Chapter 39 The Journey to Jinyang: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Impulse
In the afternoon, Zhu woke up and looked at the sunlight streaming into the floor through the window, still feeling a little dazed.
Her legs felt sore and numb, her arms were weak, and her lower abdomen was bloated; all these physical ailments made it impossible for her to move.
With a creak, the door opened, and she looked out to see Feng Huaihe carrying food into the room.
He placed the food on the table in the room, walked to Zhu Qing's bedside, and looked down at her: "Get up and eat."
May you remain still.
Feng Huaihe picked up the clothes hanging on the rack, pulled her up from the couch, and held them in his arms as he dressed her piece by piece.
Zhu Qing was weak, and even weaker now. She was limp and let him do as he pleased. After she was dressed, he carried her to the table.
Feng Huaihe served her rice and said, "We'll be leaving for Jinyang the day after tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow? So rushed?"
Feng Huaihe smiled knowingly and said, "Rushing? You really wanted to go, didn't you? You even personally arranged for your brothers to set off."
"What's with the sarcastic tone?" Zhu Qing muttered to herself. If he hadn't forced her, why would she be in such a hurry?
“My eldest and second eldest brothers have already set off. We will leave the day after tomorrow,” Feng Huaihe added.
Zhu Qing paused, "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me? Weren't they here yesterday?" She had a bad feeling; it seemed that her brother and sister-in-law were now completely out of her control.
That means Feng Huaihe can use them to completely control her.
Feng Huaihe, however, remained nonchalant: "This morning, you were sleeping too soundly, so I didn't wake you."
"...You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"How could that be? Don't overthink it. I just think that with so many people on this trip and the ongoing war, your previous plan to split up the routes is the safest. We'll start from Chang'an, pass through Fengxiang, then through Binzhou, Fuzhou, Yanzhou, Linzhou, and Lanzhou, and finally arrive at Jinyang."
Feng Huaihe carefully planned the route, which would bypass the war in Chang'an and be relatively safer, but it would take longer, about a month.
He said, “I have prepared several sets of clothes. On this journey, we will inevitably attract attention, so let us be husband and wife. In this world of war and chaos, there are many cases of warlords vying for strategists. You had better behave yourself along the way.”
Feng Huaihe stared at Zhu Qing with a veiled warning, "You'd better not try to run away and cause trouble."
Zhu Qing gripped her chopsticks so tightly they creaked, her face flushed with anger. "Then what about your shogunate? Tian Lingzi is just going to let you go like that?"
Feng Huaihe looked at her and smiled faintly, as if he were genuinely afraid. "Of course I won't let you go. That's why this trip is a secret one. You must behave yourself, treat me as your husband, and don't expose yourself. You've received so many rewards from him, yet you don't go to work for Huang Chao. If he catches you, you might be suspected of absconding with the money..."
"..." Zhu Qing vaguely sensed that she seemed to have fallen into Feng Huaihe's trap.
Running is not an option, and not running is also not an option.
“There is one more thing,” Feng Huaihe said, “I will teach you archery during the month-long journey to Jinyang.”
Why would you need to learn that?
"Didn't you want to be a strategist? Strategists need to follow their lord to the battlefield. Swords and spears are merciless on the battlefield, so you need to know some survival skills. But swords and spears are cumbersome. With your physique, only bows and arrows are the most suitable for you to learn."
Zhu Qing thought about it seriously. She had witnessed his skill in drawing a bow. Putting everything else aside, it would be a good thing to have his teachings and more survival skills in this chaotic world.
However, Zhu Qing said, "But I'm not strong enough to draw the bow."
Feng Huaihe had already come up with a solution: "I will forge the sharpest arrows for you, so that even with the meager strength of a blade of grass, you can cut through towering trees."
These words caused Zhu Qing's mind to flutter, stirring up a series of emotions.
Thinking back, in the lifetime when she married Zhang Yin, she was captured alive by Liu Shouguang during the Battle of Youzhou.
Desperate, Liu Shouguang forced her to come up with a way to save Youzhou in the Yan Kingdom, or he would kill her.
Zhang Yin, outside Youzhou City, frequently sent her letters, urging her to betray her lord and surrender, emphasizing that survival was the most important thing.
But she did not agree. She knew that Liu Shouguang was cruel and ruthless, imprisoning his father, killing his brother, and taking his father's wife. Even if she really had the ability to save Youzhou, Liu Shouguang would either not spare her life or not preserve her innocence.
Zhu Qing only wanted to escape, but her husband only knew how to persuade her to surrender. With no one to help her from the inside, she couldn't escape.
It was Feng Huaihe who entered the city alone to negotiate with Liu Shouguang. He saved Youzhou for Liu Shouguang, and Liu Shouguang released the people.
Feng Huaihe's reputation as a strategist was even greater than Zhu Qing's, and Liu Shouguang agreed to the plan. However, he discovered that Feng Huaihe had deceived him and angrily sent troops to hunt him down.
Zhu Qing fled on horseback, pursued relentlessly. The pursuers shot and killed her horse, causing her to fall down a hillside. The men raised their knives to kill her, and she was defenseless and could only wait to die when Feng Huaihe arrived on horseback, his marksmanship unparalleled, and saved her from the pursuers.
Zhu Qing, having survived the ordeal, lay prone in the mud and cried out with emotion.
Surrounded by the corpses of pursuers, Feng Huaihe, riding a tall horse, coldly looked down at her: "This is the husband you married, who abandons you and knows nothing but advising you to betray your master and surrender."
Zhu Qing sobbed as she asked him, "Zhu Wen is dead, why are you here?"
Instead of answering, Feng Huaihe asked, "Do you want to come with me?" He could continue to protect her as he had in Chang'an.
Zhu Qing was stunned: "Where are you going?"
You can go wherever you want.
“I’m not going,” Zhu Qing said, getting up from the ground and wiping her tears with her dirty sleeve. “I’m going back to find Zhang Yin.”
Feng Huaihe sneered: "Continue to scheme and plot for him, only to gain nothing? Can't you see that Zhang Yin is mediocre, lazy, and cowardly? Even if you pour your heart and soul into it, you can't make him successful."
"I can see that. But this is the person I chose, and I'm willing to give him a chance to grow." As long as Zhang Yin doesn't make any major mistakes, she'll stick with him to the end.
After hearing this, Feng Huaihe remained silent for a long time. Finally, he left his bow to Zhu Qing, saying, "This is the bow that my father left me. Next time I'm not here, and no one can protect you, you must kill yourself. If you don't have the strength, forge the sharpest arrows and use the strength of a commoner to shake a mighty tree."
Then he rode away.
Zhu Qing's deepest impression was of Feng Huaihe riding his horse through the mountains and forests, his back gradually bending on the horse's back.
When Zhu Qing recalled this past event, she suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.
She was once caught up in the situation and couldn't see many things. Now that she's detached and no longer has complicated feelings for these two, she finally understands that the arrow that pierced the willow leaf back then was Feng Huaihe expressing his feelings.
He's such a withdrawn person, yet he asked her if she wanted to go with him... even though she has a husband.
Zhu Qing had no idea how much internal struggle Feng Huaihe went through before he said those words.
After being rejected, he rode away, his straight back gradually bending. He never looked back and disappeared into the distance.
Without any guidance, the bow that could pierce through willow branches became useless in Zhu Qing's hands.
Later, it was taken by Zhang Yin and its whereabouts became unknown.
Zhu Qing not only failed to see Feng Huaihe's intentions, but also allowed Zhang Yin to do with him at will.
She didn't cherish the opportunity to cut through the willow branches, and she herself didn't receive Zhang Yin's appreciation.
She couldn't stand in the present and blame her past self for knowing nothing, nor could she sympathize with Feng Huaihe, the one who forced her.
I just hope that this trip to Jinyang will not involve me or Zhang Yin in any further matters.
-
On the day we set off for Jinyang, it rained the first autumn rain.
As darkness fell, Feng Huaihe finished preparing everything and had Zhu Qing change into warmer clothes. The two then boarded the carriage and set off.
The journey was too long, so Feng Huaihe didn't bring much luggage. Besides money, there was only the medicine Zhu Qing needed to drink, and finally, a sword.
The carriage creaked and started moving, and Feng Huaihe handed the dagger to Zhu Qing.
Zhu Qing took it, and it felt heavy in her hands. The bow was inlaid with pearls and jade, and it felt a little cold in her palm.
Feng Huaihe said, "From now on, we will use this bow to learn. It has killed my biological father and my teacher. It is a bow that is very suitable for killing."
Hopefully, she can kill more people and quell more unrest.
Zhu Qing responded with an "oh".
"Where did you take this bow in your previous life?" Feng Huaihe suddenly asked.
In the end, she naturally fell into Zhang Yin's hands, and no one knows where she went.
Observing her expression, Feng Huaihe slowly said, "I later found it in a pawnshop in Jinyang."
"Huh?" Zhu Qingzhen really didn't expect that Zhang Yin had sold it?
Feng Huaihe simply asked, "Did you become very short of money later?"
"..." Zhu Qing was too embarrassed to tell the truth.
The item Feng Huaihe gave her for self-defense was secretly pawned by Zhang Yin, which was so embarrassing that she scratched her toes.
Fortunately, Feng Huaihe did not ask any further questions, only saying, "I redeemed it and was thinking of asking you to give me some money."
But there was never a chance; the world was too chaotic, and travel was slow, so something always kept me from taking the time to get through.
Zhu Qing was so embarrassed that she didn't know what to say. Was Feng Huaihe trying to support her and Zhang Yin with money?
An awkward silence ensued, and the carriage was quiet, save for the rumbling of the wheels and the whistling of the wind whistling through the carriage.
Setting off at night, Zhu Qing felt sleepy, so he put Chuan Yang down beside him and fell asleep against the car wall.
The carriage swayed, and she swayed to the side. A stone rolled over the carriage shaft, causing her to fall to the side. Just as her head was about to hit the lampstand, Feng Huaihe quickly reached out and supported her head as it tilted to the side.
She was nestled in Feng Huaihe's warm palm, and fell asleep again without waking up.
Feng Huaihe tiptoed to her side, laid her down, and she fell asleep on his lap. He then took off his cloak and covered her with it.
May you sleep soundly and warmly.
She didn't wake up until her stomach started growling and she was so hungry that her stomach was practically sticking to her back.
Zhu Qing got up from Feng Huaihe, her hair disheveled, and gave him a resentful look.
Feng Huaihe looked over: "What's wrong, didn't you sleep well?"
Zhu Qing's stomach rumbled softly. She awkwardly reached up to cover her stomach, pretending nothing was wrong, and asked, "Where are we?"
"Pull up the carriage curtain and take a look."
Feng Huaihe's tone couldn't hide his amusement. Zhu Qing glanced at him discreetly and saw a handsome curve at the corner of his mouth, as if he were teasing her.
Zhu Qing snorted inwardly and lifted the carriage curtain to look out.
Upon seeing this, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.
I don't know where I am, but outside there is a wide open road and endless golden wheat fields. When the wind blows, the wheat waves roll and the tips of the wheat sway, showing the golden light of harvest in the sunlight.
The gentle breeze blowing on my face seemed to carry the scent of wheat fields, refreshing and pleasant.
Zhu Qing, who never has time to travel, exclaimed in amazement!
It felt like being in a boundless wilderness, with the free wind blowing, making one's soul want to dance.
"Where is this?" she asked, unable to contain her amazement.
"Cui Muyuan," Feng Huaihe said softly, "Do you like him?"
Zhu Qing stretched out her hand, feeling the cool autumn breeze roll through her fingers and palm. "I like it."
These are things she can't experience in today's concrete jungle. Although her country has them, she doesn't have the means to see them.
Suddenly, a warm hand covered her waist and pulled her into an embrace. Feng Huaihe's warm breath brushed against her ear: "Let's go eat now."
Zhu Qing turned around and saw him close by, embracing her tightly. His smiling eyes were fixed on her, his thin lips close to hers, exhaling warm, ambiguous breath. He suddenly lowered his head, as if to kiss her.
Zhu Qing hurriedly reached out and covered her lips.
Feng Huaihe didn't mind and kissed the back of her hand.
As he kissed her, his eyes remained open, his burning gaze fixed intently on Zhu Qing. His lips lightly kissed her, but it wasn't enough; he extended his tongue and gently brushed it across the back of her hand.
The soft, wet touch swept across her skin, sending shivers down Zhu Qing's spine.
Zhu Qing was afraid he would do more, so she covered her mouth and hurriedly said, "I'm hungry, very hungry."
Feng Huaihe stepped back, took her hand, and said, "Let's find a restaurant to eat at."
After resting briefly in Cui Muyuan and replenishing their food, they continued on their journey.
The journey was boring, so Zhu Qing slept the whole time.
There was no navigation or internet in this place, so Zhu Qing didn't know where she was or how much time had passed. After about seven or eight days of travel, Zhu Qing was woken up by Feng Huaihe while she was sleeping.
Zhu Qing opened her sleepy eyes and saw his handsome face so close to hers. Perhaps because she had just woken up and her mind was still foggy, she felt that Feng Huaihe's voice was gentler than ever before.
"Get off the bus and find a place to rest and have a meal."
Zhu Qing let out a soft "oh," and a breeze blew open the carriage curtain, letting in sunlight that cast a soft glow on Feng Huaihe's face. He felt as if he were in a soft, dreamlike world. He took her hand and pulled her down from the carriage.
With her feet on the ground, Zhu Qing looked up and was startled by the sight before her.
Before her were several thatched huts and fenced cottages, with tall locust trees swaying in the autumn wind.
Zhu Qing rubbed her eyes. Although both her home in Qingxi Village and this place had a small courtyard with a fence, this place was obviously more elegant, giving off a leisurely feeling of picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence.
Where is this again?
Feng Huaihe led her into the fenced courtyard, "Du Fu's Former Residence."
"Huh?" How did I bring him here? Is this the Du Fu she thought he was?
Under the big locust tree was a small stone table and several round stone stools.
She sat down with Feng Huaihe, drank water and ate. In the gentle breeze, she heard Feng Huaihe say, "In the battle of Youzhou in my past life, I asked you to come with me, do you remember?"
Zhu Qing nodded, wondering why he suddenly brought this up.
But he didn't say anything, he just stared at the few thatched huts, lost in thought.
At that time, Feng Huaihe wanted to take her to a place like this, so that they could live in seclusion in peace.
Smoke rises from the chimneys in the morning, and dogs bark at the gate in the evening. He could use all of Feng's remaining assets to ensure she would have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of her life.
He could have been her husband forever, simply accompanying her through life as an elder, but unfortunately, his impulsive act led to rejection, resulting in a lifetime of introversion.
As Feng Huaihe reminisced about the past, looking at Zhu Qing sitting in front of him, eating and drinking earnestly, he suddenly felt an urge to hug her and pull her into his arms, to become one with her.
This impulse, once he finished resting and returned to the carriage, could no longer be resisted.
As soon as Zhu Qingyi got into the carriage, Feng Huaihe reached out and pulled her into his arms, lifted the hem of her skirt, and gently caressed her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com