A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 3

17

Chu Beijie's body began to shake. His grip tightened around the reins, only hearing Yaotian continue with, "And how could a man who, for his own search for happiness, is willing to sacrifice the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers to form an army that steals others' hapiness, be the hero that Bai Pingting truly loves? Think, Duke, do all of these soldiers in your hands really wish to fight a battle for a single woman?"

Yaotian sighed once and lowered her voice. "What Bai Pingting wants is for Duke's eyes to open, be able to see what needs to be appreciated in this world, who is to be cherished. She wants you to see that even in the ant colonies. They have freedom and ambition but always in sight of their own happiness."

Chu Beijie's teeth were tightly clenched and for the longest time, he was speechless.

In the morning light, Pingting's smile had been gentle like water but now it had melted into all lakes and sees, not leaving any trace to be found.

The fundamental roots of a country has always been its people.

If it wasn't done willingly from the heart, why force oneself to sacrifice the things dearest to them in exchange for the country's reputation?

Country and people were not two separate choices, but one.

Only those who listened to their heart, loved what they loved and hated what they hated, were real people.

Chu Beijie abruptly raised his head at the sky, laughing to the skies as his tears slid along his cheeks. He lowered his voice, "Thank you for pointing these out, Princess."

A letter was slowly handed out of the curtain.

"Yaotian only had a few experiences, not enough to be worthy of your praise. Those words came from Miss Bai's letter."

Chu Beijie got off the horse, taking the wavering letter as tender as newborn babies. A shiver ran up his spine, "Thank you, Princess. I swear to Princess that the Dong Lin army will withdraw immediately."

Yaotian hadn't expected that he would so cleanly decide his withdrawal. She hesitated slightly, before asking, "Is Duke not afraid this letter is false and that Miss Bai is still in imprisonment?"

Chu Beijie laughed. "If Pingting hadn't confidence, why would she ask Princess to pass on a letter? Handwriting can be forged but can wise words be?"

He turned his horse and rode back to his army. Chen Mu had become impatient early in his wait and hurriedly came forwards to ask, "What on earth did the Princess of Yun Chang say?"

"Withdraw the troops."

"What?"

Chu Beijie chuckled for a long time. "Withdraw! We're not fighting a battle anymore."

Even though everyone was secretly stunned by this, they were also pleasantly surprised. Some people asked, "What about the Duchess then?"

"I'll look for her myself." Chu Beijie gazed into the depths of the sky, determination filling his eyes. "I will find her, even if she is at the end of the world."

God have mercy, please bless me with Pingting.

You can fly towards the sky with your wings. Chu Beijie is willing to follow you until the ends of the earth.

From today on, I will love what I love and hate what I hate.

I understand what I want to do and understand what I should do.

I understand what I should appreciate and therefore shall appreciate; what I should sever ties with and therefore shall sever ties with.

I understand that country and home, country and people, have always been one.

I understand that sacrifice is not great, but only by appreciating the people I love, can a country thrive. That in itself is a powerful pair of wings that soars towards ambition, just like how flowing red blood does the same.

Pingting, Pingting, I have heard the voice of my heart.

It says that life after life, it must never part from you.

Even if the earth shatters or the highest power tries to interfere, this feeling will always endure.

"Withdraw the army!"

"Withdraw! Withdraw!"

The army of Dong Lin withdrew and the final battle was stopped at the final moment.

Chu Beijie gazed into the horizon, not able to see that familiar body. But he would go to find her, he had to find her and lovingly protect her as he accompanies her under the stars, as she plays qin or as she watches the stars in the snow.

Together they would watch over the growing children, teaching him not to go astray and be shackled by dark depression. He will then always remember that morality comes from the heart and only by listening to the voice of the heart, can one never be blindfolded by the world.

Let him understand that people have their own dignity, people have their own ambition, people have their own freedom and people have their own happiness.

These were not things that national interests or the moral good could deprive them of.

Because, the fundamental roots of a country has always been one thing – its people.

There were always a few unpredictable days.

Just after two days of sun, the sky began to scowl again. Dense clouds hung overhead, darkly shrouding both near and far mountains.

Zuiju studied the sky and sighed. "Looks like another snowstorm."

Pingting leaned against the rock as she ascended the sleeping mountain slope. She was slightly panting as she silently assessed the blurry figures of people drifting far away below her. "Xiaoyang Mountain is just ahead. After that checkpoint, we'll be in Bei Mo. Worry about the snowstorm later."

Zuiju nodded.

Their initial bags had been stolen by officials while they were guests at an old couple's cabin. They no longer had any money or clothes. They would doctor the occasional sick person to earn back a little but overall, it was another additional worry on their journey. Their tender hands had been rubbed until they formed a cocoon layer.

Today they saw one of the checkpoints to get to Bei Mo, Xiaoyang Mountain. The two heaved a sigh of relief. When they got to Bei Mo, Yangfeng would surely help them settle in. The two helped support each other down from the top of the mountain. They were much more careful than setting off. After all, they had experienced countless hardships on their journey from the capital of Yun Chang to here. They quietly hid themselves in the forest trail, lurking at the edge of the road as they studied the movement on the Xiaoyang Mountain.

A few people resembling merchants led a cart, ready to pass the checkpoint. As if knowing that a snowstorm would soon come, the leader of the merchants peered at the skies anxiously. He took out a bag of coins from his arms and stuffed it into the captain of the guards. He held his hands as he begged, "Sir, look at this weather. A snowstorm is about to come, even if people can last, our livestock cannot. Please spare us and let us cross without further ado. I exit every month at least three or four times, so how could I possibly not have an approved exit pass? It's just that this checkpoint never checks for it, so today is a bit sudden..."

"So you're blaming us, eh?" The captain harrumphed. "It never used to be checked, because our superiors never told us to check. A war is going on now. A war, do ya understand? The documents are hung over there and if you're literate enough, then read them yourself. It's clearly written. Without an approved exit pass, you cannot cross this checkpoint."

In the bushes, the two who overheard their conversation exchanged a worried glance.

"This place is just like Hemeng Mountain, only those with an approved exit pass are allowed to cross." Zuiju's face was sad, "What to do? We spent all that bitter effort rushing over from the Hemeng Mountain."

Pingting's deep black eyes stared at the narrow gap between the old doors of the Xiaoyang Mountain gate. "It seems that all of the checkpoints from Yun Chang to Bei Mo have been strictly ordered to only allow those with an approved exit pass to cross."

She should of thought of it earlier. Checkpoint inspections were bound to be strengthened when war dawned.