The Pain of Separation

They arrived in the middle of the night in Liyang City without even being aware that they had done so. After having a hasty meal, they made the decision to go on toward their destination and continued traveling till they reached Jiujiang City, which was the final destination on their journey.

"According to my estimations, there is a good chance that we'll reach Jiujiang City before the city gates open in the morning."

Tan Xiuying nodded.

"Miss Tan, are you sure you don't need to spend the night in Liyang City?"

"Not necessary, Master Zhu. We're free to spend the night in the carriage if we want to. Our journey has become relatively comfortable at this point."

"Alright then, if that's the case."

After a moment of silence, Tan Xiuying said, "Master Zhu, how about we bid farewell at the gates of Jiujiang City?"

"Why, Miss Tan? I promised to take you home safely."

"No, Master Zhu. I changed my mind."

"Why?"

"I was worried about what my family members would say if they found out I was going home with a total stranger. There's a chance I'll be in big trouble and have to explain. This is an issue that I have brought upon myself. In front of my father and the rest of the family, I had to take responsibility for my conduct. There's no way I can pull you in."

"I'd like to see you safely inside your front door before I leave, Miss Tan. In that case, I can relax a bit more."

She gave a heavy sigh of guilt, despair, and regret as she gazed at Zhu Longwei, who was looking a little gloomy. She owed a great deal to the man who had saved her life.

Over the course of the three-day trip, Tan Xiuying had a hard time staying far from him. It would have been pointless for them to try to get back together in the future. They could be saying goodbye for good now. Exactly how should she respond to his generosity?

She was dazed for a moment.

In the early hours of the morning, the city gates of Jiujiang slowly opened. Tan Xiuying saw the masses streaming into the city like a rising tide as the carriage drove through the city gates. Ancient people usually woke up before dawn, as fewer individuals will be partaking in social and entertaining activities in the evenings.

There were already shops set up along the road. The breakfast stands have gained the most attention. Mantou with soup, assorted buns, steamed cornbread, fried buns, radish buns, spring rolls, omelette rolls, rice porridge, and ramen were just some of the options. The sweet, intoxicating smells from the taverns wafted across the city.

Tan Xiuying took a stunned look around her surroundings. This must be the city in which she was initially brought into the world. Because of her remarkable curiosity, she was determined to gain as much information as she could in order to gain a deeper picture and bond of this place.

After taking a glance at the young lady, Zhu Longwei said, ""As you know, Miss Xiuying, I'm keeping my word. I'll stay by your side until the moment you walk through the front door of your residence."

Tan Xiuying turned her gaze back to him and spoke in a low voice. "Alright, Master Zhu. It wouldn't be appropriate to let you go without acknowledging and appreciating all that you've done for me. What do you think about this?"

"Anyway, you're welcome to visit me at my house whenever it's convenient for you, and I promise to mention to my father that you're the one who pulled me out from the vortex of the previous incident. By doing this way, I'll be able to present you to my family in an appropriate manner. How about that?"

When Zhu Longwei heard it, he became ecstatic. "Your invitation is really kind, and I would be delighted to accept it. Before I come to see you at your home, I shall first write you a letter."

"Okay. That's a wise thing to do." Tan Xiuying spoke with a grin on her face.

After searching through the original Tan Xiuying's memories, she was successful in locating her residence. After all, in her opinion, the mansion of the noble who ascended to the position of ruler of the Jiujiang region ought to be situated in the heart of the city, in close proximity to the local residents.

In ages past, wealthy nobles would build their residences after the layout of the Imperial palace, which was a sprawling and magnificent complex of houses known as Siheyuan.

These palaces were intended to accommodate the emperor. There is just one large family living in all of Siheyuan, which is symbolic of the region's wealth and prosperity.

Each home is designed with a sizable courtyard in the center, which is encircled on all sides by multiple pavilions that serve as living quarters for individual members of the family as well as other functional spaces.

Tan Xiuying was able to make it back to her house in the end. She stood there fascinated, staring at the front gate with its ornately decorated entry and the guards that kept guard in front of the gate.

Zhu Longwei was the first to get off the carriage, and as he did, he immediately reached out his hand and gently help Tan Xiuying stepping down carefully.

He felt an unexplainable thrill flow through his palm the moment their hands came into contact with one another. As she carefully moved past him, he felt the smoothness of her beautiful hands and got another whiff of the strange smell that emanated from them.

"I must now bid you farewell, Master Zhu. I really appreciate your help. I promise to make amends. Take care, and until we meet again." Tan Xiuying then bowed her head in respect.

"Alright then. We'll catch up later."

Zhu Longwei returned a respectful bow to her.

He stared without moving his gaze as her back receded further into the distance. Suddenly, he was overcome with a confused emotion that was difficult to put into words.

As soon as they saw their young lady, the security guards at the front gate rushed to open it. At that moment, Tan Xiuying turned her head back and stared at Zhu Longwei, who was still standing next to the carriage and staring at her.

It was difficult to describe an accurate description of the myriad of feelings that were jumbled up inside of her. At long last, she gave him a sweet smile and waved her hand in his direction.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Zhu Longwei grinned and waved his hand in response to her. After then, he could no longer see her as her delicate frame slowly made its way through the entrance to the building.

If meeting is the beginning of separation, separation is the beginning of beauty in the next meeting. He couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope in his heart.

After a brief pause, he climbed back into the carriage and gave the coachman instructions to reverse the direction that the carriage was going.

He needed to find a way to get in touch with his guard, Meng Jie, whom he had left on the cliff by the sea. The agenda had to be hastily adjusted. The carriage sped off, and as it did, it kicked up a cloud of dust behind.