Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Wu Tao spent several days in anxiety and fear. There was no news from Hu Bugui. Only the jade flute he gave her became warmer in her hands. That day, Chun Tao hurried into the room, holding a dusty letter in her hand, and she was hesitant to speak. Wu Tao's heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition came to her mind.

"Miss, there's news from the border... from the border..." Chuntao's voice trembled slightly as she handed the letter in her hand to Wu Tao.

Wu Tao took the letter with trembling hands. The few words on the letter were like a heavy hammer, hitting her heart hard. Hu Bugui's army was trapped in the city, with food and grass in short supply and heavy casualties. At the end of the letter, the soldier who delivered the letter wrote: "The general said that if anything happens to him, please take care of yourself and don't take risks for him..."

Every word seemed to be written with blood and tears. When Wu Tao read to the end, her eyes became blurred and tears kept falling, soaking the letter in her hand.

"Miss! Don't scare me!" Chun Tao panicked upon seeing this and hurried forward to support the staggering Wu Tao.

Wu Tao took a deep breath and tried to calm her panic. She couldn't fall down. She had more important things to do. Hu Bugui's life or death was unknown. She couldn't just sit there and wait for death. She had to find him, no matter what.

"Chun Tao, pack up your things, we are going to the border." Wu Tao said in a firm tone, with a look of determination he had never seen before.

"Going to the border? Miss, you absolutely can't do that! There are swords and swords everywhere, and it's very dangerous. If you, a weak woman, go there, wouldn't it be..." Chun Tao was horrified when she heard that and hurriedly tried to dissuade her.

"I know it's dangerous, but I can't abandon him. Chuntao, you don't have to persuade me anymore, I have made up my mind." Wu Tao interrupted Chuntao, his tone firm and unquestionable.

Chun Tao looked at Wu Tao's resolute expression and knew that she could no longer dissuade her. She knew that her young lady looked weak, but in fact she was very tough. Thinking of this, Chun Tao's eyes were red. She held Wu Tao's hand and choked up, "Miss, Chun Tao's life is yours. Wherever you go, I will go there and will never leave you!"

Wu Tao held Chun Tao's hand, and a warm feeling surged in her heart. She knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were ahead, she would not be alone. She was going to find Hu Bugui. For their love and for the firm belief in her heart, she would bravely embark on the journey... Wu Tao did not sleep all night, her eyes were bloodshot, but flashing with unprecedented determination. She changed into a plain dress, carefully put the jade flute given by Hu Bugui into the sachet on her waist, and then walked towards the direction of the palace with steady steps.

In the Golden Palace, the emperor couldn't help but frown when he heard Wu Tao's intention. "My dear Hu is in danger, and I am extremely worried. But the border is in the midst of war. You are a weak woman. If you go there, you will be like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth."

"Your Majesty," Wu Taoying bowed, "I beg you to go to the border and stay with General Hu no matter life or death!" Her tone was firm, and every word was sonorous, echoing in the hall for a long time.

The emperor looked at the weak but resolute woman in front of him, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. He remembered that Hu Bugui had mentioned this extraordinary woman in front of him, and his words were full of admiration and love. Now it seems that this woman's love for Hu Bugui is so deep and so unswerving.

"Have you really thought it through?" the emperor asked in a deep voice, with an imperceptible touch of emotion in his tone.

"I have made up my mind, Your Majesty, please grant my request!" Wu Tao kowtowed again, her tone firm and unwavering.

The emperor was silent for a moment, sighed, and finally nodded in agreement. "Well, since you have made up your mind, I will grant you your wish. Come, pass on my decree. I will grant you a royal horse, some gold and silver, and order the imperial guards to escort Wu to the border!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wu Tao bowed to thank the emperor for his grace. When he stood up, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes and his heart was full of gratitude and hope.

After the arrangements were made, an experienced general called Wu Tao and Chun Tao to his side and gave them detailed instructions on the itinerary. "The journey is long and dangerous, so you two must be careful. Here is the border map and pass token, as well as a handwritten letter from me, which will ensure that you have a smooth journey."

Wu Tao took it with both hands and bowed to the old general solemnly. "Thank you, General. I am very grateful."

As night fell and the lights came on, Wu Tao packed her bag with mixed feelings. The journey to the border was long and her life or death was uncertain, but she had only one thought in her mind, which was to rush to Hu Bugui as soon as possible and tide over the difficulties with him...

The night was dark, but the lights in Chang'an were bright. The whole Wu Mansion was shrouded in a lingering sadness. Wu Tao, dressed in men's clothes, tied the package behind her neatly and bowed deeply to the relatives and friends who came to see her off.

"Tao'er, the journey is long, be careful." Master Wu's eyes were filled with worry and tears were streaming down his face. Wu Tao stepped forward and held her father's hand, saying softly, "Don't worry, Daddy, I will definitely come back safely."

"Sister Tao, you must come back!" Wu Tao's brothers and sisters pulled at her clothes, their eyes full of reluctance. Wu Tao squatted down, gently stroked their hair, and promised with a smile: "Sister promises you that I will definitely come back, and then I will bring you a lot of rare things from the border, okay?"

Wu Tao's close friends also came to see her off. Some of them cried until their eyes were red, some kept reminding her to be careful on the road, and some gave her various small items that she would need on the road. Wu Tao thanked them one by one and kept their friendship deeply in her heart.

After bidding farewell to his reluctant relatives and friends, Wu Tao mounted his horse and left Chang'an City with Chun Tao and the escort team under the cover of night. They headed westwards towards the distant border.

At first, the road was fairly flat and the scenery on both sides was also pretty beautiful. But as they went deeper, the road became rugged and difficult to travel. The mountain road was steep and there were cliffs on both sides. If they were not careful, they would fall into the abyss.

The weather also began to get worse, with howling winds, flying sand and rocks, and heavy rains, and the roads were muddy. Wu Tao and Chun Tao had never experienced such hardships before, and they were in great pain along the way.

But Wu Tao never showed any sign of retreat. She gritted her teeth and persisted, with only one belief in her heart, that is, to rush to Hu Bugui as soon as possible and overcome the difficulties with him. She knew that the road ahead was still long, and what awaited them would be even more severe tests...

 Chapter 86: Heart to the light, bravely embark on the journey

After a long journey, Wu Tao and his party finally arrived at the border. The scene before them was completely different from the prosperous Chang'an City. The sky was filled with yellow sand and the smell of war filled the air, making people feel depressed.

"Miss, do we really want to stay here?" Chuntao huddled together, looking at the soldiers training in the distance, her eyes full of fear.

Wu Tao did not answer, but cast her eyes into the distance. She knew that Hu Bugui was on this land, fighting bloody battles with the enemy to defend his country. When she thought of him, her heart was filled with courage and strength.

After settling down, Wu Tao found that the conditions at the border were more difficult than she had imagined. The soldiers were short of food and medicine, and their morale was low. She did not back down, but actively tried to find a way to solve the problem.

She used her modern knowledge to teach the soldiers how to make simple water purification devices to improve drinking water hygiene; she also prepared some prescriptions for treating trauma and common diseases based on the characteristics of local herbs. Although these methods were simple, they effectively solved the soldiers' urgent needs and won Wu Tao their respect and trust.

"Miss Wu, you are really our benefactor!" an old soldier said gratefully, "If it weren't for you, we don't know how much suffering we would have to endure!"

Wu Tao smiled and said nothing more. For her, helping these soldiers who were defending their country was her unshirkable responsibility.

One day, Wu Tao was treating the wounded when she heard a commotion outside the tent. She walked out of the tent curiously and saw a group of soldiers surrounding a general in armor.

"Who is this?" Wu Tao asked puzzledly.

"This is General Li, the prince's right-hand man." A soldier replied respectfully.

General Li's gaze fell on Wu Tao, with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "You are Miss Wu? I have heard of your name for a long time!"

Wu Tao quickly saluted and said, "General Li, you are too kind. I am just trying my best to help you."

"Miss Wu, there is no need to be modest. The prince has already told me about your deeds," General Li said with a hearty laugh, "The prince also said that now that you are here, he doesn't have to worry anymore."

Wu Tao's heart skipped a beat, and she asked anxiously, "Where is the prince now? Can I see him?"

General Li's eyes flashed with a complex emotion. After a moment's silence, he said, "The prince is now commanding the battle at the front line. The situation is very critical. You..."

Before he finished speaking, Wu Tao had already quickly run out of the tent. As she ran, she had only one thought in her mind: she wanted to find Hu Bugui and fight alongside him!

"Your Highness! Your Highness!" Wu Tao rushed into the main tent regardless of everything, but after seeing the scene in front of him, he was stunned.

Hu Bugui was seen wearing armor, standing in front of the sand table with a heroic look, his brows furrowed and his expression solemn. His face was covered with frost, and his originally fair skin was tanned into bronze, but his eyes were still firm and sharp, like a sword drawn from its sheath, emitting a chilling cold light.

Hearing Wu Tao's voice, Hu Bugui turned around abruptly, and when he saw Wu Tao standing at the door, his eyes were filled with incredible surprise and ecstasy. He rushed to Wu Tao in two steps and hugged her tightly in his arms.

"Tao'er, is it really you? You're really here!"

Feeling Hu Bugui's warm embrace and listening to his strong heartbeat, Wu Tao could no longer control her emotions and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Hu Bugui, I'm here, I'm here to find you!"

Wu Tao hugged Hu Bugui tightly, greedily breathing in his scent. During the days of separation, she missed him and worried about him all the time. Now, she finally came to his side, her heart was filled with incomparable peace and happiness.

"Hu Bugui, why have you lost so much weight?" Wu Tao gently stroked Hu Bugui's face and said with heartache.

"Silly, I'm fine." Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand and looked at her affectionately, "I'm glad you're here. I feel relieved to see that you're safe and sound."

"Hu Bugui, I want to stay here and fight alongside you." Wu Tao raised his head and looked at Hu Bugui firmly. "I know the road ahead is dangerous, but I can't let you face it alone. I want to protect this land and our home with you."

Hu Bugui was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Wu Tao to say such a thing. He always knew that Wu Tao was a brave and strong woman, but hearing her express such determination in person still made him feel extremely shocked and moved.

"Tao'er, do you know what you are saying? The battlefield is not a joke. It's very dangerous here. I can't let you take risks." Hu Bugui frowned, his tone full of worry.

"I know, but I can't let you face it alone." Wu Tao held Hu Bugui's hand tightly, with a determined light in her eyes. "Hu Bugui, listen to me, I'm not a weak woman. I can also be your support and face the wind and rain with you. Moreover, I believe that my coming here will definitely bring you help."

Wu Tao's words were full of power, which made Hu Bugui unable to refuse. He took a deep breath, held Wu Tao's hand tightly, and said solemnly: "Okay, let's face it together!"

Wu Tao's arrival brought a bit of relaxation to the originally tense military camp. The soldiers had heard about Wu Tao's deeds and were full of admiration and gratitude for her. Wu Tao did not disappoint their expectations. She used her wisdom and ability to help the soldiers improve their living conditions and boost their morale.

However, the dark cloud of war still looms over this land. Can Wu Tao's arrival bring a turning point for Hu Bugui's army? How will they face the numerous difficulties that lie ahead?