ebookland Chapter 380 Have you ever seen this girl?
Chapter 380 Have you ever seen this girl?
Chapter 380: Have you ever seen this girl?
When Du Xiao stepped into Chang'an, it was already close to dusk.
The winter wind, carrying fine snowflakes, swept through the streets and alleys.
This once prosperous capital of the Tang Dynasty now appears desolate and deserted.
Most shops were closed, and only a few pedestrians hurried by, their faces showing signs of fatigue and helplessness.
"Alas, the glorious Tang Dynasty has finally declined."
Looking at the dilapidated scene before him, Du Xiao couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
He remembered hearing his elders recount the glory of Chang'an when he was a child—
The streets were bustling with traffic and brightly lit, attracting merchants from all directions and gatherings from all nations.
However, the houses on both sides of the street are now dilapidated.
Even those once bustling restaurants and teahouses are now reduced to dilapidated signs swaying in the wind.
Du Xiao, wearing a thick cloak, walked on the snow-covered bluestone path, the snow under her feet making a slight "crunching" sound.
Just then, a man dressed in gray cloth walked towards them, holding a scroll in his hand.
The man's eyes were piercing as he stared directly at Du Xiao and asked:
"Excuse me, sir, have you seen this young lady before?"
Du Xiao stopped and took the scroll depicting the city. He unfolded it and was immediately stunned—the person in the painting was none other than Qiu Ziyue!
She had exquisite features, a gentle face, and wore a magnificent brocade robe, completely different from the lively and playful girl she remembered.
"Who...who is this?"
Du Xiao asked, feigning composure.
The man lowered his voice and said mysteriously:
"This is Princess Qiu, the wife of Prince Jin. I heard that anyone who can provide information about her whereabouts will receive a generous reward."
If you know anything, please tell me, and we can split it in half and go together to claim the reward from the Prince of Jin, how about that?"
Du Xiao was taken aback by these words, and countless questions instantly flooded her mind:
Shouldn't Qiu Ziyue have married Qi Yuxuan? Why did she become the Princess Consort of Jin? His thoughts raced.
From a young age, he knew that Qiu Ziyue and Qi Yuxuan were a perfect match, and their love was truly admirable.
However, at this moment, the portrait reveals a completely different truth—Qiu Ziyue actually married Prince Li Cunxu of Jin!
A sense of disappointment welled up in Du Xiao's heart, but it was quickly overshadowed by another complex emotion.
He recalled what Qiu Ziyue had told him before she left: "When you see other people, never tell me where you are."
At the time, he found it strange that she would give him such instructions.
Now, he finally understands that there must be an unspeakable secret hidden within this.
"I'm sorry, I've never seen this person before."
Du Xiao shook her head and returned the scroll to the man, her tone so calm it was almost indifferent.
The man was clearly disappointed, but he still persisted in asking:
"Really don't remember? Maybe you've encountered someone similar on the street?"
After all, this young lady is of high status; if we can help her, we can all make a fortune!
Du Xiao did not answer again, but simply turned around and continued walking forward.
He lowered his head, letting the snowflakes fall on his shoulders, but his heart was filled with turmoil.
What exactly did Qiu Ziyue go through? Why did she hide her whereabouts?
Furthermore, what exactly was her relationship with the Prince of Jin?
These questions shrouded his mind like a fog, preventing him from seeing the truth.
But the only thing he was certain of was that whatever choice Qiu Ziyue made...
He will never break the promise he made to her—to protect her secret.
As night fell, Chang'an became even more silent under the cover of white snow.
Du Xiao stood alone on the street, looking at the blurry outline of the palace in the distance, and murmured to herself:
"Sister, where are you? Was our meeting arranged by fate...?"
After leaving the man, Du Xiao was filled with doubt and unease.
He first found an inconspicuous little inn to stay in, pondering a solution while trying to get some information from others.
Just as he got up early to eat steamed buns at a steamed bun shop, a ragged, nervous-looking man quietly arrived.
The man clutched a scroll tightly in his hand, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for someone.
As the man approached Du Xiao, he stopped and asked in a low voice:
Have you seen the girl in the portrait?
Du Xiao took the scroll, unfolded it, and couldn't help but gasp – it was Qiu Ziyue again!
But this time, her image is completely different:
Dressed in a sharp fighting outfit, holding a long sword, his brows revealed a hint of heroism and determination.
Even more shockingly, the scroll was clearly marked with the four large characters "Official Wanted".
"What has this young lady done wrong?"
Du Xiao frowned and asked, her tone filled with doubt and wariness.
The man shook his head and lowered his voice:
"I don't know the specific reason either, I only heard that Emperor Taizu of Liang personally issued an arrest warrant and offered a reward for the capture of this person."
A generous reward will be given for information leading to her whereabouts!
"what?"
Upon hearing this, Du Xiao was suddenly jolted.
Emperor Taizu of Liang, Zhu Wen, was a man of immense power at the time. The fact that even he paid such attention to Qiu Ziyue clearly indicated that this matter was far from ordinary.
In addition to the investigators sent by Prince Jin, now both groups are searching for Qiu Ziyue!
Du Xiao's mind raced.
He recalled Qiu Ziyue's parting words to him:
"When you see other people, don't tell them where you are."
These words echoed in his ears again, further strengthening his resolve to protect the secret.
"Alas, this young lady is very beautiful, but unfortunately I have never had the luck to see such a beauty."
Du Xiao sighed, returned the scroll to the man, and said with feigned regret.
The man was clearly disappointed, but he didn't give up and persisted in asking:
"You really haven't seen her before? Maybe you've encountered a similar woman on the street? After all, she has a special status, so perhaps you noticed her by chance."
Du Xiao shook his head and smiled:
"Brother, please don't worry. I'm just a commoner, how could I be involved in such a big matter?"
The man eventually had no choice but to leave dejectedly, while Du Xiao stood there motionless for a long time.
Qiu Ziyue's image kept flashing through his mind, along with everything she might have gone through over the years.
From Princess Jin to a wanted criminal by the imperial court, her fate seemed to have been drawn into a huge vortex.
Du Xiao thought about it more and more and felt that things were not simple.
Why was Qiu Ziyue personally ordered to be arrested by Zhu Wen?
Why did she choose to marry Prince Li Cunxu of Jin? Perhaps only she herself knows the answers to these questions.
However, regardless of the truth, Du Xiao understood one thing:
Qiu Ziyue did not want her whereabouts to be known.
He recalled the scene when he first met Qiu Ziyue; she was innocent, charming, and beautiful back then.
And now, although she is still as beautiful as a flower,
However, it has become the target of contention among various forces, which must be hiding countless hardships and helplessness behind it.
Thinking of this, Du Xiao felt a surge of inexplicable pity.
"Sister, what exactly happened to you..."
Du Xiao murmured to herself, her gaze as deep as the night.
He knew he had to be more careful, because the slightest carelessness could put Qiu Ziyue in even greater danger.
At that moment, a bold idea had already begun to take root in his mind—
No matter what, we must find Qiu Ziyue and uncover the truth behind all of this!
As night fell, Chang'an was shrouded in silence. Du Xiao's figure gradually disappeared into the darkness.
As for Qiu Ziyue's secret, it remains shrouded in mystery, waiting for him to unravel it step by step...
To be continued in the next chapter!