Chapter 146: Does This Count as Passing?

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Does This Count as Passing?

Ling Qianjun pulled his hand back slightly and shook his head. "I might have caught a slight chill. I’ll be fine once I go back and dry off by the fire. It’s nothing to worry about."

Hua Buwan kept her brow furrowed, still uneasy. "You should still take some cold medicine. I have some instant herbal packets stocked up. I’ll get you a few so you can brew them for your family when you get back."

With that, she turned to find the medicine. Grabbing a few packets, she walked back to Ling Qianjun and pressed them into his hands. "Remember to drink this."

"I will," Ling Qianjun replied, nodding gently.

Items in hand, he returned to Dongxuan Country.

By this time, Ling Qianfan and the others had already settled beside a large rock and built a fire. Hiding behind the boulder not only blocked the wind but also shielded them from the prying eyes of others. The rest of the exiles did much the same, scattering along the mountainside to lean against large rocks. Since there was no forest to take shelter in, these spots were their only option.

Furthermore, everyone had been caught in the rain today and needed to dry their clothes, so they naturally spaced themselves out. While they were finding their spots, the government officers issued a stern warning: anyone foolish enough to wander around blindly would taste the whip. Those needing to relieve themselves had to do so further out beforehand. Afterward, they were strictly confined to their resting spots.

Of course, this restriction would be lifted in a few hours. By then, everyone’s clothes would be dry, both men and women would be dressed, and there would be no risk of unsavory incidents. If someone still hadn’t dried their clothes by then and remained exposed, that was their own problem. Thus, everyone initially went a bit further away to handle their business before hurrying behind the rocks to dry their garments.

They positioned their fires on the outermost edge, hanging their clothes nearby to dry while sitting furthest inside the makeshift shelters. This way, even if someone peeked around the corner, they wouldn’t immediately see the people huddled at the back.

Ling Qianjun handed the large towels to his family. They let Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge dry their clothes first. The two men sat on the outside, close to the fire, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

As Ling Yunge and Xu Panqing wrung the water from their hair, they listened to Ling Qianjun and Ling Qianfan talking.

Ling Qianfan stared up at the sky in sheer boredom. In truth, there was nothing to see. The heavens were still blanketed in thick clouds, suggesting that the rain would continue into tomorrow. It was pitch black; not even a faint halo of the moon was visible. Yet, he continued to gaze upward.

"Qianjun, we’ve made it through this hurdle, right? Will we reach Lingnan soon? What kind of place is Lingnan? Can you tell me about it?" Ling Qianfan turned his gaze to Ling Qianjun, swallowing nervously as he waited in eager anticipation for an answer.

Although Ling Qianfan used to love wandering and exploring, his excursions were strictly limited to the Capital City. He rarely even visited the outskirts, preferring to operate within the familiar territory around their family’s estate. He had never traveled far from home.

Within their household, Qianjun shouldered the burdens of their generation. Stationed in the Northern Land, he acted as the family’s backbone. As Ling Qianjun’s younger brother, Qianfan didn’t have to go to the Northern Land for the time being, and no one forced him to. He had been perfectly content living a carefree life, idling his days away on the streets.

Ling Qianfan knew better than anyone that this comfortable life was only possible because Qianjun bore the weight of their responsibilities. He was deeply grateful and idolized his brother, even taking time to visit the temple to pray for Ling Qianjun’s safety whenever he had the chance.