"It's because you studied well," Yao Xiuyan said gently. "Mingyue, you are stronger than I imagined."
After a moment of silence, Qi Mingyue suddenly asked, "Are you going back to the capital for the New Year?"
Yao Xiuyan shook his head: "The border cannot be left unattended." He paused, "If you miss home..."
“This is home too,” Qi Mingyue said softly.
Yao Xiuyan stared at her, his gaze deep: "Really?"
"Mmm." Qi Mingyue looked out the window at the snow-covered ground. "Where Brother Xiuyan is..."
Before he could finish speaking, a commotion erupted outside. A personal guard rushed in to report: "Your Highness! The Wolf Smoke Fortress has been attacked!"
Yao Xiuyan immediately stood up: "Prepare the horses!"
Qi Mingyue grabbed him: "You just got back..."
Yao Xiuyan patted her hand: "I'll be back soon." He turned back at the door, "Wait for me to have New Year's Eve dinner."
Three days passed. On New Year's Eve, Yao Xiuyan still hadn't returned. Qi Mingyue prepared the New Year's Eve dinner and stared blankly at the table full of dishes.
Zhi Shu advised, "Miss, please eat first. I'm afraid the young master..."
Before she could finish speaking, she heard the sound of galloping hooves. Qi Mingyue rushed out the door and saw Yao Xiuyan returning, covered in snow, with his personal guards carrying several wounded soldiers behind him.
"Is it serious?" Qi Mingyue asked anxiously.
Yao Xiuyan shook his head: "A small group of bandits." He looked into the hall, "Still waiting?"
Qi Mingyue nodded: "We agreed to wait for Brother Xiuyan to have New Year's Eve dinner."
A warm feeling flashed in Yao Xiuyan's eyes: "Wait for me to change my clothes."
The New Year's Eve dinner was eaten quietly. Yao Xiuyan was clearly tired and didn't say much, only silently serving food to Qi Mingyue.
After the meal, Qi Mingyue took out a newly made battle robe: "A New Year's gift."
Yao Xiuyan unfolded it and saw that the stitches were fine and dense, and the collar and cuffs were lined with thick cotton. "Did you make this?"
Qi Mingyue nodded: "I learned it from the embroiderers in the camp."
Yao Xiuyan stroked the bamboo pattern subtly embroidered on his battle robe: "Why bamboo?"
"The wind rustles through the sparse bamboo, the bamboo leaves whisper, but the bamboo stalks do not break," Qi Mingyue said softly. "I wish Brother Xiuyan could be like bamboo."
Yao Xiuyan stared at her for a long time, then suddenly took out a wooden box from his bosom: "New Year's gift."
Inside the box was a jade hairpin, carved in the shape of a bright moon, which perfectly matched the flying jade pendant.
"I'll put it on for you." Yao Xiuyan stood up.
Qi Mingyue lowered her head slightly. His movements were clumsy, and he failed to fix the hairpin several times, instead pulling out a few strands of her hair.
"Does it hurt?" he asked anxiously.
Qi shook his head: "Brother Xiuyan has never helped anyone with their hair?"
Yao Xiuyan's ears turned slightly red: "The first time."
Suddenly, the sound of fireworks came from outside the window. The two looked up side by side and saw fireworks blooming in the sky above the fortress—the soldiers were celebrating the New Year.
"Fireworks at the border?" Qi Mingyue asked in surprise.
Yao Xiuyan chuckled, "I had someone buy it from Dunhuang." He turned to look at her, "Do you like it?"
The fireworks flickered, illuminating his deep-set eyes. Qi Mingyue's heart stirred, and she whispered, "I like it."
As the fireworks faded, Yao Xiuyan suddenly said, "I'm going to the Western Regions in the spring. It will take about two months."
Qi Mingyue was taken aback: "You were gone for so long?"
"Hmm." Yao Xiuyan's gaze was distant. "There are some things that need to be settled." He paused. "Would you like to come along?"
Before Qi Mingyue could answer, he added, "The journey to the Western Regions is long and arduous, even more so than the border region."
"I'll go." Qi Mingyue said without hesitation, "Wherever Brother Xiuyan goes, I'll go."
A complex look flashed in Yao Xiuyan's eyes: "Mingyue, this journey may be dangerous..."
“Then we must go.” Qi Mingyue said firmly, “Brother Xiuyan said that the border is not only about swords and spears, but also about flying apsaras.” She looked up at him, “I want to see the flying apsaras of the Western Regions.”
Yao Xiuyan gazed at her for a long time, then finally chuckled softly, "Okay."
The snow began to fall again, silently. The two stood side by side under the veranda, watching the snow blanket the courtyard.
Qi Mingyue thought, the snow at the border is really heavy, but it can't cover up some things that are quietly growing.
Just like the unfinished words and uncertain future between her and Yao Xiuyan.
Everything settles quietly in this snowy night, waiting for spring to arrive.
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