Chapter 782: Zhaoyong’s Departure

Editor: Henyee Translations

After hesitating for a while, Qin Yunfei finally asked, “Miss Chu, can you personally prepare the medicine?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Are you worried that Qingyan might not do it well?”

Qin Yunfei hesitated, then slowly nodded.

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Don’t worry about that. Qingyan’s method of preparing medicine was taught by me. If she isn’t as good as me, I wouldn’t let her do it alone. Rest assured.”

Since she put it that way, Qin Yunfei had no choice but to agree, “Then, shall we sign a contract?”

“Sure,” Chu Qingzhi called over Chu Qingyan, “Qingyan will be responsible for this. You two sign, but rest assured, Mr. Qin, if anything happens, I will take full responsibility.”

Qin Yunfei nodded, “Alright, let’s sign.”

For a big business like Chu’s Trade, there was no need to deceive him.

Thus, Chu Qingyan’s first official business contract was born today, and the young girl excitedly shared the news throughout the village, showing off her contract.

Li Qingyu intercepted Chu Qingyan at the entrance of the courtyard, “Be a little more low-key.”

Chu Qingyan joyfully said, “I can’t help it, I’m happy.”

Li Qingyu patted Chu Qingyan’s shoulder, “Hurry back and keep the contract safe. It’s almost time for dinner.”

“Understood, Mother.”

Jiang Zhaoyong returned to Shuiyun County from the capital, staying in the city for one night. The next morning, he called several friends to go hunting in the forest.

His friend Jiang Bingjie curiously asked, “What did the emperor assign you to do?”

Jiang Zhaoyong shook his head, “Better not to ask, or it might bring you trouble.”

Jiang Bingjie knew better than to press further, “Then when are you leaving? Will you come back for the New Year?”

Jiang Zhaoyong couldn’t help but frown, his mood turning somber, “I’m leaving tomorrow. As for returning, it’s highly unlikely.”

Jiang Bingjie disagreed, “Aren’t you supposed to get married during the New Year? How can you not come back for that?”

Jiang Zhaoyong didn’t respond, not knowing what to say, his expression gradually becoming gloomy. After a while, he said, “Let’s not talk about unhappy things today. Let’s go hunting one last time; who knows when the next time will be.”

His friends exchanged glances, “Alright, today we hunt and talk about nothing else.”

They rode off spiritedly, heading towards the mountains, gradually distancing themselves.

Jiang Zhaoyong and his friends hunted in the woods all day, only stopping when they had their fill.

Jiang Zhaoyong told his friends, “Buy all the game from me. I’ll take it to my fiancee’s house, as I won’t be able to visit her often.” His words were filled with sadness and reluctance.

Jiang Bingjie generously said, “What are you talking about? Just take them, consider it as us spending the day with you.”

Jiang Zhaoyong thanked them, “Thanks, brothers.”

They helped Jiang Zhaoyong tie up the game onto the horses.

Jiang Bingjie patted Jiang Zhaoyong’s shoulder, “When you come back, let us know. We’ll go hunting and drinking together again.”

Don t make it sound so sad. I should be coming back for the wedding. You all have to come to the celebration.”

“That we will.”

After parting ways with his friends, Jiang Zhaoyong mounted his horse and headed towards Chu Village.

Chu Qingning was picking mushrooms at the edge of the yard, not sure why, but the mushrooms on those few trees always grew back quickly, often regrowing just four or five days after being picked, leading to an abundance of mushrooms at home, enjoyed by friends and family alike.

The mushrooms were large, as big as a child’s hand, plump and of excellent quality.

As Chu Qingning was picking, village children ran over, a six or seven-year-old child looked up and said, “Sister Qingning, let us help you pick.”

“No need, just bring the baskets, whoever picks them keeps them.”

“Then we’ll go get them?”

“Go on.”

The children scurried off, and then a familiar voice came from behind, “Qingning.”

Chu Qingning turned around sharply, and at the sight of Jiang Zhaoyong, her heart swelled, “Zhaoyong!” She quickly walked towards him, “When did you come back?”

Jiang Zhaoyong pulled Chu Qingning into a hug, then let go when others appeared, “I arrived in Shuiyun County last night, went hunting today, and brought all the game to your house. Keep it to eat slowly.”

Chu Qingning immediately asked, “Are you hurt?”

Jiang Zhaoyong smiled and shook his head, “No, the last injury was an accident. My martial skills have improved a lot, so it won’t happen again.” Chu Qingzhi had Jiang Zhaoyong treat the guqin music as martial arts practice, unknowingly improving his internal strength while playing the guqin.

“Still, be careful,” Chu Qingning went home to have someone come out and handle the game, then brought Jiang Zhaoyong a cup of hot tea and some snacks, “Let’s sit in the swing pavilion.”

Jiang Zhaoyong’s eyes never left Chu Qingning, “Okay.”

Sitting at the stone table, they both had a lot to say but didn’t know where to start, falling into a rare silence.

Chu Qingning moved the snacks in front of Jiang Zhaoyong, “Have some.”

“Let’s eat together.” Jiang Zhaoyong tried to appear cheerful, but the inevitable separation weighed heavily on him.

Chu Qingning looked at the snacks for a while, then pretending to be calm, asked, “Are you leaving?”

Jiang Zhaoyong grabbed Chu Qingning’s hand, “Qingning, the emperor has assigned me to Dongling. But I’ll make sure to return before our wedding.” Dongling?” Chu Qingning’s voice rose, knowing the dangers there, especially with the recent plague originating from Dongling, “Can you not go?”

Jiang Zhaoyong, with a patriotic heart and a sense of duty to the emperor, couldn’t refuse, “Qingning, this is the first task assigned to me by the emperor. I’ll complete it no matter what.”

Chu Qingning paused, understanding a man’s ambitions, and said, “Then be careful, and send me letters when you can.” She lowered her head, shyly adding, “You must come back before our wedding.”

Jiang Zhaoyong smiled and nodded, “Don’t worry, this is a major event in both our lives. I won’t neglect it.”

The two talked in the swing pavilion until it got dark, covering a myriad of topics but carefully avoiding those that could sadden the mood.

Jiang Zhaoyong stayed for dinner at the Chu family’s home, which was exceptionally lavish as a farewell feast for him. After dinner, Chu Qingning escorted him to the village entrance, “Zhaoyong, have a safe journey.” Looking around to make sure they were alone, Jiang Zhaoyong then pulled Chu Qingning behind a tree and kissed her.

It was a long while before he pulled away, holding her tightly in his arms,

“Qingning, take good care of yourself. Wait for me to come back.”

Chu Qingning managed a weak smile, “I will.”

After comforting Chu Qingning for a while, Jiang Zhaoyong let go, “I’m leaving now. Go to bed early tonight.”

Chu Qingningnodded, “Okay.”

Jiang Zhaoyong mounted his horse and began to ride away, frequently looking back at Chu Qingning until she was out of sight, then he spurred his horse into a gallop.

Returning home with a heavy heart, Chu Qingning felt as if she were a wilted eggplant.

Chu Qingzhi comforted her, “It’s not a big deal. If Jiang Zhaoyong doesn’t come back, we’ll go to Dongling ourselves, travel around, and find him. There are many ways to see someone you want to meet.”

This remark woke Chu Qingning up, and she suddenly felt invigorated, embracing Chu Qingzhi excitedly, “You’re right, fifth sister. I hadn’t thought of that.”

Chu Qingzhi patted her back, “There, it’s settled.”

Chu Qingning responded firmly, “Yeah.”