Chen Xiaobei continued to explain, "This is a matter of going to war, and it's best for us not to get involved."
The old ancestor could no longer forcefully dissuade them after Chen Xiaobei's explanation and had to let them have their way.
Everyone reluctantly said their goodbyes. Just as Chen Xiaobei was about to call for his men to depart, a hurried sound of horse hooves echoed from afar. The sound of hooves striking the hard ground carried quite a distance.
Liu Rumei couldn't help but frown. From the sound of the hooves, she could tell that there were about a dozen fast horses approaching.
Soon, a group of people appeared on the distant official road. As these figures drew closer, Chen Xiaobei's heart became a little uneasy.
The one leading the group, wasn't that the Lotus Cult Leader?
And beside the Lotus Cult Leader, wasn't that Shen Ziyan?
Seeing these people appear, Cui Hongyu also seemed quite surprised and excitedly waved to greet them.
Soon, the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan arrived before everyone. They reined in their warhorses, and Shen Ziyan was the first to jump down, rushing to Cui Hongyu, and the two embraced tightly.
"Sister Hongyu, I've missed you so much."
As they were whispering, the Lotus Cult Leader rode her horse to Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei and bowed slightly.
Chen Xiaobei respectfully bowed to the Lotus Cult Leader. She was Huang Ying's senior sister, and he couldn't be disrespectful.
Liu Rumei also bowed with Chen Xiaobei, then asked with a smile, "Why has the Cult Leader come? It's so cold and the roads must be difficult to travel."
The Lotus Cult Leader frowned, her tone showing some impatience. "Alas, I didn't want to come, but I received a letter from the Princess saying she was in trouble. I came to see. When we arrived at Centipede Ridge, she had already returned to the capital."
"Yes, Cult Leader, the Princess is likely in great trouble now. Wannian City is besieged by the Great Tu Kingdom. By the way, the Princess is outside the city and temporarily safe."
"Alright, alright, I understand. Isn't it just a war between two sides? I heard that the person the Princess left in charge of communications with her is going to march with you. I came because I wanted you to help me pass a message asking if the Princess needs my help."
An awkward expression appeared on Liu Rumei's face. "Cult Leader, I don't have a problem helping you pass a message, but I'm about to head to the border. What do you think..."
The Lotus Cult Leader waved her hand dismissively. "Alas, what's the big deal? I'll go with you to the border. When the Princess sends a letter, we'll make other plans."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei understood. The Lotus Cult Leader wanted to go to the border with him, but as the Cult Leader, she couldn't propose it herself, so she said it this way.
At this moment, Shen Ziyan and Cui Hongyu had also roughly explained what had happened. Cui Hongyu also seemed a bit conflicted. "Logically speaking, now that you're here, I should keep you with me these days."
"But I'm afraid you won't be able to stay put."
Shen Ziyan smiled and nodded. "Yes, how can I stay put? I originally came with my senior sister to help the Princess."
"But since I'm here, I won't leave so soon. I need to talk to my senior sister."
Shen Ziyan went to the Lotus Cult Leader. "Senior sister, since we're in Hetou Village, I'd like to stay here for a day or two before going to find you. What do you think?"
The Lotus Cult Leader pondered for a moment and nodded slightly. "So be it. It won't make much difference for a day or two. By the way, Chen Xiaobei, where is your first stop?"
"Senior sister, we're going to Jizhou first, and then to Shuozhou on the border."
"We'll depart from Shuozhou in at most three to five days."
The Lotus Cult Leader looked at Shen Ziyan, implying that she had heard clearly.
Shen Ziyan nodded. "I've got it. You go ahead with your business."
Chen Xiaobei no longer lingered on pleasantries. He called for his men to prepare to depart. The Lotus Cult Leader signaled her subordinates, and they followed at the end of the procession. They left Hetou Village in a grand manner and headed for Jizhou.
Meanwhile, Shen Ziyan, accompanied by her maid Xiao Hua, arrived at Cui Hongyu's home.
Cui Hongyu poured a cup of tea and chatted with Shen Ziyan for a few sentences before Shen Ziyan's expression changed.
"Sister Hongyu, I have another purpose for coming. I didn't mention it earlier, but I hope to offer incense to our sister Huang Ying."
This was within Cui Hongyu's expectations, as Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan were from the same sect.
"Alright. We'll eat first, and then I'll accompany you."
"Sister Hongyu, I won't eat. I said I'd stay for a day or two, but as you can see, the roads are too difficult to travel. After I pay my respects to sister Huang Ying, I'll have to catch up with senior sister."
Cui Hongyu didn't say much. She thought it was understandable. Although she was close to Shen Ziyan, it was clear that Shen Ziyan had more important matters to attend to, and she couldn't stop her.
Thinking this, she disregarded the rules of Hetou Village and didn't wait until noon. She simply prepared some dishes and wine.
Shen Ziyan then asked Xiao Hua to bring over a bundle. When it was untied, it was filled with yellow paper. It was evident they had prepared in advance.
Cui Hongyu took a basket and packed all the items into it.
Xiao Hua, seeing this, stepped forward, picked up the bamboo basket, and followed Shen Ziyan and Cui Hongyu out.
At this time, the ice on the road showed slight signs of melting, making the walking a bit muddy.
But these could not stop Shen Ziyan and Cui Hongyu's resolve. The two left the east end of the village and headed for the graveyard.
As they approached, Cui Hongyu saw that there were already traces of offerings before Huang Ying's tombstone, and the remaining snow on the grave had been cleared away.
Cui Hongyu immediately understood that Chen Xiaobei must have come, and must have come secretly. As for why he didn't tell her, Cui Hongyu had a rough idea.
Shen Ziyan, however, was unaware of the underlying reason. She looked at Cui Hongyu. "You've been here before."
Hongyu nodded. "Yes, Brother Xiaobei came to speak with sister Huang Ying before he set off for the campaign."
Shen Ziyan seemed quite satisfied with this answer.
At this moment, Xiao Hua stepped forward and laid out the offerings.
Shen Ziyan lit three sticks of incense, held them high above her head, bowed towards Huang Ying's grave, and then said with a choked sob, "Huang Ying, I'm passing by and came to see you. I don't know when I'll be able to visit again."
"If you feel lonely, then send me a dream, and we can have a good chat."
Shen Ziyan murmured a long speech before inserting the three sticks of incense into the grave. She then bowed three times again. Cui Hongyu followed suit and bowed three times.
After bowing, Shen Ziyan signaled Xiao Hua to spread out all the yellow paper and then set it alight.
Watching the yellow paper burn fiercely, Cui Hongyu's heart was deeply moved. She was moved by the friendship between Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying.
Only after the paper had completely burned did Shen Ziyan reluctantly turn to leave. She didn't walk far before looking back at Huang Ying's grave.