Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

After enjoying a hearty dinner with her grandfather and his family, Li Ruoyue and her family were taken to the Tingyu Courtyard in the backyard to rest. This courtyard holds special significance for Li Ruoyue, as it is not only where she grew up, but also a harbor that holds countless warm memories.

As I stepped into the courtyard, a sense of familiarity washed over me. My grandmother had meticulously preserved this courtyard, making it seem as if time had stood still. Everything inside the house remained exactly as it had been, the familiar furniture neatly arranged, each item still imbued with the warmth of my mother.

Li Ruoyue stood quietly in the center of the room, her eyes slowly scanning the surroundings. She saw the large carved bed where she had once slept, covered with her mother's hand-embroidered quilt; the dressing table, on which lay her mother's used comb and bronze mirror; and the desk by the window, where her mother often sat to read and write, with an old chair.

Looking at the familiar plants, trees, tables, and chairs, Li Ruoyue's thoughts drifted away. She couldn't help but imagine her mother's life here: in the early morning, sunlight streaming through the windows, her mother might sit at her dressing table, carefully dressing herself; in the afternoon, she might lean against the window, holding a collection of poetry, quietly reciting. Li Ruoyue imagined that at nightfall, her mother would lie in bed, telling her young self warm and touching stories.

Li Ruoyue's eyes moistened at the thought. Though time had passed, the traces her mother had left on this courtyard would never fade. She decided not to let her grandmother alter anything, leaving it as it was. That way, whenever she returned, she could feel her mother's deep and enduring love.

Li Ruo also lay on the eight-step bed where his mother once slept, covered with a soft quilt, fantasizing about his mother's warm embrace, and then slept soundly all night.

The morning sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting a golden veil over the courtyard. Li Ruoyue, dressed in a light blue dress, sat elegantly on a stone bench. After breakfast, she rose and headed for her grandfather's study.

When she gently pushed open the study door, she saw her grandfather sitting at his desk, writing intently. Hearing the door open, he looked up, a delighted smile immediately breaking out on his face. He waved warmly to Li Ruoyue, motioning her to come over to the desk.

Li Ruoyue approached her grandfather with delicate steps, her gaze fixed on the desk covered in rice paper and brimming with the fragrance of ink. Her eyes lit up at the sight of his flamboyant handwriting, and she leaned forward to examine it more closely. After a moment, she exclaimed with heartfelt admiration, "Grandfather, your handwriting is becoming increasingly vigorous and powerful! Every stroke seems to hold immense power and allure." A brilliant smile lit up her delicate face, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

After hearing this, the grandfather burst into laughter, his eyes full of love and satisfaction: "Yue'er, your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter, you really know how to make grandpa happy! But tell me, why did you come to see grandpa today?" As he said this, the grandfather deliberately frowned, but the smile in his eyes could not be hidden.

Seeing this, Li Ruoyue lowered her head slightly, revealing a shy look, and said softly, "Grandfather, I just missed you, so I came to see you." However, her grandfather didn't buy it. He glared at her and pretended to be angry and threatened, "Hmph, stop talking nonsense to me! Don't I know you well, girl? You don't come to me for no reason. Tell me the truth, what's the matter? If you don't, I'll lose my patience!"

Li Ruoyue knew she couldn't hide it from her grandfather, so she mustered up her courage and said coquettishly, "Oh, Grandpa, I actually do have something I want to ask you for help with..."

I've always cherished a desire: to accompany the Fourth Prince on a journey to the northwest to quell disaster. However, as a woman of seclusion, it's unwise to directly announce my intention to travel to such a remote and dangerous place. So, after careful consideration, I came up with a plan: under the guise of visiting my maternal grandfather's home, I'd disguise myself as a man and then embark on the journey to the northwest with the Fourth Prince.

My father has been stationed at the Northwest Army camp, and I'm deeply concerned about his safety and the situation there. I've heard, especially since the drought and the worsening epidemic there are, leaving so many refugees displaced and suffering. Thinking of this, I can't sleep or eat. I just want to get to the Northwest as soon as possible, see the conditions there firsthand, and do whatever I can to help those suffering.

When I told my grandfather about this idea, he looked at me with concern and advised me earnestly: "Yue'er, I know you are filial, but the situation in the northwest is chaotic now, and the drought and epidemic are extremely serious. I'm afraid you will encounter accidents when you go there." As he spoke, he gently held my hand, his eyes full of concern.

But I had made up my mind. I held my grandfather's hand tightly and said seriously, "Grandfather, don't worry! I've grown up and am no longer that little girl who needed constant protection. Besides, I've studied medicine since I was young. It would be a shame if I couldn't use this skill to help the people. Besides, the Fourth Prince is traveling with us this time. With him by my side, you don't need to worry too much about my safety."

Hearing this, the master stared at my firm gaze and unwavering determination, sighed deeply, and said slowly: "In that case, then you can go. But you must be careful along the way, and grandpa will take care of everything for you." After getting my grandfather's consent, I felt excited and nervous, but also full of anticipation for the upcoming journey.

After careful deliberation, Li Ruoyue and her grandfather finally reached a consensus—the next day they would set off for the northwest to pursue the intriguing Fourth Prince. The two of them meticulously discussed every detail, striving for absolute certainty.

"My child, let's wait at the post station on the only way to the northwest." Grandfather said with a firm look.

Li Ruoyue nodded obediently in agreement. Then, her grandfather turned and instructed, "Big Brother, quickly prepare the carriage and horses. Tomorrow, follow your uncle and head to the northwest under the guise of doing business. Remember, be careful in everything you do!"

My uncle quickly agreed and turned around to arrange the relevant matters.

Meanwhile, Li Ruoyue had her own plans. She decided to disguise herself as Xiao Si and infiltrate the group. This way, she wouldn't attract attention and would be able to maneuver more easily. As for the servants she had brought from home, with the exception of her personal maid, Lu Zhu, she sent all the others, including Li Ruojing, back home. After all, with so many people around, there were many eyes, and the news could easily leak out.

As night fell, Li Ruoyue tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. She felt a mixture of anticipation for the unknown journey and a touch of trepidation. But the thought of soon meeting her long-missed father instantly dispelled all her worries...

The morning sun shone through the half-drawn curtains onto my bedside, bringing a touch of warmth. Today was a special day—I was about to embark on a disaster relief journey to the northwest, following my most respected uncle. A mixture of nervousness and excitement filled my heart, and I barely slept last night.

My eldest uncle is a seasoned merchant, constantly traveling between major cities, trading precious goods like silk and tea. But this time, his mission is different: he'll take a portion of our family's wealth and journey to the hard-hit northwest to help those there. I packed my bag, filled with food, clothing, and other essentials carefully selected by my family, to distribute to those in need along the way. My eldest uncle was already waiting in the outer courtyard, his tall figure imposing in the morning light. Seeing me emerge, he smiled gently, his eyes filled with encouragement. "Are you ready to go, son?" he asked, his voice full of fatherly kindness.

The sun was setting, painting the landscape a golden hue. Yet, amidst this tranquil scene, a series of mournful figures stood out. This was the first time we encountered a large group of refugees on our way to the northwest to provide disaster relief. Like fallen leaves in the wilderness during autumn, they lay scattered along the dusty road, silent and powerless, their faces etched with deep exhaustion and despair.

Men and women, young and old, dragged themselves along with heavy steps, carrying their few remaining belongings on their backs. The cries of children rose and fell, piercing the heart of every onlooker like needles. The elderly, hunched over, their eyes glazed, seemed to have lost even the energy to cry. Young people walked silently on either side of the procession, like the last defenders of this tragic group. But the glimmer in their eyes was so faint that it could be extinguished at any moment.

Seeing this, Li Ruoyue gently lifted the car curtain, and her pretty face, like a spring flower, asked her uncle outside the window: "Uncle, can we give him something to eat?" But her uncle said with a serious face, like Bao Gong: "No! These refugees are like hungry wolves. If you give them a piece of meat, the others will swarm over like a tide.

We can't stop this many refugees. They're starving, and they're capable of anything. We haven't yet stopped them from making any serious moves. If a large number of refugees arrive, we'll be plunged into an abyss of no return, with no place to bury our bodies. Ruoyue, get in quickly. We need to get through this area quickly, or we'll be in danger too."