He didn't dare to directly touch the orifice of the jug with his lips, nervously keeping it a slight distance away as he took a sip, not daring to spill even one drop. He then returned the bottle with both hands and proceeded to walk the horse for Chang Geng.

Chang Geng: "This spring, I actually took a trip to the Northwest. It was just that yifu was busy with military affairs, so I did not show myself to bother him. The Silk Road was very flourishing, even the sea of endless golden sand could actually become this crowded with people. Throughout all of Great Liang, there aren't many places that could be as prosperous as that area."

The young soldier looked back and forth, seeing that there was no one around them, he whispered: "With the Marshal keeping guard, in recent years, the desert bandits have gradually disappeared. Many people have settled at the entrance of the Silk Road to do business. There are all kinds of gadgets and trinkets everywhere. Marshal said that if there is anything that Your Highness may like, Marshal will bring them back for you on New Year."

Chang Geng paused, then said faintly: "I only wish for him to return."

The little soldier wasn't able to catch the deeper meaning of his words, thinking that he was only casually making a comment. Those who had been in the army for a long time were not good at flattery, thus he kept quiet.

Chang Geng maintained his usual expression as he walked along the official road of Sichuan, but his chest was getting hotter.

He soon thought that separation was much like water, splash after splash, even cinnabar garcinia or green vermiculite would eventually be washed away. But as it turned out, Gu Yun had already been carved in him. Even after washing for a long time, it could only cause the engraving to grow deeper and clearer.

Hearing that Gu Yun would be returning to the capital at the end of the year, they were only at the beginning of autumn, but Chang Geng was shocked to find that the many sentiments of one who got to return home after many years had risen up. Just then, he had blurted out the words 'ready to depart for the capital' in momentary homesickness, causing him now to feel very regretful, wishing that he could take back his words and run to escape to the ends of the earth.

As his thoughts were running astray, a fragile woman carrying someone came into view. The woman walked with difficulty; she would stop to rest after a few steps, panting hard. She let out a cry as she tripped on a rock on the side of the road then fell to the ground.

Chang Geng immediately gathered himself together, stepping forward to help both of them: "Madam, are you alright?"