NFBE Chapter 306 Unusual Movements in Yuncheng
Chapter 306 Unusual Movements in Yuncheng
Chapter 306 Unusual Movements in Yun City
Throughout the journey from Southern Xinjiang to Yuncheng, Duan Ling'er showed Ye Qingchen exceptional care and attention, preparing not only a sumptuous feast and fine wines but also a multitude of precious and rare gifts. These gifts were dazzling, including opulent jewelry, exquisite silk brocades, fragrant spices, and a wide variety of exotic handicrafts—the sheer number of which was astonishing.
However, faced with so many enormous gifts, Ye Qingchen was at a loss, as she simply couldn't fit them all into her personal space. Left with no other option, she had to rent a spacious and luxurious carriage to transport these treasures. Although this would make the journey slow and cumbersome, Ye Qingchen had no other choice in order not to disappoint Duan Ling'er's kind intentions.
Just as they were about to set off, Duan Yuanshan and Yun Sheng rushed over to see them off. Their eyes were filled with deep reluctance, especially Duan Ling'er, who clung tightly to Ye Qingchen's sleeve, pleading, "Qingchen, please stay a few more days! I really don't want you to leave!" Looking at Duan Ling'er's charming and adorable appearance, Ye Qingchen felt a pang of reluctance as well, but thinking of her beloved Mo Chen, whom she hadn't seen for so long, she smiled and shook her head, refusing, "No, Sister Ling'er, I've been away from home for too long. If I don't go back soon, my Mo Chen will be left alone in his empty room, which is too pitiful, hahaha..." Before she finished speaking, Ye Qingchen gently freed herself from Duan Ling'er's hand, turned, and boarded the carriage. With a flick of the driver's whip, the wheels slowly turned, gradually disappearing into the dust raised at the end of the road.
The carriage slowly drove away from Southern Xinjiang, its wheels rolling and kicking up a trail of dust. Ye Qingchen sat in the carriage piled high with gifts, looking out the window at the scenery rushing past, her heart filled with longing. She knew that this departure would mean a long separation from her family and friends in Southern Xinjiang.
The carriage traveled into a vast wilderness, with rolling mountains in the distance that met the blue sky. The driver steadily steered the horses, their hooves rhythmically striking the ground. Suddenly, a sharp bird cry rang out from the sky. Ye Qingchen looked up and saw a huge eagle circling overhead, its feathers shimmering with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.
After circling the carriage a few times, the eagle slowly descended and perched on a branch in front of it. Ye Qingchen's heart stirred; she recognized it as a spirit eagle tamed by an old friend from the Southern Frontier, which must have brought some news. She gently lifted the carriage curtain and whispered to the eagle, "Old friend, is there something you wish to tell me?"
The eagle seemed to understand her words, gently flapping its wings a few times before taking a small bamboo tube from its claws and tossing it into Ye Qingchen's hand. Ye Qingchen opened the tube, pulled out a slip of paper, which read: "There have been unusual developments in Yun City recently. Please be extra careful." Ye Qingchen frowned slightly, a hint of worry rising in her heart. She nodded to the eagle in gratitude, and the eagle once again spread its wings and soared into the sky, disappearing into the horizon.
With this news, Ye Qingchen became even more vigilant along the way. The carriage continued its journey, encountering several caravans of merchants. Their carts were laden with goods, and the drivers chatted loudly as they drove. Ye Qingchen overheard them discussing strange tales from various places, including news about Yun City. Some said that mysterious visitors had recently arrived in Yun City, acting strangely; others said that prices in Yun City seemed to be fluctuating, causing widespread anxiety. Ye Qingchen silently memorized these pieces of information, filled with both curiosity and unease about the approaching Yun City.
After several days of arduous travel, Ye Qingchen finally caught sight of the outline of Yun City in the distance. The towering city walls appeared exceptionally majestic under the sunlight, and the city gate was bustling with people. The carriage slowly entered the city gate, and after the soldiers guarding the city checked Ye Qingchen's travel documents, they allowed her to enter the city.
The streets of Yuncheng were wide and lined with shops, their cries of vendors filling the air. Ye Qingchen's carriage moved slowly through the crowds, and she observed the city's appearance through the window. It had a completely different style from Southern Xinjiang; the people's clothing, mannerisms, and behavior all carried the unique atmosphere of Yuncheng.
Ye Qingchen first arrived at the orphanage in Yuncheng, a place she had always cared about. As soon as the children saw Ye Qingchen's carriage, they cheered and ran out. "Sister Ye is here! Sister Ye is here!" The children's voices were clear and bright, full of joy. Ye Qingchen smiled as she stepped down from the carriage, opening her arms to welcome the children's embrace.
"Children, I've brought you gifts!" Ye Qingchen said, instructing the coachman to unload the gifts from the carriage. The children excitedly gathered around the pile of gifts, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. Ye Qingchen distributed the gifts Duan Ling'er had given her to the children one by one, and seeing their happy faces filled her heart with satisfaction.
At the orphanage, Ye Qingchen played with the children and listened to their stories of the past few days. Some children showed off their newly learned painting skills, while others performed short skits they had rehearsed; all of them were full of energy. Ye Qingchen even cooked a sumptuous dinner for the children herself. The children ate with great relish, and their laughter echoed throughout the orphanage.
That night, Ye Qingchen lay in her room at the orphanage, reflecting on the day's events. She knew the disturbances in Yuncheng might present challenges for her and Gu Mochen, but seeing the children's innocent smiles made it all worthwhile. She secretly resolved to protect these children and ensure they could grow up happily on this land.
The next day, Ye Qingchen went to the Gu residence in Yuncheng. It had been a long time since he had been back. The area was located in the countryside, but now the surrounding people had all built houses with brick walls and tiles, and their lives were much better. Ye Qingchen straightened his clothes and then arrived at the entrance of the Gu residence.
The Medicine King, the Emperor Emeritus, the Empress Dowager, the Eldest Princess, and Elder Lu were all present. Elder Wu was overjoyed to hear of Ye Qingchen's return and immediately led the children out to greet them. Everyone sat together in the courtyard, enjoying tea and conversation. The Emperor Emeritus slowly said, "Yuncheng has indeed been somewhat unusual lately. Some forces seem to be operating covertly. We've heard the locals discussing prices and market trends, and we've sensed a tense atmosphere. However, I'm not entirely sure what exactly has happened." Ye Qingchen nodded slightly and said to the Emperor Emeritus, "Father, please rest assured. If you've sensed it, I suspect Mo Chen has too. With me here, the capital of Yuncheng is reliable. We will definitely keep a close eye on things." Then they chatted about everyday matters. The older children, around five years old, were not only intelligent but also taller than average, nearly 1.4 meters, looking like eight or nine-year-olds. Even the two younger ones were mischievous little devils. Upon seeing their mother, they instantly became adorable babies, clinging to her and refusing to sit in their own seats.
Over the next few days, Ye Qingchen, dressed in men's clothing, wandered the streets and alleys of Yuncheng, talking with vegetable vendors, craftsmen, and women washing clothes. From their fragmented conversations, she gradually pieced together some clues. It seemed that a mysterious force was secretly manipulating the prices of goods in Yuncheng and recruiting people, acting with great secrecy.
Ye Qingchen felt she was getting closer to the truth, but at the same time, she realized that danger was closing in. She didn't know the extent of this mysterious force, nor whether she could handle it. But she didn't back down, because she knew she bore the responsibility of protecting the people of Yun City, especially the elderly and children.
On a moonlit night, Ye Qingchen arrived alone at an abandoned mansion in Yuncheng. She had heard that mysterious figures often frequented this place, and perhaps she could find some crucial clues. Ye Qingchen cautiously entered the mansion; all was silent except for the whistling wind. Suddenly, she heard light footsteps, followed by several dark figures surrounding her from all directions.
Ye Qingchen was startled, but she quickly regained her composure. She assumed a fighting stance, preparing for the impending battle. The shadowy figures drew closer, and Ye Qingchen recognized their faces. These people had cold eyes and exuded a dangerous aura. Without exchanging a single word, a fierce fight instantly erupted between them.
Ye Qingchen, relying on her superb martial arts skills, fought against these shadowy figures. She alternated between offense and defense, skillfully dodging their attacks. During the battle, she noticed that these figures seemed to have undergone some kind of training, their coordination remarkably seamless. But Ye Qingchen was not afraid; she held only one belief in her heart: to uncover the truth behind the strange events in Yun City.