Chapter 4: The Road of Xiuzi

  "Donglai Ge, are you going to repair the road?" Early in the morning, Li Yuniang rushed into the Temple of the Goddess. She had just received the news and was deeply concerned, so she hurried over to ask.

  Although he had helped the Wu family a great deal, Wu Zhongling still didn't forget to order Yin Xu to go to Kuaiji to build a speedway. Although Yin Xu was somewhat unwilling, Wu Zhongling spoke convincingly and cited the Qin law that all able-bodied men between 16 and 56 years old must serve in the army. As Donglai was over 17 this year, he naturally fell into this category, and Yin Xu had no choice but to obey orders and go.

  But fortunately, among the three major projects of the Qin Dynasty - the Great Wall, Mount Li Mausoleum, and the Straight Road, the latter is relatively easier. The convicts at Mount Li suffered countless casualties, Meng Jiangnu cried down the 800-mile-long Great Wall, but nothing was heard about the Straight Road? Upon further reflection, Yin Xu became quite excited, as it wouldn't be too difficult or tiring to work on the Straight Road, and at least he could leave this mountain town. The construction site of the Straight Road would naturally have heroic figures, and it's a good opportunity to get to know them better.

  In a year, it will be a chaotic world with heroes emerging one after another. Yin Xu has been dreaming of being a hero since he was young, and now that he's caught up in this good time, he has his own plans. However, this scared Yu Niang, the innocent little loli, quite badly.

  However, when he saw Li Yuniang's red and swollen eyes, her concerned gaze, and her pitiful expression, Yin Xu's heart was filled with emotion and warmth. In his past life, he had been an orphan, lacking love and care from a young age. Later, after enrolling in military school and serving in the army, his experiences were all stern and cold, and warmth and love seemed far away from him. Yet at this moment, being in ancient times two thousand years ago, he was unexpectedly treated with sincerity by a little girl who cried for him and laughed for him. This rare affection had already touched the deepest part of his heart.

  "Yu Niang, it's alright, don't cry!" Yin Xue softly comforted her for a long time before Li Yu Niang finally stopped crying.

  "Still can't help but sob: 'Donglai Ge, I heard that building the Great Wall and the straight road is very hard and very dangerous. I've heard people say that if you go, you may not come back...'"

  "It's okay, don't listen to their nonsense, nothing will happen." Yin Xu muttered in her heart: Which family's guy is so talkative, really, scaring our Yuniang like this. If brother finds out, he'll definitely get a good scolding, humph!

  Yu Niang shook her head repeatedly, with tears streaming down her face, still crying like a pear blossom in the rain.

  What to do is good? Yin Xu looked around, and when his eyes fell on the statue of the goddess, he came up with a plan. "Don't worry, Yu Niang, I have the blessing of the goddess!"

  Yu Niang looked at him in surprise, her black eyes rolling constantly, with tears still on her face.

  "That day, I was killed by Wu Youcai, but why did I come back to life later? And a few days ago, the Wu family's ghost knocked on the door in the middle of the night, wasn't it me who resolved it?! Do you know why?" Yin Xu said mysteriously: "It's because of the protection and guidance of the Goddess!"

  "May the Goddess bless you?"

  "Really! The goddess is expressing her gratitude to me!"

  "Thank you?"

  "Hmm! These years, the Temple of the Goddess has been deserted and few people come, so it gradually became dilapidated. After I came, I often swept and repaired, and frequently worshiped, so the Temple of the Goddess didn't completely collapse. That's why the Goddess protects me and even taught me some magic!"

  Xiaoyu's words left Xiaoyu uncertain and suspicious.

  Yin Xu took advantage of the situation and said: "I'll tell you, that day, the goddess appeared in my dream and told me that I shouldn't die, and that I would become a great general and live a life of wealth and honor."

  "Really? You're not kidding me?" Yumang's eyes widened.

  "No, as the saying goes, 'great difficulties do not kill, there must be good fortune afterwards!' You saw me survive that day. Besides, you also know about Wu Youcai's family matters, I can even calm down a little devil, naturally there won't be any problems. So! This matter will definitely end safely and soundly, otherwise how can we enjoy wealth and nobility in the future?"

  Death and rebirth are indeed true, and the impression of Donglai is honest and truthful, never telling lies. Moreover, recently there have been rumors everywhere about Donglai being enlightened by a goddess and learning immortal techniques, so Yuniang also believed it to be eight or nine parts true, and thus revealed a smile that turned from worry to joy, revealing a sweet smile.

  Yin Xu smiled awkwardly, looked up at the already faded goddess statue, and thought to himself: Goddess, please don't blame me, I'm also helpless, forgive me! This time, I still hope you'll bless my journey!

  Traveling far away, necessary items must be prepared properly. Now that autumn is approaching and winter is not far away, warm clothing is essential. Another thing is dry food, the amount of food provided is limited, if you want to avoid hunger, you have to bring your own food.

  As soon as she thought of this, Yuniang hastily left, but didn't tell Yin Xu that she wanted to give Donglai a surprise.

  On the second day, as soon as it dawned, many people gathered at the gate of Wu Zhong's house, with over a hundred people present. Several soldiers stood at the gate, holding long swords that gave off a chilling aura. The squad leader He Kun, who was in charge of escorting, was inside the mansion talking to Wu Zhong.

  "Life and death separation", relatives can't help but come to see off, crying sounds, sighs, and reminding voices are all mixed together.

  Yin Xu was standing alone at the side of the street, looking gloomy. Yu Niang had left yesterday and hadn't appeared again. It's actually better that she didn't come, otherwise Xiao Mei would have cried again. Just thinking about it, a familiar figure appeared at the corner of the street.

  "Brother Dong, I'm late!" Yuniang quickly handed over a package and said: "These are the clothes and food prepared for you, and this water bag, it's not well made, just make do with it!"

  The dark circles under her eyes told Yin Xu that Li Yuna had been busy all night. The moment she took over the package, her gaze fell on Qianqian's jade fingers.

  Li Yuniang reacted quickly and swiftly withdrew her jade hand, hiding it behind her back.

  "Yuniang, let me see your hand!"

  Under Yin Xu's repeated urging, Li Yuniang finally trembled and stretched out her hands, which were full of needle holes and scars. Yin Xu felt a pang of sorrow in his heart, the beauty's kindness was overwhelming, what more could he ask for.

  Li Yuniang smiled slyly: "The leather is a bit hard, it's just my own carelessness."

  Yin Xu nodded, unable to say a word.

  "Brother Dong, take care on your way, come back soon, we'll be waiting for you!" Li Yuniang's voice was soft but serious.

  "Ah, definitely!" Yin Xu replied with a loud and clear voice, this was an eternal promise.

  "Assembly!"

  A man of medium build standing on the steps shouted out, and it was indeed Wu Chang He Kui.

  Yin Xu and Li Yuniang reluctantly bid each other farewell, joining the crowd at the entrance. On the steps, He Kui gave a speech. Next to him stood Wu Zhong, who had just regained his composure. Ma Shi and others stood slightly further back, their faces unchanged. A few days ago, Yin Xu had tricked her out of a jade pendant and swindled two gold coins from her. More importantly, Yin Xu had witnessed her shameful affair with Wu Youcai. Ma Shi seethed with anger in her heart, wishing that this young man would never return. A wicked seed had already been sown in her mind. Her gaze unconsciously fell on Wu Changhe Kui...

  Wu Youcai was over the moon, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on a slender and elegant figure - Yu Niang. Instantly, he became infatuated, a sly smile spreading across his face...

  "Depart!" He Kun waved his big hand and mounted the horse, taking the lead. A civilian immediately followed, with four soldiers accompanying him on both sides.

  Yin Xu took a last look back, gazing at the figure of Yu Niang who was like a stone statue waiting for her husband, then turned and set off. With a heroic air, we went to repair the imperial highway...