Transmigrator Meets Reincarnator

Chapter 53: The Northern Border

Matriarch He watched Madam Zou leave. That girl looked more haggard by the day, she mused. Her fingers tapped gently on the table beside her as she began to consider some thoughts she had previously set aside.

A few days ago, Countess Jing'an had mentioned the matter of letting her eldest son, Dalang, take a concubine to the matriarch.

Truthfully speaking, the matriarch had been waiting for a great-grandson for much too long. She had given Dalang's wife ten years, but there was still no news.

......

After He Changdi and Laiyue passed Zhangzhou and went as far north as they could go, they took to the water and reached Qizhou. They then changed horses and continued northward. After half a month of harsh travel, they finally reached the northern border of the Great Wu Dynasty: Liangzhou.

Looking at the endless grasslands of the northern border, memories from He Changdi's past life bubbled to the surface. His heart was a mess of muddled emotions.

Laiyue rode his horse up to his young master's side before asking, "Young Master, are we entering the city directly?"

He Changdi shook his head and pointed in another direction.

Laiyue turned his gaze over, only to see a few scattered tents dotted yonder on the boundless grassy plains.

He gulped, but didn't say a word.

Throughout their journey, the fuse on Third Young Master's temper had just grown shorter and shorter. He wore a gloomy expression around all day, and practically radiated the aura of a porcupine: don't touch me!

Laiyue subconsciously took a deep breath and instantly regretted it. He looked down at his own travel-worn clothing, fighting the urge to throw himself into a pool of water. He was emitting the stink of the century here, and it was to the point where he was about to lose his sense of smell. He hadn't thought that Third Young Master, who had always loved cleanliness, could actually keep travelling without bothering to wash the dirt off his body.

It was full summer right now. The last time they had properly cleaned themselves was back when they had left Qizhou. The further north they went, the fewer pools and lakes they could find. Since they were rushing to their destination, they were living roughly. A normal thing like a bath had become a luxury.

Now that they had arrived at the uncivilised northern plains, they were surrounded by grassland all around. There weren't even that many tents, let alone any inns or restaurants where they could rest in.

Laiyue secretly shot a glance at Third Young Master. His fitted grey riding clothes were already stained with dirt, and there were even a few tears here and there. His black hair had been tied up at the back of his head, but the journey had made it a mess. Dark stubble was already growing all over his chin due to the lack of shaving. Half a month of travelling out in the sun and wind had made Third Young Master not only more tan, but also skinnier than before.

The corners of Laiyue's mouth twitched. If his young master were to ride along the streets of the capital now, probably no one would be able to connect this coarse man with the He Family's Sanlang the Fair.

Master and servant urged their horses towards the scattered tents in the distance.

Just as they arrived, a slightly plump madam happened to walk out of one of the tents, carrying some butter and tea as she pushed up the tent flaps. Seeing the two strangers, she looked over curiously and spoke in some gibberish that Laiyue couldn't understand.

Laiyue stared at the madam. Although he had expected the northern border to be harsh and cruel, he hadn't thought that they wouldn't be able to communicate...