Chapter Twenty-One: The Eve in the Western Regions
As spring arrives at the border, the winds and sandstorms grow ever more biting. The snow on the Gobi Desert melts and freezes again, forming a thin layer of ice that crunches underfoot. With the departure date for the Western Regions drawing near, Qi Mingyue is busy preparing their luggage, while Yao Xiuyan is increasingly busy, often returning home late at night.
That day, Qi Mingyue was sorting through medicinal herbs when Lin Qiuyan suddenly came to visit. She hesitated for a moment in the courtyard, then handed over a bundle: "This is for you."
Upon opening it, I was surprised to find a bright red fox fur coat, with glossy fur and exquisite workmanship.
"The wind and sand in the Western Regions are strong, and it's even colder than at the border." Lin Qiuyan turned her head away. "Don't...don't get cold."
Qi Mingyue exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Lin..."
"Don't misunderstand!" Lin Qiuyan said urgently, "Brother Xiuyan asked me to deliver it!" Then, realizing she had misspoke, she stamped her foot and said, "Anyway, just wear it!"
Qi Mingyue gently stroked the fox fur coat, feeling a warmth in her heart: "Thank you."
Lin Qiuyan snorted, turned to leave, then stopped: "Um... the Western Regions are not peaceful, you... be careful."
Qi Mingyue smiled: "Miss Lin is worried about me?"
"Who's worried about you!" Lin Qiuyan's ears turned bright red. "I'm afraid Brother Xiuyan will be distracted!" With that, she hurriedly ran off.
Qi Mingyue hugged the fox fur coat, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips. These past few days, Lin Qiuyan's attitude had clearly softened; though still stubborn, she would secretly look after her.
When Yao Xiuyan returned in the evening, he was taken aback when he saw the fox fur coat: "Qiuyan gave it to me?"
Qi Mingyue nodded: "He said it was sent by Brother Xiuyan."
Yao Xiuyan raised an eyebrow: "When did I..." Then he realized, "This girl."
He inspected the luggage and frowned: "We brought too much. The journey to the Western Regions is long, it's better to travel light."
Qi Mingyue hesitated: "These herbs..."
“We have them all in the Western Regions.” Yao Xiuyan took out a few items. “These are enough.” He picked up the fox fur coat. “You can bring this.”
Qi Mingyue noticed the injury on his fingertip: "What happened to your hand?"
Yao Xiuyan withdrew his hand: "It's nothing, just a scratch from practicing archery."
Qi Mingyue insisted on examining it. She saw a deep gash on his palm, resembling a knife wound. "This isn't a scratch," she frowned. "Has Brother Xiuyan been attacked again?"
Yao Xiuyan said indifferently, "You petty thief." He changed the subject, "I'm going to Dunhuang tomorrow to arrange defenses. Would you like to come along?"
Qi Mingyue knew he was intentionally hiding it, but she didn't point it out: "Okay."
…………
Dunhuang and Yumen Pass are vastly different in appearance. Camel bells ring out melodiously, merchants from all over the world gather, and the market is filled with the aromas of various languages and spices. Qi Mingyue accompanied Yao Xiuyan on a patrol of the defenses, but her eyes kept drifting towards the exotic sights.
Seeing this, Yao Xiuyan's lips curled up slightly: "You like it?"
Qi Mingyue nodded: "It's very different from the capital."
“The Western Regions are even larger.” Yao Xiuyan pointed to the distant sea of sand. “Beyond this desert lie the Thirty-Six Kingdoms.”
After the tour, Yao Xiuyan took her to the market. He stopped in front of a Hu merchant's stall: "Pick a gift."
Qi Mingyue asked in surprise, "Why?"
"A birthday gift," Yao Xiu said naturally. "Your birthday is the day after tomorrow, have you forgotten?"
Qi Mingyue was stunned. She herself had forgotten, but he remembered.
In the end, she chose a moonstone bracelet. Yao Xiuyan put it on her wrist; the stone gleamed softly in the sunlight. "People from the Western Regions believe this can bring them peace and safety."
Qi Mingyue gently stroked the bracelet: "Brother Xiuyan believes it too?"
“I didn’t believe it at first,” Yao Xiuyan said, his gaze deep, “but for your sake, I’d rather believe it exists.”
On the return journey, they encountered a group of merchants from the Central Plains being robbed. Yao Xiuyan immediately led his men to rescue them, while Qi Mingyue treated the wounded from behind. One merchant was seriously injured, and she used all her skills to stabilize his condition.
When Hu Shang woke up, he gratefully handed her a talisman: "You're so kind, young lady... Here, take this, it can protect you from sandstorms..."
When Yao Xiuyan returned after dealing with the bandits, he was stunned when he saw the amulet: "This is..."
The merchant from Hu hurriedly said, "This was blessed by a high-ranking monk from Khotan; it's incredibly efficacious!"
Yao Xiuyan accepted the amulet and said to Qi Mingyue, "Amulets from a high monk in Khotan are extremely rare and hard to come by."
It was late at night when they returned to Yumen Pass. Qi Mingyue was exhausted and dozed off against the carriage wall. In her hazy state, she felt someone drape an outer garment over her shoulders, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Yao Xiuyan quietly watching her.
"Brother Xiuyan..."
"Go to sleep," he said in a low voice. "I'll wake you when we get there."
Qi Mingyue couldn't sleep: "Those bandits today..."
“They’re not ordinary bandits.” Yao Xiuyan’s gaze turned slightly cold. “They’re after me.”
Qi Mingyue's heart tightened: "Because of the trip to the Western Regions?"
Yao Xiuyan nodded: "Some people don't want me to go to the Western Regions."
"That……"
“We must go,” Yao Xiu said firmly. “The more obstacles there are, the more important this trip is.”
…………
On her birthday, Qi Mingyue woke up early to find a pot of Western orchids in the courtyard. The flowers resembled butterflies, were the color of purple clouds, and had a delicate fragrance.
Zhi Shu smiled and said, "The young master sent it before dawn, saying it was a special product from the Western Regions."
Qi Mingyue gently stroked the flower petals, her heart filled with sweet warmth. After breakfast, she went to school as usual, only to find the children waiting for her with wildflowers in their hands: "Happy birthday, Miss Qi!"
Even Lin Qiuyan came, awkwardly handing over a purse: "The embroidery isn't very good... but it'll do."
The purse is embroidered with a pattern of the bright moon and flying apsaras; the stitches are rough, but they show care.
Qi Mingyue was moved: "Thank you..."
"Don't cry!" Lin Qiuyan said urgently, "Brother Xiuyan is most afraid of women crying!"
That evening, Yao Xiuyan hosted a banquet featuring roasted whole lamb and wine in the style of the Western Regions. Generals came to offer their congratulations, and even General Li brought a gift—a jewel-encrusted dagger.
"Women at the border should have something for self-defense," General Li said gruffly. "Miss Qi, please don't find it offensive."
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