Chapter 149: Departure
Looking at the complete supplies in the carriage, a song flashed through Jinsui’s mind: “I was once full of ambition, but returned with an empty bag.”
She gave a self-deprecating smile, at least my bag isn’t empty. I still have Grandpa and Jin’an, and a wonderful memory.
Excluding a certain person, my experiences in the border city are enough to savor for a lifetime.
When I’m old, I’ll tell my granddaughter about this experience: impersonating Lord Li, stabbing the general, leading border soldiers to besiege the city to demand pay, burning Tartars and a city at the same time, suppressing bandits and eliminating rebels, killing Zheng Yun…
She’ll probably think I’m telling a play, right?
Thinking this, the sorrow and anger of last night all turned into a yearning for the future.
Jinsui’s greatest strength is her adaptability; she’s fearless in the face of danger. What are these small matters in front of us compared to our long lives?
She originally didn’t want to go to the polo field early; she didn’t want to face the gaze of the Black Feather Camp soldiers, but now she decided to go.
She wanted to leave with dignity, not sneak away like a thief who had done something wrong.
After all, she had done a decent job as the fake Lord Li. Apart from the heroes lying in the Martyrs’ Cemetery, she had wronged no one.
She smiled at Grandpa and Jin’an and said, “The polo field is crowded and full of eyes. When the Prince makes his announcement, it will surely cause a stir. Grandpa, you take Jin’an to wait at the city gate.”
“As soon as things are over, I’ll head straight to the city gate, and the three of us, grandfather and grandchildren, will be free to roam the world.”
Grandpa Ling stroked his beard and smiled, “Free to roam the world, that’s a good phrase. With such a mindset, Sui Sui will succeed in anything! Alright, Grandpa and Jin’an will wait for you at the city gate.”
He also wanted to use this time to settle the Central Plains Hodgepodge eatery. Last night was too rushed, and many things were not clearly explained.
Jinsui returned to her room and wrote several letters, to Han Xing, Hei Hu, and Cheng Yu. The letter to Cheng Yu was the longest, and she also included some things to tell Chen Yunniang.
When she rode her big black horse to the polo field, the second match was in progress. Coincidentally, it was the Yan Cloud Team against Jin Zilin’s team.
Without suspense, the Yan Cloud Team feared the Black Feather Team but could still look down on the other thirty teams, after all, they were trained by Yan Jiu.
She arrived just in time to see Yan Shiyi score, and the entire stadium erupted in warm applause. Those who bet on the Yan Cloud Team cheered loudly, while those who bet on Jin Zilin’s team remained silent.
This was because most of those who bet on Jin Zilin’s team were from Wei Prefecture, and they had to give face to the Jin Family. What if Young Master Jin got angry at them if he lost?
Originally, Yan Shiyi, not having seen Jinsui, was acting quite like a captain, free and unrestrained on his horse, with an extraordinary demeanor.
As soon as he saw Jinsui, he instinctively waved proudly, then suddenly remembered their last conversation. He hadn’t expected Lord Li to have such unique taste, to be interested in this young master!
Yan Shiyi’s gaze towards Jinsui instantly became awkward. Fortunately, this match was nearing its end; otherwise, under Jinsui’s gaze, Yan Shiyi would have definitely lost.
Jinsui saw Han Xing and Cheng Yu standing by Gu Changxiao. The three of them naturally saw her arrive, but none of them made any move to talk to her.
At this moment, it was impossible not to feel a chill. It was like swallowing a sour plum, a sour and heavy feeling in her heart. She even felt that the gazes from all directions were scrutinizing and contemptuous.
How dare you still stand here?
Jinsui suppressed the myriad emotions surging in her heart and repeated the words she had told Jin’an: the adult world is like this.
At the same time, she comforted herself, weren’t you always worried that because of you, the Black Feather Camp and Gu Changxiao would have friction?
Now it’s good. Han Xing and Cheng Yu have come to terms with it. With them leading the way, I believe the Black Feather Camp will be loyal to Gu Changxiao, and you can leave with peace of mind.
Soon, the second match ended, and as expected, the Yan Cloud Team won.
Yan Shiyi accepted the cheers of his teammates. Not wanting to face Lord Li for the moment, he intended to leave immediately, but was informed by a Black Feather Camp soldier not to leave yet.
After the three matches, the Prince had something important to announce.
Yan Shiyi asked with a smile, “Is it related to the ball game?”
The soldier paused and nodded reluctantly.
Yan Shiyi laughed triumphantly, completely forgetting the awkwardness with Jinsui, and strode over to chat, “Do you want me to give you the information on the Yan Cloud Team members now?”
Jinsui: “What do you want me to do with it?”
“Aren’t you going to compile the history of border city ball games? My Yan Cloud Team is bound to win the championship! I’ll give it to you in advance so you can have your subordinates prepare.”
Jinsui took a deep breath and turned her head away, not wanting to deal with him.
Yan Shiyi was also displeased, “Then why are you not letting us leave? I still want to go eat a bowl of hodgepodge.”
Jinsui said sternly, “What’s the hurry? You’ll know after the match ends.”
Just then, Jin Zilin also jogged over. Jinsui thought he would get into a fight with Yan Shiyi, but saw Jin Zilin smiling brightly:
“Greetings, Your Highness. I’ve always wanted to talk to you, but I never had the chance.”
Jinsui looked back at Gu Changxiao and saw that he had no intention of stopping or explaining anything. Fine, should she continue to play Lord Li for the last half hour?
She forced a smile and said, “Young Master Jin, is there something you need?”
Jin Zilin smiled, “Indeed, there is. I bought a treasure mirror from Your Highness before, and it suddenly stopped shining. The craftsmen can’t fix it.”
Jinsui, afraid he would ask for a refund, quickly said, “Did you bring it? I’ll help you fix it.”
Jin Zilin waved to his subordinate, and soon a very exquisite sandalwood box was brought over. Inside, it was a makeup mirror wrapped in thick animal fur.
Jinsui completely understood the reason for “buying the box and returning the pearl”; if she had to choose, she would also choose the box.
Seeing the gold thread embroidery on Jin Zilin’s clothes was damaged, she couldn’t help but recall the joke she made to Grandpa and Jin’an that day about picking up gold threads at the stadium after the Jin Family entered the field.
Compared to the low-key Yan Family, the Jin Family was truly high-profile, as if afraid others wouldn’t know they were rich.
Of course, she couldn’t take out the electronic component from the makeup mirror and install a new one in front of everyone.
Carrying the mirror into the tent, she took out a new one from her space. Thinking about it, she also took out two packs of electronic components.
One pack for Jin Zilin, and one for Yan Shiyi. She carefully taught them both how to replace the electronic components.
After-sales service had to be done well, after all, these two were her first pot of gold and a wealthy patron she had extorted multiple times.
She instructed, “To be honest with you, even if you replace it with a new one, it will only last for one or two years. It won’t light up later and can only be used as a regular mirror.”
Jin Zilin said indifferently, “That’s still worth it! Thank you, Your Highness.”
“If my sister hadn’t kept urging me, saying it’s better to put on makeup with the light on, I wouldn’t have dared to bother Your Highness.”
Yan Shiyi, however, heard something amiss. He held the small electronic component and asked, “You don’t have any more of these?”
Of course, I have them, but they’ll quickly lose their effectiveness once taken out of my space. I can’t possibly replace them for you every few months.
She didn’t know how to answer and could only vaguely say, “You’ll know after the ball game ends.”
Jin Zilin happily left, but Yan Shiyi refused to go and whispered,
“Why do I feel like you’re very strange today? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“If you’re in trouble, tell my… brother. There’s nothing in Yan Di that my brother can’t solve.”
Jinsui originally wanted to mock him a bit, having never seen someone use their elder brother to curry favor so smoothly.
But thinking of Yan Jiu, she lost the heart to do so. She smiled and said to Yan Shiyi, “Can you help me pass a message to your brother?”
Yan Shiyi exaggeratedly clutched his chest and took a step back, “Speak properly, don’t smile at me like that.”
Jinsui rolled her eyes speechlessly. Yan Shiyi quickly said, “Yes, yes, this fierce expression is right.”
Jinsui looked down, searching left and right. Yan Shiyi laughed heartily, “There are no stones or sticks to hit people here.”
Jinsui took a deep breath and decided not to argue with a mentally challenged child, “Tell your brother, I’m sorry…”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she was speechless again. What should she say to Yan Jiu? When Ji Sui disappeared from this world, what would Yan Jiu think?
Heh, maybe she was overthinking it. Yan Jiu was no different from Gu Changxiao. A young Taoist priest they had interacted with disappeared; at most, he’d sigh.
Seeing her fall silent after saying “sorry,” Yan Shiyi became anxious, “Why are you apologizing to my brother? What did you do that wronged my brother?”
Jinsui really didn’t have the mood to waste time with him here. She shook her head, “Forget it, pretend I didn’t say anything.”
Yan Shiyi wanted to ask more, but at this moment, a teammate called him. The next round of matches had begun, and watching the game was more important.
Jinsui’s last words to Yan Shiyi were, “Make sure to procure the vegetables for the restaurant from the border city!”
Yan Shiyi waved dismissively, “Wasn’t that agreed upon long ago!”
He strode back to the team. His scarlet red riding outfit looked so dazzling in the bleak autumn day, just like his sister, both of them suited for bright colors.
He had no idea that this might be the last time he spoke to Jinsui.
Jinsui stood there as if rooted to the spot. Time passed quickly, and the third round of matches was over in a blink of an eye. She hadn’t taken her eyes off the field, yet she couldn’t remember who had won.
Li Heng’s gaze burned like anger beside her, yet he dared not step forward to do anything to her.
When the referee announced the results of the match and the entire stadium cheered, the Black Feather Camp beat their war drums, signaling an important announcement and that no one was to leave the field.
Li Heng was the first to go on stage. Whether Gu Changxiao or Jinsui went on stage to speak, it would seem like a makeshift operation. Indeed, the border city was originally a makeshift operation.
For him, the Prefect of Yanzhou, to speak, it would carry some weight.
Jinsui felt like a condemned prisoner awaiting judgment, unsure if she would be met with flowers and applause or with insults and scorn.
She had thought about it many times: what would the soldiers of the border city react like when she and Gu Changxiao swapped identities?
She had imagined beautiful scenarios. Whether she became Captain Ji or Clerk Ji, or even Mr. Ji and lived as a wealthy man in the border city, she could still interact with the Black Feather Camp brothers and these acquaintances.
Instead of this, where she stood here like a villain, a clown, a joke, awaiting judgment.
“As expected, the experience of our ancestors is correct: do not save men lying by the roadside!”
Perhaps her fated connection with Gu Changxiao began when she and Grandpa saved him lying in the reed marsh, and it became intertwined.
The current situation is entirely her own doing.
Li Heng on stage had finished explaining the events, just as Gu Changxiao had said yesterday: she was the sworn brother of Lord Li, sent to the border city to take charge in place of the heavily injured Lord Li.
Thousands of people in the audience all stood up, looking at Gu Changxiao in disbelief, then at Jinsui.
Yan Shiyi and the others ran towards her. She felt the sounds around her become distant and couldn’t hear anything clearly.
At some point, Han Xing came to her side. She didn’t want to guess if it was for protection or to prevent her from saying anything that would damage Lord Li’s reputation.
She walked to Li Heng’s side and, just like every other day, smiled and waved to the crowd:
“That’s the situation, so those who have cursed me before don’t need to worry, because I am an imposter.”
“The real Prince is a brilliant strategist, broad-minded, and good at appointing people. You don’t need to be as wary of him as you are of this rogue. Feel free to cooperate with the Prince and develop together.”
“Alright, my mission is complete. See you in the Jianghu again. You can call me ‘Little Daoist Ji’.”
She cupped her hands to the crowd, unfazed by their stunned expressions. She even heard Jin Zilin ask Yan Shiyi:
“Is this fake? What trick is Lord Li playing now? A new play?”
She turned and sincerely bowed to Gu Changxiao, “Greetings, Lord Li! Ji has fulfilled her mission. The border city is returned to you.”
Gu Changxiao walked to her side, wanting to help her up, but she stood up first and stepped back, softly saying, “Goodbye, take care!”
She only glanced at Gu Changxiao. He wasn’t as happy as she had imagined. The corners of his eyes were bloodshot, and his eyes were filled with capillaries. In one night, he had become haggard.
Jinsui didn’t try to guess his feelings and turned to leave. A group of Black Feather Camp soldiers escorted her out of the polo field, otherwise, she would have been surrounded by the frenzied crowd.
The bugle sounded again, and the entire field fell silent. Gu Changxiao was saying something, but she could no longer hear it.
When she was far from the field, she heard the sobs of the soldiers. They had only learned the news last night.
Their reaction wasn’t as extreme as Hei Hu’s, but how could they remain unmoved when the ‘Prince’ they had followed for days was about to leave?
Jinsui forced a smile, “I’ve successfully completed my mission and retired. If you all look so sad, does that mean I didn’t do a good job? Was my impersonation of Lord Li not up to par?”
The soldiers quickly shook their heads, “No, Your Highness was excellent!”
Jinsui said seriously, “It’s Little Daoist Ji. Your Prince is inside.”
Someone boldly asked, “Little Daoist Ji, can’t you stay?”
Jinsui could only offer a perfunctory reply, “I have new orders. Don’t worry, we are all under the Prince’s command, so we will meet again someday.”
Soon, they reached the outskirts of the border city, where Grandpa Ling’s carriage was already waiting.
Jinsui jumped off her big black horse and threw the reins to one of the soldiers, “Alright, no need to see me off. Farewell. I need to leave quickly before the news spreads, otherwise, if the common people surround me, I won’t be able to get away.”
The younger soldiers cried, “Daoist Ji, we can’t bear to part with you.”
Jinsui’s eyes also welled up with tears, and she forced a smile, “You can’t bear to part with my brown sugar, can you! In a few days, an imperial eunuch will arrive with an edict, and you will all receive rewards. Don’t let emotions get in the way of your future.”
She waved goodbye gracefully and jumped into the carriage. She stuck her head out the window, “Go back! Take care, everyone!”
Grandpa Ling said “Giddy up,” and the carriage drove into the distance.
