082 Where to Go from Here

With a heavy heart, Chen Yage walked over. The entrance to the cave was about a meter wide, and there were several brothers still inside. Upon seeing her, they greeted her one after another. Chen Yage didn’t know how deep the cave was, but she could tell they had worked hard digging it.

She tried her best to steady her emotions. “Come up, everyone. There’s no need to keep digging.”

“But the tunnel isn’t finished yet,” said Erdan, his big black eyes fixed on her, revealing two rows of white teeth in a smile.

“Big Brother Bai has already been released, so we don’t need the tunnel anymore. But I still want to thank all of you. You’ve worked so hard.”

“He’s been rescued?” Yihu looked at Chen Yage, his disbelief plain. She nodded with certainty. Together, they cheered and celebrated, but only Chen Yage forced a smile—her pain was hers alone.

“Yage, congratulations on finally getting Li Bai out. When’s the big wedding? Don’t forget to invite us for the wedding feast!” Yihu teased, and the others immediately joined in the good-natured banter.

Wedding feast? Big wedding? Those words pierced Chen Yage’s heart like knives, each one sharper than the last. But she couldn’t cry, couldn’t show too much sadness. She had to smile; that was her way. She reined in their laughter. “Getting a wedding feast isn’t hard. When my Big Brother Bai marries the eldest Miss of the Xu family, just head to the Xu residence for a drink. I may not be the host, but getting you a cup of wedding wine won’t be a problem.”

“But aren’t you and your Big Brother Bai…”

“Yes, we’re siblings—though not by blood, our bond is as close as any family.” Chen Yage immediately cut Yihu off.

Seeing her deliberately avoid the topic, Yihu guessed she had her reasons and didn’t press further. He instructed the others to gather their things, and together, they returned to the ruined temple.

Chen Yage handed Yihu the only silver she had. “Use this to buy everyone something to eat. You’ve all worked hard these past days.”

“Will you come back here someday?” Yihu asked, looking at Chen Yage seriously as he took the silver.

“Perhaps I will. Or perhaps not.” Chen Yage was torn herself, uncertain whether she’d leave Xiangyang, unable to give him a definite answer.

Yihu laughed. “Is that so? Well, if you do, the temple will always welcome you. And if you don’t, we’ll still think of you. If you leave here for other places, be sure to keep your wits about you—don’t be so easily fooled, like when I tricked you down to the river and you even thanked me for it…” He broke into laughter.

“Thank you. What’s past is past—I’ll remember you all. Take care!” Chen Yage left the ruined temple, saying goodbye to everyone. Perhaps it was because she’d found genuine companionship there that she felt a pang of reluctance on leaving.

The afternoon sun was warm, its golden rays cloaking the earth in a soft glow, as if draped in a veil of gold.

Chen Yage wandered the streets. The shouts of vendors, the laughter, the arguing, even the rumbling of carriage wheels—all were clear to her ears. Xiangyang was a bustling city, its shops brimming with goods and crowds surging like tides. Though not packed shoulder to shoulder, the streets were still somewhat crowded.

Suddenly, a little boy ran up from behind and bumped into her. Lacking energy, Chen Yage lost her balance and fell to the ground.

From afar, a carriage sped toward her. The crowd parted swiftly, opening a wide path, yet Chen Yage remained where she had fallen. The carriage drew closer, and with it the breath of death. Yet Chen Yage had no desire to get up, as if this could be an ending—a return to her true home, perhaps.

“Whoa!” At a shout, the carriage reined in just a hair’s breadth from her, and at some point, You Huan had darted out to shield her.

“What are you doing? Looking to die?” You Huan asked in exasperation.

“Sister Yage, are you all right? You scared me so much.” Dujuan clung tightly to Chen Yage, helping her up. Chen Yage managed a bitter smile. Was this fate? Did heaven truly want her to live on? If so, she would do so—and treat this as a rebirth.

“Clear the way!” The coachman was Wang Qingtian, and there was no need to guess that the passenger inside was Wang Zhiguo. Wang Zhiguo lifted the curtain and, seeing Chen Yage’s poor state, smiled—a cold, chilling smile.

Chen Yage stepped aside. “Why are you out here?”

Dujuan answered, “I asked to go out for some air, and Father agreed. Young Master You was still at our house, so I asked him to accompany me.”

At the mention of You Huan, Dujuan beamed. Something felt off to Chen Yage; glancing at You Huan, she saw his face flush red as a monkey’s.

Could it be that Dujuan was falling for You Huan? Chen Yage wondered, but said nothing. It was not a bad thing—she knew You Huan well, and if he could care for Dujuan, she would feel at ease.

After a brief silence, Chen Yage suddenly clapped You Huan on the shoulder, startling him.

“Take good care of Dujuan. If you ever mistreat her, I won’t let you off lightly.”

“Don’t worry, Sister Yage. Young Master You treats me very well. He’d never bully me!” Dujuan said sweetly. But You Huan caught the unspoken meaning in Chen Yage’s words and tried to protest, “There’s nothing between me and Dujuan…”

“That’s not important,” Chen Yage interrupted, cutting him off. “Just take care of Dujuan for me, as a favor. You’ve helped me before—what’s one more time?”

You Huan nodded, then shook his head.

Chen Yage went up and hugged Dujuan, then turned and left without looking back. She had nowhere to go, but neither could she stay.

Should she travel to Chang’an, or to Jiangnan? She was torn between these two places. Chang’an was the brightest pearl of the Tang Dynasty, but Jiangnan, shrouded in misty rain, had always drawn her with its gentle beauty. Should she seek the bustling city, or a quiet, tranquil life?

Longing to see the rivers and mountains of the land, she decided to head to Chang’an first, and then to Jiangnan. With her mind made up, her spirits lifted.

After walking for the time it takes incense to burn, the crowds grew thinner and the street quieter. Sensing something amiss, Chen Yage stopped and turned back.

“Help! Help! Somebody help…” Cries came from a nearby alley. Chen Yage rushed in to see two middle-aged men harassing a young girl. The girl, terrified and in tears, looked utterly helpless as the two lecherous men tore at her dress.