Chapter 655: Chapter 655: Before the Tombstone

At noon, a carriage slowly drove out of the Capital City’s south gate, making its way toward the suburb of the capital.

Xiao Wu lifted the carriage curtain and peered outside.

The spring breeze was mild. Now, whenever she and her sister went out, they no longer needed to keep a brazier in the carriage at all times.

Although the trees on the mountain and in the valley below were still bare, their branches had already shifted from grayish-white to a deep brown, and some had even sprouted tiny buds.

The air was fresh and pleasant.

Xiao Wu took a deep breath. The crisp, cool breeze that blew in was nothing but invigorating.

A wide smile spread across her face as she turned to Ye Chutang and began to sign excitedly.

’Sister! We haven’t been out of the city in so long! This is wonderful!’

Ye Chutang looked at her excited expression and couldn’t help but laugh. "Don’t you love the hustle and bustle of the Capital City the most? What’s there to see out here in the middle of nowhere?"

Xiao Wu wrinkled her nose, but her eyes were undeniably bright and sparkling.

’How could they be the same?’

She liked the hustle and bustle of the Capital City, but she also loved the open freedom out here!

Besides...

’As long as I’m with you, Sister, how could I not be happy?’

Ye Chutang gently pinched her soft little cheek.

"You little imp."

Xiao Wu giggled, wrapping both her small hands around Ye Chutang’s and nuzzling against it affectionately.

Ye Chutang let her be, turning to look outside as well.

"We should be there soon, right?" she asked.

The driver glanced up at the mountain peak looming ahead, then turned back with a smile. "To answer you, Second Miss, we should be there in about half an hour! Chongshan looks close, but the road at its foot is rough, so it’s a bit slow going."

"That’s fine."

After Fan Chengzhuo left Yunlai Tavern, Ye Chutang didn’t linger at Lan Yue Building for long before taking Xiao Wu out of the city.

She lowered her gaze to the purse tied at her waist.

Princess Consort Jing’s Turquoise Bead was inside.

That was precisely why she had come today.

...

Just as the driver had said, the farther the carriage traveled, the more rugged the road became.

Ye Chutang decided it would be better to walk up the mountain.

"Second Miss, this mountain path is too treacherous. Why don’t I accompany you up?" The driver wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze on the mountain still tinged with worry.

At first glance, the mountain seemed empty. Stone steps were faintly visible through the sparse, withered trees, and it didn’t look particularly dangerous. But barely anyone ever came here; it was practically a deserted mountain.

"Who knows how long it’s been since anyone’s been here. If a step is broken, there’s no one to fix it. It’s really not safe."

Ye Chutang smiled and shook her head. "It’s all right. I’m just going to have a look. You can stay here and watch the carriage. If anything seems amiss, I won’t take any risks."

Seeing her firm resolve, the driver didn’t press the matter and simply nodded. "Since you insist, Second Miss, I’ll wait here for you and the young miss."

Ye Chutang nodded and disembarked from the carriage.

Xiao Wu followed right behind her, clambering down by herself without waiting to be carried.

A fleeting hint of a smile touched Ye Chutang’s eyes, though her expression remained unchanged. She beckoned with her hand.

"Come on, Xiao Wu."

...

They ascended the stone steps.

It was just past noon. The sun filtered through the overcast sky, casting a warmth seldom felt in winter.

But the temperature on the mountain was lower, and as they walked up the steps, even the faint breeze carried a desolate chill.

Fortunately, Chongshan wasn’t a particularly high mountain. After walking for about an hour, Ye Chutang and Xiao Wu reached the halfway point.

"Tired?" Ye Chutang asked, looking down at her.

Xiao Wu shook her head, causing the red, agate-beaded ribbons tied in her two round buns to sway back and forth.

Her eyes were bright, and she seemed full of spirit.

’This is nothing! Back in Jiangling, Fourth Brother and I used to sneak out at midnight to catch cicadas. We could run halfway across the city!’

’What’s so hard about climbing a little mountain?’

Ye Chutang was speechless.

She patted Xiao Wu’s head with mixed feelings and murmured, "I don’t know whether I should scold your fourth brother for being so reckless and always taking you out to run wild, or praise him for incidentally building up your stamina..."

Xiao Wu blinked and sighed.

’Oh, speaking of him, I kind of miss Fourth Brother!’

’I can run around just fine on my own, but... if Fourth Brother were here, it would be nice to ride up on his shoulders!’

Ye Chutang shook her head.

"Judging by the time, your fourth brother is probably very busy these days. It’ll likely be a while before he has time to write back."

Xiao Wu nodded, only half-understanding.

’She knew that when her sister said Fourth Brother was busy, it most likely meant he was at war.’

’Guarding the border was hard work. Fourth Brother must be suffering a lot over there.’

’Especially when swords have no eyes on the battlefield...’

Xiao Wu pressed her palms together.

’Even though I miss Fourth Brother so, so much, his safety is more important! I just hope he stays safe and sound!’

’Nothing else... is as important!’

’If Fourth Brother doesn’t have time to write back, we can just write to him. It would be even better to send some food and supplies. Sister said you can never have too many practical things.’

’Or...’

Suddenly, Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up. She gazed up at Ye Chutang with hopeful anticipation.

’Or... we could go see Fourth Brother?’

But the thought had barely crossed her mind before Xiao Wu dismissed it herself.

She shook her head gravely.

’No, no!’

’Better not!’

’It wasn’t that I’m afraid of the danger, but I’m afraid I’d be a burden to Fourth Brother.’

’I should just be good and wait for him at home!’

Ye Chutang watched the kaleidoscope of expressions flicker across her little sister’s face, her emotions shifting in an instant. She felt a mix of amusement and tender pity.

"Don’t worry. Your fourth brother promised to return triumphant and covered in glory. He would never break his word."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu smiled and nodded vigorously.

’Of course! Sister taught Fourth Brother personally! He must be amazing!’

As they spoke, the two continued on their way up.

Suddenly, Ye Chutang’s gaze sharpened.

Not far ahead, an unremarkable grave mound rose from the earth.

"We’re here."

She started forward, leading Xiao Wu by the hand.

The closer they got, the clearer it became.

A tombstone stood before the grave, on which a few sparse words were carved.

Tomb of Wuya.

Wuya was Princess Consort Jing’s given name.

Beyond that, there was no other writing on the tombstone.

There was not even a date or the name of the person who had erected the stone. This was understandable. Princess Consort Jing had died suddenly and had fallen out of Emperor Muwu’s favor. A few palace servants had simply brought her out and buried her unceremoniously in this spot.

That there was a tombstone at all was the most they could do for her.

Perhaps because many years had passed, even those few words had been weathered by the wind and sun, becoming difficult to make out.

Anyone who stumbled upon this place would likely never believe it was the grave of a consort who had once borne Emperor Muwu a princess.

But as Ye Chutang took in the scene before her, her eyes narrowed slightly.

She took a step forward, bent down slightly, and reached out to gently brush the ground in front of the tombstone.

On her fingertips, she found a faint trace of black ash.

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