Luoyang was the central section of the Grand Canal. Banzhu was undoubtedly the pearl on the canal, guarding the top of the Tongji Canal—a transfer station for goods from north and south. Great Tang had only been founded for just over ten years, yet this small county town already brimmed with vitality. Merchants speaking different dialects jostled shoulder to shoulder in the small county town, almost merging into a sea of humanity.

The waterway bristled with masts and sails. Countless porters wearing short jackets shuttled endlessly across long wooden gangplanks. At this time, there would certainly be no shortage of county tax officials. Those on the docks holding water-and-fire staffs with horizontal swords at their waists were the ones—inspecting cargo and estimating value in an instant.

Cheng Chumo found it very strange why Yun Ye would forsake the near to seek the far. Clearly, going directly to Songyang County would be fine—why take a detour to Banzhu? This way, the journey was fully twice as long.

He wanted to ask but was stopped by Niu Jianhu. The two brothers exchanged glances, then avoided Yun Ye to whisper together. One earnestly instructing, the other listening attentively, making a show of sudden enlightenment.

When the sun had just climbed overhead, Yun Ye ordered them to stop at Banzhu for a day. They didn’t stay at an inn—there wasn’t one that could accommodate over two hundred people. Declining the Banzhu County Magistrate’s invitation to stay at the county office, the convoy traveled to the Yellow River’s edge and set up camp.

Yun Ye only took Dan Ying and Wang Cai. After greeting Xinyue, he left the camp. Under Xinyue’s puzzled gaze, amid Cheng Chumo and Niu Jianhu’s blazing gossip flames, Yun Ye leisurely went upstream along the Yellow River.

Everywhere along the Yellow River were smooth stones, their edges all worn away by the water flow. The stone mountain by the river was the same. The Yellow River water gently lapped at the gaps between stones, making gurgling sounds.

The Yellow River had a heavy earthy smell. The summer river water was somewhat turbid. Being located on a plain, the river water flowed slowly. Only the whirlpools appearing from time to time on the surface showed the unrest beneath.

Remembering swimming bare-bottomed in the turbid Yellow River as a child and being dragged back by his mother for a good beating, Yun Ye felt increasingly affectionate toward this river. He picked up a thin stone slab and threw it across the water surface. The stone kept skipping across the water, splashing up a series of water flowers.

Eleven splashes—Yun Ye was very satisfied. Dan Ying casually picked one up, weighed it in his hand, swung his arm, and the stone flew out. Who knew how many splashes it made? After throwing the stone, he crossed his arms and stood by the river—the very picture of an expert.

“Little Ying, a fleet will pass by shortly. I have a letter here—help me deliver it to the ship.” Yun Ye took out an unsealed envelope and handed it to Dan Ying.

“Who are you waiting for? Doesn’t seem like good people. Could it be your mistress? I won’t do this kind of dirty work delivering love letters.” Dan Ying gave Yun Ye a different answer. Seeing Yun Ye’s surprise, he added, “Niu Jianhu’s whispers are even more exaggerated than other people’s loud talking. I couldn’t help but hear.”

“This matter can’t be explained clearly. In any case, this isn’t a love letter. It’s some of my arrangements for Lingnan. It’s not good to show up in the capital, so I’m arranging things here. Why is a little brat thinking so much? If you won’t do it, give my precious blade back. I want to chop stones for fun.”

Dan Ying’s heart twitched. He couldn’t bear to kill people with that blade, much less chop stones. A sentiment of “a poor youth finds all matters sorrowful” rose in his heart. Exasperated, he said, “Fine, fine, I’ll help you deliver the letter. Reduce the debt by one hundred strings of cash.”

Yun Ye was satisfied now. This child had finally learned how to make money.

Wang Cai ran east and west on the soft beach, making footprints. It sniffed the Yellow River water with its earthy smell and snorted—this water didn’t suit its taste. It ran back to Yun Ye’s side, hiding from Dan Ying.

A huge fleet came downstream from upriver. The Flying Phoenix flags hanging from the bow fluttered loudly in the wind. Yun Ye stood with his hands behind his back on a huge stone by the river. His blue shirt was also lifted by the wind, making him appear dashing and romantic.

He had thought his particularly striking pose would surely be seen by Li Anlan on the ship. Who knew no one would pay attention? The boatmen on the ship even pointed and gestured. These scoundrels’ mouths never had anything good to say.

Dan Ying really wanted to hide, but Yun Ye had instructed him. He had to deliver those letters to the ship. He tied the letters to an arrow, took out his longbow, aimed at the largest, most luxurious ship, drew the bow, and shot.

The long arrow whistled as it lodged in the mast. Cries of “assassin!” rang out from the ship. Countless men with blades came to the ship’s rail, clamoring to come ashore and tear the two youngsters on the riverbank to pieces.

The cursing was very unpleasant. Yun Ye said to Dan Ying, “Little Ying, can you make that bastard who’s cursing us most viciously shut up?”

Dan Ying’s foot scraped, and an egg-sized stone jumped into his palm. Without seeming to exert force, the stone flew out, actually carrying the sound of breaking wind.

The bald man jumping and cursing immediately shut his mouth. Yun Ye even saw his teeth fly up. A huge stone anchor was immediately thrown into the river’s heart. The large ship only drifted down a little before stopping in the river’s center. The bow gently swayed like a tethered beast. The small boats behind also stopped in succession. Dropping anchor in the Yellow River like this was dangerous. All the people on the ships began to clamor. Several eunuchs wearing green robes—their cursing was especially piercing.

The arrow on the mast was taken down. The guards only glanced at it before hurrying into the cabin. Immediately, Little Lingdang wearing a lake-green skirt ran out, waving at Yun Ye. Li Anlan in white dress and skirt also stood out. Those guards receded like the tide.

For the first time, he discovered the calm Yellow River also made great noise, like never-ending sighs. Little Lingdang’s words came intermittently: “Big Brother Yun, take care. We’re going to Lingnan.”

He could hear she was crying, very sad, even somewhat choked up. In that cold palace, Yun Ye was her only friend. When boarding the ship in Chang’an, everyone else seemed to have someone seeing them off. Only she was alone, like a dandelion drifting with the wind in this world. No one cared where she drifted to. She had searched through the crowd several times but hadn’t found Yun Ye’s shadow. She thought Yun Ye had long forgotten her. She was about to go with the Princess to that earthly hell. Now suddenly seeing that familiar figure, the bitterness in her heart seemed to have found someone to confide in. She cried out without restraint.

Lingdang had always been a simple girl. In her simple thinking, as long as there was tasty food every day, not too much work, and peaceful days—that was the most beautiful life.

Who knew fate always opposed her? She liked to eat good food but had no delicacies. She wanted less work but countless matters found her. She wanted to live peacefully, but fate insisted she go to the most terrible place.

Li Anlan held Lingdang tightly, very tightly. She was afraid Yun Ye would take Lingdang away. She vowed to give Lingdang the best life and never let her suffer any grievance again. Yun Ye’s appearance also brought a trace of sweetness to her bitter heart.

Watching Yun Ye pace back and forth on the shore, wanting to comfort her and the Princess but helpless, Lingdang suddenly laughed. Calling out at the top of her voice: “Big Brother Yun, come to Lingnan when you have time. I’ll miss you!” After shouting this sentence, Lingdang covered her face and ran back to the cabin.

Yun Ye felt somewhat regretful. Should he have stayed in Chang’an a few more days and gone to Shaolin Temple after seeing them off? This thought only flashed by—not suitable. Things were like large ships—without a dock, there was no way to berth. Better to be known than to be seen!

Yun Ye didn’t want to attract too much attention. This was good enough. He saw Li Anlan loosen her hair, cut off a lock with a small knife, held it spread in her hand, and let the wind take those strands of hair away one by one.

Yun Ye very much hoped the wind could bring the hair over, but the hair was still blown away to who knows where. Yun Ye’s eyes stung. He turned his back, waved at her, and descended the huge stone. He worried Li Anlan would see through his weakness.

Yun Ye hid behind the stone to collect his emotions. Wang Cai stuck its head out to check for Yun Ye. Dan Ying suddenly jumped very high and reached out in the wind, as if catching something. Yun Ye pounded his forehead before finally calming down.

The shout of raising anchor came over. Yun Ye knew very clearly that this fleet coming out of the Guangtong Canal would soon turn into the Tongji Canal, then enter the Huai River, pass through the Han Canal to reach Jiangdu, then along the Jiangnan Canal to reach Yuhang. Finally, with Feng Ang’s reception, they would enter Liao territory and begin integrating the Liao lands, becoming true lords. Eight hundred li of territory—enough for her to make her mark.

Since ancient times, life has been sorrowful at parting. A modern person couldn’t comprehend the ancients’ sorrow. One separation very likely meant forever—unlike now, where three hours on a plane would take you to prosperous Lingnan to enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.

This was why Lingdang at the last moment shouted words of missing Yun Ye. If she didn’t say them now, there would be no chance. Lingdang knew Yun Ye’s status didn’t allow him to casually run to Lingnan. Even if only a thought, she wanted to shout it out and let Yun Ye know her feelings.

“For you.” Dan Ying extended his hand before Yun Ye, holding a strand of hair. This was the only strand that flew to the shore. Dan Ying had seen it very clearly.

“Thank you.” Yun Ye took the hair and tied it to his purse, then took Wang Cai back. He walked very quickly, his fists clenched tightly. This damned world—look what it had done! It simply didn’t allow beautiful things to exist in the mortal realm. Happy days could never outnumber sorrowful times. Could it be true—that nonsense saying that nine times out of ten, worldly matters don’t suit one’s wishes?

This thought just arose when Xinyue’s face appeared before Yun Ye: “All seen off?”

Xinyue blinked her large eyes and asked Yun Ye.

“Yes, all seen off. Why are you following me? Didn’t I explain this matter to you yesterday?” Yun Ye was somewhat exasperated. Having his wife see him seeing off women was really somewhat embarrassing.

“Your concubine won’t ask who the Princess is. I just want to ask who that beautiful palace maid in the green skirt is? Your concubine doesn’t care about the Princess—even if she had heaven’s abilities, she couldn’t marry into our family. Not worried—just wanted to see my husband’s taste. Nothing special.”

From Xinyue’s disdainful tone, Yun Ye knew she could now kill a tiger barehanded.