Seeing this situation, the debt-collecting ruffians knew they wouldn’t get anything good today. They didn’t even dare utter harsh words before slinking away with their tails between their legs. The crowd dispersed in no time. Qing Xia released Amoyeh and breathed a long sigh of relief. It wasn’t that she feared these ruffians and scoundrels—she just didn’t want them to disturb this peaceful life.
“It’s fine, don’t be afraid—I’m here.” Xudalie suddenly leaned over with a smile, his set of white teeth making his grin appear especially hearty.
Qing Xia said: “Be careful these next few days. It would be bad if that gang comes back for revenge out of spite.”
“Don’t worry,” Xudalie smiled. “If they dare come again next time, I guarantee they won’t leave so easily.”
“Alright, alright, it’s fixed.” Banbu’er and Nakduo came running back urgently, jumping onto the heated kang. The door was reinstalled, and the room was soon filled with warmth again. After being disturbed like this, Qing Xia lost her appetite. She ate a few bites casually, and seeing it was getting dark, she got up to leave.
Xudalie insisted on escorting her back, and Aunt Doyihua also insisted, so Qing Xia left with Xudalie.
Around Bailing Prefecture, there were many such small villages. Qing Xia lived on the snowy plain at the edge—as long as one left the passes, one could spot it at first glance.
The moon was white and large that night. Qing Xia and Xudalie walked on the snow leading their horses. Having just eaten, they didn’t want to sit on horseback and be jostled, so Qing Xia suggested walking. Xudalie laughingly agreed.
The two walked and chatted casually, listening to Xudalie tell amusing stories from his childhood hunting in the mountains. Suddenly, a white shadow flashed in the distance. Xudalie had the sharpest eyes—he immediately drew his bow from his waist, pulled out an arrow, and was about to shoot at the white shadow.
Qing Xia was quick with her hands and eyes, grabbing his hand and urgently saying: “Don’t shoot!”
Xudalie was startled, but before he could say anything, the white shadow disappeared.
“Xia Qing, what’s wrong?”
Qing Xia paused, thought for a moment, then smiled: “Nothing, I just wanted you to spare it.”
This seemingly nonsensical remark left Xudalie confused. Qing Xia lowered her head and said softly: “Years ago, I also saw this kind of snow fox. The locals said this animal has spirituality and shouldn’t be caught. I didn’t believe it then and stubbornly caught one. Later, within three days, the little thing starved itself to death by refusing to eat. Not long after that incident, my life underwent a major upheaval—I nearly died and was forced far from my hometown. Now seeing it, I always feel like it’s taking revenge on me.”
“Years ago?” Xudalie asked: “Xia Qing, have you been beyond the passes before? When was this?”
Qing Xia smiled and said softly: “Many years ago—I can’t remember clearly.”
Xudalie naturally didn’t know that besides beyond the passes, there were many other places in the world with such small creatures. He didn’t ask further, changing the topic: “Xia Qing, are you really leaving the frontier?”
“Depends on the situation,” Qing Xia led her horse walking on Xudalie’s left, looking at the path ahead. “Actually, I don’t know where I can go. If I can wait for my big brother, we probably won’t stay in one place long. We’ll wander around—wherever we find nice and like, we’ll settle down there. That would be quite good.”
Xudalie continued asking: “Isn’t the frontier good?”
“Good,” Qing Xia turned her head with a smile. “How could it not be good? This is the best place I’ve ever been—with you, with Banbu’er, Nakduo, Amoyeh, and Aunt Doyihua’s fragrant hand-grabbed meat. There’s nowhere better than here.”
“Then why not stay?”
“Stay?” The woman was slightly startled, then smiled gently: “This isn’t my home.”
“Then where is your home?”
Qing Xia’s smile immediately became very faint. She raised her head, looking far at the distant pale clouds, her voice carrying traces of melancholy and ethereality.
“Actually, I don’t know either.” Qing Xia smiled slightly, saying to Xudalie: “Xudalie, you’re really fortunate—you have a warm home, such good siblings and mother. Though your father isn’t worthwhile, he’s still your father after all. If you can help him, please do. Otherwise, if something happens to him in the future, you’ll regret it. Alright, I’m here. Don’t escort me further—hurry back.”
Xudalie stopped in place, watching Qing Xia’s petite figure step by step leading her horse up the snowy slope. His body seemed frozen, reluctant to leave for a long time. Suddenly, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted loudly: “Xia Qing, will you come to my house for New Year?”
Qing Xia didn’t turn back, just waved her hand and shouted loudly: “We’ll see!”
The voice drifted and echoed in the cold air with long reverberations.
Three days passed in a flash. Qing Xia woke up from the cold in the morning—the fire in the brazier had gone out. She shivered as she crawled out of the felt blankets, feeling very thirsty. When she picked up the cup on the table, she saw the water inside had frozen solid. Shivering, she lit the fire, boiled water, ate a few bites of softened steamed bread, then curled up under the blankets, not going anywhere.
The weather had become increasingly cold lately. She was actually quite lucky—in such cold weather when the brazier went out, many people would slowly freeze to death in their sleep. If she hadn’t woken up just now, when Yang Feng arrived in the future, he might only find her corpse.
Thinking of Yang Feng, Qing Xia couldn’t help but sigh. The more time passed, the more panicked she felt, always sensing something had happened. She thought she couldn’t wait any longer—if he didn’t come in another two days, she’d return to Southern Chu. Just as she was thinking this, suddenly urgent hoofbeats sounded. Qing Xia was extremely alert—she quickly dressed, put on cotton boots, and as soon as she pulled open the curtain, Banbu’er’s body crashed into her.
“Banbu’er, what’s wrong?” The child was gasping for breath, apparently having run all the way. His thick cotton hat was soaked with sweat. Qing Xia frowned and urgently asked: “What happened? Why are you so anxious?”
“Jiema Agu,” Banbu’er gasped heavily and quickly said: “Xudalie went into the mountains three days ago and hasn’t come out yet. This morning, that gang of ruffians from Bailing Prefecture came again with over forty people. Seeing Xudalie wasn’t there, they stole all our cattle and sheep. They also wanted to steal Nakduo’s little red horse. When Nakduo wouldn’t give it up, he fought with them and got hit with a club—he still hasn’t woken up. They also took Amoyeh away, saying if we don’t bring them money tonight, they’ll kill Amoyeh.”
“What?” Qing Xia was shocked and urgently asked: “What about the people in the village? Didn’t anyone help you?”
“They scouted the situation before coming. Yesterday the Mulian tribe came to freeload, so all the men in the village went north to guard.”
Qing Xia frowned and said grimly: “Let’s go! First let’s check on Nakduo.”
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly turned back, entered the tent to extinguish the fire, and took all her daggers, hooks, locks, and similar weapons with her.
“Let’s go.” Mounting the horse, the two shared one ride and galloped swiftly toward the village.
“Jiema Agu, this way.”
Following Banbu’er into the cellar, Aunt Doyihua burst into tears upon seeing Qing Xia. This honest woman had been terrified, guarding her bleeding son without any solution. Seeing Qing Xia was like seeing a savior—she grasped her hand and wouldn’t let go.
After finally calming Aunt Doyihua, Qing Xia efficiently bandaged the wound on Nakduo’s head. The wound wasn’t large—just some broken skin. But whether there was a concussion or internal injury could only be determined after he woke up. Qing Xia washed her hands in the basin full of red blood and said to Banbu’er: “You stay here guarding Nakduo and your mother. I’ll go to the prefecture now to bring Amoyeh back, then find people to go into the mountains to look for Xudalie.”
“Jiema Agu!” Aunt Doyihua’s head finally cleared, and she grabbed Qing Xia’s hand, urgently saying: “Those people are very fierce. Jiema Agu is a delicate young lady—you’ll be bullied.”
Seeing her worry about herself at this time, Qing Xia felt warmth in her heart. She smiled and comforted her, patting her hand: “Don’t worry, nothing will happen. I know the bandits on Handa Ridge—if necessary, I’ll ask them for help. Rest assured and wait at home. I guarantee I’ll bring Amoyeh back safe and sound.”
Banbu’er had great confidence in Qing Xia, patting his mother’s shoulder and saying: “Mother, don’t worry. Jiema Agu isn’t an ordinary Han girl—she’s capable.”
“May Xunda Tianshen protect you, may Xunda Tianshen protect you.” Aunt Doyihua muttered repeatedly, no longer blocking her.
Qing Xia smiled and said to Banbu’er: “I’m leaving. Be careful, protect Mother and your brother. No matter what sounds come from outside, don’t come out.”
“I understand,” Banbu’er agreed. “Jiema Agu, come back quickly.”
Qing Xia nodded and left the cellar. This cellar was in the stable—Qing Xia scattered some wild grass above it, making it completely invisible. Looking around, she climbed onto her only warhorse tied nearby, mounted, and galloped toward the main road.
The morning sunlight was very dazzling, making the snow-covered ground blindingly bright. Bailing Prefecture wasn’t large to begin with—it didn’t take long to reach the town center. Banbu’er had already given her the address, so Qing Xia rode her horse at lightning speed toward the agreed location.
Just as she was about to reach the gambling house, suddenly a dark mass of people appeared on the street ahead. Qing Xia frowned as she looked—countless people were crowded together, apparently watching some excitement. Their spectating wouldn’t matter, but they had blocked the only road completely. Qing Xia frowned for a while, then had to dismount, tie her horse to a crooked tree, and try to squeeze through the crowd. But after struggling to reach one end, she found the small corridor completely blocked by a huge, luxurious carriage—not even a fly could get through.