Fortune Across the World

Chapter 170: The Hermit of the Nameless Valley (Part 1)

The female guard who had been sent to inquire at Qingliu Garden knocked and entered. Lu Weixi turned and asked, "What did you find out?" She had already guessed the answer. How many times had she sent people to ask, and how many times had the results been the same? Lu Weixi knew she was destined to miss Ding Qiyu once again.

"Third Miss, the people at Qingliu Garden said that Mr. Ding has not returned yet..." The guard hesitated, seeing the disappointment in her mistress's eyes but continued, "And there's been no message from him, no word at all..."

Lu Weixi nodded silently, dismissing everyone. A wave of bitterness washed over her as she leaned against the window frame, tears silently tracing down her cheeks, dampening the wooden sill.

After a while, Qinger, who had been anxiously waiting by the door, finally saw her mistress emerge. Lu Weixi's eyes were red, her beautiful face betraying her exhaustion. She softly instructed, "Qinger, have everyone prepare. We leave for Xingcheng tomorrow."

Meanwhile, in Xingcheng, Lian'er finished tidying the house and chatted with her mother before returning to her room. She sat by the window, continuing to sew an inner garment for Ding Qiyu. Distracted, she pricked her finger, a drop of blood staining the newly embroidered crane with a spot of crimson. Lian'er didn't immediately stop the bleeding, staring at the red spot in a daze. She felt uneasy today; it had been so long since she last heard from Ayu...

Five days later...

Ding Qiyu slowly awoke from unconsciousness, struggling to open her eyes. As her awareness returned, she recalled the scene before she fainted: "Zhuyi—" she croaked, her voice hoarse. Forcing herself to sit up, she turned and saw the person lying quietly beside her. Despite the pain and weakness coursing through her body, she carefully reached out with her unbandaged hand to feel for Zhuyi's breath. The gentle, steady breathing she felt finally eased her heart. It seemed they had escaped and been rescued, but where were they? Were they still in Qianli Palace? Ding Qiyu didn't know.

While she was lost in thought, staring at Zhuyi's pale face, a woman's voice came from behind: "You're awake?" Ding Qiyu turned to see a middle-aged woman in simple clothing standing at the door, her features kind and gentle. Though her face bore the marks of time, her elegance shone through.

This senior must have saved them. Ding Qiyu struggled to lift the blanket and get out of bed, raising her stiff hand in greeting: "Thank you, senior, for your timely rescue!" Noticing something amiss with her face, she touched it, finding most of her head wrapped in bandages. She remembered being injured by Le Mengxiao's Fire Whip during the life-and-death struggle, a thought that hadn't crossed her mind until now. At this moment, she felt like a mummy, with her head, an arm, and her entire torso swathed in bandages.

The senior nodded with a smile: "Your injuries haven't healed yet. Please lie back down." Her smile was warm and loving. She entered with a wooden tray, closing the door behind her. "I'm here to change your bandages. I didn't expect you to wake so soon. Your blood, your body, is unlike anyone else's."

The elder's gentle smile filled Ding Qiyu with warmth. Obediently, she lay back against the headboard, replying honestly, "I had an unusual experience in the past, which made me the way I am now." Seeing the senior approach with supplies to change her bandages, she offered, "Thank you, senior. I'll do it myself."

"I'll handle it. You just stay still," the senior said, her smile deepening. She hadn't seen outsiders for over a decade, and the sudden collapse of the trap path leading to the outside world had brought these two wounded youngsters to her care. Among them was Qiu Li's daughter, and though she didn't know the other, her demeanor was polite and endearing.