Chapter 349: Daydream
The next day Xing got ready to travel to the West through the mountains. It would only take half an hour for her to reach the end of the mountain and another hour on horseback to reach Falin port where the ten ships for the expedition are leaving the next day.
But that morning, she received a letter from the Emperor that she is named as the Commander for this expedition and he had arranged an escort for her since she as a female won’t be accepted on ships as those seafarers are extremely superstitious. For some reason, they believed that having a woman on board will bring terrible luck in any journey especially something important as this.
Xing knew of those superstitions as Haru had told her about it and she had plans to use the new ship he bought recently for herself.
Why the Emperor thought she’d be sharing a ship with those seamen, she couldn’t comprehend. Since when did he thought she’d share space with a bunch of smelly men who would hate her presence? And why would she need an escort? Since she’ll be leaving through the mountains, she was not even taking Xiao Mei with her and she won’t be able to take anyone else with her unless it is...
As she was in her thoughts guessing who that escort must be, a familiar face with ethereal features and silver hair, came to her view.
"Miss Táng, I’ll be your escort in this tedious journey as assigned by the Emperor" he smiled as the first sunlight after a heavy rain and brought warmth to her heart with a slight bow. Somehow he didn’t have the awkwardness he had last night when he refused to look her in the eyes and looked playful.
"I heard that expedition might take months... Can you really spare your time?", Xing asked with her Amber eyes twinkling taking in the warmth from the handsome face in front of her. She couldn’t hide her excitement.
"I’ll survive", he said walking towards her with a smile Xing had never seen before. It had a childish playfulness with a mature care with it. Xing noticed that these days, he has a different demeanour and also behaviour from before. She couldn’t understand him greatly like before. She felt like she is meeting and getting to know a new person and it made her scared at times. She even felt scared to look him in the eyes fearing that she might see the coldness she saw that day back in his eyes.
Chenglei on the other hand was simply happy that he had convinced his brother to let him join this woman in this journey. He didn’t care if this expedition might take months. The thought that he’d be alone with her in the middle of nowhere where everywhere is surrounded with water, made him happy in his heart. He had noticed that this woman like to live extravagantly. So he even bought a ship from a merchant who was nagging him to buy for a long time, for them to travel. It was a big and resplendent ship; one that would fit the queen she is!
Xing brought Chenglei who had his luggage tied to a horse along with her to the mountain in her backyard. She had sent information to the Ming Manor in Falin already to prepare her luggage for her. So she had nothing to carry. She left Xiao Mei in her Manor to guard it since she cannot follow her through the mountains and she also scraped the idea of bringing a maid with her to the journey since Chenglei is with her.
Chenglei watched her walking in front of him with her hair in a simple hairdo and the Wind blew on her carrying her scent to him.
This woman!