Chapter 59: Wind‑drifting Solo Ride

Outside the Hall of Whispering Wind.

"Snap—" The doors and windows of the sleeping palace were blasted open by a powerful force, then fell silent again.

Bu Sha's forehead was dotted with sweat that hadn't been wiped away, and he kept rolling forward without pause. When he saw the scene on the great bed at the center of the sleeping palace, even though he had already prepared for the worst, he was shocked and frozen in place, unable to move.

It felt as if a blaze burned in his chest, making his black eyes flare hot one moment and turn icy the next, as if he might dash out recklessly at any moment to slay that person.

Scattered, disheveled clothes littered around the brocade bed; on the bed, a long‑haired man lay completely naked, motionless, pressed tightly against a similarly unclothed girl beneath him…

The girl's face bore glistening tears; she stared blankly at the ceiling of the sleeping hall, her pale violet lips pressed tight yet trembling slightly.

Suddenly, she seemed to sense something, turned her head toward him. In her misty eyes a faint luminous glow rose, and she smiled faintly, "Bu Sha, you finally returned; if you had been any later I would have frozen to death."

Bu Sha rushed to the bedside, lifting me from Wei Lingfeng's arms. I wore no clothing; leaving Wei Lingfeng's warm embrace I felt bone‑deep cold and couldn't help shivering heavily.

I glanced at my body, covered in bruised purple kiss marks, and couldn't help a wry smile.

Bu Sha glanced away awkwardly, hurriedly picking up the brocade sable snow fur on the floor and draping it over me.

My body could not support itself, weak and feeble, so I begged Bu Sha, "Take the silver needle hidden in the lining of this brocade sable and slowly pierce the Fengfu point at the back of my head."

While inserting the needle, Bu Sha also infused a small amount of true Qi; my true Qi shares the same origin with theirs, so after only half an incense stick's time, my upper body regained strength.

I leaned against the bed rail, sitting on the floor, putting on the garments Bu Sha handed me one by one; my lower body took another half hour before fully recovering strength.

Fortunately, it was still early; there were half an hour left before midnight (Zi hour).

My whole body's true Qi circulated the twelve cycles, and I propped up my long‑numbed, still unadjusted body, turning my head toward Wei Lingfeng, who remained asleep on the bed.

It seemed I had never truly observed his sleeping face, nor imagined that in deep sleep he was as peaceful and uncalculating as a child, yet… he appeared profoundly lonely.

I sighed silently, pulled the brocade quilt to cover him carefully, and brushed his disheveled black hair, laying it neatly beside the pillow.

Did he ultimately spare me out of mercy, or was he truly captivated by my Dao? I doubt I'll ever understand this in my lifetime.

Xin Hui and Wu Ye burst into the sleeping hall, and were stunned at the scene before them.

"Little miss, are you alright?" Xin Hui's face was on the verge of tears; she hurried a few steps and almost stumbled and fell.

I hurried over to steady her and asked, "I'm fine. How did you get in?"

Wu Ye stepped before me, looking at my exposed, bruised white collarbone, his eyes flashing with a burning light: "Master, have you been…"

I was stunned for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "What is the third task Wei Lingfeng asked you to do?"

Wu Ye's stammered question froze at that moment; after a long pause he looked away and replied, "The Emperor wants me to complete the handover of the 'Lord of the Flying Eagle' tonight. I have never been able to guess the Emperor's intentions…"

"I'm sorry!" I cut him off, apologetically, "I won't doubt you again."

Wu Ye turned his head toward me, a glint flashing in his eyes as if he wanted to speak, but finally he muttered, "Thank you… Master."

I forced a smile, turned to Bu Sha, whose cold eyes remained but now held a hint of worry as they quietly rested on me.

I smiled faintly and shouted to the group, "Let's go! According to the original plan, tonight at Zi hour, we will seize the chaos—escape the palace!"

Seven days later, in the capital Dream Rest City of Yangzi Country.

"Bu Sha, what kind of country is Yangzi?" I asked curiously while scanning the desolate street.

After a long silence with no reply, I looked up to see Bu Sha's cold face, his dark brows slightly furrowed, his thoughts unreadable.

I was about to ask again when Wu Ye's voice rang out: "Master, Yangzi lies at the far end where Qi and Yao meet, on the western border of the Tianhe Continent. Lacking abundant resources to mine, it has remained an independent nation, yet each year it must still pay heavy tribute to both Qi and Yao."

I sighed inwardly and said, "The poor get poorer, the rich get richer—truly a timeless truth. In fact, for the people of Yangzi, if a stronger nation were to annex them, life might actually improve a bit."

"Miss, let's find an inn to stay in first. Tomorrow we set off quickly; the earlier we fully leave Qi's sphere of influence, the sooner we can rest easy!"

I nodded; for seven days we had been traveling nonstop through the night, and while still within Qi's borders we dared not stay at any inn for fear of being recognized. Now we could finally rest properly.

Our synchronized steps suddenly halted; Bu Sha said gravely, "A large troop is approaching."

My heart leapt; indeed I heard uniform footsteps rapidly drawing toward us.

"We must get on the carriage and leave quickly," I shouted abruptly.

In a flash, Wu Ye and Bu Sha shielded me and Xin Hui on both sides; Wu Ye shook his head, "They are everywhere, Master, I'm afraid it's too late."

I let out a deep sigh, feeling utterly despondent; was it truly destiny that no matter how hard we tried, we could not escape Wei Lingfeng's control?

It was already a sparsely populated street, and now a massive wave of seemingly fierce soldiers surged through; the townsfolk, accustomed to oppression, had fled long ago, leaving the four of us plus a carriage tightly surrounded.

"Sir, may I have an audience with the Empress," a man in an officer's uniform, somewhat familiar‑looking, bowed to me, his tone very respectful, without any hint of flattery.

I silently cursed seven or eight hundred times, then stepped forward, furrowing my brow, and asked, "How did Wei Lingfeng know I came here?"

The officer was slightly taken aback, looked up at me, his expression complex—reverence, resentment, even disappointment—leaving me bewildered.

He said, "I was originally on official business in Yangzi. Three days ago I received a pigeon dispatch from the Emperor, stating that the Empress's party would certainly pass here; I must see to it that I escort the Empress back to the palace. Any mishap and all of us officers and soldiers will be punished, with no leniency!"

My brows tightened further, and I said coldly, "What if I say I don't want to return?"

The officer shuddered violently, as if releasing words held back for a long time, "The Empress once told those patients in Redhead Village that she would never abandon them. Have you forgotten that?"

I was stunned, then examined him for a while before asking hesitantly, "Are you—one of the attendants from that wedding procession?"

"Yes, Empress," the officer seemed to recall that day, his eyes slightly red, almost bowing to thank me, "I am Li Hu, the Empress must have forgotten me. But I will never forget, you saved my mother from the ghost gate…"

"Enough!" I cut him off, sternly, "Li—Hu, right? You must understand that rescuing people is a doctor's duty; another person would probably do it even more and better. Moreover, the promise not to abandon them was a doctor's words to patients, not a queen's to her subjects. Now I only ask, if I say I don't want to return, what will you do?"

Li Hu's conflicted gaze gradually turned cold and resolute; he tightened his side‑blade, and said respectfully yet distantly, "The Emperor's decree is that if the Empress refuses to return to the palace, I may mobilize all forces to fulfill the imperial command. Moreover…" A flash of light flickered in his eyes, and he immediately lowered his head, refusing to meet my gaze, whispering, "Anyone or any animal besides the Empress will be executed without mercy!"

"You—" I trembled with anger, unable to finish the sentence.

Should we force a breakout? What about Xin Hui? She has lost all martial skill, and even ordinary movement is problematic. Moreover, there's Xiao Yin in the carriage; Wei Lingfeng is truly ruthless—'anyone or any animal' means even Xiao Yin won't be spared. How did he even anticipate that we'd head for Yangzi?

"Please, Empress, decide quickly." As my mind swirled with conflict, Li Hu's respectful voice, without a hint of doubt, rang out, "After all, this is within Yangzi's borders; I cannot openly lead troops on the street for long."

I looked around at the soldiers encircling us, a black mass, numbering a few hundred to a few thousand; a straight fight would be fine for Bu Sha, but if I also had to protect the other three and a fox, it would be overwhelming.

I gritted my teeth, realizing I had to gamble, and said in a deep voice, "Li Hu, I can go with you, but you must let those few leave."

"Miss—"

"Master—"

Li Hu looked at me, then at them, and calmly shook his head, "The Emperor has specifically ordered that unless we reach the cart‑furnace area, not a single person beside the Empress may leave on their own."

Wei Lingfeng, you are truly ruthless! I was grinding my teeth in anger, yet he left no trace; he truly had no blind spot, even calculating exactly which step I would take and what I was thinking.

I let out a long sigh and said wearily, "When are we setting off?" Such a long road—I just don't believe I can't think of a way to escape.

"Your Ladyship!" Li Hu's face showed genuine delight; he quickly bowed respectfully and said, "We will stay overnight at the imperial palace of Yangzi Kingdom tonight and set off early tomorrow morning."

Speaking honestly, the imperial palace of Yangzi Kingdom pales in comparison to that of Qi Kingdom; it looks more like a city lord's residence—luxurious but lacking grandeur. That emperor, at first glance, seems like a useless fool, constantly bowing and scraping to Li Hu, flattering him.

Naturally, I couldn't reveal my identity; Li Hu only said I was a family member of an official from Qi Kingdom, returning home to visit relatives, and he was entrusted by an old acquaintance to protect me along the way.

Li Hu and his subordinates treat me with considerable respect and care; they fulfill any request I make, and even if I ask to walk alone, they never stop me.

I have considered running, but while they don't interfere with my movements, they strictly restrict the freedom of Wuye and Xinhui and the others. I know full well that if I flee, they will surely be executed without mercy.

Walking alone, bored, through the palace of Yangzi Kingdom, my mind elsewhere, I constantly pondered how to escape. Suddenly, moving strains of silk and bamboo music reached my ears—a tune I found very familiar, gentle and graceful, virtuous and tranquil.

I couldn't help but curiosity drive me step by step toward the source of the music, winding past a carved column, and absentmindedly lifting the bamboo curtain. I saw several tables set up in the hall, with four or five men seated.

The one seated foremost had a lecherous appearance, bloated, his features matching those of the incompetent emperor, only slightly younger. He must be the dissolute crown prince they spoke of.

In the center of the hall sat a woman dressed all in green, cradling a pipa and playing it delicately; her silhouette was extraordinarily graceful, otherworldly, and carried a hint of familiarity.

When the piece ended, the green-clad woman rose gracefully, turned in a circle, and bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly to those around her; when she finally faced me, I shrank back slightly, fearful of being discovered, but my eyes never left her.

Until her serene, dignified yet lovely face fully came into view, my heart jolted—those two words almost slipped out, but I swallowed them, left only to wonder repeatedly: How could it be her? Why is she here?

While I was thinking, the crown prince's reptilian, nauseatingly sweet voice rang out: "Miss Xian Yun, not only are you as beautiful as a flower, your pipa playing makes me itch with desire; why not spend tonight with me? I'll guarantee you never have to smile for a crowd again, and you'll enjoy endless riches and honor..."

Xian Yun sidestepped the crown prince's grubby hand, stepped back, and declared sternly, "Your Highness, I sell my art, not my body—something everyone in Qimeng City knows. Even Minister Qin of Yaoguo and the Third Prince of Yin Kingdom treat me with added courtesy; if you think you're worthy of competing with them, feel free to detain me here today." Having said that, she paid no heed to the prince and the others' alternating pale and flushed faces, and walked straight out of the hall.

I followed her from the shadows for a few steps; at first she didn't notice, then her steps slowed, and in a deserted spot she cried out sharply, "May I ask which exalted person is following Xian Yun? Please show yourself!"

I sighed, slowly stepped from the darkness into the light, gazed at her for a long while, then gave a faint smile and said, "How have you been?"

Xian Yun's face changed dramatically; a voice mixing surprise and shock burst out: "Yingruo?!"

"Miss, miss?"

I snapped back to my senses, a bit dazed, and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Miss, what's wrong with you? You went out and came back listless—did you meet someone?"

I nodded and said wearily, "I ran into someone unexpected and learned some utterly baffling things..."

"Who?"

I pointed to the inner room, absentmindedly saying, "She's in there—just go see for yourself."

Xinhui tilted her head, looking at me doubtfully for a while, then slowly entered the inner room; a minute later came her astonished voice: "You, you are..."

I shook my head with a wry smile, about to go in, when suddenly an urgent commotion erupted outside.

After a moment, the noise grew louder, interspersed with the shrieks and wails of some women; I felt a jolt, about to go out and see, when Li Hu rushed in, face full of worry, and upon seeing me urgently reported, "Your Ladyship, foreign troops have taken advantage of the night to attack Yangzi Kingdom; they've already scaled this city wall, and we must set off for home immediately."

I stared, unable to help asking, "Who could silently breach a nation's capital?" Moreover, Qimeng City lies in the central region of Yangzi Kingdom; if it were an internal rebellion, that might be plausible, but if it's a foreign invasion, shouldn't news have reached the capital when they hit the border?

Li Hu frowned tightly and shook his head: "I don't know either, but I hear that when the civilians saw the enemy troops, they not only didn't resist but actively helped them in secret, as if they'd long awaited their arrival. Since many soldiers have wives and children and are essentially ordinary folk, once fighting broke out, about half defected and turned traitor."

"Heaven's timing, earth's advantage, human harmony—who could wield them so masterfully?" My mind reeled with astonishment, yet I heard Li Hu's urging voice in my ear: "Your Ladyship, please prepare quickly; I've mustered the troops, and we will set out at once."

I nodded somewhat absentmindedly, watching his hurried retreating back; something flickered through my mind, and I frowned deeply in contemplation.

"Miss, what's happening outside?"

I turned to look at Xinhui, catching sight of Xian Yun also stepping out behind her. My heart suddenly leapt; I fixed a keen gaze on Xian Yun until she showed a hint of doubt, then I said in a low voice, word by word: "Do you want to go back? To return... to be by Weilingfeng's side?"

Xian Yun's whole body shuddered; she stared at me blankly for a long while, until she understood what I meant, then she met my gaze steadily and nodded slowly but firmly.

Her eyes shone with clear, limpid light; as she looked at me, there was not a trace of hesitation, of struggle, nor even a hint of resentment or jealousy.

I couldn't help but give her a sincere smile—perhaps... it would be the last one.

At midnight, the capital Qimeng City of Yangzi Kingdom was already in utter chaos, people scrambling to flee, especially those who usually acted as tigers' lackeys, slick with greed, who had snatched huge sums and fled in panic.

Moreover, some ruthless sorts simply set fire to their mansions before leaving, the flames spreading to harm many innocent neighbors. Yet amid the turmoil, many uniformed enemy soldiers abandoned chasing officials and princes, instead helping civilians escape the fire and settling them properly.

"Has Your Ladyship not come out yet?" Li Hu anxiously awaited the Empress while observing the battle from the city wall; seeing the numerous but orderly troops below, his brows knit tightly.

With such strict discipline and such neat formations... which country could have trained troops that still match, let alone surpass, Qi Kingdom's "Heavenly Armor Elite Troops"?

"General, the Empress has arrived."

Li Hu turned and saw a woman cloaked in a windbreaker that hid her face, accompanied by a few attendants, walking slowly toward this place.

He hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Your Ladyship, everything is ready; let us set off as soon as possible."

She nodded, and with the help of her personal maid, she stepped into the prepared carriage.

The maid stood where she was, gazing toward the brightly lit yet chaotic depths of the palace for a long while, then followed into the carriage, saying in a somewhat low, dim voice, "General, set off."

Li Hu looked around, didn't see the black-clad man radiating a lethal aura, but recalled the emperor's letter stating that his comings and goings need not be concerned with, nor should one try to impede him. So he waved his hand confidently and said, "Set off!"

Looking back, I also saw the masked man, like the maid just now, gazing long at the lights behind us until the accompanying soldiers urged him on, whereupon he resolutely turned and followed the advancing carriage.

I wore an inconspicuous palace-maid's garb; amid the chaotic lantern light of the palace, I watched the departing carriage and troops, standing still and gazing until they vanished into the dark expanse.

"Bu Sha, Xinhui, Wuye—please be sure to return safely." I murmured the words, then gave a faint smile, adding, "And Qianqian, I hope that on this journey you find the love and happiness truly meant for you."

Six days later, in the carriage traveling to Chejian City.

"Miss Chen, we can only escort you this far; the road ahead..."

"Xinhui, are you sure you can escape safely?"

Xinhui smiled calmly and said lightly, "Rest assured, General Li didn't say that once we reach Chejian City we no longer need to threaten the miss? He won't care whether we escape or not, and furthermore..." She glanced out at the carriage, "The miss said Bu Sha has always hidden in the dark protecting us. As for you, Miss Chen, if they discover you... alas! Moreover, court life is probably..."

Qianqian also gave a light smile, her expression resolute and steady: "Don't worry, as a nominal virtuous consort, they dare not treat me any which way. Besides, this is the path I chose myself, so I will never regret it, nor allow regret."

Xinhui understood and nodded in relief, then gave a glance to Wuye outside the carriage; his eyes flashed with sharp light, and he nodded without a sound.

"Miss Chen, after we get off and go into the inn, I and Wuye will have to leave, perhaps without even a chance to say goodbye." Xinhui gave her a warm smile and said sincerely, "Farewell. Also, I wish the miss happiness."

"Halt!" Li Hu's mighty yet respectful voice sounded from outside: "Your Ladyship, you've been unwell these past days, but you've safely reached Chejian; let's rest a bit at the inn up ahead?"

Xinhui sighed and replied, "All right! Thank you, General." Just as she was about to disembark, she heard Qianqian's sorrowful, joyful, yet sincere voice from behind.

"Xinhui, please tell Yingruo for me. No matter what happens in the future, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, I will always consider her my friend—my one and only friend in this life!"

Xinhui stared blankly for a moment, then broke into a brilliant smile, warmed by the sunlight streaming in from outside the carriage: "Rest assured, I will certainly remember."

Xinhui lightly lifted the carriage curtain; the brightest winter sunlight poured down upon her without omission, shedding a dazzling gold. Though she stepped carefully, her body felt light as if about to take flight, landing before Wuye.

Qian Qian drew a deep breath, her eyes on them, and in a haze she seemed to see that thin, slender girl who was unrestrainedly flamboyant. She lightly opened her arms, wearing a smile of yearning for freedom, beneath the brilliant, dazzling sunlight, riding the wind—soaring……

(End of chapter)