Chapter 147: Farewell
Han Xing still wanted to say something to Jin Sui, but Cheng Yu dragged him away. Jin Sui forced a smile and waved at him:
“It’s fine, talk to Hei Hu properly. The competition is more important, the Black Feather Team must win!”
Han Xing couldn’t bear to look at Daoist Ji’s face, no, it was the Prince! In his heart, there was only one Li King.
After everyone left, Jin Sui also got up to leave. Unexpectedly, Gu Changxiao said, “Where are you going?”
Jin Sui smiled nonchalantly, “Packing my bags, I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Gu Changxiao stood up, “I’ll go with you.”
Jin Sui said contemptuously, “Are you afraid I’ll secretly collude with the Black Feather Camp Soldiers? Heh, do you really think your identity as the Li King is so precious?”
Gu Changxiao was stunned and speechless for a long time, but as Jin Sui walked away, he still followed closely.
Jin Sui was looking for Grandpa Ling. The Central Plains Stewed Dishes eatery was crowded at this time, as they were offering a two-wen dish, even cheaper than the three-wen dishes, for dinner.
It was a precursor to the spicy soup of later generations, with whatever cheap mixed vegetables were available. The main ingredient was pepper, served with a baked sesame seed cake. On this autumn night, with a chill in the air, a bowl of it could warm the body for half the night.
Dinner was mostly for the poor who had worked hard all day. Customers lined up, and Grandpa Ling and Jin An were helping to ladle the soup.
Jin Sui stood in the distance, unsure how to approach Grandpa and tell him the news. When he had talked to her about the future last time, she could clearly feel that he wanted to stay in the Border City.
Indeed, any commoner who came to the Border City would fall in love with this vibrant city, which treated commoners equally and was full of hope and a future.
There was no need to hide like rats in a gutter, no need to smile obsequiously at others all the time, no need to fear dirtying the boots of some military officer or gentry disciple and getting whipped for it.
Even if you lost an arm or a leg, as long as you could crawl to the Refugee Camp and do some light handicraft work, you wouldn’t go hungry.
Although the Border City hadn’t even built its city wall yet, for an old man like Grandpa Ling, who had struggled in the Jianghu for most of his life, it should be the Peach Blossom Spring he was looking for!
It’s a pity that his granddaughter is useless and a poor judge of character, forcing the old man to rush around with her again.
She knew Gu Changxiao was behind her. She didn’t turn around, nor did she think of begging Gu Changxiao for mercy.
She would offer her loyalty, guaranteeing that she would not participate in the Border City’s military or political affairs, as long as her grandfather and granddaughter could stay.
Putting aside whether Gu Changxiao would agree, she had her pride. She would rather die standing than live kneeling!
My dream is to lead all the people of the Border City to stand up, how could I kneel first!
She gave a self-deprecating laugh. How many nights had she spent writing the Border City Infrastructure Proposal, envisioning schools, clinics, factories, markets, and refugee shelters being built on that land…
Envisioning how to attract merchants, retain talent, cultivate land for high-yield crops, trade with herdsmen, buy pig iron to arm the entire army, and even build a harbor.
Now it all turned into a joke! The box of proposals she had written overnight would all serve as kindling for Gu Changxiao.
Her ambition and grand aspirations were reduced to a ridiculous clown by his single sentence.
Ji Sui, oh Ji Sui, you played the Li King for a while, and you really thought you were someone important.
The steam from Grandpa’s stove made Jin Sui’s face feel a little hot and wet. She wiped it vigorously with her sleeve, made up her mind, and walked over with large strides.
“Grandpa, Jin An, let others do what you’re doing. Come here quickly.”
Grandpa Ling looked up, wanting to call her and Gu Changxiao for a bowl of spicy soup, but upon seeing Jin Sui’s expression, he instantly knew the situation was serious.
He wiped his hands with his apron, took Jin An’s hand, and came over, “What happened?”
Jin Sui forced a smile, “Pack your things, we’re leaving the Border City tomorrow.”
Jin An was bewildered, “Where are we going? Why are we leaving the Border City? I promised Brother Hei Hu I’d go cheer for him when he competes.”
Grandpa Ling looked at Gu Changxiao, then suddenly covered Jin An’s mouth and looked directly at Jin Sui, asking, “Do we have to leave?”
Jin Sui nodded heavily, “We have to leave!”
Seeing that Gu Changxiao still had no intention of coming forward to say anything to him, Grandpa Ling already understood that the matter was irreversible.
He was Sui Sui’s grandfather. Let alone facing the Li King, even if it were the Emperor or the Patriarch of Taoism, he would unhesitatingly and steadfastly stand by his granddaughter!
Grandpa immediately smiled and patted Jin Sui’s shoulder, “Then Grandpa will find a bigger carriage. Winter is coming soon, so we should prepare more warm clothes and bedding.”
“If we’re leaving, let’s go far away. We’ll leave Yandi. The world is vast, and with our hands and feet, can we starve to death?”
“Good child, you’ve been wronged, Grandpa understands. Don’t feel wronged, you have Grandpa!”
Jin Sui held back the tears that welled up in her eyes. The clown from earlier had won applause, even if it was only from her grandfather, her heart warmed.
After taking a deep breath, she said, “Yes, thank you, Grandpa. While the market is still open, buy the carriage and supplies for the journey. We’ll leave immediately after the competition ends tomorrow at noon.”
As Grandpa Ling nodded, he took out the jade pendant from his embrace. Gu Changxiao had given it to him before, saying his bodyguards would recognize it, but Grandpa Ling had never shown it to anyone.
He smiled and handed it to Gu Changxiao, “Young Master Gu… no, this old Taoist is being rude. It should be Lord Li. This item is too precious, this old Taoist dare not accept it. Please keep it.”
Gu Changxiao didn’t look at Grandpa Ling, his gaze lowered to the jade, but he didn’t reach out.
Grandpa Ling chuckled and pressed the jade into his hand, then turned and led Jin An away. In just a few words, Jin An had understood the whole story. Children couldn’t control their emotions.
He glared fiercely at Gu Changxiao and gritted his teeth, cursing, “Ungrateful wretch!”
He was slapped on the mouth by Grandpa Ling, who then pulled him away quickly.
The sky in late autumn darkened early. It was dusk when they arrived, and it was completely dark when they returned. Street lamps lit up, and pedestrians became fewer. The shadows of the two people, one in front and one behind, were stretched long.
Neither of them spoke. When Jin Sui saw Grandpa and knew he firmly stood by her side, she seemed to gain confidence, and at the same time, felt exhausted.
The string of tension from pretending to be the Li King for so long finally loosened. Her expectations and dreams for the Border City had been shattered, and it was no longer her concern!
She resisted looking at the citizens and soldiers who waved at her. After noon tomorrow, she and this city would have no further connection.
When she returned to her residence, she found Hei Hu and a group of Black Feather Camp Soldiers waiting there.
All familiar faces. The ones who had gone to pick up the Li King, the ones she had saved from Jiang Nansheng. After the battle with the Tartars, only a few dozen survived.
Now they all stood here.
“Your Highness!”
Hei Hu, with tears in his eyes, stepped forward. When he saw Gu Changxiao, his expression changed.
Jin Sui turned around, and for the first time in a long time, said to Gu Changxiao, “Allow me to bid farewell to my brothers. I hope Your Highness will grant it.”
Gu Changxiao said nothing and turned to leave.
He hadn’t walked a few steps when he heard the suppressed sobs of Hei Hu and the others.
He took a deep breath and looked up to see Cheng Yu and Han Xing standing silently in the distance.
After a moment of thought, he walked towards them…
Meanwhile, Jin Sui was comforting Hei Hu, “You stole the show on the field today. You’re a grown man, why are you crying? You look ugly, stop crying.”
Hei Hu: “Wuwu, but Your Highness, you’re crying too!”
Jin Sui vigorously wiped her face with her sleeve. She hadn’t applied scented cream recently, and the wind had dried her tears, making her sleeve sting when she wiped.
“Call me Daoist Ji. Didn’t Captain Han tell you?”
“Wuwu, is this true? How can you not be the Prince? Everything you’ve done is what the Prince would do!”
The soldiers all chimed in, but their questions were more insightful than Hei Hu’s: “Even if you’re not the Prince, you can still stay in the Border City!”
“Be a Military Strategist, a Captain, or a Clerk. You must stay.”
“Aren’t you sworn brothers with that Prince? Why is he driving you away?”
“Exactly! Prince… Daoist Ji can’t leave!”
Hei Hu suddenly grabbed Jin Sui’s shoulder, “You can’t leave! You promised to officiate my wedding. Miss Bai has already agreed to marry me, wuwu…”
Jin Sui broke free from his iron grip, rubbing her shoulder, “The Prince will officiate your wedding.”
These brothers would continue to follow Gu Changxiao. They were simple folk, and she couldn’t let them harbor resentment towards Gu Changxiao. She smiled,
“I’m just leaving for another mission, it doesn’t mean I won’t come back.”
“The Prince and I are indeed sworn brothers. He is loyal and righteous to me. Right now, because the Imperial Court’s Inner Attendants are coming, if I don’t leave, there would be two Princes in the Border City, what then?”
“Don’t worry, there will be a day when we brothers meet again.”
She was smiling, but her eyes were full of sadness. She feared they would never meet again in this lifetime.
Her gaze swept over their faces: Hei Hu, Hao Duojin, Shuanzi, Li Quan, Qi Datou…
I never thought that I, Ling Jin Sui, would have the chance to make brothers who shared life and death in the military camp. It was worth it.
“After the competition tomorrow morning, the Prince will announce this publicly. You must not get emotional!”
The Imperial Court’s rewards are coming soon. You will all be promoted and receive rewards. At this critical juncture, you absolutely cannot displease the Prince.”
Hei Hu nodded tearfully, “I’ll listen to you, Prince… Daoist, will you really come back?”
Jin Sui stretched out her arm and patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry, when have I ever gone back on my word?”
Only then did everyone feel at ease. Jin Sui asked the others to leave first, leaving only Hei Hu to accompany her to the military camp. She was looking for the Military Doctor.
The only Military Doctor in the Border City was forty years old, named Sun. He claimed to be a descendant of Sun the Divine Doctor for many generations, but Jin Sui felt he was just of the same surname.
She came this time not only to hand over the penicillin experiment but also to give the army a batch of medicine she had stockpiled from her space. Gu Changxiao was heartless towards her, but she couldn’t be heartless towards soldiers like Hei Hu.
They had gone through life and death with her. She couldn’t lose her original intention because of a moment of anger.
Most importantly, she had to give Military Doctor Sun a book:
“Barefoot Doctor’s Handbook? Is this a medical book?”
Jin Sui nodded, “Study it slowly. I haven’t had time to add the illustrations yet. I’ve already taught some of them to Eldest Sister-in-law Chen. Find her and look at it together.”
Military Doctor Sun’s eyes lit up after flipping through a few pages, “Your Highness, can you come to the Infirmary when you have time to guide this subordinate?”
Jin Sui really didn’t have the mood to repeat the same words. She sighed and said to Hei Hu, “Explain to Military Doctor Sun. I’ll go back and pack my things.”
Hei Hu’s tears started flowing again. If Yan Shiyi saw this, she would surely find it unbelievable. The Big Black Guy was a terror on the field, but off the field, he was a crybaby!
“Prince… Daoist, wuwu…”
Jin Sui smiled helplessly, “It’s Daoist Ji. Alright, no need for more words, I understand everything. Take care.”
She patted Hei Hu’s arm and turned to leave. Hei Hu chased after her for two steps, like a lost child, biting his tiger’s mouth tightly to prevent himself from howling.
This scene completely bewildered Military Doctor Sun, “What’s wrong?”
Jin Sui looked up at the faint crescent moon obscured by clouds. After leaving the Infirmary, her steps uncontrollably led her to the new district under construction.
Workers were still rushing to finish their work. The huge pulley cranes creaked, and workers pushed wheelbarrows to transport building materials. The supervising soldiers shouted loudly:
“Hurry up, everyone! The Prince said that the winter residences must be completed before the snow and frost. There will be generous rewards for all.”
From the boiler area in the distance, a gong sounded: “Third team, dinner time.”
A group of workers happily put down their tools and ran towards the boiler. Those who had already eaten said to them:
“Tonight, there’s lamb offal soup with baked sesame seed cake, it’s delicious!”
“Did you bring a bamboo tube? Lend me one. I’ll wash it clean and return it tomorrow.”
“You’re saving half your meal to take home again? It’s still late at night, you can’t not eat enough.”
“Heh heh, the kids at home are craving it. The food at the construction site is rich in oil, and I’m full after eating half.”
…
Jin Sui watched and listened silently in the darkness, imagining what the new district would look like after it was built. She gave a self-deprecating smile, hoping Gu Changxiao would keep his promise and reward these workers.
Turning around, she slowly walked to the old district. It was still a scorched earth, making the sky seem darker than elsewhere.
There were no street lamps here. The nearest one was dozens of meters away.
The scene of that night, when she had set fire to the Tartars and led the soldiers to fight them to the death, kept flashing in Jin Sui’s mind.
The faces of familiar people falling before her eyes kept flashing.
Until a voice broke the silence: “When are they coming out? Did you bring your talismans?”
“Don’t worry, Young Master. The talismans and magical artifacts are all ready. I heard they only come out at midnight, aren’t we too early?”
After a slap, curses erupted, “What do you think? They come out at midnight, what are you doing here now? Let’s go back and sleep for a while before coming again.”
The group sneaked away. Jin Sui faintly heard the young master say in a voice that was both scared and excited:
“Is there really such a thing?”
“Yes! Many people who came at midnight saw it. Their shadows were very tall, and they glowed with ghost fire. They were clearly Tartar ghosts.”
Jin Sui: …
Her heart full of sorrow was dispelled by these bold young masters who wanted to see ghosts. They were crazy!
I said that the Border City, no, Yandi, has many crazy people!
Compared to them, Yan Shiyi, that older child with underdeveloped cerebellum, was considered smart.
Watching football during the day and ghosts at night, well, the Border City had become a popular check-in spot in Yandi in another way.
She continued forward. It became increasingly dark, and she could barely make out the road until a dozen faint candlelight appeared, and she finally reached her destination – the Martyrs’ Cemetery.
She hugged herself tightly and walked slowly through the cemetery, looking at the familiar names. Especially when she saw the tombstone engraved with the names Niu Da and Dave, she started to cry and laugh.
I’m sorry, I couldn’t come to offer incense and flowers to you during the Qingming Festival.
Don’t blame me.
After arriving at the Yellow Springs, you will find that what you sacrificed your lives for was not the Li King, but a nameless young Taoist…
No, it was a woman who had shed several layers of skin.
Would you feel resentful?
