Chapter 219: Post Station

Chapter 219: The Post Station

The handwriting that came into view was flowing and tender, every stroke seemingly carrying a burning warmth.

"To my dear Qingqing, for your eyes alone: Parting is like rain; longing drives me mad.

Since I watched you, Qingqing, depart from the city gate, my heart feels as if hollowed out, all the world’s colors dimmed, leaving only the memory of your retreating figure, etched into my bones, gnawing at me day and night.

Thinking of your journey, over mountains and rivers, through harsh winds and dangers, my heart is deeply worried, as if being fried in oil, unable to eat or sleep, wishing I could take your place and clear the thorns from your path."

Cheng Ge: '...'

"Though my heart feels like it’s being cut, with a thousand kinds of reluctance, I dare not force you to stay with personal feelings, only to incur your annoyance.

I only pray for your safety; if you are well, that will be a small comfort to my heart."

Cheng Ge: Enough, any more would be impolite.

Bracing himself, Cheng Ge quickly skimmed over the irrelevant parts and continued reading.

"Star Frost [Star Frost] is a creature of extraordinary spirit, seemingly understanding my heart.

Ever since learning of your departure, it has been restless and anxious, often lingering where you once stood.

In its stubbornness, it thought we had quarreled, leading to this separation.

Heaven and earth bear witness to my feelings for you, as bright as the sun and moon, as true as the mountains and rivers.

Seeing its state, I empathize deeply; its obsession mirrors my own.

After much thought, since this creature’s heart is set on you, just as mine is, keeping it here would only make it suffer more.

Thus, though reluctant, I choose to grant its wish and let it accompany you, just as my heart follows yours.

It may ease a bit of your loneliness in some small measure on the long journey, temporarily guarding you on my behalf.

I await the day we reunite, when the mountains and rivers remain the same, and your face is as beautiful as ever. Even across a thousand mountains and countless rivers, through the passage of time, my heart for you will never change.

— Longing for you, as one longs for spring, yearning for you like one draws from a sweet spring, Xunyu [Xunyu]"

Cheng Ge read through this utterly ridiculous outpouring of sincerity with a blank expression, the veins on his forehead twitching involuntarily.

What on earth was all this? Longing drives me mad? Heart like it’s being cut? Heaven and earth bear witness, as bright as the sun and moon?

This guy must have read too many romance novels—he was greasier than fried food!

And the most absurd part was forcing a snake on him and spinning a story like "It thinks we had a fight and it’s so sad, so let it go with you"?!

He instinctively raised his hand to touch Star Frost, who was coiled in his hood, and gently fished it out.

The little white snake seemed a bit displeased at being disturbed, its slender tail instinctively curling around his fingers.

He didn’t shake it off; instead, he let it coil, then wound Star Frost’s slender body around his left wrist, ring by ring.

With his right index finger, he gently tapped its little head.

Shaking his head, he said, dripping with sarcasm, "Your master doesn’t want you anymore…"

He even went so far as to pick up the drooping tip of Star Frost’s tail with his finger and tied it into a loose knot.

Star Frost seemed to understand his words, its crimson vertical pupils gazing quietly at him, its tongue flicking gently.

It rubbed its little head against the skin of his wrist, completely unfazed by what he said.

The carriage continued its unhurried rocking, emitting a regular creaking sound.

Cheng Ge finished his cup of milk tea on the small table, and drowsiness gradually set in.

Wrapping himself in the blanket, he drifted into a deep sleep amid the rhythmic rocking of the carriage.

The carriage fell silent, leaving only the sound of even breathing and the rumble of wheels.

…

From the capital to Yuanzhou, the journey was long.

Even with clear weather and fast horses, it would take at least two weeks.

Now, with the season, with snow closing the roads had slowed the journey even more.

Cheng Ge didn’t want to delay unnecessarily, so he ordered the team to push on, often setting off before dawn and only stopping late at night to find shelter.

After seven days of forced marches, everyone was exhausted, men and horses alike.

Most meals were dry rations and prepared jerky and pickled vegetables, hot meals were a rare luxury.

Cheng Ge was prone to cold, and after such rough travel, his chin had grown visibly sharper, and his once well-fitting robes seemed looser.

Funiang and Lü Rou saw this and were anxious, trying every trick to get him some hot soup or water, but with little effect.

One afternoon, the sky suddenly darkened further, with leaden clouds pressing low.

The leading guard rode up to Cheng Ge’s carriage and said in a low voice, "Sir! The snow is too heavy; the road ahead is difficult to traverse!

About ten li ahead, there is a government post station. Should we head there to rest until the snow lets up?"

Cheng Ge lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and a blast of icy wind and snow rushed in, making him shiver.

Cheng Ge: Damn it!!!

He quickly yanked his hand back and pulled his thick blanket tight around himself.

Clearly, it was no weather for traveling. He nodded. "Do as you suggest. We'll stop at the post station for a few days until the snow clears."

"Yes!" The guard acknowledged and immediately passed on the order, guiding the team slowly and steadily toward the post station.

After another grueling half hour of travel, the post station's silhouette finally emerged through the snow.

It was a fairly solid two-story gray-brick building, with dim lanterns hanging at the entrance.

This was Pingzhou Station, under the jurisdiction of Pingzhou Prefecture, about four hundred li from the capital.

Pingzhou lay to the northwest of the capital, serving as a defensive outpost for the capital region.

Further west, the terrain became more sparsely populated, with a rougher population in the northwestern regions.

The area was mountainous, with official roads winding through the hills, and winter blizzards make travel especially treacherous.

Pingzhou Prefecture itself was not wealthy, relying mostly on mountain agriculture and some forest products, with commerce was sparse.

The convoy finally arrived at the post station's entrance. The post station master heard the commotion.

He quickly brought two post station attendants out, enthusiastically helping to arrange the horses and carriages.

Cheng Ge, supported by Lü Rou, stepped down from the carriage, and a bone-chilling cold wind immediately swept in with snowflakes.

He instinctively tightened his cloak and pulled the hood lower, almost leaving only his eyes exposed.

The post station master looked about forty, wearing a thick cotton robe, with a humble smile born of years of receiving guests.

He hurried over with quick steps and made a deep bow to Cheng Ge who had just stepped down from the carriage. His breath forming white puffs quickly vanished in the cold wind.

"Lord Cheng, you've had a hard journey!" As he spoke, his eyes quickly scanned Cheng Ge's face, which, though slightly tired, still bore a noble and refined air.

And the convoy behind him, though not luxurious, was clearly of official regulation, along with capable attendants. He had already concluded in his heart that the visitor was no ordinary person.

Cheng Ge nodded slightly without saying much. The captain of the guards stepped forward and handed over the official credentials.

"My lord is passing through your post station and needs to rest for a few days until the snowstorm lets up. These are the credentials. Please verify them."

"Yes, yes, of course, of course," the post station master replied repeatedly.

He respectfully took the document with both hands and carefully inspected it under the dim lantern light at the post station entrance.

As the post station master's eyes swept down the document, his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, and his body suddenly stiffened.

Cheng Ge keenly noticed his unusual reaction and couldn't help but fix his gaze on the man.

The post station master seemed to realize his lapse, immediately lowered his head, and covered it with a cough.

His voice returned to its former humility, even adding a bit more caution.

"So... so it is the Imperial Inspector, Lord Cheng, who has come! I, your humble servant, failed to recognize your lordship and did not come out far enough to welcome you. I beg your lordship's boundless forgiveness!"

He almost bowed at the waist, holding the credentials high above his head with both hands to return them to the captain of the guards.

"The credentials are correct! Correct! My lord, please come in quickly! Although the post station is humble, we will do our utmost to serve your lordship!"

His manner became even more fawning, almost overly warm.

Cheng Ge remained impassive, merely responding with a quiet "mm-hmm," and tightened his cloak as he followed the post station master through the main gate of the post station.