" Jiang Liu nodded slightly, is she a relative? It is only natural for someone who has been confined in the cold palace for such a long time, unable to see any family, to be eager to visit as soon as she is released

Cheng Yi Ge! After she called out, she was taken aback, not even knowing how she recognized him as the handsome and spirited prince from two years ago

Jing Xuan's attendant had two soldiers return with trays; one tray contained a meal specially prepared for him. Although the presentation was simple, it was evident that care had been taken, and it was quite fragrant, even featuring a bowl of braised pork knuckle. The other tray held two jars of wine. Cheng Yi threw down his bowl and chopsticks and picked up one jar to drink directly from it.

Meili also put down her bowl and politely said, "I have finished eating." She then got up to collect the bedding that was drying.

"Take it away! Remove it!" He suddenly shouted angrily at his attendants, "You all get out!"

Meili smiled wryly in apology; she was accustomed to doing things herself, which, in his view, was akin to a servant disrespecting their master. What he and she perceived... was never the same thing.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her sadness and compassion, ensuring that the tears welling in her eyes had receded before she gently walked over and sat beside him, casually saying: "Chengyi Ge, I have been released and came to see you"

There was no tray in the room, and she carefully walked out holding a teacup in one hand. She first handed a cup to Chengyi, then freed her hand to present one to Jingxuan with both hands, appearing to show great respect, while in reality, the distinction between intimacy and distance was evident.

"Sir, take care and watch your step!" A courteous voice rang out at the entrance of the courtyard, sounding particularly clear in the silent afternoon

In fact, it was quite strange that she had not seen Cheng Yi for two years and yet took it upon herself to wash his clothes without hesitation. However, when she saw the pile of clothes, she instinctively picked them up to wash, feeling a sense of reassurance in her heart, as she had something to do

Meili did not blame him for his rudeness, quietly waiting for Chengyi to finish his water. Together, they collected the cups and took them to the well, skillfully drawing a bucket of water and carefully washing them. They spoke softly about political matters, but she was not interested in listening. After cleaning the cups, with no tasks at hand, she took out the change of clothes that the soldiers had not yet collected and began to wash them.

What are you doing?" Jingxuan suddenly shouted coldly

The soldiers on duty along the way pointed the way for her, and she was led to a house in the corner of the courtyard. As she approached the door of the small courtyard, she saw Cheng Yi sitting under a tree. He heard the footsteps but remained still, leaning against the tree trunk, only turning his gaze to glance at her indifferently.

Jiang Liu had been busy for a while and was utterly exhausted. Mei Li inquired about Cheng Yi and arranged for her to rest in a small room. She found a wooden stick in the courtyard and gently tapped each cotton quilt and mattress hanging on the rope, both to remove the dust and to make the cotton fluffier and softer.

Meili, unconcerned with these matters, quickly walked into the inner courtyard

Jing Xuan picked up a piece of green vegetable, which was barely cut, considered stir-fried, but more akin to being boiled. He put it in his mouth, finding it tasteless, and frowned tightly. ... Cheng Yi ...? ... With her, they had been eating such food for the past two years. ? He calmly looked at the two people across from him who seemed completely unfazed by the unappetizing meal, feeling an indescribable sensation in his heart.

Meili sat down next to Chengyi. The three dishes and one soup, though coarse, were sufficient to fill the stomach, and at least better than the meals she had in the Anning Hall. He... Naturally found it hard to swallow, but she had long been accustomed to such plain fare. She picked up the bowl and chopsticks to serve Chengyi a bowl of rice, Jingxuan... He would have his own meals; had his servants not already gone to arrange for them

Meili got up and walked into his room. The room was furnished simply to the point of being shabby, tidied up to an excessive degree, as if no one had ever lived here.

Jiang Liu was afraid of this gaunt and cold man. Although he was so handsome, the aura of death that surrounded him sent chills down her spine. She shivered and huddled by the door, not daring to approach.

A brother. Meili's gaze was wandering

Cheng Yi looked at her, expressionless and silent, neither sad nor surprised

"Water!" he commanded coldly. Although Meili had her back to him, she knew that these words were directed at her

Meili shuddered and discovered that Jiang Liu was staring blankly with a serious expression. "Are you the master, or is she the master?!" The authoritative and cold tone frightened Jiang Liu to the point of tears

Cheng Yi silently watched her, a faint compassion flickering in his eyes. How had she become like this before him... Did he know? How had someone as willful and headstrong as she endured such a long passage of time?

The carriage creaked and groaned as it slowly made its way along the sandy dirt road. After traveling for most of the day, Jiang Liu was already very tired and drowsy. The bumpy ride made it exceedingly difficult to fall asleep, leaving her feeling particularly exhausted

Jing Xuan expressed some impatience, saying, "Whatever, eat whatever. We will leave early tomorrow morning, no need to make a big fuss about it"

Inside the room, Cheng Yi cast a glance with his eyes

It is unlikely to happen in the near future, but preparations must officially begin. Jingxuan seems somewhat agitated

Jing Xuan's two attendants entered the courtyard, "Master, what would you like for dinner? We need to prepare early, as there is nothing available in this remote village and shabby inn."

Jiang Liu stole a glance at the dishes on the stone table that had just been set but were left untouched, feeling a desire to eat, yet frightened by Jing Xuan's icy expression. He suddenly threw down the bowl, causing Jiang Liu to jump up from her seat in fright and run to Mei Li, wishing she could hide under her skirt. Mei Li, while tidying up the bedding, smiled and shook her head in a comforting manner, clearly unaffected by Jing Xuan's inexplicable anger.

The attendant bowed his head in obedience and stood outside the courtyard waiting for orders. As evening approached, the horn for dinner sounded in the camp, and Jiang Liu, having had enough rest, came out to assist the soldiers delivering the meals in setting the table and arranging the dishes

Heaven always loves to play tricks on her, and what else can she do but let it be

She carefully smoothed the clothes and hung them on the long line, as this was the only way to ensure they would be flat. Wiping the fine beads of sweat from her forehead, she turned around casually and noticed that the two men had long ceased their conversation, both gazing at her with thoughtful expressions.

A few soldiers standing outside the stone wall scrutinized her while approaching to question her. Meili quickly signaled Jiang Liu and slipped some silver to them, after which they happily agreed to inform her. Meili carefully observed the courtyard; unlike the magnificent buildings in the imperial tomb, this courtyard was entirely constructed of bluestone, solid and unadorned, clearly intended for the garrison of soldiers guarding the tomb.

The Emperor has sent me to take you to the Fengtai Camp, she heard Jingxuan say to Chengyi

Cheng Yi placed a piece of scrambled egg into Meili's bowl, and Meili smiled at him. They both ate in silence, having been alone for a long time, naturally resulting in a quiet meal.

Meili looked up and saw a middle-aged man, seemingly the leader, bowing and leading Jingxuan inside. She froze for a moment, and he was also coldly glancing at her. Meili lowered her eyes, bowed slightly, and continued to beat the bedding.

Even though they tried to speed up, it still took two days to reach their destination. After a long journey filled with bumps, Meili felt sore and weak all over. She leaned against the carriage and gazed at the desolate and tranquil scenery. Not far away, construction was still underway, and the sounds of stone drilling and piling echoed in her ears, making the atmosphere even more bleak and dismal

"Gege... I'll do it..." Jiang Liu hurriedly snatched the chopsticks from her hand, pleadingly whispering in a choked voice.

Two attendants, with warm faces, pressed against a cold backside, anxiously urged the soldiers, who were already trembling in a heap, to quickly remove the food that had been brought up behind.

Jing Xuan did not respond and threw the teacup back to her

She was initially a bit embarrassed, but then smiled calmly. They probably did not expect her to be capable of such work, did they? Life has taught her more than they can imagine! In the cold palace, when there was work to do, she would even hesitate to finish it all at once, cherishing anything that could help her pass the time. During the summer, she would wash the sheets and duvet covers every other day out of boredom, and her bedding was almost worn out from her frequent washing.

Is there any water? I am so thirsty after rushing all the way here. " Mei Li forced a smile.

Meili's eyes stung; his arrow not only killed Sister Ziqing but also pierced his own heart.

The tea set was placed on the table near the bedside. When she went to pour water, she inadvertently glanced at the bed and was taken aback to find that the bedding was extremely thin. Unable to resist, she walked over to touch it and, as she expected, although the sheets were tidy, they were damp, clearly having not been aired for a long time. The ones stationed here were all big men, and with Brother Cheng Yi having lost his influence, even if someone was assigned to serve and clean, they would not do so with much dedication.

"Alright." Cheng Yi remained silent for a moment before agreeing, slowly standing up. "Is it time for battle?" His tone was flat, devoid of excitement or curiosity; the confrontation with the Zunghars was inevitable, merely a matter of time.

Jing Xuan took the teacup with a cold expression and drank it all in one gulp

Cheng Yi observed this with his eyes, his brows furrowing quickly, Mei Li... finally gave up.

Hurry and call Jiang Liu to come and have a few sips of water, and send her to ask the soldiers outside for a long rope. Taking advantage of the warm midday sun, quickly dry the bedding for Brother Cheng Yi. ... The feeling of being covered with damp bedding ... . ... Now, thinking back on it, she still feels a chill.

Also serve me a bowl! With a single command from him, Jiang Liu made a move, and the little girl was already frightened out of her wits.

Cheng Yi stared with wide eyes as the two young women came in and out of his room, hanging the bedding out to dry. Although he frowned and seemed unconvinced, he said nothing.

She nodded to indicate that she had heard, then went back to the room to pour two cups of water and brought them out. All morning, Brother Chengyi had been sitting there in a daze, basking in the sun, and he must be thirsty by now

Meili smiled and asked, "Are you still drinking?" Polite yet distant

"Gege, who are you going to see?" she asked with a hint of complaint to Meili, who was silently leaning to the side, her face pale from the jolting but not uttering a word. Having just returned from the hunting grounds, Gege did not take a proper rest and was heading to the Xiaoling Tomb early in the morning. She had thought that serving Gege on an outing would be a pleasant task, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be such a hardship

She understands this situation all too well