Chapter 41: Farewell

Li Feng ultimately decided to travel with the group of Western Region merchants. Before leaving, he made a special trip to bid farewell to Cao Xi.

There was a complex emotion in Li Feng’s eyes that Cao Xi couldn’t quite decipher. After standing in silence for a long time, Li Feng finally took out a stack of papers from his pocket.

“These are the deeds for my shop and house. I’m leaving them with you for safekeeping. If I don’t return… then these will be yours.”

Cao Xi was startled by the almost testament-like farewell and immediately spat twice in protest.

“Don’t say such unlucky things! This trip of yours will go smoothly, trust me.”

Li Feng gave a bitter smile. “I’ve never been particularly lucky, but I’ll take your good wishes to heart.”

Cao Xi asked, “When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow afternoon,” Li Feng replied with a smile as he looked at her, as if trying to etch her image into his memory.

Cao Xi, infected by his melancholy mood, found her heart sinking as well. Even after Li Feng had left, she remained in a daze for a long time.

Sitting absentmindedly under the jujube tree, she eventually rushed into Qin Zhao’s room, grabbed a brush, and began sketching on paper.

When Qin Zhao returned from his errands, he searched the courtyard for Cao Xi but couldn’t find her. Finally, he discovered her in her room, engrossed in drawing something. Her small face was smudged with ink, but her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Qin Zhao approached her, breaking her concentration. It was then she realized she had even forgotten to cook dinner.

“What are you doing?” Qin Zhao asked curiously, noticing her animated demeanor. He wondered what new idea she had come up with this time.

Cao Xi, intrigued by his interest, raised the paper in her hand and handed it to him. “Look, how’s this design for a protective visor?”

The paper depicted a circular object with some protruding features, somewhat similar to the armor worn by city guards, but simpler and more streamlined.

“What’s the point of drawing this?” Qin Zhao asked, puzzled. It seemed completely unrelated to their daily lives.

Cao Xi explained, “Li Feng is heading to the Western Regions tomorrow. He left all his assets with us.”

Qin Zhao frowned deeply. “What’s he thinking? Leaving his belongings with you instead of someone more reliable?”

Li Feng’s actions were indeed frustrating.

“What’s even scarier is that he said if he doesn’t come back, these things will belong to us.”

This infuriated Qin Zhao further. “What a scoundrel! Leaving us with this burden as if we’re his caretakers. Tomorrow, I’m sending everything back to him.”

Seeing his anger, Cao Xi quickly tried to placate him. “He’s probably worried. After all, he’s worked hard for years to save up this much. Given how Autumn Chrysanthemum isn’t very easy to deal with, he likely feared his property wouldn’t be safe if he were gone. That’s why he entrusted it to us. Besides, it’s not just a matter of trust—it’s probably his only choice. You’re a scholar, and your status offers a level of security. It’s not a bad deal for him.”

Qin Zhao’s fiery temper cooled a bit after hearing her analysis. Though he was still annoyed, he couldn’t refute her reasoning.

“And what does that have to do with you designing this?” Qin Zhao shifted the topic back to her earlier drawings.

Cao Xi replied, “There are lots of bandits on the road to the Western Regions. I thought I’d make him a protective visor. It might offer him a bit of safety.”

Qin Zhao abruptly stood up, his face full of jealousy. “You care about him that much? You even went so far as to design a protective visor for him?”

The thought of Cao Xi putting so much effort into something for Li Feng made Qin Zhao’s chest tighten with jealousy. He wished Li Feng would simply never return from the Western Regions.

Cao Xi massaged her temples, knowing that Qin Zhao always became unreasonable when it came to matters involving Li Feng.

“Don’t be so petty. You call yourself a friend, but this is the least I can do to help him.”

Qin Zhao huffed and stopped arguing, though his jealousy lingered. Despite his feelings, he eventually conceded, “What do you need? I’ll help you with it.”

Cao Xi smiled. “We’ll need to take the design to the blacksmith tomorrow, choose a good piece of iron, and make it. Then we’ll need a strap to secure it.”

“Give it to me. I’ll take it to the blacksmith tomorrow. I’ll also find materials for the strap,” Qin Zhao said, taking the design plans and glaring at Cao Xi.

“This will count as my gift to him. Don’t interfere, got it?”

Faced with his sulking expression, Cao Xi couldn’t help but comply. After all, it was better for Qin Zhao to present it—it might even work out better this way.

Seeing her nod, Qin Zhao’s mood finally improved.

---

Before dawn the next day, Qi Qige was dragged out of bed by Qin Zhao. Groggy and irritated, she had no choice but to comply.

“What are you doing? Can’t you wait until the sun is up to talk?”

“I need a strap for a protective visor,” Qin Zhao replied.

That snapped Qi Qige awake. Her eyes widened in curiosity, and her gossip-loving heart lit up.

“What do you need that for? And for whom?”

“Why are you asking so many questions? Can you help or not?” Qin Zhao retorted, clearly irritated.

“Tsk, tsk, look at your attitude. Is that how you ask for help?”

Li Feng had finally decided to join the group of Western merchants for a journey. Before leaving, he came specifically to bid farewell to Cao Xi.

There was a mix of emotions in Li Feng’s eyes that Cao Xi couldn’t decipher. After a long silence, Li Feng pulled a stack of papers from his chest pocket.

“These are the deeds to my shop and house. I’ll leave them with you. If I return, I’ll reclaim them. But if I don’t… consider them yours.”

Startled by what felt like a will, Cao Xi quickly spat twice, dismissing the ominous words.

“Don’t say such unlucky things! You’ll definitely return safe and sound—believe me!”

Li Feng gave a bitter smile. “I’ve never been particularly lucky, but I’ll take your good wishes.”

“When are you leaving?” Cao Xi asked.

“Tomorrow afternoon,” Li Feng replied, gazing at her as if trying to etch her image into his heart.

Affected by Li Feng’s heavy mood, Cao Xi felt uneasy even after he left. She sat under the jujube tree in a daze for a long time before suddenly rushing to Qin Zhao’s room, grabbing a pen, and furiously sketching on some paper.

When Qin Zhao returned from his errands, he searched the courtyard but couldn’t find Cao Xi. Eventually, he discovered her in their room, deeply focused on her drawing. Ink smudged her small face, but her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“What are you doing?” Qin Zhao asked, intrigued by her bright expression. It seemed like she had come up with something new.

Cao Xi eagerly handed him the paper. “Look, I designed a protective eye shield. What do you think?”

The paper featured a circular design with protruding edges, reminiscent of the guards worn by city soldiers but much simpler.

“What’s this for?” Qin Zhao asked, confused by the relevance of such an item to their lives.

“Li Feng’s heading west tomorrow. He left all his property with us,” Cao Xi replied.

Qin Zhao’s brows knitted in displeasure. “Why would he do that? Why leave such important things with you instead of taking proper precautions?”

“And the scariest part? He said that if he doesn’t return, the property will be ours.”

This made Qin Zhao furious. “What a schemer! Leaving us with this burden while he goes gallivanting! Where are those papers? I’ll return them to him tomorrow!”

Seeing Qin Zhao’s anger, Cao Xi quickly soothed him. “Li Feng’s had it tough. He’s worked so hard for years to save up this bit of wealth. His wife, Qiu Ju, isn’t easy to deal with, so he probably fears losing his family assets while he’s gone. Leaving them with us might have been his only option. And honestly, it’s not a bad choice—after all, you’re a scholar. Your future official status and his property? It’s mutually beneficial.”

Qin Zhao’s temper cooled at Cao Xi’s interpretation. Still, he muttered unhappily, “And this design—what does it have to do with him?”

“I’m worried about bandits on his journey. This eye shield might offer him a bit of protection,” Cao Xi explained.

Qin Zhao jumped up, his eyes ablaze. “You’re thinking about him so much that you even designed this for him?!”

Overcome with jealousy, Qin Zhao felt his heart ache. He had just accused Li Feng of scheming against them, and now Cao Xi was thoughtfully crafting something for him. Qin Zhao couldn’t stand the idea of Li Feng returning from the West.

Cao Xi sighed. She knew Qin Zhao always became unreasonable when it came to Li Feng.

“Don’t be petty. It’s just a small gesture for a friend. This is the most I can do for him.”

With that, Qin Zhao reluctantly offered his help. “What do you need to make it? I’ll do it with you.”

Cao Xi smiled. “We need to get some good iron from the blacksmith and make a strap to secure it.”

“Give me the design. I’ll take it to the blacksmith tomorrow and find the materials for the strap myself.”

Before leaving, Qin Zhao sternly warned, “This gift will be from me. You stay out of it.”

Cao Xi shrugged and nodded. It was fine by her—after all, Qin Zhao giving the gift felt better anyway.

The next day before dawn, Qin Zhao dragged Qi Qige out of bed.

“Can’t you wait until morning?” Qi Qige grumbled, half-asleep and irritable.

“We’re getting materials for the strap,” Qin Zhao declared.

Dragged onto the empty streets, Qi Qige glared at him, clearly unhappy. “Where are we even going to buy anything this early?”

Realizing the shops were still closed, Qin Zhao awkwardly scratched his head.

“Wait here. Don’t wander off,” Qi Qige said, marching off.

Left alone, Qin Zhao found a breakfast stall and ordered two bowls of wontons and four meat buns.

When Qi Qige returned, he found Qin Zhao casually eating breakfast. Furious, he snatched a meat bun and took a ferocious bite.

“I’ve been running around for you, and you’re here feasting?”

Eventually, Qi Qige grudgingly accepted the wontons Qin Zhao offered and helped him gather the materials. But when they were halfway home, Qin Zhao dismissed him, saying he didn’t need further help.

Left fuming, Qi Qige muttered curses all the way to the academy.

Back home, Qin Zhao handed the materials to Cao Xi and instructed her to soak them before they started assembling the shield that night. He then rushed off to the academy, where Qi Qige ignored him all morning.

By evening, Qin Zhao returned with the finished eye shield. Qi Qige, still curious, asked, “Why are you making this?”

“Giving it to someone,” Qin Zhao replied through gritted teeth.

Under the jujube tree, Qi Qige carefully inspected the soaked materials as Cao Xi curiously asked, “Are you really making protective goggles?”

“Li Feng is heading to the Western Regions tomorrow afternoon. This is a gift for him,” Qin Zhao explained while bringing a chair for Qi Qige and motioning for him to sit.

Qi Qige muttered to himself, “He really could use a pair of protective goggles.”

The three of them worked together to secure the straps and attach them to the goggles. Holding the completed piece, Cao Xi compared it against Qin Zhao’s face, moving it back and forth as if assessing the fit. Qin Zhao frowned, clearly unwilling to cooperate.

To show appreciation for Qi Qige’s help, dinner was lavish, with the braised pork ribs stealing the spotlight. Qi Qige couldn’t stop praising them and even took two pieces home for breakfast the next day.

---

The next afternoon, Cao Xi and Qin Zhao left the city to see Li Feng off. Only a handful of people had gathered to bid him farewell. A small bundle hung from his back, and Qiu Ju stood by his side, her reluctance evident as though she had endless things left unsaid.

When Li Feng saw Cao Xi and Qin Zhao approaching, the dim light in his eyes instantly brightened. He quickly stepped forward, his tone unconsciously betraying his joy. “You came!”

“We knew you were leaving today, so we made something for you. Hopefully, it’ll come in handy,” Qin Zhao said, handing over the goggles and deliberately stepping between Li Feng and Cao Xi, clearly displeased with the way Li Feng was looking at Cao Xi.

“Protective goggles?” Li Feng’s hands trembled slightly as he took the gift, his gaze lingering on Cao Xi. He knew who had put thought into this gift—Qin Zhao wasn’t usually this considerate.

“Why are you staring? It’s from me!” Qin Zhao interjected, moving to block the view.

The childish display left everyone momentarily stunned. Cao Xi, exasperated, pushed Qin Zhao aside and explained, “Wear the goggles when no one’s around. Hopefully, they’ll keep you safe and help you return in one piece.”

Li Feng tightened his grip on the goggles and opened his mouth to speak, but Qiu Ju interrupted with a sharp tone. “Wow, how thoughtful of you to come all this way to give something to our Li Feng.”

She reached for the goggles in Li Feng’s hand, but he held on firmly, leaving her looking awkward. Retracting her hand, she shot a glare at Cao Xi, only to meet Qin Zhao’s cold gaze.

“If you have time to glare, go home and stare at your family’s cat instead. Don’t come out here embarrassing your man,” Qin Zhao snapped.

Flustered by his words, Qiu Ju quickly turned to look at Li Feng, but his expression was cold as frost. “You should head back,” he said flatly, his tone cutting.

Caught off guard, Qiu Ju froze for a moment. Though indignation flashed across her face, she didn’t dare express it. She had worked hard to persuade Li Feng to undertake this risky journey to the Western Regions, knowing it was an opportunity for immense profit—if he returned. But if he didn’t? Hmph! The thought brought a fleeting sinister gleam to her eyes, quickly replaced by a flattering smile.

“Take care of yourself, Li Feng. Don’t forget to think of me while you’re away,” she said, turning and leaving with exaggerated reluctance, glancing back every few steps.

Feeling the awkwardness, Cao Xi forced a smile and said, “Be careful on the road. If trouble arises, it’s better to lose money than your life. Avoid unnecessary confrontations.”

From a distance, someone signaled for Li Feng to join the departing group. He waved back at them. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. You should head back now. I need to go,” he said before running to the convoy.

Watching him leave, unsure of whether he would live or die, Qin Zhao’s mood turned somber. “Let’s go home,” he said quietly.

Cao Xi sighed. “Let’s go.”