The next morning, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze got up early and prepared everything.
The two of them went to the palace together and wrote to the emperor, explaining that they were feeling unwell and needed to leave the palace to recuperate.
In their letters, they described their illness in detail, their words sincere and moving.
They handed the letter to a palace eunuch and then quietly returned to the inn.
That afternoon, Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze quietly left the inn.
The innkeeper watched their retreating figures and couldn't help but sigh. He knew that these two distinguished guests would probably never return.
Their departure was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples. They secretly went to the residence of the Duke of Zhenguo.
When the Duke of Zhenguo saw them arrive, he was somewhat surprised and asked in confusion, "Why are you back so soon? Weren't you in the palace?"
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a glance, and then Xu Yuehuai said, "Godfather, we would like to leave here temporarily."
Their tone was firm and resolute, as if they had already made up their minds.
The Duke of Zhenguo frowned. He knew that the two children missed their child in Wuling Kingdom, but he was still somewhat worried about their departure.
He asked anxiously, "Where are you going?"
Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath and revealed their plan: "We want to go to Wuling Kingdom and bring the children over." Her words were filled with longing and yearning, but she did not tell the Duke of Zhenguo the truth.
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo's expression changed, realizing that Xu Yuehuai's resolve was unshakable.
He nodded helplessly and said, "In that case, you should act as soon as possible." A hint of reluctance and worry was in his eyes.
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze bid farewell to the Duke of Zhenguo and left the mansion.
The sky was filled with dark clouds, as if foreshadowing the difficulties they were about to face, but they did not back down.
Because they know that only by facing all of this can the problem be truly solved.
They rode their horses through bustling streets and along winding paths.
The journey was long and arduous, but they did not utter a single complaint.
Because they know that only through their own efforts and dedication can they bring happiness and well-being to their children.
On their journey, they encountered all sorts of people and heard all sorts of stories. They witnessed both the kindness and malice of humanity, and gained a deeper understanding of the impermanence and complexity of life.
But no matter what they encounter, they persevere and keep moving forward.
On the vast land, Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai rode side by side, secretly changing their route. Their destination was a remote borderland.
What was originally a simple adjustment to the itinerary turned out to be fraught with danger. The sound of their horses' hooves echoed across the open plains, the wind whistled in their ears, and danger approached silently.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!" Suddenly, several cold arrows pierced the air, heading straight for the two men's vital points.
The guards behind them, including Yan Qing, reacted quickly, deflecting the deadly arrows with their swords while urging, "Master, Madam, let's go!"
This was a sudden attack. A group of assassins of unknown origin swarmed in from all directions, with a clear objective—to take the lives of Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai.
Amidst the flashing swords and clashing blades, the guards fought ten against one, putting up a fierce resistance, but the enemy seemed endless, attacking wave after wave.
"Everyone, break out of the encirclement!" Yan Qing made a decisive decision. He and the remaining guards formed a defensive line, protecting Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai in the middle.
"No! We absolutely cannot be stopped here!" Xu Yuehuai cried out in terror, her face pale and her eyes filled with panic.
"Yuehuai, I know! This is for the greater good!" Qi Guze held her hand tightly, his gaze firm.
Just then, a flash of cold light appeared, and a assassin's blade slashed towards Qi Guze.
In a flash, Yan Qing suddenly blocked his way, his body swaying as blood gushed from his shoulder.
"Yan Qing!" Qi Guze exclaimed in surprise.
"Let's go!" Yan Qing gritted her teeth and gave Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai a push. "Let's go!"
Under the cover of the crowd, Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai urged their mounts on and sped away into the distance.
Behind him were relentless pursuers, but the road ahead was far from smooth—a bottomless valley stretched out before him.
"Jump!" Qi Guze grabbed Xu Yuehuai without hesitation, and the two of them plunged into the valley.
As they plummeted, they clung tightly to each other, the wind whistling in their ears.
"Yuehuai, are you alright?" Qi Guze asked anxiously.
Xu Yuehuai shook her head, but suddenly cried out, "Wait! My foot..." Her voice trembled.
The moment they landed, a protruding rock grazed Xu Yuehuai's ankle, and blood stained her white dress.
To make matters worse, they unfortunately found themselves in a dense thicket of poisonous weeds.
Xu Yuehuai looked down and found that she had been cut by a poisonous plant with sharp, purplish-red leaves.
She felt a sharp pain in her wound, as if cold venom was seeping into her bloodstream. Her face instantly turned bluish-purple, and her breathing became rapid.
Qi Guze's heart sank; he knew this was an extremely dangerous poisonous herb. He quickly tore off a piece of his clothing to bandage Xu Yuehuai's wounds, while simultaneously surveying the surrounding terrain. "We must leave here quickly."
He looked around, but all he saw were towering cliffs reaching into the clouds and bottomless valleys. "It seems we have to climb up."
He helped Xu Yuehuai up and carried her on his back as they began their arduous climb. His palms were cut by the rocks, and blood and sweat dripped down his face.
Xu Yuehuai's condition worsened, and she fell into a semi-comatose state.
"You can't sleep! You have to hold on!" Qi Guze encouraged Xu Yuehuai. "We'll be out of here soon." He kept encouraging himself and Xu Yuehuai while using all his strength to climb upwards.
Qi Guze carried Xu Yuehuai as they struggled to climb the cliff face. Poisonous miasma filled the surroundings, and all they could see was a hazy gray.
Suddenly, a cold wind blew by, and the poisonous miasma swayed with the wind, forming thick black shadows, as if countless invisible hands were trying to hold them tightly.
Qi Guze's heart tightened. He knew this area was extremely dangerous, and a slight misstep could plunge him into endless peril. Qi Guze's back muscles tensed, and sweat slid down his cheeks, dripping onto Xu Yuehuai's face.
He felt his steps growing heavier and heavier, as if he were carrying a thousand-pound burden. But he dared not stop; he knew this was their only chance. Only by crossing this poisonous miasma as quickly as possible could they have a glimmer of hope.
However, suddenly, Qi Guze's foot slipped, the stone beneath his feet loosened, and his entire body instantly lost its balance. He cried out in surprise and instinctively adjusted his posture, trying to regain his footing.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com