Gong Feicui said "Oh," as if she wanted to say something more, but in the end she didn't say anything and simply reached out and closed the door.
Baili Chenfeng and I exchanged a glance, and seeing that it was almost time, we raised our hands to order everyone to set off.
Twenty iron cavalrymen led the way, followed by me, Baili Chenfeng, and Xiao Zuo, then Gong Feicui's carriage, and finally thirty iron cavalrymen brought up the rear. In this way, the group embarked on the road to Baili City.
Looking back, the vermilion gate slowly closed, the copper nails on the door gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, complementing the inscription on the plaque and showcasing power and wealth to the fullest extent.
When I was five years old, someone pointed to that door and asked me, "Do you see it?"
"I saw it."
"Alright, go. You belong there." The man pushed me, and I stumbled over, falling to the ground in fear. When I looked up, I saw a man standing before me, in a magnificent brocade robe, tall and imposing.
"May I have your name?"
"Wind, wind... delicate... pure."
The man in the brocade robe hesitated for a moment, then turned to leave. I quickly called out, "Please take me in!"
He stopped, but didn't turn around: "Why?"
I replied, "I am Feng Li's daughter, and I will be of use to you."
He finally showed surprise, turned around and looked me over carefully, and asked, "Where is your father?"
I bit my lower lip and burst into tears: "He...he doesn't want me anymore...please take me in, I will serve you for the rest of my life!"
That was the only time I cried in my memory. My tears earned me the opportunity to enter the Gong family, the center of wealth and fame in the world. In the past seventeen years, I have fulfilled my vow to Gong Xiaosheng through my own abilities.
Now, looking at that vermilion gate that sealed my fate in my childhood, I know my father was right: I belong here.
So I'll be back soon. Very soon.
Volume 1, Chapter 3: Encountering Initial Danger (1)
Section 1: The Difficulty of Travel
"Young Miss, would you like some lotus seed soup?"
A small, fair hand held a bowl of Lantian jade and presented it to me. It was Jin Zhao, that girl.
I leaned against the window frame and shook my head, my eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside.
The carriage was traveling across the boundless fields outside Luoyang. The blue sky was dotted with white clouds, and the golden sunlight shone on the lush green crops. Wisps of smoke rose slowly in the distance, and occasionally a scarecrow or two brushed past the carriage at very close range.
I kept sighing. These scenes, which ordinary people are tired of seeing, were something I had never experienced before. I couldn't help but feel that this trip would have been worth it even if it took another month and a half.
"It's the young lady's first time traveling far from home, and she's in high spirits, so of course she can't drink that lotus seed soup..." Mei Wu, who was massaging my shoulders from behind, said with a smile, "If you're going to drink, it has to be alcohol!"
My eyes lit up, and I turned around and pinched her face, saying, "You little devil, you've been with me longer than any of them, so you understand me better!"
As I turned around, the curtains I had been holding down fell down, blocking the window. The light inside the car suddenly dimmed, and the carriage tilted to the right, almost throwing me onto the carpet.
"Sharp turn ahead, be careful, people in the carriage." Xiao Zuo's leisurely voice came from outside.
"You're only saying this now? You bastard!" I was so angry I could scream. I lifted the curtain and peeked out, saying, "You..."
I had barely uttered that one word when a jagged, strange rock came hurtling towards me, whizzing past my face and disappearing behind the car in an instant. Then came a splintering tree branch... I was startled and twisted my body, my back slamming against the car with a thud, and I still felt a stinging pain on my face.
"Young Miss!" Three maids rushed forward and surrounded me, their voices trembling with fear. "Where is the carriage? It was perfectly fine, how could it..."
I gently pushed them aside, slowly clenched my fists, and shouted sternly, "Stop the car!"
"Young Miss! Your face..." As soon as I stepped out of the car, Feng Qiansu, who had rushed over, froze upon seeing me.
I didn't say anything, but stared straight at Xiao Zuo, who was a few steps away.
He was still on horseback. When he saw the scratches on my face, his brow seemed to furrow, and he muttered, "Why are you sticking your head out of the carriage instead of sitting still?"
Though his voice was soft, I could hear it. I sneered, "You're asking me? I'd like to ask you the same thing!"
"What do you want to ask?"
"Stop playing dumb with me!" I realized I was starting to tremble, so I took a deep breath before saying, "How did you lead the way? This—" I pointed to the narrow, winding path nestled between two strange rocks, deep and unpredictable, full of potholes, and said, "Can this even be considered a path?"
“Of course it counts as a road!” Xiao Zuo smiled at me and said, “As far as I know, this is called a mountain road.”
"Oh?" I laughed in anger, hoping the new scars on my face would make the laugh look more ferocious. "As far as I know, there is another kind of road called the main road. Young Master Xiao, your family has a long history of learning, so you must have heard of it."
Xiao Zuo laughed and said, "That kind of road has another name. Miss, you are very knowledgeable, you must know it, right?"
I didn't know, so I just said "Oh" again.
Fortunately, Xiao Zuo didn't press further and gave his answer: "The main road is also a dangerous road! Especially for those who carry valuable items but refuse to ride lightly and insist on parading through the city in a luxurious carriage, it is even more dangerous."
I stared at him, and after a long pause, I managed to utter a few words through gritted teeth: "So the mountain road is safe now?"