Looking at Xu Da Lie’s young, handsome face, Qing Xia suddenly felt a warm tenderness rise in her heart. She slowly gripped Xu Da Lie’s large hand and said softly, “Xu Da Lie, Qing Xia really likes this kind of life, and also likes living freely and happily beyond the pass with all of you. But I’ve always considered Xu Da Lie a very good friend – someone I can drink with, hunt with, and ride horses with. If I did something in the past that made you misunderstand, or if I failed to notice some hint of yours that led to your feelings today, then Qing Xia apologizes to you. But right now, I really don’t want to get entangled in these matters. I hope you can understand me.”

Xu Da Lie was slightly stunned, seemingly not expecting Qing Xia to refuse him so unhesitatingly. He lowered his head in thought before asking, “You’re refusing me because of the person you’re waiting for?”

“No,” Qing Xia shook her head decisively, “He’s my big brother.”

“Qing Xia, don’t lie to me. Your surname is Xia, his is Yang – how could he possibly be your real brother? I just want to know why you’re so certain in refusing me. Is there something wrong with me?”

Qing Xia pressed her lips together and said sincerely, “Xu Da Lie, you’re a very good person. You should find a better woman to love you properly, not me.”

“Qing Xia, I think you’re better than any other woman. I don’t like those willful northern women, nor do I like those affected Han women from the eastern lands within the pass. You’re kind-hearted and beautiful too. If you’re willing to marry me, even if all the countries sent me their princesses, I wouldn’t spare them a glance.”

Qing Xia was immediately at a loss for words, looking at Xu Da Lie, momentarily speechless.

Seeing Qing Xia hang her head in silence, Xu Da Lie sighed dejectedly and suddenly asked, “Qing Xia, what does the person you’re waiting for do?”

Seeing he still stubbornly believed she loved Yang Feng, Qing Xia thought that since she couldn’t explain it clearly, she might as well let him believe this assumption. She said in a deep voice, “You’re right, Xu Da Lie. He’s indeed not my big brother. He’s my savior. For my sake, he gave up his official position, wealth, and bright future, nearly losing his life. Even now, his fate remains unknown. You northern men are all honorable heroes who value faith and righteousness. Tell me, can I betray such a person?”

Xu Da Lie was stunned. After thinking, he asked in confusion, “Is he a general?”

“Yes,” Qing Xia nodded, “He is.”

Xu Da Lie nodded, then suddenly smiled, “You’re right, Qing Xia. This person is a real man. I won’t force you anymore.”

Qing Xia smiled and reached out to pat Xu Da Lie’s shoulder, saying, “That’s right. We’re still good friends.”

“Mm.” Xu Da Lie pulled his horse’s reins. The two smiled at each other and galloped toward the village. That evening, after drinking some wine, Qing Xia was groggily escorted home to her tent by Xu Da Lie.

The next morning, before she could even open her eyes, urgent hoofbeats shattered Qing Xia’s sleep. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she saw Ban Bu Er and Na Ke Duo burst through the tent flap, shouting at Qing Xia, “Jiema Agu, Xu Da Lie is gone!”

“What?” Qing Xia’s drowsiness immediately vanished as she opened her eyes wide, “Gone? Where did he go?”

“When we got up this morning, he was already gone. He didn’t take any of his things and left without a word, only leaving this behind.”

Ban Bu Er handed over a piece of paper. The moment Qing Xia took it, she felt dizzy. She quickly put on her clothes and rushed out of the tent, saying to the two, “Wait here, I’m going after him.”

“Jiema Agu, Xu Da Lie left last night – you can’t catch up!” Ban Bu Er shouted. Qing Xia’s steps froze in place. She held that hastily scrawled letter in her hand, feeling a sharp sourness growing wildly like weeds inside her. The northern wind blew fiercely, stinging her face. Qing Xia slowly sat down against the tent pole, her hand holding the letter trembling slightly.

Xu Da Lie, how cruel and willful you are! If something happens to you, do you want me to live the rest of my life in guilt and self-blame?

“Jiema Agu,” Na Ke Duo asked in his rough voice, “Where did Xu Da Lie go? What does the letter say?”

Qing Xia felt very tired. Supporting herself against the pole, she slowly stood up and went into the tent, hastily beginning to pack her belongings.

“Jiema Agu, where are you going?” Ban Bu Er followed her in, and seeing Qing Xia packing, he quickly ran forward to grab her hand, asking loudly.

Qing Xia turned back and patted Ban Bu Er’s shoulder. Children from beyond the pass all grew sturdy – Ban Bu Er was only thirteen but already taller than her. She forced a bitter smile and said faintly, “I’m not going anywhere. From now on, I’ll live at your house. Is that okay?”

“Great!” Ban Bu Er said joyfully, “Mother and A Mo Ye will be so happy. We’ve wanted you to come over for a long time.”

“Come, help me pack.”

The three of them busily gathered up Qing Xia’s daily necessities. She didn’t have much to begin with – just a small bundle. They led out the black horse from behind the tent, and the three left the snowy slope, walking toward the village.

“Jiema Agu, what exactly did Xu Da Lie go do?” After thinking, Ban Bu Er still asked in confusion.

“Yes, just tell us,” Na Ke Duo, being straightforward, said anxiously.

Qing Xia pressed her lips together, sighed, and said in a deep voice, “He went to join the army. He didn’t say exactly where. If your mother asks, tell her he went to the interior with escort traders to do business and make money, so she won’t worry.”

“Join the army?” The two boys immediately became excited, shouting loudly, “Wow! Did Xu Da Lie go to become a general? That’s amazing!”

Qing Xia shook her head slightly with a bitter smile. “Generals die in a hundred battles, brave soldiers return after ten years.” No one knew the cruelty of war better than she did. Xu Da Lie, how can you be so willful, just entrusting this large family of old and young to me like this? Are you trying to bind my feet? Battlefields are unpredictable with changing winds and clouds – how can illustrious military achievements be forged so easily?

“Let’s go.” She called to the two boys and went to Aunt Duo Yi Hua’s house, settling down there. Grass grew and orioles flew, auspicious snow fell again. In the blink of an eye, another year passed, with white snow covering everything as another year whistled by.

Xu Da Lie had been gone for a year. In the blink of an eye, Qing Xia had also stayed in Bailang County for over a year. Xu Da Lie hadn’t sent back a single word, and likewise, Yang Feng had no news either. Qing Xia sat in Aunt Duo Yi Hua’s small courtyard, watching large patches of fiery red flowing clouds drift by, feeling that time had grown wings and whooshed away without a trace, never to be seen again.

Putting down the handful of silk threads in her hands, she smiled at Aunt Han Ba from next door, “Like this, pull it through inside, and it’s done.”

“Oh my,” Aunt Han Ba smiled honestly, extending her rough large hands to take Qing Xia’s hands, examining them repeatedly, then raising her own hands high, “These are the same hands, so why are mine so clumsy?”

Qing Xia smiled, “With frequent practice it’ll be fine. This is actually quite simple.”

“Ah,” Aunt Han Ba quickly shook her head, “No good, no good.”

“Jiema Agu!” A series of shouts suddenly rang out. Qing Xia was startled and looked up to see Ban Bu Er and Na Ke Duo riding horses urgently into the small courtyard. They nimbly jumped down from horseback and ran to Qing Xia, shouting loudly, “Jiema Agu, come with us quickly!”

Qing Xia and Aunt Han Ba both stood up, putting down the scissors, needles, thread and other items from their laps. Qing Xia asked in confusion, “What happened? Why such urgency?”

“We found someone at Crooked Neck Tree who seems about to die. We found this on him.” As he spoke, he handed Qing Xia a long scroll.

Seeing the scroll, Qing Xia couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as unease suddenly rose in her heart. She quickly opened it to see a painted woman in military attire with flying brows and eyes – it was remarkably the portrait Lin Mu Bai had personally painted of herself!

“Where is that person?” Qing Xia asked in great alarm.

Ban Bu Er, being quick-tongued, said, “Right under the Crooked Neck Tree by the big river. Let’s go quickly – I could see he was breathing more out than in, probably not going to make it.”

“Lead the way quickly!” Qing Xia turned and mounted her horse. The two brothers shared one horse, leading the way ahead.

“Ban Bu Er, what does that person look like? How old?”

“About my age, maybe thirteen or fourteen. Clothes all torn, face like ghost paintings – I couldn’t see clearly what he looked like.”

Thirteen or fourteen years old? Qing Xia immediately raised an eyebrow, muttering to herself. But she still followed behind the two. Since this person had this portrait, it meant he definitely had some connection to Lin Mu Bai – she couldn’t just ignore it.

The distance wasn’t far to begin with. Soon they reached the riverside. The big river had already frozen over. Qing Xia followed the Ban Bu Er brothers and quickly ran to the tree, where they saw a young boy collapsed in the snow, his whole body rigid, face blue, nearly frozen to death. Taking a glance, Qing Xia felt the other person looked somewhat familiar, but couldn’t remember where she’d seen him. She said to Na Ke Duo, “Na Ke Duo, carry him. Let’s go back.”

“Okay.” Na Ke Duo was extremely strong and immediately lifted the young boy onto his back, asking Qing Xia, “Jiema Agu, should we go home?”

“No,” Qing Xia shook her head, “He can’t hold on that long. Go directly to my tent.”

Several people quickly carried the young boy to Qing Xia’s camp on the snowy slope. Ban Bu Er lit a fire, and Qing Xia performed first aid for frostbite on the boy. Fortunately, the child was young – soon his breathing stabilized, and he was out of danger.