Chapter 13
Ten days have passed since we parted. In Xiquan Village, a few days' journey from Fengcheng, although the village is small, there are many travelers and merchants coming and going. After all, the official road from Fengcheng to the capital passes through this place. Yesterday, a handsome young man came to the village, saying he was a merchant from the capital going to Fengcheng to do business. However, he was alone with no goods and didn't look like a businessman at all. He looked more like a scholar. Scholars should be heading to the capital, but this man was going to Fengcheng. He probably wasn't a student taking the imperial examination. This morning, the handsome young man wandered around the small village for a while and then returned to the house of Aunt Liu, where he was staying. "Aunt Liu, did a woman pass through here a few days ago?"
"A woman? Young master, countless women pass through this area. Is there someone you are looking for?"
"Looking for my betrothed wife."
"Why didn't the lady come with you?"
“We had a fight a few days ago, and in a fit of anger, he left alone in the middle of the night! I rushed here to catch up with him, so the servants who transport the goods didn’t come with me. The villagers don’t believe I’m a businessman. Auntie, do you think someone with my appearance can’t be a businessman?”
"No, that's not it. Young master, you don't have any of the mercenary nature of a businessman. It's normal that the villagers don't believe you. You've done a lot for the villagers these past few days, and they're very grateful. That's why they don't want to associate you with those profit-driven merchants. Besides, is there anything special about your wife? I've asked the villagers to keep an eye out for her."
"Perhaps she's still wearing a veil, holding a sword, and dressed in white! I haven't seen her for a few days, I wonder if she's changed her attire. I'll have to trouble you, ma'am."
"Young master, you're too kind. I should thank you for teaching my daughter to read and write these past few days. It's always beneficial for girls to learn to read and write." The young man smiled and said, "You're truly an enlightened person. The fallacy that 'a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' has misled too many people." Aunt Liu laughed and said, "Although I've never traveled far, I know how harsh and oppressive this world is for women. Although the village is simpler than the outside world, without the strict 'three obediences and four virtues' of large households, the treatment is still half that of men!" Aunt Liu's husband had passed away from overwork a few years ago. She had a son and a daughter. Her son and daughter-in-law worked in the city, and she took care of her ten-year-old daughter, Liu Xiaoyi, all by herself. These years had been difficult, especially for a woman who had lost her husband.
The next morning, early in the morning, Liu Da Niang's youngest daughter, Liu Xiaoyi, ran back from outside, shouting, "Brother Yimin, a beautiful lady has come to the village! She's wearing a veil, and her eyes are a bit aloof. You can tell she's beautiful just by looking at her eyes!" The handsome young man mentioned earlier was Xi Yimin. Hearing this, a smile played on his lips; he guessed that the person was most likely Xue Ran. "Then Xiaoyi, quickly take me to see her!" he said, and followed Liu Xiaoyi out. Rushing back, Xi Yimin discovered that the person was Leng Ying. His face suddenly changed, and he turned to leave. Leng Ying chased after him, somewhat displeased. "Yimin, do you really dislike me that much?" Xi Yimin turned back and smiled, "Second Miss, I'm afraid you've misunderstood. I just haven't had breakfast yet and I'm a little hungry. I want to go back and eat now, so I won't keep you any longer. Farewell."
“That’s perfect. I haven’t had breakfast either. I’ll go with Yimin, is that alright?” Xi Yimin looked at the woman in front of him for a while, and finally said helplessly, “Whatever.” He turned to leave, wondering why Leng Xue Ran hadn’t arrived at Xiquan Village yet. He glanced back at Leng Ying following behind him, and after a moment, stopped and turned around to ask, “Isn’t your sister with you?” Hearing this, Leng Ying said unhappily, “She left alone after you left, and I don’t know where she is.” Hearing this, Xi Yimin frowned, thinking, “The guards reported that she would arrive at Xiquan Village in the next few days, which is why I came here to wait. But now, Leng Ying and her guards have all arrived, but Xue Ran is still not here. It doesn’t make sense. Although I have the guards I sent to protect her, what if something happens?” "That would be terrible if there were any trouble." Thinking of this, he felt worried and quickened his pace, returning to Aunt Liu's house. "Auntie, I must leave soon. I've troubled you a lot these past few days!" Aunt Liu was surprised to hear that he was leaving. "Has something happened?" "Nothing, it's just that the girl I'm waiting for seems to have taken another mountain road to Fengcheng. I'm a little worried and want to find her as soon as possible." Hearing this, Aunt Liu smiled and said, "Young master, you are truly a compassionate person. This mountain road is not easy to travel. If a girl really took that road, it would be worrying. In that case, I won't keep you any longer. Be careful on your journey." "Auntie, farewell!" After saying this, ignoring the astonished Leng Ying outside the door, he went back into the house, grabbed his sword, and flew away through the window. Leng Ying, who was chasing after him, could no longer see him. He shouted angrily, "Xi Yimin!"
There was indeed a mountain road leading to Fengcheng a few years ago, about ten kilometers away from Xiquan Village. However, it had been abandoned for many years and was overgrown with weeds, although some outlines of the road could still be seen. Mi Yimin had traveled this road a few years ago and vaguely remembered the route, but Leng Xueran had never traveled it and probably had to ask around before she could go. Daring not to linger, unable to ride at full speed on this mountain path, he had no choice but to abandon his horse and expend some energy to continue. As night fell, he still hadn't seen Leng Xue Ran, growing increasingly worried. Darkness gradually settled, and he could faintly hear the howls of wolves. Xi Yimin had to quicken his pace. There was no light in the forest; even the moonlight was blocked by the towering trees. It was still half a day's journey to the next village. If Leng Xue Ran hadn't taken this path, or had already reached the next village, that would be fine. He feared she was truly lost in this forest. Xi Yimin dared not stop. The path was covered in dense thorns, making it impossible to see clearly. If not for his profound skill, how could he have flown so quickly through the pitch-black mountains? Sweat streamed down his handsome face. Below, her hair was somewhat disheveled, and her face was pale, whether from worry or exhaustion, it was unclear. She hadn't eaten all day and had exhausted her energy flying. At this moment, a blurry white figure came into view under the tree. Xi Yimin quickly flew to the tree and stood down, startling the white figure below. She gasped and stood up. It was indeed her, Leng Xue Ran. Her face was pale, and she was trembling all over. When she saw the person in front of her by the moonlight filtering through the trees, there seemed to be a light in Leng Xue Ran's eyes. Her lips moved, but she didn't make a sound. Her expression was somewhat aggrieved. Her trembling body stopped, and she just stared at the person in front of her. Her cold expression seemed unable to hide the relief she felt upon seeing that person. Xi Yimin looked at the woman before her and breathed a sigh of relief. She leaned forward and gently embraced her, softly asking, "Why do you make me so worried?" The woman's heart stirred. Her eyelids lowered slightly, and she rested her head gently against his chest, murmuring, "Why?" Hearing this, she was slightly taken aback. "Xue Ran, in my heart, you are a unique existence. There's no why." Leng Xue Ran listened to his slightly disordered heartbeat. "But, you are a woman!"
"I know."
"Therefore, there are too many impossibilities!"
"I know that too."
"Then why do you still come to provoke me? Father told me to stay away from you, my sister told me to stay away from you, I've already gone so far away, why do you still follow me?"
"I worry about you, and I miss you so much. I don't know why, but I feel like we have a connection from a past life. Seeing you is like a lifetime in a single glance." The woman in his arms softened, pressing closer to his warm body. Her forced strength crumbled at this moment, and tears fell drop by drop, seeping into his heart, making him even more pitiful: "My sister likes you."
"Ignore her."
“She’s not someone else, she’s my sister. Dad doesn’t agree either.”
"My godfather has already agreed."
"You're the one who threatened him."
"So what!"
"He is my father."
"I know."
"You... are simply domineering and unreasonable!"
"Otherwise, where would our marriage contract come from! ... Xue Ran, don't be afraid of anything, I'm here!"
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