Chapter 584: Chapter 583: Li Xiang Leaves the Ancient Age

"Yes, you can't come back; you'll have to stay there forever. Ying, do you still want to go?"

Sure enough, hearing Nan Qinghuan say that, Ying's expression grew a bit displeased. He slowly rose, walked over to the child, and cradled one with a hand, holding the child gently for fear of waking it.

"Qinghuan, I'll take the child inside to rest first; you go bathe as well."

He didn't answer Nan Qinghuan directly, which let her already understand his reply.

"Alright, I'll go bathe."

The night was cool; Nan Qinghuan fetched water to bathe. Here water is still boiled with firewood; coal is convenient but low in output, and with so many people it's simply insufficient, so they remain very frugal.

Using firewood is convenient; the Market street outside also has vendors selling firewood, and a large bundle doesn't cost much.

Just as the water was heated for a bath, suddenly, with a creak, the door opened; Ying, shirtless, stepped out, "Qinghuan, I'm here to help you."

Nan Qinghuan was no longer shy; if she used to hide in the water before, now she showed herself to him, letting him watch as long as he liked.

Needless to say, Ying is quite skilled at giving back rubs; his touch made her feel very comfortable. Seeing her relaxed, Ying leaned his head close to her ear and gave a gentle kiss.

It made Nan Qinghuan's ear itch uncomfortably, "What are you doing? I can't…"

She was too tired and needed to rest.

Ying let out a creak and laughed, "Haha, don't worry, I won't move you."

Soon, after he had tended to Nan Qinghuan, it was already the third watch of the night outside.

All was silent; the child slept inside the house, while Nan Qinghuan and Ying sat in the courtyard discussing future plans.

According to his plan, after the autumn harvest they would attack the Baiqi Tribe to complete unification. Moreover, Ying could now read maps; of course, the map was drawn by the Senior Brother, very handy, and Ying had already learned it.

After he told Nan Qinghuan the plan, she was quite surprised, "Who taught you this?"

How could Ying devise such a perfect strategy? He merely smiled, "Li Xiang taught me. It's a pity; he's leaving us. Otherwise I'd still want to take him to wipe out the Baiqi Tribe and accomplish the great unification. Qinghuan, I promise you, once unification is achieved, you will be my queen."

A wild spark expanded in his eyes, and Nan Qinghuan realized that a king of Jiuzhou had been born.

"Alright, I'll wait for you. After autumn we can start. The wheat will be harvested, the rice too; with abundant food, we can fight even more successfully."

A determined look of inevitable victory crossed Ying's face. He slowly rose and gazed into the distance, even envisioning the future prosperity of this place.

"Qinghuan, I know that no matter how hard I try, I can't recreate the days you had among the Ape Tribe, but I can promise you that for my whole life I will have only you as a woman; I won't let you leave me."

The words seemed pointed, and Nan Qinghuan's heart gave a sudden thump as she quickly stood, reaching out to embrace his broad waist. "Ying, I won't leave you either. The child is here, you are here. I don't need you to give me a lavish life; I only hope the world knows no war, the Common People can live peacefully and prosper, and every family can be as happy as ours. That is enough."

Hearing Nan Qinghuan's words, Ying turned his head and stared at her deeply. He reached out to gently stroke her small face, his expression complex, "Qinghuan, I will make such good days come true; trust me."

That night, the couple talked at length. When they were about to rest, Ashu hurriedly ran in from outside, apparently with something urgent.

Ying naturally didn't dare delay, and after reminding Nan Qinghuan a few words, he hurried away. Nan Qinghuan understood there must be something important and didn't ask further.

The fourth watch, the moon bright and stars sparse.

After pondering, she still decided to go see the Senior Brother and his sister‑in‑law, but the child couldn't be left unattended, so she hurriedly took out the Bamboo Flute and began to play.

Soon, the drowsy Axi, who was sleeping, woke her.

"Qinghuan, what's wrong?"

Axi yawned and walked toward her; Nan Qinghuan hurriedly told her to take care of the child, saying the Senior Brother was leaving and she needed to see him off. Axi was stunned.

"What, Li Xiang is leaving? Where is he going?"

Nan Qinghuan didn't know how to explain, "Alright, stop asking. You watch the child while I go take a look now."

"Hey, Qinghuan, take it easy."

Axi was speechless; now Qinghuan either doesn't look for her at all, or when she does, it's only about the child.

The fact was, the child was well‑behaved, sleeping cutely, so she didn't need to exert much effort and simply stayed to accompany the child in sleep.

But unexpectedly, at dawn she suddenly heard a movement at the window.

"Who, who is it?"

Axi was worried someone was outside; it was still before sunrise, who could it be? With a creak, the door was opened.

"Who's inside?"

"Ying, it's me…"

When Axi saw Ying return, she felt relieved and hurried forward, "Ying, you're back. I'll go back now; my child should wake up too."

"Why are you here? Where's Qinghuan?"

Ying was a bit worried about where Nan Qinghuan had gone.

Axi quickly said, "She went to Li Xiang's house; she said Li Xiang is leaving and hasn't returned yet."

"What?"

Hearing Axi say Nan Qinghuan went to find Li Xiang, he immediately turned and was about to leave, "Axi, take good care of the child for me."

He was worried—could Nan Qinghuan really be leaving? She had just told him last night she wouldn't go, saying this was her home. So why would she abandon the child and go with him to find Li Xiang? Was she regretting, wishing to stay? Ying's heart was full of anxiety; he now wished he could instantly go retrieve her, yet he also hoped she was only going to see off the Senior Brother, not to leave.

His steps were swift, as if he wished he could sprout wings to bring her back.

"Hey, Ying, what's wrong with you?"

Over here, after Nan Qinghuan arrived at Li Xiang's house, she saw Duo Luo lying on the couch; her complexion was indeed poor, as the child was not very healthy, and Duo Luo's mood was also low.

Nan Qinghuan took her pulse and discovered the child indeed had that problem; even taking Herbal Medicine wouldn't help.

It seemed the Senior Brother was forced to consider returning.

"Senior brother, have you all packed up?"

Li Xiang stood outside the doorway, watching her. He nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but he had no choice; for the child he must return. "There's nothing to pack; wherever we go has everything. I only need to take Duo Luo with me."

Seeing he had already made up his mind, Nan Qinghuan didn't press further; all she could do was bless the Senior Brother.

"Alright, Senior brother, I have something for you to give to my father. Tell him I'm doing well elsewhere, so he won't worry about me."

Although she knew these words were nonsense, she had no choice; Ying couldn't go back with her, she couldn't leave this place without him, yet the Senior Brother could leave gracefully.

After a pause, she handed the Dagger to Li Xiang, "Senior brother, please take care of it."

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