Xin Yi stepped out of the cave entrance, ready to face her fate. She followed the letter's instructions. It wasn't a long way to walk, but even so, she was out of breath, and her forehead felt sweaty. Xin Yi wiped her forehead with her hand and thought that perhaps this body wasn't used to walking on foot, as she ached from head to toe. She couldn't help but wonder: If my enemies were chasing me, I'd be dead before my story even began. She laughed at herself, imagining what her escape would look like.
She heard the sound of galloping horses coming close before she could react; a troop passed her at full speed. Xin Yi, who had been laughing just a moment ago, lost her balance and fell onto her bottom, hitting the ground hard and crying out loud.
One of the horsemen shouted, "Stop!"
They all halted. He looked at Xin Yi and said with a voice full of concern, "Miss, are you okay? Did we hurt you?"
What kind of appearance did Miss Xin Yi present? Her face, which could supposedly bring trouble, was now dusty, her hair untidy, and her eyes red from pain. She was in an awkward position. She was ready to lash out, but when she saw the man's worried expression, she swallowed her anger.
The man appeared to be in his early twenties or slightly younger. He had warm, bright eyes, a straight nose, thin lips, and a small dimple on his right cheek. His long hair was neatly tied in a high bun. He looked at Xin Yi with genuine worry.
Xin Yi stood up, brushed off the dust, and said, "It's nothing. I'm fine."
The man hesitated, then turned back to the others and ordered, "Search carefully. Don't miss anything."
All the men rode off, except for one who remained. His horse was behind the young man's, so Xin Yi couldn't see his appearance clearly. She could only see that he was wearing all black.
The young man turned to her again.
"Miss, I'm very sorry. We were in a hurry and caused you harm."
Xin Yi wiped her face with her sleeve, smiled, and waved her hand.
"No harm done. I wasn't paying attention and didn't see you coming."
The young man found it strange-a young, beautiful girl alone on the road this early, with nothing and no one. He grew more concerned.
"Miss," he asked gently, "are you lost? Or being chased? Do you need help?"
Xin Yi thought about her earlier chase scene imagination but replied warmly, "No. I'm heading to that town over there-almost there." She pointed toward the gate of Qingyào town.
"Thank you for your concern, sir. You should go finish your work."
A cold voice came from behind the young man. "Han Yue, give her some money. Hurry up, let's go."
Xin Yi felt her ears tingle when she heard his voice; it was like touching zither strings after a long time, still pleasant to the ears. But she didn't like being treated like a beggar; she responded with a hint of mockery in a humble tone. "No need, sir. In case I fell down again, it's training to collect money on the ground."
Han Yue's face froze. He couldn't imagine a girl who was warm and easygoing a moment ago could answer his master with such a deeply meaningful remark. He didn't dare to look his master face.
The man behind him moved his horse forward.
Now, Xin Yi could see him clearly.
He had a cold noble aura. Looks in his late twenties.
His horse was pure white, adorned with golden tack-
Unlike its master, who wore a simple, elegant black hanfu, free of patterns or accessories. That simplicity only made his fair skin stand out more. The only thing shining on him was his sword. Most of his long black hair was left loose, with just a small section tied by a red ribbon, which moved gently in the wind. His lips were thin, his nose straight. But what stole Xin Yi's breath were his eyes. A pair of cold, black phoenix eyes. Dark and deep like a foggy forest
Xin Yi couldn't see their end.
He sat upright on his horse, broad-shouldered and well-built.
He looked at Xin Yi calmly, like a man in a marketplace who found everything unworthy.
He looked calmly at her.
Xin Yi looked back, equally calm. Neither spoke.
But inside, Xin Yi praised him, thinking this appearance matched with his cold attitude definitely is the kind that brings trouble for his owner.
The man, on the other hand, thought:
A dusty young girl-yet she dares mock me with such composure. He thought that if that person were here, she would be laughing out loud at this sentence.
Thinking about that person made his eyes grow foggier. He looked down and covered his emotions with his long, black eyelashes.
Xin Yi, who had been proud that she had thrown her "throne" nicely, when she saw the sorrow in his eyes, she regretted it.
Trying to change the atmosphere, Han Yue said,
"Well then, young miss, be careful on the road. We're leaving."
Xin Yi dropped her calm expression and smiled warmly.
"Okay. You, too."
She glanced at the man, but he was looking far away.
"Sir," Han Yue said respectfully, "let's go."
The two galloped off.
Xin Yi stood still, unsure why a faint sadness tugged at her. She hadn't done anything wrong, she told herself.
He was the one who treated her like a beggar.
She repeated that to herself as she headed toward the town gate.