Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 437 Return to Homeland
As dawn broke and the first morning drum sounded, the city gates slowly opened, and the people lined up to leave the city.

Yan Ciwan blended into the group and successfully left Chang'an.

She wore a blue collared Hu-style robe, with her Ning Dao hidden in her belt. Her hair was styled into a simple single bun, with only a silver hairpin inserted in it. Her face was unadorned, and she held the reins of a black steed.

She mounted her horse, glanced back at the majestic city gate, then flicked the reins, urging her steed to gallop towards the official road.

Meanwhile, inside the Penglai Palace, Li Wang had already seen the note placed on his bedside table, which contained only a single line of text—

I've gone to Xizhou, I'll be back soon.

Although Li Wang was drunk last night, he was not entirely irrational. He knew that Yan Ciwan was a very opinionated woman, and once she made up her mind about something, she would not change it, even if he was an emperor.

He carefully put the note away, looked up at the guqin on the table, and murmured to himself.

"Your dissociative identity disorder may flare up again at any time. From now on, I will play 'The Returning One' for you every night, hoping that you can return safely soon."

……

Yan Ciwan traveled along the official road until evening when he found a post station to rest.

After a long day of running around, she was exhausted. After a quick wash, she went to bed and fell asleep.

She was startled awake by a knock on the door shortly after falling asleep.

She had to get up and asked impatiently, "Who is it?"

"Aci, it's us!"

Yan Ciwan was startled; it was Chaolu's voice!
She quickly put on her clothes and ran to the door. When she opened the door, she saw four people standing outside: Chaolu, Du Lingzhou, Li Chengge, and Uncle Jiu.

"How come you are here?"

Chaolu said with a smile, "We've come to find you!"

Li Chengge said slowly, "We heard you were going back to Xizhou, and we were worried about you, so we followed you all the way here. The journey to Xizhou is long, and with us by your side, you won't be too bored."

Du Lingzhou crossed his arms, raised his chin slightly, and looked very arrogant: "Don't be too touched. I didn't come here specifically for you. I'm just curious about Xizhou and want to see it for myself."

Uncle Nine was a rather honest man. He patted the bundle on his body and said, "Sixth Brother sent me to protect you. Sixth Brother said you didn't have any money on you, so he specially asked me to bring some extra money for you to spend."

Yan Ciwan felt a warm glow in her heart; it felt so good to have friends! She rushed over and hugged Chaolu tightly, saying sincerely.

"thank you all."

Li Chengge yawned: "I'm exhausted after traveling all day. I'm going to sleep."

Yan Ciwan released Chaolu and asked, "Have you booked the rooms yet?"

Chaolu immediately said, "It's all booked. I'll stay in the room next to yours. The other three's rooms are in the backyard."

"That's good. It's getting late, you should all go and get some rest. We can talk about it tomorrow morning."

"Ah."

The group dispersed and went back to their rooms to sleep.

Yan Ciwan lay back down on the bed. She had thought she would be alone on this trip, but she was surprised to find that she had companions with her. She was genuinely happy.

Because she was in a good mood, Yan Ciwan had a wonderful dream, and when she woke up, she was full of energy.

After dressing neatly, she went out to meet the others.

The five people gathered together for breakfast.

While eating, Yan Ciwan asked, "Li Sanlang, didn't you take your mother to live in Jinzhou?"

Li Chengge casually said, "I've already sent a trusted confidant to escort my mother to Jinzhou first. I'll go to Jinzhou to find her after I return from Xizhou. By the way, are there any special products from Xizhou? I'd like to buy some to take back to my mother." "Yes, the fruits from Xizhou are especially sweet, like grapes and melons."

"Fruit is difficult to transport; it will spoil on the way."

Yan Ciwan suggested, "Our locals often make wine from grapes. It's sweet and delicious, and suitable for men, women, young and old. You can take some back for your mother to try."

Li Chengge nodded, indicating that this was a good idea.

Chaolu immediately said, "I also want to buy some wine to take back for my mother, grandfather, uncle and aunt to try."

Yan Ciwan said, "Besides wine, there are also various dried fruits and candied fruits, which are delicious and easy to carry."

Du Lingzhou said disdainfully, "All you know is food. Is there nothing else in Xizhou besides food?"

"There are beautiful landscapes, hospitable people, and many jewels and gold and silver artifacts that have been brought from the Western Regions. You will be able to see them when you arrive in Xizhou."

After finishing their breakfast, the group packed some dry food and water to eat on the road.

They left the post station and rode their horses westward along the official road.

Traveling is usually a very tedious and boring thing, but it suddenly becomes interesting because friends are around.

They walked like this for more than five months, from summer to autumn, and as winter approached, the weather turned cold. Everyone put on thick coats, hats, gloves, and scarves.

"Xizhou is just ahead." Yan Ciwan's mouth and nose were covered by her scarf, making her voice sound muffled.

The four of them stood on the sand dune and, following her gaze, saw a small city in the distance.

They quickened their pace and entered the city, only to find that many businesses were closed. A large crowd of people had gathered in front of the salt and grain shops, shouting and demanding that the shopkeepers open their doors or they would break them down. The shopkeepers were so frightened that they hid inside their shops and dared not show their faces until the soldiers arrived and drove the troublemakers away.

Yan Ciwan and her group searched for a long time before finally finding an inn that was still open.

There was only one couple working in the inn; they were the owners.

They seemed surprised to have guests at this time, and paused for a moment before going forward to greet them.

"Would you like to eat or stay at a hotel?"

Yan Ciwan said in the local Xizhou dialect, "We need to stay here for one night. Please arrange five rooms for us and also prepare some food."

The innkeeper's wife tentatively asked, "Are you a local from Xizhou, sir? Do you have any travel history?"

Yan Ciwan took out his belongings and showed them to her, saying, "I am from Xizhou. These four are my friends. They have long heard of Xizhou's great reputation and came here with me for sightseeing."

At this moment, the shopkeeper came over and said in a low voice.

"Haven't you heard? The King of Xizhou is recruiting soldiers. Every household must send at least one able-bodied man to join the army. Once this war breaks out, countless people will die. We are all trying to leave Xizhou. Why did you come to Xizhou at this critical moment?"

When Yan Ciwan saw that even these common people knew that the King of Xizhou was going to raise an army, it meant that the matter was settled and she didn't have much time left.

She said, "It's okay, you can help us get a room."

"Alright, I'll return the money to you. Come with me."

As night deepened, Yan Ciwan lay in bed, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

She was born and raised in Xizhou, the place she knew best. When she left Xizhou with her wedding procession, she thought she would never have the chance to return to her homeland.

However, things are unpredictable, and she has now returned.

She will soon meet the King of Xizhou. What will his reaction be? Shock? Or hatred?

Before she knew it, Yan Ciwan closed her eyes and fell asleep.

(End of this chapter)