Quick Wear: Oh no, the lady is running away with the ball again

Chapter 237 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 71

Yun Qian frowned slightly, her gaze following the lone goose. It circled above the mountains, as if searching for something, as if waiting for something. The wind and snow were relentless, the cold air pummeling her face, but the goose remained, its wings slicing through the chilly air, soaring with such determination and loneliness.

She felt an inexplicable worry in her heart. She pursed her lips and whispered, "That wild goose seems different. Why isn't it migrating south with the flock?"

Seeing her gaze at the wild geese in the distance, seemingly lost in thought, Qi Heyao's heart moved slightly. He spoke softly, his tone gentle, "Perhaps that wild goose has lost its mate."

When Yun Qian heard this suddenly, her heart tightened. Yes, wild geese are the most affectionate.

He paused, then continued softly, "Wild geese are known for their long-lasting affection. If they lose their mate, they might be reluctant to leave and stay where they lost their mate. Perhaps they are also waiting, waiting for the figure that once flew with them."

Yun Qian listened, looked up at the lonely goose, and suddenly an inexplicable emotion arose in her heart.

The pain of losing a partner can cause geese to stop or even be unwilling to continue migrating. Some studies have also shown that after losing a partner, geese may stay in place for a short time, showing a certain degree of loneliness or anxiety.

But once lost, they will no longer leave easily, but wait alone, waiting in solitude. Just like those souls who are deeply in love, even if the world in front of them is so vast, they cannot heal the pain in their hearts.

Of course, some geese will return to the group after a while of sadness and find a new mate, but sometimes, a goose that has lost its partner will wait for a long time at the place where its partner died, unwilling to leave. They will make low and sad calls, as if calling or mourning their partner.

People often say, "Once a wild goose loses its mate, it will never marry again."

Qi Heyao was slightly startled, as if he hadn't expected her to say such a thing. He looked at Yun Qian's profile. Her once gentle features were now shrouded in a faint contemplation, as if the wind and snow before her had completely buried her worries.

The warm stove in the carriage gave off a faint warmth, but the chill brought by the white snow seemed to seep into her bones. Qi Heyao held Yun Qian's hand, his fingertips slightly tightening, as if trying to pull her back into the warmth.

"The shattered mountains and rivers are truly a tragedy for the people." Qi Heyao's voice was low and steady, with a rare hint of seriousness. "Loyal bones are buried everywhere in the green mountains. Everything they have done will always be worth it."

Yun Qian listened quietly. She could feel the warmth of Qi Heyao's hand through her palm, but she did not respond. She just frowned slightly.

Outside the window, snow continued to fall, the howling wind carrying the snow as if to swallow everything up. Despite such inclement weather, the soldiers had to go to the front lines to fight.

After a long pause, Yun Qian spoke softly, a hint of melancholy in her voice. "Yes, I hope the mountains and rivers they fought so hard to protect can also protect the homes they long for... He Yao, after this war is over, could you issue an order to comfort the families who have lost loved ones and provide them with sufficient money so that they don't become... helpless in their old age?"

Qi Heyao looked at her deeply, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment, then he reached out and took her into his arms, his voice soft and uncommon: "Qianqian, do you believe I can do this?"

Yun Qian was slightly startled and looked up at him with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"After I have secured my position in this world, I will remember what you said today - I will give those who protect the country a chance to return home, so that their families will no longer have to wait in vain at the empty gate." Qi Heyao's tone was firm and steady, like a promise, falling on this world ravaged by wind and snow.

Yun Qian looked at him, her expression remaining calm, though a slight stir stirred within her. She couldn't tell whether it was the promise itself or the man's earnest demeanor. She lowered her eyes and leaned back against the carriage, seemingly letting go of her previous emotion. She whispered, "Your Highness is kind-hearted and would be a good monarch, wouldn't he?"

Yun Qian looked at him steadily, and intuitively felt that this person's mentality must have changed greatly after coming to power. Perhaps he was only thinking about himself. But how could such a person rule the world?

The snowstorm outside was still fierce, but the warmth within the carriage seemed to isolate them from the world. Qi Heyao couldn't see the slight sneer in Yun Qian's heart. He looked down at her, his eyes full of tenderness, as if trying to see through this calm exterior to her heart. However, he didn't notice that her gaze, though fixed on him, was as light as a thin layer of frost, as if it had just passed by.

Yun Qian felt a strange sneer in her heart. She had a hunch that this man's mentality had changed drastically since taking power. Perhaps he was still thinking about his own ambitions and aspirations. As for others—she couldn't say for sure, but she couldn't trust them either.

Can such a person really rule the world?

The warmth within the carriage was like spring, while outside, the wind and snow were like countless sharp blades, madly tearing at everything between heaven and earth. Qi Heyao stretched out his slightly thin hand and took Yun Qian's hand, which was hanging in front of his stomach. The movement was gentle and natural, as if he wanted to transmit this warmth to her heart.

Yun Qian seemed oblivious, letting him hold her hand without so much as a glance. It was just a handshake, and she sighed softly inwardly, her gaze slightly tilted toward the window. There was always something lingering in her mind.

Outside the tent, the wind and snow howled, and everything between heaven and earth seemed to be buried in the austere ice and snow. However, the warmth between the carriages and horses seemed unable to melt the inextricable longing in Yun Qian's heart.

She thought of Qi Jueyu for no apparent reason. He should have returned to a safe position by now. After all, he was considered a man of destiny. How could he fall so easily? But it would still hurt. It would still hurt.

At this thought, Yun Qian's gaze dimmed slightly, her mind becoming more complex. She repeatedly pondered the emotions deep within her, unable to grasp her true position. But she wasn't one to dwell on things—if she couldn't figure something out, she simply let it go. Perhaps the answer was already buried deep within her, but she simply refused to acknowledge it.

Inside the car, as the road jolted, the fire occasionally crackled softly, casting a ray of warm light into the small space. In this quiet moment, there was a sudden commotion ahead, as if something unexpected had occurred.