The next day, they climbed halfway up the mountain, and the terrain changed. Gu Qingtong saw strange peaks and rocks in the valley, with waterfalls and cliffs beside her, a beautiful and breathtaking distant landscape.
Halfway up the mountain, the forest was dense. Gu Qingtong saw fierce beasts nearby, but Yu Shi and Yu Guang’s low growls kept them at bay.
Gu Qingtong thought the sounds were like tiger roars and wolf howls but was glad they could protect themselves. She quickened her pace, looking determinedly ahead, hoping to reach their destination soon.
By noon on the third day, Gu Qingtong and the others had circled to the back of the mountain, crossing the middle ridge to another peak.
Descending from this peak, they entered a valley with fewer venomous snakes and fierce beasts. Instead, rare flowers and grasses abounded, butterflies dancing, with winding streams shimmering with rainbow colors in the sunlight. If not for urgent matters, Gu Qingtong thought lingering here for a few days to appreciate the scenery would be delightful.
But thinking of Jiang Shangheng, Gu Qingtong’s steps would not stop.
After the valley was a long canyon. Gu Qingtong looked up; the cliffs on both sides were steep, with only a thin line of sky visible.
It was dark and gloomy in the canyon. After emerging from the long canyon, she thought it was evening of the fifth day, only to discover it was early morning, and they had arrived at Qin Mian Mountain half a day ahead of schedule.
Yu Rong, leaving the dark narrow passage, saw the bright sunlight outside the long canyon. He shielded his eyes, then looked down at the map, chuckling and turning to Gu Qingtong with extreme joy: “Sister Qingtong, we’ve arrived outside Xibei City at the border.”
“Xibei City?”
“Yes.” Yu Rong pointed to the distant village, “After that village, we’ll reach Xibei City. If nothing goes wrong, we should enter the city and meet the general by evening.”
“Good, let’s continue walking.” Gu Qingtong became happy, but her foot suddenly went soft, and she fell to the ground.
Yu Guang and Yu Shi rushed forward to help her sit down.
Yu Rong removed her shoes and socks, finding them swollen: “Sister, we’ve walked too much these past days, and you haven’t had proper rest. Your feet are swollen.”
Gu Qingtong looked at her unusual calves and swollen feet, finding no sensation, furrowing her brow: “We must enter the city quickly.”
Yu Rong looked helplessly at Yu Shi and Yu Guang, shaking his head: “No, if we continue walking, your feet will be ruined.”
Gu Qingtong was about to speak, but Yu Rong continued: “We were anxious before and didn’t pay attention to your feet. Now they’re like this; we can’t let your feet suffer more.”
Yu Shi also nodded, pulling out a small porcelain bottle: “Rong’er, apply this for her to soothe her. I saw many precious medicinal herbs in the valley earlier. I’ll go find some herbs to invigorate blood circulation.”
“Okay.” Yu Rong took the bottle and began applying oil to Gu Qingtong’s legs, while Yu Shi and Yu Guang left.
Although Gu Qingtong’s feet were oiled, she felt nothing. She even pinched her foot, seeing a bruise form without feeling pain.
Yu Rong caught her hand, his tone full of concern: “Sister, with the general there, Young Master Jiang will be fine. If these feet are ruined, the general will blame us, and we’ll feel terrible.”
“
Gu Qingtong saw tears welling in her eyes, sighed softly, and nodded, looking at the mountain canyon: They had spent a day walking from the valley to here, and Yu Shi and Yu Guang searching for herbs would take at least a day and night.
Yu Rong, seeing sitting here wasn’t ideal, glanced at the distant village, slipped a note under the stone where Gu Qingtong sat, and helped her up: “Sister, let’s go to the village and stay the night.”
“Okay.” Gu Qingtong, unable to feel her feet, could only rise by instinct, leaning on Yu Rong as they walked.
Although it looked close, the village was three li away. Normally, a person could walk it in a quarter of an hour, but with Yu Rong supporting Gu Qingtong’s weight and resting when she couldn’t walk, the three-li distance took an hour.
Arriving in the village of just over ten households, they searched several homes but found no one.
Yu Rong was shocked: “Where are the people?”
“Probably gone to the city. With two countries at war, border villagers are most likely to suffer. Going to the city with military protection is best.”
Yu Rong accepted Gu Qingtong’s explanation, nodded, and chose a clean house, pushing the door open: “Sister, let’s rest here temporarily.”
Okay.” Gu Qingtong sat in the room, looking around.
It was still clean, with chickens and ducks in the courtyard that showed no reaction to strangers entering. Only a large yellow dog barked briefly before being scared away by Yu Rong.
Yu Rong glanced at the supplies and rice in the house and prepared to cook.
Shortly after, Gu Qingtong heard what seemed like horse hooves and a metallic clashing sound from outside the village: “Not good, someone has been drawn by the cooking smoke. Rong’er, we need to hide quickly.”
Yu Rong had also heard the unusual sounds outside. Since Gu Qingtong couldn’t move quickly and couldn’t escape, she could only gather firewood behind the stove, help Gu Qingtong sit down, and then cover her with a pile of firewood as tall as a person. She then jumped out of the courtyard, leaving a trail of footprints on the small path behind, and then hid in a nearby water pond.
Gu Qingtong heard someone enter the house, and when they found no one, they left the courtyard and headed in the direction Yu Rong had escaped. She knew Yu Rong was skilled and agile, and escaping these people would not be a problem, so she relaxed.
But suddenly, she heard someone moving the firewood in front of her: Could she have been discovered?
53 Musician
“Yun Zhi, what are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
Although the villagers have left, there are enough supplies, and many good things they didn’t have time to take have been taken.
“
“Yes.”
Gu Qingtong realized they were here to plunder and they were definitely not from the Yuan Chao Kingdom’s army, but from the Yun Qiong Kingdom. Moreover, hearing the other person call him Yun Zhi confirmed her suspicions.
Yun Zhi did not leave but continued to pay attention inside the house. Someone had been cooking earlier, but now there was no one. He scanned the room again, noticing something unusual by the firewood, but then saw a mouse run out and quickly darted back inside.
Gu Qingtong had no sensation in her legs but heard the sound. Looking down, she saw a gray mouse scurrying by her feet. She felt disgusted and, remembering the people outside, desperately covered her mouth to prevent a scream. But as she remained still, the mouse crawled onto her foot.
Just as she was about to lose her composure, the firewood was suddenly moved, and Gu Qingtong found herself facing a pair of sinister eyes: “There is indeed someone here.”
The mouse, startled, scurried away. Gu Qingtong knew further hiding was futile and released her mouth, silently staring at him.
Yun Zhi approached, pulling her up and pressing her against his chest, lifting her chin: “Didn’t expect to find such a beauty in this remote village. What a pleasant surprise. Smile for me, my little beauty.”
Gu Qingtong remained silent, stubbornly turning her face away.”
Hearing him refer to himself as “this king” only increased her shock.
“Oh, quite stubborn.” Yun Zhi smiled slightly, hoisting her up and walking outside. “In that case, come play with me.”
Gu Qingtong was powerless to resist and knew better than to attempt an escape that would only anger him.
“Yun Zhi, what are you doing…?”
Hanging upside down, Gu Qingtong could only see a man standing behind Yun Zhi, but couldn’t see above his waist.
