The First Prince stared at her for a long time before scoffing heartlessly and leaving.
This was a very ordinary civilian house, seemingly rented temporarily, with nothing inside. Xue Niang was still wearing a common floral padded jacket of a farm woman. A cold wind blew in from the doorway, and unmelted snow still clung to the eaves.
She felt cold, a deep chill emanating from her bones.
She didn't know which path her elder brother had taken to bring her here, bypassing Xinyu City. She also didn't know if he was truly sending her to the Tujue.
Since he knew it wasn't her in the Tujue, did everyone in court know? Did Father know too?
Would Xiao Shan come looking for her?
And what if he found her?
He was no longer the Great General. He wouldn't be facing just Lu Yanmo, but the entire Jing Kingdom. Even if he found her, where could they go?
"Too short."
She lay her head on the table, pressing down on her burning eyes.
The time spent with him was too short. She hadn't had enough!
"Miss, your maid Liu Zhi will help you change."
A maid in plain clothes entered the room, holding a stack of clothes. Although her demeanor was proper, it wasn't the style of the palace. Had she been found temporarily?
Xue Niang changed into a new padded jacket. The color was not garish, and the material was not top-grade, but it was far better than her original attire.
The maid, Liu Zhi, was not familiar with her and acted cautiously, her movements tentative.
When she reached for Xue Niang's head, Xue Niang stopped her.
"No need to change the hair ornament."
"Yes, Miss."
Liu Zhi lowered her hand respectfully, feeling a little relieved. Although this young lady appeared beautiful and aloof, she didn't seem arrogant, and her voice was pleasant, making her less nervous.
Xue Niang cherished this plum blossom hairpin the most. It was not valuable; it was the first piece of jewelry Xiao Shan had given her. She remembered the dazzling light in his eyes when he took it out, a light she couldn't bear to look at directly. He must have held it in his hand for a long time, and it still carried his body heat, warm and comforting, slowly reviving her dead heart and giving it roots.
It was at that moment she decided to stay by his side.
Even when he later bought her more jewelry, she still favored this one.
Now, the only thing she possessed that he had left her was this hairpin.
No, there was also the child.
...
Finally, Lu Yanmo had been led elsewhere. Who would have thought that young man was so persistent, able to find any clue? Now, he definitely wouldn't be returning to Donglin. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
After resolving the matter, Xiao Shan's mind was filled with the image of his wife's delicate face and her docile appearance as she lay on the tiger skin.
As soon as he mounted his horse, he felt a surge of heat and boundless energy.
When he entered the city, he would first buy a chess set. She was afraid of the cold and hadn't left the house since winter began. She must be bored staying home with nothing to do.
Unlike him, who had thick skin and could wear a single layer even in the snow. Only this year, when his wife made him a padded jacket, did he start wearing it.
He wore it even when he was sweating profusely from the heat.
He lay on the tiger skin, sweating, and still lay there.
For this, Yuan Bufeng had even mocked him, thinking he was physically weak.
Bah! How could that brute understand the joy of doting on his wife?
"Big Brother! You can't let your strength be wasted on women. Have you really not considered—Ptooey!"
Yuan Bufeng, with a mouthful of dust, watched the man who had suddenly charged into the city on horseback, his entire face contorted.
Wasted, utterly wasted!
As the two entered the city, Du Ling had already been waiting for a long time. He suppressed his fear and stepped forward, explaining the situation. When he looked up, he saw the man on the magnificent horse disappearing like a gust of wind.
"Du Ling." Yuan Bufeng's face turned cold and serious, more so than ever before. "Prepare yourself. The weather is about to change."
Xiao Shan stood before the dark, gaping entrance of his ruined home. A surging ferocity erupted from him. The villagers dared not make a sound, and many secretly wiped away tears, silently watching the man who seemed on the verge of exploding.
Killing intent churned in his dark eyes. His clenched fists at his sides made cracking sounds. The oppressive aura he exuded was as if the very heavens and earth were changing color, accompanied by lightning and thunder.
He was terrifying.
Yet, the villagers knew he would not harm the innocent. This was their impression of him after all this time.
Xiao Shan turned around, his eyes colder than the snow on the mountains, harboring a bloodthirsty ferocity more savage than that of a wolf.
He began to question, his voice suppressed. Liu Zhuzi and the villagers recounted everything they had witnessed, leaving nothing out.
After listening, he looked at the hunched-over Granny Hua. Granny Hua nodded at him.
"Brother Xiao, everything inside was burned beyond use. We only managed to retrieve this money box; it wasn't damaged."
Liu Zhuzi handed over the money box.
Xiao Shan gazed at it silently for a few moments, then raised his hand and opened it. There were three hundred taels of silver in complete ingots, and a pile of scattered coins. He hadn't counted them. This money was what the hunter Xiao Shan had saved bit by bit.
It was meant to support his wife.
Now, it was no longer needed.
"Distribute it among the villagers. Live well!"
Xiao Shan turned, casting one last look at the ruins.
"Brother Xiao, you..." Liu Zhuzi held the box, realizing something. "Will you come back?"
"I don't know!"
Xiao Shan strode away, his tall figure like a god, carrying an overwhelming momentum. The villagers stood before the ruins, watching him go to the foot of the mountain.
Hearing the whistle, Qian Xing, parting the dense layers of trees, galloped forth.
It neighed loudly, like its master, carrying an unstoppable force.
"Qian Xing, accompany me out of the mountains!"
Xiao Shan swung himself onto the horse, then went to the large willow tree outside the fence. He pulled out a dagger and plunged it deeply into the ground. Soon, a simple iron box appeared. Opening it, he found a dark, ancient spear lying quietly within.
The Thousand Year Xuan Tie Spear. Countless souls had died by its side. The ancient chill that emanated from it could make one tremble all over.
It was the sole weapon of the Divine Martial General.
He had relied on this single spear to be invincible, conquering for years and becoming the god of the Jing Kingdom.
"Old friend! Let's see the light of day!"
"Brother Xiao! Take me with you!"
At the entrance of the fenced yard, Yutou stood holding Little Tiger. The boy had grown to his shoulders, spirited like a young bull, a good material for a soldier.
"Go! Follow this general to sow chaos in this world!"
...
Xue Niang woke up abruptly, startling Liu Zhi, who had quietly approached.
"Miss, you're awake?"
Xue Niang's heart was pounding. She touched the cold sweat on her forehead. She hadn't slept much all night, and she had actually fallen asleep just now, having a strange dream.
A spear, radiating a murderous aura, stood between heaven and earth.
Even in her dream, she could feel the bone-chilling cold, as if it had the power to pierce the sky.
A spear, a spear.
"The Divine Martial General, with just one spear, struck down the Tujue's General Fanda from his horse."
Qing He's bright eyes spoke with joy, as if it were yesterday.
Could that be Xiao Shan's spear?
Where was he now?