Chapter 67: Encountering Huang Xinger

Cao Xi pointed to the wildflower patch in the distance. “Let’s pick some wildflowers and put them in the carriage.”

“Alright, I’ll carry them for you,” Qin Zhao said.

He crouched down beside Cao Xi, and she patted his back in confusion.

“What are you doing?”

Qin Zhao patted his shoulder, then turned to Cao Xi. “Hop on, I’ll carry you.”

Cao Xi pushed him away. “Stop messing around. This is no time for nonsense.”

Qin Zhao disagreed. “What’s wrong with carrying you? It’s just a short walk. What could go wrong in the wilderness? Why should you be afraid?”

“A few steps? I’ll walk,” Cao Xi said, then suddenly leaped and landed on Qin Zhao’s back.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pointed ahead. “Let’s charge into the wildflower patch!”

Qin Zhao gripped Cao Xi’s legs and, with a grin, called out, “Charge!”

Ban Li was stunned. Qin Zhao, the strict and upright governor, was carrying his wife to pick wildflowers? What a sight!

Ban Li untied the horse’s reins, led the horse, and took the water bag to the river to refill.

After Cao Xi and Qin Zhao finished picking flowers, they started heading back.

They heard Ban Li shout from afar, “Master, Madam, someone’s coming!”

Qin Zhao was puzzled. “Who?”

Ban Li, pulling the horse along in a hurry, ran back and explained while tying the reins.

“Master, there’s a young woman lying in the grass by the river, unconscious.”

“Is she breathing?” Cao Xi asked, quickly dropping the bouquet of flowers.

“She’s alive,” Ban Li confirmed.

Cao Xi looked at Qin Zhao. “Let’s go take a look.”

“Alright, we’ll go.”

Qin Zhao turned, and Ban Li led the way. The young woman, covered in mud, was lying unconscious in the grass, her face hidden by the foliage, making it impossible to see her features.

Cao Xi knelt beside her and checked for signs of life. The breathing was weak. She ordered Ban Li to get some water from the carriage.

Ban Li quickly returned with the water, handing it to Cao Xi.

“Cough, cough.”

Huang Xinger felt the water flow into her mouth and instinctively swallowed. As her awareness gradually returned, she realized she was being supported by a woman.

“Miss, you’re awake,” Cao Xi said, setting the water bag down.

“Thank you,” Huang Xinger murmured.

She tried to sit up but lacked strength and collapsed again.

Cao Xi held her gently. “Take it slow, miss. Why are you alone here, fainting in the grass?”

“I came from the capital to visit relatives. I stopped by the stream to drink some water and rest, but I must have fainted from exhaustion,” Huang Xinger explained, her pale face showing signs of embarrassment.

“Our carriage is not far away. Let me help you there, and we can get you something to eat.”

“Thank you, Madam.”

Cao Xi helped Huang Xinger, who swayed as they walked back to the carriage. She instructed Ban Li to bring some steamed buns and pickled vegetables.

“Eat half a bun first, and I’ll have them heat up some rice porridge for you.”

Huang Xinger’s eyes were slightly red as she accepted the bun. After a few bites, her strength slowly returned. She was hungry and faint from exhaustion, but she managed to keep a steady pace as she ate. She was clearly not from an ordinary family.

Ban Li brought over the hot rice porridge and handed it to Huang Xinger, then sat down nearby to listen to their conversation.

Huang Xinger drank the warm porridge and felt her strength return.

“Where are we?” she asked. They didn’t look like they were fleeing from danger.

Cao Xi replied, “Luzhou city.”

As soon as Cao Xi finished speaking, Huang Xinger suddenly stood up, swaying dangerously as if she might fall again.

“Don’t worry,” Cao Xi quickly supported her. “We’ve just experienced war, and the city is chaotic, but it’s still relatively safe.”

Cao Xi helped her sit down. “Are you from Luzhou city?”

“Yes, Luzhou was attacked by barbarians. My family was killed there,” Huang Xinger said.

Cao Xi didn’t know how to comfort her, but still squeezed out a few words. “My condolences.”

Huang Xinger replied, “Are you not afraid of us? You’ve saved my life, yet you are still in danger.”

Cao Xi smiled gently. “No, my husband is the new governor of Luzhou.”

Hearing Cao Xi refer to him as her husband, Qin Zhao straightened up and his eyes softened.

“You’re the new governor of Luzhou?” Huang Xinger exclaimed in surprise, and then tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“What happened?” Cao Xi asked in confusion. “Why are you crying all of a sudden?”

“My father was the previous governor of Luzhou. Months ago, barbarians attacked the city at night, and many people in the government office were killed. I survived only because I was at the village. I barely escaped with my life,” Huang Xinger explained, burying her face in her hands and sobbing.

Huang Xinger’s story struck a nerve. Some believed that after hearing about the sudden death of Governor Huang, they would eventually find out more details, especially since Luzhou had been attacked by barbarians. There had to be more to the story.

But the truth remained elusive. The mastermind behind it all had died in the chaos of war.

After hearing Huang Xinger’s story, Qin Zhao asked, “Didn’t the army stationed in Luzhou city do anything?”

“They tried, but it was too late. By the time General Zhang led his troops here, the barbarians had already left,” Huang Xinger replied, her sobs slowly fading.

Qin Zhao thought for a moment. “What are your plans now?”

“I’m going to the capital to seek refuge with my grandmother,” Huang Xinger answered.

Cao Xi sighed inwardly. “We’ll stop at a nearby inn to rest for the night, and you can continue your journey to the capital tomorrow. It’s not too late.”

Huang Xinger wiped away her tears. “No, I must reach the capital as soon as possible.”

Seeing that Huang Xinger had made up her mind, Cao Xi told Ban Li to bring her some food. She also handed Huang Xinger a bundle with fresh clothes.

Huang Xinger took the bundle, slung it over her back, and headed off toward the capital alone. As she walked away, her distant figure made Cao Xi feel like there was something else hidden in her story.

In the carriage, Qin Zhao held Cao Xi close.

“Cao Xi, I’m scared.”

“Are you afraid of the chaos in Luzhou? What are you worrying about?” Cao Xi was confused; why was Qin Zhao suddenly afraid?

“I don’t know if bringing you here was right or wrong. If you…”

Before Qin Zhao could finish, Cao Xi covered his mouth with her hand. She sat up straight, looking intently at Qin Zhao.

“夫妻一体 (A couple is one),” Cao Xi said seriously. “Don’t leave me. Even if I die, I will always be with you.”

Qin Zhao gazed at Cao Xi’s face, his eyes filled with depth. “Why are you so foolish?”

Cao Xi didn’t want to hear his words, so she wrapped her arms around Qin Zhao’s waist and laid her head on his chest.

“No one is invincible. Even if the barbarians are strong, they are still human. We’ll find a way. Luzhou will definitely have peace and stability.”

Qin Zhao hugged Cao Xi back and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He vowed to find the solution, so that Cao Xi would never have to worry again.

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Later, when Cao Xi and Qin Zhao arrived in Luzhou city, it was nearly evening.

At the city gates, soldiers were stationed to guard the entrance. They checked the identities of people entering and strictly inspected the vehicles. Today, Luzhou was like an iron fortress, and nothing could get through without scrutiny.

The soldiers stopped their carriage. “Please stop for inspection.”

Ban Li tightened the reins and turned to the carriage. “Master, the soldiers are checking the documents.”

Qin Zhao raised the curtain and handed over the official papers to the soldiers.

The soldier’s face remained serious as he carefully examined the documents. To prevent any issues, he quickly murmured something to a nearby soldier, and the soldier ran off.

Seeing the soldier’s repeated checks, Qin Zhao asked, “Is there a problem?”

“Please wait a moment,” the soldier said politely but continued holding the documents without returning them to Qin Zhao.

In less than half a tea’s worth of time, Qin Zhao saw someone walking toward him. The leader was a handsome, tall, and strong man who walked with a confident stride.

Zhang Meng received the papers from the soldier, glanced over them quickly, and immediately recognized that they were genuine.

He looked up at Qin Zhao, clicking his tongue in surprise. “You must be the new governor, Qin Zhao?”