Burial
Bo Jun lay quietly on the bed, the corners of his lips curved, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep. He must have been having a good dream, otherwise he wouldn't be so peaceful and serene.
Jingwan sat on the edge of the bed and took his already cold and stiff hand in hers. She really hoped that he had just fallen into a deep sleep.
She gently touched his neck, her fingertips trembling, leaving a deep mark where her fingertips traced his neck.
The marks were purplish-black, the flesh was deeply sunken, and he was clearly in so much pain, so why was he able to leave this world with a smile?
She dared not touch it again, abruptly pulling her hand back, clenching both hands tightly, looking at Bo Jun with a reluctant expression, choking back tears.
My heart is filled with sorrow; it's truly heartbreaking.
The Duchess had long since fainted and was still unconscious. Shi Jun stood beside Jing Wan, grieving the loss of her brother. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her face was still wet with tears. She transferred all her resentment to Jing Wan, cursing her, "You've brought nothing but trouble since you arrived! If it weren't for you, how could my brother have chosen this path? How could he! Gao Jing Wan, get out! Get out!" She tried to pull Jing Wan away, but pushed her to the ground.
Jingwan stood up. She didn't even glance at Shijun. Instead, she walked up to Old Madam Gao and said to her, word by word, "When we meet in the underworld, do not bother Bojun again. Since he was reincarnated into a wise family, he has no further connection with you."
Despite past grievances, Lu Chang repeatedly tried to persuade the Gao family to come to Lingnan, but the old lady refused each time.
She preferred to trust an outsider rather than Lu Chang. Bo Jun was filial and only wished to stay by his grandmother's side. He died young, before he could marry or have children.
The old lady closed her eyes, seemingly as calm as a mountain, but she quickly twirled the prayer beads in her hand without looking at Jingwan. Was it because she was unwilling, or because she dared not?
Jingwan was brought before Li Ling, who stared intently at her and said in a deep voice, "Don't lie to me. If we can't find the treasure, I will make you wish you were dead."
Jingwan was not afraid of him and said, "If Your Highness doesn't believe me, go and inquire. More than ten years ago, some people from the Northwest found treasure in the Water Dragon Desert. How could there be treasure in the desert? Those were just scattered pieces that were blown out by strong winds from Madam Lu's treasure hiding place."
Li Ling was not from the Northwest, but during the time he was searching for the treasure, he did hear from the locals that someone had picked up rare treasures in the Shuilong Desert.
The Water Dragon Desert is fraught with danger, and no one dares to venture deep into it. Finding treasure is a matter of luck. No one would have imagined that Lady Lu hid the treasure in the desert; there is no such rumor in the Northwest.
Jingwan said, "I've been to this desert and returned safely. Everyone in Xiaoxing Village knows about it."
Li Ling was still skeptical of her words and asked, "You told me about the location of the treasure just to see Lord Gao Bo?"
Jingwan said, "No! I have two more requests." She lowered her eyes, pointed to the long spear standing in the corner of Li Ling's study, and said softly, "First, I want Qin Ziyou's life. Use this spear to take his life! Second, after it's done, you can let me leave."
That was Li Muyun's prized possession. She had seen her riding a horse with her spear many times. Now that it was in Li Ling's hands, it was truly an insult to the weapon.
Li Ling pondered for a moment and said, "I will let you go after you find the treasure. However, I need Qin Ziyou to go with you to retrieve the treasure, so I cannot kill him for the time being. But... if we really find the treasure, I will kill him with my own hands when we return."
Li Ling's words were half true and half false. Killing Qin Ziyou was true, but letting Jingwan go was false. With such good bait in hand, why wouldn't Lu Chang take the bait?
Jingwan's eyes flickered: "Alright, then... I'll listen to Your Highness."
He inwardly mocked the woman for having a beautiful face but no brains, easily believing his words. However, he dared not delay for even a moment. With a daily income of a thousand gold coins, the people of the Northwest had no money to be squeezed, and the soldiers' pay could not be issued. If this continued, even without the Southern army attacking, the army would mutini, and he would be the first to face internal strife.
Furthermore, if the Northwest is truly lost, he still possesses a treasure trove that rivals that of a nation. With enough money, he can venture beyond the borders and unite with foreign tribes to seek opportunities for a comeback.
Therefore, Li Ling sent more than thirty personal guards to accompany Li Changying and Qin Ziyou to the Shuilong Desert.
These personal guards, raised in the mansion since childhood, are the most reliable and capable. Qin Ziyou's mother and maternal grandfather are still in Yongye, and the dog leash is still around his neck, so there's no fear that he will disobey.
Before entering the desert, the group received their final supplies in Xiangpu Village, where they prepared water, dry food, and warm clothing.
Jingwan watched the camel drink water in large gulps, remaining silent. Qin Ziyou glanced at Li Changying, who was talking to the villagers not far away, then walked to Jingwan's side and said, "It's okay if we can't find it. I'll take you away, and we'll leave this place together."
Jingwan looked up and smiled: "Chunlai is still in your hands, and you want me to abandon her?"
“She’s no longer in Ruyuan,” Qin Ziyou said. “She was abducted by Lu Chang.”
Upon hearing the name Lu Chang, Jing Wan finally showed some vitality. Qin Ziyou did not miss the fleeting glint in her eyes, but she hid it well and quickly lowered her eyes, refusing to look at him.
"Jingwan, don't listen to Li Ling. He won't let you go." Qin Ziyou looked pained and guilty. If it weren't for him, Jingwan wouldn't have ended up in Li Ling's hands.
The camel in front of her had finished drinking water, and there were still many water stains on its big mouth. It stared blankly at Jingwan, who was amused: "I trust Li Ling more than you."
The villagers of Xiangpu Village make a living by growing grapes in the sandy soil and drying raisins, but they never venture into the desert easily. When they learned that the girl in front of them was going to go in, they all looked at them in surprise.
"At this time of year, sandstorms rise every three days. Going in there would be suicide!"
Li Changying frowned and went to find Jingwan. Jingwan said calmly, "It's a good thing that there's a sandstorm. Only when there's a sandstorm can we find the location of the treasure."
She looked at Changying and said, "Princess, I would never joke with my life."
You better be!
The camel caravan slowly entered the desert, with Jingwan riding a camel at the front. Li Changying forbade her to bring water or food; she had nothing and could only drink a few sips of water when she was extremely thirsty.
In the vast desert, the sound of camel bells rang out. Under the setting sun, the shadows of camels were reflected on the yellow sand, one after another. She couldn't help but turn around and glance at the long camel caravan behind her.
The wind and sand gently blow, revealing the carcasses of small animals; the only sign of life is the continuous growth of saxaul grass.
She looked up at the blue sky and couldn't help but think, "Let the wind rise, let the wind rise quickly!"
The caravan had been traveling for ten days, their food and water supplies dwindling. Frequent sandstorms threatened to overwhelm them; without an experienced guide, they could easily lose their way. Li Changying had lost all patience. She was acutely aware of the desert's harshness; death constantly loomed over her. Even though she was bundled up tightly, her face and hands were scorched by the sun, her lips were cracked and peeling, and there was no way out. Having been pampered, she couldn't endure such hardship. She pulled Jingwan off the camel and shouted, "You're lying to us! You want to lead us to this desert so we'll die here, don't you?!"
Jingwan didn't feel any pain when she fell off the camel. She struggled to her feet, clapped her hands, and said, "We're almost there. If the princess wants to go back, I can take you back the way we came."
Li Changying held his sword at Jingwan, who was panting heavily and could barely lift the sword. She finally put it down and rode back onto her camel.
Qin Ziyou stood beside her, and Jingwan asked him, "Do you know why this place is called the Water Dragon Desert?"
"What?" Her question came out of nowhere, and Qin Ziyou didn't react.
Jingwan didn't say anything more. She walked slowly and laboriously to the camel's side. She gestured with her hand, and the camel squatted down so that she could climb onto it.
That day, as they walked, the weather began to change. The wind and sand grew stronger and stronger, and the roar of the yellow sand grew louder and louder. Jingwan became more and more excited. She could feel that this storm was unusual.
The previous storms were just minor disturbances, and she couldn't find an opportunity. Now, even the camels refused to move and knelt on the ground.
The yellow sand swirled wildly, penetrating every crevice and getting into people's eyes and noses. When the sandstorm rose several meters high like a wave, crashing down like a high wall, Li Ling's personal guards, though brave and resolute, had never seen such a scene before. Their faces showed fear, and they huddled together as before, hoping that the sandstorm would pass quickly.
The storm came quickly, and this time, Li Changying didn't have time to have Jingwan's hands and feet tied with ropes. She simply held Jingwan tightly in front of her, gripping her hand firmly.
Pitch black, cold, and chaotic, Jingwan endured the strong wind and managed to glance around, but Qin Ziyou wasn't there.
Everyone kept their heads down to avoid the sandstorm, making it impossible to tell who was who.
The sandstorm grew stronger and stronger, threatening to swallow up everyone and everything in the desert. Its sound was as loud as thunder, drowning out all other sounds in the world.
Li Changying grew increasingly frightened. She released Jingwan's hand, covered her ears, and trembled. The sandstorm quickly buried people's ankles, but this was only the beginning. If it continued like this, they would be buried alive.
When Jingwan saw Li Changying loosen his grip, she knew her chance had come, but she did not run away immediately. Instead, she held Li Changying tightly.
Changying turned to look at her, and amidst the swirling sandstorm, she heard Jingwan whisper in her ear:
"Murderer, go and be buried with the princess!"
Changying snapped out of her daze and tried to grab her, but saw Jingwan stand up. She ran into the sandstorm, and the strong wind pushed her away until she disappeared from sight. Her last silhouette vanished into the sandstorm swirling in the night.
After the storm, the surviving soldiers dug people out one by one. Some had survived, some had suffocated from the sand and dust, and some could not be found at all.
"Jingwan... Jingwan..." Qin Ziyou called out Jingwan's name anxiously, kneeling on the desert and looking at everyone, but he couldn't find Jingwan.
When the soldiers found Li Changying, who was barely clinging to life, Qin Ziyou knelt before her and anxiously asked, "Have you seen Jingwan? Is she with you?"
Li Changying barely opened her eyes to look at him. She gave a mocking smile, closed her eyes, and collapsed onto the desert.
Unbeknownst to Qin Ziyou, the person he was searching for was struggling through the desert. She was very close to them, but dared not stray far in the storm.
Jingwan stepped onto the yellow sand, from dawn to dusk. She was exhausted and swayed, but continued on with only her belief.
"Just a little bit more, just a little bit more." She finally collapsed in the desert. In her hazy state, Jingwan remembered Bojun's words: "Take care!"
Despite being severely dehydrated, Jingwan still shed a tear. She opened her mouth and replied, "Take care!"
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