[Second Update of the Day]
That evening, Chen Shuang and several other key figures were tied up and locked in the lower hold, awaiting disembarkation once the ship docked. Meanwhile, Chu Qiao’s feat of single-handedly confronting thirty guards spread like wildfire across the ship. Those who had witnessed it embellished the tale for those who hadn’t, and the story grew increasingly fantastical—to the point where Chu Qiao was nearly mythologized as someone capable of summoning soldiers by scattering beans.
This notoriety, however, came with some benefits. At the very least, when Liang Shaoqing went to fetch dinner that night, he didn’t have to wait in line and was even given three extra chunks of fatty meat.
Late at night, when all was quiet, Chu Qiao stepped out of the cabin alone and made her way to the stern, where she sat hugging her knees. The surroundings were pitch black, with only the distant, scattered lights of a city wall twinkling in the darkness. The night breeze lifted the hem of her clothes, making her look like a butterfly spreading its wings, ready to take flight.
Suddenly, the sound of a wooden wheel rolling across the deck came from behind her. Chu Qiao tensed and turned her head cautiously, only to see Zhan Ziyu dressed in white robes, his hair loosely tied back. As the night wind blew and river mist drifted, the man’s narrow eyes slanted slightly, and with a mere lift of his gaze, he looked over.
Chu Qiao felt a sudden fluster, though she couldn’t quite explain why. She hurriedly stood up, the wind tousling her hair. Unconsciously, she tucked a stray lock behind her ear, revealing a distinctly girlish demeanor. “Young Master, you’re still awake so late?” she asked.
Zhan Ziyu wheeled himself to the stern, his lips parting slightly as he responded indifferently, “Aren’t you also still awake?”
A strong gust of wind suddenly blew, flipping the quilted blanket off his lap. Zhan Ziyu reached out to bend over and retrieve it, his hand slender and elegant, more beautiful than white jade.
But just as his fingers were about to touch the blanket, the wind blew again, flipping it over and carrying it farther from his grasp.
Seeing this, Chu Qiao quickly rushed forward, picked up the blanket, and said, “Let me do it.” Then, crouching halfway, she spread it over his legs.
Zhan Ziyu was momentarily taken aback before shaking his head gently. He seemed about to say something, but the words lingered on his lips, ultimately dissolving into an almost imperceptible sigh.
As Chu Qiao crouched beside him, she suddenly froze. Zhan Ziyu’s faint, bitter smile carried an icy purity, and in that instant, it felt as though a string in her heart had snapped. Chu Qiao thought perhaps she had done something wrong.
“What is your name?”
“Huh?” Chu Qiao was startled but quickly replied, “This humble servant shares the surname Liang with my brother. My family calls me Xiao Qiao.”
“Xiao Qiao?” Zhan Ziyu murmured softly. After a long pause, he suddenly broke into a smile. “Easy to remember.”
His smile was gentle, like a warm breeze over a spring lake in March, softly brushing against emerald grass and green willows. Yet, even as he smiled, not a trace of joy could be seen in his eyes. They seemed to hold an unfading sorrow, as if he had witnessed all of life’s joys and sorrows, seen through the illusions of the world, and understood the depths of human experience.
“Xiao Qiao, where is your hometown?”
“Me?” The ship sailed onward, enveloped in a faint, lingering fragrance. Chu Qiao sighed softly. In such a night, the evening breeze left her slightly intoxicated. Her tone softened as she replied, “My hometown is very far away. I’m afraid I may never return in this lifetime.”
“Is that so?” Zhan Ziyu smiled faintly, fine lines appearing at the corners of his lips. His gaze remained calm as he stared quietly at the flowing river.
“Young Master, the wind on the river is strong. Shall I wheel you back?”Zhan Ziyu looked up with a self-mocking smile. "I went through great trouble to come out here, and before I've even sat for a while, you're pushing me to go back. Wouldn't that be too unfair for me?"
The soft glow from a footlight at the stern fell upon Zhan Ziyu's head, revealing faint streaks of gray in his jet-black hair under the lamplight. Chu Qiao suddenly found herself at a loss for words, standing foolishly in place, staring blankly at him.
"Xiao Qiao, are you cold?"
Chu Qiao quickly shook her head. "Not cold, not at all."
"Then sit with me for a while. The moon is beautiful tonight, and the wind is gentle."
"Oh." Chu Qiao knelt and sat atop a pile of cargo. The stack was so high that when she sat, she was level with Zhan Ziyu in his wheelchair. She turned her head and smiled brightly, a grin that carried both the straightforwardness and charm unique to a young woman. In front of this person, she no longer concealed her identity as a woman and allowed herself to be at ease.
Zhan Ziyu seemed to be in good spirits. Tilting his head, he asked, "Can you ride a horse?"
"Yes," Chu Qiao gestured as if riding. "I'm quite good at it."
"What about your brother?"
"He can't. He only knows how to ride a donkey."
"Heh," Zhan Ziyu chuckled softly. "In my younger days, I had a fine horse named Jiaqi."
"Jiaqi?" Chu Qiao frowned in confusion. "What a strange name. Horses usually aren't named like that. Like the horses I've raised—they're called Chasing the Moon, Treading Snow, or Meteor, names that signify their speed and express good wishes. The young master truly is a refined person, even the names you choose are extraordinary."
Zhan Ziyu smiled. "Are you trying to say I'm pretending to be cultured?"
Chu Qiao waved her hands repeatedly. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare say that."
"That horse was a gift from my wife back then."
Chu Qiao suddenly understood, nodding. "No wonder, no wonder. But wouldn't names like Biyi or Jinjian be even better?"
"Yes," Zhan Ziyu laughed. "If I had known you back then, I would have asked you to help name it."
"Hehe, young master, you're being too polite. You can still ask me to name horses if you raise them now."
Zhan Ziyu shook his head with a smile. "Where would I need to raise horses now?"
Although he was smiling, Chu Qiao found his expression somewhat piercing. Without hesitation, she followed with a laugh, "Why wouldn't you need to? You can raise horses to pull carriages now. When others ride a single thousand-mile steed that treads snow like flying, they think they're especially arrogant and wealthy. We should raise eight exceptional horses to pull a carriage—that's what true wealth and nobility look like."
Zhan Ziyu laughed. "Silly girl, only the imperial family can ride in a chariot drawn by eight horses. If I did that, wouldn't it be treason?"
"Ah, right," Chu Qiao slapped her forehead as if suddenly realizing. "Then we can only enjoy it in private at home. It's best to avoid breaking the law."
Just then, a sudden splash echoed from the river. Startled, Chu Qiao leaped up and stood atop the high cargo pile. She saw white flashes on the water's surface leaping up. Delighted, she clapped her hands and laughed, "Did you see that? Such a big fish!"Zhan Ziyu straightened up and peered out, watching as large white fish leaped out of the river one after another with soft splashes. Their pale bodies seemed to glow in the darkness, each competing to draw perfect arcs before plunging back into the water.
Chu Qiao pointed at the fish and laughed, "Isn't this like the carp leaping over the dragon gate? There's a legend in my hometown that says if a carp can leap over the dragon gate, it will transform into a dragon. It won't have to stay in the water anymore and can fly up to the heavens."
Zhan Ziyu gazed ahead thoughtfully and said, "Is that so? If such a dragon gate truly exists, it would be a great blessing for carp that cannot fly. At least they would have hope to strive for."
Chu Qiao detected the underlying meaning in his words and felt a pang of sadness, but she didn't expose it. Instead, she smiled and said, "Even if they become dragons, they might not be happy. They would have fewer companions, their loved ones wouldn't be by their side, and they would fly alone in the sky. What's the point? It's just a different way of living."
Zhan Ziyu nodded and said, "You're right about that. But when you're caught up in the situation, it's often hard to see clearly. When an opportunity arises, you can't help but want to give it a try. For example, would you prefer to live as a slave or break free from slavery and live independently? These are just two different ways of life, yet your choice would be different."
"That's not a fair comparison," Chu Qiao replied. "Even if fish are weak, at least they are free. Being someone's slave means being their dog. The difference between the two is something only those who have experienced it can truly understand."
Zhan Ziyu's gaze suddenly turned distant. He lowered his head and chuckled softly, fine crow's feet appearing at the corners of his eyes, yet he looked quite comfortable. He turned to Chu Qiao and looked at her gently, his eyes seeming to penetrate all joys and sorrows. Though he wore a smile, it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or sad, as if casually asking, "So, you still plan to leave, don't you?"
"Young master, I'm just a lowly servant. Whether I stay or leave is of little consequence."
"Hmm," Zhan Ziyu didn't argue. He quietly lifted his head, the cold moonlight spilling over his face like a fine layer of silvery sand by the sea.
The next day, the weather was clear and fine. In one more day, the ship would dock at Wupeng City for a day of rest and resupply. Since it had been confirmed that they would leave, Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing weren't assigned tasks like ordinary slaves. Compared to Daxia's lifelong slavery system, servants in Biantang enjoyed a high degree of freedom and equality. As long as they didn't commit serious crimes, their masters had no power over their life and death. Thus, if Zhan Ziyu agreed to their departure, they could leave openly and honorably.
Chu Qiao spent the entire day inside the cabin without going out. Since punishing Chen Shuang, she had suddenly become the most popular person on the ship. All the low-ranking servants showed her goodwill, and some young female slaves even openly flirted with her, taking advantage of the chance to chat and make physical advances, which became quite bothersome. Chu Qiao never dreamed that she would one day be harassed by women. Helpless, she could only retreat into her shell like a turtle, waiting for this torturous ship to finally stop.
In the evening, Liang Shaoqing finally returned from outside. These past two days, he had been treated like a hero on the ship, which greatly satisfied the bookworm's vanity, as if he had also played a part in defeating Chen Shuang and the other guards.As soon as she entered the room, Liang Shaoqing approached with a smile, offering the food in his hands: "Xiao Qiao, have something to eat."
Chu Qiao didn't look up, merely glancing sideways at him from the bed, snorting through her nose: "So you still remember to come back?"
"How could I not remember? You haven't eaten yet, I was keeping track."Chu Qiao abruptly sat up, saying nothing as she buried her head and ate two mouthfuls of rice before asking: 'Is anyone still outside?""
Liang Shaoqing was taken aback, replying: "Old Liu and the others are hoisting the sails at the bow, seems like no one's at the stern."
Putting down the rice bowl and throwing on her outer robe, she headed out. Liang Shaoqing asked: "Where are you going?"
"Going out for some fresh air."
While answering, she walked out of the cabin. The air outside was refreshing. Chu Qiao sat in a shaded corner amidships, slowly letting out a sigh of relief—after holding it in all day, she was finally out.
The weather had been growing warmer lately. She wondered if Yanbei had begun to thaw. Located on a plateau, Yanbei had a unique climate with only two seasons: summer and winter. Summers were hot but lasted less than five months, while the rest of the year was covered in gleaming snow—somewhat similar to the modern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
She wondered how Yan Xun was doing. Chu Qiao sighed softly, gazing toward the northwestern sky but seeing only vast, deep darkness.
Since Yan Xun had been able to restrain his subordinates from killing Zhao Song on the spot back then, it meant he wasn't in mortal danger. The absence of pursuers from Yanbei afterward also indicated he hadn't been injured to the point of losing control. These past days, with no news of turmoil in Yanbei, it further proved Yan Xun had returned to Yanbei and was stationed in Shangshen.
If that was the case, he would surely be waiting safely for her return.
Chu Qiao let out a long exhale. For now, this was the only way she could comfort herself.
Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded on the deck. Chu Qiao felt curious—who would be wandering outside so late at night?
The spot was shaded, and the passerby didn't notice a pair of eyes secretly watching from the darkness. After the person passed, Chu Qiao quietly followed. She saw the figure was slender and dressed in luxurious clothing—a woman with loose hair who slipped into the lower cargo hold.
Chu Qiao was certain this person couldn't be a lower-class servant. Anyone wearing such silk had to be either a young lady or a high-ranking maid from the upper decks. Could it be a maid sneaking down for a secret rendezvous?
Passing two large cargo holds, the woman hurried along without stopping. But as she passed the third cargo hold, a hand suddenly reached out, wrapping around her slender waist. The woman gasped in surprise and was pulled inside.
Immediately, soft murmurs and the rustling of bodies rubbing together could be heard from the third cargo hold.
Chu Qiao thought to herself, "It can't be this coincidental, can it? Is it really a maid from the upper decks sneaking down for a tryst? How boring of me to eavesdrop like this." She was about to turn and leave when a hoarse, deep voice suddenly spoke, nailing her feet firmly to the ground.
"What took you so long? I've missed you to death!"
The man's raspy voice sounded like a beast suppressed for too long, crying out while continuously kissing the woman's body. Even through the thick door panel, clear sucking sounds could be heard.
"He... he hasn't fallen asleep yet... hasn't slept..."Chu Qiao was utterly astonished, for the two people engaged in passionate intimacy within this filthy storage room were none other than Gu Gongen, the eldest son-in-law of the Zhan family, and the second young miss, Zhan Zikui!
Just then, Gu Gongen’s low panting could be heard from inside: "What kind of lousy clothes are these? Why can’t I undo them?"
"You have to... take them off from the bottom."
Gu Gongen chuckled darkly and said, "Which bottom? Here?"
"Ah!" Zhan Zikui gasped softly, already on the verge of losing control. Her voice was like a sticky snake, breathlessly cooing, "You... you’re teasing me..."
Immediately, Gu Gongen let out a muffled groan, clearly having pounced on her. Soon, unrestrained, provocative cries echoed through the room, filled with seductive allure. After all, it had been eight or nine years since Chu Qiao had witnessed such a scene. Her face flushed crimson, and even her fingers gripping the door turned bright red.
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly heard Zhan Zikui’s voice, now tinged with a sob, cooing, "Gongen, you’re so good."
"Am I?" Gu Gongen asked fiercely, moving rhythmically. "How do I compare to your husband?"
"How could he... how could he compare to you..."
"What about your crippled younger brother?"
Between gasps, Zhan Zikui replied, "How... how would I know? You should... you should ask Fifth Sister..."
Upon hearing this, Chu Qiao felt her heart suddenly pound violently. Her eyes widened in shock, and she almost forgot she should leave.
Just then, the man let out a satisfied groan, and the room fell silent.
After a while, the sound of dressing could be heard. Zhan Zikui said, "Hand me my clothes. I need to go back. Any delay will make him suspicious."
Gu Gongen snorted coldly, seemingly grabbing Zhan Zikui in an embrace. Zhan Zikui gasped in surprise as Gu Gongen said, "Didn’t you say I’m better than him? Why are you in such a hurry to go back?"
Zhan Zikui chuckled lightly and said, "Not go back? And stay hidden in this little storage room with you?"
"Hmph," Gu Gongen sneered coldly. "Just wait. Sooner or later, I’ll seize control of the Zhan family. When that day comes, let’s see whose bed you’ll dare to climb into."
"Save that talk for when you have the ability," Zhan Zikui retorted. "My fourth brother is no pushover. Don’t be fooled just because he’s a cripple and doesn’t talk much. He’s sharper and clearer-minded than anyone."
"No matter how clever he is, it’s useless. Once we return to Tang Capital, everything will be in my grasp." At this, Gu Gongen let out a sinister laugh and said, "When that time comes, you’ll have to follow me obediently. If I tell you to go east, you won’t dare go west. If I tell you to get on the bed, you won’t dare keep your clothes on. If I tell you to—"
"Enough," Zhan Zikui sneered coldly. "Don’t think I don’t know—your eyes have long been fixed on Fifth Sister. If that day really comes, will you even remember me?"
"How could she compare to you?" Gu Gongen chuckled darkly. "She’s all skin and bones, nowhere near as full and enticing as you, so plump and alluring..."
As Zhan Zikui’s soft moans began again, Chu Qiao frowned deeply, realizing she wouldn’t hear anything more useful. She quietly turned and slipped away.Every aristocratic family has its share of sordid affairs, and Chu Qiao found nothing particularly strange about it. Given the character of Gu Gongen and Zhan Zikui, she could accept even the most despicable deeds from them. However, from their conversation, it seemed that even Zhan Ziyu and the fifth young lady, Zhan Ziming, had an ambiguous relationship. This was somewhat difficult to comprehend. Recalling the only conversation she had overheard between them, it did seem unusual. Could it be that this pair of siblings was truly involved in an illicit affair?
Forget it, why bother thinking about such things? Chu Qiao shook her head. She would be leaving the day after tomorrow anyway, so there was no point in dwelling on it now.
As she passed the deck at the bow of the ship and headed toward her cabin, she suddenly heard a faint sound behind her. Her ears were exceptionally sharp, and she immediately turned around, only to see a black shadow flash by. She quickly ran over, but there was no one there.
Chu Qiao slowly furrowed her brows. Could she have been mistaken? There was no reason for someone to move so swiftly. She shook her head just as a seagull flew overhead, its wings slicing through the night sky and casting a large, dark shadow on the ground.
Perhaps it was just the shadow of a large eagle?
Returning to her room, she found Liang Shaoqing fast asleep. Hearing the door open, the bookworm drowsily rubbed his eyes, sat up to greet her, and then lay back down, snoring loudly.
By now, Liang Shaoqing had grown accustomed to the fact that they were sharing a room, no longer worrying every night about being harassed and pulling the covers over his head as he had initially.
A curtain, as usual, separated the two. Chu Qiao took off her outer robe and slipped under the covers, letting out a long sigh as exhaustion washed over her. Her mind involuntarily drifted back to the conversation between Gu Gongen and Zhan Zikui, but after mulling it over, she couldn’t make sense of it. Just as she was about to sleep, the voice of that hypocritical man, Gu Gongen, echoed in her ears again: "How could she compare to you? She’s barely got any flesh on her bones, nowhere near as full and alluring, as plump and smooth as you..."
Come to think of it, she should be seventeen this year. Chu Qiao reached out and touched her chest over the blanket, her cheeks suddenly feeling warm.
Lately, she had been developing rapidly, having grown much taller. She was only half a head shorter than Liang Shaoqing, which, by modern measurements, would be around 167 centimeters—quite tall for a girl of this era. Jing Yue’er’s small body had matured. Over the years, she had diligently exercised and stayed active, resulting in a fit and well-proportioned figure—slender waist, long legs, neither too thin nor too plump. Except for here.
Chu Qiao frowned in frustration. With nothing else to do, this modern special agent with a psychological age of over thirty began to worry about her figure. She wondered how long it would take to restore her proud 36C. In this era, there were no breast augmentation surgeries or enhancement medications. It would be a great loss if she ended up flat-chested.
She lay with her eyes open, staring at the pitch-black ceiling, her thoughts wandering aimlessly. These past few days had been a rare respite from political schemes, conspiracies, and the need to guard against others. In just one more day, this life would come to an end. She let out a long sigh. In one more day, she would no longer be a seventeen-year-old slave girl but the most-wanted traitor of Daxia.Lost in thought, before she knew it, the fifth watch had arrived. It was already summer, with long daylight hours, and dawn was approaching, the sky faintly brightening.
The river sobbed as it flowed slowly eastward, the night wind cold and all things bleak. Chu Qiao sat up to close the window properly when she noticed that, unbeknownst to her, a fine drizzle had begun to fall outside, pattering softly and blending with the river into one. Chu Qiao leaned on the windowsill, staring blankly outward, and saw a small boat swaying gently as it passed by. On the shore, several fine horses galloped swiftly, their hooves like snow, with men in blue robes and straw hats on their backs, urging the horses into a frantic dash.
"Xiao Qiao? What are you doing?"
A cold wind blew in, startling the bookworm from his deep slumber. Rubbing his eyes as he sat up, he couldn't help but feel a chill. "You're wearing so little, yet you're leaning against the window. Do you want to get sick?"
"Oh," Chu Qiao snapped back to reality and said, "There are people riding horses on the riverbank outside. So early in the morning, and in the rain too—someone must be in a hurry."
"You're always worrying about things that don't concern you," Liang Shaoqing said. "What does it matter to you if others are in a hurry? You haven't slept all night, have you? Go to sleep, go to sleep."
Chu Qiao didn't respond. She simply reached out and closed the window. Just as it was about to shut completely, she noticed the group of riders suddenly stop. One of them turned and glanced in her direction. Through the thick curtain of rain and the heavy river mist, she couldn't make out their face, but she could feel the sharpness of that gaze piercing through the distance.
With a soft thud, the window closed. Chu Qiao lay down on the bed, fully clothed, and gently closed her eyes.
They must be in a hurry to be traveling so early in the morning, she thought, before slowly drifting into sleep.
At that very moment, on the rain-drenched riverbank, a young man in blue robes and a straw raincoat sat astride his horse, silently gazing at the boats on the river.
"Young Master, ahead is Huashu County, a small town where we can rest briefly before continuing. Beyond that lies Wupeng City."
Raindrops trickled down the young man's cheeks as he stared at the few large ships on the river. "Zhu Cheng, are those the same ships that set out with us from Xianyang City?"
Zhu Cheng squinted into the distance and nodded. "You have a keen eye, Young Master. Those were originally the vessels prepared for us by the Xianyang River Transport Office. After we took the land route, they were given to others. The ones aboard now are likely from the Zhan family of Biantang."
"The Zhan family from Xizhiling?"
"Exactly."
The young man suddenly smiled, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as an ancient well. "Even these long-forgotten noble families are emerging. It seems the Tang Capital will truly be lively this time."
Zhu Cheng added, "The Zhan family has openly rebelled against the Tang this time. It seems quite significant."
"They certainly have such ambitions, but whether they can succeed is another matter. The Zhan family left Biantang eight years ago and have long been ostracized by the Biantang nobility. Whether they can secure a residence in the Tang Capital is still uncertain. Reclaim lost territories? Restore their former glory? Hah, I doubt even Zhan Yuqi's resurrection could accomplish that."
"Young Master is wise."
Indeed, this young man was none other than Zhuge Yue, who had once brushed past Chu Qiao in Xianyang City. Though the land route was slightly more time-consuming, Zhuge Yue's relentless pace on horseback had allowed him to catch up.
Zhuge Yue chuckled. "Enough with the flattery. Let's go. We must reach Wupeng by dawn the day after tomorrow."
The group responded in unison, raising their whips to urge their horses forward. Just then, the black warhorse beside Zhuge Yue suddenly let out a long, frantic neigh toward the river. No matter how hard others pulled at its reins, it refused to quiet down, as if possessed.
"Meteor!" Zhuge Yue called out sternly. "What's wrong?"
The warhorse reared onto its hind legs, emitting another loud, piercing neigh toward the ships on the river. Frowning, Zhuge Yue raised his whip and struck the horse's neck sharply. "What's gotten into you?"
"Young Master, Meteor might be spooked."
"Spooked?"Zhuge Yue furrowed his brow and gazed distantly toward the river surface once more.
With a sudden "thump," Chu Qiao sat upright. Liang Shaoqing, who had just risen to wash his face, was startled by her abrupt movement.
"Xiao Qiao, what's wrong?" Liang Shaoqing widened his eyes, thinking she had a nightmare. He spoke cautiously, afraid of disturbing her further.
Chu Qiao sat up, dazed, and said, "I thought I heard Meteor calling me."
"Who?" Liang Shaoqing froze instantly and asked urgently, "Who did you say? Who was calling you?"
Chu Qiao replied, "Meteor, my horse."
Liang Shaoqing chuckled and teased, "Come on, we're on the water. Can your horse swim?"
Chu Qiao frowned, listening carefully. Suddenly, she stepped forward and pulled open the window, letting the wind and rain pour in. Unfazed, she leaned out to observe closely. But the rain was growing heavier, and a thick fog had risen over the river, making it impossible to see clearly.
After listening intently for a while, she suddenly jumped off the bed, threw on some clothes, and rushed toward the door.
Liang Shaoqing was alarmed and quickly grabbed her, exclaiming, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going out to check. I really heard Meteor calling me."
"I heard my Xiao Qing calling me too," Liang Shaoqing shook his head skeptically. "Rest for a while. It's pouring outside—you'll get sick."
Chu Qiao frowned, pushed aside Liang Shaoqing's matchstick-thin hand, grabbed an outer garment, and dashed out.
"Hey!" Liang Shaoqing cried out in dismay. "That's my coat!"
The downpour was heavier than before, turning the world silver-white and obscuring the view. The large ship was anchored in the river, with sailors and crew scrambling to stabilize the vessel and bail out water, fearing disaster.
Amid the chaos, Chu Qiao stood bewildered, scanning her surroundings, but there was no sign of Meteor. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she shouted, "Meteor!"
Her voice was loud, but it was drowned out by the rumble of thunder.
The ship's captain hurried toward the main cabin, yelling at his assistant, "Tell the young master we must dock. The rain is getting heavier!"
Through the pouring rain, the assistant asked, "Which shore should we head for?"
"The left shore is closer, but the water is too shallow for the ship. Head for the right shore!"
Meanwhile, on the left shore, the sudden intensification of the rain forced the horse team to stop and take shelter in a dilapidated pavilion. Meteor continued to pace anxiously, almost breaking the rope that tethered him.
Zhuge Yue stood in the pavilion, watching Meteor. His ears twitched slightly, and he slowly furrowed his brow.
"Zhu Cheng, did you hear that?"
Zhu Cheng was taken aback and asked, "Young master, hear what?"
Zhuge Yue didn't respond but continued listening intently. Unfortunately, the rain grew heavier, and distant rolls of thunder muffled the faint sound until it faded away completely.
Zhuge Yue fell silent, standing with his hands behind his back, peering into the distance. All he could see was a vast expanse of white, and the ships, hidden by the torrential rain, had vanished from sight.
Chu Qiao lowered her hands as the ship docked safely on the right shore. Soaked to the bone and her voice hoarse from shouting, she stood there until Liang Shaoqing appeared with an umbrella, holding it over her head. "Hurry inside," he urged. "You'll catch a cold like this."Chu Qiao fell silent, staring blankly at the curtain of rain across the river, speechless for a long while.
The downpour continued unabated between heaven and earth, the howling wind showing no signs of ceasing.
Amidst the raging storm, the river mist shrouded everything in sight, leaving nothing but a vast expanse of obscurity.
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