Bai Muqiu traveled extensively, visiting many places on the eve of the reforms.
Bai Muqiu returned to Kyoto. When he left, Bai Hao mentioned that the seafood was good, so he took the waterway.
He returned home alone on horseback.
Because she had no fixed abode, Bai Muqiu would send letters and things to Xu Mao, but she could not receive any letters from Xu Mao.
Therefore, after the parade ended, he visited Xu Mao in Kyoto before returning to his shop.
Bai Jue has changed careers; he has sold his funeral shop and gone traveling around.
Bai Ziyan and Bai Shujin also came to the mortal realm. Since only Bai Yin's shop remained the most stable and unchanged, they all stayed with her.
Bai Hao became addicted to treasure hunting, changed his profession, and wandered around.
Thus, Xu Mao was the only acquaintance he knew in Kyoto.
The new policy is being implemented, but it doesn't seem to be going smoothly. Bai Muqiu has seen a lot of local customs and traditions along the way. The current old policy does have many problems, but the conservatives are too deeply entrenched.
Even though they have been preparing for many years, it will still take many more years to actually implement the policy.
Xu Mao was a pioneer of reform; he was the tip of the emperor's sword, sharp and dangerous.
Bai Muqiu knew it, and Xu Mao himself knew it too.
He had truly experienced the suffering of the people and was well aware of the harm caused by the old policies. As an official and minister, he was conscientious and responsible, and even if the road ahead was full of thorns, he would not back down.
If there is no road, he is willing to be the first to forge ahead.
Bai Muqiu couldn't understand or participate in this matter; he could only watch Xu Mao embark on his journey.
He wasn't the only one who walked this path; many pioneers throughout history have followed it without hesitation, yet none of them met a good end.
Bai Muqiu led his horse along the official road. It was late spring, and all things were reviving, lush and green.
Before long, a large inn came into view, where one could eat, drink, stay overnight, and rest.
Bai Muqiu scrambled onto his horse and quickly rode to the post station.
Ancient post station.
The waiter greeted guests at the door and, seeing Bai Muqiu land, went forward to lead the horse.
"Sir, would you like a meal or a room at the inn?"
"Looking for a room, one night. Are there any rooms available?"
"Yes, we have rooms available in the lower, middle, and upper rooms. Please come in. I'll go tie up your horse for you first. Would you like some feed, sir?"
"Premium ingredients".
"Alright, go inside and rest for a bit, I'll take care of things right away."
The waiter led the horse to the backyard and handed it to the groom, then immediately returned to greet Bai Muqiu.
Bai Muqiu wasn't picky and casually ordered a few signature dishes and a pot of tea.
There weren't many people in the inn, just two or three tables, and everyone was engrossed in eating.
Although the inn is large, there are small tea stalls at both the front and back, so there's no rush to get here.
Before long, the food and tea were served, and Bai Muqiu began to eat.
"Bang--"
"Hey, be careful, you broke another bowl. You'll have to deduct all your monthly allowance!"
While Bai Muqiu was eating, she noticed that the waiter was helping an old woman with a hunched back pick up broken porcelain bowls. Although he scolded her, he still lent a hand to help.
He glanced at the waiter; he saw that the waiter had a cheerful and kind face, while the old woman's arm seemed to be injured and was trembling uncontrollably.
"Hurry up and pack it up, don't let the shopkeeper see it, or you'll be in big trouble!"
The waiter wanted to help her to the backyard, but suddenly the sound of horses neighing came from outside the door.
"Take your time going back, I'm going to greet the guests."
The waiter immediately ran to the door. In his line of work, he had to be quick-witted and observant; he couldn't afford to neglect his customers.
Bai Muqiu chewed his rice as he watched the old woman shakily scoop up the shards of the porcelain bowl with the hem of her clothes, remaining silent the whole time.
Perhaps Bai Muqiu's gaze was too direct, for the old woman sensed it and turned to look at him.
When the old woman saw Bai Muqiu's appearance clearly, she was slightly taken aback, and then she laughed.
Bai Muqiu looked at the old woman wearing a half-drawn scarf with complete bewilderment.
"Boss Bai."
Her voice was a little hoarse, but it didn't sound like someone in their forties or fifties; it sounded more like someone in their twenties or thirties.
"You...know me?"
The old woman walked shakily to the opposite side of Bai Muqiu, her bright eyes shining, and even though her face was deeply lined with wrinkles, her smile was extremely radiant.
Bai Muqiu was slightly stunned upon seeing this. A long-forgotten memory suddenly appeared, and he stared wide-eyed in astonishment.
"Yu Liang! You are Yu Liang!"
"Long time no see, Mr. Bai."
"Long time... I haven't seen you. What happened to you?"
Bai Muqiu knew about the coup and that the princess's title had been revoked, but he thought she should be treated well, after all, she was related to the emperor by blood. He never expected things to turn out this way.
Bai Muqiu immediately put down his chopsticks, helped her sit down, and took her pulse to diagnose her.
With physical injuries, chronic illnesses, severe depletion of vital energy, and numerous hidden ailments, his body was in a state of utter disarray.
Seeing Bai Muqiu's distressed and surprised expression, Yu Liang felt no sadness; instead, she comforted him.
"Boss Bai, what's past is past, there's no need to be sad."
"But you, even if you start over... you're still... how did you end up here? What hardships did you endure?"
Yu Liang smiled faintly, "Because I made the wrong choice, but he may not necessarily be right either."
She paused, glancing at the waiter who had just finished greeting the new customer and was now looking at her with surprise and worry.
"Boss Bai, I should thank you. You gave me a magnificent dream. I never knew the difference between heaven and earth was like this. I knew from the beginning that it was a dream."
But dreams always come to an end. Now, the dream is over, and I've woken up too.
But there's no such thing as a free lunch, and even sweet dreams come at a price. Fortunately, it's something I can afford; at least I'm still alive!
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