Having obtained the ‘key’ from Shen Qingyao, Lu Zhao’s affairs proceeded even more smoothly. Although Princess An’ya didn’t believe it, after repeated verification by her men, it was confirmed that the bracelet could indeed open the legendary treasure trove of the former dynasty.
Inside, there was nothing. But since she had already made her statement, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree and secretly lent 300,000 troops and horses to Lu Zhao.
Half a month later, Xiao Jing proclaimed himself Emperor in the capital. On the same day, various regional princes led by Xiao Mu aimed their swords at the capital, accusing Xiao Jing of patricide and regicide, of being unrighteous and unjust, and raised the banner of rallying troops. The nation mourned, and overnight chaos engulfed the entire Great Liang. Everyone felt endangered.
Since Shen Qingyao’s sudden illness that day, her condition had been sporadic and had not improved. Kong Lin came daily to diagnose and change medications, but to no avail. She still experienced occasional severe chest pains, difficulty breathing, and more frequent attacks than ever before. The system said it was because the world plot had advanced prematurely, forcing her body into the state required by the current storyline.
Shen Qingyao earnestly recalled the books she had read. When the male protagonist seized power, it was the time when this cannon fodder supporting role was most seriously ill. Medical treatment was futile; death seemed imminent.
In other words, her body was on the verge of collapse. Either Kong Lin would develop a miracle drug, or her Eldest Sister’s husband would quickly ascend to the throne, or… she would quietly die as per the original book’s trajectory.
Shen Qingyao felt heavy-hearted, but she dared not show it on her face. She feared Lu Zhao would notice, feared he would also meet the same fate as described in the book.
However, seeing each other day after day, how could Lu Zhao truly not notice? The little girl was no longer as lively as before, her complexion worsening day by day. Kong Lin’s expression also grew increasingly grave. With his intelligence, he naturally could guess that Yaoyao’s condition wasn’t good. Yet the little girl kept smiling in front of him, fearing he would worry. Hence, he also dared not show his concerns on his face, afraid she would be upset.
On this day, Kong Lin brought another bowl of medicinal soup. Shen Qingyao tasted it, bitter to the point of tears, but she drank it all without a word. After setting down the bowl, Lu Zhao, with a solemn expression, entered the room. As soon as he came in, he went straight to her bedside and gently took her hands.
“Elder Brother Lu Zhao, why have you come back at this time?” It wasn’t surprising she asked. Lu Zhao had been busy every day for the past half month preparing reinforcements to the north. His return in broad daylight today was indeed unusual.
Unlike his usual smile, Lu Zhao looked even more serious. Holding the girl’s hands, he said in a deep voice, “Today, news from Northern Border arrived. The Prince has ordered the army to march and seize the capital.”
Shen Qingyao was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what it meant. Unable to stop herself, she asked, “Then what about you…”
“Yes, we are closer than the Northern Frontier. We could have set off a little later, but communications on the road took some time. Counting the days, if we want to join forces with the Prince, we should set out with the troops we’ve gathered these days.”
With the army marching, there were no other generals in Lingnan who could lead troops. Only Lu Zhao could.
Shen Qingyao blinked, her nose tingling at the mere thought. But she fought back tears. She just sniffled and lowered her head, softly asking, “So… when will Elder Brother Lu Zhao leave?”
“Tomorrow,” Lu Zhao said hoarsely. She was sad, and he was reluctant. But whatever the reason, this had to be done. They could hide in Lingnan for now, but they couldn’t escape forever. Besides, their parents and relatives were still in the capital, imprisoned.
“So soon?” Shen Qingyao was surprised, stunned for a moment, and even sadder. She pursed her lips, almost crying. Quickly turning her head, Shen Qingyao wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, pushed aside the blanket, and tried to get out of bed hurriedly, saying, “Then, let me pack up for you.”
But due to her weakened body from illness, as soon as her feet touched the ground, she collapsed weakly, only to be caught steadily by Lu Zhao.
He gently placed her back onto the bed, his gaze deep as he looked at her. Raising his hand, he caressed her cheek and softly said, “Don’t worry, there’s nothing urgent to bring along.”
What he most wanted to bring was not something material, but a person, her, whom he couldn’t take along.
“I promise you, I’ll be back soon. I won’t let Yaoyao wait too long. Can Yaoyao trust me?
“I’m going there only to assist. With the Eastern Sea Garrison leaving the waters, they won’t be a match for the Northern Army on the land, so there’s no danger. Yaoyao just needs to rest assured and take care of herself, alright?
“After I leave, Yaoyao must eat on time, rest more, and not overexert herself. Remember?”
Liu Zhao supported himself above her, encircling her within the bed and his arms, giving her these instructions one by one. With each one he uttered, Shen Qingyao’s eyes grew redder. The separation sorrow that she had been trying hard to ignore suddenly became overwhelming. A tear fell from her eye, and she lightly pounded Liu Zhao’s shoulder with her hand, complaining, “It’s not like you’re not coming back! Why are you speaking as if you’re leaving your last words?! The more you say, the more panicked I become!”
—Don’t raise a flag like that! That sounds so ominous!
After saying this, Shen Qingyao spoke out of frustration, “I won’t wait for you for long! If you take too long to come back, I won’t care about you anymore!
“I’ll finally be rid of the person nagging me! I’ll eat whatever I want and sleep whenever I feel like it! If I’m sick or in pain, I won’t drink those bitter concoctions! If you still want me to be well, then come back soon!”
She spoke, her voice now on the verge of tears.
Lu Zhao couldn’t help but smile and feel distressed at the same time. He knew she was speaking in anger, so he stopped scaring her with those instructions. He instructed the servants to take care of her before turning back to her. Seeing her tearful appearance, Lu Zhao’s heart softened completely, and he gently said, “Not waiting for me? Yaoyao, are you planning to wait for someone else?”
“I’m not waiting for anyone! I…” Shen Qingyao wanted to say more in anger, but Lu Zhao suddenly leaned down and kissed away the tear from her eye. The tender and cool touch made her whole body tingle.
Her eyelashes trembled, and through her tear-blurred vision, all she could see was his jade-like figure. Shen Qingyao gazed at him and softly said, “Elder Brother Lu Zhao, you must come back soon.”
“Mm.” Liu Zhao solemnly agreed. Considering her health, he had no intentions, but only touched her face and was about to get up. However, as he rose, Shen Qingyao grabbed his belt and pulled him back.
Before he could say anything, a warm body pressed against him, and Shen Qingyao tilted her head to kiss his Adam’s apple, understanding his concerns, and whispered in his ear, “I’m feeling better. My heart condition didn’t act up today.”
Liu Zhao stiffened for a moment, sighed softly after a while, and took the initiative to kiss her lips, pressing her onto the soft bedding…
When Shen Qingyao woke up, it was early morning of the next day. Her body was a bit sore but not uncomfortably so. The fragrance in the room had not yet dissipated, but the person beside her had already left. Lu Zhao had said yesterday not to send him off, so naturally, he didn’t wake her this morning.
Shen Qingyao stared at the bed curtain for a while, raised her hand to touch it, and found that the bedding beside her had already cooled. After a moment’s thought, she suddenly turned over and hugged the blanket beside her, burying her head inside, greedily breathing in the lingering cold fragrance.
When even the cold fragrance faded, she slowly sat up straight. Her eyes scanned the room, and it was strange—Lu Zhao was usually busy, spending little time with her in the mansion, and she didn’t mind. But now that he was gone, she felt the mansion was strangely empty, and her heart also felt empty.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and Shen Qingyao sighed with her head down. He had just left, and she was already starting to miss him a little.
“Miss, are you awake? The people outside are ready.” Cui Qiao’s voice came from outside the door. Shen Qingyao wiped away her tears and, knowing Lu Zhao wasn’t here, wouldn’t cry easily anymore.
Before long, Cui Qiao and the others came in to help her dress. Hong Yun stood by and packed her belongings. They were rushing to Ningcheng, as instructed by Lu Zhao last night.
When guard Zhang Ping arrived, they were almost ready. Seeing this, he bowed and said, “Young Madam, we are ready to depart.”
Shen Qingyao was feeling unwell, coughing and holding her chest. She was increasingly weak but still nodded and said, “Alright, let’s go.”
—”Yaoyao, after I leave, take people to Ningcheng to find Uncle Gu. Though Nanzhao has allied with us, we still need to be cautious. Lingnan has no stationed troops or defenses, which is too risky. Ningcheng is different. Due to its gold mines, it has its own city garrison, and it’s not far from Lingnan. Uncle Gu is trustworthy. Wait for me there, then I’ll be at ease.”
Shen Qingyao lowered her eyes, recalling what Lu Zhao had told her last night. His expressions and tone were vividly etched in her mind. She smiled softly, thinking he was overly cautious. After the smile came reassurance, followed by an undeniable longing.
This time, perhaps they wouldn’t see each other for several months.
At the other end of the carriage, Kong Lin was supported by Tu Lan, his beard trembling with anger. Tu Lan shrank beside him, afraid to speak, only giving Shen Qingyao a sympathetic glance.
Shen Qingyao snapped out of her thoughts when Kong Lin banged his cane against the carriage wall, angrily scolding, “You’re still laughing? Do you not know your own condition?! Your body is failing, and you’re embarking on such a long journey! Are you trying to kill yourself?!”
He was scolding Shen Qingyao.
Knowing she was at fault, she smiled apologetically and leaned over to pat Kong Lin gently, speaking in a soft voice, “Grandpa Kong, Masterr Kong? I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this time! Although Lingnan is temporarily stable, it’s still fraught with danger. Even if I stayed, I’d worry every day, which wouldn’t be good for my health. Lu Zhao arranged this knowing you’re also here! Please calm down; if you ruin your health in anger, who will treat me…?”
The young girl looked pale, as if a gust of wind could knock her over, just like six years ago when Kong Lin entered the Shen Mansion to save her, yet different. Back then, the girl would collapse in the wind, but now, even though she seemed fragile, she could still stand up again softly after being knocked down.
Kong Lin stared at her for a while before grunting softly and pointing at her head, saying neither lightly nor heavily, “Once you reach Ningcheng, if you still don’t take your medicine seriously, let’s see if I’ll treat you!”
Shen Qingyao repeatedly agreed, and Kong Lin gave her another glare before turning his head away, saying nothing more to her.
Seeing his childish temper, Shen Qingyao couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, then looked out of the carriage window at the receding scenery, sighing with relief. In her heart, she silently prayed, “Elder Brother Lu Zhao, with Doctor Kong here, I can surely hold on until Xiao Mu ascends to the throne and the system rewards me with the cure for my heart disease. So, you must work hard to defeat the main antagonist and come back soon to fetch me…”