Chapter 165
Xiao Qiyun silently watched everything below, shadows covering most of his face, obscuring his expression. Only his thin lips, pressed into a straight line, and his eyes, which appeared exceptionally deep in the shadows and seemed to be churning with countless emotions, revealed that he was far from calm at this moment.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the sob in his throat, and squeezed Su Zhelan's cold, trembling shoulders tightly. His voice was extremely soft, yet filled with unprecedented tenderness and determination: "Su Zhelan... rest for a while, take a break. Leave the rest... to me. I'll help you find her, I'll definitely... I'll definitely bring my sister back safely."
Su Zhelan seemed not to hear, still immersed in her own world, only trembling even more violently.
Sheng Xuan gritted his teeth and stopped hesitating. He carefully released Su Zhelan, stood up, and squatted back down where he had been digging. His movements became unusually focused and solemn, no longer as hasty as before. Instead, with hands accustomed to wielding swords, he began to carefully, almost reverently, clear away the surrounding mud. Each handful of soil removed carried a heavy sense of mission.
He dug slowly and carefully, afraid of missing anything or disturbing the peaceful spirits beneath his feet. In the dim light, fine beads of sweat mingled with splattered mud on his forehead, but his eyes were unusually bright and determined.
Time flowed slowly at the bottom of the deathly silent pit. The only sounds were the rustling of the mud as Sheng Xuan dug, and Su Zhelan's barely suppressed, faint gasps.
After an unknown amount of time, Sheng Xuan finally stopped. In front of him, scattered, tiny white bones were carefully gathered together. Although incomplete, they were enough to piece together the outline of a young life.
Sheng Xuan stared silently at the pile of bones, his eyes reddening again. He took a deep breath and, without hesitation, began to unbutton his dark blue coarse cloth outer garment.
The rustling sound of clothes being undressed finally elicited a response from Su Zhelan. He slowly and stiffly raised his head, his eyes blurred with tears as he looked at Sheng Xuan.
Sheng Xuan didn't look at him. He carefully spread his outer robe on a relatively clean patch of ground, and then, with extremely gentle, mud-covered hands, solemnly picked up the tiny bones one by one and placed them inside the robe to wrap them up. His movements were as gentle as if he were handling rare treasures, and every subtle movement was filled with indescribable sorrow and reverence.
After the last possible bone fragment was picked up and wrapped up, Sheng Xuan carefully tied the four corners of his clothes together, making a sturdy and secure knot, thus creating a simple package.
He held the small package, filled with heavy memories of the past, in both hands, stood up, walked to Su Zhelan, knelt down, and said in a low, gentle voice with a reassuring strength: "Su Zhelan, we've found it. Let's... go up."
Su Zhelan's gaze fell blankly on the tightly wrapped package, his body still trembling slightly. He seemed to use all his strength to nod very slowly and stiffly, letting out a barely audible, hoarse sound: "...Mm."
He still gripped the finger bone he had first discovered tightly, without letting go.
Sheng Xuan didn't force him to put down, but simply reached out a hand to firmly support Su Zhelan's arm and helped him up from the cold mud: "Come on, let's go up. His Highness is still waiting up there."
Su Zhelan was like a soulless puppet, letting Sheng Xuan support him, his steps unsteady and unsteady. He clutched the small package tightly to his chest with his other hand, as if it were his only remaining world.
With one hand firmly supporting Su Zhelan and the other carefully protecting the bundle in her arms, Sheng Xuan looked up at Xiao Qiyun at the pit entrance and called out, "Your Highness! We're all ready!"
Xiao Qiyun remained standing at the edge of the pit, silently witnessing everything below. At this moment, he leaned down slightly and extended his hand: "Hand it up."
Sheng Xuan carefully lifted the package high, and Xiao Qiyun bent down to take it steadily. It was very light, yet felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Then, Xiao Qiyun reached out again, while Sheng Xuan supported Su Zhelan, helping him climb the slippery pit wall with difficulty. Xiao Qiyun's arms were strong and powerful, easily pulling Su Zhelan up.
Then, Xiao Qiyun reached out again and pulled Sheng Xuan out of the pit as well.
Standing once again on the ruins outside the pit, the afternoon sun stung my eyes, and the stench of decay seemed even stronger in the air.
Su Zhelan still clutched the package tightly, his head bowed, his body swaying slightly as if he might collapse at any moment. He was shrouded in a vast, silent grief.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze fell on Su Zhelan and the bundle in his arms, his expression complex and unreadable. He was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice low: "Let's leave here first."
Sheng Xuan nodded immediately, tightly protecting Su Zhelan: "Yes, let's leave this place first!" He hated this ruin filled with painful memories.
Xiao Qiyun turned around first and walked back the way he came. Sheng Xuan supported the distraught Su Zhelan and followed closely behind.
The three left the desolate ruins in silence. Xiao Qiyun was the first to mount his horse, while Sheng Xuan carefully helped Su Zhelan, who was almost unable to move on his own, onto the horse's back. Then, he himself nimbly straddled the horse, pressing close to Su Zhelan's back, one hand around Su Zhelan's body tightly clutching the bundle to steady him, and the other hand controlling the reins.
Although Su Zhelan's body was stiff and cold, she did not resist Sheng Xuan's support in the slightest, as if this support was the only thing she could rely on at this moment.
Xiao Qiyun glanced back to make sure the two were seated securely, then flicked the reins and said in a deep voice, "Let's go." He did not choose the semi-abandoned post station they had come from, but instead spurred his horse in another direction, heading towards a town further away that might have more complete facilities.
The sound of horses' hooves was particularly clear on the desolate plains. Su Zhelan was like a rag doll drained of all its strength, letting the horse toss him about, his eyes staring blankly ahead, the bundle in his arms clutched tightly to his chest as if it were the entire weight of his life.
The immense grief weighed on him like a physical weight, making it almost impossible for him to breathe or think.
However, when Sheng Xuan asked him in a worried whisper behind him, his cold, stiff body would relax almost imperceptibly, as if the familiar voice could bring a faint sense of security. He still didn't respond, but that slight relaxation showed that he wasn't completely isolated; he was just overwhelmed by grief and unable to speak.
Sheng Xuan sensed the subtle change in the person in front of him and felt slightly relieved. He held him even tighter and tried his best to keep the horse running smoothly.
Xiao Qiyun steed ahead at a steady pace, his sharp gaze scanning the road ahead, choosing the quickest and relatively flat route.
Finally, as darkness completely fell and the chill deepened, scattered lights appeared ahead, revealing the outline of a sizable border town in the twilight. Xiao Qiyun led them directly to a rather spacious and well-organized post station at the town's entrance.
Bright lanterns hung at the entrance of the post station, many horses were tied up in the stable, and faint voices could even be heard coming from inside the hall.
Xiao Qiyun dismounted first, tossed the reins to the approaching courier, and ordered, "Three superior rooms, and bring hot water and food to the rooms as soon as possible." His tone was authoritative and unquestionable, and the courier bowed and agreed immediately.
Sheng Xuan carefully helped Su Zhelan off the horse. Su Zhelan's feet went weak when they landed, and he only managed to stand up thanks to Sheng Xuan's support. He still clung tightly to the bundle, looking somewhat lost and bewildered by the bright light and noisy voices around him. He subconsciously moved closer to Sheng Xuan, seeking familiar protection.
Sheng Xuan half-supported, half-carried him, and followed Xiao Qiyun quickly into the main hall of the post station. Several merchants who were drinking inside glanced at them curiously, but after being swept over by Xiao Qiyun's cold gaze, they immediately looked away sheepishly.
Ignoring their surroundings, Xiao Qiyun led them directly upstairs to a clean and spacious room that had been prepared beforehand. An oil lamp was lit inside, the bed was neatly made, and there was even a table and a washstand.
Sheng Xuan carefully helped Su Zhelan to sit down on the edge of the bed. Su Zhelan remained curled up, clutching the bundle tightly, his head bowed, his disheveled hair falling down, obscuring most of his face. He was shrouded in immense sorrow, his body trembling slightly, silent tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping onto the bundle.
“Ze Lan…” Sheng Xuan squatted down in front of him, his voice very soft, with a careful and gentle tone, “We’ve arrived, we’re safe. Wash your face first, and calm down, okay?” He reached out and gently placed his hand on Su Ze Lan’s cold hand.
Su Zhelan's body trembled slightly. Instead of resisting and shrinking back as before, she seemed to have grasped some kind of support. Her fingers unconsciously curled up and gripped Sheng Xuan's hand in return.
He kept his head down, tears streaming down his face, and suppressed sobs escaped his throat.
Sheng Xuan's heart clenched. He quickly wrung out a warm cloth with his other hand and gently wiped away the dried mud and tear stains from Su Zhelan's face.
Su Zhelan didn't move, letting him wipe her face, but tears kept flowing out, as if trying to wash away the pain that had been building up for years.
Xiao Qiyun turned around and walked to the table, pouring a glass of warm water.
Sheng Xuan helped Su Zhelan wipe his face clean, and seeing his pale, haggard face covered in tears, she felt extremely distressed. At this moment, Xiao Qiyun walked over and handed a water glass to Sheng Xuan.
Sheng Xuan understood and brought the water glass to Su Zhelan's lips, his voice even softer: "Zhelan, drink some water, just a little, okay? Your voice is hoarse."
Su Zhelan's lips were chapped and trembling slightly. He seemed to struggle for a moment, then finally opened his mouth very slowly and obediently.
Sheng Xuan carefully fed him a few sips of warm water. Su Zhelan swallowed with some difficulty, but eventually managed to drink it. After drinking, he seemed to have exhausted all his strength, his head resting weakly on Sheng Xuan's shoulder. His body was still trembling slightly, but the arms holding the bundle were no longer as tight as before, instead showing a tired, dependent relaxation.
Sheng Xuan gently patted his back, soothing him in a low voice as if comforting a child: "It's alright, it's alright...we're here, it's okay now..."
Xiao Qiyun looked at Su Zhelan, who was silently weeping on Sheng Xuan's shoulder, his eyes deep and unfathomable. He remained silent for a moment, then walked to the window and gently closed it, shutting out the noise from outside.
Then, he walked to the bedside, but did not approach it. He simply placed a clean, soft cloth within Su Zhelan's reach.
Su Zhelan seemed to sense his movement, her body shifting almost imperceptibly, but she didn't look up. She remained leaning on Sheng Xuan's shoulder, tightly embracing her sister's remains, releasing years of pent-up pain through silent tears.
This time, however, he was no longer alone.
Gradually, Su Zhelan's trembling subsided, and his sobs weakened, leaving only soft whimpers. The immense grief seemed to have temporarily exhausted his strength, and he became unusually quiet and submissive.
Sheng Xuan sensed that his emotions had calmed down a bit, so she looked up at Xiao Qiyun with a questioning look in her eyes.
Xiao Qiyun nodded slightly, stepped forward silently. He walked to the side of the luggage, took out a set of Su Zhelan's clean nightgown and towel, and gently placed them on the bedside.
Then, he walked to the basin, tested the water temperature himself, added some hot water, and stirred the water with his fingertips, creating tiny ripples.
"Come on, let me wipe you clean, it'll make you feel better." Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep and steady, but gentler than ever before, like a warm breeze on a cold night, as he spoke to Su Zhelan.
Sheng Xuan immediately and carefully began to help Su Zhelan remove her outer robe, which was covered in dried mud and tear stains. Su Zhelan's body stiffened slightly, but she did not resist.
The air seemed to soften. Su Zhelan instinctively flinched, but Xiao Qiyun's movements didn't stop; instead, they became even gentler.
He picked up a warm cloth and began to wipe Su Zhelan's back himself. The warm touch of the cloth gently glided across the hollows of the spine, as if soothing every inch of tense nerves.
Sheng Xuan, standing to the side, used another cloth dipped in hot water to carefully wipe Su Zhelan's arms and neck, her movements equally gentle.
"Turn around a little, okay?" Xiao Qiyun's voice was soft and gentle, with a tone of negotiation.
Su Zhelan turned around very slowly to face Xiao Qiyun. His eyes were still closed, but his tense body relaxed slightly under Xiao Qiyun's gentle and calm aura.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze fell on his thin chest and slightly heaving abdomen, where there were also quite a few specks of mud. He continued to wipe with a cloth, his movements steady and gentle, his fingertips carefully avoiding the small wounds through the warm cloth.
Sheng Xuan stood to the side, carefully wiping Su Zhelan's armpits and waist. The two moved in perfect harmony and with gentle touch.
When she wiped her lower body, Su Zhelan's breathing became noticeably rapid, and her fingers gripped the package in her arms tightly.
Xiao Qiyun stopped, his gaze gently sweeping over Su Zhelan's clenched fist. He didn't urge her, but simply handed the cloth to Sheng Xuan, saying naturally, "Thank you for your help with your legs."
Sheng Xuan took the package with a sigh of relief, squatted down, and gently helped Su Zhelan remove his dirty shoes, socks, and trouser legs, wiping his cold legs and ankles. Xiao Qiyun stood to the side, his gaze calm and gentle as it fell on Su Zhelan's lowered, flushed face. There was no scrutiny in his eyes, only a deep, silent comfort.
Throughout the wiping process, Su Zhelan kept her eyes tightly closed, her body trembling slightly, but no longer with a tense resistance, but with a vulnerability seeking solace in immense sorrow.
Once everything was ready, Xiao Qiyun picked up the bowl of warm porridge, scooped up a little with a spoon, gently blew on it, and brought it to Su Zhelan's lips. "Have some to warm yourself up, okay?"
His voice was deep and gentle, carrying an irresistible concern: "You're too cold."
Su Zhelan opened her swollen eyes, looked at the porridge spoon that was close to her, and then looked up at Xiao Qiyun's deep eyes that were filled with tenderness.
There was no coercion in his eyes, only pure concern. His lips moved, and finally, very slowly and obediently, he opened his mouth slightly.
Xiao Qiyun patiently fed him spoonful by spoonful, her movements steady and gentle, ensuring that each spoonful was at the right temperature.
After slowly eating about half a bowl, Su Zhelan gently shook her head, closed her mouth, and buried her face back into the package.
Xiao Qiyun didn't force her. He put down the bowl and gently brushed away the stray hairs on Su Zhelan's forehead that were damp with sweat with his fingertips, his movements filled with an indescribable tenderness.
Then, he gently placed a small sachet with a calming fragrance beside Su Zhelan's pillow, his voice low and gentle: "Sleep now, we'll watch over you."
Su Zhelan's body visibly relaxed, and she even leaned slightly towards Xiao Qiyun in an almost imperceptible manner.
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