Qi Yue did not delay any further; she spent more than one shichen walking to the supervisorâs office.
After explaining her purpose, Qi Yue was led into a small room where an official in charge of handling related cases took the divorce paper, carefully examined it, made a record using an official document, and then flipped through another thick booklet to find a stack of papers and started searching through them.
Qi Yue knew that these were the records of exiled individuals for each year.
Those exiled here, without any identification, even had their criminal records controlled by the supervisorâs office.
Finally, the official picked out a sheet and marked it with an âXâ in cinnabar ink, symbolizing its destruction.
Before long, Qi Yue held in her hand a small wooden token symbolizing civilian status and an identity certificate; with these two items, she could travel anywhere.
According to the supervisorâs office rules, the divorce papers should be kept for records, but Qi Yue gave the official ten silver pieces and asked to keep the divorce paper.
The belongings of exiles were as cheap as dirt; after all, no one would check a divorce paper, so after receiving ten silver pieces, the official returned the paper to her.
With these three items in hand and leaving the small office, Qi Yue suddenly felt somewhat lost.
From this moment on, she would no longer belong to the Zhao Family but would truly be Qi Yue.
It was almost laughable to think about it, when she and Zhao Xiyan were getting married, one as the daughter of a General and the other as the Marquis known as War God; their union not only required the Emperorâs decree but also the Shangguan Familyâs jade disc. For them to divorce seemed an incredibly difficult feat, yet once the Zhao Family became exiles, a simple divorce paper was all it took to completely sever their ties.
Qi Yue took one last look at the position where the Zhao Family members were, left the supervisorâs office, and headed toward the nearby military horse farm.
She had already learned from the office official that there was a military horse farm near the supervisorâs office where she could buy a horse.
The journey to Longnan County Government would take more than ten days, and she didnât have the time or energy to travel such a distance, so she planned on buying a horse.
No sooner had her figure disappeared from view than Qu Wei, dressed in white and waving a folding fan, appeared.
âIs everything taken care of?â
He spoke with a slight smile, as if asking the air.
âMy lord, everything is ready.â
Following the sound of a voice, a short-statured official suddenly appeared from the empty space to his left.
This man was precisely the official who had just processed Qi Yueâs divorce. In a soft voice, he recounted the recent events and mentioned that Qi Yue had gone to the military horse farm to buy a horse.
After listening, Qu Weiâs lips slightly curled.
âDispatch all the information we have gathered.â
âYes, my lord.â
The short official duly withdrew.
Qu Wei returned to the back courtyard of the supervisorâs office and when he reappeared, he had changed into an outfit more suitable for travel, still in white.
A subordinate had already prepared a horse for him; he leapt onto the horse, and as he did, his whip landed on the horseâs hindquarters. With a long neigh, several horses galloped toward the direction of Longnan County Government.
Several days later, Qi Yue finally saw the imposing city gates of Longnan County Government.
During these days, she rode her horse by day and slept comfortably in her space at night, unlike the usual traveler who appeared dusty and weary.
The Great County Government of the southernmost part saw a constant stream of people every day, with strict inspections for those entering and leaving the city gates.
Qi Yue dismounted at the city gate and queued up to enter, leading her horse.
As she was wondering whether to find a place to rest first or to inquire about the location of the Prefectural Magistrateâs Office after entering the city, she suddenly heard a voice.
âDoctor Qi, weâve been waiting for you. I reckon our lord will arrive soon too,â said the voice.
Curious, Qi Yue lifted her head to see Zhang Fang striding toward her with an unusual smile on his face.
âDoctor Qi, please come with me. Our lord has already arranged a welcome banquet, just waiting for you.â
Zhang Fang took the horse from her hand eagerly, which made Qi Yue feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Although Zhang Fang was merely the close guard to Prefectural Magistrate Hu, he was a man of rank, and she was nothing but the nominal chief disciple of Huang Zaiâan. But given his reaction, wasnât he a bit too eager?
Qi Yue thought so in her heart, but she didnât refuse in the end.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do; upon entering someone elseâs turf, itâs best to follow their lead.
Zhang Fang introduced the way and led her to the Imperial Products Building, the largest and most famous one in Longnan County Government.
The horses naturally had lads to take care of them, and as the two entered the Imperial Products Building, there were already people who came to greet them and guided them to a large private room on the third floor.
Qi Yue silently pondered the meaning behind this welcome banquet. She didnât understand why Hu Chengxuan insisted on having this meeting, hadnât everything that needed to be discussed been settled in the gorge before?
Soon they arrived at the entrance of the private room, and a familiar laugh could be heard from inside.
âThe daringness of Marquis Hu, your nephew admires!â
Qu Wei?
Why was he here?
Qi Yue narrowed her eyes.
At this moment, Zhang Fang had already opened the door and asked her to come in.
She thanked him and entered the private room, and indeed saw Qu Wei sitting across from Hu Chengxuan, both with smiles on their faces, clearly old acquaintances and on good terms.
âDoctor Qi has arrived, please come in and take a seat.â
The moment he saw her, Hu Chengxuan greeted her amiably, his demeanor like someone happy to see a beloved junior.
Qi Yue couldnât help but contract her pupils slightly as she responded.
âYes, Supervisor.â
Still, she felt that a person like Hu Chengxuan suited a stern face better.
âQu Wei, thereâs no need to introduce Doctor Qi, I suppose. I heard you visit Master Huang every month; you should recognize her, no?â
âI do recognize her, but weâre not very familiar.â Qu Wei looked towards her with a smile, âSheâs Master Huangâs chief disciple, after all, but she spends most of her time out gathering herbs. Weâve only met a few times in total.â
Although Qi Yue didnât understand why Qu Wei didnât reveal her identity but rather helped to conceal it, it did relieve her somewhat.
For now, she didnât want Hu Chengxuan to know her true identity.
This sly Hu, knowing too much, would likely guess that she was searching for rhinoceros horn for Zhao Xiyan and might even implicate Huang Zaiâan as a result.
Therefore, she simply nodded lightly towards Qu Wei.
âIâve seen the Supervisor.â
Qu Wei flicked open his folding fan with a whoosh and cooly fanned himself a couple of times.
âDoctor Qi, thereâs no need to be so formal. With you on this journey, I can rest assured. I hope youâll take good care of us!â
Qi Yue frowned. On the journey? Was he also going to Longnan Ridge in the Western Regions?
Before she could ask, Hu Chengxuan began to explain.
âDoctor Qi, itâs like this. Nephew Qu Wei has some business to attend to in the west, and since itâs on the way, Iâve agreed to let him travel with you all.â
Although Qi Yue was very reluctant in her heart, she had no choice. If it werenât for the fact that the miasma-infested Western Regions needed more hands, she would not be willing to deal with this Hu at all!
She impassively agreed, âIâll leave everything to Superior Huâs arrangements.â
Soon the dishes were served and, after sitting for a while, Hu Chengxuan was called away to attend to official business, leaving only her and Qu Wei in the private room.
Qi Yue had no desire to drink and chat with Qu Wei, so she stood up to leave. But to her surprise, Qu Wei stood up as well and blocked her way.
This pretentious man truly never forgot to wave his folding fan.
âMiss Qi, arenât you curious at all why I want to travel with you?â