"Sir," a child in a grey coat ran down from the carriage behind, holding a fur coat and ran over in a hurry, saying in a deep voice, "Sir, don't wait, they won't come. The snowstorm is too strong, Liu Huzi said there will be a big snowstorm later, we should hurry up and get to Queyu Mountain before dark."
Wu Daoya remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard anything, his eyes still looking straight ahead without any expression.
"Sir?" The little boy was stunned and pulled the corner of Wu Daoya's clothes, "Sir?"
"Ming'er, listen." The man in a green robe suddenly opened his lips. His tone was a little hoarse, and it sounded even deeper in the howling north wind, like an autumn wind blowing on mulberry trees. He spoke slowly.
"Listen?" The little boy frowned and pricked up his ears. "Sir, what are you listening to?"
"The sound of horse hooves." Wu Daoya said, "Here they come."
"Horse hoof sounds?" Ming'er listened for a long time, but could hear nothing except the whistling wind. In such weather, it was difficult to even hear the other person talking at close range, let alone listen to the horse hoof sounds in the distance. Ming'er muttered, "Sir, there is no horse hoof sound at all. You must have heard it wrong. In my opinion, we should..."
However, before Ming'er could finish his words, a rapid and clear sound of horse hooves suddenly rang out. The little boy was startled and raised his head abruptly. In the vast white wilderness, a yellow horse slowly appeared at the end of the horizon. The figure on the horse was blurry. The snow was getting heavier, falling from the sky, fluttering and making people's vision more and more blurred. However, it was still clear that the horse looked thin, as if it could be blown away by a gust of wind.
"Sir," Ming'er was slightly surprised, "You are amazing!"
"Whoa!" A crisp low shout was heard, and the man on the horse quickly dismounted and ran forward in a few steps. She was wearing a thick green robe. The huge cloak completely covered her head and face. Only a hint of her long black hair could be seen faintly at the bottom of the hood.
"Fortunately, we're still in time." The woman took off her hood, revealing a thin little face with slightly blue lips. She quickly took out a stack of rice paper from her arms and handed it to Wu Daoya.
The long journey in the cold wind made her a little exhausted. She panted slightly and said, "Keep it, it's all here."
Wu Daoya frowned, looking at the woman's appearance, and seemed a little angry. He frowned and said, "Why don't you let others come? It's the coldest time of winter. Are you cured?"
The woman shook her head. "No one can come. Mu Hexifeng is dead, and that idiot Mu Hexiyun is gone again. The Third Prince is very difficult to deal with. The guild has lost several brothers in a row. I'm a woman, and they don't check very strictly."
"Zhao Qitao has been keeping a low profile for so many years, but I didn't expect him to make such a big move right after he took office. Zhao Zhengde really gave birth to a group of good sons."
"Let's not talk too much, you should leave quickly. This mission is very urgent, and there is less than a month to go back and forth. The prince is currently gaining fame, which has both advantages and disadvantages. If we don't stabilize the overall situation at this time, it is likely to change midway."
Wu Daoya nodded, "I know, you have to be careful."
"Yes," the woman nodded, her face as pale as snow, her eyes seemed to darken a little, and she instructed, "You too."
Wu Daoya's eyes were somewhat gloomy. Looking at the pale face and thin body of the woman, he suddenly sighed helplessly, turned around and took the fur coat from Ming'er's hand, draped it over the woman's shoulders, lowered his head, and carefully tied the belt for her. With slender fingers and gentle eyes, he whispered as he tied the belt, "The weather is getting colder and colder. You must be more careful. This month is not long, but it is not short. The situation in the imperial capital has changed dramatically. You must be careful and cautious, and you must not be reckless or impulsive. Of the brothers and sisters back then, only you and I are left now. Ayu, I don't want anything to happen to you."
Miss Yu lowered her head and said nothing. Something was growing densely in her heart like a flower breaking through the soil. There were too many things lingering in her heart, and she didn't know what to say.
"You have to weigh the matters of the guild. Although there were no casualties in the last rescue of Master Zhu, our two secret contact stations were exposed. It is inevitable that the higher-ups will be a little angry. You should bear with it if you can, and don't lose your temper. Let the clans in the imperial city fight among themselves, and don't get involved. Our arrangement this time is just to rescue the prince safely, and we will ignore everything else. Don't be greedy for merit and rush forward without thinking."
"Also," Wu Daoya slowly raised his head, his eyes calm, like the frozen lake in early winter, no waves or ripples could be seen inside, and even his voice was old-fashioned, "Your health is not good, take care of yourself, don't worry too much. When things here are settled, I will take you to live in Bian Tang for a while, there are beautiful lakes and mountains, and the climate is mild, which is most helpful for your illness." After tying the last knot, Wu Daoya took two steps back, glanced at the woman, then turned around, and waved his hand gently as he walked, "Go back, be careful on the road."
"Daoya." Miss Yu suddenly raised her head, her expression somewhat serious.
"Hmm?" Wu Daoya turned around, raised his eyebrows, and asked softly, "Anything else?"
Miss Yu pursed her lips, thought for a while, shook her head, and said, "Nothing, if there is anything, I will talk to you when you come back, take care of yourself."
Wu Daoya looked at the woman. She was not a stunningly beautiful woman with a thin face and a frail body. Although she was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, years of hard work had left her with some fine crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, and her skin was unhealthily pale. But it was this face that made him have so many concerns that he couldn't let go of.
Just like today, this was not an important document, but he firmly believed that she would deliver it in person to see him for the last time, although he was still scolding her for not taking care of herself.
Until now, he still seemed to remember the scene of their first meeting.
That day, he followed his master to travel to the capital of Zhenhuang. On the Xiaoyan Bridge on Ximiao Street, he met the girl who was beaten to pieces by her master for running away. That year, she was only nine years old, thin and small. Long-term malnutrition made her skin sallow and she looked lifeless. However, her eyes, so big, so black, and so bright, were filled with unyielding resentment and a determination to never give up.
At that moment, he knew that this child would succeed. No matter how many times she failed, as long as she was still alive, she would be able to escape.
Sure enough, half a month later, at the door of a tavern outside Runan City, they once again met the child who was dying of hunger but still refused to beg. The master took her in and brought her back all the way. From then on, Tianji Mountain had a little sister, and he also had an unforgettable concern.
Seven days ago, Xihua died in Zuolingyuan in Yanbei. Of the thirteen brothers and sisters who had come down from Tianji Mountain together, only the two of them were left.
Wu Daoya reached out and patted Miss Yu on the shoulder with great force. He wanted to say something, but finally suppressed it. "If you have something to say, come back and talk to me. I'm leaving first. Be careful."
"Yeah," Miss Yu nodded, "You too."
Wu Daoya got on the carriage. Liu Huzi, wearing a dog-skin coat, rubbed his hands, shouted and cracked the whip. The war horses neighed and galloped, and the carriage stirred up a trail of white snow mist and gradually disappeared in the wind and snow.
No matter what happens, you can come back and talk about it.
Miss Yu sighed softly, and the cold snowflakes hit her face, reminding her of the Fire Thunder Field in Yanbei.
Everything is about to end. In just a few months, if she successfully rescues the young master, she can retire with honor. At that time, she can go to Bian Tang, which is very warm, unlike Hongchuan, where it snows for most of the year. Then, she can experience the scenes in the book, boating on the green lake, and smell the fragrance of lotus at night.
A Yu raised his head and took a deep breath, but the prerequisite was to rescue the prince safely.
She straightened her back, gave a soft shout, turned around and rode away.
They have waited for so many years, and they can definitely continue to wait. Although some words cannot be said, there will always be a day when they can be said. On that day, the world will be united, the people will live in peace, there will be no more slavery, and wars will be eradicated.
The cold wind blew in from afar, creating a small whirlwind on the flat ground. The white snow swirled up, like the cycle of fate, rising up and falling down, over and over again.
At this time in Shengjin Palace, the girl slowly put down the documents on the desk, walked to the window, and stared at the fiery clouds in the sky, lost in thought.
The maid Lvliu knocked on the door carefully, opened it timidly, and said in a low voice: "Miss, someone is looking for you outside."
Here, except for Yan Xun, everyone else was afraid of her, because every servant who entered Yingge Courtyard was strictly interrogated by her. She was a national intelligence agent in her previous life, and in this life she has repeatedly been on the brink of life and death, which makes her wary of everything.
The woman raised her eyebrows slightly, "Who is it?"
"The guard didn't say anything." Lvliu replied in a low voice, "It was Admiral Song at the front city gate who came to report it personally."
"Song Que?" Chu Qiao said doubtfully. The identity of the person who came was not simple. Not only could he enter Shengjin Palace freely, but he could also appoint Song Que to pass a message to her. Who could it be?
"Go tell Lieutenant General Song that I'll be there soon."
Wearing a fox fur coat and carrying a dagger for self-defense, Chu Qiao opened the door of Yingge Courtyard, and Song Que's icy face, which had remained the same for years, suddenly appeared before her. The girl sighed inwardly, thinking that it was no wonder that when she first entered the palace, she had a general who did not understand the ways of the world. He was guarding the front city gate, and he was still guarding the front city gate now, without any improvement.
After many twists and turns, they finally arrived at the Yumei Pavilion in the harem garden, which was Zhao Song's favorite place. When she was a child, she often came here secretly to receive help from Zhao Song, but now, she hasn't been here for a long time.
The forest is still the same, but the plum trees are a little bigger now. Now is the perfect time for plum blossoms to bloom, and the whole garden is filled with fragrance. Lieutenant General Song retreated without saying a word. Chu Qiao walked in alone, and after a few steps, she saw the shadow of someone coming.
"Xing'er girl."
After not seeing each other for a few years, Zhu Cheng has gained some weight, with a round belly, but he still has a smiling face, and he doesn't look upset at all because Chu Qiao betrayed the Zhuge family.
Chu Qiao's expression remained unchanged, and she said calmly, "Butler Zhu, my last name is Chu."
Zhu Cheng quickly apologized with a smile and said, "Miss Chu, I came to see you on the orders of the young master."
"Master?" The girl snorted coldly, and said respectfully but coldly, "Which master?"
Zhu Cheng was slightly stunned, but still replied: "Zhuge Yue, the fourth young master Zhuge."