Chapter 171

Lady Yu was a smart person indeed. Mister Wu and herself were guided by Mister Wolong personally. Mister Wolong was a person who lived as a recluse, rumored to be over 100 years old. His influence spread far and wide, all the way from the royals and nobles of high status to the slaves and merchants of lower status. This man was widely educated; he accepted disciples regardless of their status. He then imparted different realms of knowledge to them based on their qualifications. His students consisted of renowned scholars, nobles, wartime commanders, agile assassins, and even wealthy merchants…

Mister Wolong had many disciples, some of them good and some bad. Some of his disciples included Cheng Wenjing, the current prime minister of Tang, who was over 70 years old. In addition, Yue Shaocong, the traitor who let the Quanrong people into Xia, was under him too. The young leaders of the world-leading Da Tong rebel guild, Wu Daoya and Zhong Yu, served under him too. Most notably, the fourth young master of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Yue, was his disciple too. His name was stuck in Chu Qiao’s memories.

Zhao Che was about to attack. Would he be here? Chu Qiao sighed lightly, drinking the bowl of medicine in one gulp. The battlefield was a dangerous place. The swords had no eyes. No, I hope not, Chu Qiao thought to herself.

Chu Qiao felt rejuvenated from her afternoon nap earlier on. Having been cooped up in the house for a few days, she wanted to step outside. She wore a blue cotton dress. There were magnolia flower patterns embroidered on her coat, which stuck to her skin tightly. They formed a shape of a lantern, showing off her petite frame. The maidservants put on a hairpin for her, along with some scarlet colored accessories. The jade hairpin was colored slightly blue. The rows of tassel fluttered about, brushing against her fair earlobe. Chu Qiao rarely wore such feminine clothes. She looked in the mirror for a long while to appreciate her new look, feeling a tinge of happiness inside.

The wind was wild outside. The maidservants wanted to follow her, but she rejected their intentions. She held a small lantern, shaped like a sheep, and walked out alone.

It was wintertime in Yan Bei. There was beauty in the desolation, in the form of the snowflakes flying about. The weather was cold; luckily she had worn many layers of clothes with a cloak on the outside. The crescent moon hung in the sky. The moonlight colored the ground a pale white. All she had smelt was the scent of medicine and smoke the past few days that she had not stepped out of the house, which gave her headaches. As she stepped outside, she felt energized; her illness seemed to fade away slightly. The moonlight was beautiful. Like a ray of candlelight passing through a translucent cloth, it appeared foggy. The wind brushed against the trees, making rustling sounds. Chu Qiao walked slowly. She stood below the window of Yan Xun’s study and looked into the distance. Yan Xun had just come back from the military camp. He had not fallen asleep as his study was still brightly lit, revealing his shadow. There was someone else in his study. They seemed to be engaged in deep discussion, but Chu Qiao could not hear it due to the heavy winds.

She suddenly felt peace in her heart. It was like waking up in the morning and opening the window to see the clean environment outside. The sunlight shone warmly on her face. In the azure blue sky, white eagles flew about, spreading their wings. There was a cup of warm tea on her table, while the water vapor rose from the cup, emerging like a dragon.

She had been unable to ascertain her feelings for Yan Xun for a long time. Initially, when she came to this era, she viewed the unfairness of this world from a modern-day perspective. Subsequently, she was dragged into this world, feeling various emotions like sorrow, anger, resentment, gratefulness, and gratitude… She was no longer able to maintain a neutral standpoint and not involve herself in worldly matters. As for Yan Xun, she hated him initially. It changed slowly to that of thankfulness, to pity, to depending on each other. As they grew up, their feelings for each other changed. The things that they had been unable to say to each other previously surfaced subconsciously, forming a new, stronger bond between them. Having been through hard times, countless bloody battles, and situations of life and death, their bond had become even more complex. It was like a giant tree which was stable in its foundation, but upon looking up, the lush leaves were dense and she was unable to see through it. She had always been this silent and stubborn. It had never changed.

The doors of the study opened. Someone walked out from the door. AhJing observantly spotted Chu Qiao, who was standing under a palm tree. He shouted out, startling Yan Xun who dashed out from the door. Seeing her, he exclaimed, “Why are you standing there alone? Don’t you know you are sick?”

Chu Qiao smiled, allowing Yan Xun to hold her hand. The man looked at her with a nasty expression, holding her hand tight. “It’s so cold here. How long have you been here?”

“Just a while.”

As they stepped into the house, a fragrant aroma greeted them. Chu Qiao sniffed around and asked, “What is that fragrant smell?”

As Yan Xun heard her words, his expression changed. He hurriedly pushed Chu Qiao outside, took a teapot and poured its contents into the incense pot. White fumes emerged from the pot as he clumsily opened the window.

Chu Qiao frowned and asked, “Yan Xun, what are you doing?”

Yan Xun brushed his hands and walked out. In a low voice, he said, “We can’t stay here anymore. Let’s go.” As he finished his words, he dragged Chu Qiao into his study.

Yan Xun’s room had no traces of smoke, making her feel refreshed. Chu Qiao was still perplexed as she saw the maidservant, Lanxiang, handing him a towel to wipe his face. She asked, “Yan Xun, what’s wrong with the study?”

“It’s the new storesin herb. I lighted half a piece up. It contains traces of musk.”

“Musk?” Chu Qiao was not well-versed in the field of herbs. Frowning, she asked, “What’s wrong with musk?”

The maidservant chuckled and said with a laugh, “Miss, women cannot smell the scent of musk. It prevents pregnancy. Naturally, Your Highness would be nervous.”

As Lanxiang finished her words, Chu Qiao blushed heavily. The other maidservants broke out in laughter. Yan Xun was not angry. He pretended to be indifferent, but secretly took note of Chu Qiao’s expression from the corner of his eyes.

Chu Qiao was stunned. She was a girl after all. She started to blush, her face turning red like the petals of a crabapple flower. The candlelight shone on her pale blue dress, making it seem like water was flowing through it.

A low sound of laughter sounded close to her ear. The man’s breath was warm, like seawater. “AhChu, it’s beautiful tonight.”

Chu Qiao looked up in joy. The room was big. A soft carpet was laid out on the ground. Layers of silk curtains separated the different sections of the room, giving it a majestic ambiance. The bed was embroidered with purple silk, while a green frame surrounded it. The blanket looked warm enough for people to feel the warmth before even covering themselves with it. Yan Xun reached his hands out for the maidservants to help him to change his clothes. Chu Qiao was slightly stunned and turned around. Yan Xun laughed in a low voice as her face turned redder.

Adding the years that she had lived in both her lives, she was not young anymore. She had been through a fair share of similar incidents. Having been with Yan Xun for so many years, they had not exactly adhered to traditions strictly. However, today, she was at a loss as to what to do.

The maidservants stepped out of the room. The layers of curtains were drawn. Yan Xun’s warm breath approached her from behind. With a hoarse voice, he said with a laugh, “My AhChu has grown up. She knows how to be coy.”

Her day-to-day eloquence had suddenly deserted her. Yan Xun reached out his hand from behind and wrapped it around her stomach. His lips pressed lightly against her ear. He sighed lightly and said, “I haven’t seen you for a day.”

Chu Qiao was a little afraid. In that instant, she did not know how to reply. Panicking, she said, “Is the war at the eastern side about to begin? How are your preparations?”

“Sigh…” Yan Xun sighed helplessly. “AhChu, must you kill the mood like that? You don’t get my intentions, do you?”

The sand in the timekeeping pot slowly trickled downwards grain by grain, making intermittent sounds. The wind outside blew quietly. Occasionally, the snow that had accumulated on the rooftop fell to the ground, causing snowflakes to flutter in the air. Yan Xun held her silently, his body scent lingering in the air. With a warm, soothing voice, he asked, “Did you cough today?”

Chu Qiao shook her head. “It’s much better already.”

“That’s good. Did you take your medicine on time?”

“Yes, it’s so bitter. It’s hard to stomach.”

Yan Xun replied, “Of course. What medicine is not bitter? Did you pour it away secretly?”

“By my conscience.” Chu Qiao raised three of her fingers and said, “I even swallowed the residue.”

“What’s wrong?” Yan Xun raised his eyebrows. “Is it stuffy in here?”

“I’m worried. The war is about to erupt on the eastern side. I’m sick all the time. How can I help you?”

A feeling of warmth brewed inside Yan Xun’s heart. His lips grazed against Chu Qiao’s neck. Softly, he said, “As long as you get well, you will be helping me.”

Yan Xun was wearing thin clothes. She could almost feel the contours of his muscles. Chu Qiao lay in his embrace, slanting her head. Her body started to warm up slowly. She whispered, “I hope that I can be more useful.”

“You’re already useful,” Yan Xun replied warmly. “These years, you have followed me wholeheartedly. You have not thought for yourself. Presently, Yan Bei has stabilized. You should make plans for yourself.”

“For myself?” Chu Qiao was intrigued. This was indeed a new question. Deep inside, she knew that she was not as strong as she appeared on the outside. She had become accustomed to depending on others, accustomed to following orders, and become accustomed to work towards one target. Back in the modern times, it was like this. After she followed Yan Xun, it remained the same. She did not know how to plan for herself. For herself? For herself? What could she do herself?

“Yes.” Yan Xun’s voice was low. With some laughter, he continued, “When a girl grows up, she has to plan for herself. For example, finding a good man to marry, raising her children and living her life happily ever after in peace…”

Chu Qiao chided him slightly and replied, “Where do I find a good man in this chaotic world?”

“You’re right,” Yan Xun said with a laugh. “You can know a person, but not his character. It takes a long time to get to entirely know someone. If you make the wrong judgment, wouldn’t you delay your lifelong happiness?”

Chu Qiao turned around and replied with a laugh, “Then, what do you think I should do?”

“I’ll have to take a loss then.” Yan Xun chuckled. His eyes were squinted, making it narrow and long. His lips managed a little smile.

Chu Qiao looked at him from the corner of her eye. “It looks like you’re being forced to take a loss!”

“Not really.” Yan Xun’s voice echoed warmly around the room. “However, it’s still a slight loss.” As he saw her expression starting to change, he embraced her tightly while he laughed. “Other royals have many wives and concubines, but I’ll have to be faithful to one. Didn’t I get the short end of the stick?”

Chu Qiao sneered and replied, “Go and get concubines then. No one’s stopping you.”

Yan Xun held her tightly. Leaning towards her ear, he remarked, “I don’t have the energy, nor do I want to let you suffer.”

The red candles shone brightly high up in the room, illuminating it. Chu Qiao felt weak throughout her body. Yan Xun added with a warm voice, “AhChu, marry me.”

Her body felt warm. Tears started to well up in her eyes. This journey had been an arduous one. Thinking about the scenes at the royal hunting ground eight years ago, she suddenly realized that such a long time had passed.