Chapter Sixty-Nine: Deepest Regret
Xue Qingrou and the other two buried An Xiaolian on the spot. An Xiaolian had devoted half her life to love, yet the five-foot wooden plaque bore no name or title, simply inscribed: "The Grave of An Xiaolian." Over time, wind and rain eroded the plaque, and it disappeared. A lifetime of devoted love ended in vain; she died with resentment, her love misplaced. The three stood before the grave, deeply moved.
Guan Tongyan said, "My two sisters, this journey is desolate. What are your plans?"
Qin Hongrong smiled and said, "I've saved up quite a bit of money. Sister Guan, Sister Xue, let's open a restaurant and spend the rest of our lives together!"
Guan Tong smiled and said, "Sister Qin, I appreciate your kindness, but I have some mundane matters to attend to and cannot accompany you."
Seeing that Xue Qingrou seemed lost in thought, Guan Tong asked softly, "Sister Xue, what are your plans?"
Xue Qingrou recalled what Xiaoyao Lang had said to her: "Find someone who loves you, and life will still have its brilliance." She then replied, "Let's go to the ends of the earth and follow our hearts!"
After a long talk, the three parted ways. Xue Qingrou, having made up her mind, set off on the road leading into Shanshui City.
Xiaoyao Lang drove the carriage without saying a word. Murong Hanchan looked at him with a pout, unable to figure him out, so she didn't take the initiative to speak to him.
Yu Linglong sat in the car, believing that Xiaoyao Lang was angry because she had shown mercy and failed to kill Liu Changjun, leading to the tragic incident in which An Xiaolian died unjustly.
Then she said softly, "Are you still angry with me?"
The carefree and leisurely man said, "Linglong, why do you ask such a question?"
Yu Linglong said slowly, "It was because I was soft-hearted that I failed to kill the demon."
Xiaoyao Langshuang said, "Linglong, you've misunderstood. You have your reasons, and no matter what happens or what you do, I won't be angry with you. It's your current opinion that's making me uncomfortable."
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong hurriedly said, "Yu Lang, it was my fault. I shouldn't have had such thoughts."
Xiaoyao Lang: "Linglong, love is just one word, no explanation needed. I know you have good intentions, and you know how deep my feelings for you are, that's enough."
When Murong Hanchan saw Xiaoyao Lang speak, she spurred her horse to the side. She smiled sweetly and said, "Brother Xiaoyao, tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. How do you plan to spend it with me, or will you give me a gift?"
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "Chan'er! Since it's the Dragon Boat Festival, I'll give you a Qu Yuan statue!"
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan pouted, looking displeased. She thought he would try to coax her, but instead he used this excuse, making excuses about the dead.
Seeing that she didn't understand, Xiaoyao Lang chuckled inwardly and then prompted, "Chan'er, as clever as you are, you must have understood!"
Murong Hanchan immediately understood and exclaimed with delight, "Alive!?"
Xiaoyao Lang said boldly, "Although Qu Yuan has passed away, his thoughts will forever remain in his works."
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong said softly, "Yu Lang, could it be that you also know the Nine Songs of Distant Land?"
Xiaoyao Lang said, "Whether you can do it or not, we'll wait for Chan'er to judge tomorrow!" As he spoke, he looked at Murong Hanchan with deep affection.
Murong Hanchan laughed, "The Nine Songs! I know it better than anyone. If even a single note or melody is off by tomorrow, let's see how arrogant you'll be then!"
At this moment, the two saw Yin Xiaosheng climb an apricot tree. Looking at it, the apricots were yellow and plump, covering the branches.
Yin Xiaosheng picked the fruit from the tree, while Xie Yunfeng and Chunxiang used their clothes to catch it. In no time, they had picked two large bags.
Yin Xiaosheng called out, "Junior Sister, do you have any in your packs? Come and catch them, I'll pick some more!"
Murong Hanchan declared confidently, "No way! We can pick them ourselves!"
Xiaoyao Lang cried out, "Chan'er! Be careful!"
Murong Hanchan leaped into the air, soaring three zhang (approximately 10 meters) into the air, and landed on an apricot tree more than three zhang (approximately 10 meters) high.
Hearing Xiaoyao Lang's shouts, Yu Linglong lifted the curtain and saw that Murong Hanchan had already used her internal force to throw apricots into the carriage shed. Yu Linglong had no choice but to catch them with her hands. After a short while, she had picked dozens of apricots.
Yu Linglong said, "Han Chan! That's enough!"
Murong Hanchan wandered around the tree, picking fruit with great enthusiasm, and ignored Yu Linglong's words, continuing to pick.
Upon seeing this, Yu Linglong frowned, caught an apricot, and forcefully struck it at the apricot flying through the air. The two apricots collided and shattered in mid-air.
Xiaoyao Lang turned around and looked at Yu Linglong meaningfully. Yu Linglong remained expressionless and said in a low voice, "I can't tolerate her acting so recklessly!"
Murong Hanchan was furious when she saw this: "You... Humph! Brother Xiaoyao, catch!" As she spoke, she threw a few to Xiaoyao Lang.
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "Chan'er, come down quickly! I can barely hold her in my hands!"
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan leaped into the air and landed on the horse's back. Eating an apricot, she smiled sweetly and said, "Brother Xiaoyao, these apricots are so sweet!"
At this moment, Xiaoyao Lang saw Yin Xiaosheng come down from the tree with a large bag in his hand. Looking at the three large bags of apricots and peaches, he teased, "Brother Yin, are you planning to take them to the city to sell?"
Yin Xiaosheng laughed and said, "Brother Xiaoyao, if you miss this tree, you'll have to wait another year! Pick more, you won't lose out!"
...
Within the territory of Zhujiazhuang in Baiyun City, Shi Jiquan and his two companions arrived at Fenglin Ridge, where Lü Zhong and his troops had been waiting for them for a long time.
Lu Zhong rode forward and asked, "Chief, did your trip go smoothly?"
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "Brother Lü Zhong, we've returned safely, haven't we?"
Lü Zhong: "The people of Zhujiazhuang have always been ruthless and despicable. I didn't expect them to be so cunning this time, which makes me suspicious."
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "I can't trust anyone else in Zhu Family Village, but Eighth Young Master Zhu Zixing is full of benevolence and morality, so he can be considered a gentleman."
Lü Zhong: "It's good that you've returned safely. Brother Xiang Kui must have been waiting anxiously. Let's go back and let him know we're safe!"
Ying Qing said coldly, "You've been the one asking questions the whole time, as if we're the ones dragging our feet."
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "Let's go!"
After a long gallop, the group arrived at Yongle Gang. Xiang Kui came out from the hall to greet them, saying happily, "You're finally back! I've been waiting for you!"
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "I'm sorry to have worried Brother Xiang Kui!"
Upon hearing this, Xiang Kui shouted, "I am relieved to see that you are all safe and sound. I misjudged your judgment!" As he spoke, he punched Shi Jiquan in the chest with a little force with his right fist.
As Xiang Kui threw the punch, Shi Jiquan reacted instinctively, channeling his inner energy into his body. However, he found that his true energy was circulating slowly, and his face turned pale. He cried out in alarm, "Oh no, I'm afraid I've been poisoned!"
The three people present were shocked and stared at Shi Jiquan with furrowed brows and wide eyes.
Xiang Kui asked anxiously, "What exactly happened?"
Shi Jiquan: "I can't raise my true qi, and when I practice qigong, I feel that my blood and qi are circulating slowly."
Lu Zhongyan said, "First, help the gang leader to his room to rest. I'll go and fetch Physician Xu right away." With that, he quickly rode off.
Once the three entered the room, Shi Jiquan said, "I was careless! There was poison in that tea."
Xiang Kui cursed, "That damned Zhu Zixing, how dare he plot against you! I will never forgive him!"
Shi Jiquan: “Listen to me. Since I have been poisoned, the Zhu Family Village must have some schemes. If something happens to me, you should retreat to the farm and use the Si River as a barrier to hold your ground. The Zhu Family Village will then not dare to cross the river to attack us easily.”
Xiang Kui angrily said, "What nonsense are you talking about? You'll be fine."
Shi Jiquan said softly, "Brother Xiang Kui, things have come to this point, and there's no room for sentimentality anymore. You must listen carefully to my arrangements."
Rebirth: "Go on."
Shi Jiquan: "After I die, remember not to take the initiative to challenge. If you find a capable person in the future, then listen to him and plan for the future together. To the west, use the Sishui River as the boundary to resist the Zhujiazhuang. To the north, Yuning City belongs to Beisha and will not attack our Nanyang. To the east is Shanshui City, which has always been peaceful. Therefore, as long as you hold the Sishui River and protect these seven thousand people, you can maintain peace."
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