The Innocent Heart - Chapter 68

Once a thought is born, it seems to flicker in and out of existence, making it very difficult to completely dispel.

Although she had forced a smile and chatted with Huo Qubing as usual all evening, once she returned to her room, Guan Yueyao lay in bed with her hands behind her head, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Huo Qubing’s concerned gaze and his familiar face surfaced in her mind.

Qubing trusts me so much; he has never doubted me. He even accepted something as wild as time travel so calmly. Should I really continue to deceive him for my own selfish reasons?

A heavy weight pressed against Guan Yueyao’s heart, causing her to toss and turn all night without sleep. But even after a night of insomnia, weighing and considering the matter over and over, she still couldn’t convince herself to find the courage to confess to her friend.

Unnoticeably, the sky began to brighten, and drowsiness finally washed over her. She couldn’t help but close her eyes, but she hadn’t been asleep for long when Huo Qubing’s voice rang out from outside the door.

“A-Yao, A-Yao, get up! Don’t stay in bed; today is the archery competition!”

Huo Qubing’s voice was full of excitement. Although he couldn’t participate personally, he was still very much looking forward to seeing what kind of brilliant performance Li Gan would show and what achievements he would attain today.

But a long time passed after his voice fell, and the bedroom remained silent, as if no one were inside. Huo Qubing frowned. A-Yao wasn’t usually one to sleep in; what was wrong today?

He pushed open the slightly ajar bedroom door and walked in.

Because the windows were closed, the light in the bedroom remained dim and quiet. In the hazy light, he could see the brocade quilt bulging slightly on the bed—someone was clearly wrapped inside.

Huo Qubing smiled and walked over on tiptoe, planning to repeat his old trick of yanking the quilt off his friend. He reached the bedside and leaned down, but then he froze. Guan Yueyao was sleeping deeply, her brows tightly furrowed as if she still had endless worries even in her dreams. There were large dark circles under her eyes; even with her eyes closed, she looked incredibly haggard.

What was A-Yao doing last night? Huo Qubing couldn’t help but wonder. Ultimately, he abandoned the plan to yank the quilt and instead lightly patted her, saying softly, “A-Yao, wake up. It’s time to get up.”

Guan Yueyao’s consciousness was blurry; her eyes felt sore and dry, and she couldn’t open them. She rubbed her eyes and stared blankly for a long while before she saw who it was.

“Qubing…” she called out softly, her tone weak, lacking even half of her usual vitality.

“A-Yao, what’s wrong? Why are you so listless?” Huo Qubing sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her with concern.

“Qubing, can you help me ask for leave? I don’t feel well today; I don’t want to go to the training grounds.” Because she wasn’t fully awake, Guan Yueyao’s words were a bit mumbled.

“Is the wound bothering you? Do you want me to ask Mother to get a shaman to take a look?” Hearing this, Huo Qubing’s heart tightened, and he instinctively placed his hand on her forehead.

Fortunately, her temperature was normal; she didn’t have a fever.

“Alright, I’ll let my uncle know and ask for leave for you. You stay home and rest well.” Although he was slightly relieved, Huo Qubing didn’t dare be careless and agreed to her request.

Truthfully, if such a minor injury were on himself, he wouldn’t care at all. If the soldiers under his command asked for leave because of such a scratch in the future, he wouldn’t easily agree. But because the person was Guan Yueyao, things became different.

For the first time, Huo Qubing realized he was also a person who protected his own. Regarding the same situation, the result was world apart depending on whether it involved one of his own or an outsider. This trait was not at all like his cautious younger uncle, nor like his gentle, dutiful younger aunt. If he had to say, it was probably more like the Emperor.

Is this what they call ‘concern leads to confusion’? Huo Qubing saw that although his friend had sat up, her eyes were still closed, looking as if she might fall back into a deep sleep at any moment. Instead of feeling angry, he found it somewhat amusing.

He let out a helpless sigh, carefully supported her back to let her lie down again, and finally even lightly tucked the quilt back to her shoulders.

With such a lazy appearance, if it were anyone else, I would have walked away in a huff long ago.

It was truly incredible. There was actually someone in this world with whom he couldn’t get angry, no matter how absurd they acted. Thinking of this, Huo Qubing stood up resignedly, left the bedroom, ate a quick breakfast, and headed to the training grounds alone.

By the time Guan Yueyao woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. It wouldn’t be long before the Wei family’s lunch hour.

“Attendant Guan is awake? Would you like some fruit to tide you over, or will you just have lunch in a bit?” Luxiu heard the movement and walked in, asking with a smile through the gauze curtain.

“Did Qubing come by this morning?” Guan Yueyao didn’t answer Luxiu but asked with uncertainty.

“He did, but he only stayed in your bedroom for about fifteen minutes before leaving.”

Hearing Luxiu’s report, Guan Yueyao gave a soft “oh” as a response.

“So this morning wasn’t a dream…” she muttered in a voice only she could hear.

She dismissed Luxiu, got up to dress, and washed up. She thought it would be a very leisurely morning, but it turned out to be unexpectedly empty. It turned out she had already grown accustomed to a life where another person was by her side at all times.

Guan Yueyao sat in the courtyard, the early winter sun warming her body. She absentmindedly teased the dog, “Old Third,” at her feet. With her injured arm, it wasn’t suitable to practice with weapons, and the idle time began to grow boring.

“This won’t do; I have to find something to do.” Guan Yueyao suddenly stood up, went back to the room to grab her purse, and walked out of the courtyard.

“Eh? Young Master Wei, where are you going?” Luxiu looked at her in surprise, seeing she looked ready to go out.

“I’m going out to clear my head. You don’t need to prepare lunch for me.” Guan Yueyao didn’t look back; she just left that short message and walked hurriedly out of the courtyard.

Walking aimlessly through the streets of Chang’an, even Guan Yueyao didn’t know where she was headed; her mind was still filled with thoughts of Huo Qubing.

“Oh, little master, why have you come? Would you like some mutton soup?”

A familiar greeting rang in her ear. Guan Yueyao realized that, without knowing it, she had walked to the sheep market again.

“Old gentleman.” Although she still didn’t know the old man’s name, Guan Yueyao bowed to him. In her heart, she was always grateful for the help he gave when she was down, and she kept the words he had spoken to her then firmly in her heart.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasted mutton. Standing there, she couldn’t help but feel a craving. Without thinking much, she ordered a few items she usually ate and sat down at a table.

The midday sun was strong, and the sheep market was bustling with people. Since meeting Huo Qubing, she had rarely appeared in the market at this time of day. Seeing the scene now felt quite fresh, and she found herself staring.

By mingling with the crowd like this, the feeling of loneliness caused by her friend’s absence seemed to gradually fade. She was still a child at heart; even with worries, her attention was easily drawn away by other things.

Chang’an at this time was far from its peak prosperity, but the signs of a golden age were already evident, making the residents feel incredibly proud.

“Little master, why are you alone today? Where is your friend?”

Unnoticeably, Guan Yueyao had been sitting at the mutton stall for a long time. The customers had thinned out, and the stall owner, having nothing to do, came over to chat with her.

“I accidentally got injured yesterday and asked my superior for leave. Being home alone was boring, so I came out to clear my head.” Guan Yueyao pulled up her sleeve, showing the neatly wrapped linen on her arm, and explained to the old man.

Looking at the kind-faced old man, Guan Yueyao had a sudden thought: Could I ask this old gentleman to help solve some of my confusion?

She hesitated for a moment but finally spoke: “Old gentleman, I have a matter I don’t understand. May I ask you to help clear my confusion?”

“This old man is just many years older than you; I wouldn’t dare claim to solve confusion. But if you have any troubles, speaking them out might allow me to offer some advice,” the old man replied with a smile.

“If you had a very good friend, and you unintentionally hid some things from him—things that are actually trivial, but if spoken, might prevent you from being friends anymore—would you reveal the truth to him?” Guan Yueyao looked at the old man with hope, seemingly waiting for him to make a decision for her.

“Boss, a bowl of mutton soup.” Suddenly, a slightly aged but spirited voice came from ahead.

It was past mealtime, and customers were rare, so the two chatting turned their heads in unison. Their conversation was interrupted; the old man smiled apologetically at Guan Yueyao and stood up to greet the newcomer.

Guan Yueyao sat still, waiting for the old man to return. He said, “I don’t know what kind of secret it is. But if it doesn’t harm the friend and only serves to make the relationship more harmonious, this old man believes there is no need to demand perfection in everything. Just let nature take its course. If it’s a harmless matter, why let it create a rift between friends?”

The old man smiled and added, “As long as your heart for your friend is sincere, flaws do not overshadow the jade. I don’t think it’s something to worry too much about.”

“Hahaha, precisely! If you are too frequent in serving a prince, you will meet with disgrace. If you are too frequent in your relationship with a friend, you will be treated with coolness. A man of stature—why be stuck on minor details?”

Guan Yueyao felt slightly comforted by the old man’s words. Suddenly, from behind them, the strange diner spoke up with a laugh.