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.
She withdrew her gaze. Having suddenly remembered something, she slightly tilted her head and asked Old Shang with a lowered voice: “Old Shang, wasn’t I in Wang Qilang’s carriage before?”
“Aye, it was General Sun who brought you back.” His voice remained the same.
Chen Rong’s face was turning from white to ruddy, then ruddy to white, however. After a long pause, she suddenly exclaimed: “So this was what Sun Yan meant.” She raised her curtain and walked to him.
Sun Yan was talking to a young captain. When he saw her approach, he waved his hand to dismiss the other man and walked up to her.
At three paces from him, Chen Rong gave a curtsy and gratefully said, “Thank you for that.”
Sun Yan’s beautiful face flared up in irritation. He stared at Chen Rong for a long while and then suddenly asked, “Do you like Wang Hong that much?”
When Chen Rong’s response didn’t come fast enough, he scoffed, “You’re not even betrothed but you’re already throwing yourself at him! Ah Rong of the Chen house, have you decided to be his concubine?”
Chen Rong turned cold; she replied by reflex, “No!”
Sun Yan’s rigid face slightly relaxed. He glared and her and snapped, “Then be a little more careful!” He seemed to be very angry at Chen Rong when he harrumphed and turned away.
She began to chase him but stopped herself.
Unconsciously, she looked back in Wang Hong’s direction. She suddenly stiffened at this turn. Wang Hong was folding his arms in front of his chest, watching her and Sun Yan… for some reason, his eyes flustered Chen Rong.
At this time, Sun Yan’s loud bark gave an order: “We’re leaving right after breakfast.” He glanced to see Chen Rong and Wang Hong trading glances, and harrumphed in disgust.
He wasn’t far from Chen Rong, and she had heard his disapproval loud and clear. She shuddered, quickly withdrew her gaze and went back to her carriage with her head bowed low.
After partaking some dried food, they took off again.
With Mo’yang farther and farther behind them, people gradually allowed themselves to be more at ease.
At noon, the scouts sent by Sun Yan returned and relayed that the Hu were sighted near a fork ahead, but they were few in number.
Since they were few in number, there was no need to fear and the team moved on.
By late afternoon, Sun Yan chose a site to camp so that the troops can begin a thorough rest.
Chen Rong languidly leaned against the carriage wall. With Mo’yang far away, her heart also eased up. For some reason, the relaxation made way for an overwhelming exhaustion, and her limbs felt strengthless as though she was seriously ill.
The moon came out in the evening.
Sun Yan pulled Chen Rong to a tree. She lazily leaned against her seat, looked up and watched the moon in the sky.
At this time, the melodious zither floated to them.
Chen Rong slowly turned around.
She saw Wang Hong sitting in the wilderness with a zither placed in front. His delicate fingers flitted across the strings. Like the silvery moonlight, his profile was also emitting a faint glow. At this very second, he seemed as if he belonged in a painting, unreachable by her… He was clearly right there close to her, but she felt they were separated by rivers and hills.
Chen Rong idly turned sideways to watch him, enjoying the arresting sight under the moonlight.
There were sounds of death in his usually ethereal music. As she listened, Chen Rong could almost see a blood moon in the sky.
At this time, her leg received a kick. She looked up in surprise to find Sun Yan’s glower. She glared at the handsome boy and asked, “What?” Because she was tired, her voice had started to sound hoarse.
Sun Yan glared back in annoyance, looked around, and lowered his voice to tell her: “You were drooling.”