Chapter 24: Departure

Chapter 24, Leaving

The inn's second floor, chamber.

Si Li stood respectfully to the side, head bowed, watching the hem of Mu Chi's robe as he stood by the window with railings.

The window was wide open, the cold wind outside ruthlessly blowing in, sweeping away the weak warmth from the brazier, leaving only a persistent chill.

Even Si Li felt his hands and feet turning icy.

Yet Mu Chi remained quietly standing there, like an exquisitely carved jade statue.

—Ever since he had mentioned "if it was for Princess Zhaoyang," Mu Chi had remained silent.

Si Li became even more cautious, not daring to say more.

After a long while, Mu Chi finally asked, "Li Muxuan's wedding date is approaching, isn't it?"

Si Li hurriedly replied, "In a month, Princess Zhaoyang will depart for Yandu."

Yandu, the imperial capital of Great Qi.

By then, the marriage alliance between the two nations would be settled, but before that, it was essential to ensure stability in the Li Kingdom and Lingjing.

Mu Chi fell silent again upon hearing this.

He remembered when he was young, leaving the dungeon for the first time and accompanying Li Muxuan to the Li Kingdom to seek Princess Zhaoyang's hand in marriage.

Back then, he had been fed a poison that sapped his strength and locked inside a carriage.

As the carriage bumped along into the palace, the curtain fluttered, and he caught a glimpse of a slender figure dressed in a light-colored Su-embroidered gauze gown, a jade hairpin adorning her hair, gentle and elegant.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and the palace attendants respectfully addressed her as "Princess Zhaoyang."

She glanced toward the carriage window, catching only a glimpse of his chin, then nodded with a soft smile. "Crown Prince," her voice tender and delicate.

She was to be the Crown Princess of Great Qi, Li Muxuan's betrothed, and the future empress.

Indeed, she possessed a dignified beauty worthy of that position.

After that, Mu Chi had almost daily counted down the days to Li Muxuan and Qiao Qingni's wedding. He had prepared a grand gift to present to Li Muxuan before the event.

But at some point, he had stopped thinking about it so often.

Lately, he hadn't thought about it at all.

This shift left him feeling somewhat confused and unsettled.

Hearing the silence, Si Li mustered his courage to glance up, then showed a hint of surprise.

As someone who had always stayed by Mu Chi's side, he knew how much this marriage alliance meant to him.

Yet now, he saw confusion once again in Mu Chi's eyes.

It reminded him of that time at Banruo Temple when he had mentioned, "Mu Chi can finally leave."

Si Li couldn't read Mu Chi's thoughts. After a moment's hesitation, he ventured to ask, "What about Princess Changle? Does Mu Chi plan to bring her back to the residence?"

Mu Chi's previously distant expression sharpened almost immediately. After a moment of silence, he said, "She did a service by bringing me here, and since I've already agreed to let her stay for now..."

Mu Chi's words trailed off before he could finish.

He quietly watched the night market outside the window, where Qiao Wan stood with a scholar-like man in front of a candied hawthorn vendor, chatting and laughing.

She held a stick of candied hawthorn in her hand, a smile on her lips, her eyes bright with a vitality he had rarely seen directed at him these past days.

It was jarring.

"Mu Chi?" Si Li asked, puzzled.

Mu Chi raised a hand, his expressionless gaze fixed outside. After a long moment, he let out an odd chuckle. "Leave me for now."

*

Qiao Wan didn't know how many of Mu Chi's people were scattered throughout Chuzhou. With the city gates already closed, to avoid unnecessary trouble, she sealed both the token and a letter into an envelope and entrusted it to a courier service.

Given the Mongolian horses' speed traveling day and night, she expected someone to come "fetch" her within three days.

She also asked about the location of the horse market, but Baita Town was too small—only Chuzhou city had one.

By the time she left the courier service, night had fully fallen.

Perhaps because the New Year had just passed, many vendors still lingered on the streets at night, lanterns hanging high from the branches, casting a soft glow in the harsh winter night.

Qiao Wan found herself lingering on the street a while longer. Seeing the glistening candied hawthorn, she felt a craving for something sweet.

She loved sweets, but she hadn't touched any pastries or preserves during this time. When she picked up a stick of candied hawthorn, she remembered she had given all the silver she carried to the courier service, leaving her momentarily embarrassed.

It was then that she encountered a scholar-like man who helped her out, paying the vendor three coins.

Qiao Wan intended to return to the inn to get money and repay him.

But the scholar just blushed, waved his hand, and said it was a small matter.

Qiao Wan didn't insist further. After thanking him, she took the candied hawthorn and returned to the inn, heading straight to the second floor. Just as she was about to push open her guest room door, she heard a faint voice behind her: "Where have you been?"

Startled, Qiao Wan's hand holding the candied hawthorn trembled, nearly dropping it. She quickly steadied it and turned to see Mu Chi standing quietly at the door of the adjacent room, his figure cast in shifting shadows under the hanging lantern overhead.

Remembering what she had overheard earlier, Qiao Wan's heart sank. For the first time, she felt the man before her was deeply frightening.

Yet she forced a smile onto her face. "I was craving something."

Mu Chi's gaze fell on the candied hawthorn in her hand—the transparent sugar coating enveloping the red hawthorn berries.

Exactly like the ones she had bought for him, which he had thrown away.

Mu Chi stepped forward, reaching out to take the candied hawthorn.

But Qiao Wan abruptly pulled it back.

Mu Chi's hand froze mid-air.

Qiao Wan also paused. The Mu Chi before her once again evoked the fear she had felt facing the man in her dreams.

After a moment, she reluctantly offered the candied hawthorn to him. "Fine, you can have one. But no more."

Seeing her expression and tone, the strange feeling in Mu Chi's heart eased somewhat.

See, she was just as lively in front of him.

After all, she had even jumped off a cliff with him.

"Are you going to eat it or not?" Qiao Wan asked with a frown.

Mu Chi came back to himself, glanced at her, and after a long moment, took a hawthorn berry from her hand, nibbling it bit by bit.

The sweet-and-sour flavor spread through his mouth.

So, this was the taste of tanghulu.

After swallowing the berry, Mu Chi spoke calmly, "We need to hit the road early tomorrow morning."

Qiao Wan was taken aback. She had thought that since his shadow guard had arrived, he no longer needed her. Even if he left without a word the next morning, she wouldn’t have been too surprised.

But then she thought, never mind, she might as well see this act through to the end. After all, she still had to wait for whoever’s coming to pick her up.

Considering how he felt about her, he probably wouldn’t want to keep her by his side anyway.

With that in mind, Qiao Wan nodded. "Then I’ll go back to my room to rest."

With that, she opened the door and went inside.

Mu Chi remained where he was, staring at the closed door. He reached up and touched his chest.

Just moments ago, this place had briefly felt out of control.

After a long while, he finally turned and went back to his room with a peculiar look on his face.

Listening to the fading sounds outside, Qiao Wan let out a soft sigh and sat at the table, looking dazed.

After a while, it occurred to her. She looked at the tanghulu in her hand—it still looked tempting, but she’d lost her appetite for it.

In the end, Qiao Wan threw the tanghulu into a corner.

Qiao Wan didn’t understand why Mu Chi, on his home turf, still wanted her—someone he despised—to accompany him. But since he didn’t explain, she didn’t press.

Along the way, she only thought about how, once they reached Chuzhou city, she ought to buy a horse. The ox cart was too slow and rough.

*

They finally arrived in Chuzhou city around noon the next day.

The sky was gloomy, everything blanketed in a gray haze.

The ox cart slowly came to a stop in front of a luxurious estate. Above the gate hung a plaque with two simple characters: "Mu Estate."

Si Li didn’t need to keep up appearances here. He and the estate’s steward were already waiting at the entrance. When they saw Mu Chi, they came forward to greet him. "Young Master."

Mu Chi acknowledged with a low sound, his tone unusually indifferent. He shot a glance at the figure of the woman ahead before rising and stepping down from the ox cart.

Noticing this, Si Li turned to Qiao Wan. He meant to cup his hands in thanks, but after uttering just "Thank you," he paused.

This was the first time Si Li had seen Qiao Wan up close since what happened back at Yanming Mountain.

If he had previously doubted that the coddled Princess Changle could have escorted the master all the way to Chuzhou, those doubts vanished the moment he saw Qiao Wan.

The princess, who once adorned herself in gold and jade and was known for her willful arrogance, now wore rough hemp clothes. Her face was pale, and her fingers bore small nicks and cuts.

Though she couldn’t completely hide the refined bearing she had cultivated since childhood, she was undeniably different.

For a moment, Si Li actually felt a twinge of pity for Princess Changle.

Having served by the master’s side, he was well aware of the undisguised disdain Mu Chi had always shown when mentioning Princess Changle, not to mention how she’d been used before.

Yet Princess Changle had put in so much effort for the master. Even after learning the truth, she still ensured his safe arrival...

Qiao Wan had no idea what Si Li was thinking. She only frowned when she met his gaze.

She didn’t care for the way he was looking at her.

Beside her, Mu Chi’s expression darkened. "Si Li."

Si Li quickly bowed his head. "Master, a pigeon message arrived."

Mu Chi paused, then turned to look at Qiao Wan behind him. His eyes darkened when it fell on her rough clothing.

He had always detested her pride, but for some reason, seeing her dressed so poorly displeased him even more.

It seemed someone like her shouldn’t be dressed this way.

"Have someone take her to get changed," Mu Chi instructed the steward nearby. He glanced at Si Li before heading toward the study.

Si Li understood and hurried to follow.

The estate was vast but eerily quiet, with few people in sight. It felt like an opulent but lifeless mansion.

Once inside the study, Si Li pulled a letter from his sleeve and presented it to Mu Chi. "It’s from Yandu. They urge you to act soon."

Mu Chi stared at the letter for a long time before letting out a mocking laugh. He tossed it casually into a nearby fireplace, watching as the flames quickly consumed it. Only then did he lift his gaze to Si Li.

Si Li promptly began recounting everything that had happened in Chuzhou during Mu Chi’s absence. "The military camp is divided over your disappearance. Morale is shaky. You’ll need to go there yourself..."

Mu Chi listened absently, his fingers tapping idly on the desk. His pale fingertips against the dark wood created an oddly beautiful contrast.

Even after Si Li finished, Mu Chi remained motionless, simply watching him.

Si Li felt a chill run down his spine under that gaze. "Master?"

Mu Chi’s tapping paused. "Earlier, were you pitying Qiao Wan?"

Si Li started, quickly dropping to one knee. "Master, don’t be angry. I’d never second-guess you."

Mu Chi looked down at Si Li, then after a long moment, raised an eyebrow. "Why pity her?"

For some reason, he wanted to hear Si Li voice the answer he had already guessed.

Si Li never lied to Mu Chi. Though puzzled by the master’s insistence on this question, he answered honestly. "I merely thought... Princess Changle has feelings for you, Master. It was just a momentary feeling..."

A faint, elusive glimmer flickered in Mu Chi’s dark eyes, and his tone carried a faint note of pleasure. "Rise."

Hearing the master’s tone, Si Li breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. Remembering something else, he pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Mu Chi. "Master, you previously mentioned preparing another courtyard. This is the list of what’s been prepared."

Mu Chi usually had no interest in such trivial matters, but for some reason, he took it anyway. His eyes skimmed the list, and he let out a cold laugh. "She’s certainly extravagant." Yet his tone clearly held no anger.

Si Li kept his head down, not daring to speak.

This was exactly what the master had written in his letter—

"Prepare another courtyard." Then, as if in irritation, he had added, "Model it after her princess estate," the writing scribbled and rushed.

But Si Li couldn't help overthinking—did the young master actually hate Princess Changle, or was it…?

Si Li’s breath caught as a bold idea suddenly surfaced in his mind, one that even the young master himself might not be aware of.

A cold sweat broke out on his skin. After a moment of hesitation, he cautiously asked, “How does the young master plan to handle Princess Changle’s situation?”

At these words, Mu Chi’s hand, which had been holding the list, paused, and he frowned slightly.

After a long while, he let out a casual laugh. “Arrange what?”

“If she wishes to stay, she can stay. If she wishes to leave…” Mu Chi went quiet for a moment before saying casually, “Why would I keep her?”

Yet in his heart, he was certain she'd definitely stay.

Even if she returned to Lingjing, she'd only become a human test subject beside Qiao Heng, and besides…

She adored him, didn't she?

*

Qiao Wan didn't change her clothes, only quickly washed up.

Since she still had to get back on the road, and she had no desire to wear Mu Chi’s clothes or owe him anything.

When she stepped out of the room, Qiao Wan encountered Si Li waiting outside.

Hearing him relay Mu Chi’s words, she wasn't surprised at all by Mu Chi’s indifference to her staying or leaving.

Not only did he feel no pain, he was born with a heart as cold as a monster's.

“The young master has urgent matters to attend to and likely won't return until tomorrow,” Si Li, who had long believed that given Princess Changle’s feelings for the young master, she certainly wouldn't leave, simply said, “Princess Changle may stay here for now. There are no rules here—do whatever you want.”

Having said that, he hurriedly departed.

Watching his back as he left, in that moment, Qiao Wan suddenly understood what that look meant in this man named Si Li’s eyes when they were at the estate’s entrance earlier.

He pitied her.

Probably thinking what a sad case she was, loving someone she could never have.

Qiao Wan snorted mockingly. After a glance around the courtyard, she turned without hesitation and walked through the estate’s halls, covered walkways, and ornate architecture, quickening her pace until she broke into a run.

Her chest felt hollow, yet her body felt lighter as if a heavy weight had been lifted.

Her thing with Mu Chi should've ended long ago.

It ended in the river beneath Yanming Mountain, along with her stupid crush.

The sun set in the west.

A fine horse galloped along the official road, heading toward the southern city gate. Occasionally, a sharp shout could be heard, drawing the attention of passersby.

The woman on the horse wore only rough, simple clothes, her pale face tense, her dark hair tied simply and flying wildly behind her.

She rode ahead without fear.

Not once looking back.

Until at the southern city gate, a chestnut Ferghana horse came toward her.

On its back, a man’s bright red cloak billowed behind him, the red jade beads in his high-tied ponytail flying everywhere as he charged straight at her.

Startled, Qiao Wan quickly tightened the reins, only to see that the approaching rider was alone. At the very last second, she reined in her horse, glaring at him. His eyes were dark-circled and bloodshot, his expression exhausted as he gritted his teeth and said:

“Qiao Wan, you've got some gall!”

Author's Note:

The dog: She wanted to stay.

The dog returning to the estate: ?!!