Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 214 I Trusted the Wrong Person
The night before entering the territory of Mohe, they stayed at a camp ten miles from the Naxi River Valley. Before officially returning home, the delegation and the caravan needed to rest.

Aisha gave Badan many instructions, personally inspected the numerous return gifts brought back from Da Xuan, and then spoke with each of the other members of the delegation who accompanied him, appearing very busy.

The original marriage alliance had been completely destroyed, and this hastily assembled delegation was a makeshift one. Each member of the delegation was involved with the interests of a nobleman, some openly, some covertly. Regardless, these supporters had risked disobeying the princess to help him complete the marriage, which in itself was a tremendous risk. Such favors were not to be owed lightly; upon returning, Aisha would have to repay them all and secure corresponding benefits for these nobles.

Knowing that the eldest prince was about to face a severe test, Cai Zhu'er dared not disturb him. After taking care of the caravan's workers and goods, she sat quietly to the side, took out the sapphire beaded string from her dressing case, and fiddled with it hidden in her sleeve.

The remains of Princess Alan, burned to ashes in the flames, her extravagant dowry, and her fame that was envied by heaven... almost everything about Princess Alan was left behind in Da Xuan, except for this string of beads, which followed Cai Zhu'er back to her homeland.

If it weren't for that assassination attempt, if the princess had married the prince safely and smoothly, if her father and brothers were still alive, she would still be that carefree little merchant girl who could travel all over the country with the caravan. Who knows what her life would be like today?
Just as Cai Zhu'er was lost in thought, Aisha sat down next to her without her noticing, glanced at the sapphire beaded string she was secretly fiddling with in her hand, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Cai Zhu'er said, "We are praying for Princess Alan." She looked at Aisha, "Didn't Your Highness bring back anything of the princess? Not even a memorial tablet?"

Aisha said dismissively, "A memorial tablet? That's just a self-deceiving decoration for the people of Da Xuan, a piece of broken wood. What's the point of bringing it back? Besides, she has already married into the royal family and will be the Princess Consort of Qin until her death. Even if she didn't share a bed with the Prince of Qin in life, she should at least be buried with him in death. Moreover, if you ask her, she definitely won't come back. She just wants to dump all the mess that Mo He has made on me."

He spoke so casually that Cai Zhu'er laughed: "Really? I think the princess cares a lot about the political situation in Mohe."

"Of course she cared a lot, but before she left for Da Xuan, she told me that this was the last thing she could do for Mo He and me. After she married the Third Prince and stabilized the diplomatic relations between the two countries, I would take this alliance back to my country to face the fate that I could no longer escape."

“Even if the princess can’t come back with His Highness, she will definitely protect you,” Caizhu comforted her.

“Actually, Alan used to be a very innocent and lively little girl, sometimes even so naughty that it was a headache. However, since her mother passed away, she has gradually become cautious and timid, and we rarely see her laughing and joking anymore,” Aisha said. “The dowry she brought to Da Xuan were all little things that she liked. It’s good for them to stay in Da Xuan to keep her company. As for this string of beads in your hand, she would be very happy if it could return to Mohe.”

"This was made for her by the late Queen herself, wasn't it? Perhaps I should return it to the royal family?"

"Absolutely not. Alan would much rather you wear it and travel the world to see the sights she can't see."

“Alright, but this string of beads is too conspicuous. I’d better put it away.” Cai Zhu’er put away her vanity case and asked, “There’s a saying in Da Xuan, ‘The closer one gets to home, the more apprehensive one feels.’ Does Your Highness feel the same way?”

“I’m not only nervous, I’m also timid,” Aisha laughed. “The thought of dealing with the princess and a whole bunch of nobles waiting to see what happens to me gives me a headache.”

"Your Highness, do not be afraid. Aren't there still many nobles who support you?"

“Support me? You’re wrong.” Aisha pointed to the delegation over there. “Those nobles aren’t supporting me, they’re supporting this marriage alliance. They may not be on my side, they’re just hedging their bets because the situation is unclear.”

“These struggles are far too complicated,” Cai Zhu sighed. “I’m definitely better suited to doing business and making money.”
-
The next day, the morning mist over the Naxi Valley was dispelled by the sound of camel bells, and they finally set foot on the land of their homeland.

The scars of long migrations, far from the old capital, are still etched on the edge of the valley—herdsmen use withered willow branches to build waist-high fences to enclose their small flocks of sheep. Tents made of tree bark and animal hides, like grayish-yellow mushrooms, are scattered along the banks of the shallow riverbed. Women kneel before stone mortars, crushing sea buckthorn berries, the orange-brown juice staining the hems of their patched clothes.

Compared to the barrenness of a few years ago, it's a significant improvement. At least now you can see sheep grazing on the meadows, and smoke rising from earthen stoves. A few barefoot children saw the group and followed behind the camels, excitedly guessing what was in the cargo boxes.

Some young children tried to reach out and touch it, but before the guards could chase them away, the adults pulled them away in a state of fear and trepidation.

Caizhu heard the child's grandfather scolding, "Are you blind? Those are all noble gentlemen!"

The deeper into the valley, the less the howling wind and sand subsided. Gradually, thatched huts and tents were replaced by stone houses plastered with reddish mud. Copper bells and dried meat hung from the eaves, and slaves in coarse robes moved about carrying earthenware jars. Cai Zhu noticed that most of the stone houses had carvings on their lintels, such as sand serpents holding the moon in their mouths—symbols of nobility.

Cai Zhu'er clearly sensed that more and more people were being enslaved.

As Aisha said, because their former glory and wealth had been plundered by the Tinu, the nobles intensified their oppression of the country's common people. The Nashi Valley was not large, much less prosperous than the former capital, and commoners who did not want to starve had no choice but to sell themselves into slavery just to get enough food for their families.

Some slaves may appear well-dressed, but their lives are actually worse than those of the herders who roam the outskirts. In just a few steps, Caizhu had already seen several emaciated slaves, their exposed skin almost all bearing the marks of whipping.

If she had followed the King of Qin's instructions, she should have parted ways with Aisha long ago. However, since she had made up her mind to go through thick and thin together, even though she had attracted some attention with ulterior motives and been criticized by some nobles, Caizhu did not take the initiative to leave. Instead, it was Aisha who brought it up first.

He said, "We'll reach the Wangting Pass soon. Caizhu, why don't we rest for a bit and have a farewell drink here before we part ways? You should go sell your goods and earn some money. I'll walk the rest of the way on my own."

Seeing that he had his own plans, Caizhu said, "Okay."

After finishing the meal, Cai Zhu'er's memory remained of Aisha raising the third glass of fruit wine to her.

After a bout of dizziness, she, who had a high alcohol tolerance, slumped onto the table.

Cai Zhu'er was unaware of what had happened. She opened her eyes groggily and watched as the crimson wine dripped onto the ground.

Tick ​​tock, tick tock, tick tock——

Warm fingertips landed on her cheek, gently smoothing her stray hairs and wiping away the wine splattered on her lips, before her limp body fell into a firm embrace.

In a daze, she heard Aisha's apologetic voice: "Do you feel... that you trusted the wrong person?"

As darkness descended, Cai Zhu'er completely lost consciousness.
-
Next chapter: I thought you were someone used to deal with Wang Tingli!