Chapter 6

Under the bright moonlight, the sound of camel bells was melodious.

On the 15th day after leaving the Imperial Palace, Ze'er and I led the caravan across the boundless desert.

Due to my familiarity with the terrain, I saved many lost merchants, who respectfully addressed me as Lady Xu.

In the endless yellow sand, their gazes at me were both admiring and curious.

"Lady Xu, how do you, a woman, have the courage to live alone in the Great Desert with a child?"

With relaxed brows and eyes, my smile was full of the boldness unique to tribal women.

"I have a knife, and camels, why can't I live in the Great Desert?"

Ze'er proudly raised his head beside me.

"That's right, Mother is not alone, there's also me, I can protect Mother!"

The merchants following me praised Ze'er as they spoke of Chang'an.

"I hear the new emperor was infatuated with a maidservant who had served him since childhood, and wants to depose the Empress?"