Then went to Liangzhou
...
Xu Qingyao woke up to a series of rhythmic jolts.
My eyelids were heavy as I opened them to a familiar indigo-blue roof embroidered with lotus patterns. Beneath me lay a thick, soft snow leopard-skin rug, and the air was filled with a faint, calming scent of styrax.
This was the usual arrangement inside her carriage.
"Madam! You're finally awake!" Tsukimi's joyful voice rang out from the side, choked with relief. "You've been unconscious for a whole day and night!"
Xu Qingyao tilted her head slightly, looking at Yuejian whose eyes were red-rimmed, her voice still a little hoarse: "Water..."
Tsukimi quickly and carefully helped her up, feeding her a few sips of warm ginseng tea. The cool liquid slid down her throat, dispelling some of her fatigue and confusion.
"Where is Xiao Zhouyan?" Xu Qingyao looked around; only she and Yuejian were inside the carriage.
"The general is riding a horse outside..." Yuejian was about to announce loudly when Xu Qingyao gently pressed her wrist.
"Don't make a fuss yet."
Xu Qingyao shook her head, feeling the emptiness within her body and the silence of even the system, a long-lost sense of vulnerability lingered in her heart.
She needs some time to sort out the current situation.
Where are we going?
Tsukimi lowered her voice and explained the whole story in detail:
"After you fell into a coma, the general dealt with the aftermath of the Huangjue Temple overnight. The silver-haired man's body and the evidence were secretly sent back to the capital. Then the general submitted a memorial to His Majesty, saying that you had been too frightened and your pregnancy was unstable. The capital was a place of trouble and it was not suitable for you to recuperate. He requested that you be taken to your maternal grandfather's Jiang family in Liangzhou to rest for a while. His Majesty... His Majesty granted it and even bestowed a lot of medicinal herbs upon you."
Liangzhou? Xu Qingyao was slightly taken aback.
That was the place where my mother, Jiang, lived before she got married. It was located in the northwest, where the people were known for their fierce and unruly nature, and it was nearly a month's journey from the capital.
She remembered that she had indeed been to Liangzhou not long ago for some reason.
Is Xiao Zhouyan's move... a temporary retreat from the limelight?
Or should we retreat in order to advance?
"The general said that the Jiang family is the maternal family of the lady. They have deep roots in Liangzhou and the environment is quiet, which is most suitable for the lady to recuperate."
Tsukimi added, "We've been on our way for two days now, and the general has been personally guarding us the whole way."
Xu Qingyao leaned against the soft pillows and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to look outside.
As dusk approached, the convoy traveled along a somewhat desolate official road, flanked by endless brown loess plateaus and sparse drought-resistant shrubs. The wind whipped up sand and dust, carrying the rugged feel unique to the Northwest.
Xiao Zhouyan rode his magnificent black horse at the head of the caravan, his dark cloak fluttering in the wind, his back as straight as a mountain, seemingly able to shield him from all wind and rain.
He chose to take her away from that cannibalistic capital city, away from the center of the vortex.
Is it to protect her and allow her to recover in peace? Or is it to take this opportunity to step back and re-examine the game?
Xu Qingyao lowered the carriage curtain, closed her eyes, and felt the wisp of strength slowly returning to her body.
The system remains dormant; the cost of this energy overload is considerable, and it's unclear when it will recover.
Without the system calling out in her head, her world became much quieter.
But this feeling... isn't bad.
At least for now, she knew that the man outside would shield her from all attacks, both overt and covert.
“Tsukimi,” she instructed softly, “tell the general about my awakening later. I want… some more peace and quiet.”
"Yes, Madam." Yuejian obediently replied and tucked the blanket around her.
The carriage continued its journey through the vast twilight, rolling over the yellow earth, heading towards that unfamiliar yet intimately connected northwestern land.
The turmoil in the capital seemed to be far behind, but Xu Qingyao knew that this temporary departure did not signify the end. Recharging and conserving her energy might be for the next, even more intense storm.
And what awaits her in Liangzhou, the place where her mother once lived?
She had a vague feeling that this trip might not be as simple as just resting and recuperating.
What exactly is Xiao Zhouyan plotting?
*
The carriage moved slowly along the ancient streets of Liangzhou City, and the sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs brought Xu Qingyao back to her memories.
She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and the familiar street scene came into view. Unlike the bustling and noisy capital, Liangzhou City possessed a profound and tranquil atmosphere, steeped in the vicissitudes of time.
"Madam, look, we're almost at the Jiang residence," Yuejian gently reminded her.
Xu Qingyao looked in the direction she pointed, and the slightly mottled but gleaming vermilion gate of the Jiang residence drew closer and closer.
Unlike last time, when she returned furtively and with trepidation, this time she returned legitimately, with him by her side.
The carriage stopped in front of the mansion gate.
Almost simultaneously, Xiao Zhouyan's calm voice came from outside: "We've arrived."
The carriage curtain was lifted by a large, well-defined hand, and Xiao Zhouyan stood outside the carriage, reaching out his hand to her.
He was still dressed in a practical outfit for riding, looking travel-worn, but his eyes were clear and bright, and his gaze towards her carried an imperceptible gentleness.
Xu Qingyao placed her hand in his palm and used his strength to get off the carriage. His hand was warm and strong, supporting her steadily.
The Jiang family members, who had already received the news, were waiting at the door.
My maternal grandfather, Jiang Yanzhou, leaned on his cane and looked even more vigorous than when we last met. My maternal grandmother, Zhou, was supported by Jiang Caiwei and my aunt, Jiang Wanrou, on either side of her, her eyes filled with undisguised excitement and joy.
"Grandfather, Grandmother, Aunt, Caiwei." Xu Qingyao stepped forward and gave a proper bow.
Xiao Zhouyan was also beside her, clasping his hands in a respectful bow, his posture respectful yet dignified: "Junior Xiao Zhouyan greets maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, and aunt."
"Good, good, it's good that you're back!"
Madam Jiang's eyes welled up with tears. She stepped forward, took Xu Qingyao's hand, and looked her up and down. "You've lost weight. You must have suffered a lot in the capital."
She then looked at Xiao Zhouyan and nodded repeatedly, "Zhouyan, you must be tired from your journey. Come in and rest."
Although Old Master Jiang didn't say much, he looked at the two standing side by side with a look of satisfaction in his eyes. He said to Xiao Zhouyan, "You must be tired from your journey. Come in and have a cup of hot tea."
Jiang Caiwei was as lively as ever. She sidled up to Xu Qingyao and whispered with a grin, "Cousin, brother-in-law, you're finally here again! This time you must stay a few more days!"
Jiang Wanrou smiled gently, her gaze shifting between Xu Qingyao and Xiao Zhouyan, filled with the loving and satisfied expression of an elder.
A group of people escorted them into the mansion.
Everything inside the mansion remained the same; the corridors were quiet, the courtyards were deep, and the cluster of white roses growing in the cracks of the threshold stone was still blooming tenaciously.
This time, Xu Qingyao was directly assigned to the Begonia Courtyard, where her mother Jiang Wanxin had lived before her marriage. The courtyard was spotless, elegantly furnished, and bright and clean, as if the owner had only temporarily left.
Xiao Zhouyan's luggage was placed in the adjacent guest courtyard, which was both convenient to look after and in accordance with etiquette.
After settling in, Xiao Zhouyan went to the front hall to talk with Old Master Jiang.
This is not just a matter of etiquette; perhaps Xiao Zhouyan also needs to learn about the situation in the Northwest from her maternal grandfather, or... more about her mother.
Xu Qingyao strolled slowly through the Begonia Courtyard. Every blade of grass, every tree, every table and chair here bore the marks of her mother's life.
On the dressing table was a half-empty box of hair oil with a faint osmanthus scent, which was said to be the one her mother used to use.
She walked to the desk, where an unfinished collection of poems lay open, the handwriting delicate and graceful—her mother's handwriting.
Xu Qingyao gently stroked the ink stains, a sense of peace settling over her heart. Here, she seemed to be able to touch the warmth of the mother she had never met, and temporarily forget the bloodshed and violence of the capital.
Dinner was again held in the main hall, and it was even more lavish than last time.
Madam Jiang kept serving food to Xu Qingyao and Xiao Zhouyan, Jiang Caiwei chattered about interesting things in Liangzhou City, and Jiang Wanrou carefully inquired about Xu Qingyao's life in the capital, her tone gentle.
Although Xiao Zhouyan was not talkative, he was well-mannered, respectful to his elders, and responded to Caiwei's liveliness with a tolerant smile. Occasionally, he would chat with Old Master Jiang about the local customs of the Northwest and the situation of border trade. His words were meaningful and made Old Master Jiang nod frequently.
During the meal, Old Master Jiang suddenly looked at Xu Qingyao, his tone calm yet meaningful: "The capital is a place of trouble, it's good to stay away for now. Although Liangzhou is not as prosperous as the capital, it is quiet. You need to rest, so settle down here and don't worry about anything else."
Xu Qingyao understood that her maternal grandfather was telling her that the Jiang family was her support, and that she could rest assured and recuperate, putting aside the troubles in the capital for the time being.
She felt a warmth in her heart and nodded in response, "Yes, Yao'er understands. Thank you for your trouble, Grandpa and Grandma."
Xiao Zhouyan also spoke up at the opportune moment: "This junior has already asked His Majesty for leave and will stay here with Qingyao to recuperate for a while. Matters in the capital will be decided by His Majesty for the time being."
These words were meant for the Jiang family, and also to show that his visit was indeed only to accompany Xu Qingyao in her recuperation, and that he had no other official business to attend to.
After dinner, Xiao Zhouyan accompanied Old Master Jiang to the study to play chess, while Xu Qingyao was pulled by Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanrou to the flower hall to talk and taste the newly made pastries.
As night deepened, the city of Liangzhou was exceptionally quiet, with only the faint sound of the night watchman's clapper and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Xu Qingyao returned to the Begonia Courtyard, and after taking a bath and changing her clothes, she felt completely refreshed.
Since leaving the capital, that invisible pressure seems to have lessened considerably.
Although the system was not there, she did not feel panicked.
Perhaps, just as Xiao Zhouyan and her maternal grandfather had hoped, she really needed a period of time away from conflict to recuperate and... sort things out.
She opened the window, looked at the crabapple tree in the courtyard bathed in moonlight, and took a deep breath of the cool air carrying the fragrance of grass and trees.
This recuperation at the Jiang family's house may truly bring her a moment of peace.
And between her and Xiao Zhouyan, in this place far from the center of power, it seemed that they could temporarily put aside their heavy identities and responsibilities, and simply spend a peaceful time as an ordinary couple.
Even in the calm before the storm, she was willing to immerse herself in this rare tranquility.
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