"See... clearly."
Bai Youan's voice trembled.
Song Qingchao looked at him through the lenses, but he was somewhat blurry.
She wanted to take back the lenses, but Bai Youan grabbed her wrist. His cool fingers pressed against her wristbone, making Song Qingchao's whole body tingle.
"What?"
"Nothing." Bai Youan loosened his grip, and Song Qingchao managed to break free.
She clutched the lenses to her chest, no longer looking up at Bai Youan.
His gaze was too intense.
Bai Youan lazily stood up and leaned against the window frame, his fingertips tapping on the windowsill. "I thought you were avoiding me because you were angry, but it turns out you were doing this."
"I always do what I promise," Song Qingchao said, inserting the two lenses into a simple frame. She then stood up and let Bai Youan enter the room.
A brazier was burning inside.
As soon as he entered, the indoor temperature dropped significantly. She wondered how long this person had been standing outside the door.
Bai Youan looked at the things hanging on the wall and understood.
He then cooperated by putting on the frame and assisting Song Qingchao with his fingers.
He had already witnessed the power of this transparent object in that brief moment.
He couldn't quite describe what he felt.
There was excitement, joy, but more than anything, sorrow.
The day of burning Feng County was not far off. Song Qingchao had spoken of leaving, but she hadn't shown any signs of departing in recent days.
He was a little worried, as he truly didn't want them to get involved in such matters.
"Miss Song, when are you planning to leave?"
Song Qingchao was in the process of measuring his degree, and this question froze her. She repeated the numbers for several measurements.
"Soon."
She cleared her throat. "I'll leave the day after tomorrow, after Wanwan's funeral."
"Hmm, if there's anything else you need, I can help. Everything here is under my care, so Miss Song need not worry."
"That would be excellent."
After recording his measurements, Song Qingchao sent Bai Youan away.
After closing the door, listening to his footsteps gradually fade away, she couldn't quite articulate her feelings.
She leaned against the door, staring blankly at the two crystal-clear lenses in her palm.
Song Qingchao's lips curved into a helpless smile. This time, she had probably stumbled.
The next day.
She used the excuse of adjusting the lenses to find Bai Youan several times, and each time she took something with her.
Nominally, it was to increase the time.
But only she knew that she wanted to see him a few more times.
She was busy until midnight.
No matter how she fitted the lenses and frames, they didn't feel right. By the time she was satisfied, dawn was breaking.
She carefully placed the glasses in the box and then closed the lid.
It was a genuinely happy event, but... her heart was a mix of emotions, causing her to overlook the lock on the third level of the space.
Everything was falling into place. The Chang family's fake medicine incident was quickly resolved under Chang Pinghe's management.
The old man Chang, who was unwilling to give up his efforts to reclaim the child, was softly confined to his residence by soldiers.
The patients at Guangji Temple had gradually recovered and returned to their homes.
After a brief rest, Qianqian packed her bags and went out.
As soon as she opened the door, she found Lin Tingwan squatting by her doorway, her small face red with cold.
"Why aren't you coming in?"
Lin Tingwan rubbed her hands, exhaling white mist. "Are you really leaving?"
Song Qingchao softly replied, "Mmm," and then took her hand and walked outside. "Staying here was just a temporary measure. After I leave, someone will come to Feng County to take over the matters I've agreed to."
"I want to go with you?"
Song Qingchao looked at her in surprise. "Really? Are you willing to leave Young Master Xiang?"
"Heroine! Don't play games like this!"
"Putting that aside, will Master Lin let you go?"
Lin Tingwan immediately stammered.
But she still followed Song Qingchao, unwilling to give up. "Those are not problems."
Song Qingchao gave her a meaningful glance. "If you are willing, then come find me in Mobei."
Before leaving, she added, "I will likely be there for the next three years."
By the time the two reached the courtyard, everyone was already waiting.
Today was Wanwan's funeral.
After everything settled, they would directly leave the city.
"Eldest sister."
Song Qingchao hadn't seen her younger brother in a long time and felt he had grown taller.
She walked to his side, her gaze briefly falling on Bai Youan behind him, then she uncomfortably averted her eyes.
White paper fluttered in the streets.
The streets of Feng County were all observing mourning rituals, as if closing one's eyes would allow one to hear the cries and sobs of the people.
Song Qingchao and her entourage did not bring out Wanwan's child.
The weather was cold today, and the child was frail and could not tolerate the chill.
It was a pity that they couldn't escort Wanwan.
But she believed Wanwan would not blame them.
Chang Pinghe had turned gray overnight. Despite the uproar, he insisted on having Wanwan buried in the ancestral grave, so that they would be buried together after death.
Several days had passed, and Song Qingchao noticed that his complexion was still not very good.
"Report!"
The silent procession was suddenly interrupted by a shout.
Chang Pinghe looked up sadly. "What is it?"
The soldier knelt on one knee with a "bang." "General, the county is surrounded."
He swallowed and said anxiously, "They want to burn Feng County!"
"What!"
Not only did Chang Pinghe exclaim in surprise, but Song Qingchao and the others were also stunned into silence.
Had things finally developed as she had foreseen?
Song Qingchao's hands, hanging by her sides, clenched. She had already been worried that the city would be infected due to the Chang family's smuggling, but she never expected Chang'an to issue such an order!
"All soldiers, listen to my command! Follow me to defend Feng County!"
After rallying his soldiers, Chang Pinghe walked to Wanwan's coffin. "Wanwan, your husband cannot escort you today. Don't be afraid. After I resolve this, I will bring the child to see you."
When he turned his head, all the tenderness on his face vanished, and he resumed the appearance of a cold-blooded general.
Song Qingchao also wanted to go and see the situation. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The lives of the city's citizens were saved through their arduous efforts. Seeing the town gradually returning to its former vibrant atmosphere, how could she bear to see it burn?
Moreover, this burning would be the incineration of a city's lives!
In her past life, she had also burned cities.
Tens of thousands of troops had been annihilated, so she knew the destructive power of fire even better.
Although she could escape now, she could not bear it, nor would she willingly!
"Mumu, you take Zhe'er and leave first. I can rest assured with Zhou Yi and the others protecting me."
"No."
Song Qingchao knew her younger brother's stubbornness, so she didn't say any more.
"At a distance of about one kilometer from the exile convoy, I will catch up with you."
As she finished speaking, Zhou Yi and Zhou Er immediately knocked Song Qingmu and Liu Zhe'er unconscious and carried them over their shoulders.
"Four, five, six, you three will also head to Mobei. Bring enough provisions and medicine. Follow Zhou Yi's command, and leave now. You don't need to wait for me."
She added again, with concern, "Be sure to protect them well."
"Yes!"
Song Qingchao then turned to instruct Zhou Zhengxi. "You take Miss Lin and Young Master Xiang back to Guangji Temple and make emergency preparations."
Guangji Temple was situated on higher ground. If properly prepared, even if it eventually caught fire, Guangji Temple would have a slim chance of survival.
She had made arrangements for so many people, but she hadn't made any for Bai Youan.
Without waiting for her to speak, Bai Youan proactively stood by her side.
"Miss Song, are you inviting me to go along?"