Chapter 32: Journey to the Capital

"Why do you want to go to the capital?" Little Nine asked in surprise.

"What? Only you're allowed to go, and others can't?" Hao retorted casually.

Little Nine scratched his head and replied, "I'm just asking. If you can go, that's great. We can all travel together."

Dong Lier chuckled. In the past year, for some reason, Hao always enjoyed teasing Little Nine. However, Little Nine was straightforward and didn't bother to argue with her. The others found it amusing.

"So, Hao, what's your plan?" asked Ying Ran.

"Me? I... I plan to go home and take a look. When I was captured, I was still hunting in the mountains. My parents have no idea, probably think I got eaten by a wild beast," Hao said, his gaze dimming.

Almost everyone had their plans now, except Dong Lier and Ah Long who hadn't disclosed their destinations yet. Dong Lier was about to turn to ask Ah Long when he spoke up, "Wherever you go, I'll go."

Dong Lier looked speechlessly at the sky. After a year of training, Ah Long had become more robust, even taller than Dong Lier. However, one thing hadn't changed – his fondness for sticking close to her.

"Ah Long, you've been at the Heartless Pavilion for a long time. You can go wherever you want, no need to follow me," Dong Lier suggested after some thought.

"I'll go wherever you go," Ah Long replied earnestly.

Dong Lier pursed her lips, hands outspread, and said, "Fine, let's go together then. I was planning to head to the capital anyway."

"That's great! We don't have to separate. But Hao, are you really not coming with us?" Little Nine asked.

Hao wanted to continue traveling with everyone, but he shook his head.

Dong Lier said, "How about this, Hao, you go back first. If you don't receive a suitable bounty after returning, come to the capital to find us."

"Alright," Hao agreed without hesitation this time.

After the discussion, everyone dispersed, returning to their rooms to pack for the journey down the mountain.

The next day, before dawn, Dong Lier and the others, with dark circles under their eyes, were awakened one by one by Little Nine. It was evident he was genuinely excited. Fortunately, they quickly adjusted after a brief wash.

They descended from the mountain, stepping lightly over branches, and arrived at the mountain gate.

The black-clothed man was already waiting there, with horses and badges prepared. After a few brief instructions, he allowed them to leave.

They followed a forest path down the mountain but soon found themselves staring at each other without progressing.

"Do any of you know the way to the capital?" Little Nine asked.

They all shook their heads. They were all brought here tied up, and none of them knew which way to go now. After descending the mountain, there were no villages or towns in sight.

"Let's leave it to fate. We'll meet someone eventually, and then we can ask for directions," Dong Lier suggested.

"How do we leave it to fate?" Little Nine asked.

Dong Lier lightly tapped the tip of a tree branch on horseback, quickly plucked a leaf, and then, leaping back onto the horse, she said, "This is fate."

She tossed the leaf into the air, and after a few spins, it gently floated down, pointing eastward.

Upon seeing the road in the east, the group immediately looked in that direction. It wasn't an official road, but since they had entrusted their fate to the heavens, without a second thought, they mounted their horses and headed east.

After about an hour, they spotted a village in the distance. However, it wasn't cooking time, and there were no signs of smoke rising from the households.

"How about we ask for a bowl of water and take a rest? Yinger said.

The group nodded, dismounted their horses, and tied them to nearby tree trunks.

Dong Lier approached the door of a house and called out, "Is anyone there? We're passing through and would like to ask for a bowl of water."

Despite calling several times, there was no response from the house she approached. However, a nearby house opened its door, and an old man asked, "Who are you?"

Seeing the elderly man asking, Dong Lier immediately put on a docile expression, walking up to him and replied, "Old man, we're just out for a little adventure. We're passing through and would like to ask for a bowl of water. Could you please help us out?"

The old man, seeing the group of young men and women, thought there was no malice and welcomed them into his house.

"Sit, sit. I'll fetch some water for you," said the old man, shakily preparing to go outside.

Observing this, Dong Lier stood up and offered, "Old man, let me accompany you."

"Sure, sure," the white-haired old man responded, leading the way.

They reached a well under a jujube tree at the door. The well water was clear and flowed gently to the edge. Dong Lier, noticing the limited capacity of the old man's jug, took it from him.

"Let me handle this, old man."

Taking the old man's chipped bowl, Dong Lier skillfully filled the jug multiple times. Afterward, she followed the old man back into the house.

Inside, just as Dong Lier was about to suggest getting more bowls for everyone to drink, the old man said, "I live alone, and I only have one bowl. Please bear with it."

The group, accustomed to far worse conditions, didn't mind at all. They each took a bowl of water and drank one by one.

While others were drinking, Dong Lier asked the old man, "Do you know the way to the capital?"

The old man, who had been dozing off, suddenly became alert and asked, "You're going to the capital?"

"Yes, but the mountainous terrain makes it easy to lose our way. Could you please give us some directions?" Dong Lier replied.

The old man stood up, walked outside, and said, "Just keep heading east, and you'll get there." After a pause, he continued, "Can I trouble you with one more thing?"

"What is it?"

"A few years ago, my son was taken away by the officials for building a palace for the emperor. He hasn't returned since. However, I'm old and can't travel those long distances. If you could find him in the capital, I'd be grateful if you could ensure his safety."

Moved by the old man's story, Dong Lier and the others agreed readily.

"What's your son's name? If we find him, we'll let you know, so you won't worry," Dong Lier reassured.

The old man, grateful for their swift acceptance, was about to bow to them. Dong Lier quickly stepped forward and held the old man's arm.

"Don't mention it, old man. Consider it our thanks for the water."

"Alright, alright," the old man said, standing up with shaky steps. He continued, "My son's name is Qi Wuer. His mother and I only wished for his safety and happiness in this life, but after all..."

Seeing the old man on the verge of tears, Dong Lier quickly helped him sit down on a stool and comforted, "Everything will be alright. Old man, don't be too sad."

"May your words bring good fortune. I hope your journey to the capital is smooth," the old man said, wiping away his tears.

The group nodded in gratitude, thanked him for his kindness, and prepared to leave. Before exiting, Cong Wenhuo returned to the old man, filled his jug with water, and caught up with the others.

Dong Lier praised, "You're the most thoughtful one. Alright, let's go."

The others mounted their horses upon hearing this and continued riding eastward.

On the other side, separated from the group when descending from the mountain, Yu Hao was on his way home. He finally returned to the village where he had grown up just before sunset.

The village was called Lieren Village, as the name suggested, where everyone was engaged in hunting for a living. The game caught by the villagers was often taken away by the stewards of wealthy households in the countryside, used to make collars, cloaks, and the like for the nobility.

Yu Hao's father was also a skilled hunter in Lieren Village. He often managed to capture impressive beasts, earning more money than other hunters.

Yu Hao recalled a time when his father took him hunting in the mountains. He had seen a completely white fox during a previous hunt and instructed Yu Hao to lure it on his own.

The white fox did appear, but Yu Hao accidentally fell into a trap set by other hunters. With a broken leg and unbearable pain, he wanted to call for his father's help.

However, after shouting for a long time, no one responded. It was only when night fell that his father appeared above the pit, carrying the white fox. After pulling Yu Hao out, his father just threw a makeshift crutch-like branch to him.

Limping down the mountain, Yu Hao's father, carrying the white fox, walked home singing mountain songs, seemingly unconcerned whether Yu Hao could keep up.

Upon returning home, Wangmu noticed the severity of Yu Hao's leg injury. Unable to bear it, she sought help from an experienced villager to set his bones.

Whether the old healer was effective or not, Yu Hao didn't know. He heard that the villager was often sought for injuries sustained during hunting. Later, his father sold the white fox for a good sum, and the wealthy family who bought it generously rewarded them. With the money, his father bought gifts, went to the neighboring village, and invited Wang Xiucai to take his younger brother as a student.

During the time Yu Hao spent in bed, enduring his parents' nagging, Wang Xiucai's praise of his younger brother made matters worse.

Terrified of his parents' scolding, Yu Hao became even more diligent in hunting as he grew older. Every day, regardless of the catch's quantity, he made sure to bring back game. Only in this way would his parents treat him more kindly.

However, a year ago, while hunting in the mountains again, Yu Hao encountered another white fox. Without thinking, he chased it far into the distance. Unfortunately, he couldn't catch it, but suddenly, a group of black-clothed individuals appeared and knocked him unconscious, taking him away.

Sighing at the memories, Yu Hao tied his horse to a post and walked towards the house.

Pushing open the door, he found the three family members preparing for dinner. They wore expressions of shock at his sudden appearance. Wangmu was the first to speak, "A-Xin? Is that you?"

"It's me, I'm back," Yu Hao answered.

Immediately, Wangfu jumped up, shouting, "You troublesome girl, where have you been all this year? You finally know how to come back. What's the use of coming back now?"

Hearing his father's words, Yu Hao was at a loss for words, just standing there.

Wangmu stepped out to defuse the situation, "It's good that you're back. Sit down and have dinner."

As she spoke, she went to get chopsticks and a bowl for Yu Hao, placing them on the table.

Seeing this, Yu Hao sat down. After a day of riding, apart from nibbling on a couple of dry biscuits, she hadn't eaten anything else. Now, looking at the dishes Wangmu had prepared, she felt ravenous.

However, just as Yu Hao was about to pick up her chopsticks, Wangfu slammed his on the table and asked, "What have you been doing outside this whole year? Why didn't you come back?"

She couldn't tell them about being taken by Jueqing Pavilion. Yu Hao replied, "I was severely injured while hunting, and kind people rescued me. To repay their kindness, I provided them with game for a year."

"Was the person who saved you a man or a woman? How old?" Wangfu asked again.

"About the same age as you," Yu Hao replied vaguely.

"Alright, let's eat," Wangfu stopped asking, picking up his chopsticks to continue eating. From time to time, he would pick up a few pieces of meat to give to his younger son.

Being treated to meat was a luxury Yu Hao had never experienced. Out of habit, she refrained from touching it, but Wangmu picked up a small piece for her. Yu Hao was surprised, feeling a bit awkward. Her eating pace quickened.

After dinner, the family prepared to wash up and sleep. It was then that Yu Hao realized she no longer had her own bed. Wangmu could only arrange a simple bedding on the floor, saying it was temporary, and she'd prepare something better the next day.

Thus, Yu Hao found herself sleeping in the same room as her parents, but no one spoke. Soon, they closed their eyes to sleep.

At some point, Yu Hao heard her parents whispering softly. It wasn't that she pretended to sleep; the training at Jueqing Pavilion had made her instinctively alert.

"Old Wang, what's the matter?" Wangmu asked softly, rubbing her eyes. It was evident she had just been awakened by Wangfu.

Wangfu didn't hide anything, saying directly, "Tomorrow, go find the village matchmaker and arrange a marriage for her. The sooner she gets married, the better."

Wang Mother sighed and said, "This doesn't seem right. Ahsin hasn't reached the age to be married yet. Why marry her off as soon as she returns?"

"You've lost your mind, haven't you? She's been away for a year, who knows... who knows if she's still a maiden. Take advantage of the fact that no one noticed, quickly find someone for her to marry, so we can cover it up. Thankfully, back then, I stopped you from reporting it to the authorities, just said she went to visit distant relatives," scolded King Father at Queen Mother.

After this analysis, Queen Mother also felt that Wang Father made sense. Moreover, she couldn't bring herself to be a mother and directly ask her daughter if she's lost her innocence.

She replied, "I understand. Tomorrow morning, I'll go find Matchmaker Liu."

Upon hearing his wife's agreement, Wang Father was finally satisfied. "Alright, go to sleep quickly," he said.

Shortly after their conversation, the rhythmic sounds of breathing emanated from the couple lying in bed, indicating they had already fallen into a deep sleep.

At this moment, Yu Hao slowly opened his eyes. The conversation between his parents echoed in his mind repeatedly. Clutching the blanket tightly, tears silently fell onto the mattress.

The next day, at dawn, Queen Mother had already prepared the meals. Wang Father had his meal and went hunting in the mountains, while Queen Mother took his younger brother to the neighboring village for schooling after breakfast.

Yu Hao didn't know what he should do at this moment. Some thoughts flashed through his mind last night, but upon waking up... Yu Hao didn't want to think about it anymore. He aimlessly walked through the village, wanting to revisit the places where he had once lived.

"Is it Ahsin?" a woman washing clothes by the stream asked.