Fortune Across the World

Chapter 134: Far From Home, Longing for You

It wasn't until the dancers exited the hall that Ding Qiyu snapped back to reality, vaguely sensing that something was off in the atmosphere beside her. Turning her head, she saw that Fu Ruqing was no longer conversing with the merchant king but instead gazing calmly at the new performance in the hall. Attributing the earlier strange feeling to her imagination, Ding Qiyu chose not to disturb her companion.

However, Fu Ruqing broke the silence, asking, "Did you enjoy the performance?" Her tone revealed nothing of her current mood.

Ding Qiyu, without hesitation, smiled and affirmed, "Yes, it was wonderful!" She genuinely found the performance captivating, though her appreciation was purely from an artistic perspective, without any ulterior thoughts.

Yet, Fu Ruqing, carrying a tinge of jealousy, didn't care about the angle from which Ding Qiyu appreciated the show. All she heard was that it was "wonderful," and that wasn't enough—Ding Qiyu had even emphasized "very wonderful." Fu Ruqing didn’t respond verbally, she merely nodded, a fleeting glint of danger in her eyes, and went back to quietly watching the performance. Ding Qiyu remained oblivious to Fu Ruqing's subtle shift, continuing to enjoy the unique desert city spectacle with a cheerful heart.

While there was revelry and dance at the banquet, back in Xing City, the atmosphere at General Lu's residence, Yaolu Pavilion, was quite different. Lu Weixi had just finished a light dinner and was seated at her desk, writing a new letter. Since confiding her feelings to her parents, her health had slightly improved, allowing her to stay out of bed and manage her longing for Ding Qiyu with some semblance of sleep each night. Over a month ago, she had asked her father to send a courier to deliver a letter to Ding Qiyu's address in Yinzou. The courier had returned, yet she had received no reply from Ding Qiyu, rekindling her anxiety.

Halfway through writing the new letter, Lu Weixi's scattered thoughts disrupted her focus. She set down her pen and turned to her maid, Qing'er, saying, "Qing'er, I'd like to visit Aunt He." If Yu received her letter, there'd be no reason not to reply. The prolonged silence might mean something else had preoccupied her, or perhaps...

Lu Weixi dared not dwell on the latter possibility. If Yu received the letter but didn’t reply, it could only mean she no longer cared for her...

Qing'er, startled by her mistress's sudden words, quickly gathered herself, expressing concern, "Miss, it's cold outside, and you're frail. It's better not to go out. Let me handle it for you." Although the general had lifted her confinement, the winter chill was harsh, and her health was delicate.

"But I haven't left Yaolu Pavilion in so long..." Lu Weixi sighed, gazing at the serene lake outside the small building, her tone tinged with a mix of stubbornness and melancholy, "I wish to ask Aunt He myself." Before meeting Ding Qiyu, Lu Weixi, like many noble daughters, spent most of her time at Yaolu Pavilion. But now, with someone dear to her heart, things felt different. Yu was exploring opportunities in distant Yinzou, while she was confined to this small pavilion. When would her frail body recover, and when would she find true peace? Even a small piece of news from Aunt He would be better than endless, empty longing.

Hearing this, Qing'er's eyes grew misty. It was true; her mistress hadn't left Yaolu Pavilion in a long time. Qing'er felt a pang of sadness at Lu Weixi's helpless and forlorn tone. She wiped her eyes and stood, saying, "Very well, I'll prepare. Let's visit Aunt He." With that, she hurried upstairs to fetch warm clothing for Lu Weixi, sighing internally. When would Young Master Ding return? He had once cared deeply for her mistress, so why hadn't he sent even a word back, leaving her to endure the torment of longing alone?