Time flew by like a white pony galloping through a crack. In a blink of an eye, ten years had passed.
Chu Qing looked at her daughter sleeping soundly on her lap, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Having lived two lifetimes, she...
Finally had a daughter!
Wei Yan, who was only six years old, took after Wei Ying in appearance, but her personality...
Was like no one else's.
Wei Ying's extreme doting didn't spoil her. Instead, at a young age, she had an extremely steady personality.
Listening to her daughter's gentle breathing, Chu Qing lifted the curtain of the carriage with a smile on her face.
Perhaps hearing the noise from the carriage, Wei Ying and Wei Huan, father and son, who were riding horses outside, both slowed down their pace.
"What's wrong, Qingqing?" Wei Ying was the first to ask.
Chu Qing lowered her voice and slowly said, "Where are we now?"
The family of four, along with Wei Yi and Lv Luo, had left Yongcheng and were traveling around.
Now, the four countries of Great Yan, the Eastern Barbarians, Xiliang, and the Northern Hu in the north were in an unprecedented state of harmony.
The Northern Hu was the name given to the country established by Bate'er seven years ago after he completely unified the various tribes on the grassland.
Since there were no more disputes, Wei Ying had some free time. After leaving a letter for Yuan Rui, he immediately took his wife and children out to relax.
After hearing Chu Qing's words, Wei Ying carefully peeked into the carriage. Seeing that his beloved daughter wasn't woken up, he gently replied, "We can reach Chuanzhou City when it gets dark."
Chuanzhou?
Chu Qing frowned slightly.
Chuanzhou City was undoubtedly filled with unpleasant memories for her.
However, Chu Qing wasn't a person who avoided reality. Although avoidance was useful, it wasn't a long - term solution.
After giving birth to Wei Huan, she had come here once with Wei Ying.
At that time, Chuanzhou City had finally regained its vitality.
But...
For her, it was extremely painful.
Because Wei Zhi...
Was buried outside Chuanzhou City.
"Let's go and see her again. She must miss me." Chu Qing lowered her eyes and said in a low voice.
Seeing that Chu Qing was a bit sad, Wei Ying nodded in agreement.
When they arrived at Chuanzhou City, it was indeed getting dark.
They found an inn under Chu Zhan's name and each went back to their room to rest for half an hour.
"Mother, is Sister Wei Zhi sleeping here?" Wei Yan sat obediently on one side and asked seriously.
Chu Qing lowered her eyes and looked at her. She reached out and stroked her soft hair, replying, "I'll take you to see her tomorrow. It's too late today. We won't disturb her."
Wei Yan nodded understandingly.
Lv Luo stopped for a moment while tidying up the things beside her. Then her eyes filled with tears.
Liu Xin naturally noticed Lv Luo's reaction. She sighed softly and patted her on the shoulder.
She couldn't say any words of comfort.
...
After a simple dinner, Chu Qing went back to her room to rest first because she was a bit tired.
Wei Ying, who originally wanted to take his daughter out for a stroll, saw that Chu Qing looked listless. After instructing Wei Huan to take good care of his sister, he also followed Chu Qing back to the room.
When Chu Qing, who had just sat down, saw Wei Ying come in, she asked in surprise, "Why didn't you take Huanyu and Yan'er out for a stroll? I think the current Chuanzhou City is almost as lively as Yongcheng."
Wei Ying sat beside Chu Qing. He gently pulled her into his arms and then replied, "I can't just leave you alone in the room."
After hearing this, Chu Qing held his hand and gently kneaded it, saying, "Aren't you worried about leaving the two children alone?"
"Huanyu is old enough. With Yan'er following him, we should be at ease. Moreover... Wei Yi, Wei Er, and Ruan Zheng are all with them. Nothing will go wrong."
Chu Qing smiled silently.
The two began to slowly fall into memories.
Suddenly, a scream came from outside the room.
Judging from the voice...
It seemed to be Wei Yan!
Chu Qing and Wei Ying immediately rushed out of the room.
Then...
They saw the two children surrounding two adult men lying on the ground, saying something.
Chu Qing and Wei Ying glanced at each other and walked forward.
"What happened?" Wei Ying asked in a deep voice.
Wei Huan turned around. Seeing his father and mother, he grinned and said, "These two people... said they would take us to play some fun things."
Chu Qing raised her eyebrows and looked at the two people who were trembling but didn't dare to say a word.
Go and play some fun things?
Did they think these two children had the same IQ as them?
Wei Ying smiled with interest and said, "Then you knocked them down?"
Wei Huan spread his hands and said, "It wasn't me. It was Yan'er."
Chu Qing: "..."
Wei Ying: "..."
Although... both children had learned martial arts, at least Wei Huan had had a serious fight with someone.
But Wei Yan...
Had only sparred with Wei Yi and the others a few times.
Now, it was actually a six - year - old little girl, Wei Yan, who had knocked down two adult men?
Chu Qing and Wei Ying were extremely shocked.
Seeing his parents' reactions, Wei Huan explained, "I originally wanted to stall for a while to see what these two bad guys were up to. So I stopped Uncle Wei Yi and the others when they wanted to come forward. Who would have thought... Yan'er..."
"It's too boring, brother." Wei Yan said expressionlessly.
Wei Huan stiffened for a moment, then continued helplessly, "Yes, Yan'er thought it was too boring to deal with these two people. Without saying a word, she directly hit the acupoints on their legs. Then... this is what happened."
"What about... the scream just now?"
"Yan'er did it on purpose. She pretended to be panicked and let out a scream. One of them quickly came over to cover Yan'er's mouth, so... he was the first to be hit."
Wei Ying hooked the corner of his lips and said appreciatively, "Sure enough, she is my daughter." After saying that, he walked forward and picked up Wei Yan.
Wei Huan, however, pouted. He had finally found something fun, but his sister had snuffed out the flame.
After instructing Wei Yi to take these two people away for interrogation, Chu Qing and Wei Ying took the children back to their rooms to rest.
...
The next day, Chu Qing and her group left the city early in the morning.
Wei Yi had interrogated the two people within half an hour last night.
The two were former bandits. Seeing that the siblings were good - looking, they had the idea of tricking them away and selling them.
As a result...
They had met a tough customer.
Ruan Zheng expressed his disdain for such stupid colleagues.
Of course, he had completely forgotten his own tragic experience when he first met the Prince of Ning and his wife.
Not far outside Chuanzhou City, they arrived at the place where Wei Zhi was buried.
Chu Qing took Wei Yan out of the carriage and led her soft little hand towards Wei Zhi's tomb.
Because someone had been specifically instructed to take care of it regularly, the area in front of Wei Zhi's tomb was extremely clean.
Chu Qing walked up to the tomb with a sad expression and quietly burned some paper money.
Her mind was filled with every bit of her time with Wei Zhi.
The first time they met, the first time she was disguised by her, the first time she took her to a brothel, and... when she stood up for her and took the energy - dissipating powder.
Did she regret it?
How could she not regret it.
But...
Chu Qing knew that Wei Zhi had never regretted it.
"Mother, Sister Wei Zhi definitely doesn't want to see you cry." Wei Yan suddenly said softly beside her.
Chu Qing was stunned for a moment, but then cried even louder.
Wei Yan looked at a loss at her father and brother. Wei Huan, with slightly red eyes, put his arm around Wei Yan and comforted her, "Mother may feel better if she cries it out."
Wei Yan nodded half - understanding.
Wei Ying knelt down beside Chu Qing and stroked her head as usual.
However, he didn't say a word.
At this moment, any words would seem pale and weak.
Crying it out... would really make one feel better.
Wei Ying and his two children patiently waited for Chu Qing. Wei Yan couldn't help but start to sob softly.
Suddenly, a sparrow landed on Wei Zhi's tombstone and even chirped a few times in front of everyone.
"Mother, look!" Wei Yan said in a surprised whisper.
Chu Qing looked up and was stunned.
Wei Yan bit her lower lip and then said, "Mother, Sister Wei Zhi... maybe... has become as free as this sparrow in the world."
After a moment of confusion, Chu Qing finally showed a relieved smile.
Yes...
She could be reborn...
Wei Zhi, presumably, had also been reborn and was more free than before.
Regarding Wei Zhi's death, Chu Qing had never said much in the past ten years, but it had always been a thorn in her heart.
Now, this thorn finally flew into the vast sky along with the departure of the sparrow.
Finally...
Letting go...