Chapter 45
Unable to solve the mystery of Mark’s demonic aura, Li Xinjun and Song Ling decided to set it aside for now and enjoy their time together. With General Henry’s help, they purchased a modest house nearby. Although Henry had insisted they stay at his castle, they didn’t want to impose on his hospitality, so they asked him to help them find a small house of their own.
Fortunately, Li Xinjun had brought a considerable amount of gold with her, making them quite wealthy in this new land. They could live comfortably without having to work. However, Li Xinjun, not wanting to deplete their savings, purchased a small plot of farmland outside their house. She and Song Ling worked the land together, their days filled with purpose and contentment.
They went to their field every morning, their hearts filled with pride as they watched the once barren land transform into a lush field of wheatgrass, the result of their hard work.
“Jun’er, come have some water.”
“Okay, I’m coming!”
Li Xinjun ran over to Song Ling and took the water pouch she offered, taking a long drink. The cool water was refreshing. They had grown accustomed to this simple life, their bond deepening with each passing day.
Li Xinjun’s skin had tanned from working under the sun, but it only enhanced her handsome features, giving her a healthy glow. Song Ling, spared from the sun’s harsh rays, remained fair-skinned. She was responsible for their meals, delivering food and water to Li Xinjun in the fields. Her culinary skills had improved significantly, and she could now effortlessly prepare a three-course meal with soup.
However, their idyllic life was disrupted by an unexpected rainy season. It rained relentlessly every day, flooding their fields and destroying most of their crops. The region relied heavily on agriculture and hunting for sustenance. They only occasionally traveled to the distant market to purchase additional supplies.
With their crops destroyed and hunting impossible in the heavy rain, their food supply dwindled. The last of their fresh produce had been consumed days ago. Song Ling, concerned, informed Li Xinjun of their situation. She knew they couldn’t continue like this and decided to brave the rain and travel to the market in the city.
Song Ling insisted on accompanying Li Xinjun, but Li Xinjun refused. The dirt roads, already treacherous, had turned into a muddy mess due to the relentless rain. Traveling by carriage would be slow and difficult. Riding horses would be faster.
However, riding together on one horse would be impractical. It would slow them down, and they wouldn’t be able to carry back as many supplies.
Unable to persuade Li Xinjun, Song Ling watched as she rode off alone. Li Xinjun, urging her horse forward, raced towards the city, eager to return with supplies. However, the muddy roads slowed her progress.
By the time she reached the city, it was past noon. She braved the rain and purchased a large quantity of supplies, securing them to her horse’s back. Once her horse was laden with as much as it could carry, she mounted and rode back towards home.
She had been riding in the rain since morning, and by the time she reached home, it was already evening. The cold rain and wind had taken their toll, and she was starting to sneeze. Song Ling immediately had her change into dry clothes and sit by the fire to warm up. However, the next morning, Li Xinjun woke up with a cold.
It wasn’t serious, but the persistent rain and the dampness in the house, coupled with the lack of medicinal herbs, hindered her recovery.
Song Ling could only make ginger tea to soothe her symptoms and bundle her up in warm clothes. Fortunately, Li Xinjun’s inner energy cultivation provided some protection, preventing the cold from worsening. However, her fever persisted.
Seeing that the weather had finally cleared up, Song Ling, ignoring Li Xinjun’s protests, rode back to the city. She urged her horse forward, reaching the city quickly. Unlike in the Qing Dynasty, her medical skills were useless here. She couldn’t find any Chinese medicinal herbs. She could only seek out a local physician, hoping they would make a house call to treat Li Xinjun.
However, her request was denied. Many people were sick during this season, and the physician was too busy to make house calls. Not wanting to risk Li Xinjun getting sicker by traveling to the city, Song Ling purchased some local fever medicine and returned home.
As she was riding back, it started to drizzle again. She continued on, her horse splashing through the mud. She came to a halt, finding a carriage stuck in the middle of the road, its wheels sunk deep in the mud. Unable to pass, she dismounted to help.
She saw a couple standing in front of the carriage, trying to urge their horse forward, but the wheels were stuck fast.
“Hello, do you need help? I can push from behind.”
“We’re so sorry for blocking your way. Our carriage is stuck.”
“Sister, why is your hair black?”
A little girl inside the carriage, her eyes wide with curiosity, looked at Song Ling’s long, black hair.
“Because I’m from the East. Be a good girl and stay inside the carriage. I’ll help push.”
“Okay, thank you, sister. You’re so kind.”
Song Ling went behind the carriage and pushed, trying to move it forward. However, the road was too muddy, and the wheels were sunk too deep. She managed to move it slightly, but it slid back into its original position.
Meanwhile, Li Xinjun, sleeping at home, had a dream. She was back in the Qing Dynasty, although she didn’t know the exact location. The scenery, however, was unmistakably Chinese.
She walked along a path and came to a temple. She pushed open the doors and saw an Abbess meditating inside. The Abbess turned to face her. It was Abbess Jingping.
“Jun’er, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Abbess Jingping, what are you doing here? Where are we? How did I get here?”
“This is your dream. I brought you here. I have something to tell you.”
“What is it, Abbess?”
“Do you remember what I told you about Ling’er’s tribulation?”
“Yes, Abbess.”
“I observed the stars last night and saw that her tribulation is approaching. It will likely occur within the next few days. Jun’er, you must stay by Ling’er’s side, understand? If she can survive until the next full moon, she will be safe.”
“But what can I do to protect her?”
“You are her destined soulmate. As long as you stay by her side, I believe everything will be alright. Remember, never leave her side.”
Li Xinjun woke up with a start, her body drenched in sweat. The dream felt so real, so vivid, that it filled her with unease. She got out of bed and looked out the window. It was already evening, and Song Ling still hadn’t returned. Remembering the dream, her anxiety grew.
The rain was getting heavier. Unable to bear the worry any longer, she decided to go out and find Song Ling. Since Song Ling had taken the horse, she could only walk, holding an umbrella to shield herself from the rain.
She trudged through the mud, her heart pounding with a sense of foreboding. She didn’t care if she was overreacting. She just wanted to see Song Ling. She was still weak from her cold, but she gritted her teeth and continued on.
In the distance, she saw a couple struggling to pull their carriage out of the mud. She thought she saw a figure resembling Song Ling behind the carriage. She quickened her pace, and as she got closer, she realized that it was indeed Song Ling. Relief washed over her.
A smile spread across her face as she waved to Song Ling and called out her name. “Sister Ling! Sister Ling!” Song Ling, hearing Li Xinjun’s voice, looked up and saw her waving in the distance. A mix of emotions surged within her: joy at seeing Li Xinjun, worry for her well-being, and anger that she had ventured out in the rain, despite being sick.
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