Chapter 185 (1/2)

Chapter 185

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Tears streamed down Chu Qiao's eyes in a neat line. She removed her heavy cloak and let it fall to the ground. At this moment, the general who had taken West Meng by storm and terrorized Xia had disappeared. She was merely a fallen young lady. Her face was pale and frail, her eyes were deep. Her hands, which she used to wave around passionately when commanding, slumped to both sides weakly. The look in her eyes was blank. Tears streamed down her skinny face, causing a sensation of pain as it was dried by the winds.

Only now did she realize that her love for Yan Xun had been deeply etched. As it accumulated over all these years, those feelings had seemingly blended into her bloodstream and become part of her body. Previously, she did not realize it when he was engaged to Zhao Chun'er; she did not realize it when she was forced to be separated from him by traveling to Tang herself; she did not realize it when she was staring in the face of death while defending Beishuo. It was because at that time, no matter how far apart they were, their hearts were joined. She knew that he loved her deeply, regardless of whether he was forced to stay by someone else's side, regardless of how far they were separated, and regardless of whether they lived or died. However, at this moment, he stood behind her, watching her fallen shadow depart. It dawned on her that all this did not compare to his suspicions!

Her loyalty and love for him was as sturdy as the mountains; it would not be moved even if there was a catastrophe. If the trust was still there, she would not even blink an eyelid even if she died. Hence, when he abandoned the Southwest Emissary's Garrison at Zhen Huang City, she was not angry. When he gave up Yan Bei again, she forgave him in the blink of an eye. Subsequently, when he killed the soldiers of the Southwest Emissary's Garrison and protected Cheng Yuan, whose fault was it that he continued to take the path of no return? Was it the trauma that he had experienced? The feuds that ran deep in his heart? The many years of suppression and craziness? Or was it she that did not manage to hold him back?

In a flash, she walked into a pitch-dark tent. The outside of the tent was colored white and stood tall like tombstones. Chu Qiao's legs buckled, causing her to fall on the snowy ground. She reached out her hand to support herself up, but did not manage to do so. The cries which she had suppressed finally surfaced. She knelt on the ground, her hands clutching the snow. It felt so painful, like she was holding an icy cold knife. Her shoulders were quivering, unable to suppress the sorrow inside her. Tears started to stream down her face.

Yan Xun, how could you doubt me? How could you suspect me?

The snow became heavier. Chu Qiao was dressed in white and slumped on the snowy ground. She covered her mouth and cried in silence as the snow accumulated on her shoulders.

The next day, Chu Qiao made a request to Yan Xun personally, for her to leave the eastern war zone and head back to Yan Bei with the soldiers of the Southwest Emissary's Garrison. She was to head back to Huihui Mountains along the district of Shangshen to carry out irrigation and agricultural works, in order to help the civilians repair their lives after the war.

Yan Xun looked at her request for a long time, before approving it quietly with a ”Yes”. There were not many letters in the word, but he took a long time to write it. When he penned the final strokes, the sky had brightened. The sunlight shone on the snowy ground, making the surroundings appear even more desolate.

The sky was clear on the day of Chu Qiao's departure; the fog, which was still present a few days ago, had dissipated. None of the soldiers came to send her off, not even Yan Xun. She rode on her horse and looked up at the azure blue sky, seeing white eagles circling in the air. Their cries reverberated for a long time around the landscape.

Yan Xun, I'm leaving. Take care of yourself.

On the day that she left Shangshen, the sky was similarly clear. Although the new year was approaching, the weather was still cold but the skies were sunny, blue and clear. The sunlight was warm, appearing like golden strands of silk. A row of well-built, fit warhorses galloped along the snowy plains. The row of horses stretched over a long distance; it was estimated that there were about 2,000 people.

Presently, it was the tail end of the year 776 of the Bai Cang calendar. In half a month's time, the new year would arrive. On the way, Chu Qiao met a lot of merchants who were on their way from the inner mainland to carry out their trades. Yan Bei's economy had become prosperous. Although the war at the border had not ceased, a lot of merchants from the inner mainland made their way to Yan Bei along the water routes of the southern borders to carry out their trading.