Granny Ding walked slowly through the city, as if searching for an inn.
Earlier, Chu Zhao had wanted to entrust her to the government officials, but Granny Ding had declined, and Chu Zhao hadn’t insisted.
“That’s right, you’re not familiar with the officials either—it would be constraining instead.” She said with a laugh, stuffing a bag of money into her hands. “Take this money and rent a house yourself—you’ll be more comfortable.”
Thinking of this, Granny Ding’s eyes again filled with laughter. She pressed her hand to her waist—not the money bag, but A’Zhao’s abundant love.
Though this love wasn’t because they were mother and daughter, she wasn’t sad at all.
A bird’s cry passed by her ear. Granny Ding’s expression didn’t change, nor did she look around. She walked straight ahead, through streets and alleys, until she came to a gate and pushed directly through.
Happy shouts rang out in the courtyard: “The boss has returned.”
Standing in the courtyard under the lamplight, Granny Ding removed the face scarf wrapped around her, revealing a pale face.
“A’Hong.” An elderly woman studied her and said with a smile, “After all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen you smile so happily.”
Mu Mianhong touched her face with her hand: “Really?” She didn’t even know she was smiling. “I’m happy.”
People welcomed her into the house. The spacious hall had a brazier burning, and a large chair covered with tiger skin stood in the center. Mu Mianhong walked straight over and sat down.
Once she was seated, everyone in the room stood at attention and cupped their fists in salute.
Mu Mianhong raised her hand: “Everyone sit.”
According to seniority, ten people took seats in the chairs on both sides, while the rest stood on either side.
“How is the battle situation here in Yunzhong Commandery?” Mu Mianhong asked.
A tall, thin man said: “Currently there’s no defeat, but that’s also because Western Liang hasn’t launched a major offensive.”
Mu Mianhong asked: “Didn’t they say the King of Western Liang came himself?”
Another woman said softly: “Our people have investigated. The King of Western Liang’s royal tent is indeed there, but no one has seen the King of Western Liang.”
“Perhaps he didn’t come at all—just a bluff.” “The Western Liang soldiers in the rear should have been there as merchants long ago.” “Probably spies, and ones who infiltrated long ago and colluded with local officials and prominent families.” “Originally wanted to create chaos and momentum, but ended up completely annihilated by Miss A’Zhao in one stroke.”
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Mu Mianhong’s face again.
Seeing Mu Mianhong’s smile, everyone in the hall laughed even more.
“Though we didn’t witness Miss A’Zhao’s prowess with our own eyes, word has spread everywhere.” Everyone said one after another.
“Boss, why didn’t you continue traveling with the young lady?” Someone asked.
Mu Mianhong’s smile faded slightly. She said: “Luocheng—I promised not to go there.”
The atmosphere in the hall also stiffened slightly, mixed with grunts and low murmurs of “Why fear him?”
Mu Mianhong didn’t want to continue this topic and stopped them.
“It’s not just about Luocheng. As we get closer to General Chu, General Chu has many former subordinates. It’s inconvenient for me to appear by A’Zhao’s side.” She said, but there was no sadness on her face. Being able to follow by A’Zhao’s side on this journey had already been deeply satisfying, and moreover, she could still watch over her going forward.
“We’ll hide our identities and continue following her.”
“Moreover, hiding our identities also makes it more convenient for us to mobilize people.”
“The farther northwest we go, the more dangerous it becomes.”
Mu Mianhong looked past everyone in the hall toward the night outside. Under the lantern light, scattered snowflakes danced—sure enough, it was snowing.
But Mu Mianhong didn’t have to wait long. Before dawn she was awakened by urgent knocking.
“Boss, Miss A’Zhao and her group didn’t enter Luocheng.” The person said urgently. “General Chu—something seems wrong with him.”
Having not slept all night, sitting by the bed, Mu Mianhong suddenly stood up, staggered and nearly fell to the ground, but managed to brace herself against the table just in time.
“Boss.” The person called out in alarm.
She couldn’t hear what he was saying. Supporting herself on the table, both ears ringing—yes, something had been wrong all along, but she hadn’t wanted to think about it because of her joy.
If A’Zhao disregarded danger and status to rush straight to the border commandery, could it really have been just for the scattered Western Liang soldiers who had infiltrated the rear?
When Chu Ling sent the daughter he had protected for over a decade to the capital, could it really have been just to let his daughter find a good family in the capital?
Chu Ling—something really was wrong.
……
……
When dawn fully broke, the wind and snow had lessened considerably. Leaning in Xie Yanlai’s embrace, Chu Zhao could see the road ahead clearly.
But before long, her vision blurred again. She couldn’t help but reach out to wipe her eyes.
“Don’t move around.” Xie Yanlai’s voice fell from above her head. After a night of traveling through wind and snow, his voice was already hoarse.
Chu Zhao didn’t move again, leaning tightly against him, letting the mist blur her eyes. In her ears were only the sound of wind and Xie Yanlai’s heartbeat.
Yesterday, nearing Luocheng when she received the news, she had recklessly galloped off with the messenger. Xie Yanlai arranged for the others, then brought three horses and caught up.
In the heavy snow at night, her riding skills weren’t sufficient. Xie Yanlai shared a horse with her, traveling without stopping all night, having changed horses three times. Father’s location was finally drawing nearer and nearer.
Chu Zhao instead became more afraid.
“A’Jiu.” She said, leaning against Xie Yanlai. “What if this time I still can’t see Father?”
This time? Was she comparing it to last time when he had stopped her? Xie Yanlai urged the horse with one hand while holding the girl tightly with the other, shouting loudly: “Chu Zhao, you won’t always have bad luck!”