Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 788 Revisiting Cloud Mist Mountain

It didn't take long to pick up Guo Qingxue. The two returned to their residence in Mo City just as night fell. The pregnant princess greeted them upon their arrival before going to wash up and rest.

As the baby's belly grew bigger, the little princess seemed to be getting sleepier, perhaps influenced by Chen Xuan. However, this sleepiness mostly occurred at night, and she was still full of energy during the day.

They had only been separated for a day, but everyone knew that Guo Qingxue was going to leave with them this time, leaving the place where she was born and raised. So they were all extra considerate of her feelings, chatting about happy things and never mentioning anything that would affect her mood.

Guo Qingxue, who had already become one of the group, quickly overcame her complicated feelings about leaving home in this atmosphere. She was going to be with the man she had entrusted her life to, and her parents supported and blessed her. It wasn't like she couldn't go back; it was just a temporary separation. She felt only a little bittersweet, but mostly happy.

From now on, we'll all be family. Everyone is treating me very well, so Guo Qingxue naturally won't let her emotions affect others.

After a pleasant conversation, as night deepened, everyone went to rest, leaving Chen Xuan and Guo Qingxue alone as if by prior arrangement.

Seeing that Guo Qingxue still seemed a little reluctant to leave, Chen Xuan stood up and said with a smile, "Xiaoxue, let's go. I'll take you to your room to rest. Let's stay here for the night, and we'll head home tomorrow."

Brother Chen said he would take me home, to that courtyard in Huiyang County, which would be my home from now on.

With anticipation and longing for the future, Guo Qingxue nodded happily and said, "Mmm."

A room had already been prepared for her in advance; it was a wing room on the left side of the first floor of the small building.

Chen Xuan and his group were much larger this time, unlike before when there were only five or six of them with Xiao Gao and his group. As a result, the rooms were a bit cramped, and some of the palace maids and eunuchs were arranged to stay outside.

As she walked towards her room, Guo Qingxue's heart inexplicably raced. Her ears flushed slightly in the dim light, and she felt somewhat lost. Brother Chen was right beside her; she would be living with him from now on. What would he do to her…?

If Brother Chen wants to do something to me, he won't run away like last time. Actually, I'm quite looking forward to it.

The thought popped into her mind, and Guo Qingxue's heart beat even faster, her breathing becoming heavier without her even realizing it.

Upon reaching the door, Chen Xuan stopped and opened it for her, saying, "Xiaoxue, make do for the night and get some rest. We have to travel early tomorrow morning."

"Brother Chen, you should get some rest too," Guo Qingxue nodded and smiled, secretly relieved, but she felt inexplicably disappointed. She pursed her lips and looked at Chen Xuan with her big, watery eyes, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Knowing roughly what she was thinking, Chen Xuan reached out and stroked her head. Her soft hair carried a faint floral scent. He smiled gently and said, "Don't overthink it. Go to sleep. Xue'er is so beautiful, even if I were to eat you, I'd have to pick a good day. Otherwise, it would be too much of a spoilsport and an injustice to you."

Her cheeks flushed, and Guo Qingxue lightly stamped her foot, saying, "I know, Brother Chen, you just like to bully me."

Where can you be so direct? It's so embarrassing! How am I, a girl, supposed to respond?

"Go on, sweet dreams," Chen Xuan patted her shoulder and turned to go upstairs to rest.

But Guo Qingxue stepped forward and gently hugged him from behind. He paused, and Guo Qingxue's muffled voice, filled with trepidation and nervousness, said, "Brother Chen, I... I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to hug you."

It's understandable that she's a girl who's going to follow him, and she's a little hesitant, since he'll be her only support from now on. She's instinctively reluctant to part with him, and Chen Xuan understands that feeling.

So he turned slightly, looked at her beautiful face filled with reluctance, and decisively lowered his head to kiss her. She glared at him slightly, then closed her eyes and went limp in Chen Xuan's arms.

Chen Xuan only looked up when her cheeks were flushed and she was having trouble breathing, giving her a half-smile.

"I...I'm going to rest," Guo Qingxue said, her gaze wandering. She gently broke free from Chen Xuan's embrace, went into the house, and closed the door in one smooth motion. Leaning against the door, she breathed heavily, her delicate body still a little weak. She subconsciously licked her lips, as if savoring the taste of Brother Chen.

She raised her hand to cover her burning face, then buried her face in the bed and covered herself with the blanket, wriggling around like a silkworm.

Seeing the door close, Chen Xuan went upstairs to rest, to his wife's room. He hadn't slept with his wife in his arms for several days, so it would be a good opportunity for Du Juan and the others to relax...

The next morning, as the sun rose above the treetops, everyone was already packed and ready to go. Having already said their goodbyes, they didn't go to say goodbye to Lao Gao and the others.

Looking at the locked courtyard again, knowing he might not be back for a while, Chen Xuan didn't feel particularly reluctant. He turned back and called out, "Let's go, let's set off."

Just then, a calm and familiar voice came from behind, as natural as ever, "Good morning, Brother Chen."

Turning back to look at the Xiao Miao siblings walking side by side, Chen Xuan waved and said, "Xiao Miao, Fu Gui, good morning."

In the morning light, Xiao Miao wore a pretty little dress, and Fu Gui, unusually, wore long sleeves and trousers, carrying a large toolbox on his back.

Xiao Miao stepped forward with light steps and smiled, "Brother Chen, you're going back today, right? Fu Gui and I will see you off, okay? It won't take up any of your time. We already arranged with the shop yesterday that we'd come back right after we drop you off."

Faced with her seemingly calm yet deeply reluctant gaze, Chen Xuan did not refuse, but smiled and nodded: "Okay."

Soon everyone got into the car, and the convoy slowly started and left the courtyard. They chatted and laughed all the way, without much sadness about parting.

Once they exited the south gate of Mo City, the convoy slowed down. Chen Xuan patted Xiao Miao on the head and said, "Alright, that's enough for now. The journey back is still quite long."

Forcing a smile, Xiao Miao grabbed Chen Xuan's hand and pleaded, "Just one more line, please, Brother Chen?"

Rather than pleading, Chen Xuan sighed inwardly and nodded, saying, "Alright, alright, I really can't do anything with you."

Then they escorted him for another seven or eight li, all the way to Baliting, the place where Chen Xuan and his classmates saw them off when they graduated and returned home.

Once they arrived, Xiao Miao knew that no matter how much she pleaded, it wouldn't work. So she got off at the roadside and, still trying her best to wave goodbye casually, said, "Brother Chen, this is where I'll take you. Take care on your journey."

"Okay, Xiao Miao, you guys go back now. Be careful. If you need anything, write to Brother Chen. If you want to come visit, I'll come pick you up as soon as I receive your letter," Chen Xuan said casually. At this moment, any hint of reluctance would make people incredibly sad.

In this world, travel is difficult and carriages are slow; meeting is difficult and parting is even more so.

Watching the convoy slowly depart, Xiao Miao forced a smile, revealing a few pearly white teeth as she gently bit her lip to hide her sadness. Suddenly remembering something, she quickly lifted her skirt and stepped forward, waving and calling out, "Brother Chen, wait!"

"What's wrong, Xiao Miao?" Chen Xuan gestured for the carriage to slow down and asked, puzzled.

Xiao Miao caught up, panting slightly, and said to Fu Gui, who was grinning blankly beside her, "Fu Gui, hurry up and take the things out." "Oh," Fu Gui scratched his head, put down the toolbox on his back, and then took out an exquisite food box from it.

Carrying a nine-layered, obviously heavy food box, Xiao Miao stepped forward and handed it to Chen Xuan, saying, "Brother Chen, these are some snacks I made. Take them and eat them on the road. Don't mind them."

She had spent the entire night making this, and she still had dark circles under her eyes. Chen Xuan took a deep breath and casually accepted it with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Xiao Miao. Well then, Brother Chen won't be polite. Go back now."

"Yes," Xiao Miao nodded emphatically, but remained standing there without moving.

Looking up slightly to avoid looking at her, Chen Xuan smiled at Fugui and said, "Fugui, let's go back now. Take your sister back quickly, and be sure to protect her well. Next time we meet, Brother Chen will bring you candy. Don't neglect your kung fu either; I'll be checking."

"Okay," Fugui grinned, completely oblivious to the sadness of parting.

Chen Xuan waved again, signaling the carriage to speed up. He thought to himself that the weather was dry and the dust on the official road was so thick that bricks almost got into his eyes.

"Goodbye, little seedling, remember to be happy!"

After saying that, Chen Xuan smiled, then resolutely lowered the curtain. Separated by the curtain, he could no longer smile. He was by no means a sentimental person, but the taste of parting was truly unbearable.

Watching the departing carriage, Xiao Miao raised her arm, waved, and shouted, "Goodbye, Brother Chen! Have a safe journey!"

"I know, I definitely will," came Chen Xuan's relaxed voice from inside the carriage.

Dust billowed as the convoy drove further and further away. Xiao Miao could no longer maintain her smile; her eyes reddened and tears streamed down her face. She bit her lip to stifle a sob, and instinctively took steps to chase after them, calling out, "Brother Chen, take care..."

When the carriage was no longer in sight, she staggered and squatted by the roadside, sobbing softly, like a helpless child who couldn't find her mother.

Fugui stayed by her side like a wooden pillar, understanding nothing, just silently accompanying her, occasionally tilting his head and blinking, without even offering any comfort.

After a while, Xiao Miao got up, wiped away her tears, and gazed in the direction Chen Xuan and the others had left. Her vision was a little blurry. She opened her mouth, then turned to Fu Gui and said dejectedly, "Fu Gui, let's go back."

“Yes, sister, let’s go home,” Fugui said with a silly grin.

"Fool, blockhead, blockhead, carefree, that's good. Sometimes I really wish I could switch places with you..."

The atmosphere in the car was somewhat oppressive. The women looked at Chen Xuan with concern, hesitant to speak. They knew that Chen Xuan was in a bad mood and did not know how to comfort him.

Actually, they were also very reluctant to part with them and liked the Xiao Miao siblings very much, but in the end, they didn't have the same deep bond as Chen Xuan and the siblings. After all, to some extent, Chen Xuan and the Xiao Miao siblings grew up together.

Chen Xuan chuckled, then shrugged at them speechlessly and said, "Why are you all looking at me like that? Don't you think I'm sad? You're overthinking it. With my abilities, I can travel anywhere in the world in a flash, like visiting a neighbor. What's there to be sad about?"

“Yes, yes, my husband is right. Tomorrow morning, you should go to Xiao Miao’s house and say you’re hungry and want to eat. Make her busy and give them a surprise,” the little princess teased, following his lead.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan stroked his chin, thought seriously for a moment, and nodded, saying, "That's good, it'll give them a fright."

"And another thing, how about when we get back, Master can take Xiaomiao and Fugui home secretly when he has some free time? That would be such a pleasant surprise when they wake up," the little maid suggested to Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan rested his head on Yunlan's lap, his eyes lighting up: "I must say, the Soft Armor idea is pretty good."

Guo Qingxue thought for a moment, then knelt down and pressed Chen Xuan back, continuing to offer suggestions: "We could also sneak Xiao Miao and the others to the capital. Last time Brother Chen got married, it was too short, and there were many places we didn't get to visit."

They were all trying to help Chen Xuan ease his mood, which made Chen Xuan both amused and exasperated. Actually, there was no need for that; he was such a carefree person, not at all sentimental.

Chatting and laughing, they headed south on their return journey. Chen Xuan also opened his senses to keep an eye on the movements of Xiao Miao and her brother until they safely returned to Mo City and gradually left the range of his senses before withdrawing his attention.

His gaze fell on the food box beside him, and he rose from the throng of women around him, saying, "Look what snacks Xiao Miao has made for us. Hmm, they look quite delicious."

This generously sized food box has nine layers and was definitely made by Xiaomiao herself. It has an exquisite design and beautiful appearance, with each layer filled with different pastries, such as osmanthus cake, mung bean cake, lotus cake, and glutinous rice balls...

Picking up a piece of sweet osmanthus cake, Chen Xuan took a bite and chewed gently. His eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on his lips as he exclaimed with delight, "Delicious! You should all try Xiao Miao's cooking!"

"Of course we have to try it! Xiao Miao gave it to us, so we get some too!" the little girl said impatiently.

Everyone happily enjoyed the pastries made by Xiao Miao. Chen Xuan smiled, but there wasn't much joy in his eyes. He felt a pang of heartache, as if he could see Xiao Miao's figure, who had been busy all night.

Although Mo City was large, it was still within Chen Xuan's perception range. He knew that Xiao Miao hadn't slept all night and had stayed up until dawn to appear just in time to leave, fearing that he would miss seeing her off.

The pastries were really sweet; every flavor was a testament to Xiao Miao's love. Chen Xuan ate them slowly, savoring each bite carefully...

Chen Xuan's self-regulation ability is probably unmatched by many. He has always been carefree and recovered from the separation in no time, as can be seen from his mischievous teasing of Du Juan and the others.

A few days later, they had completely left Mo City and arrived at Cloud Mist Mountain, which they had passed through twice before. Chen Xuan told the little princess and the others the story that happened here back then, and that the bowstring, one of the main materials for the Mo Feather Bow kept at home, came from here.

Many years later, Yunwu Mountain remains the same as before. Even after a prolonged drought, the mountain range is still shrouded in thick fog every day, with limited visibility even at noon.

The difference is that the giant python that once posed a threat is no longer here. However, pedestrians and caravans still cannot pass normally and need to travel in groups to get through, all because a group of bandits has appeared in the misty mountains and robbed travelers.

Xia Mei was the first to learn of this news. As she was in charge of all the affairs, big and small, she naturally paid attention to the situation along the way.

However, Chen Xuan and his group were not afraid at all and swaggered into the mountains.

After setting foot in the Cloud Mist Mountain area, Xia Mei looked around and then reported to Chen Xuan thoughtfully, "Master, I feel that the environment of Cloud Mist Mountain is somewhat familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I dare to ask if you could enlighten me?"

Chen Xuan, who hadn't initially paid much attention, paused to listen and said, "Aunt Mei, there's no need to be so polite. To be honest, I've passed by here twice without really observing, but Aunt Mei's reminder has actually made some discoveries. There might even be some unexpected gains. I'll keep a closer look."

...(End of this chapter)