Chapter 318: Where Did This Central Plains Person Come From?

Xiao Ran wilted at once: "Ah, go to Xilu? I still want to return to Jingcheng."

Qing Qing's face darkened, and her head slowly drooped.

Tuan Tuan hurried over to her: "Qing Qing, we will definitely go—don't listen to Ninth Brother."

Then she went up to Xiao Ran: "Are you going or not? If you don't go, I'll never call you Ninth Brother again!"

Xiao Ran immediately flared up: "You little brat, have some conscience! You've shrunk these past two days—I've been so good to you! All that's left is to change your diaper!"

Everyone recalled the amusing things they'd done looking after Tuan Tuan, and hearing this they all laughed.

Tuan Tuan's eyes went wide: "I don't care! Are you going or not?"

Xiao Ran gave in: "Fine, fine, I'll go—what's the problem?"

Xiao Ningxun thought for a moment: "Xiao Er, get Qing Qing an upper room so she can rest properly."

"Yes. Please follow me."

"All right."

Xiao Er led Qing Qing out of the guest room.

"Lu Qi, have Xiao Er go fetch Miss Luo."

"Yes."

"Why are we summoning her again?" Xiao Ran always felt ill at ease whenever he heard Luo Hongli's name.

Xiao Ningxun sighed: "It's nothing to do with you. I want to entrust Zhou Ping, Zhou An, and their father to her."

"Leave them some silver, too—with the Bridgehead Gang watching over them in Jiangzhou, they'll surely be safe."

Tuan Tuan perked up: "And Kong An! Right, and the old horse I bought!"

Xiao Ningxun stroked her head: "Exactly, and them too."

"Besides," Xiao Ningxun glanced at Xiao Ran, "Miss Luo has helped a lot—shouldn't you say goodbye to her in person?"

Xiao Ran: "……"

He jumped up: "Well, we're leaving tomorrow—I'll go buy some supplies! You eat on your own, don't wait for me!"

Having said that, he bolted out as if fleeing for his life.

Xiao Ningxun watched his retreating back and shook his head helplessly.

Soon Luo Hongli arrived, hearing that several people would depart tomorrow, and she looked astonished: "So soon?"

She took Tuan Tuan's hand, reluctant to let go: "Little one, I promised to take you around Jiangzhou for fun, but it looks like we won't have time."

Tuan Tuan spread her little arms and hugged her: "I'll come again someday! Next time you bring me out to play! By the way, Luo Sister, how's Xiao Yue? And those artisan uncles?"

Luo Hongli's face fell: "They're all settled. But I had a doctor look at them—he can't cure their muteness, so they'll never speak again in this life."

Tuan Tuan raised her tiny fist: "Those bastards are too evil!"

Luo Hongli drew her into her arms, lifted her head to Xiao Ningxun, and asked: "Young Master Xiao, have you heard the recent water‑ghost rumors in Jiangzhou?"

"I've heard something about it."

"The so‑called water ghosts are actually a few craftsmen who secretly escaped; they can't speak, can't call for help, and can only cling to the boat trying to climb aboard."

"On that island there are a few strong swimmers who catch them, drag them underwater so they can't climb up, and drown them directly. That's why the people on the boat mistake them for water ghosts."

"Ah, now I see!" Xiao Ningxun suddenly understood, recalling the strange things he'd heard when he first arrived in Jiangzhou—indeed they were all related to this.

He then listed everything he wished to entrust, asked Luo Hongli to convey his thanks to Luo Zhenjiang, and, pressed for time, decided not to say goodbye in person.

Upon hearing this, Luo Hongli patted her chest: "It's nothing—I'll make sure it's done."

She glanced around, didn't see Xiao Ran, smiled softly, and knew he must have slipped out.

She rose, clasped her fists, and said: "Everyone, the green hills remain, the waters flow forever—until we meet again!"

Everyone returned the salute; Tuan Tuan took her hand, and together with Xiao Er they saw her out of the inn.

The next morning, Xiao Ningxun brought Tuan Tuan, Xiao Ran and Qing Qing aboard the newly hired carriage; Xiao Er drove, Lu Qi rode horseback, and the party hurried westward to Xilu.

The carriage left Jiangzhou and headed west.

At first there was a level official road, but as they went farther the way turned into a dirt track and the carriage began to jolt and sway.

Outside the window the scenery shifted from Jiangnan's white‑washed walls and dark tiles, little bridges over streams, to gradually fade into yellowish hills and sparse trees.

Tuan Tuan leaned against the window sill, her little face trembling from the bumps: "Third Brother, there are fewer trees now."

Xiao Ningxun scooped her back into his lap and steadied her: "Mm, we're getting close to the grassland."

Xiao Ran and Qing Qing each leaned against opposite sides of the carriage, closing their eyes to rest.

They went on like this for several days.

That afternoon the carriage climbed a gentle slope; Xiao Er let out a sigh and pulled back on the reins.

"Third Young Master, we've arrived."

Xiao Ningxun lifted the carriage curtain.

The wind suddenly picked up.

Tuan Tuan clung to the window frame, half her body sticking out, and let out a small gasp of wonder.

Before them lay an endless expanse of grassland.

It stretched from their feet to the horizon, where the azure sky blended into a hazy arc.

Ripples of grass rose and fell with the breeze; in the distance, scattered white felt tents looked like pearls sprinkled on a green carpet.

Herds of cattle and sheep dotted the grass, moving slowly like drifting clouds.

Tuan Tuan stared, mouth open: "Wow, Uncle Ji was right—it's truly beautiful!"

Xiao Ran jumped down, took a deep breath, and was immediately seized by the wind, coughing twice: "This wind's got some kick!"

A clamor drifted on the wind.

Drumbeats, hoofbeats, cheers, and long, lilting whistles mingled together, rolling hot across the plain.

The crowd looked toward the source of the sound on the gentle slope.

Just beyond the left, several li away, a dense crowd had gathered on a flat meadow.

Colorful flags fluttered, dozens of fine horses galloped and competed, their hooves kicking up grass and dust, drawing rounds of cheers.

"This is Naadam." Qing Qing, already in male attire, said softly, "The horse racing festival of the Kelie Tribe."

"Horse racing festival? 'Tuan Tuan recalled Lu Er and Chase Wind,' I want to go take a look!"

Xiao Ningxun naturally agreed: 'All aboard, let's go over and take a look!'

The group headed toward the bustling scene.

The closer they got, the more vivid and real the liveliness became.

The air was filled with the fragrant aroma of roasted lamb and the rich, sour tang of horse milk wine.

Several people got off the car, approached the crowd, and Xiao Er hoisted Tuan Tuan onto his shoulder so she could see more clearly.

The herders wore brightly colored robes; the men's wide belts cinched slender waists, the women's silver ornaments jingled, and children darted through the crowd with clear laughter.

The edge of the horse field was packed tight by the crowd, and a few people squeezed in.

In the field, about twenty or so riders were making preparations.

Most of the riders were youths, each with dark skin and bright eyes.

One of them stood out particularly.

That youth, about fourteen or fifteen years old, rode a tall, large horse that was glossy black all over with snow-white hooves.

He wore an indigo-blue narrow-sleeved robe, his bronzed face angular, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, his black hair tied back with a leather cord.

He leaned forward to pat the horse's neck, laughing with his companions nearby, his voice loud and full of the youthful exuberance typical of his age.

"Harichagai!" an old man nearby shouted at him, "This year we must not let the Batu family's boy get ahead again!"

Harichagai straightened up, grinning: 'Don't worry, Dad! Black Cloud can keep up with the wind today!'

Qing Qing whispered an explanation: 'Harichagai means "black warrior" on the steppe.'

"Oh!" Tuan Tuan understood, "How fun!"

Harichagai's gaze swept casually over the edge of the field, then paused, landing on Tuan Tuan, who was looking around.

Where did this Central Plains person come from? And there's a little child!

He urged his horse forward at a slow pace to the edge of the field; the black horse let out a loud snort, its hot breath almost brushing Tuan Tuan's face.

Xiao Er moved half a step back without changing his expression.

"Well," Harichagai looked Tuan Tuan up and down with a teasing expression, "Where did this Central Plains child come from? Her face is as white as freshly squeezed goat's milk."

Those around burst into laughter.