Chen Xiaobei also knew that it was best not to ask about such things himself, as asking would make him seem superfluous.
Only after crossing the iron chain bridge would it be his turn to shine; until then, he just had to follow them.
In the blink of an eye, it was noon.
He Tou Village, at the foot of Qingniu Mountain.
Cui Hongyu still prepared a sumptuous lunch and invited Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan to eat with her.
But it was clear that Cui Hongyu was somewhat absent-minded, glancing towards the courtyard gate from time to time.
Huang Ying was in a similar state, appearing listless and preoccupied, seemingly lost in thought as she ate.
Shen Ziyan looked at Cui Hongyu, then at Huang Ying, and couldn't help but furrow her brow and sigh.
She put down her chopsticks and said, "Sister Hongyu, Sister Huang Ying, what's wrong with you two? You look like you've lost your souls."
Cui Hongyu snapped back to attention, quickly forcing a smile. "Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all."
Before Huang Ying could even speak, Chen Qiao'er, who was nearby, chimed in, "I know, I know. Sister-in-law misses Brother. When Brother went into the mountains and didn't come back before, Sister was like this too."
Her words made Cui Hongyu's face turn scarlet.
Huang Ying, standing beside her, also said thoughtfully, "Yes, why hasn't Brother Xiaobei returned yet? I was waiting for him to teach me how to make fried fire."
Shen Ziyan gently nudged Huang Ying's leg under the table.
"Sister Huang Ying, why are you in such a hurry? Chen Xiaobei has already given you the recipe, you can just follow it."
"Yes, wait until he comes back and ask him for guidance then," Cui Hongyu added, trying to alleviate her own embarrassment.
Shen Ziyan gestured to the food on the table. "Alright, let's eat quickly, everyone."
Throughout the afternoon, Cui Hongyu remained somewhat distracted. She pricked her finger with the embroidery needle several times. Fortunately, Chen Qiao'er had gone to study, and there was no one else at home, otherwise, it would have been even more embarrassing for her.
After much anticipation, as the sun began to set, there was finally some commotion from outside.
It was the people returning from the mountain. Cui Hongyu put down her embroidery needle and rushed to the courtyard gate.
Seeing her standing at the gate, Chen Dayong called out from a distance, "Sister Hongyu, Xiaobei will be back in three more days. Don't worry too much."
"Three more days?" Cui Hongyu looked bewildered.
"Oh, it's like this. We encountered Liu Rumei on our way down the mountain. Liu Rumei asked Chief Xiaobei to accompany her up the mountain again."
Upon hearing that Chen Xiaobei was with Liu Rumei, Cui Hongyu actually became happy.
"Alright, I understand. Then let him stay a few more days."
Seeing Cui Hongyu's reaction, Chen Dayong was somewhat surprised.
He walked a long way without understanding why Cui Hongyu smiled upon hearing that he was with Liu Rumei.
Cui Hongyu's smile had a reason, of course.
She had always hoped that Chen Xiaobei would take a second wife, and she had been the first to recommend Liu Rumei. If the two of them could be together and develop feelings for each other, wouldn't that be even better?
Let alone three days, Cui Hongyu wished they could stay together for five or even ten days.
Just then, Huang Ying, holding Chen Qiao'er's hand, returned in a hurry. As soon as they entered, Chen Qiao'er shouted, "Brother, brother."
Cui Hongyu smiled and said, "Don't shout, your brother isn't back yet."
"Impossible, I just saw Brother Dayong. They went up the mountain together."
Huang Ying also asked with a questioning look, "Yes, I saw them all return."
"He met Liu Rumei again and said he'd be staying on the mountain for three more days."
Seeing Cui Hongyu speaking with a bright expression, Huang Ying looked bewildered.
Shen Ziyan asked even more confusedly, "Why do you seem quite happy about it?"
Cui Hongyu hesitated for a moment, then waved her hand. "Never mind, never mind. Let's go cook."
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaobei and his companions had already crossed the iron chain bridge.
After crossing the bridge, the only place they could camp was that grove of dogwood trees.
It was now late summer, early autumn.
The mountain wind at night was biting cold. Even with a campfire, one had to stay very close to feel its warmth; any further away, and it was of little use.
Liu Rumei and her group were clearly well-prepared, each with a thick blanket. However, Chen Xiaobei had nothing, and even his water and rations were depleted.
Seeing this, Liu Rumei immediately offered her blanket. "Chief Chen, take this."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand. "No need, no need. Mountain folk are tough. The campfire is enough for me."
Upon seeing this, Ma Biao quickly put away his blanket. "Miss, you should give him mine instead."
Chen Xiaobei hesitated for a moment before finally accepting the blanket from Ma Biao.
Liu Rumei then handed her blanket back to Ma Biao.
Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong, who were nearby, also quickly offered their blankets to Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei smiled at this. "Alright then, the three of us will just share."
Almost simultaneously, Sima Wushuang began his deployment on this side of the iron chain bridge.
He had also brought dozens of men with him. He divided his subordinates into three teams, each guarding for two hours.
Each team had four sentries, two visible and two hidden. Two watched the iron chain bridge, and two watched the mountain below.
The rest rested in the woods where Chen Xiaobei and his group often stayed.
After observing his deployment, the Peerless Daoist burst into laughter. "Brilliant, brilliant! A masterful move, truly brilliant!"
Sima Wushuang, standing beside him, also smiled. "As long as we can trap True Person Taiping and Wujizi is bedridden, who else in the world can rival you, Peerless Daoist!"
Facing Sima Wushuang's flattery, the Peerless Daoist laughed heartily again.
"Great侠 Sima, one cannot say such things. There is always someone better, a higher peak."
Although he appeared humble, his words carried a distinct tone of triumph.
The next day, as dawn broke, Liu Ce and his brother began their work.
Smelling the fragrant roasted meat, Chen Xiaobei also woke up.
Seeing that he was awake, Liu Rumei asked, "Chief Xiaobei, how much longer until we reach the summit?"
Chen Xiaobei pointed towards the summit. "At least two more hours."
Liu Rumei nodded and turned to True Person Taiping. "Elder, how about we go slowly and have lunch at the summit? We can return before dark. What do you think?"
True Person Taiping nodded. "Everything is as Miss Liu decides."
...
On this day, the brothers Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang, escorting the coffin of Liu Yuanwu, had reached Fengjia Town, less than a hundred li from the capital.
Eager to return home, they had forgotten Liu Rumei's instructions.
Liu Rumei had told them to travel only after sunrise and to find lodging before dark. But with the capital so close, the temptation to go home was immense.
Therefore, as soon as the sky turned pale in the east, the two brothers led their men on the road.
Fengjia Town had no city gates, so one could come and go at any time.
The carriage rumbled for a few li when a horse team approached from the opposite direction.