Chapter 138 Good News 3 She just wanted to see that person immediately. ...

The color drained from Cui Ying's face instantly.

With a crisp sound, the chopsticks in her hand fell to the ground, but she didn't bother to pick them up. Her eyes were fixed on Xiao Shu, and the rare smile on her face vanished. She spoke coldly, "What do you mean? Is there any news from Mobei? What happened to Xiao Qiyu?"

Xiao Shu was startled, realizing she had misspoke. She hurriedly forced a smile and said casually, "What are you thinking? I... I was just thinking that my seventh brother has made such great contributions that he might stay in the Northern Desert and become a General Who Guards the North or something. Oh, I was just kidding! Who told you to scare me just now? What, you're allowed to scare me with human slaves, but I'm not allowed to scare you?"

Meeting Cui Ying's sharp gaze, Xiao Shu's eyes flickered, and she said with a grin, "Look how nervous you are, your face has turned pale."

Cui Ying stared at her intently and said in a deep voice, "Your expression doesn't seem like you're joking."

Xiao Shu's smile froze even more. Feeling completely lost, she simply grabbed a steamed bun and stuffed it into Cui Ying's mouth: "I acted well, didn't I? Didn't I learn it from you? Besides, I'm genuinely worried about you. What will you do if my seventh brother really chooses to stay in Mobei?"

Cui Ying chewed on her steamed bun and snorted coldly: "Whatever we do, we'll do it. Whether he comes back or not is up to him. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Am I going to keep hanging on to this crooked tree forever?"

Xiao Shu breathed a sigh of relief and muttered to herself, "It's good that you can think positively about it."

Cui Ying remained calm, but said, "Don't make jokes like that next time."

She paused, her voice low and weary: "Right now, I can't take a scare."

Xiao Shu felt a pang of sadness and nodded vigorously: "I know, I know, I won't do it again. Don't just eat steamed buns, try this crispy pork. It won't taste good when it's cold. Eat it while it's hot."

Cui Ying hummed in agreement, picked up a piece of crispy pork and put it in her mouth. However, the originally delicious flavor now tasted rather bland.

As the setting sun streamed through the window, the glistening white ice in the ice chest gradually melted, covering the once fresh fruits with a layer of dust, and diminishing their sweet aroma.

Xiao Shu stayed at Qiyun Pavilion until noon, and only left reluctantly when Cui Ying wanted to take a nap.

After Xiao Shu left, Cui Jin walked to Cui Ying's side and gently waved a round fan to drive away the summer heat for her.

Cui Jin said softly, "Fifth Miss has always been one to speak without thinking. Please don't overthink it. The young master misses you terribly and will surely return as fast as he can. Why would he stay there and become some kind of General Zhenbei?"

Cui Ying closed her eyes, her long eyelashes rising and falling gently with her breath. Perhaps it was because of the heat, but she looked inexplicably sullen and listless.

The boy appeared before her again.

Under the dim moonlight, Xiao Qiyu's eyes gleamed as she cautiously asked, "Cui Ying, do you...like me?"

Do you like it?

Do you like...?

She didn't answer, but the boy just stood there, asking again and again, like a ghost, disturbing her peace.

Cui Ying opened her eyes and looked at the intricately embroidered mandarin ducks with intertwined necks on the ceiling of the tent. A sharp pain shot through her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

She said, "Life is unpredictable. We can't say for sure what will happen in the future. Whether Xiao Qiyu stays in the northern desert or in the far south, as long as he can live well, that's enough."

...

Since that day, Cui Ying seemed to have changed his personality. He, who had never believed in gods or Buddhas, began to go to the small Buddhist hall in the Marquis's mansion to chant Buddhist scriptures every day without fail.

As dawn broke and the sky began to lighten, she had already dressed and gone to the Buddhist hall. She remained kneeling before the Buddha until dusk fell and the sunset faded. Only when night completely enveloped her did she stand up with Cui Jin's help, massage her numb and sore knees, and return to Qiyun Pavilion.

That afternoon, cicadas chirped incessantly, and the air in the Buddhist hall was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Cui Ying knelt on the prayer mat, copying scriptures for blessings. His usually hasty nature was now replaced by a slow and steady pace as he dipped his brush in ink, writing each character with utmost deliberation. With each sentence he copied, he murmured the words aloud, as if this would demonstrate his sincerity and bring him divine protection.

May the person she longs for be safe and sound, and may all misfortune be averted.

"Young Madam! Young Madam!"

The sound of hurried, frantic footsteps grew louder as a young maidservant, breathless and clamoring, burst into the Buddhist hall.

Cui Jin was displeased and stopped the person, saying, "Madam is copying scriptures to pray for blessings, what are you making a fuss about?"

The maidservant exclaimed excitedly, "It's...it's the imperial army returning!"

The pen paused, and thick ink splattered onto the paper, leaving a dark stain.

Cui Ying turned her head sharply, her eyes gleaming, yet as if she hadn't understood, her lips moved, trembling as she asked, "Who did you say came back?"

"Reporting to Madam, the elite troops who went to the northern desert to resist the Turks have returned to the capital and are now outside the city!"

Cui Ying's hand holding the pen trembled uncontrollably, and her eyes instantly reddened, her throat choked with sobs, and she could no longer utter a sound.

She looked at Cuijin and forced an extremely awkward smile: "Cuijin, am I dreaming again?"

Cui Jin pinched Cui Ying with red eyes.

Cui Ying hissed in pain.

Cui Jin burst into tears of joy, her voice choked with sobs, "Does it hurt, miss? If it hurts, it's not a dream, it's real! The young master and the others have really come back!"

Cui Ying was still in pain, her heart pounding, and she laughed as she scolded Cui Jin, "You really went too far!"

"It's alright, it's alright. Miss, please let your son-in-law come and settle accounts with me." Cui Jin smiled broadly.

Cui Ying seemed to be awakened by these words. Her expression froze slightly. Without bothering to change her clothes, she got up and ran outside. Her movements were so fast that they created a gust of wind, and her skirt fluttered in the summer light.

The voice, which had been weak and listless for the past six months, suddenly became exceptionally clear and strong: "Prepare the horses! Quickly!"

She rushed to the back gate, grabbed the reins from the servant, jumped on, and with a flick of her whip, the horse neighed, leaped over the threshold, and galloped toward the city gate.

The streets were bustling with people, and the wind whistled past Cui Ying's ears. She shouted for people to make way for her, and her path was clear.

The street scene receded rapidly, and Cui Ying's heart pounded loudly and rapidly, almost bursting out of her chest.

But amidst this overwhelming joy, a sliver of doubt quietly crept into her mind.

Cui Ying thought: How could such a momentous event as the army's triumphant return to the capital have not reached my ears at all? It would be one thing if I didn't know, but the Marquis's residence had not received any news, and the palace seemed to be completely unprepared as well? This is illogical.

Furthermore, given Xiao Qiyu's temperament, if he were to return, why wouldn't he send someone on horseback to deliver a message first?

Something's not right, something's very wrong.

But this doubt only flashed through Cui Ying's mind for a moment before being swallowed up by overwhelming joy. Her mind was filled with Xiao Qiyu's image, and she had to shake her head vigorously to concentrate on riding the horse.

Even though she tried her best to control herself, she couldn't help but wonder if he had changed after a year apart. Had he become more handsome? Or uglier? Tsk, the northern desert is so harsh, he must be darker and rougher, and much uglier. Oh well, it's good that he came back alive. She didn't mind.

Cui Ying tightened his grip on the reins, wishing he could fly straight out of the city.

She couldn't care about anything else; all she wanted was to see that person immediately.

...

The city gates were in sight, crimson banners fluttered, and the massive army lay in wait like a dragon, its soldiers shouting military songs that echoed through the sky:

"A mound of Jingguan—a spectacle that shakes the four directions—"

"From all directions—Qingyi Qiang—"

"A lone goose cries in the autumn air, a traveler's shadow appears on the Longshang plain!"

Where is Loulan now? A vast expanse of mist and water stretches out before us!

A scene of jubilation and celebration, reminiscent of a triumphant return.

Cui Ying reined in his horse, looked at the leading general, his heart pounding like a drum, and his blood surging through his body.

She looked around intently, holding her breath, searching anxiously for that familiar figure.

No.

No.

No.

Cui Ying spurred his horse forward and bowed to the leading general, saying, "Lord Chen."

Before the other person could speak, Cui Ying continued, "Why do I only see you? Where is Xiao Qiyu?"

She arrived in such a hurry that she was breathless, her voice trembling, and her tone was somewhat incoherent.

When Chen Fengnian saw that it was her, he was first surprised. After hearing what she said, a very complicated expression flashed across his face. After a moment of silence, he waved for the people next to him to step back a little.

Chen Fengnian said in a low voice, "Third Miss, please allow me a moment to speak."

The stirring military songs lingered in her ears as Cui Ying continued searching for Xiao Qiyu's figure. Even though an ominous premonition was surging in her heart, she subconsciously stopped believing and firmly believed that Xiao Qiyu must be among the dark mass of soldiers.

“Okay,” Cui Ying said.

The two dismounted and walked to the trees by the roadside.

Meeting Cui Ying's urgent gaze as she continued to search for Xiao Qiyu, Chen Fengnian finally couldn't hold back any longer, his eyes red and choked with sobs as he said, "Qilang... he's gone."

Cui Ying was taken aback, as if she didn't understand the meaning of the sentence, and asked in return, "What do you mean by 'disappeared'?"

"During the final surprise attack on the royal court, the army encountered a fierce wind, with sand and stones flying everywhere, and the sky darkening. The Third Prince suggested returning to camp to rest and wait for the wind to pass before launching another surprise attack. However, the Seventh Prince felt that since their side was in disarray due to the wind, so was the enemy's. Moreover, the Turks relied on cattle and sheep for survival. If a strong wind suddenly arose, they would definitely be busy saving their cattle and sheep, and their formation would be thrown into chaos. This would be a good opportunity for a surprise attack, which should not be missed."

Chen Fengnian's face showed pain, and his eyes were red: "The Third Young Master still cannot agree. On the surface, the Seventh Young Master did not contradict the Third Young Master, but behind the scenes he quickly organized two hundred fearless cavalrymen and took advantage of the strong wind to sneak into the Turkic royal court."

"Just as he predicted, the Turks were thrown into chaos by the strong wind. In the chaos, he beheaded Ashina Boketu. During the retreat, in order to cover the soldiers behind him... he was swept away by the sudden Rakshasa wind and has been missing ever since. We sent men to search the area for more than a month, turning over every sand dune and valley, but we still couldn't find any trace of Qilang..."

Hearing Chen Fengnian's voice, Cui Ying stood there in a daze, the color draining from her face until she was as pale as paper.

Chen Fengnian fought back tears and took something out of his sleeve: "In the end, this thing was only found at the foot of a cliff thirty miles away."

Cui Ying lowered her head and looked over.

Lying in Chen Fengnian's hand was a crudely made sandalwood hairpin, the tip of which had a faint, dark red tinge of blood.

Large chunks of memory were suddenly forcibly torn into Cui Ying's mind.

As dusk settled over Qiyun Pavilion, a faint fragrance wafted through the air. The young man, dressed in brocade robes with ink-black hair and a face as white as jade, was clearly trying his best to appear indifferent, but the smile on his lips could not be hidden.

"Why did you suddenly decide to give me something?"

"This is something I picked out especially for you, to congratulate you on becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination."

"You're thoughtful."

The stirring military songs in his ears became blurred. Cui Ying looked at the hairpin and realized that he seemed to have been deceiving Xiao Qiyu all along.

She bought the hairpin casually at a small stall; it wasn't something she specifically picked out for him, and giving it to him was just a perfunctory gesture.

That fool is truly despicable; he actually treated it like a treasure, carrying it with him through countless life-and-death situations.

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Author's Note: "Jingguan Jingguan..." is a phrase from a Ming Dynasty military song.