In the first month of the second year of Qisheng, February seventh, the annual drum-beating festival of the northern nomadic tribes. "Sister Chiying! Sister Chiying!" Sang Duo called from outside. Chiyin responded loudly: Coming, coming! She wrapped Xiao Cuiyan's cotton-padded jacket tightly and ran out of the felt tent with her in her arms. At the southern bank of Selun River on the Boergijik grassland, the Buxia tribe held a grand festival under the leadership of their chieftain Bumu'er. Every household participated, praying for favorable weather and abundant water and grass in the coming year in the morning, and in the afternoon, there was a riding and shooting competition for the young men of the Buxia tribe. The winner would receive a curved knife studded with gems, a war trophy seized during a conflict with another tribe last year. Every young man of the Buxia tribe was highly skilled, able to ride horses and shoot arrows as cavalrymen, and wield knives as assassins. A row of targets the size of pot lids were set up in the field, split open one by one. The young men had to accurately hit the designated target while riding on running horses. A total of three hundred people participated, more than half of the young men in the tribe, each dressed in bright clothes, looking dashing and handsome. They drew arrows and aimed, and whenever someone hit the bullseye, young girls outside the field would cheer loudly, encouraging them. Chiyin and Sang Duo sat side by side on a hay bale watching, Chiyin asked: Hasn't your brother returned yet? "He should be back today, he's the chieftain, he has to participate in such an important event," Sang Duo teased: Do you find it boring without my brother here? Chiyin smiled and ignored her. Sang Duo couldn't help but say again: Are you really not considering my brother? Although my brother doesn't talk much, he's a good person, whether hunting or fighting, he's very capable. Many girls in the tribe want to marry him. Chiyin smiled: Don't tease me, I'm already married, how can I delay your brother's good years in vain? Sang Duo pouted: But you've been away from him for so long, he doesn't come to find you, and you don't want to go back either, isn't it good to start a new life? "But I will eventually return," Chiyin apologized with a smile, "sooner or later." Sang Duo muttered something unsatisfied, and at that moment, the sound of an eagle came from the sky. She immediately stood up: Ah, it's Jinyang! My brother is back! She whistled towards the sky, and the Gyrfalcon circling high in the sky immediately flew towards them. A team of carriages appeared on the undulating hills in the distance. Ten days ago, the young men of the Buxia tribe who had gone into the pass to exchange goods with the Han people returned to the tribe under the leadership of Bumu'er, bringing back several large carts full of various daily necessities. Just as the competition was about to end, everyone on the scene gathered around to welcome their return. Bumu'er wore a white robe, with a vest embroidered with red, gold, and black patterns over it, handmade by his sister Sang Duo. Under the red scarf on his forehead, beads of sweat were visible, obviously having rushed back in a hurry to participate in the drum-beating festival competition. The Gyrfalcon landed on Sang Duo's shoulder, cooing twice. Bumu'er dismounted, ignoring the women flocking around the carts to retrieve daily necessities, and walked straight towards Sang Duo and Chiyin who were approaching. "Sister, you're finally back, the competition is almost over," Sang Duo took out her handkerchief and handed it to him. Bumu'er casually wiped his face with it and stuffed it back: I bought something you Han girls like to eat for you, it's in a blue cloth bag, get it yourself. Sang Duo immediately cheered, rushing towards the rear cart like a butterfly. After Sang Duo left, Chiyin felt awkward, but she didn't want to leave, so she smiled and said: You must have worked hard on your journey. Bumu'er pursed his lips without speaking, reached into his chest, and took out a white paper package, handing it to her. Chiyin took it doubtfully, finding it difficult to open with one hand. Bumu'er took Xiao Cuiyan from her arms, after several months of interaction, Xiao Cuiyan was already very familiar with the siblings, becoming excited as soon as she was in Bumu'er's arms. Bumu'er gently pulled away her little hand that kept patting his face, saying: Open it and see if you like it. Chiyin opened the package as instructed and found a beautiful hairpin inside. Holding it in her hand, although it wasn't heavy, based on her experience, she could tell it was a pure gold hairpin, worth at least a hundred taels of silver judging by its craftsmanship. She hurriedly wrapped it back up and handed it back: This gift is too precious, I can't accept it. "There's nothing precious about it, take it if I give it to you," Bumu'er said nonchalantly. Chiyin said awkwardly: Really, I can't accept it. You saved our lives and took us in, it's already a great favor, I can't repay you in my lifetime, how can I accept such a precious gift? Really not. Bumu'er remained silent, Chiyin insisted on returning the package, and after thinking for a moment, he accepted it, putting it back into his chest. At that moment, the horn sounded on the field, signaling the start of the final competition. Bumu'er handed Xiao Cuiyan back to her and led his horse to participate in the competition. Chiyin finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh~ What were you two talking about just now?" Sang Duo suddenly pounced from behind, teasing. "Nothing, just chatting casually," Chiyin pretended nothing happened, urging her to return to the hay bale: Sit down and watch the competition, it's the last round. Most of the young men who had just returned from Gan Prefecture were very tired, hitting the bullseye very rarely, but the tribespeople still cheered loudly for them. When it was Bumu'er's turn to compete, he tightened the cuffs of his robe, still riding the same horse. Taking the bow and quiver from a Buxia girl, he thanked her, and the girl blushed and ran away happily. Sang Duo laughed: My brother is the best, he wins every year. Chiyin glanced at the field, Bumu'er's heroic figure reminded her of Cui Yi, recalling the broad back that carried her into the bridal chamber, the warm and reliable embrace during childbirth, and his silent and sorrowful expression in the courtyard of the Xie residence before they parted. Chiyin once thought that Cui Yi would never have that defeated look of despair, but she was wrong. No matter how strong a man was, able to fight on the battlefield and enter the court, if he couldn't protect his wife and children, he would still consider himself a failure. Even the so-called God of War, the Duke of Wu, was no exception. She had been away for three months, he must have stabilized his position in Gan Prefecture by now, with Baili Zan and Cao Qian by his side, he shouldn't be led around by the nose by the Xie family. — What did he think after seeing that letter? Did he really understand it? If not, would he tear it up in anger and hate her deeply, never wanting to see her again? This was the third time she had stayed with the Buxia tribe that Bumu'er had led a group into the pass. Every time, she really wanted to follow them back, back to Cui Yi's side, but thinking that he might really believe she was a spy and kill her without hesitation, regardless of anyone's advice or obstruction, what then? Her daughter was not even a year old, would she die with her? She was scared, wanting to return but afraid to, hoping Cui Yi would find her somehow, but disappointed day after day. "Good—" The cheers from outside the field woke her from her memories. Chiyin focused her gaze and saw that Bumu'er had completed the competition, seven arrows hitting the bullseye accurately. Sang Duo yelled loudly beside her, mixing Han language and Buxia language, Chiyin understood partly, but knew it was definitely words of praise. Bumu'er still maintained the posture of just shooting the arrows, surrounded by countless girls offering scarves and belts they had made by hand. Sang Duo grinned: Every year at the drum-beating festival competition, the winner can give the prize to the girl he likes, which is equivalent to proposing marriage. Chiyin couldn't help laughing: What about the other people? Sang Duo giggled without answering, instead saying: In previous years, my brother didn't like anyone, so the prize always went to me. I wonder who will get the prize this year. She gave Chiyin a meaningful glance. Chiyin shook her head helplessly and followed her forward. Bumu'er led his horse towards them amidst a sea of flowers, Sang Duo threw herself onto his arm: Brother, you're not planning to give the prize to me again this year, are you? She winked and nudged, the other girls receiving the signal, crowding around him, afraid he wouldn't see them. But it proved ineffective. Bumu'er's gaze had been fixed on Chiyin without moving. "Congratulations," Chiyin tried to act natural, not too enthusiastic to avoid conveying any wrong message. But her caution didn't work either. Bumu'er looked at her, weighing the curved knife in his hand, suddenly said: Come with me, I have something to tell you. Sang Duo immediately hooted: What is it, why not say it here, let everyone listen! She repeated it in Buxia language, the surrounding girls echoed, their expressions full of attachment and reluctance. Bumu'er spoke in Buxia language, the girls reluctantly dispersed. Sang Duo pouted, taking Xiao Cuiyan away, leaving them alone to talk. "Come with me." Bumu'er led the horse towards the distant riverbank. Chiyin hesitated to follow, trying several times to say something to ease the awkward atmosphere, but really couldn't find anything to say. Selun River had not yet thawed, the mud on the riverbank was as hard as iron. Bumu'er faced the sunset, his young and well-defined face bathed in the glow, adding a touch of warmth. The two stood several feet apart, neither speaking. "I saw a wanted notice in the city," Bumu'er finally spoke after a long silence, "the person wanted kidnapped a princess, the governor of Gan Prefecture is offering a reward of a thousand taels of silver for the capture of this person." Chiyin was first stunned, then laughed: Am I wanted? Bumu'er turned to look at her, his expression unclear against the sunset, just like the first time they met. Chiyin explained: It's probably Baili Zan's idea, issuing a wanted notice is better than searching everywhere, otherwise the Xie family would be enraged, all previous efforts would be wasted. Bumu'er remained silent. Chiyin said helplessly: Or do you believe I'm a notorious thief, and Cuiyan was stolen from someone else? Bumu'er asked instead of answering: Are you a Duchess? Chiyin was speechless this time, Bumu'er let go of the reins, letting the horse graze on its own, stepping forward to stand directly opposite Chiyin: Who exactly are you?
Bumu'er let go of the reins and let the horse graze on its own, stepping forward to stand directly opposite Chiyin: You're not an ordinary person, who exactly are you? Chiyin smiled bitterly: At least not anymore, so it doesn't matter what I was before. "Then marry me," Bumu'er changed the subject, "marry me, and you can completely say goodbye to the past. Whether you were a Duchess or a female thief before, it doesn't matter." So it comes to this, Chiyin sighed helplessly, saying: No, Bumu'er, I know you're good, you've been good to me and Cuiyan, Cuiyan likes you very much, but it really can't be done. I'm already married, my husband is still alive, and he hasn't divorced me, it's impossible for me to marry you. Bumu'er narrowed his emerald-like eyes slightly, resembling Cui Yi somewhat. He said: Then I'll go kill that man. Chiyin's heart trembled, she shouted hastily: Don't! Bumu'er acted as if he would do as he pleased: You've been missing for three months, he's only starting to look for you now, and using a wanted notice, does he really care about you? Where was he when you and your child almost died on a winter night? Did he care at all? Chiyin felt an inner weakness, weakly defending: He didn't mean to, he had his reasons, the situation was very complicated at the time. Bumu'er scanned her coldly, saying: A man who can't even protect his wife and child isn't fit to be a man. Chiyin's temper flared up, shouting: What right do you have to say that about him! What was the situation, have you ever understood it? My father colluded with the Crown Prince to ransack the entire mansion, when we left the imperial city, we only had three carriages left! All the unfavorable evidence pointed to me, everyone was trying to make him believe I was a spy, but he didn't blame me! I caused him enough trouble, it's understandable if he hates me! Bumu'er listened silently to her words, only asking one question: Since you're unwilling to say goodbye to the past and stay, and unwilling to return, what exactly do you want? What exactly do I want? Chiyin shook her head hopelessly, she didn't know herself what she wanted, wanting to return but afraid to, wanting to stay but unable to, whenever she thought about her future, she felt blind, the future ahead was pitch black, with no light to be seen. "Stay here." Bumu'er said again: No matter what happened, if he could abandon you once, he will abandon you again, a second time, a third time, and next time, no one will happen to pass by and save your life. Chiyin covered her face with her hands, taking a deep breath, her chest trembling. "Let me think about it..." While Chiyin was worrying about whether to return or not, Cui Yi was also anxious about her not returning. Spies returned in batches, and then departed again. Notices were posted in Yan Prefecture and Gan Prefecture, but still, Chiyin was nowhere to be found, like a tiny pebble thrown into a vast ocean, lost without a trace. Less than half a month after taking over the affairs of Yan Prefecture, the numerous matters almost drove him crazy. Grain cultivation, city construction, recruitment of new soldiers, officials' salaries... Each item was extremely cumbersome. In a situation where both money and manpower were insufficient, he had to weigh carefully, feeling guilty for spending even a single extra coin—this drove Cui Yi, who had been used to living lavishly, almost mad. "I quit!" Cui Yi suddenly overturned the desk, baring his teeth, wishing he could bite someone. Baili Zan sat at a desk below, busy reviewing reports from various counties in Yan Prefecture, said sarcastically without raising his head: Your Highness doesn't help, can you stop making trouble? Cui Yi, knowing he was in the wrong, picked up the scattered reports one by one after venting, stacking them neatly and placing them back. Baili Zan couldn't help smiling, teasing: Your Highness can't sit still, why not go back to the mansion? Cui Yi shivered, shaking his head vigorously, his expression serious: No, no, I love my people like my own children, Mr. has so many reports to review, I want to share the burden with Mr. Share the burden my *ss, Baili Zan really wanted to throw the inkstone at his face, clearly he didn't want to go back to be entangled by Xie Yuchan, so he used the excuse of official business every day to stay away.
In the government office, he stayed until late at night, but unfortunately...
"Brother Yingrong~" A sweet voice like a lark's call drifted in from outside the courtyard, making Cui Yi and Baili Zan shiver simultaneously.