For a single night, they stayed in the small courtyard. The next day, they continued their journey. The carriage was replaced with a simple one, and as it traveled, it attracted no attention.
The eldest prince had disappeared somewhere, and the accompanying guards were disguised as merchants.
Xue Niang's stomach had been unwell. She felt nauseous when hungry and nauseous even after eating a little. The carriage jolted, and her expression was weary, her spirit low, and her complexion grew increasingly pale.
"Miss, would you like some water?"
Xue Niang shook her head, knowing she couldn't continue like this. She hadn't expected pregnancy to cause such discomfort. If she wasn't careful, it might be detrimental to the child.
"Liu Zhi, tell them you're going to get some medicine for me..."
Liu Zhi's eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment before she obediently nodded, "Yes, Miss."
Then she exited the carriage and spoke to the people outside. The carriage stopped.
A moment later, Liu Zhi returned, holding pills for "treating stomach and intestines."
Xue Niang remembered Qu Linglong's words: these couldn't be taken frequently, as too many would also be detrimental. She picked one and put it in her mouth.
The carriage resumed its journey, and the nausea gradually subsided. Xue Niang leaned back against the cushions, supporting her aching waist.
This wasn't the direction of the Turkic tribes; it seemed to be heading back to the capital.
The capital!
She had lived there for eighteen years, trapped for eighteen years, all in the name of love.
She would no longer be willingly confined there. Never.
...
Just as they left the village, Xiao Shan encountered an assassination attempt. There were only two assailants, both trained assassins.
It seemed that the person who took Xue Niang away did not know his identity. They carried no insignia of rank, which was not Lu's usual style.
That old fellow was always excessively proud and arrogant.
Therefore, excluding him, only one person was most likely. According to Yuan Bufei's investigation, his men had indeed been active in the vicinity recently.
As expected, Lu Qingsong returned and immediately confessed his fault to him.
"That person was too cunning, employing diversionary tactics in Pingcheng. He took Qu Linglong by water. Your subordinate followed the wrong person. I beg for your punishment, Master."
Heh! That was his style – feinting east and attacking west, skilled in schemes and stratagems.
In terms of political maneuvering, the second prince was far inferior.
"Is she alright?"
"The Mistress's stomach seemed unwell. She vomited several times after getting out of the carriage. Afterward, your subordinate could no longer see her."
Could she be sick?
She was so delicate and stubborn, never willing to yield. She must be suffering again.
This little fool.
"Go to the Ghost King Sect and find Qing Gui. Immediately track the Mistress's whereabouts. He will know what to do."
His woman was off-limits to anyone. Since they had been discovered, there was no need to hide. She was originally a noble princess, a divine maiden.
Then he would help her reclaim her rightful position. No, a higher position.
He would make this world look up to her, worship her, place her at the pinnacle, untouchable by anyone!
Lu Qingsong took his orders and departed. Yuan Bufei and Du Ling rode up.
"Big Brother! I've made all the arrangements! The county magistrate is still one of our people. Shall we depart now?"
Yuan Bufei was brimming with energy. He had been cooped up in this desolate place for too long and wished he could fly to the border city immediately to display his might and relive his past glory.
Xiao Shan gave him a sharp glance, and Yuan Bufei restrained himself a little.
"You two take Yutou and go first. I need to go somewhere else."
"Yes, Big Brother! I'll wait for your return in the border city!"
...
In Jing Kingdom, in the western frontier town of Huaiyang Village.
In the dilapidated schoolhouse, over a dozen mottled desks were crammed into the small space. The children attending class, however, were incredibly focused, shaking their heads and loudly reciting along with the teacher.
The teacher was unkempt. Although young, his slovenly attire and messy hair made him appear over thirty. His small eyes were narrowed into slits, and at first glance, one might think he was asleep.
He was Wu Zhoubai.
If the awe-inspiring Divine Martial General was the sky of Jing Kingdom, then he was the pillar supporting that sky.
Strategizing, meticulous planning, overwhelming momentum, sweeping across the land – neither could be dispensed with.
His strategist, Wu Zhoubai.
They met in obscurity and parted after years.
Their reunion, drinking heartily and slinging arms around each other, was just like yesterday.
Wu Zhoubai's body trembled. His sharp gaze fell upon the tall figure by the window, his mind momentarily lagging.
"Teacher, we've finished reading," a young student stood up as a representative to remind him.
"Mm, oh, we'll stop reading for today! Everyone go home, go home!"
The children seemed accustomed to his unconventional behavior. They bowed and left, showing great respect.
Wu Zhoubai slowly tidied the only two books on the desk. In the cold weather, he wore cloth shoes with his big toe exposed and his collar pulled wide. Despite being a pale scholar, he had made himself look like a vagrant. These villagers were truly strange, how could they entrust their children to him?
"Are you coming or not?" Xiao Shan, too impatient to watch his pretense, asked.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in Huaiyang Village?"
"Hmph!" Xiao Shan turned, "Come if you want, leave if you don't!"
"You! Xiao Qishan! Stop right there!" Wu Zhoubai threw down his book and jumped out, gripping the window frame.
"Do you have any humanity? You disappear without a word, what am I? What are we brothers? You still have the nerve to show up! Let me tell you! I, Wu Zhoubai, am done playing with you! Go wherever you want!"
"Alright, then I'm leaving!"
"You!" Wu Zhoubai...
He really left.
Without looking back.
What was this? What was this? That Xiao fellow was too heartless.
Wu Zhoubai fiercely wiped his eyes and squatted on the ground, "Damn your ancestors!"
Couldn't he just vent his anger for a moment?
If he had said one more word, he would have found an excuse to step down.
"Cold-blooded, heartless, you stone-hearted brute. You came looking for me, didn't you? Why did you leave... I've been waiting for so long..."
A fist-sized stone was thrown at his feet. Wu Zhoubai looked up with red eyes, "You motherf... "
What was this?
Wu Zhoubai picked up the stone. This, this, a meteorite?
This wasn't his ancestral stone; his was hidden under his bed!
He stared with his small eyes at Xiao Shan, who stood leisurely in the distance, his back to him.
"You, don't think that one stone..."
Another stone landed at his feet.
It was slightly larger than the previous one, entirely black. The rough crystals within sparkled in the sun.
Damn it! I'm rich, I'm rich!
What was going on? His ancestral divine stone, which had been passed down for a thousand years, wasn't unique? When did these things become so common?
"Are you coming or not?"
"Yes! We must go!"
Wu Zhoubai jumped up, cradling the stone protectively. Three now, he had three divine stones! If his ancestors knew he was so accomplished, wouldn't they crawl out of their coffins to kiss him?
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to the village?"
"No need! Mr. Wu has always been a person of divine presence and unfathomable whereabouts. If they can't find me, they'll know I've gone on an immortal journey. Wait for me."
He had to dig out the divine stone from under his bed!
Heh! Why put such a refined spin on irresponsibility?