Chapter 13: Escorting the Bride (2)

After the marriage alliance convoy exited Yangguan Pass, they entered the Silk Road, which historically connected with the outside world. This route had thrived and declined repeatedly, until the recent war once again left it in ruins.

The vast Gobi Desert stretched endlessly, its golden hues creating a rugged and desolate beauty that was both breathtaking and heartbreakingly barren.

Di Jiang rarely ventured into such places. The endless sea of yellow sand resembled a frozen ocean, with orange dunes forming waves that were grand yet bleak.

“Vast desert without end, lone city surrounded by emptiness; how desolate the frontier city is, with yellow clouds dimming the daylight.” Di Jiang stepped down from her carriage and, upon switching to a camel, couldn’t help but murmur softly.

Wu Jingyi, veiled in red silk, could not see the scenery clearly, but from those poetic lines, she could vividly imagine the scene—likely even worse than described.

“Tonight, we don’t know where we’ll rest; amidst ten thousand miles of barren sands, no trace of human habitation.” Wu Jingyi sighed bitterly, her voice filled with despair.

Wu Rui’an and Wen Yao stood beside them, exchanging glances, both wearing expressions of confusion.

Clearly, they didn’t quite grasp the depth of Di Jiang and Wu Jingyi’s poetry.

A moment later, Wu Rui’an spoke up, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, I won’t let you have nowhere to stay!”

As soon as he finished speaking, both Di Jiang and Wu Jingyi’s shoulders shook slightly, suppressing their laughter.

Seeing this, Wu Rui’an realized he must have made another blunder. His face flushed red, and he quickly led his deputy to inspect the camp.

Two more days westward, and the marriage alliance convoy would reach the border of Xuanwu. General Long’s escort troops would be waiting there. Once he took over the convoy, Wu Rui’an’s two thousand imperial guards would return to Taiping Prefecture.

Throughout this long journey, it was evident that Wu Jingyi had grown much thinner. Her chin became more pronounced, and her waist seemed impossibly small.

Wu Rui’an observed this with concern, his heart aching. In recent days, his smiles had been few and far between. Only around Di Jiang could he muster a faint smile.

Unable to bear it any longer, Wen Yao asked Di Jiang, “Master, will Princess Zhaohe find happiness?”

“The concept of happiness is vague. What you consider happiness might not matter to her, and what she desires, you might not understand. It’s like drinking water—its warmth or coldness is known only to the drinker.”

“Oh, you’re being too profound. Can you make it simpler?” Wen Yao frowned.

“What I mean is, stop meddling and worrying unnecessarily. Instead of fretting about Wu Jingyi, think of a reason for us to leave. If you wanted to go back, it’d be easy. None of these three thousand people could stop you. If you wanted to leave, you’d have done so already. But now, you’ve almost reached the border with them. Doesn’t that show you care? Why keep finding excuses instead of facing your heart?”

“...”

Di Jiang couldn’t refute her words. Upon reflection, she realized Wen Yao was right.

She did care about the Wu siblings.

Having come to this realization, she decided to stop resisting. She would accompany them on this journey, taking it as an opportunity to experience the Turkic lands.

That night, the vast sky over the desert was cloudless, stretching endlessly. The boundless land merged with the horizon, as if they were at the edge of the world.

During dinner, Wu Jingyi specifically invited Di Jiang into the tent to dine together.

The meal was simple: two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a soup. The portions were strictly controlled. Though small, the taste was good, making it a rare delicacy in this desolate desert.

Due to offending Wu Jingyi earlier, Wen Yao wasn’t invited and had to eat the communal food outside the tent.

Feeling resentful, Wen Yao consumed the equivalent of over ten people’s meals in moments, causing the head chef to roll his eyes in dismay, fearing insufficient supplies because of her.

Inside the tent, Wu Jingyi held several palm-sized pieces of jade and smiled at Di Jiang, “These are Karamay stones exposed on the surface of the Gobi Desert. They shape the peculiar form of the Gobi. A few of them, after years of wind and sun exposure, develop a delicate and smooth texture, becoming jade, known as ‘golden thread jade’ by the caravan traders.”

“Ah... I see. Princess, your knowledge is impressive. I admire you.” Di Jiang nodded, subtly pulling down her sleeve to cover the bracelet tightly inside.

Wu Jingyi continued, “In the past, due to their large quantity, golden thread jade wasn’t valuable. But after my brother’s triumphant return, its value skyrocketed a hundredfold, becoming priceless. Especially bracelets with golden threads, praised as ‘sunlight filtering through layers of branches after rain,’ dazzling and brilliant.”

“Is that so? Sounds beautiful... hahaha...” Di Jiang forced a laugh.

“And the one on your wrist can be considered a unique masterpiece among masterpieces.”

Wu Jingyi’s words froze Di Jiang’s smile.

Wu Jingyi covered her mouth and laughed, “Doctor Di, don’t be nervous. I just want to know, what do you truly think of my brother?”

“...” Di Jiang was speechless.

Before Di Jiang could answer, Wu Jingyi continued, “I am marrying far away to the Turks, likely never to meet again. Naturally, I worry about my brother’s safety. I know you… aren’t an ordinary person. Will you really treat my brother well?”

Di Jiang picked up her tea, hiding her face behind the cup, not answering immediately.

Wu Jingyi stared at her intently, as if this question had troubled her for a long time. Today, she wouldn’t let it go without getting an answer.

After a long pause, Di Jiang finally put down her teacup and smiled, “If I wanted to harm him, I wouldn’t have saved him. But saving him doesn’t mean I necessarily like him.”

Wu Jingyi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are there women in the world who don’t like my brother?”

“Knock knock knock—”

Suddenly, an urgent rustling sound came from outside the tent, accompanied by the guards’ calls.

Di Jiang focused and heard Wu Rui’an shouting outside, “Throw her into the prisoner cart. If she doesn’t confess tomorrow, execute her on the spot!”

“Go check who’s causing the commotion outside,” Wu Jingyi said, looking at the tent curtain and instructing a maid.

“Reporting to the princess, it seems Prince Wu has captured an assassin.”

“An assassin?” Wu Jingyi frowned. “Go invite Prince Wu here.”

“Yes.”

After the maid left, Wu Rui’an soon arrived in haste. He lifted the tent flap and grinned at Wu Jingyi and Di Jiang, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just a woman who suddenly entered the camp, claiming to see General Long. When questioned, she refused to speak. I’ve detained her temporarily. We’ll discuss further after meeting General Long’s troops tomorrow.”

“Not planning to execute her on the spot?” Wu Jingyi asked, puzzled.

Wu Rui’an scratched his head and laughed, “Just scaring her a bit. Isn’t this the usual method during military campaigns?”

“Most spies come prepared to die. Such scare tactics won’t work. Brother, you shouldn’t do this anymore.”

“Hmm... But she doesn’t seem like an ordinary spy. She keeps demanding to see Long Ming, refusing to say anything else,” Wu Rui’an crossed his arms, suddenly exclaiming, “Ah... Right! I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before... Where was it... Why can’t I remember...”

Di Jiang was startled, narrowing her eyes slightly.

A woman... demanding to see Long Ming?

Could it be...

While Di Jiang was pondering, she heard Wu Jingyi beside her say, “Bring her to my tent.”

“What?” Wu Rui’an was startled, urgently saying, “Her background is unclear, she doesn’t seem like a good person. You...”

“No need to say more. Bring her in.” Wu Jingyi interrupted him.

At this moment, Wu Jingyi’s face remained calm, showing no emotion, but her voice trembled slightly.

This perhaps indicated that her composure was merely a result of her training as a princess. Inside, she wasn’t as calm as she appeared.

Soon, the woman was brought into the tent, kneeling before Wu Jingyi.

Wu Rui’an pulled up a chair, sitting next to Di Jiang and Wu Jingyi, adopting a stance as if ready to strike if the woman made any sudden moves, presenting an air of invincibility.

Di Jiang found it amusing. Looking at Wu Jingyi, she noticed all her attention was now focused on the kneeling woman.

The woman’s clothes were tattered, covered in sand, so dirty that their original color was indistinguishable. Her hair was matted into clumps, entangled, appearing extremely wretched.

“Lift your head.” Wu Jingyi said calmly.

The woman trembled at her words, hesitating for a moment, seemingly gathering great courage before finally biting her lip and lifting her head.

Their eyes met, and the kneeling woman’s hands tightened abruptly.

Her face was covered in dirt, evidently from prolonged travel, but even so, familiar emotions could be read in her eyes.

Her eyes seemed to hold countless emotions wanting to burst forth.

Regret, sorrow, pain, but most of all, an inexplicable hatred.

It was as if she wanted to tear Wu Jingyi to pieces.

“So it’s you.” Wu Jingyi sighed, her tone tinged with disdain.

Although Di Jiang no longer recognized the woman, from their exchanged gazes, she understood this person was none other than Liu Zhi, the culprit who had driven a wedge between Long Ming and Wu Jingyi.

Liu Zhi.

Di Jiang was utterly astonished.

Regardless of Liu Zhi’s current disheveled state, just her pair of desolate, aged eyes made Di Jiang realize how rapidly a young woman could age.

The tear tracks on Liu Zhi’s face were enough to show that these three years, she must have spent every day crying, living in immense sorrow.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the tent grew heavy.

Unaware of what happened, Wu Rui’an wore a perplexed expression. After coughing lightly, he spoke first, “Who are you? Sneaking around our army, what is your purpose?”

“Forgive me, Your Highness! I... I just wanted to see my husband one last time!” Liu Zhi retracted all traces of hatred, leaving only frailty and self-pity, pleading, “I heard Long Ming volunteered to escort the bride and knew I could see the general here. That’s why I followed all the way here! Please forgive me, Your Highness, Princess!”

Wu Jingyi raised her eyebrows slightly, remaining silent.

At this moment, Wu Rui’an was greatly shocked, “You’re Liu Zhi? Long Ming’s wife?”

“Yes, your humble servant.”

“Taiping Prefecture is eight hundred li away. Did you really traverse mountains and rivers alone to get here?!” Wu Rui’an exclaimed in astonishment.

“Yes...” Liu Zhi’s voice was delicate, her body frail, weak to the point that even a louder sound could startle her.

Wu Rui’an steadied himself, regaining some composure, “Tell me, how did you manage food and shelter along the way?”

“Grass roots and leaves could serve as food. After the convoy departed, the leftover scraps and bones were also edible. For sleeping, the sky was my blanket, and the ground my bed.” After finishing, tears welled up in Liu Zhi’s eyes again. She continued, “I’m not afraid of hardship. I just hope for a day to reunite with my husband!”

After Liu Zhi spoke, silence enveloped the tent. Each person inside felt a mix of emotions.

Especially Di Jiang.

Three years ago, Di Jiang had witnessed Liu Zhi and Long Ming’s affection when they were buying wedding supplies on the street and saw her in bridal attire, marrying Long Ming in an unattended mansion. At that time, they were the epitome of love, envied by others.

But now?

For a glimpse of Long Ming, she willingly ate tree bark and grass roots, enduring it gladly.

The longer time passed, the more things changed. Yet her feelings for Long Ming hadn’t diminished; instead, they had grown deeper, engraving themselves into her very bones.

“You may rise.” Wu Jingyi closed her eyes, exhaling deeply.

“I dare not.”

“Don’t refer to yourself as ‘this lowly servant’ anymore. You are General Long’s legally married wife, a person of status in Taiping Prefecture. There’s no need to belittle yourself,” Wu Jingyi finished, then loudly called out to those outside the tent, “Someone, prepare a bath and fresh clothes for Lady Long. Attend to her well.”

“Thank you, Princess!” Liu Zhi bowed her head, forehead touching the ground. Though her expression was unreadable to others, at least her body stopped trembling.

After two maids helped Liu Zhi out of the tent, only the three of them remained inside.

Wu Rui’an and Di Jiang exchanged glances, both sighing deeply.

From start to finish, Wu Jingyi maintained a calm demeanor. After Liu Zhi left, she resumed smiling.

“Where were we just now?” Wu Jingyi smiled at Di Jiang.

The bitterness in her eyes tried to hide, but Di Jiang could see that it wasn’t genuine happiness.

Under these circumstances, seeing Liu Zhi again was undoubtedly like plunging a knife into her heart.

Had it not been for Liu Zhi’s interference, she and Long Ming might already have children reciting the Three-Character Classic.

But now, she had to be sacrificed politically, sent thousands of miles away to marry an unfamiliar old man.

The hatred in her heart was surely overwhelming.