Xuyu shook off the people who followed her and rode on the deserted night street. On the way, she met a group of Jinwu Guards on night patrol. She recognized the person and knew that it was a new painter who had recently gained the emperor's favor in the palace and was close to Pei Xiaoyuan. When she heard that this person left after saying that he had something to do, she didn't know whether he was really ordered to go out or for something else, so she didn't forcibly stop him, but the leader immediately sent someone to find Pei Xiaoyuan to report the matter.
Xuyu was aimless at first and didn't know where she was going.
She didn't want to go back to Pei's house.
The Dingwang Residence, her home, has long since changed beyond all recognition.
After all, she couldn't go to her elder sister's place whenever she wanted. She was no longer the same person she used to be, so how could she add her own suffering and depression to another person who was already suffering
Xuyu walked with the palace on her back, going farther and farther. The houses on both sides of the wall gradually became lower and sparse. Finally, she was brought by her mount to a desolate wilderness. Nearby was a dilapidated and abandoned wall with no one guarding it. There was no light on all sides. In a trance, she vaguely remembered that this area seemed to be the place where she had escaped that night many years ago. It was in this area that the pursuers came and she fled alone and fell into a deep ditch. When she woke up, the world was overturned and the world was changed.
Xuyu walked slowly and carefully in the wild field covered with weeds. Finally, she climbed to the top of the highest slope and looked into the distance towards the direction of the imperial palace under the dark night sky.
The fire that once burned in this direction led her to the mural wall, where she met her grandfather and started a new life.
Now that the stolen journey of more than ten years is over, she is here again, and everything seems to have returned to the starting point.
This was her own choice, and she had no regrets. If she could do it again, or ten times, she would not change her mind.
But at this moment, facing the night breeze blowing on her face, when she thought of the scene where the little girl once set out from here, stumbling to the palace to find her mother, she couldn't help but shed tears.
At daybreak, the morning drum sounded and the gates of Chang'an were opened.
Chengping's clothes were disheveled, and there were traces of rouge on her neck. She had just returned from the Chen's Restaurant where she had drunk last night. When she was about to reach the Jinzouyuan, she was still not fully awake. She dismounted and climbed the steps. Her tall body was almost tripped by the threshold. Fortunately, with the support of two followers, she barely entered. Suddenly, she heard the doorman say that there was a visitor early in the morning. She thought it was Lu Wenjun again. She sobered up half of the time and said coldly, "They said I was at the restaurant and didn't come back." She pushed away the person who was supporting her and turned to go out again. At this time, she heard the voice behind her saying "Young Master Ye", so she stopped and turned her head.
"who?"
He thought he had misheard. How could Miss Ye come to his place so early in the morning? When he heard clearly, it was definitely her. He was surprised, looked at the direction of the door, and was about to go in hurriedly, but then stopped, looked down, and pulled off the several sachets embroidered with five-colored silk threads that the Chen sisters had tied to their belts last night, wiped the rouge marks on his neck, and asked someone to tell her to wait for a moment while he went to change his clothes.
After a while, when he appeared in front of Xuyu, although he was still drunk and his steps were unsteady, his clothes were neat and tidy, and he no longer looked as frivolous as before.
He saw that she was smiling but her face was pale. He immediately sent the people away and asked what was the matter. He knew that she would never come to see him again for no reason.