They hastened on and soon found that dawn had arrived. They had gone 100 miles from Mo’yang and finally reached safety.
The crowd cheered loudly and began to dismount the vehicles and horses. The moment they got off, the horses staggered with some even foaming at the mouth. It was time to rest.
By the time Chen Rong recovered her spirit, daylight had lit the sky. She sat up, stretched her sleeve to wipe her eyes, and found blood stains on it.
While she was staring at her sleeve in a daze, a familiar voice called to her: “Miss.” It sounded weak, as if it wanted to cry but also to laugh; it was Old Shang’s voice.
Chen Rong raised her head to see Old Shang crawling over to her, shakily saying: “Miss, we got out alive.” And then he burst into tears.
On Chen Rong’s wan face bloomed a brilliant smile. “Yes, we got out alive,” she hoarsely repeated. “And so did they.” Her eyes shone brightly as she spoke, her face likewise vibrant. She sat upright, reached for the curtain, and looked outside.
Watching Wang Hong’s carriage and Sun Yan on horseback, Chen Rong shakily whispered, “Old Shang, I have gone to hell and back with them. From this day forth, my situation should be better.”
Old Shang didn’t expect this would be the first thing she thought about after waking up. He momentarily grinned and replied, “Aye,” giving her a look of sympathy and heartache.
Sun Yan turned around to see Chen Rong poking her head out of the carriage. He galloped over to her, leaned a little forward and whispered: “I’ve already warned them. They’ve agreed not to speak nonsense. You can rest assured, Ah Rong.”
“What are you talking about?” she quizzically asked.
Caught for words, Sun Yan stared at her and clamped his mouth with no intention to explain. He waved his hand to one of his soldiers and shouted: “Bring the bamboo tube here.”
“Aye.” The soldier handed him a freshly cut bamboo tube.
Sun Yan stuffed it into Chen Rong’s hands and told her, “Clean the blood on your face.” When he finished, he turned to go back.
Two paces later, he stopped and turned around to look in Chen Rong’s direction, wanting so say something to her but decided not to after some thought.
The bamboo tube was filled with water, which Chen Rong used to clean her face and rinse her mouth.
At the time she threw the tube away, she could see Wang Hong dressed in a black robe, strolling in the wilderness with his hands clasped behind his back. The cold wind was blowing his hair, brushing it across his handsome face.
Looking at his profile, Chen Rong could not help but think: Whenever I see him, I’m always made to feel that I’m in a wondrous place. This man always has excellent bearings and graceful manners that he makes others feel small.