Chiying's appearance was a huge surprise. Cui Jie froze, momentarily speechless.
"Thank God you're safe…" Chiying sobbed, clinging tightly to his waist. "If anything happened to you, I…"
Cui Jie stared, wondering if he was dreaming. Looking at the tearful Chiying and the kneeling Baili Zan and Xu Cheng, he hesitated, "How… What…"
"A touching reunion, but we must leave quickly," a cold voice interjected. Cui Jie noticed Bo Muer on a white horse, his face mostly hidden by a fox fur scarf, watching them with emotionless eyes.
Nayang rested on his shoulder, rubbing its head under its wing.
"You've saved me again. I'll remember your kindness, though I doubt you care. But I promise, whenever you need help, I'll do everything I can."
Though enemies, Cui Jie showed proper courtesy, bowing slightly.
Unexpectedly, Bo Muer didn't coldly reject his offer but said, "I'll remember your words. Hope you keep them."
Cui Jie was surprised but glad for the chance to repay him. "As emperor, my word is law. I won't break my promise."
Baili Zan and others remained kneeling. Cui Jie, holding Chiying, magnanimously said, "Stand up. It's my fault."
Soldiers rose and began packing.
Cui Jie sighed, looking at Chiying, "Why did you come?"
Chiying frowned, angrily lecturing him, "Why did I come? How dare you ask! I repeatedly told you not to be rash, to listen to advisors, and not to take your life lightly. Did you forget?"
Cui Jie tried to defend himself, but seeing her glare, he sheepishly smiled, "Okay, okay. I was wrong. I shouldn't have risked so many lives. But why did you leave the children in the capital to come here? If something happened to me, coming wouldn't help."
Chiying's eyes reddened, stammering, "I know I shouldn't have come, but I was terrified… afraid you'd disappear without a trace. I wanted to be close to you… even if it meant dying near you…"
Cui Jie's heart softened. Wanting to kiss her passionately but mindful of the crowd, he spoke hoarsely, "Don't talk like that. There's nothing to fear. Since you're here, I assume you've arranged everything back home."
Chiying smiled bitterly, leaning against him, sighing, "Others would scold me for neglecting duty, maybe even venting their frustrations on me. Only you…"
Cui Jie chuckled, saying nothing, standing beside her watching the bustling soldiers.
Cao Qian led Jinwu over. Chiying stroked the horse's head, "Jinwu looks lively, impressive."
Cui Jie laughed, "Sweat-blood horses are native to the north. This weather is nothing."
Jinwu neighed gently, nudging Chiying's shoulder.
With Nayang guiding, the army exited the Tawurkand Desert in less than ten days. The four thousand remaining troops cheered upon seeing the emperor and empress safe. Cui Jie ordered retreat to Liangzhou for rest until spring, when new supplies would arrive for further pursuit.
Bo Muer stayed but showed no intention of serving Cui Jie, instead wandering around Liangzhou, not speaking to Chiying once. Chiying grew suspicious, wondering if saving Cui Jie was part of a larger plan to betray them.
She sent spies to follow him. One afternoon, they reported seeing Bo Muer receive a letter and nervously leave, meeting another man at a teahouse. The spy described the man as Guo Mao.
Chiying's heart sank. Was Bo Muer really working with Guo Mao?
Despite the evidence, she found it hard to believe. If Bo Muer wanted to harm Cui Jie, letting him perish in the desert would suffice. Why save him first?
Less than an hour later, Bo Muer returned, finding Chiying sitting in the hall. Surprised, he self-mockingly smiled, "I knew it."
"You met Guo Mao?" Chiying asked directly.
Bo Muer shrugged, his sharp eyes challenging, "Does it matter who I meet?"
Chiying calmly replied, "It doesn't concern me, but I need to know about the former emperor. If you wish, tell me. Otherwise, I'll confine you to prevent any leaks."
Bo Muer hesitated, asking incredulously, "You don't suspect me of conspiring with Guo Mao?"
Chiying smiled, confidently stating, "You're not that kind of person. Otherwise, Yingrong wouldn't be alive today. I'm not flattering you. In my eyes, you're nobler than those pretending to be righteous. I'm proud to earn your respect, though I feel unworthy."
Bo Muer fell silent, finally responding after a long pause, "Chiying, hearing praise from you is harder than reaching the heavens. Is it only with Cui Jie that you aren't calm and composed?"
"I'm always friendly!" Chiying pretended not to understand.
Bo Muer said nothing, heading upstairs. Moments later, he returned with a bag.
Chiying calmly sipped tea.
"They're at Bai Long Gang now," Bo Muer said, walking out. "You can still catch them."
Chiying asked, "Were you waiting in Liangzhou for them to show up?"
Bo Muer answered, "I'm leaving."
Chiying said, "We'll meet again."
Bo Muer laughed softly, stepping out, "Goodbye forever." His boots crunched through fresh snow, disappearing without a backward glance.
At Bai Long Gang.
Chiying sat motionless for a long time, shivering from the cold, finally snapping out of her trance.
In her previous life, Cui Jie died at Bai Long Gang months ago. She thought they had escaped this fate, but destiny proved otherwise.
"Come here," she called.
A servant approached, "Your Highness?"
Chiying took a deep breath, her voice trembling, "Please summon the Emperor. I need to speak with him."