Chapter 97: Qingqing: Sometimes Light, Sometimes Heavy

Her explanation proved effective.

After that remark, Huairen asked no more about the ribbon’s origin.

The carriage returned to its previous tranquility, like the surface of a lake undisturbed by even the slightest ripple—calm, clear, and harmonious.

The afternoon temperature rose once more.

The soft rustling of turning pages brought a sense of reassurance, yet also drowsiness.

Yan Yiqing lounged lazily, grasping the braided ponytail Zhao Huairen had woven for her by hand. The slightly callused pad of her finger pressed against the pointed tip of the braid, toying with it lightly then heavily, like a kitten playing with its own tail.

The woman’s gaze fell upon the book scroll in her hand, her slender white fingers gently turning the next page.

The wheels crunched rhythmically over the pebbles.

The carriage rocked gently with the bumps, like a cradle from childhood used to lull one to sleep.

The most important person sat right beside her, with no threats to worry about. Unbeknownst to herself, Yan Yiqing’s upper and lower eyelids began to battle, a faint smile curving her lips as her breathing grew steadily lighter.

The fingers clutching the scroll tightened until they paled slightly.

The sound of turning pages vanished the moment Yan Yiqing slipped into slumber.

Clear, cold eyes gleamed with damp heat, silently sweeping over every inch of her exposed skin before settling on that objectionable faded pink.

Hadn’t Qingqing noticed herself…?

Every time she lied, she couldn’t help but touch her earlobe.

On their wedding day, had she cried so heartbrokenly because of this person? Why had she never mentioned it to her…? Was there still… this person in her heart?

She had willingly revealed her weaknesses to her, schemed tirelessly for her attention, and shielded her from harm without regard for her own safety. Yet even after she had said all that, she still refused to discard a worthless piece of trash.

Why…?

Was she inferior to that person?

Moisture gathered in her eyes, her crow-wing lashes trembling as all traces vanished without a sign. Zhao Huairen turned her gaze to the barren wilderness outside the window, her nails digging deep into her palm, her expression betraying nothing.

What right did she have to demand anything of Yan Yiqing?

She was fickle, and she herself was an utter liar through and through.

–

The sunset’s afterglow slipped through the carriage window.

It dyed the fine hairs on the woman’s cheek with a soft golden hue.

Whether from sleeping too long or some other reason, when she awoke from this nap, her mind felt strangely muddled.

Her entire body ached with a swollen soreness.

As she lifted her hand, pain shot from the wound that had not fully healed.

Yan Maomao squinted and stretched lazily, feeling something soft slide from her waist. She grabbed it casually and found a soft blanket.

Hmph hmph, no need to guess who covered her~~

The curve of her lips could no longer be suppressed.

She cleared her throat and immediately looked toward Zhao Huairen.

?!

Where had such a big wife gone?!

The carriage continued onward, the wheels crunching steadily over the ground, but now the sound grated on her ears. Yan Yiqing furrowed her delicate brows, trying to sit up, only to find her sturdy legs stuffed with cotton.

—Again, drugged.

Why had Huairen drugged her?

No matter what she wanted to do, she wouldn’t have resisted, right?

“Hey!” Yan Yiqing struggled halfway before sitting upright. She rubbed her ear and lifted her chin, calling out the carriage door: “Who’s driving outside?”

“Young Master Yan is awake?” Qin An’s voice came from outside.

Maomao scooted her butt to the spot nearest the door and lifted a corner of the curtain. “Qin An, where’s the Heir Apparent?”

“The Heir Apparent returned to Yanjing ahead.”

Abandoning her wife?!

Yan Yiqing’s cheeks puffed out instantly.

The gaze from behind pricked like needles on her back. Without turning, Qin An could guess the woman’s expression. Gripping the reins, she stared ahead and said, “Second hidden compartment on the left—the Heir Apparent left a letter for Young Master Yan.”

“Ta Zi—”

“Ta Zi was taken by the Heir Apparent,” Qin An added, as if the Heir Apparent could read minds and had anticipated what Young Master Yan would say next. She blinked and continued: “The Heir Apparent said not to worry. If Young Master Yan still needs a horse after reading the letter, I’ll find one for you.”

Ta Zi was always so picky—how had it gone off with Huairen just like that?

Qin An glanced at Yan Yiqing from the corner of her eye, suppressing a laugh. “That black horse was hilarious, following behind the Heir Apparent on its own. Couldn’t keep it back even if you tried.”

It ate so many pears from me!!!

Huairen just beckoned…

Well, it did have a bit of her own flair.

Yan Yiqing’s fingers tightened on the curtain, then released it with a swish. She sat quietly in the carriage for a moment, steadying her breath before fumbling open the second hidden compartment on the left.

To Qingqing:

Reading this is like seeing you—

The sacrificial rites draw near; missing the date would be the gravest filial impiety. Yet your wounds are not fully healed, and the rigors of travel might worsen them. If because of me your injuries flare up again, my heart would not bear it.

After much deliberation, this was the only choice. The relay stations along the way are prepared. The accompanying physician will check your pulse and change your dressings daily—do not refuse.

I will handle all matters in the capital.

Worry not.

The handwriting was much messier than what she had seen before, yet still carried an elegant handsomeness. It was clear Huairen had been too worried about her injury to write neatly.

Every line brimmed with concern.

And—

Qingqing. It was the first time anyone had called her that.

Yan Yiqing’s eyes flickered as she lightly touched the two inked characters with her fingertip, her movements careful, as if too much pressure might shatter the beautiful dream before her.

She rubbed her throat and mimicked Zhao Huairen’s usual tone, calling softly:

“Qingqing.”

Just thinking about it…

Her earlobes warmed faintly.

A cool breeze stirred behind her as Yan Yiqing lifted the curtain. Qin An glanced sideways and asked, “Young Master Yan—”

“That’s enough for now.” Maomao folded the letter and tucked it into her sleeve, pursing her lips before adding: “The Heir Apparent did this out of concern for my injury, but I’m already healed. Drive faster. If you can catch up to the Heir Apparent…”

Even before Qin An could reply, she knew her request was absurd.

Not to mention Ta Zi—even an ordinary horse couldn’t catch up.

“Uh… anyway, as fast as possible!”

Qin An’s fingers paused on the reins for an instant before she nodded in agreement, not telling Yan Yiqing that the Heir Apparent had specifically instructed her to go slowly before leaving.

As the last sliver of sunset was swallowed by darkness.

Warm firelight slowly rose from the ground.

The Ta Zi that had decisively abandoned its master lowered its noble head, gently nuzzling the woman’s palm.

“Good.” Zhao Huairen’s long lashes lowered slightly as she gently stroked its mane.

Watching the woman and horse before her, Zhuyu poked the fire with a dry branch. The dancing flames reflected the complexity in her eyes: Abandoning the palanquin, ditching Qin An… leaving everyone behind. Is the Heir Apparent fleeing in disarray?

“Rest for two hours, then continue.”

Amid the howling wind.

Her cool voice rang exceptionally clear.

Four full days remained until the fifth month, third day. At their pace, even traveling one day and resting the next would suffice. These two hours of rest—probably only spared out of concern for the horse.

Unwilling to stay with Young Master Yan.

A simple carriage switch would have sufficed—was this really necessary?

Though a thousand thoughts flashed through Zhuyu’s mind, if she sensed Zhao Huairen didn’t wish to answer, she wouldn’t utter a single extra word.

That was precisely why.

She had chosen to bring Zhuyu along.

Ta Zi didn’t understand what the person before it was thinking, but it sensed an intense, bitter sadness. It snorted, stepped outward twice, then bent its legs and flopped onto the thick grass, exposing its soft belly.

“Are you trying to cheer me up?”

As if in response.

Ta Zi extended a front hoof and pawed at the wild grass.

Yan Yiqing had told her plenty of Ta Zi’s bad traits before: disobedient, greedy, lazy…

This horse before her—docile and beautiful—

Was utterly unlike the mischievous demon king from her descriptions.

“Ta Zi, are you this good to everyone?” Zhao Huairen didn’t spurn its kindness. She squatted beside it, stroking its sleek belly with her fingers. Her voice held a hint of melancholy, yet remained pleasant: “Don’t be good to everyone.”

Ta Zi gazed at her with its glossy black eyes.

Like its master, it happily swished its tail.

“I’m so petty, aren’t I?”

The woman seemed to say something more, but her voice was too soft, carried away by the wind, leaving nothing behind.

The voiceless wind hid her heart’s troubles in the clouds.

A gentle breeze lifted the carriage curtain, ushering in soft white moonlight.

The light inside the carriage was dim, barely better than none. Yan Yiqing couldn’t actually make out the words on the letter, but she had already engraved each one in her heart. So even without light—she could still feel the warmth Huairen had left her.

A cat unable to catch butterflies.

Today, suddenly surrounded by a flock.

A child who found candy, too excited to sleep.

Whether applying medicine and wiping her down, feeding her medicine, helping her into the carriage, braiding her hair… or this letter in her hand—every memory created with Zhao Huairen was a treasure to Yan Yiqing.

Though she had lost these days of seclusion together, one couldn’t be too greedy. She needed to proceed step by step… slowly make Huairen…

Yan Maomao counted the candies in her hand.

Her breath suddenly hitched, her glossy peach-blossom eyes widening.

Based on her understanding of Huairen, plus Huairen’s past behavior—if they couldn’t make the memorial date, she wouldn’t have brought her from the start.

And Huairen had suggested it herself.

So—she must have changed her mind at the last moment.

Why was Huairen avoiding her?

Had she done something wrong… or had she discovered…?

Sleepiness vanished in an instant. Yan Yiqing pulled out the fire starter from the hidden compartment and lit the oil lamp hanging in the carriage corner, hoping to glean something from the letter.

No matter how she read it, it only said:

Qingqing, be good. She left first because she was worried about Qingqing.

Her delicate brows furrowed into a ‘川’ shape. Yan Yiqing puzzled over it for a long time until her gaze caught the shadow on the carriage wall.

The braid remained almost perfectly intact.

Worried about crushing it, Yan Yiqing had slept with her head tilted to one side.

The faded hair ribbon dangled at the end, swaying slightly in the evening breeze. Yan Yiqing reached out and grabbed it, suddenly recalling Huairen’s tone when she spoke.

Not ordinary jealousy.

But very unhappy jealousy.

But why…?

Why was Huairen so unhappy?

The answer, on the verge of surfacing, made Yan Yiqing clench her fist. The kitten tumbling into a pile of catnip froze, forgetting even to roll and purr in delight.

The evening breeze stirred the curtain once more.

Even the firelight swayed gently.

Huairen didn’t just like her ordinarily—she really liked her.