Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard Chapter 109.5: Parting Pact (5)

And so, with the soldiers of Northern Yuan in the front, the soldiers of Feng Ming behind them, and finally the Northern Yuan soldiers escorting the rear, the procession went on its way with its many members.
A few hundred meters away from the bridge, Du Xiaoli's group of five were on horseback, watching Han Mingxiang's group leave from afar. Only when they couldn't be seen anymore did Leng Er break the silence, “Let's return.”
Du Xiaoli pulled the reins and acquiesced, “Let's go.”
The horses left tracks in the snow, carrying Du Xiaoli further and further away from the Dadu River. Du Xiaoli glanced back from the direction her horse was running, her eyes full of determination.
Princess, wait for us…
After galloping at top speed for more than twenty miles, Du Xiaoli and the others reached the outside of Lu City. The soldiers guarding the city saw that it was Du Xiaoli’s group, and let them in.
After sending Han Mingxiang off, Du Xiaoli's heart felt a bit empty and uneasy, and she was even more worried about whether Ji Liufeng would do something impulsive.
After returning to Lu City, Leng Er went to tell the remaining soldiers to rest well for the rest of the day, they would only pick up the pace again the next day.
“What's wrong, you look so preoccupied?”
It was late afternoon– Luo Qi and Du Xiaoli were drinking tea in the house. When he saw Du Xiaoli frowning, he voiced his concern.
“It's nothing, I’m just feeling a little upset.” Du Xiaoli said in low spirits.
“Because of the Princess’ marriage alliance?” Luo Qi asked.
Du Xiaoli nodded.
“Life is like this.” Luo Qi said, “When I was in the Du Manor, I said that if you don't want to be constrained by imperial power, you need to hold enough power to fight against imperial power. Your discomfort right now– is it because you feel that the power in your hands is not strong enough?”
“Not me, it's Feng Ming.”
Luo Qi dumped out Du Xiaoli's cold tea and poured her another cup of hot tea. Handing it to her, he said, “You're worried about Feng Ming being weak?”
Du Xiaoli took the cup and held it with both hands, “Sort of. If Feng Ming was a bit stronger, then the Princess would not have been married off to keep peace today. We are clearly the victorious country, but in the end, we were pushed into such passivity by Zhao Zhen! Just because we weren't strong enough; we’re too afraid to fight!”
“You want to strengthen Feng Ming ?” Luo Qi understood Du Xiaoli deeply. When he saw how excited she was, he knew what she thought in her heart.
“Luo Qi-gege, do you think I'm being too idealistic?” Du Xiaoli asked.
“This is not idealism.” Luo Qi sipped his tea before saying slowly, “I think that in this world, the person who understands your abilities the most is me.”
Du Xiaoli nodded her head and admitted that things were indeed true. Her martial arts, her business talent– these were things he understood the best out of anyone. It could be said that even Han Mingyi wasn't aware of how many areas she had dabbled in with Luo Qi. And a lot of her matters had been accomplished with Luo Qi's help.
“When you were young,” Luo Qi wanted to talk about when he met Du Xiaoli, but then he felt that she was still young, so he changed his wording, ”...we met when you were a few years old. At that time I’d lost my memory. When I woke up, I saw a seven or eight year old doll very calmly treating my injuries– that methodical appearance was even calmer than so many older doctors. From that time onwards, I knew that you were not a simple child.”
“Later on, the more I came into contact with you, the more I sensed the enormous energy packed in your tiny body. It felt like you would explode at any moment, surprising people with something. Your medical skills seem to be innate, your talent for learning martial arts is extremely high, and so is your acumen for business; you truly earn my respect. Being able to farm, being able to make money– if I hadn't seen you grow up with my own eyes, I would really think that such a person couldn't possibly exist,” Luo Qi narrated bit by bit.
Du Xiaoli remembered that Ji Liuxia and the girls had discussed her in this way as well, even Han Mingze had spoken similarly. It seemed that everyone had noticed her abilities.
“You've always shocked me, so I wouldn't be surprised if one day someone told me you can do something else. On the contrary, I feel as if you were born to know these, and it would seem abnormal if you didn’t.” Luo Qi said, “Isn't it weird for me to feel this way?”
“It is very weird.” Du Xiaoli said.
There were also a lot of things she didn’t know how to do, okay, like embroidery! Even though her mastery of acupuncture needles was unmatched, she was extremely uncomfortable with embroidery needles. Her skill at sewing sachets as a child– that level of skill was her current level of skill. Other people's embroidery was beautiful on one side and unsightly on the other. Some embroiderers could even make both sides beautiful. Instead, she had the singular ability to sew an equally unsightly pattern on both sides, which made her simply miserable!
Luo Qi saw Du Xiaoli's expression and smiled faintly. At least he recognized her greatness.
“So, even if you say that you want to make Feng Ming strong, I feel that it's not unachievable.”
“You believe in me so much!” Du Xiaoli beamed.
Perhaps it was because they had lived under one roof when she was a child, but she was like a little sister in front of Luo Qi. She would relax, defenses down, and even act childish at times. This was only in front of Du Xiuheng and him.
And in front of Han Mingyi, although she would also relax, it was a completely different feeling. With him, she had the desire to be strong and stand side by side with him, facing difficulties together.
“Of course, I believe in you the most,” Luo Qi said.
Other than you, I don't believe anyone else has that ability, not even Han Mingyi!
“Okay.” Du Xiaoli knew that a lot of the modern knowledge she had packed in her head served as huge assets to this world. Not wanting to continue this heavy topic, she changed the subject, “Tomorrow we’ll be on the move again, do you guys want to go back with us?”
“Let's go together. We’re all heading south anyway,” Luo Qi said.
“It's only ten days until New Year's. I don't know if I can make it back in time to celebrate it.” Du Xiaoli lay on the table, “I wasn't even there for Brother's birthday this year. I also said before that I would make longevity noodles for him every year on his birthday– it seems that this year I’ll have to break that promise.”
“You didn't make me longevity noodles for my birthday this year either. And I don't see you regretting it.” Luo Qi looked at Du Xiaoli begrudgingly.
“Ahem, your birthday was so long ago,” Du Xiaoli said. “And you weren't even there at that time. If I made them, I’d have to eat them myself! You know I don't really like eating noodles.”
“Today.” Luo Qi said.
“What do you mean ‘today’?”
“Make it up to me today.” Luo Qi said, “You used to make it up to me when I didn't have the longevity noodles you made on my birthday, so do it today.”
In previous years, if he didn't make it to the Du Manor on his birthday, he would ask Du Xiaoli to make a bowl of noodles for him later on.
“Okay, but there aren’t enough seasonings here. If the noodles I make don’t taste good you still have to eat them!”
“Okay, I'll definitely eat it all,” Luo Qi reassured her.MoonWhisperer, skyrise's Thoughts

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