—【Qinghai is a vast land. If you have never set foot here, you will never imagine that beyond those bloodstained forests lies such a beautiful paradise.】
The red wind blew eastward for over two hundred and eighty li, where an iron fortress stood tall and majestic like the Canglang Mountains—this was Cuiwei.
Zhuge Yue rode on horseback, followed by over a hundred warhorses. His current personal guard captain, Guo Huai, led twenty to thirty soldiers at the rear, escorting dozens of blue-cloth carriages. The wind blew from the east, carrying the scent of earth. Another spring had arrived with blooming flowers, and the Qinghai continent was now adorned with a brilliant tapestry of vibrant colors.
Upon reaching the pass, the guards, having received prior notice, bowed respectfully upon seeing Zhuge Yue and opened the heavy city gates.
Zhuge Yue spoke calmly toward one of the carriages, "Third Uncle, forgive me for not seeing you off."
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing an aged yet still handsome face. However, its owner wore a troubled expression, his long eyes filled with regret. Lifting his head, he made one last plea, "Your Highness, I was foolish. Please forgive me this once."
Zhuge Yue remained silent, merely gazing at him indifferently. His eyes were as calm as a mirror lake frozen over, coldly reflecting everything back without a trace of emotion.
The old man continued to plead, "Daxia has already fallen. Your eldest uncle and his branch have long followed the Seventh Prince to the northern lands. Now, that little wolf cub Yan Xun is in charge of Hongchuan. If you send me back, how will I survive?"
"That is your affair, not mine."
The old man nearly burst into tears, scrambling up and kneeling in the carriage as he lamented, "Your Highness, it was my fault. I was blinded by greed. But I only wanted to marry Chou'er to you because I saw how few descendants you have. I meant no harm to her, I just..."
Before the old man could finish, Zhuge Yue had already turned his horse around, his back as straight as a spear, without a hint of hesitation.
Startled, the old man suddenly cried out, "I did nothing! I only thought about it!"
"Even thinking about it is not allowed."
Zhuge Yue's voice echoed calmly in the wind, like a leaf floating on water.
"They are my wife and children. Even if you merely entertain the thought in your mind, if I find out, it is unacceptable."
A snow-white bird flew over from the Qinghai plains, a twig in its beak—a male bird that had just settled down to build a nest.
"Guo Huai, escort them out."
The gates opened and, after a long while, closed heavily once more. Without a word, he led his troops back. The sound of hoofbeats echoed, the pasture grass was lush and green, and eagles circled overhead—everything was tranquil and peaceful.
This was Qinghai, his home. He ruled over everything here with an iron fist, governed everything here, and would undoubtedly protect everything here. Anything that might threaten this peace would be mercilessly eradicated. Even if it was just a thought.
"Clip-clop, clip-clop!"
A clear sound of hoofbeats suddenly rang out. Zhuge Yue looked up and saw her riding on horseback in a goose-yellow dress, galloping toward him from afar.
"Whoa!"
Chu Qiao reined in her horse, straightening up in the saddle as she gazed toward the distant pass and asked with a frown, "Has your third uncle left?"
Zhuge Yue nodded. "Yes."
"Why didn't you call me to see him off?"Zhuge Yue chuckled, "He's homesick and wants to return to his homeland. Why would he trouble you?"
Chu Qiao frowned discontentedly, "He's your elder. It would be improper if I didn't see him off."
"What's improper about it?" Zhuge Yue waved it off casually, urging his horse forward as he said, "I'm not close to him either."
Since he had already left anyway, Chu Qiao sighed helplessly and pouted, "Fine, it was you who told me not to see him off. Don't blame me later for not saving your face."
Chatting and laughing idly about everyday matters, the two headed home. The post road stretched straight ahead, flanked by lush green grass and blooming flowers, with a faint, alluring fragrance drifting from afar. This post road was the only route leading beyond the frontier. Now that the situation in Hongchuan had stabilized, Yanbei had taken control of the Eastern Lands, the civil war in Biantang had ceased, and Huai Song had pledged allegiance to Great Yan. With political stability, trade gradually flourished. Qinghai's policies were open-minded, and Biantang had established formal trade relations with Qinghai, making this post road bustling and lively. In just a short while, over a dozen merchant caravans had passed by.
Both Zhuge Yue and Chu Qiao were dressed in ordinary clothing, and their guards wore no armor, so they appeared no different from a common family out for an excursion.
Before long, the sound of gongs and drums echoed from ahead. Lifting their gaze, they saw a wedding procession—a white horse and a red bridal sedan, accompanied by festive music, winding its way toward them.
Seeing this, Zhuge Yue smiled and said, "What a joyous day. We've encountered a commoner's wedding as soon as we stepped out."
With that, he instructed Guo Huai and the others to make way. Everyone moved to the side of the post road as the wedding procession approached from afar. The groom, seated on his horse, was handsome and dignified. From a distance, he cupped his hands in gratitude to Zhuge Yue for yielding the way. Zhuge Yue nodded with a smile in return.
As Chu Qiao watched the wedding procession, her memories suddenly grew hazy. Vaguely, she recalled that it seemed like a long time ago, she too had ridden in a festive imperial carriage, accompanied by the sound of drums and music, along this newly built post road.
Back then, she was already heavy with child, her waistline no longer concealable. She was well aware of the local customs—a woman marrying while visibly pregnant would inevitably invite gossip. But he had insisted, saying he must give her a formal status before their child was born. And so, she once again became the most controversial bride in the land, clad in a loose wedding gown, seated in the emperor's jade carriage, and escorted through the magnificent palace gates built especially for her.
The ways of the world are always strange and unpredictable. Often, you strive tirelessly for something, yet fail to achieve your ideal. At other times, a single unintentional glance can forge a bond that lasts a lifetime.
That day, atop the Wutong Terrace, she donned a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, marrying him as his wife under the witness of the skies and lands of Qinghai. Adorned in purple gold and green threads, clad in brocade and finery, he had poured half a lifetime of effort into weaving this grand wedding for her. On the land he had painstakingly carved out from adversity, he gave her a home to rely on for the rest of her life.
Bowing her head in reverence, her heart overflowed with gratitude. In this life, she had never worshipped gods or Buddhas, yet in the end, she had been blessed by them. After countless battles and narrow escapes from death, she had gained a partner whom women across the land could only dream of.
A man like him deserved to be loved with unwavering devotion by all the loyal women in the world.
And she, among all living beings, was the luckiest of them all.That night, he removed her hairpins and makeup for her. The red candles remained untrimmed as dawn already brightened the western window. Through life-and-death journeys, they had finally reached this day.
It was like the wind across the Qinghai continent—wandering countless times, blowing from all directions, yet ultimately destined to return to the land of scarlet winds and find its way home.
"Xing'er?"
Zhuge Yue frowned as he called out, "What are you spacing out for?"
Chu Qiao snapped back to reality and said with a laugh, "I was thinking about our wedding day—you didn't ride a horse to fetch me."
Zhuge Yue gazed thoughtfully at the procession fading into the distance and nodded. "True. Should we hold another ceremony?"
"Fine by me. I have no objections."
Bantering as they walked, they soon entered Qiuye City and made their way into Star Moon Palace through the rear palace gate.
But just as they reached the outside of Taihe Hall, they heard a commotion from within. As the attendant was about to announce their arrival, Zhuge Yue waved him off and strode inside with a frown.
Just as expected, the courtyard was filled with servants standing nervously to the side. His son, bottom stuck up in the air, was straining with all his might to drag his belongings into the palace chamber. In the courtyard, someone's pillow had been placed by the doorway—clearly, someone had been banished outside.
"Zhou'er, what are you doing?"
The three-and-a-half-year-old child, startled by the voice, plopped down on the ground with a thud. Warily, he turned his head, covering his eyes with his hands while peeking through his fingers—only to see his father's stern face staring back at him.
Caught red-handed after the deed was done—what more was there to say?
Zhuge Yunzhou decided to go all out. He stood up, puffed out his little belly, and declared loudly, "Zhou'er is moving!"
"Moving again? What for this time?"
His son replied with unshakable confidence, "Five days for Father, five days for Zhou'er. It's been five days!"
Zhuge Yue felt a headache coming on. Yes, there had been such an agreement. He and Chu Qiao might appear shrewd and capable most of the time, but when it came to spoiling their child, they were utterly lawless. Until the age of two, the boy had shared their room. But sometimes... it was rather inconvenient. For instance, during the quiet of night, when darkness fell and the wind howled, attempting activities beneficial to physical and mental well-being while a little one with ears sharper than a rabbit's watched wide-eyed—well, that was just too unnerving.
Finally, at his wit's end, Zhuge Yue had struck a deal with his son: father and son would occupy separate halls, each monopolizing Chu Qiao for five days at a time. This arrangement had granted him a few carefree, indulgent nights—for the time being.
Unfortunately, it also caused Zhuge Yunzhou's trust in his father to plummet dramatically. Every few days, the man would find some excuse not to return his mother. The little boy grew increasingly dissatisfied. What was this? Bullying him just because he was young and no one listened to him? His mother had said: if you rely on yourself, you'll have plenty of food and clothing; if the mountain won't come to you, then you go to the mountain. If you won't move out, then I'll move in!
So today, taking advantage of Zhuge Yue's absence on business, Zhuge Yunzhou had persevered with his short little legs, hauling all his belongings into Chu Qiao's bedchamber. He had even tossed Zhuge Yue's pillow outside to demonstrate his resolve.
Ahem. Zhuge Yue cleared his throat meaningfully. "Zhou'er, you're a big boy now. You need to learn to be a man and not cling to your mother all the time."Little Zhuge tilted his head back, blinking his eyes very seriously as he looked at his father. Zhuge Yue, thinking his lecturing had succeeded, shamelessly seized the moment to press further:
"When I was your age, I could already bend a bow, ride a horse, and was well-versed in poetry and literature. You should focus your mind on proper matters instead of thinking about useless things every day. Do you understand?"
Little Zhuge nodded obediently and said, "I understand."
Zhuge Yue was overjoyed. This kid had finally come to his senses.
"But it doesn't work."
Little Zhuge pouted, stretching out his pair of reddened little hands toward Chu Qiao, and said pitifully, "Mother, my hands hurt. I'm so tired."
Seeing her precious son in such a state, Chu Qiao's heart instantly melted like steel softened into tender silk. She rushed over in quick strides and directed the servants to help him carry his things.
Standing in the courtyard, Zhuge Yue watched as his wife instantly switched sides. His heart felt as bleak as autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves.
Late at night.
Someone quietly got up, dressed, and slipped out of the main hall.
The person waiting outside to meet her asked triumphantly, "Is he asleep?"
"Yes," Chu Qiao nodded. "Hurry, hurry. I need to be back early tomorrow morning."
"That darn kid, trying to outsmart me."
"Keep your voice down. The little one has sharp ears."
The night was as dark as ink. A certain child lay by the window, gazing at the two figures walking side by side outside, and sighed sorrowfully, "Mother has already betrayed me."
Long ago, Qinghai wasn't called Qinghai. Long ago, this place had no name. Much later, someone came to this land and saw green grass stretching like an ocean under a vast sky, so they gave it this name.
Zhuge Yunzhou wasn't always called Zhuge Yunzhou. He used to be named Zhuge Kongming. Later, his mother had a dream where an old man with a fan brought the God of Thunder to strike her with lightning, so she changed his name to this.
Star Moon Palace wasn't always called Star Moon Palace. This place used to be a desolate, uninhabited land. Only after a family settled here was a grand palace built, bringing peace and tranquility to their lives.
The heroes emerged from the magnificent battlefield and returned to the mundane tranquility of daily life. When life no longer tosses you like a boat on raging seas, you begin to understand the joy of living.
This—this is what real life is all about.
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