I poured tea for Lingwu three times. After he finished drinking, I leaned over and whispered, "Can we be overheard talking here?"
"Yes, your senior brother cherishes you so much. What would happen if you were kidnapped?"
"Let's find a place where only the two of us can talk. I want to ask you for a favor."
Lingwu hesitated for a moment, but still agreed. He found two people dressed in Western Region clothing and said he would take me out for a stroll and show me the central city.
My heart was pounding. Xie Yuancheng was already busy, and these next two days were probably crucial, so I needed to leave as soon as possible.
We walked in the crowd, speaking softly from time to time, because the people around us were speaking so loudly that those behind us couldn't hear us.
"Sister-in-law, did you have a fight with your senior brother? He looks so happy, it doesn't seem like it."
"No, it was my own thought. He's in danger right now."
"My senior brother has faced danger since childhood. It's truly remarkable that he has survived for so long and even has a child."
"So I can't be a burden to him anymore."
Upon hearing this, Lingwu pulled me to a more lively place: "Sister-in-law, don't be foolish. You already have a child. It's rare for your senior brother to be so sincere to someone. If you leave him, he will be very sad in the future."
"I can't give him what he wants, but I can give him to other women. Even if I'm reluctant, I have to leave."
"So, you've met the Western Region King's father! They've long wanted to make my senior brother their son-in-law, and using this as a wager is really going too far. Luckily, there was this agreement, otherwise Lin Chao and the others would have been trapped in the central city."
“It’s annoying, but they can help him. You’re leaving tomorrow, so take me with you secretly, otherwise I’ll die in despair, and the next time you see me, it will be a lonely grave.”
"I won't let you die in despair. But if I want to take you with me, I want to make sure I can take you with me out of the world."
“Yes, you can leave tomorrow at noon. We’ll take another route, but we won’t go through Loulan in the Western Regions. That way, we can get out safely.”
This is what I dreamt about in the early morning. Even God is helping me escape, so how can I not leave!
Why take that long detour?
"If there is war in the Western Regions, just trust me. I can only rely on you. Once we reach Dazhao, I can return to the capital myself."
“This.” Lingwu led me past a stall and picked out a very special hairpin for me: “Sister-in-law, this is pretty.”
"Yes, I'll buy it." I still had some money on me, and I always buy something when I'm out shopping.
Lingwu paid the bill before I could, and we continued walking. He said he would give me an answer tomorrow. I was conflicted; if he refused, I would have to sneak away on my own.
After we got back, I started thinking about how to tell Xie Yuancheng about the war in the Western Regions so that he could avoid it.
Moreover, I am about to embark on the most difficult journey, and I hope that no bandits will appear along the way, otherwise I will truly perish in the Western Regions.
He didn't return until midnight: "Ying'er~ I knew you would wait for me."
He was laughing very happily, and I could smell a faint fragrance on him, the same as last time—it must be that girl's.
“Yuancheng, you must avoid Luoxi Village for the next ten days; it is not safe there.”
"How did you know this village existed?" Xie Yuancheng sat down next to me, and I told him everything that happened in my dream. I thought of another way to avoid them.
"Ying'er~" Xie Yuancheng leaned against me: "You really helped a lot. Changze was so angry tonight that his face turned red, but the King of the Western Regions still wouldn't budge an inch."
"Why don't you marry his sister? You definitely won't have to suffer like this."
"Ying'er!" Xie Yuancheng's face darkened. "I've told you, if you keep thinking nonsense, I have plenty of ways to deal with you."
"I was just saying, I won't say anything if you're not happy."
"There's been so much going on these past few months, I hope I didn't scare you just now." Xie Yuancheng's expression changed incredibly quickly, and he started laughing again: "Don't worry, how could I possibly like someone else? We've been through so much together, no one can replace that."
I smiled apologetically at him, and he reached out his hand again. I quickly took it and said, "Yuancheng, I'm a little tired. I want to go and rest first."
"What are you and Lingwu going out for tonight?" He knew it; these people really do tell everyone everything.
"I bought this." I showed him the wooden hairpin, and Xie Yuancheng took it and tossed it aside.
"This hairpin is too ugly. I'll buy you a new one tomorrow."
"Okay, go wash up quickly, and remember what I said."
"Understood. I'll call Changze and Lin Chao over right away. The rest of the staff just need to carry out the orders."
Xie Yuancheng went out to work again. I sat in the room, feeling particularly bad. I was about to leave him.
He hadn't returned by daybreak, so I started to tidy myself up. Just as I finished washing my face, I saw some writing by the window. It was from Lingwu; he had agreed.
He told me to disappear first, so that he wouldn't be suspected for a while and we could travel much further.
I am so grateful to him. I was just thinking of sneaking out, like Li Zhaole, to hide in a farmer's house and wait for things to calm down.
I quickly got ready, followed the directions he gave me, changed my clothes, and went out with the Phantom Sword.
She had just stepped out of the courtyard when she was stopped by someone who jumped down from the roof: "Madam, the Marquis says it is not a good day for you to go out."
"I'm just going out for a walk. I was too tired last night. I haven't seen anyone for the past few months. If I don't go out, I think I'll get depressed. Why don't you come with me, or I can go find Lingwu."
"Miss Lingwu has gone to deliver something and is not here for the time being."
"Then come with me. I'll feel at ease with you here in broad daylight."
"Madam, this..."
"How about this, I'll go for a walk outside, not far, and you'll all be able to see me."
"That's fine. There have been many things happening in the central city these past few days, and the Marquis is also worried about your safety."
"I know, I'm just feeling down. I'll just go for a walk. I have my sword with me, nothing will happen."
"Then you can stay outside the door, and we can keep an eye on you at any time."
"It must have been really tough for you all following him."
This guard is such a cutie; he blushes as soon as I talk to him. I left him a note, telling him everything I wanted to say, and I even made a point of asking him to stay away from the war in the Western Regions.
This isn't something an ordinary person can avoid. He has an injury on his wrist, and even if he's with the girl, he shouldn't be reckless. I'm worried that these guards will be punished after I leave.
They all have parents who raised them, and it is already a great honor for them to come to the Western Regions for him. He must not kill them, but rather consider it as accumulating blessings for the three little ones.
I glanced back at the small house where I lived, a peaceful haven. Xie Yuancheng was very thoughtful; he knew I didn't like being in conspicuous places, so he chose this place.
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