A Time-Traveling Zombie Romance (GL) - Chapter 19

“Father, what is it that you summoned me for?” I asked Zhang Ming, bowing slightly.

 

“Qi’er, it’s time for you to set off. The longer you delay, the stronger Third Prince’s influence will grow,” Zhang Ming frowned.

 

“Then, Father, when shall I depart?” I asked slowly.

 

“The day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, the Emperor will issue a decree appointing you as a Third-Rank Inspector. So prepare yourself,” Zhang Ming said, hands clasped behind his back.

 

“Understood. I will not fail Father’s expectations and will ensure peace across the realm,” I said firmly.

 

“Good. My son has such ambition; your father is pleased,” Zhang Ming said with a faint smile.

 

After bidding farewell to Zhang Ming, I returned to my room to pack, taking my guitar and several sets of clothes with me, preparing for the journey to begin the next day.

 

The next morning, after the court session, Eunuch Meng arrived at the Xiaoyao Mansion with a group of eunuchs dressed in blue.

 

“The imperial decree!” came his quacking voice.

 

I knelt along with everyone else as Eunuch Meng pulled out the decree from his sleeve and read aloud:

 

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Seeing that Third Prince’s heir is extraordinarily intelligent, I hereby appoint him as a Third-Rank Inspector, granting him the Golden Dragon Badge. With this badge, it is as if he commands in my presence; all ministers shall bow in respect. The heir is to patrol the land, investigate the people incognito, and eliminate corrupt officials and factions. May the heir not fail My expectations. So ordered.”

 

“I humbly accept the decree. I thank Your Majesty for the great favor,” I said, receiving the decree and standing. Others also rose. “Eunuch Meng, you must be tired. Why not rest a while in the mansion?” I added.

 

“Hehe, no need, Your Highness. The Emperor awaits our report, so we shall not linger,” Eunuch Meng said with a smile.

 

“Very well. Zhang Fu, escort Eunuch Meng,” I instructed.

 

“Yes, Your Highness,” Zhang Fu said, and led them out of the mansion.

 

Upon hearing this news, most in the mansion were stunned.

 

“Brother, you just returned less than a month ago—how can you be leaving again?” Siqing ran to me anxiously.

 

“Alas, there’s no choice. One cannot defy the Emperor’s orders,” I sighed.

 

“Junior Brother, when do you plan to depart?” Yunxi asked.

 

“Early tomorrow morning,” I replied.

 

“Then I shall accompany you,” Yunxi immediately added.

 

“Very well, Senior Sister. We shall go together,” I said with a slight smile.

 

“Qi’er, why must you leave so hastily? Why not delay a few days?” Xiaoyun said reluctantly.

 

“Mother, I should have departed earlier, but it was delayed a few days. Now it cannot be delayed further,” I said, hands clasped behind my back.

 

“Brother, I want to go too,” Siqing cried out.

 

“No, Qing’er. This journey is dangerous. A weak girl like you cannot come,” I frowned.

 

“Why not?!” Siqing shouted.

 

“You will be in grave danger,” I explained.

 

“Brother, just let me go. I promise to behave and not trouble you. Please let me go,” she pleaded, holding my arm and shaking it.

 

Thinking it was a mere whim, I shook her off and shouted, “I said no! You will only get hurt. Stay at home as a lady, and avoid unnecessary suffering!”

 

Siqing, having never been yelled at by me, froze, then burst into tears. “You just don’t want me to trouble you, right? I only want to stay by your side! Why can’t that be allowed?!” she cried and ran back to her room.

 

Watching her retreating figure, I reached out, intending to call her back, but words failed me. A dull ache filled my heart.

 

“Ah, I’ve been rude, yelling at Qing’er,” I muttered, letting my hand fall with a hint of regret.

 

“It’s okay, Junior Brother. It’s not your fault. You just don’t want Qing’er to get hurt,” Yunxi comforted me, silently noting Siqing’s last words.

 

“Mother, I am unfilial. Barely a month since my return, and I must leave again,” I said, turning to kneel before Xiaoyun.

 

“Qi’er, it’s alright. A good man aims for the world. As long as your father and I know you are safe, that’s enough,” Xiaoyun said, helping me up.

 

“Good man?” How ironic… If only I were a man.

 

Realizing her words, Xiaoyun fell silent.

 

“Senior Sister, I need to go. Please comfort Qing’er for me,” I said, bowing to Yunxi.

 

“Of course, Junior Brother,” Yunxi smiled.

 

With her consent, I hurried out of the mansion toward the Zuimeng Pavilion.

 

“Oh, Master Zhang! It’s been a while since you last came to Zuimeng Pavilion,” the madam greeted me with a smile.

 

“Where is Menghui?” I frowned and stepped back.

 

“She’s in her room,” the madam said.

 

“Good, I’ll go see her,” I said and headed upstairs. But the madam quickly stopped me. “Master Zhang, I’m afraid you can’t. Menghui has something to attend to.”

 

“I have business too,” I said, puzzled, moving toward the upper floor.

 

The madam blocked me again, stammering, “Master Zhang… really, it’s not appropriate. Menghui… truly has business. It’s better if you don’t go in.”

 

“What’s wrong with Menghui? Madam, are you hiding something?” I raised an eyebrow.

 

The madam lowered her head guiltily. “This… this…”

 

Suspicion flared. Seizing a moment when she wasn’t looking, I dashed upstairs.

 

As I neared Menghui’s door, Qingyang suddenly appeared, blocking me. “Eh? Little miser, what are you doing here?”

 

“I came to see Menghui,” I said, pausing.

 

“Oh~ you came for Menghui, not me,” Qingyang feigned disappointment.

 

“Hmm, I came for you too,” I said, but when I tried to approach Menghui’s room, Qingyang blocked me again.

 

“Then what do you want with me?!” Qingyang asked, excited.

 

“Wait, we’ll talk inside,” I said and tried to move toward the room.

 

“No, we’ll talk here,” she said.

 

“Did something happen in Menghui’s room?” I asked suspiciously.

 

“N-no… nothing,” Qingyang said, lowering her head.

 

Taking advantage of a distraction, I stepped inside. “Eh, little miser… don’t go in!” Qingyang shouted.

 

After some pushing and pulling, the door was finally opened.

 

Naturally, we stopped and looked inside.

 

Inside, Menghui wasn’t alone. A man sat with his hand over hers, gazing at her affectionately. As the door opened, both noticed us and quickly withdrew their hands.

 

Finally, I saw the man’s face—it was Qi Yichen.

 

“Menghui!” Qingyang exclaimed happily, running in and grabbing her arm.

 

“You… you two?!” Though the atmosphere was awkward, Menghui remained calm.

 

“Hehe, we… just passed by,” Qingyang said, blushing.

 

I stood at the doorway, stunned, heart full of questions.

 

“Little miser, you said you had something to say. Speak now!” Qingyang said loudly, trying to ease the tension, dragging me inside.

 

Once inside, my eyes couldn’t leave Menghui. I stared at her and asked Qi Yichen, dumbfounded: “Qi… why are you here?”

 

“Uh…” Qi Yichen was speechless.

 

“Menghui came to see me,” she said coldly, then turned to Qi Yichen and smiled slightly.

 

“Qi… what is your relationship?” I asked, dazed.

 

“I like Menghui. She likes me,” Qi Yichen blurted. Menghui… likes him? How ironic. All this time, I had…

 

“Oh? Then I congratulate you, Qi, and Menghui, for finding each other!” I said, turning mechanically to Qi Yichen, grinding my teeth in anger. My hands clenched into white-knuckled fists behind my back.

 

“Hehe, thank you, Master Zhang,” Qi Yichen said awkwardly.

 

“So you two know each other!” Qingyang exclaimed.

 

“An acquaintance,” I said, turning my gaze back to Menghui.

 

“Oh,” Qingyang nodded.

 

I took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to flee, and continued: “Menghui, Qingyang, I came today to bid you farewell.”

 

“Farewell? Little miser, where are you going?” Qingyang asked, startled, her smile gone.

 

“I’m traveling across provinces and cities. I probably won’t be back for two years,” I sighed, realizing that traveling wasn’t as joyful as I imagined.

 

“I’ll come too,” Qingyang said eagerly.

 

“I will as well,” Menghui finally said softly.

 

“Really?” My eyes lit up, a hint of joy in my heart.

 

“Yes, I’ll travel with Little Miser,” Qingyang smiled.

 

“I was planning to travel with Qi anyway. Let’s go together,” Menghui said softly to Qi Yichen.

 

I froze, a wave of disappointment washing over me. She wasn’t going for me. I forced a smile. “Then prepare tonight. We leave at dawn. Farewell,” I said, running out before they could respond.

 

That afternoon, I ran through the streets in a daze. I didn’t know how many people I bumped into or how far I ran. I just needed to vent. Eventually, I found a small river with a large grassy area nearby. I ran to the river but tripped over a stone in the grass, falling face-first into the dirt. My fingernails dug into the soil. I muttered, “Even stones mock my unrequited feelings.”

 

I hurriedly got up and ran to the river, splashing water onto my face to wake myself.

 

But on the water’s surface appeared Menghui’s face, along with her and Qi Yichen, gazing at each other with tender eyes. Jealousy surged, and I struck the water with my fist. Water splashed everywhere, rippling and distorting their images, and they vanished.

 

“Ah…” I sighed, returning to the mansion. It was already evening. Yunxi looked at me, surprised. “Junior Brother, why are you so late?”

 

“I was delayed by something,” I replied briefly.

 

“Junior Brother, Qing’er, I can’t persuade her. Since morning, she’s been locked in her room crying,” Yunxi shook her head.

 

“Ah? Still crying? Alright, I’ll go see her,” I said, stunned.

 

“Yes,” Yunxi nodded.

 

I walked to Siqing’s room, leaving Yunxi behind, staring after me in disbelief.

 

Knock, knock, knock. “Siqing, it’s me. Open the door,” I called at her door.

 

“Waa… no! I won’t open it!” she cried.

 

“Be good, Siqing. Don’t be stubborn. Let your brother in,” I comforted her.

 

“I won’t unless you let me go! I won’t open it otherwise!” she said desperately.

 

I froze. “If you open the door, then I may consider letting you come.”

 

“Really?” Siqing paused, hopeful.

 

“Really,” I said firmly.

 

Upon hearing this, she opened the door. Tears streamed down her face, eyes swollen and red like a rabbit’s.

 

“Ah, Siqing… it will be dangerous there. I don’t want you to get hurt,” I said, gently wiping her tears.

 

Siqing blushed slightly, saying softly, “I’m not afraid. As long as I can stay by your side, it’s enough.”

 

“Hehe, alright. Then I’ll let you come, but life there won’t be easy. Take care of yourself,” I said, patting her head.

 

“Okay!” Siqing nodded excitedly.

 

After chatting for a while, we returned to our rooms.

 

At night, I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. I sat cross-legged and began practicing the Ancient Corpse King’s techniques.

 

Tomorrow marked the true beginning of my journey…