Chapter 50 (1/2)
Chapter 50
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
”Sir.” A small child, wearing a grey outfit, dashed out from the horse carriage, holding a big gown. He remarked deeply, ”Sir, stop waiting. It won't come. The snow is too heavy, Liu Huzi said that there would be a big snowstorm later on. We should hurry in our tracks and reach Que Yu Mountain before dark.”
Wu Daoya was unfazed, as if he had not heard anything. His eyes remained fixed towards the front, an expressionless look on his face.
”Sir?” The child, dazed, tugged at Wu Daoya's sleeve. ”Sir?”
”Ming'er, listen.” The man wearing a green robe suddenly opened his mouth. He sounded a little hoarse and his voice appeared deeper under the whistling winds. He spoke slowly, with the grace of the autumn winds.
”Listen?” The child frowned, his ears sticking out. ”Sir, what I am to listen to?”
”The sound of horses' hooves.” Wu Daoya remarked, ”It's here.”
”Horses' hooves?” Ming'er listened for a long time but could not make out any sound other than the whistling winds. In this weather, a face-to-face conversation would also prove difficult, much less the sounds of horses' hooves from afar. Ming'er stated, ”Sir, there is no sound of horses' hooves. You must have heard wrong! How about we…”
Before Ming'er had finished his sentence, rapid, crisp sounds of horses' hooves sounded. The child looked up in shock. In the snowy plains ahead, a yellow horse slowly appeared at the end of the horizon. The identity of the figure on the horse was indistinguishable. The snow got heavier and scattered about, causing visibility to decrease sharply. However, it was clear that the figure on the horse looked frail, as if they could be blown away by a gust of wind anytime.
”Sir,” Ming'er remarked in disbelief, ”you are divine!”
”Yu!”
A crisp, low sound echoed. The figure dismounted from the horse and approached. She was wearing a thick green robe. A giant cloak covered her face, leaving only a strand of black hair visible under her hat. ”Luckily I made it in time.” The lady took off her hat, revealing her skinny face. Her lips were pale. She quickly took out a roll of paper and handed it to Wu Daoya. The long distance that she had travelled in the cold had obviously taken its toll. She remarked, panting slightly, ”Keep it. It's all here.”
Wu Daoya frowned. He looked at the lady with an angry expression, then said, ”Why didn't you send someone else here? It's so cold out here. Have you recovered from your illness?”
The lady shook her head. ”No one else could make this trip. Muhe Xifeng is dead, and that idiot, Muhe Xiyun, has been replaced. The Emperor's third son is not easy to handle. We lost a few comrades on the court. As I am a woman, they were less stringent in their checks.”
”Zhao Qi has kept a low profile for so many years. It's surprising that his reaction was so big, considering that he had just assumed the post. Zhao Zhengde has produced some good offspring indeed.”
”Let's not talk further, you better be on your way. We are tight on time, as we only have less than a month. The Prince's name is becoming more well-known. There are pros and cons. If we do not stabilize the situation at this moment, we may have to change our plans midway.”
Wu Daoya nodded. ”I understand. You must be careful.”
”Alright.” The lady nodded. Her face turned pale and her gaze turned deeper. She replied, ”You too.”
Wu Daoya had a worried look in his eyes. Looking at the lady's pale face and frail figure, he sighed helplessly. He turned back, taking the robe from Ming'er's hands and placing it on her shoulder. Looking down, he helped her to fasten the robe properly with a gentle look in his eyes. As he helped her, he remarked, ”The weather is becoming colder by the day. You must be extra careful. This one month is neither long nor short. The situation in the capital is changing, you must be careful not to act impulsively. Of all the seniors and juniors, only two of us are left. Yu, I do not want anything to happen to you.”
Lady Yu lowered her head and remained silent. Some thoughts started to formulate in her mind. Too many things were on her mind, causing her to not know what to say.
”As for things in the court, you must act within your power. Although there were no casualties when we rescued Master Zhu, our secret rendezvous place was exposed. The higher-ups will inevitably feel aggrieved. For now, try to tolerate it and do not lose your temper. Let the factions within the royal capital fight within themselves and do not get involved. Our motive this time is solely to rescue the prince. As for other matters, it is none of our business. Do not be overwhelmed by greed and lose your boundaries in the process.
”Also,” Wu Daoya looked up slowly, the calm in his eyes symbolic of a frozen lake during the winter—where the waves and ripples underneath were not visible. Even his voice sounded monotone. ”You are not in good health. Focus on recuperating, do not use too much effort. Once things on this side are settled, I'll take you to the Tang Empire for a while. Its warm climate and scenery will aid in your recovery.” As he fastened the last knot, Wu Daoya took two steps back and looked at the lady. He turned around and walked back. As he walked back, he waved, ”Go back. Be careful on your way.”
”Daoya.” Lady Yu suddenly looked up with a heavy look on her face.
”Hm?” Wu Daoya turned back and asked, frowning, ”Is anything else wrong?”
Lady Yu tightened her lips and thought for a long while. She shook her head and replied, ”Nothing much. Let's wait until you are back before we discuss other matters. Take care.”