Post Station
The night was cold and desolate in the mountains and wilderness. The cold wind howled across the bare ridges, adding a bit of desolation.
The official road, which was bustling with the clamor of carriages and horses during the day, was now long silent. Only the two lanterns hanging in front of the post station were swaying violently in the wind, casting a dim, swaying light.
In the backyard of the post station, in addition to their simple carriage, there was also an extremely sturdy black-covered carriage parked quietly, and eight black-clothed guards with calm auras and sharp eyes stood solemnly beside it.
Pei Miaoyin received a letter from Shen Qianyue yesterday. According to her instructions, she arranged for someone to pick her up here overnight.
Along the way, Xie Shangjia stuck to Shen Qianyue almost every step of the way.
Dinner was also hastily eaten in the simple hall of the post station. During the meal, he ignored the silent Xie Shangyu and Pei Miaoyin opposite him, and only focused on serving dishes and adding soup to Shen Qianyue, which was extremely attentive.
After dinner, Pei Miaoyin yawned and went back to her room. Chen Qianyue stood up and was about to go back to her room. Xie Shangjia put down his bamboo chopsticks and immediately followed, naturally holding her hand.
The slightly cool fingertips were wrapped in his warm palm. Shen Qianyue paused slightly and glanced at him sideways. Xie Shangjia immediately responded with a silly smile.
For a moment, Xie Shangyu was the only one left in the lobby downstairs.
He declined the waiter's offer to lead the way, picked up the wine jug and walked alone to the backyard. It was getting late and the dew was heavy, and the bamboo leaves made a rustling sound in the night wind, adding a bit of loneliness.
Shen Qianyue and Xie Shangjia walked hand in hand towards the innermost bedroom on the second floor.
The room was simply furnished with a bed, a table, a chair, and a not-too-strong charcoal fire, barely dispelling the cold and dampness of the mountains.
Shen Qianyue sat down at the table, seemingly intending to read the military book she had brought with her.
Xie Shangjia, however, felt a little restless. The stuffiness in the carriage that day was swept away, replaced by an indescribable restlessness.
He walked to the window and pushed open the creaking wooden window. A cold wind carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees blew in instantly, blowing away some of the charcoal smell in the room.
The desolate mountains are lonely and foggy, coating the rugged rocks and bare tree shadows outside the window with a hazy silver glow, creating a unique sense of desolate and magnificent beauty.
Xie Shangjia's tone was filled with the excitement of a young man discovering something new.
"The scenery here is much better than in the capital!"
Shen Qianyue walked a few steps to his side, followed his gaze and looked out the window.
“It’s beautiful.”
The cool moonlight fell on her face, softening her usual icy outline.
Xie Shangjia raised his hand and put his arm around her shoulders. His heart was beating wildly and a great sense of satisfaction surged in his heart. He felt that he had nothing more to ask for in this life.
Shen Qianyue leaned in his warm embrace.
Time is infinitely stretched.
Xie Shangjia leaned over and picked up Shen Qianyue: "Do you want to go out and take a look?"
Shen Qianyue looked at his excited face, her eyes full of youthful vigor, raised her arms to hug his neck, and rested her head on his chest.
"good."
Xie Shangjia carried Shen Qianyue and walked out. After walking around, they found a corner where some miscellaneous items were piled up. The two looked at each other.
Shen Qianyue jumped down, and the two of them nimbly climbed onto the not-too-high roof.
The roof was covered with thick thatch, which felt a bit soft to step on.
The mountain wind was so fierce that it whistled in their ears, making their clothes flutter.
Xie Shangjia took off his outer robe and draped it over Shen Qianyue's shoulders, wrapping her tightly. He naturally stretched out his arms, put them around her shoulders and pulled her into his arms, using his body to block most of the cold wind for her.
Shen Qianyue gathered her clothes that held his body temperature and leaned on his shoulder.
Under the moonlight, the vast mountains are like solidified black waves, extending to the endless distance. Above is the vast and boundless dark blue sky, and white mist is rising, shrouding the whole world in a dream.
Neither of them spoke, but just snuggled up to each other quietly, feeling the rare tranquility and warmth of relying on each other in this cold night in the desolate mountains. The cold wind seemed to no longer be biting.
Xie Shangjia lowered his head and looked at the profile of the person in his arms bathed in the moonlight. The cold eyebrows and eyes seemed so gentle at this moment.
So… within reach.
"Miss Shen, how about we just live like this for the rest of our lives? Just the two of us."
Shen Qianyue was still looking at the moon, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes.
"Yes, three, and there's also Li'er."
Xie Shangjia lowered his head and smiled very foolishly: "Yeah, I wonder if Li'er will miss us at home."
Shen Qianyue looked up at him: "With Jinyu accompanying her, we will be back soon."
When they looked at each other, they were so close that their breaths seemed to blend together.
Shen Qianyue could even see Xie Shangjia's red ears. She put her arms around his neck, and their faces were clearly visible in the moonlight.
Xie Shangjia's Adam's apple rolled: "Miss Shen, I want to kiss you."
Shen Qianyue pinched the flesh on his back: "Stupid."
Before Xie Shangjia could react, Shen Qianyue kissed him.
Under the eaves, the sound of wine jugs colliding could be heard, which was particularly clear in the silent night.
The two people on the roof came over at the same time following the voices.
Xie Shangyu stood in the shadow under the eaves, looking up at the two pairs of eyes looking down at him in the moonlight. He had his usual gentle and harmless smile on his face, and he raised two small and exquisite tin wine jugs and shook them.
"You're in a good mood. The night is long. Second brother has some good wine. Do you want some?"
Xie Shangjia frowned and looked at his second brother's face, which was smiling particularly brightly in the shadow under the eaves, and was about to refuse.
Shen Qianyue's eyes fell on the two jugs of wine in Xie Shangyu's hands. She turned slightly and stretched out her hand very naturally.
In the moonlight, that white hand looked like a jade carving.
Xie Shangyu didn't expect that she would respond to him, but he reacted very quickly and immediately threw the pot of wine in his hand towards Shen Qianyue's outstretched hand.
The wine jug drew a short arc.
Shen Qianyue turned her wrist and steadily took the wine jug in her hand. She turned around and handed the wine jug to Xie Shangjia beside her.
Xie Shangjia took the wine jug and pulled out the cork. A clear aroma of wine immediately filled the air, and his face was filled with the pride and pure joy of a young man.
Xie Shangyu shook his head and prepared to go back to the house: "It's going to rain, go back to the room and rest early."
Xie Shangjia took a sip of wine, and the spicy liquid rolled into his throat, bringing a warmth. He looked towards the distant horizon, as if recalling something, and the faint smile at the corner of his lips deepened a little.
"Miss, if in the future...we are no longer trapped in the capital...where would you like to go?"
He asked with extreme seriousness, as if he was planning a future that was within reach.
Shen Qianyue did not answer immediately. She tilted her head back and took a sip of the clear wine. The cold liquid slid down her throat, bringing a brief stimulation.
The moonlight outlined her graceful profile, and her eyes were still looking at the distant starry sky, as if looking for answers.
After a long time, so long that Xie Shangjia thought she would not answer, she slowly opened her mouth and asked back.
"What about you? Don't you want to be in the capital, high-spirited young Master Xie?"
Xie Shangjia's voice was filled with longing: "I want to go to the desert, watch the sunset over the long river, watch the lonely smoke rise straight up, ride the fastest horse, and be as free as the wind..."
He talked incessantly, with the passion and innocence unique to young people.
Chen Qianyue's fingers holding the wine jug curled up for a moment: "You go to the desert to watch the sunset over the long river. I will wait for you to come back in the capital."
Her answer did not say "we", but clearly distinguished "you" and "me".
Xie Shangjia seemed to have received the most precious promise in the world. His eyes instantly burst into a bright light and he automatically ignored the subtle separation.
"Okay! It's a deal! When we can truly decide our own lives, you will accompany me to chase the wind in the desert, and I will stay in the capital to protect you for the rest of my life."
He planned excitedly, as if the free future was right before his eyes. Under the moonlight, he smiled brightly and his eyes were pure, like a child who finally got his favorite candy.
Shen Qianyue let him hold her hand and looked at his eyes that were sparkling with longing. Deep in his frozen eyes, there seemed to be something extremely complicated surging, which eventually turned into indescribable pity.
The 31-year-old Minister Xie has long been able to control his own life. The one who cannot control his life is the 18-year-old youngest son of the Xie family who is full of vigor and vitality.
"good."
She only said one word, but it made Xie Shangjia's heart blossom. He raised his head and drank the wine happily, feeling that he had never tasted such sweet wine.
There wasn't much alcohol, but it was strong enough, spicy enough to warm my body.
Fine raindrops floated from the sky, and the air was damp and cold, carrying the scent of earth and grass.
Shen Qianyue stood up and stretched out her hand to Xie Shangjia, the rain dripping down her white fingertips.
Xie Shangjia looked at the hand, and as if possessed, he moved forward and licked it.
The rain dripped down his forehead, making him look like a homeless puppy, trying to please someone who was kind to him, hoping to be taken home.
“Sweet.”
Shen Qianyue's lips were noticeably upturned, and she lifted his chin with her backhand. The force was very light, but it brought an unquestionable pull.
"Go back to your room."
Xie Shangjia stood up obediently, a little shaky, but not drunk, and followed her back to the house.
The door closed gently behind him, blocking out the rustling world outside.
There are two bowls of ginger soup on the table. They must have been sent by Xie Shangyu.
"Is it cold?" Shen Qianyue asked.
Xie Shangjia nodded, then shook his head again with a flushed face as he thought of something: "I won't get sick."
He first wanted to make Shen Qianyue feel distressed, but then he thought again, afraid that she would think he had a cold and wanted to sleep separately.
Shen Qianyue handed him the ginger tea: "You're back in time, drink it and go to sleep quickly."
Xie Shangjia actually wanted to do something, but he was too embarrassed to speak...
They squeezed into the not-so-wide bamboo bed and lay sideways, facing each other, very close to each other, exchanging moist and warm breaths within close proximity.
Xie Shangjia stretched out his arms and gently wrapped them around her waist, and Shen Qianyue snuggled softly into his arms.
The heat of their bodies rose in the hug, and Xie Shangjia's clumsy but passionate kisses fell on her forehead, eyelids, and finally stopped on her soft lips.
There is cold rain outside the window, but inside the window there is only rapid breathing and hot rubbing, like two vines trembling in the cold night, absorbing the last warmth from each other.
The dim candlelight in the room flickered, revealing only the blurred outlines and scorching heat of each other's skin in the faint light.
Clothes slipped off in the chaos, with a slight friction sound, drowned by the more rapid rain outside the window. Clumsy exploration, rapid heartbeat, suppressed breathing...
Raindrops hit the window, making a monotonous and continuous rustling sound.
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