Destined Marriage with Fragrance - Chapter Ep

Epilogue 1

The ‘Death’ of Xuanyuan Yi

Master’s Tent At The Army Camp

The fragrance of the two cups of the long dan tea that were just steeped and steaming hot, filled inside the tent. Pei Che was deeply breathing so that the fragrance of the tea went into his mind, the long dan tea was really worthy of the monarch’s tea. Once it went into the mouth, there was a sweet and mellow after taste, even the tea fragrance was already intoxicating like this. After Xuanyuan Yi and Murong Shu Qing got married, it would be easy for him to drink the good tea! The two big men were sitting on the left and right sides of the table, they had tea on their hands and were somewhat thinking, inside the master’s camp, there were not a lot of pleasing situations like this during this era. Picking up the teacup, Pei Che drank a mouthful of the fragrant tea, and comfortably sighed: “The letter for Cang Yue’s surrender has been delayed, since You Xiao is already dead, I presume that they will not have any other trick. So we only need to wait for the letter and my army will be able to withdraw and return to the Imperial court.”

Fortunately, after Xuanyuan escorted Shu Qing back to the Capital, he came back here, otherwise they would be tricked by You Xiao’s scheme. Comparing to their crafty and inferior plots, if they were fighting in the battlefield, how could You Xiao be Xuanyuan’s opponent.

“En, the Imperial court has already arranged Fang Tong to preside over with accepting the surrender, you and I will only need to stay with the military.” In between his speech, Xuanyuan appeared to be completely happy, and it could not be concealed. 

Ck ck, when had he (PC) ever saw his (XY) face light up with delight like this ah? Pei Che could not help but to tease him: “Are you anxious with this return? It serves you right.” Murong Shu Qing should not promise to marry him this quickly, Xuanyuan completely ignored the person at that time, and threatened to withdraw the marriage over and over again. Now he knew what anxious feeling was, so she should really make him eat some more sufferings. 

The corners of his mouth lightly hooked up, Xuanyuan Yi’s mood was very good, so he did not pay any bit attention to Pei Che’s mocking. Tomorrow was the day that Shu Qing got out of the palace, and if there was no mishap, he would be able to return to the Capital within one month. This time, nobody would be able to obstruct his and Qing-er’s marriage no matter what, even the Emperor would not be able to do it either. He did not believe that Xuan Tian Cheng would not take seriously the world’s propriety and would fight over an official’s wife. 

The two people were chatting with each other, a loud and clear sound of an announcement echoed from outside the tent: “Reporting! Outside the tent, a man who claims to be the Murong family’s person, asks to see the general.”

The Murong’s family? Xuanyuan Yi whose hand was grasping the teacup, paused, Pei Che sniggered, was he really this excited? He reckoned that whenever Xuanyuan Yi heard these one, Murong’s word, his mind was already rippling. Laughing and shaking his head, Pei Che could only lower his head to focus on drinking the tea and avoid Xuanyuan’s deep eyes.

“Let him come in.” Was it the person whom Qing-er had arranged? Could it be that there was something went on at the Capital? The person whom he arranged to stay at the Capital, just brought some news yesterday, the palace did not make any suspicious movement. So that the Murong’s family came at this moment, could it be that there were some incidents?

“Yes.” The young soldier’s voice just left, a trace of shadow hurriedly lifted open the hanging curtain to enter the tent.

After seeing the person clearly, Xuanyuan Yi recognized him as the bodyguard who was always protecting Shu Qing when she was at Lin Feng Guan border. Xuanyuan Yi anxiously knew that something had happened, so without exchanging any greetings, he anxiously asked: “Fan Feng, what is wrong?”

“Master has a sealed letter that I must deliver to General directly.” Fan Feng’s hoarse voice, ragged and exhausted appearance, clearly explained that this letter was sent with the quickest  horse from the Capital to Lin Feng Guan border. Shu Qing sent him very few letters, could it be that she really met with a mishap? 

After taking the letter from Fan Feng’s hand, Xuanyuan Yi answered without thinking: “Many thanks, you can go and rest now.”

But Fan Feng still did not move and just stood inside the tent, it did not look like he planned on leaving at all, could it be that Shu Qing still had another message? So Xuanyuan Yi softly asked: “What else?”

“General, once you read it, please immediately burn it.” 

Burnt it after reading it? What matter was this that it needs this type of cautiousness? Not only that Xuanyuan Yi was puzzled, but Pei Che who was originally and completely enjoying watching the scene, felt that something was strange.

Xuanyuan Yi quickly tore open the envelope, there was only one thin paper inside. Once he opened the letter and read it, Xuanyuan Yi’s complexion showed a huge change, his always firm and steady breath, clearly changed into a hurried and brief (breath). Even his hand that was holding the letter, was trembling, and he was only motionlessly staring at the letter with his eyes, it seemed that he wanted to burn a hole in the letter.

“Xuanyuan, are you alright?” Standing across the big table, Pei Che could not see what was on the letter, but looking from the faint ink prints, there seemed to be very few words. What was written on the letter, that could make Xuanyuan lost his self-control like this? 

Pei Che got up to be nearer, but Fan Feng suddenly stepped forward one step to block in front of him (PC). Pei Che could only see that he took out a lighter from his sleeve and passed it to Xuanyuan’s front. He appeared to recover, but he still had not taken the lighter and was still looking at the letter with his dark eyes.

Fan Feng was somewhat impatience and he used the lighter to ignite the edge of the letter, Pei Che thought that Xuanyuan would be angry, but he actually did not say anything, and allowed the letter that was in his hand being engulfed in flame. 

Until he was sure that the entire letter had changed into ashes, then Fan Feng retreated one step, and left behind “I take my leave” sentence, then turned around to leave the Master’s tent.

Pei Che anxiously said: “Does the Murong’s family have any mishap?” Or was it Shu Qing’s mishap, otherwise Xuanyuan would not be like this. 

Taking a deep breath, Xuanyuan Yi was clearly calm, and answered softly: “Nothing.” 

He was not willing to explain, so Pei Che was also helpless, and could only say: “I will take a look to see if all of the officers and soldiers’ camps are ready appropriately.” 

Pei Che left the Master’s tent, and only left Xuanyuan Yi and the tea fragrance. Xuanyuan Yi was standing beside the table for a long time, looking at the ashes that were drifting on the ground, he only felt a slight chill in his bone, heart and life.

‘I am in Hai Yu.’ 

There were only five words in the letter, the beautiful and elegant handwriting certainly came from Shu Qing’s hand, but what was the meaning that she gave him these five words? Were they not already promised to be together for a life time? Did she not say that she would wait until he came back? Was she not inside the palace at this moment? Why did she want to go to Hai Yu, what had happened inside the palace? This moment, Xuanyuan Yi had never experienced this type of fear before, he was puzzled, powerless, angry, terrified, and bitterly disappointed. She was always the quiet, cold, calm, and indifferent types, he thought that he already entered her heart, but he suddenly find out that he really did not understand what Murong Shu Qing was thinking.

****

“Xuanyuan, I think there is something fishy with Cang Yue, the surrender letter is already received, but the main army has not been withdrawn from Lin Feng Guan border. I am afraid that they still have some other intentions.” Pei Che said the sentence while secretly observing Xuanyuan Yi. Today was already the tenth day, after that day, Xuanyuan Yi did not look right, many of the soldiers only felt that General Xuanyuan did not feel good these past several days. He always showed a black face, rarely came out of the tent, and looked cold and indifferent to everybody. But Pei Che keenly felt that he was not only angry, but he was also jittery, easily distracted, just like now. He already said it for a while, but Xuanyuan Yi did not have any reaction at all.

“Xuanyuan? What is wrong with you after all, you have been so preoccupied these past days?”

“It seems that the surrender letter is only their delaying tactics to make my army lower their vigilance, Cang Yue’s behavior is sinister so my army has no choice but to defend. You need to order all of the army that they must not relax, and need to be strict within their arrays.”

Pei Che still thought that he did not hear anything at all, as it turned out Xuanyuan was not in a daze as bad as he thought. Did he misjudge it?

“General!” Li Ming hurriedly charged inside the tent, and interrupted the two people’s conversations.

Xuanyuan’s complexion was even darker, and Pei Che scolded in a low voice: “What is the matter that makes you look like a burning and heated fire like this?” This youngster had already been in the army for a long time, how could he still be hot tempered like this?

“The news came from the Capital, Miss Murong….” Li Ming’s complexion was slightly green, and he looked at Xuanyuan Yi with a frenetic and anxious expression.

Xuanyuan Yi stood up from the master’s seat, his eyes were nervously staring at Li Ming, even though he had not said anything, but it already made Li Ming to retreat one step backward frighteningly. 

Li Ming stared blankly and did not say anything, so Pei Che urgently said: “What is wrong with Murong Shu Qing?”

“Miss Murong…. inside the palace….” The person who always spoke frank and straightforward, suddenly was stammering, so Pei Che felt a bad premonition in his heart. After dawdling for a moment, Li Ming finally said: “Died of illness.”

“What?” Shu Qing died of illness? “This is impossible!” He already guessed that Shu Qing had a mishap, but unexpectedly, she was…. dead? This…. how could it be like this? Pei Che was lowly shouting at the same time, and immediately looking at Xuanyuan Yi who was beside him.

“All of you get out.” The two people were very closed, so Pei Che could clearly hear Xuanyuan Yi’s stifling voice that was trembling clearly. He was tightly biting his jaws to make his resolute face was filled with blue veins, and having a hard time controlling the vicious currents that were filled all over him.

“Xuanyuan….” Pei Che was really anxious for Xuanyuan Yi, it should be less than a month that they would get married, but Murong Shu Qing mysteriously died of illness at this time. They had been together for a long time, so he understood clearly Xuanyuan’s behavior that put relationship seriously. He was really and sincerely moved emotionally to Shu Qing, how could this be good with this kind of conclusion now?

“Get out!!” The roaring shout was shaking the soldiers who were guarding outside the tent, so Pei Che did not dare to stay anymore, and dragged Li Ming who was already terrified to get out of the Master’s tent hurriedly.

Once they were out of the Master’s tent, Li Ming asked with trembling heart: “Is General alright?” He had been following the General by his side for many years, but he had never seen him look like this. He looked like he wanted to eat someone, or like a beast that was trapped inside the cage, it was really scary.

“What is going on?” He had never heard that Murong Shu Qing had an illness before, how could she died of illness within these short several months? This matter was absolutely suspicious.

Li Ming shook his head, he answered gloomily and with jittery feeling: “I am not clear either, but Miss Murong really died, Prime Minister Qi already took her corpse back to the Qi’s family.” He did not like Murong Shu Qing before, but after having some contacts with her last time, he thought that she would still match with the commander-in-chief, but the big wedding actually turned out like this! How could a healthy person be dead like this?

There was a loud banging sound that came from inside the Master’s tent, it looked like the table was hacked by Xuanyuan Yi. Pei Che turned around to look at the tent behind him, he had a strange feeling in his heart. That letter from the other day, Xuanyuan Yi’s strange mood in the past few days, also he unexpectedly disregarded the details a moment ago, and just told them to get out immediately. This did not look like Xuanyuan’s style in handling any affairs, so what was going on after all? 

The sawdusts were spattering everywhere inside the Master’s tent, the blood was dripping on the remains of the table, and leaving behind the motley of blood traces. He did not injury his hand, but the most injured feeling that he felt, was his heart. No wonder that you said that you were in Hai Yu, as it turned out you decided to use ‘death’ to be free, but had you ever thought about me? Had you ever thought of discussing this with me? Did you ever think of me as the other person who would accompany you for life? Murong Shu Qing, when you said that you wanted to go, you just went freely and with ease, how could you be so heartless, so ruthless like this? 

Within two days, the news about Murong Shu Qing’s death of illness spread widely at the army camp. Many of the soldiers could not help but sigh, that elegant woman who looked like a fragrant jade, unexpectedly died like this, it was really a pity. The General should be grieving the most, but nobody dared to console him upfront, and could only push Pei Che forward. He was the military’s counselor, and also General Xuanyuan’s close friend, so he could not shirk naturally. Standing in front of the tent for an incense stick time, Pei Che still summoned up his courage to enter the Master’s tent.

The inside the tent was a mess, just like his guess, the table was already hacked by Xuanyuan’s palm, and some specks of dry bloodstains were scattering in the ground, so it showed that Xuanyuan still hurt himself. Looking up, he still had not seen Xuanyuan’s figure, so Pei Che anxiously said: “Xuanyuan?”

“Come over.” The sound of his response was gloomy and hoarse and it almost like it was not Xuanyuan Yi’s voice, so Pei Che looked to the right hand side, and only saw that Xuanyuan Yi was behind him. He was standing in front of the topographic map, and his waist was half bent, he looked like he was studying the terrain. 

Pei Che hurriedly walked over to his side, Xuanyuan Yi asked again: “What abnormal move does Cang Yue still make?”

“Cang Yue’s main army is just about to withdraw slowly, but they are obviously not proactive, if my army is withdrawing now, I am afraid that they will attack suddenly.” His mouth was answering with these words, but Pei Che’s eyes were always staring at Xuanyuan Yi. Even though his red eyes looked exhausted, but they could still be regarded as having spirits. But it was only two days, his originally thin cheeks were already sunken, his injured hand was just wrapped casually with a clothing, and the dry blood was already solidified. He clearly looked beaten and haggard, fortunately, he was already calm by a lot at this moment, so Pei Che sighed and said: “Xuanyuan, you still need to return to the Capital first, there are still me and the other generals who are guarding Lin Feng Guan border, so it will not be easy if Cang Yue wants to mount a sneak attack.” 

If he did not return now, he was afraid that he could not make it to Shu Qing’s burial.

Xuanyuan Yi had not answered Pei Che’s words, and indifferently said: “Cang Yue’s famous general, General Wu had already died three years ago, Cang Yue simply did not have any high ranking military officer who could face off against my army, You Xiao’s action was sinister, so he should think that he could win by a surprise move. You Xiao is dead now, so Cang Yue does not have any commander in chief, and it is impossible to have a confrontation with my army once again. As long as you are careful and be vigilant, and have the officers and soldiers to increase their guards, Cang Yue will not be able to cause any disorder this time.”

“En.” Pei Che always felt that Xuanyuan Yi was somewhat strange today, but he would not say what was so odd (about him). 

After talking about the matters of each of the camp’s deployment in guarding (the border), Xuanyuan Yi finally lifted his head up, and said in a low voice: “I will return to the Capital tomorrow, I will hand over the matters here to you.”

“Alright.” Pei Che secretly breathed relaxingly, Xuanyuan was finally willing to face the fact that Shu Qing had died, so at least he was still able to handle it.

Turning his head around to look at Pei Che, Xuanyuan Yi strongly patted Pei Che’s shoulder, and said with a deep voice: “In the future…. it will be tough on you.”

Pei Che had never seen the cautiousness that he had in his red eyes, there was also a trace of guilt in there. Pei Che’s heart was suddenly tensed, he grabbed Xuanyuan Yi’s arm, and urgently said: “What are you thinking of doing? It has something to do with Shu Qing, is that right?” Shu Qing’s death must have an inside story, it started when he received that sealed letter, and everything started to become strange, what did Xuanyuan think of doing? 

After being silent for a while, Xuanyuan Yi tightly knitted his eyebrows and slowly released them, the corners of his mouth had a trace of light smile, and he answered: “Che, if I die just like Qing-er, you have to bury my skeleton at Lin Feng Guan border.” 

Pei Che turned pale with fright: “Xuanyuan! What nonsense were you talking?” Could it be that he wanted to die together with Shu Qing? Impossible, Xuanyuan was not a cowardly person like this. 

While he (PC) still had not understood clearly what that smiling expression that he had at the corners of his mouth was for, Xuanyuan Yi already pushed away the arm that was grabbed by him (PC), and he turned his back and did not look at him again: “I am tired, you get out first.” 

With a belly full of doubts and concerned, Pei Che went out of the Master’s tent, and thought for a whole night, his heart appeared to have an answer somewhat, but he did not dare to be certain about it. The next day, Xuanyuan Yi only brought fifty elite troops to return to the Capital.

The night became darker gradually, not knowing what was going on, Pei Che felt ill at ease since early morning. Pei Che kept going back and forth repeatedly inside the tent, Li Ming actually could not stand him, and said: “The General has already returned to the Capital, can you sit down nicely? A dead person cannot come back to life, we just have to mourn for her.”

“Military Counselor!” The hanging curtain at the gate was lifted open, a soldier who was covered with injuries all over him, rushed into the barracks. He kneeled down and hastily shouted: “Cang Yue went back on their words and ambushed the General by the road, the General was alone and could not beat all of those people, he was hit by an arrow and fell off the cliff!”

“Ridiculous!” Li Ming roared, and jumped from his chair.

This person was one of the fifty elite troops who went with Xuanyuan, so Pei Che’s complexion was white. Cang Yue was not willing to withdraw their soldiers, was their objective Xuanyuan Yi? How could he overlook this matter! Grabbing the soldier’s arm that was still on the ground to pull him up, Pei Che urgently said: “Lead the way!”

“Yes.” 

In order to guard against Cang Yue’s arbitrary attack at night, Pei Che took Li Ming and 5,000 elite troops to rush to go within the 500 li outside of Hu Shan (mountain). 

When the party arrived, they only saw that there were Cang Yue’s soldiers remains everywhere on the hilltop, on the ground, the trees were full of long arrows. One could clearly see that they were thinking to capture Xuanyuan Yi alive, but they were not a match, and could ultimately use a tactic with the arrows. 

5,000 soldiers were divided into two routes, one was searching the cliff, finally one young soldier found the General’s battle gear, and shouted in a loud voice: “The General is here.” 

Pei Che and Li Ming came over hurriedly, and only saw one figure who was wearing a battle gear, lying on the ground, his back was pushed down by several rocks. Pei Che hurriedly moved the rocks, carefully took them away and turned his body around. One could see that there were three long arrows that ran through his chest, the blood already soaked inside the battle gear, he fell down from more than one hundred meters, so his face was somewhat deformed, and the sharp angle from the mountain rocks left scars on his face. Within this unclear night scene, one practically could not see his appearance, but that battle gear was Xuanyuan Yi’s. The strong blood smell filled the air at the bottom of the cliff, Pei Che extended his hands, and supported his wrist that was shaking. The 5,000 soldiers who were at the bottom of the cliff could not hear any sound of breathing, after a long time, Pei Che got up, he shook his head, and said with a heavy voice: “General has already…. died in the battlefield!”

“General!” An orderly and resounding loud cry echoed from the quiet cliff, but Pei Che suddenly said: “Carry the General back to Lin Feng Guan border, and bury him at the border land beside the camp.”

Buried him at the border land?? Li Ming hurriedly stepped forward one step, and reminded him with a soft voice: “General is a commander in chief from Dong Yu, how can he be buried casually at Lin Feng Guan border? If the Imperial court will blame us…..” 

Without waiting until Li Ming finished talking, Pei Che answered with a clear voice: “This is a General and first rank commander in chief’s request when he went out, if he died during battle, he must certainly be buried at the border land. As a soldier, why is it not appropriate to be buried at the border land? If the Imperial court will put a blame, I, Pei Che will assume the responsibility!”

“Yes.” All of the soldiers were moved by General Xuanyuan’s loyalty and love for the army, so nobody was talking again.

Li Ming took the corpse and put it in the carriage, Pei Che turned around and said to the young soldier: “Send out an urgent military intelligence report, General Xuanyuan was ambushed by Cang Yue en route to going back to the Capital, he fell in to a cliff and died.”

“Yes.” 

Raising his head to look up one glance at the sky that was filled with stars, Pei Che finally perked up a trace of his usual smile. When Xuanyuan Yi stroke the table yesterday, his right hand was clearly injured, and the corpse from a moment ago also had an injured right hand, but it was created by the rock. This corpse was simply not Xuanyuan Yi’s, then the person who died inside the palace was definitively not Murong Shu Qing either. Xuanyuan, I finally understood what the meaning of your words, about leaving just like Shu Qing…..

Under the dark night, the sound of horses’ hoofs was echoing everywhere, a trace of black shadow was traveling back and forth within the forest very quickly, to the direction of Dong Hai. Che, I’m sorry. He could not properly protect his own woman, and made her to use this kind of way to be able to obtain her freedom, and he really could not let her go, so he wanted to go and ask that woman, what did she regard him in her heart? 

Dong Yu, year of 234, fourth of the month, the generation’s famous general, Xuanyuan Yi was ambushed by Cang Yue, and died at Lin Feng Guan border.

Epilogue 2

A Happy Life In Hai Yu

On the beach, in the evening time during the summer, the color of the sea and sky was beautiful that it made people to feel admiration, the originally azure horizon and sea surface were shrouded with a multicolored sunlight from the sunset. It showed a warm golden ray and the golden cloud and the gleaming clear water of the sea surface were shining within each other. Just like it was the last glorious time, but it was a pity that the two people who were by the seaside, did not have time to appreciate this kind of beautiful and exquisite (scenery).

The black clothing woman was half squatting on the ground, her mind was completely put into the pile of bamboo roots, the man who was behind her, slightly knitted his eyebrows, and said: “Can we not plant something else?” Xuanyuan Yi looked at the bamboo roots that were on the ground, and he thought whether he should laugh or cry, one could imagine when one had to wait for these bamboo roots to grow bigger. This was after all the greenish blue sea bamboo, the faint bamboos fragrant was penetrating deeply into one’s heart, the verdant scenery would surely make people to feel relaxed and happy. But planting a bamboo forest by the seaside, how could one not feel strange when one looked at it, moreover, could they even grow?

Murong Shu Qing slightly raised her head, smiled, and answered: “You can (grow something else) ah, what do you want to plant?”

“Forget it, it is good that you like it.” Looking at her rather high spirit, Xuanyuan Yi ultimately decided to follow her.

“Miss Shu Qing, I will put these bamboo roots for you here.” Several married women unloaded a final batch of the bamboo roots out of the carriage. Looking at Murong Shu Qing’s thin body, fair skin, several people could guess that she was sure a young lady from a wealthy family. Planting the bamboo roots by the seaside was only her temporary hobby, although the grey clothing man who was by her side, was sturdy, but with that handsome appearance, it seemed that he was not a person who knew how to work! Several people asked with clear voices: “Do you need us to help you to plant these properly?”

The thought of the simple married women could be written on their face, as they looked at Xuanyuan Yi’s expression that clearly looked like a pretty boy (could also be translated as gigolo. Lol…). Xuanyuan Yi complexion was suddenly darker, and he answered with a cold voice: “Not needed!”

Several people were frightened by Xuanyuan Yi’s cold and muffled shout, Murong Shu Qing hurriedly got up, and answered: “No need, thank you all, I still have not thought what I want to plant properly. If I need any help, I will ask you.” 

“Alright.” After the married women left, Shu Qing softly asked: “Are you angry?” The popular custom in Hai Yu was like this, the women were respected, so it would be difficult to ask Xuanyuan Yi to adapt to this.

Xuanyuan Yi broke into laughter, since he decided to come here, he naturally already prepared, but he was still not used to it, that was all. Meeting Shu Qing’s cautious expression, Xuanyuan Yi did not make it clear, and answered: “What do you think?” Knowing that he was not really angry, Murong Shu Qing reached out to encircle Xuanyuan Yi’s neck, softly coughed, and pretended to seriously say: “Be at ease, you are a woman’s husband now, I will protect you.”

“En?” His hands that were encircling her waists, were tightened up, Xuanyuan Yi softly humphed, she was already enough powerful when she was in Dong Yu. He was afraid that she would be undisciplined and out of control now that she was in Hai Yu. He wanted to see, who would protect who? 

Being entrapped by Xuanyuan Yi’s embrace that she could not move even a single step, Murong Shu Qing struggled, but Xuanyuan Yi hugged her even tighter. Little by little, the two people were closely sticking together, Murong Shu Qing was gloomy, he was too narrow-minded!

“Ck ck, in this broad daylight, you two want to show loving affection and will not move away from the road? Even though the small wooden house is not too strong, but in any case, it can still cover it up.” The two people were embracing together, when there was an unrestrained teasing voice from behind them. If one heard this kind of bossy and domineering voice once, one would know who the person who came.

Xi Lie Yue was dressed in a dazzling and gorgeous blue dress, she was almost fused together with the sea. That glowing and stunning face with a gorgeous appearance (who could ruin and overturn the state) made the sea to lose its color. But Xuanyuan Yi’s complexion became uglier and uglier, so he softly let go of Shu Qing, and he rudely and coldly humphed: “What are you doing coming here?”

‘Xuanyuan Yi’ ___ She already heard frequently his distinguished name before she arrived in Dong Yu, but she had never thought before that there would be a day that Xuanyuan Yi would settle in Haj Yu. This man would never learn how to be humble ever, and would not yield to a woman even more. But he unexpectedly came here for Murong Shu Qing and for love. This was also the reason that she admired him, otherwise who would dare to speak to her like this, and had not died for several times already. 

Deliberately ignoring his existence, Xi Lie Yue looked towards Murong Shu Qing, and smilingly said: “Shu Qing, this is Hai Yu, a woman is respected, no matter whether one is a cultured and refined, or literary talent and distinguished, or tall and well-built man, as long as you want him, I can definitely help you find him.”

“Xi Lie Yue! Do not force me to hit a woman.” The so-called proximity to cinnabar made you red, and pitch made you black (different environments provides different influences), he would only let Shu Qing to interact with her less time. 

Xi Lie Yue slightly raised her eyebrows, Xuanyuan Yi’s anger did not make her angry, but she actually became exhilarated.

Shu Qing gently sighed, now, one was a country’s heir apparent to the throne, and the other one was a former famous general of a dominant country, could they not meet and act like some kids who had grudges against each other every time?

“Did you come here today wanting to talk glibly with me? Just bring that stuff out for me.” 

A slim hand was stretched out in front of her face, Xi Lie Yue took out a piece of paper from her sleeve, she unhappily patted Murong Shu Qing’s hand, she really was not polite at all!

Shu Qing took the paper, and unfolded it to look at it for a moment, and smilingly said: “Thanks.”

She did not even have any bit of sincerity, if she really wanted to thank her, she should be a member of the Imperial court as an official, stay by her side and help her. Unfortunately, she could not and was not willing to force Shu Qing, she should really be blamed on herself. Shaking her head, Xi Lie Yue was just about to leave, and it looked like she remembered something, so she walked to Shu Qing’s side and lowly said this word. 

Shu Qing was still looking at the paper in her hand, and casually nodded her head, Xi Lie Yue did not say anything anymore and turned around to leave.

Looking for a good while, Shu Qing folded the paper and put it properly in the pocket inside her waist. Looking that she was cautious like this, Xuanyuan Yi strangely said: “What is this?”

“An official document to clear customs in Hai Yu’s ports.” Shang Jun’s merchant ships could only go back and forth two or three times in Hai Yu, first because of the restricted climate, second because wanting to enter the harbor of Hai Yu to do some trading was also not an easy matter. Since Xi Lie Yue gave her the official document to clear the customs, she would be able to enter and exit the harbor so much easily. 

Xuanyuan Yi understandingly and smilingly said: “You plan on doing a shipping business?”

“En, Hai Yu’s natural resources are abundant, the medicinal ingredients and each type of precious stones here are so much difficult to find from the outside world. But Hai Yu actually can not produce silk, tea. I have Shang Jun in Dong Yu, and since I have Xi Lie Yue’s support in Hai Yu, if we want to open this shipping business here, it will have a great prospect in the future!” 

She was sure enough born from a merchant’s family, she only came here for a few months, but already found the most profitable business.

“But….” Murong Shu Qing changed her topic, her clear and bright eyes were looking at Xuanyuan Yi, and she said: “We will start everything anew, so we will have to trouble you in the future.”

“Me?” Xuanyuan Yi stared blankly, so Shu Qing inevitably and rightfully answered: “Of course, the man stays outside, and the woman stays inside, so the matter of the business will naturally be taken care of by you.” 

Taken care of by him? In Dong Yu, he was everyone’s revere important general, he could make the enemy country feel frightened in terror, the ‘God of War’. He was actually only a common person here, he even thought about what he should do in Hai Yu. What a good (sentence) about a man stayed outside, this word actually made him feel embarrassed, sometimes his Shu Qing could actually make someone feel ashamed like this. 

Understanding Shu Qing’s intention, Xuanyuan Yi did not point it bluntly, he deliberately and gently answered: “It is possible that a man stays outside, but a woman stays inside…. are you sure you can do it?” After watching how she cooked, he already decided not to use her in the kitchen anymore. He could not say that her cooking was so unpalatable, but it was rather that she would put the wooden house on fire with the stove.

Murong Shu Qing embarrassingly answered: “I can learn everything.” Hearing his teasing tone, Shu Qing already guessed that Xuanyuan Yi remembered again that awkward incident from last time. It was not that she could not cook, but she still could not control the wood that was used as a fuel, if she used an electric stove, she would not have any problem.

Xuanyuan Yi laughed out loud, this ‘impossible’ word was clearly shown on his face, Shu Qing innocently glanced at him, and did not argue with him because…. she was not sure about it either. 

The sunset at the sea was very beautiful, but it also faded away rapidly, the horizon was still a dazzling golden color a moment ago, but it was gradually a grayish blue color of the night now. Fortunately, the many stars that were on the night sky, were also another beautiful scenery. Xuanyuan Yi embraced Shu Qing from behind, she slightly raised her head up to look at the sky. Her fine black hair was blowing under his arms softly by the sea breeze, the person who was in his embrace was quiet but very beautiful, so Xuanyuan Yi unconsciously tightened his embrace even more.

“Yi.” Murong Shu Qing suddenly said in a whisper, Xuanyuan Yi thought that he used too much strength and hurt her, so he slowly loosened the strength of his hands. Shu Qing turned her body around, and smilingly said: “After a few years, we will ask Aunt (XY’s mother) to come here to live together, she should also like it here.” It was not easy for Yi to come here for her, Aunt only had this one son, she did not have a heart to see that Yi could not do his filial duty.

Xuanyuan Yi’s heart was slightly shaken, and he gazed at the woman who was in his embrace and who had a gentle and shallow smile (on her face). Maybe in other people’s eyes, they thought that he abandoned his high official position for her, abandoned his illustrious family background. But those were the sacrifices in the eyes of other people, but he would endure the hardship gladly because she was worth it.

The sea breeze was blowing her fine black hair chaotically, Xuanyuan Yi lifted his hand to put her hair behind her ears softly, and he said with a muffled voice that was somewhat blaming himself: “I am sorry, I can not give you a grand wedding.” The person who was in his embrace, was his one life’s true love, but their wedding did not have a wedding banquet, no guests, even there was no witnesses, only the boundless sea could be their witness. Even if this was what Shu Qing wanted, he still could not give her a real wedding and he felt guilty.

“You know that I do not care about those things.” Murong Shu Qing softly sighed, they had experienced so many things, and were finally able to be together. The one life’s promise was not about whether or not they had a grand wedding, or a number of eyewitnesses who came to see them. Shu Qing slightly stood on her tiptoes, she used the tip of her nose to caress his chin, and softly said: “I have said that there will be two people in this lifetime, what I care the most is only you all along.”

Her clear voice came through his ear, and the warmth atmosphere lingered on his neck, so Xuanyuan Yi bowed his head to look at the woman who was smiling warmly in his embrace. He could not help but to smile, yes ah, what his Shu Qing wanted was always different than any other women, two people in this lifetime….. 

Xuanyuan Yi lowered his head, and lightly sealed that warm lips, he was just about to deepen his soft kiss, when a wave came and wet their socks and shoes. The sound of the sea surface from a distance place was also strange, it was a little different than the normal sound.

What kind of noise was that? The two people puzzlingly looked at each other, Shu Qing seemed to remember something, and her complexion slightly changed: “Yi….”

“En!” Xuanyuan Yi concentrated his eyes to see the situation of the sea surface clearly, so he did not pay any attention to Shu Qing’s complexion.

Murong Shu Qing suddenly stood her body up, and grabbed Xuanyuan Yi’s hand, and pulled him to retreat back while she mumbled in a whisper: “When Xi Lie Yue left, she said that we might have a big and high tide tonight….”

“What?” Xuanyuan Yi was stiffened from all over, then that sound from a moment ago…. “Why did you not say this earlier?” Turning over his hand to hold Shu Qing’s hand, Xuanyuan Yi pulled her back in a hurry all the way. Shu Qing was laughing, it was only a tide, and it was not a tsunami. But looking at Xuanyuan Yi’s grave expression like this, Shu Qing still decided that she did not want to tell him anymore, so the corners of her mouth was smiling continuously.

She was still laughing?! Xuanyuan Yi was secretly angry. They should discuss this properly, whether or not they should live by the seaside after all!

The sea waves were carrying the spindrift, the waves were attacking the beach, the sound of the sea waves were mixing together with the sound of a man’s low cursing voice and a woman’s soft laughter that were echoing throughout the beach. The beautiful night had only just begun a moment ago…….