CH 41

Ah Qin did not lie to her

Amid the bitter cold weather, the horse charged through the snow.

Murong Yan clung firmly to the reins and snuggled the little tiger cub in her arms to keep warm.

Her teeth chattered uncontrollably, making it unclear whether it was due to the harsh winter or the icy chill within her heart.

Her thoughts felt frozen, and only one voice resounded in her mind.

Ah Qin, Ah Qin.

I don’t want to go alone!

I don’t want you to stay alone either!

I’m not afraid, I’m really not afraid.

I would rather die together with you, accompany you, than be separated from you.

Overwhelmed by sorrow, Murong Yan tried to cry out, but the weight of her grief choked her voice and no sound could escape her throat.

Despite the pursuing soldiers behind them, she found solace in Ah Qin’s embrace and no longer feared for their safety.

Previously, the thought of death had never stirred any emotional response from Murong Yan.

However, when she saw her blood-stained hands and heard Ming Qin express her willingness to sacrifice herself to stop the enemy, Murong Yan felt an unprecedented sense of fear.

The pain in her heart became unbearable, as if it would shatter her apart.

She had a strong urge to stop, to turn back and seek refuge in that warm embrace.

If only she could close her eyes and find comfort there, she would gladly do so.

Despite this, Murong Yan’s grip on the reins remained firm, hesitant to make any sudden moves.

Listen to me, Yan Yan.

Listen.

A gentle yet commanding voice echoed in Murong Yan’s mind, seemingly aware of her inner turmoil and calming her fragile consciousness that threatened to collapse repeatedly.

Despite her reservations, she knew she had to keep moving forward.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the horse grew too tired to maintain its gallop and could only manage a brisk walk through the heavy snow.

The long journey had drained Murong Yan’s limited physical strength, causing her to shiver and struggle to maintain her balance by tightly clutching the horse’s belly with her thighs.

However, her weakened body could not keep up with her determination.

No matter how tightly she gripped the reins, her body still involuntarily leaned to the left.

I can’t do it, Ah Qin.

See!

Without you behind me, I can’t even ride a horse properly.

Without you by my side, I am nothing.

So be it, Ah Qin.

So be it.

Releasing the stiff grip on the reins, Murong Yan shut her eyes and braced for the sensation of weightlessness as she teetered on the edge of falling from the horse.

However, the expected impact and pain did not come. Instead, a force on her right leg kept her posture fixed, preventing her from tumbling off.

Turning her gaze to her right leg, Murong Yan saw that Ming Qin had expertly fastened her prosthetic limb to the stirrup with a black hair tie, making it impossible for her to slip off or free herself from the stirrup.

Even in this precarious moment, Murong Yan couldn’t help but cover her face and smile at the sight of her securely bound right leg.

It’s alwalys like this.

Ah Qin, she’s always like this.

She was always there, like a safety net, ready to catch her as she teetered on the brink of despair, on the verge of hitting rock bottom.

So gentle yet so dominant.

How can she not listen to her?

What other choice does she have?

Warm tears trickle through her fingers.

From within the folds of the robe, a furry head emerged, gazing up at Murong Yan with bright eyes as she laughed and cried. Little Tiger’s rough tongue tenderly licked away her tears, emitting a soft whine from its throat as if trying to comfort its beloved owner and urge her not to cry any longer.

As she looked at the wild creature, who bore a striking resemblance to its owner, Murong Yan lowered her head and planted a gentle kiss on its head.

Ah Qin did not lie to her.

Ah Qin was right, she could always tell if Ah Qin was lying or not.

No matter the expression, tone, or body language, any trace of hesitation, she could detect it.

But this time, Ah Qin said to her that she wouldn’t die.

She wasn’t lying.

Murong Yan wanted to believe her.

The tears had dried up, leaving only traces of them.

With a strong will, the woman grasped the reins again and rode northward on her horse.

Murong Yan, who had fallen unconscious due to exhaustion while riding, woke up to find herself in a cozy bed.

The luxurious sheets and tasteful decor of the room were a stark contrast to the rough and humble conditions she had been living in for the past two months.

As she surveyed her surroundings, Murong Yan couldn’t help but feel a sense of unfamiliarity. When she checked her attire, she found that her peasant clothes had been replaced with fine silk garments, befitting her noble status. She realized someone had helped her change, but she couldn’t find any traces of Ming Qin’s belongings.

Sensing a sudden urgency, Murong Yan tried to stand up but fell to the ground since she wasn’t wearing her prosthetic limb.

The loud thud drew a woman’s cry from outside the door, and a kindly-looking woman in her sixties hurried into the room to help Murong Yan up.

“Wait!” Murong Yan’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the approaching person. “Who are you?”

The woman stopped in her tracks and immediately bowed in respect. “Greetings, Princess Chongwen. I am Hu Xianghe, wife of the magistrate of Qingzhou. My husband entrusted me to take care of you.”

“I’m in Qingzhou already?” Murong Yan tried to sit up with the help of the bed board, her eyes still cautious.

“Yes, Princess. You arrived two days ago,” replied Hu Xianghe, still bowing respectfully. “My husband and I were instructed to inform you that Prince Yu has been notified and is awaiting your reunion once you are ready.”

Hu Xianghe’s words did not affect Murong Yan in any way. She sat back against the headboard with a cold expression and asked, “Where are my belongings?”

The elderly woman retrieved a wooden box from the wall corner and handed it over to Murong Yan, who immediately began rummaging through its contents. As she clutched the black hair tie, she tried to hold back her emotions, which threatened to overwhelm her. After confirming that the other items were still intact, including an oiled paper package, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“What happened to my little tiger?” Murong Yan asked, looking up at Hu Xianghe, who was standing guard next to her. “My husband was concerned that the wild animal would pose a threat to the princess’s safety, so he ordered for it to be locked up,” Hu Xianghe replied, hesitating briefly before answering, “It has attacked several people.”

When Su Wen and his servants discovered Murong Yan unconscious, they attempted to release her and take her back to Su Wen’s estate for recovery.

However, the little beast in the princess’s arms leaped off the horse and began growling and showing its little teeth and claws, trying to defend the princess from the approaching servants.

As the servants carried away the princess, the little tiger ignored the restraints on its body and charged towards Murong Yan. Helpless, Su Wen had no choice but to order his men to lock up the creature in an iron cage.

With an unwavering voice, Murong Yan demanded, “That is my tiger. Return it to me.”

Hu Xianghe bowed in response and left the room to give orders to the servants.

By the time the little tiger was brought back on a leash, Murong Yan had already fitted herself with her prosthetic limb.

As soon as the fluffy creature saw its beloved owner, it lifted its head and let out a pitiful howl, struggling to break free from the servant holding it and running towards Murong Yan.

The little beast gently licked Murong Yan’s cheek, as if to confirm that the woman it was tasked with protecting was secure.

“Please inform Su Wen that I am prepared to meet Prince Yu,” Murong Yan said, gathering her composure and addressing Hu Xianghe with the poise and dignity expected of a princess.

“We should leave without delay.”