Chapter 65: The Pain of Farewell

The wind howled as Qin Zhao returned home. Cao Xi was busy counting silver.

Qin Zhao, puzzled, asked, “Why are you counting the money again?”

“I’ve just become the top scholar,” Cao Xi replied. “I must stay in the capital for official duties. I’ll buy a small courtyard to live in, and it’s not appropriate to stay with Qi Qige any longer.”

After she spoke, there was silence. Cao Xi looked up to find Qin Zhao’s expression was downcast, his eyes slightly red, as if he had something to say but couldn’t bring himself to.

Cao Xi asked, “What happened?”

“The emperor has appointed me as the governor of Luzhou,” Qin Zhao said.

Cao Xi was shocked. Luzhou was in turmoil due to foreign invasions, and the people there were in a state of fear and chaos. How could someone who had just entered the official ranks be sent there?

After regaining his composure, Cao Xi pretended not to care and continued counting the money.

“If you’re going, then I’m going with you. The capital is full of intrigues, and I don’t want to stay here alone,” Cao Xi added.

Qin Zhao embraced Cao Xi. “I’ve just become the top scholar. I didn’t expect to be thrust into such responsibilities. Who could have predicted this?”

---

A month later, Qin Zhao and Cao Xi prepared to set off for Luzhou.

Luzhou was near Qizhou, and Qin Zhao decided to stay in Qizhou for a few days before heading to Luzhou.

Meanwhile, Qi Qige was reporting to the Ministry of Rites, marking their true separation.

“I’ll make sure to send news from Luxiang Garden to Luzhou,” Qi Qige said.

Although Qi Qige had businesses scattered across different places, he was cautious about Luzhou due to its remote location and the constant threat of foreign invasion. He didn’t want to take unnecessary risks.

Qin Zhao responded, “Let me first understand the situation in Luzhou, and then it won’t be too late to act.”

The previous governor of Luzhou had died in the war, and the city was likely in a state of ruin.

With a frown, Qin Zhao cautioned, “The local authorities have their own factions. Be careful not to get involved. They don’t know your true identity, and we should avoid making waves. Don’t align with anyone easily. It’s better to keep a low profile.”

Qi Qige responded, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll stay out of their way, even if I’m far from the action.”

He didn’t want to part with Qin Zhao, but he knew he had to.

Qin Zhao reassured him, “Once everything is settled, I’ll send word to you.”

Qi Qige nodded. “I hope everything goes smoothly for you.”

Before leaving, Qi Qige gave Cao Xi the profits from the month, including earnings from Luxiang Garden and his other ventures.

Cao Xi asked, “Is this all?”

Qi Qige nodded. “It’s a rough road ahead, especially with the high prices in Luzhou. You should prepare well.”

Cao Xi took a portion of the remaining money and handed it back to Qi Qige.

“I know you’re worried about us,” Cao Xi said. “But we won’t keep this money. Since you’ll be in the capital, make sure you take care of yourself. Don’t get too busy to even eat.”

Qi Qige’s nose tingled, and he lowered his head to hide his emotions. After a long pause, he forced a grin and said, “Why worry about me? The world is bustling; I won’t starve.”

There were no more words, and no matter how long the farewell, there would eventually be separation. The three of them waved goodbye.

The old marquis, Xu Mao, hurriedly arrived.

Qin Zhao and Cao Xi got out of the carriage to greet him. “Your Excellency, we pay our respects,” Qin Zhao said.

Xu Mao stepped forward to support Qin Zhao. “Hurry, the road ahead is long. Be sure to stay safe.”

Qin Zhao replied, “I will not disappoint the emperor’s trust and will do my best to govern Luzhou.”

Xu Mao patted Qin Zhao’s shoulder. “I believe in you.”

When their conversation was nearly over, the old marquis took a bronze medal from his waist and handed it to Qin Zhao.

“If you encounter danger in Luzhou, use this token to contact the Luzhou Military Command. Find General Zhang Meng, he is my grandson,” Xu Mao explained.

Qin Zhao accepted the token with both hands and placed it in his chest. “Thank you, my master. Please don’t trouble yourself.”

The old marquis gave him a stern look. “What are you talking about? You are like a younger brother to me.”

Seeing Qin Zhao’s expression soften, Xu Mao urged, “The weather is still bright. Leave now, and try to reach the inn before nightfall.”

Qin Zhao bowed to Cao Xi, and they said their final goodbyes. The carriage rocked as it headed towards Luzhou.

…

As the bustling city slowly faded from view, the fertile fields and mountains began to dominate the horizon.

“Should we sell the house in Qizhou?” Cao Xi asked, resting her head on Qin Zhao’s shoulder. Their fingers were intertwined, and her mood was somewhat low.

“Let’s keep it. Qizhou is not far from Luzhou, and we can return whenever we need,” Qin Zhao replied.

Qin Zhao had previously lived in the house with the governor of Qizhou, and it carried many memories. He wasn’t ready to part with it.

Cao Xi brightened up when she heard they could return to the house later. She straightened up, her eyes sparkling with joy, and looked at Qin Zhao.

“If it stays empty, it will decay. Maybe we should find someone to look after it?” Cao Xi suggested.

Qin Zhao chuckled, pinching her nose gently. “You want to buy an old person to take care of the house?”

Cao Xi pouted but then smiled. The long journey didn’t feel as hard anymore.

They arrived at the inn just as the sun was setting. The carriage driver, a man named Ban Li, had been sent by Qi Qige.

“Master, Madam, we have arrived at the inn,” Ban Li called out.

Without waiting for a response, Qin Zhao opened the carriage door. At the inn, staff had already noticed the arrival of a carriage and rushed over.

Qin Zhao handed the official letter to the inn manager to confirm their identities. Only then did the manager show them to their room.

There was a knock on the door, and the servant outside inquired, “The meal is ready. Would you prefer to eat in your room or in the dining hall?”

While Qin Zhao and Cao Xi were organizing their belongings, Cao Xi answered, “Please bring the food to our room.”

Soon, the servant entered with a tray and served the meal.

Cao Xi enjoyed the pork ribs and praised, “It’s delicious, this inn’s food is quite good.”

Qin Zhao smiled and helped her with another piece of rib. “It’s not bad, is it?”

“Hehe, it’s just that I’ve gotten used to it,” Cao Xi chuckled.

She took the piece of rib Qin Zhao had picked for her, and it tasted even better.

After a night’s rest, the three of them had breakfast together before continuing their journey.

…

Meanwhile, in Qizhou City, Governor Cui was stunned when he received an imperial decree. The emperor, sending orders from afar, scolded him for poor governance. Governor Cui couldn’t understand and initially told his wife not to go out. He wrote a letter to his friends in the capital to inquire about the emperor’s message.

The news soon reached him: The newly appointed top scholar, Qin Zhao, had accused Cui’s wife of coercing his wife into a divorce and even threatening to have her remarried.

The emperor was furious upon hearing this and issued a special order demanding that Governor Cui reform the atmosphere in his household. If any similar incidents occurred, he would be dismissed from office and never allowed to hold a position again.

After learning the full story, Governor Cui was livid, his face turning pale. He took the imperial decree and the letter and went straight to confront his wife.

“This… this is all because of you!” he yelled.

Cui’s wife was confused. She had been confined to her room for days and, now that Governor Cui was blaming her without distinguishing right from wrong, it only made things worse.

She angrily threw down the embroidery she had been working on, eyes wide, and asked, “What’s this about?”

“What’s this about? This is all your doing!” Governor Cui replied.

He handed her the imperial decree and the letter. Cui’s wife turned pale as she trembled while holding the letter.

She quickly grabbed his sleeve in panic.

“I didn’t know things would escalate like this. Who could have guessed that the young scholar would actually become the top scholar?” she said, still furious at Qin Zhao.

Fearful that the emperor might actually remove Cui from office, she hesitated, struggling with her pride. After a while, she sighed and said, “I’ll go apologize to him. That should solve things and not affect your career.”

“But things are already out of hand. A simple apology may not be enough. What’s more, you should not act recklessly,” Governor Cui cautioned.

He picked up the discarded embroidery. “Qin Zhao has been appointed as the governor of Luzhou, and we can’t go back now. Don’t worry, the apology is more for the emperor’s sake. No matter how much we hate him, we’ll have to endure it.”

“Fine. Since it concerns your career, I won’t act rashly.”

As Qin Zhao was heading to Luzhou, he would inevitably pass through Qizhou.

Governor Cui ordered his men to lie in wait outside the city gate. As soon as they saw Qin Zhao, they were to notify him immediately, without delay.