Gu Yunlan followed, half-believing, and saw the girl ahead speeding forward like the wind.
After about half an incense stick’s worth of time, Gu Yunlan and the others saw a group of merchants with a convoy of carts and horses approaching.
Xue Zining descended swiftly and landed before the man at the forefront. It was clear that this man was the leader of the group.
“Are you someone from Master Shen San’s party?” Xue Zining asked.
The man bowed and replied, “Are you Miss Ning?”
Xue Zining produced a jade pendant and handed it to the man.
The man glanced at it, quickly returned it to her, and bowed with extreme respect, “I am Shen Ming, a man by Master San’s side. Greetings, Miss Ning.”
“There is no need for formality.”
Shen Ming said, “Master San received Miss Ning’s letter and prepared this grain overnight. Master San said this is only the first batch, and more will follow. Please do not worry, Miss Ning.”
“Many thanks to Master San,” Xue Zining said gratefully.
She truly hadn’t expected Shen Yunxuan to be able to gather so much grain in such a short time.
“You are too kind, Miss Ning. Master San said that Miss Ning’s great kindness to the Shen family cannot be repaid by mere material possessions. He specifically instructed me to deliver this to you.”
Shen Ming handed a brocade box to Xue Zining.
Xue Zining took it, opened it, and was astonished. Inside was a token from the Shen family’s universal bank.
“Master San asked me to inform Miss Ning that the contents within allow Miss Ning to withdraw funds from any Shen family bank in the Barren Marsh. He also said that Miss Ning need not be polite,” Shen Ming said.
Xue Zining heard this, closed the box, and said, “Please convey my thanks to Master San. I have received his heartfelt intentions. If I have time in the future, I will express my gratitude in person.”
Shen Ming continued, “My Master San knows that Miss Ning will be grateful and thankful, but my Master San said that none of this is necessary. If you truly wish to express your gratitude, then… then you could offer yourself in marriage…”
Shen Ming stammered slightly. He didn’t know why his Master San had said this; wasn’t it presumptuous?
Upon hearing this, Xue Zining suddenly smiled, “Alright, if you can move me even more.”
Seeing that the young girl before him was not angry, Shen Ming understood that Master San was confident Miss Ning would not be offended, which was why he had instructed him to relay this message.
“Miss Ning, Master San also said, ‘See you in the capital of the Barren Marsh in one year.’”
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. After a long moment, she smiled, “Tell your Master San that I will surely keep the appointment.”
Shen Ming cupped his fists and said, “Thank you, Miss Ning. My task is complete, and the grain has been delivered safely. I must return to report to Master San, so I shall not linger.”
Xue Zining was surprised and said, “You have traveled hard. It’s not too late to rest for a night and depart tomorrow.”
Shen Ming replied, “Thank you for Miss Ning’s kind offer, but I have other matters to attend to. I shall not disturb you further.”
Seeing that Shen Ming was determined to leave, Xue Zining could not force him to stay and could only say, “Very well, be careful on your journey.”
“Please rest assured, Miss Ning. I bid you farewell!” Shen Ming mounted his horse and led his men away.
Xue Zining turned to Gu Yunlan and Deputy General Guo and said, “This is only a small portion of the grain. More will arrive continuously.”
Deputy General Guo led his men to escort the grain back.
Gu Yunlan looked at the young girl. He used to think his elder brother was very powerful, commanding the顾家军 (Gu Family Army) as he pleased, but now, he felt that this girl who had suddenly appeared was even more formidable than his brother.
So much grain, and this was just the first delivery. It was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
Upon returning to Xiling Pass, General Yang was overjoyed and ordered those in charge of provisions to prepare a hearty meal that night, as they hadn’t eaten their fill in a year.
Tonight, they would eat until they were full.
General Yang looked at the young girl walking towards him, filled with admiration. She had said she would solve the grain problem, and the grain problem was solved.
“Miss Ning, please accept this bow from Yang Liuqing.” General Yang instinctively moved to kneel on one knee.
Xue Zining quickly stepped forward and helped General Yang up, saying, “General, what is the meaning of this?”
General Yang’s expression was somewhat emotional. “To be frank, Miss Ning, the soldiers at Xiling Pass have not had a single full meal for a very long time. If not for Miss Ning, I don’t know when we would have eaten our fill.”
“General Yang, please do not say such things. Speaking of which, I am merely looking to leverage the Gu Family Army for mutual benefit.”
General Yang shook his head. “Miss Ning, I will keep this great kindness in my heart. Should there be any need for my assistance in the future, the Gu Family Army will not refuse.”
Xue Zining replied, “General Yang, you are too kind. This is what I should do as a disciple of my master.”
“I offer Miss Ning a toast,” General Yang said, raising his wine cup.
Xue Zining did not refuse and raised her cup, drinking it down in one go.
A joyous atmosphere filled Xiling Pass.
After a few drinks, Xue Zining feigned intoxication and went outside, reaching the city walls of Xiling Pass. Hua Yun Jin stood there, enjoying the breeze alone.
“Why aren’t you drinking?” Xue Zining asked, walking up to him.
Hua Yun Jin turned to look at her and said, “Perhaps I should not appear.”
Xue Zining was taken aback. She looked at Hua Yun Jin and didn’t try to persuade him further. What he said was correct; he now represented the Hua Kingdom, not the Barren Marsh.
“Once, you and I stood on the city walls of the capital and told me that one day you would unify this world.”
Xue Zining nodded. “Yes, I haven’t forgotten.”
“You also asked…”
Xue Zining looked into the distance. “I asked you if this world still needed your companionship.”
Hua Yun Jin’s body trembled. After a long pause, he said, “I’m sorry, I broke my promise.”
Xue Zining said, “I hated and complained before, but now I’ve let it go. One cannot always live in the past…”
She turned to Hua Yun Jin and said word by word, “Hua Yun Jin, you have chosen your own path. Since you’ve chosen it, walk it. However, I hope you will retain your original intentions. This might be my selfish wish; I still hold onto the image of that young boy you once were.”
Hua Yun Jin closed his eyes. After a long time, he opened them. “A Ning, I have always been the boy who followed behind you, but I was lost. You won’t abandon a lost child, will you?”
“No, as long as you follow, I won’t let go.”
Xue Zining looked at him, her eyes clear and bright like the moon on this night.
“Thank you. I will help you achieve your wish, until you stand at the highest position.”
“Good, don’t break your word,” Xue Zining said with a smile.
“I won’t break my word,” Hua Yun Jin said word by word.
Xue Zining woke up to a warm call. Seeing Wen Nuan looking at her with an unhappy expression, she realized her head was throbbing intensely. She sat up and said, “Why is my head hurting so much?”
Wen Nuan said sarcastically, “Headache? I think your heart is blooming with joy.”
Xue Zining looked up at Wen Nuan and asked, “What’s wrong with you? What did you eat this morning? Why are your words so sour?”
Wen Nuan snorted coldly. “What could I eat? Unlike some people, who are probably feeling as if they’ve eaten honey.”
Xue Zining frowned. “Wen Nuan, don’t speak to me like that. I don’t quite understand.”