On the way to Ningzhou Prefecture, there was an extra noisy Mu Xi following closely before and after Qin Liuxi, who wished he could pretend to be dead during the whole journey on the carriage.
And Xiao Zhanrui experienced another side of Mu Xi’s clinginess and his stubbornness when faced with setbacks, ultimately admitting that every Jack has his Jill, even the number one playboy Little Overlord of Shengjing could be tad by soone.
As for Mu Xi, he was extrely pleased with himself, just like when they arrived at the station and settled down, leveraging his status, he stayed in the cleanest and most secluded courtyard, even booking the neighboring courtyards left and right just to avoid any disturbance.
"See, following this Princely Heir brings great benefits." Mu Xi, pointing at the tidy courtyard adorned with palace lanterns, proudly looked at Qin Liuxi.
Qin Liuxi said, "What’s there to be proud of? You’re just living off the fortune left by your ancestors."
"That’s right, I admit it, but this is my fate. Isn’t my fate sowhat better than my ancestors? What’s wrong with that? Fate is just like this, can I change it?"
Listen to this infuriating tone.
Not to ntion Qin Liuxi, even Xiao Zhanrui felt an itch in his hands, he was just too annoying.
Qin Liuxi sneered, "Indeed fortunate, you’re like a walking tree of wealth and affluence. If you were this arrogant outside, once you’re alone, you’d be kidnapped in a heartbeat."
"You can rest assured, not to ntion the visible guards, there are countless Hidden Guards around that even I don’t know!" Mu Xi arrogantly lifted his chin, "Moreover, anyone who dares to kidnap knowing my identity is basically courting death. If soone cos to kidnap , bringing directly to their hideout would just help clean them out in one fell swoop, and I’d be doing a good deed."
Qin Liuxi: "..."
The guards are tired: Who else but him to reveal his own cards?
When Qin Liuxi entered the courtyard, he said, "If you can achieve sothing on your own without relying on your family, then you’d truly be doing a good deed."
"What is it? Tell , and I will do it just to show you."
Qin Liuxi paused, giving him a sidelong glance.
"What, don’t you believe ?"
Qin Liuxi glanced at the two guards who were full of nervous expressions, smiled without saying a word, which completely puzzled Mu Xi.
The next day, after having breakfast, they set off. Mu Xi and Xiao Zhanrui curiously watched as a petty official handed Qin Liuxi a package.
"What’s this?" Mu Xi asked curiously, "When did you ask this petty official to prepare this?"
"Below Qingping Temple, there is an old man nad Old Man Zhang selling sweet waters, who is eighty-eight this year. Do you know why he can still carry sweet waters for sale at such an old age?"
Mu Xi perked up, "Why?"
Xiao Zhanrui also pricked up his ears.
Secrets to a long life, who wouldn’t want them.
Qin Liuxi chuckled and handed the package to Old Chou, who was driving the carriage, saying, "He just never ddles in other people’s business!"
Mu Xi: "..."
Xiao Zhanrui: "!"
That was a jab at them for ddling in others’ affairs!
Mu Xi, feeling insulted and his face turning green, wanted to burst out in anger, but seeing Qin Liuxi had already squeezed into the carriage, he could only vent his anger on his escort, "What are you dazing around for? Hurry up and prepare the carriage."
The group scattered.
Qin Liuxi leaned on the large pillow inside the carriage, hooked his lips, propped his head, and once again surveyed the carriage.
Yu Qiucai really did a reliable job, the carriage was spacious, with everything needed like bedding, tea boxes, and small tables all included. The carriage rode smoothly, clearly equipped with top-quality shock absorbers.
Old Chou, whose na is Chou Lei, ca from a military background and had once served as a Scout in the army. During a battle, he lost his right forearm and after retiring, he started working under Yu Qiucai.
Old Chou, a man of short stature and lean build, is taciturn and skilled in martial arts. At forty-six years old, he had married early, but after several years of marriage with no children, he consulted a doctor and was diagnosed as infertile. Subsequently, he wrote a letter releasing his wife from their marriage and devoted himself entirely to serving under Yu Qiucai.
Qin Liuxi observed his physiognomy; with a fleshless bridge on the nose, drooping eyebrows and eyelids, and a sunken Children Palace, his face indeed showed signs of childlessness. However, he was very loyal and stubborn.
Yu Qiucai was earnest.
As the carriage traveled along the road, it was not until they reached near where the loyal guards of the Xi Family were last gathered that Qin Liuxi asked to stop the carriage. She told Xiao Zhanrui and the others to go ahead, as she had a slight delay but would catch up soon.
"Master, where are you going? We should accompany you," insisted Xiao Zhanrui, wary of neglecting Qin Liuxi.
Mu Xi also ca forward: "What are you up to?"
Qin Liuxi glanced at them and said, "If you want to co along, then follow. It’s only going to take a mont."
She directed Old Chou to move the carriage further along until the road ended. Then, she took the bundle prepared by the petty official and continued forward on foot.
Less than three months had passed since the last visit, but the weeds had already grown dense.
Qin Liuxi precisely located the grave with the wordless tombstone.
Breathless, Mu Xi and Xiao Zhanrui caught up and were montarily stunned by the sight of a wordless tombstone and a noticeably newly-made large grave mound.
"Whose grave is this?"
"You should ask, who are they?" Qin Liuxi said, observing the wordless tombstone skewed by rain. She cleared the weeds around the tombstone, borrowed a knife from Old Chou’s waist, and straightened the tombstone, hamring it deeper with the knife handle.
After settling this, Qin Liuxi explained, "This place was once for the soldiers of Da Feng Guard Country."
Mu Xi’s pupils contracted.
The soldiers of the Guard Country, if killed in battle, would at least have a pinch of their ashes returned ho. But to be buried here in this remote mountain, with a wordless tombstone? What does this suggest?
A naless tombstone signifies either deserters or those wrongfully killed.
Soldiers who once protected their country, now buried without even their nas, whose fault is this?
Mu Xi and Qin Liuxi exchanged glances, montarily discomfited, and then stepped back.
Xiao Zhanrui was particularly startled. Qin Liuxi wasn’t worried about them revealing this secret.
But Qin Liuxi had already arranged the offerings. Old Chou, realizing these were soldiers, had already started clearing the weeds and silently handed over a flint.
With incense candles lit and paper money burning to ash, the breeze rustled through the treetops.
Everyone present was moved.
"Did you know this person?" Mu Xi couldn’t help but ask.
Without turning her head, Qin Liuxi poured out so liquor on the ground and said, "No, I did not know them. Over two months ago, I passed by here and helped collect the bodies."
Now, passing by again, she offered rituals to their souls.
Mu Xi said nothing, stepped back, and bowed deeply, followed by his guards.
Because buried here were the bones of soldiers who had once charged in battlefields, unknown why they ended up here, nalessly buried.
Far in the west of Da Feng, on the border, a young man who had just stepped down from a newly set up martial arts platform in the military camp slowly made his way to his tent as snow began to fall. He paused, stretched out his hand, and let the heavy snowflakes fall into his palm.
His palm felt icy cold, mixing with lingering blood to form bloody water.
The young man, pulling a red rope from his neck, clutched the Jade Talisman hanging from it, curled his lips, and muttered, "I, Qin Xi, am now a small team leader."
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