Waiting for You for a Long Time, But You Haven't Arrived - Chapter 48

Jiang Qionghua simply could not bear it anymore and went to see her.

Ming Yishu had moved to a place a full hundred miles away from the County Princess’s Manor. The residence was called Duanhua Abode; it had no master and had been desolate for a long time.

There was little sign of human habitation here. Ming Yishu had lived here for several months, and Jiang Qionghua had not come to disturb her once. It was as if, since the previous incident with the frozen sea-buckthorn fruit, the other woman had completely given up on searching for her and would never again be thick-skinned or pestering.

The unease in Ming Yishu’s heart gradually subsided. She began to live a commoner’s life, flat and peaceful.

Winter had passed, and spring was more than half over. Ming Yishu finally stopped being constantly on guard, thinking of going out for a walk to see the vernal scenery of the countryside.

“A-ma, it’s nearly summer now. Why is the County Princess still sending over frozen sea-buckthorn fruits?” Before departing, Ming Yishu saw that many fruits had been delivered to her door again, and she was puzzled for a moment. “The weather is getting hot. It takes a great deal of effort to preserve frozen fruit; there is no need to go to such trouble.”

Old Mother Xu stumbled over, smiling as she waved her hand. “This wasn’t sent by the County Princess. Doesn’t our girl want to avoid suspicion with her? The County Princess’s side never sends people to interact with our Duanhua Abode. These fruits were brought by the local villagers; they heard you like them and specifically kept them in a frozen cellar. They bring some over every few days—it’s no trouble at all.”

“Thank you, A-ma, and thanks to the villagers for their kindness.” A surge of warmth instantly rose in Ming Yishu’s heart.

When she came to Duanhua Abode to avoid the Right Prime Minister, she had deliberately avoided bringing any servants. Duanhua Abode originally didn’t have many people. One snowy winter day, Old Mother Xu from a nearby village had fainted from the cold at her gate and injured her leg. Since then, out of gratitude, the woman stayed to do some odd jobs and gradually remained in the household. Seeing that the manor lacked servants, she called over several other lonely, helpless old mothers to help.

Ming Yishu, naturally, would not let them stay for nothing. She paid silver to employ these skillful and industrious women, which brought a lively atmosphere to Duanhua Abode.

The mothers were kind-hearted and cared for her daily life at every moment. Ming Yishu rarely felt such home-like warmth.

This time, when she thought of going for a walk, several of the women acted as if they were facing a great enemy, insisting on following her for fear she might accidentally trip or suffer some injury.

“This is a remote place, and most of the wicked, lonely young men haven’t married yet. Our girl is so pretty; we can’t let them catch a glimpse of you.” Old Mother Xu had an anxious look, as if she were terrified someone would snatch her away the moment she stepped out. “Let us old ladies follow you, otherwise we won’t be at ease.”

“It’s no matter, I’m not that desirable.” Ming Yishu looked at these deeply caring women, her heart warming. “If you are truly uneasy, I can cover my face before going out.”

Only then did the women feel relieved.

“Don’t say such things, child. Someone treasures you—treasures you more than anything.” Old Mother Xu blurted this out impulsively, then paused and added, “Where are the clothes you changed out of today? A-ma will take them to be washed.”

Ming Yishu said, “A-ma, you really are a lover of cleanliness. I only tried on the clothes I’m wearing today for a moment; I haven’t worn them long. There’s no need to wash them.”

Old Mother Xu’s diligence was staggering; she insisted on taking them. Ming Yishu truly couldn’t win against her. The woman’s words were so urgent, it was as if she would face a major catastrophe if she didn’t get these clothes.

Ming Yishu walked to the door, and just as she was about to step out, she suddenly sensed the sound of something breaking through the air toward her. Immediately, her shoulder felt heavy. Wan’an, the falcon she hadn’t seen for a long time, landed on her shoulder.

It was injured. A wing had been pierced by an arrow, and blood trickled down, landing on Ming Yishu.

Anxiously, Ming Yishu held Wan’an on the ground and untied the note from its talon to read.

It was Xieyang’s handwriting. On it were just a few hurried words, filled with panic:

—Leave quickly! Leave Duanhua Abode!

Why? Was Duanhua Abode not safe?

Ming Yishu was completely baffled. In the months she had lived at Duanhua Abode, there had been no danger, and the Right Prime Minister had not come to her door. Why would Xieyang warn her so fearfully?

Though she didn’t understand the reason, Ming Yishu trusted the warning. Especially now that Wan’an was injured, she had to find a way to treat the bird before sending it back to County Princess Xieyang.

Ming Yishu thought that perhaps because the war was becoming tense, the place she was staying was no longer safe enough.

“Girl, where did this big hawk come from?” Old Mother Xu clutched her heart. “Such a big hawk, surely it won’t snatch someone? You must be careful.”

Ming Yishu said, “This is the beloved pet of a friend; it won’t hurt anyone. A-ma, I am preparing to leave this place in a few days. I have troubled you all for your care during this time.”

Old Mother Xu was shocked. “Ah? You’re leaving? Why? Is it because we didn’t serve you well?”

“It’s not that.” Ming Yishu gave her a shallow smile. “I once offended an enemy and came here to hide from her. Counting the days, she should have forgotten about this by now, so I should leave Duanhua Abode and return to my friend.”

Old Mother Xu: “Don’t be in such a hurry, child. Isn’t this big hawk injured? A-ma will go to the village to get some wound medicine. Drink some hot tea and wait for A-ma.”

Ming Yishu thought this made sense, so she nodded. “I’ll trouble you then, A-ma. I’ll wait for you at Duanhua Abode.”

When Jiang Qionghua received Ming Yishu’s clothing today, her expression was not good at all. With a dark face, she carefully sniffed the scent, but she didn’t smell much of Ming Yishu’s fragrance. Her longing for the other woman had grown more intense lately; even holding her clothes to sleep every day could hardly soothe the yearning in her heart.

How many months had it been? She had been here for quite some time. She was reaching her limit.

Ming Yishu, Ming Yishu, Ming Yishu…

Jiang Qionghua’s mind was entirely filled with Ming Yishu’s figure. When she closed her eyes, it was her; when she opened them, she felt an urgent desire to see her.

“A falcon flew into Duanhua Abode today. County Princess Xieyang sent a message to Miss Ming; Miss Ming is leaving in a few days.” The “Old Mother Xu,” who previously spoke with a mountain dialect, now lacked any of her former warmth. She stood calmly at Jiang Qionghua’s door, reporting information to the Right Prime Minister. “Miss Ming has likely noticed something. She said she came to Duanhua Abode to avoid an enemy. Now that she feels Duanhua Abode is unsafe, but thinks her enemy has temporarily forgotten her, she intends to return to the County Princess’s Manor.”

Sitting in the high seat, Jiang Qionghua was clutching Ming Yishu’s clothes, eyes closed as she felt them. Hearing this, she opened her eyes without a change in expression. “What did she say I am? An enemy?”

Old Mother Xu bowed her head. “Precisely.”

Jiang Qionghua’s grip suddenly tightened, wrinkling the clothes. “How could she say I am an enemy? You must have misheard. She loves me so much; she has loved me consistently all these years. How could she possibly harbor hatred toward me!”

Old Mother Xu dared not speak, only keeping her head down.

Their Right Prime Minister had followed Ming Yishu here a long time ago. Every day, she insisted on hearing about the other’s movements. Whatever Ming Yishu said or did would be reported in detail to the Right Prime Minister by the servants at Duanhua Abode. But strangely, no matter how much the Prime Minister missed her, she didn’t dare take a single look at the residence.

Perhaps she couldn’t hold back any longer during this period, which was why she ordered the spies at Duanhua Abode to use the excuse of washing clothes to take Ming Yishu’s garments, using the other’s scent to alleviate that longing.

Old Mother Xu didn’t quite understand this timid approach. Having been a secret guard for decades, she had never seen such a hesitant and indecisive side of their Right Prime Minister.

“What is wrong with today’s clothes? There’s not a bit of her scent on them.” Jiang Qionghua repeatedly turned the clothes over for a long time, scolding, “Does she only have outer robes? Why couldn’t you bring me her other clothes?”

Old Mother Xu replied, “Miss Ming is meticulous; she never lets us wash her more personal garments. At Duanhua Abode, the Miss often does trivial tasks herself, and we cannot intervene.”

Jiang Qionghua’s mood was wretched. She missed Ming Yishu too much. Now that Ming Yishu was about to leave, what reason could she find to make her stay?

If she appeared before her, would she frighten Ming Yishu again?

Ming Yishu’s health had improved, but Jiang Qionghua wasn’t sure if her arrival would make the situation worse. Her longing was severe, but she could not hurt Ming Yishu. If it came to that, she would rather have never come here.

“She leaves tomorrow; she must have a peaceful night’s sleep tonight.” Jiang Qionghua hinted cryptically, “I will go see her at the third watch tonight. Make sure she is sound asleep; do not let her be startled awake by me.”

Old Mother Xu took the order. “Subordinate will brew some soothing warm soup for the Miss before she goes to bed.”

Jiang Qionghua once again pulled the previous clothes into her arms. She ignored her subordinate, directly hugging Ming Yishu’s clothes as if no one else were there, drowning in her longing.

Ming Yishu had things on her mind. After applying medicine to Wan’an, her heart remained uneasy. She thought about leaving tomorrow, and her things were all packed, but she didn’t feel at ease regardless. Her chest felt heavy, and her thoughts were too cluttered to sleep.

Old Mother Xu thoughtfully brought her a bowl of soothing tea.

“Child, drink it while it’s hot. Get enough sleep tonight so you’ll have the energy for your journey tomorrow.” Old Mother Xu was as warm and attentive as ever, refusing to leave until she saw Ming Yishu finish it. “I’ve served you here for several months; I truly can’t bear to see you go.”

Ming Yishu held the rim of the bowl and smiled at her. “I have to leave. I will miss you too, A-ma. If fate permits, perhaps we will meet again.”

Old Mother Xu sighed. “Surely we will.”

Ming Yishu was not suspicious. She tipped the bowl and drank the soothing soup. Today’s soup was very sweet, perhaps with some honey added. She drank most of it and couldn’t finish the rest, so she set the bowl down and prepared to rest.

Old Mother Xu didn’t take the bowl; she stood up and suddenly headed toward the door.

Drowsiness began to surge over Ming Yishu. She mumbled, “A-ma, please close the door.”

“Alright.” Old Mother Xu seemed to answer her, and then her footsteps quickly exited the room—showing no sign of the inconvenience of a leg injury.

It was very quiet outside.

Ming Yishu was too sleepy to lift her eyelids. She felt the whole world become extremely silent. There was no sound outside the door. Finally, she heard the soft click of the door, and immediately after, someone seemed to walk in, sitting very lightly by her bedside.

Perhaps it was a dream?

Ming Yishu often dreamed. When she was asleep, she frequently confused reality with dreams. Even if she occasionally woke up, she couldn’t escape those dreams. At this moment, she thought that because she was too tired, she was seeing something from a dream again. She didn’t force herself to stay awake, instead finding a comfortable angle and quietly sinking into sleep.

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