Volume One, Chapter 19: Going Somewhere

After she finished scolding, a wave of impulse swept over her. If Lou Hejing were to lay a hand on her, she would have no means of resistance.

But she truly could not remain indifferent.

Her parents and brothers, who once cherished her deeply, heartlessly trampled on her dignity for a woman of unknown origin.

Her beloved brother Jingyi, too, sided with Xiao Baopan and never once defended her, even as rumors drowned her.

She had done nothing wrong—why must she endure all this?

Lou Hejing’s affections clearly lay with Xiao Baopan. Why was she the one sent far away in marriage? Why must she bear the sins of Xiao Mingcheng?

The more she thought, the more shattered she became. Coupled with over a month of constant anxiety, she could no longer hold back her tears.

Her sudden outburst of crying silenced Lou Hejing’s cold words, leaving him with no choice but to relent, even in anger.

He turned his face away, puzzled by her deep sorrow. Had he not spoken the truth? If the man she loved truly wished to marry her, she wouldn’t have ended up in Dingzhou. What was there to cry about over a faithless man?

Outside, some noise arose, likely from hearing Xiao Yuanyi’s crying.

Lou Hejing’s lips moved. Known for his strictness with others and himself, he had never comforted anyone.

“Don’t cry… what’s there to cry for?”

“No matter what, it won’t change what’s already happened.”

Xiao Yuanyi’s face was soaked with tears, her long lashes damp and trembling with each sob.

“It’s not like you’re dead or missing limbs. Just a few harsh words. If you can’t endure that, then in the future…”

His words and her sobbing stopped simultaneously.

She looked at him, eyes red and lips trembling with fear, yet mustering courage to ask, “In the future, what?”

Lou Hejing frowned but said nothing.

The door opened abruptly. Long Yu hurried in and, seeing Xiao Yuanyi’s swollen, tear-streaked eyes, felt a pang of sorrow.

She knelt before Lou Hejing, weeping, “Miss is young and naive. General, please don’t blame her. If anyone is at fault, it’s me. I failed to teach her properly.”

Xiao Yuanyi was filled with regret. She shouldn’t have offended Lou Hejing out of momentary pride and brought misfortune upon those around her.

She tried to get up to help Long Yu, but Lou Hejing grabbed her wrist.

“Put on your clothes properly. I’m taking you somewhere.”

He went to the purification room to change, leaving Xiao Yuanyi frozen on the bed.

“Miss can’t go. Who knows what he might do…” Long Yu suspected Lou Hejing harbored ill intentions.

Xiao Yuanyi wiped her tears. She had no right to resist; it was just another humiliation.

The two, mistress and maid, prepared themselves as if facing death. Seeing her red, tear-stained eyes, Lou Hejing, who originally bore no warmth toward her, suddenly felt a pang of regret.

If only he had not said that earlier.

He had no intention of taking Long Yu and seized Xiao Yuanyi’s arm to leave.

Outside, the fierce wind howled. The stables were unattended. Lou Hejing expertly led out a horse. Seeing her resistance, he expressionlessly extended his hand.

“Get on, or do you plan to walk there yourself?”

Xiao Yuanyi hesitated but finally placed her hand in his. With a firm pull, she sat sideways in front of him, her elbow resting against his chest. The closeness made her uneasy, especially after their earlier quarrel.

Lou Hejing controlled the horse out of the compound. The gatekeeper rubbed his sleepy eyes and nearly dropped them upon seeing Xiao Yuanyi in Lou Hejing’s arms.

“Hurry and tell the lady. The general might kill someone!”

“Where are you taking me?”

Thanks to Long Yu, she wore a thick cloak with a hood. Clutching its ties, her eyes betrayed unease.

Lou Hejing said nothing. The scent lingering on her unsettled him, and regret gnawed at him. At her age and background, what could she understand? But since they were already out, there was no turning back.

He led her all the way to the city gate. Dawn had yet to break, only a faint white glow in the east.

The gate was closed. He dismounted, wrapped his arm around her waist, and without a word, pulled her up onto the city wall.

“See that?”

“See what?”

The wind was fierce, scattering her hat and hair.

Lou Hejing patiently pressed his hand atop her head. “Look ahead.”

Though she did not grasp his meaning, she trusted he would not harm her and leaned forward to peer.

The wall was too high; she stood on tiptoe but still struggled.

Lou Hejing simply lifted her onto a lower section of the wall.

Startled by the height, she gasped, but he held her arm firmly.

She sat on the wall, eyes averted from the drop below, clutching Lou Hejing, holding onto whatever she could.

Her voice was carried away by the wind, fragile and scattered. “What exactly do you intend to do...?”

Lou Hejing’s gaze betrayed disappointment. “Do those born into wealth truly fail to see the suffering before them?”

Xiao Yuanyi was momentarily stunned and, almost involuntarily, looked down.

The land below was almost completely flattened. In the distance, a dark line stretched across the horizon, as if a vast army was advancing.

Remnants of siege weapons used by the Beidi invaders lay scattered, alongside tattered banners fluttering in the wind, evoking memories of battle.

The blackened city wall beneath her bore scars and stains of blood, indistinguishable whether from the Southern Xiao or Northern Beidi.

She lowered her gaze. “Has Dingzhou seen many wars?”

“Winter is short. They feel the cold too. Come spring, they’ll raise their banners anew.”

“Luckily, you’re here to defend it.”

She looked out again at the vast expanse, unable to imagine the weight of facing such an army.

Lou Hejing smiled slightly. “Don’t speak so soon. Sometimes, even defenses fall.”

Her face paled. If the city fell, would all its people perish? And what of the soldiers guarding it?

“Is that the end of the world? The city has not yet fallen. What is there to fear?”

Her hat was tossed about by the wind, strands of hair flying behind her. Her gaunt face had regained some softness, and her pale skin made her look delicate and lovely—especially with that furrowed brow, on the verge of tears.

Unconsciously, he reached out, but before touching her head, he withdrew, returning to his cold demeanor.

Sensing something, Xiao Yuanyi turned to look.

He was not frightening. On the contrary, his features were refined and handsome, though his skin was darker, weathered by years of exposure. A scar trailing from his brow made him appear stern.

She hadn’t expected that he brought her here to enlighten her. In the face of life and death, such troubles seemed trivial.

Yet, she pressed on, seeking one more answer.

“When my parents are gone... should I be afraid?”