After learning all that had happened back then, as Jiang Mian walked into the Dizang King Hall, she increasingly found those clay statues of gods extremely eerie.
No wonder her mother had been so terrified when she woke up and saw those Buddhist statues.
She didn't want to stay here for a single moment longer!
When Yuanzheng Taoist Priest learned that Jiang Mian wanted to leave immediately, he was taken aback at first. Then he stroked his beard and started packing things up with the others.
Mo Zhizhang carried Xiao Jingcheng on his back again, while Li Zhao carried Jiang Zhiqing on his back. Jiang Zhiqing had been given some tranquilizing pills by Jiang Mian. Everyone carried their baggage and left the Buddhist temple under the cover of night.
Their carriage was still parked outside the temple. When the horses sensed someone approaching, they turned their heads to look at the group. After realizing it was Jiang Mian and the others, they leisurely stamped their hooves and snorted twice.
They left the Buddhist temple without disturbing the monks inside. However, it was likely that the monks didn't have the time to care about their comings and goings anyway. The fact that Master Huaihai was hiding in the temple had been exposed, and they had plenty of headaches to deal with.
After settling Xiao Jingcheng and Jiang Zhiqing respectively, Yuanzheng Taoist Priest and Mo Zhizhang held the reins in their hands, ready to leave.
"Mu Jin, it's still dark now, and there's still some time until dawn. We can't enter Tianyuan County for the time being. Have you thought about where we're going next?" Li Zhao leaned against the carriage wall and asked Jiang Mian gently.
Jiang Mian knew that her sudden decision to leave was a bit capricious, but since she had made it, there was no room for regret now.
Moreover, she didn't want to regret it.
Jiang Mian thought for a while and looked up. "Since we can't go through Tianyuan County, let's take another route. When I fled my arranged marriage from Xuanzhou back then, I took all the remote and deserted paths to avoid the pursuers. I still remember those paths."
"It doesn't matter that they destroyed Lingfeng Ferry. Once we pass Chenzhou, we'll be in the territory of Emperor Guiyuan, and we'll be safe."
"Taking the mountain paths." Mo Zhizhang laughed. "I like it.正好, I also need to replenish the poisonous insects and herbs in my collection."
Yuanzheng Taoist Priest had no objections either. "It's up to Miss Jiang."
Jiang Mian looked at Li Zhao, wanting to hear his opinion.
Li Zhao smiled and stroked her head. "I'm glad you have your own ideas, Mu Jin. I'll follow your lead."
Jiang Mian's eyes welled up with tears again.
She was just a young girl, but whether it was the choice to escort Xiao Jingcheng northward, the choice to avoid Tianyuan County, or at this moment, everyone had given her the right to make decisions and never questioned any of her decisions. How could this not move her?
She thought for a moment and said, "Maybe we have to go back to Thousand-Ridge Mountain. There's a mountain path there that can bypass Tianyuan County and head north. It'll be a bit bumpy when the carriage passes through, though."
Yuanzheng Taoist Priest laughed. "It's still better than walking on foot. Let's go!"
He whipped the horses, and the horses neighed and carried the people in the carriage down the mountain.
They took turns driving the carriage while the others took the opportunity to rest in the carriage. Finally, they returned to the foot of Thousand-Ridge Mountain before dawn.
The round trip was quite tiring, so they decided to take a good rest in the cave where they had hidden before and continue their journey the next day.
The cave, which had been filled with the people of Dongli Town, was now empty. You could hear the echoes when you walked. They had taken shelter here for several days, and there were still some firewood and fruits that the villagers had picked up during their leisure time but hadn't had time to take away. It was convenient for Jiang Mian and the others.
The effect of the tranquilizing pills had worn off. Maybe because she felt hungry in her stomach, Jiang Zhiqing woke up from her sleep.
Although she already knew that Li Zhao was alive and that their child was also safe and back by her side, the memory of what had happened in Ling'an Temple was deeply engraved in her soul. Now that she had regained consciousness, just thinking about opening her eyes and seeing those solemn Buddhist statues made her body tremble involuntarily, and her breathing became rapid.
But the next moment, there was a cheerful barking sound in her ears.
"Woof! Woof woof!"
"Da Huang, you're so amazing! You hunted two mountain chickens early in the morning! With these mountain chickens, I can make chicken soup for Daddy and Mommy!"
There was also a girl's clear and pleasant laughter.
Jiang Zhiqing stopped. She frowned in confusion, slowed her breathing, and carefully listened to the sounds around her.
Then she heard the chirping of insects and birds, the sound of the mountain wind blowing through the leaves, and the rustling sound of the leaves rubbing against each other. It was completely different from the silent, solemn, and oppressive Buddhist temple.
Jiang Zhiqing hesitated for a moment and slowly opened her eyes.
What greeted her eyes was a lush greenery. The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves and cast mottled shadows on the ground. It was so beautiful that it made her feel at ease.
Jiang Zhiqing let out a sigh of relief. She turned her head and saw a face that was extremely familiar to her.
Li Zhao was lying beside her, also sleeping soundly with his eyes closed. She was resting her head on his arm, and his other hand was on her lower back, holding her close to him.
Many years ago, when she was just a chambermaid in his courtyard, after she served him, he never let her leave. Instead, he would hold her like this, let her rest her head on his arm, and hold her in his arms. They would sleep with their feet touching.
After all these years, she didn't expect that his habit would still be the same as before, without any change.
Her nose became sour. Jiang Zhiqing raised her trembling fingers and gently traced Li Zhao's face.
Last night in Ling'an Temple, the light was too dim, and her emotions were too turbulent. She hadn't had the chance to take a good look at her husband.
After more than a decade of separation, both of their appearances had changed greatly. Li Zhao's face was no longer as green and astringent as in her memory. The wrinkles between his eyebrows and the slightly graying temples clearly told Jiang Zhiqing that many years had passed between them.
In her memory, Li Bingjun had always been extremely noble and elegant. He was the eldest grandson of the Li family in Luozhou and the youngest chief scribe in the State of Chu. But now, in front of her, he looked like a piece of jade covered in dust, no longer having the glory of the past. He looked extremely tired.
What had her husband gone through all these years?
How had her husband managed to get through all these years?
How had her husband managed to come to her step by step?
The more she thought about it, the more her heart trembled, and the more tears welled up in her eyes.
Suddenly, her finger was caught. Li Zhao opened his eyes, looked at her, and smiled gently. "Ying Niang is secretly looking at me again when I'm not paying attention. Well, do you think I'm handsome and peerless, and no one in the world can compare to me?"