Just then, Lin Qiuyan rode up on horseback and sneered, "I told you long ago, the ways of the capital don't work on the border."
Qi Mingyue was isolated and helpless, but she still stood tall: "The establishment of the school is permitted by the Crown Prince."
"Brother Xiuyan has been deceived by you!" Lin Qiuyan pointed her whip at the women. "Look! Is this the result you wanted?"
Qi Mingyue felt a pang of pain in her heart as she looked at the weeping women. She had originally wanted to do something for the border region, but instead, she had only caused trouble for them.
"Let's dismiss school for today," she said softly. "Don't worry, everyone, I will definitely handle this matter."
After everyone left, Zhishu packed her things while crying, saying, "Miss, let's go back to the capital! Why suffer here like this!"
Qi Mingyue gazed out the window at the sandstorm, remaining silent for a long time.
......
Yao Xiuyan returned three days later. He was travel-worn and went to the military camp to handle official business before returning to his villa in the evening.
Upon seeing Qi Mingyue, he frowned: "Why have you lost so much weight?"
Qi Mingyue forced a smile: "I'm not quite used to the food at the border yet."
Yao Xiuyan carefully examined her face: "Has something happened?"
Before Qi Mingyue could answer, Lin Qiuyan burst in: "Brother Xiuyan! You're finally back!" she exclaimed anxiously, "Miss Qi's school has caused a huge uproar! The military households are about to riot!"
Yao Xiuyan's expression turned serious: "Explain in detail."
Lin Qiuyan embellished the story, concluding, "If you ask me, the young lady from the capital shouldn't have come to the border to cause trouble!"
Yao Xiuyan looked at Qi Mingyue: "Is it the truth?"
Qi Mingyue lowered her eyes: "It is true. I didn't think it through."
Yao Xiuyan was silent for a moment, then said, "The intention of setting up schools is good, but we need to proceed step by step." He spoke gently, "The border is different from the capital; everything must be done according to local conditions."
Qi Mingyue asked softly, "Does Brother Xiuyan also think I'm causing trouble?"
Yao Xiuyan sighed, "That's not what I meant..."
Before he could finish speaking, a guard came to report: "Your Highness, the military households have gathered outside the yamen and are demanding the closure of the school!"
Yao Xiuyan immediately stood up: "I'll take care of it." He turned back at the door, "Mingyue, you stay in the courtyard."
Qi Mingyue watched his hurried departure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Zhi Shu sobbed softly, "The young master is blaming the young lady too..."
Qi Mingyue shook her head: "He is the commander-in-chief of the army, so naturally he must prioritize the overall situation."
That night, Qi Mingyue tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She got up, lit a candle, laid out paper, and ground ink, beginning to draw a map of the lives of people on the frontier. Which families lacked labor, which children could work part-time while studying, how to adjust class times... she meticulously planned each and every detail.
She didn't rest until dawn. In her hazy state, she felt someone drape a coat over her shoulders, and when she opened her eyes, she met Yao Xiuyan's complicated gaze.
"Didn't sleep all night?" he asked in a low voice.
Qi Mingyue sat up straight: "I was thinking about the school." She pushed the blueprints over, "What do you think, Brother Xiuyan?"
Yao Xiuyan examined the blueprints closely, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "You... considered all of this?"
"Now that we've come to the border, we should adapt to local customs," Qi Mingyue said softly. "Yesterday I misunderstood; I was only thinking about teaching and forgot about the hardships people face."
Yao Xiuyan stared at her for a long time, then suddenly said, "The soldiers have dispersed. I've given them some rations and pay, and that's enough to appease them for now."
Qi Mingyue was taken aback: "Brother Xiuyan..."
“But Mingyue,” he said seriously, “the border is not like the capital. If one thing is not handled properly, it could trigger a mutiny. Do you understand?”
Qi Mingyue's heart skipped a beat: "I understand."
Yao Xiu's tone softened slightly: "Your plan is excellent, but it needs time to be implemented. How about we postpone the school for the next few days?"
Qi Mingyue nodded: "I'll do whatever Brother Xiuyan says."
Yao Xiuyan smoothed her hair and said, "I'm sorry you had to go through this."
"I'm not aggrieved." Qi Mingyue looked at the gradually brightening sky outside the window. "It's just that Mingyue was too impatient."
Yao Xiuyan suddenly said, "I'm going to patrol the border in three days. Would you like to come with me? To see the real border."
A glint of light flashed in Qi Mingyue's eyes: "Is it alright?"
"Hmm." Yao Xiuyan's lips curled up slightly. "Let me show you the land I've protected."
After the person left, Zhishu said worriedly, "Is Miss really going? I heard that patrolling the border is very hard..."
Qi Mingyue laid out the drawing paper again: "Since we're here, we should at least take a look." A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Besides, Brother Xiuyan invited us."
Yao Xiuyan's patrol team set off in the morning light.
Qi Mingyue changed into a smart riding outfit, her long hair simply tied up, making her look more dashing than usual. Lin Qiuyan was also in the group; she was clearly taken aback when she saw her, then turned her head away.
"Stay close to me." Yao Xiuyan handed her a gentle mare. "The border roads are dangerous and difficult to travel."
Qi Mingyue nodded, carefully controlling the reins. The caravan left the pass and stepped onto the Gobi Desert. The wind and sand lashed at her face, forcing her to pull up her veil, revealing only a pair of calm eyes.
The first stop was a beacon tower thirty miles away. When the old soldier guarding the tower saw Yao Xiuyan, he hurriedly saluted, but his eyes curiously glanced at Qi Mingyue.
"This is Miss Qi," Yao Xiuyan introduced simply, "I brought her to see the border."
The old soldier grinned, revealing his gap-toothed smile: "Miss Qi is too delicate; she probably isn't used to the harsh cold of the border region."
Qi Mingyue asked gently, "How many years have you been guarding the watchtower, old man?"
"Forty years!" the veteran said proudly. "I've been here since I was sixteen."
Qi Mingyue looked closely at his chapped face and frostbitten fingers, and said softly, "Thank you for your hard work, old man."
The veteran was taken aback, then rubbed his hands together and laughed, "I'm used to it, I'm used to it."
After leaving the beacon tower, Yao Xiuyan asked, "What did you see?"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
