The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

More than half a month had passed since the engagement, and during this time, everyone in the Lu family had been busy. Lu Gong specifically instructed Lu Ze and Lu Shi to invite Liu Bang and Qin Yi to the banquet respectively.

Finally, the day of the family dinner arrived. Lu Ze arrived at the door early and waited. When he saw Liu Bang, he immediately went to greet him and warmly ushered him into the hall. After a few pleasantries, Liu Bang couldn't help but ask about Qin Yi: "I wonder when Brother Qin will arrive?" Lu Shi smiled and replied: "Qin Yi will be here soon, please be patient, Brother Liu."

Sure enough, not long after, Qin Yi appeared at the entrance to the hall. He walked in with steady steps, and the moment his eyes met Liu Bang's, they both smiled a smile that only they understood. Qin Yi walked straight over to the table next to Liu Bang and sat down.

At this moment, Lü Gong and his two daughters entered the hall. He looked around and saw that everyone was present. He nodded with satisfaction and ordered the servants to start serving the dishes. In an instant, the entire hall was filled with rich aromas, and a variety of delicious dishes filled the tables.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Qin Yi put down his glass, looked at Lu Gong, and bowed. He said sincerely, "Father-in-law, thank you for your careful care for me these days. I came to the banquet today, firstly to reunite with my family, and secondly, I have something important to tell you."

Lu Gong smiled and looked at Qin Yi with loving eyes. He nodded slightly, indicating that he should continue.

Qin Yi took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and continued, "In the near future, I plan to travel north with Ying Bu. This journey is expected to last for several months, or even as long as half a year, so I came here to say goodbye to you. I'll leave Susu in your care."

Lu Su sat silently by the side, her eyes filled with mixed emotions. She knew Qin Yi's journey would be filled with hardships and dangers, but she understood his ambition and determination. She told herself not to become a stumbling block to Qin Yi and to support his choices. Lu Su silently wished Qin Yi the best of luck and a speedy return. She told herself to be strong and take good care of herself while Qin Yi was away, so that he would have no worries.

Hearing Qin Yi's words, Lu Gong fell into a brief silence, but soon regained his composure. He nodded slightly, as if to express his understanding and support for Qin Yi's decision.

At this time, Lü Ze came forward, patted Qin Yi's shoulder gently, and said earnestly: "Good brother, since you have made your decision, then go! I believe that when you come back, you will definitely gain something. We are here to wait for your good news and look forward to your safe return." After that, Lü Ze raised his glass and drank it all with Qin Yi.

Despite the unexpected bond between Liu Bang and Qin Yi, akin to that of sisters-in-law, stemming from their connection to the Lü family, Liu Bang remained wary of Qin Yi. He secretly wondered if Qin Yi's arrival in Pei County was no accident, but rather a hidden agenda. Upon hearing the news of Qin Yi's impending departure, Liu Bang felt a surge of relief. His tense nerves finally relaxed a little, and he felt a surge of relief. Without hesitation, Liu Bang raised his glass, stood, faced Qin Yi, and offered a toast. This gesture displayed both Liu Bang's courtesy and grace and his delicate approach to this complex relationship.

The atmosphere at this banquet was even more lively than usual. The return of the two sons-in-law and two young masters had brought even more joy and laughter to the family. However, amidst the clamor, Qin Yi keenly detected the subtle shift in Lu Su's mood. He gently and unobtrusively took Lu Su's hand, and the two of them, in unison, chose to quietly leave, seeking a quiet corner to exchange heartfelt words that only they could understand.

……

The next morning, just after sunrise, Qin Yi and Ying Bu got up early, packed their bags, and prepared to embark on a new journey. The servants had already been waiting at the gate of Lu's mansion with their horses, ready to set off at any time.

The Lu family's grandfather, two sons and two daughters also came to see them off, and the whole family looked solemn.

Qin Yi held Lu Su's hand tightly and said softly, "Su Su, the person I worry about most on this long journey is you. You must take good care of yourself and don't let me worry. When I return, it will be the day of our wedding." Lu Su listened to Qin Yi's words, tears welled up in her eyes, but she still tried to hold back the tears, trying to smile and said, "Brother Yi, you can go with peace of mind. I will take good care of myself. You take care of yourself along the way and don't worry about me. I will wait here for your safe return."

Qin Yi nodded gently, understanding. Then, he pulled Lu Su into a tight embrace, feeling her warmth. They stood there, embraced, as if time had stood still. However, parting was inevitable. After a moment, Qin Yi slowly loosened his grip and turned back to his horse. Lu Su silently watched him retreat, tears streaming down her cheeks. Despite her reluctance, she knew that letting go, at this moment, was the greatest support she could offer Qin Yi.

As the sound of horse hooves faded, Qin Yi's figure finally disappeared into the distant horizon. Lü Su remained standing, not moving for a long time, her clothes soaked with tears...

Lu Su returned to her room, distraught, her steps stumbling as if the world were shaking. Her eyes were empty, as if she had lost her soul. Her body felt drained of energy, light and without a trace of strength. She slowly walked to the window, sat down woodenly, and stared into the distance, her heart churning like a raging sea, unable to calm down.

As the days passed, Lu Su tried to keep herself busy, trying to numb herself with work. She devoted herself to the Lu family's affairs, paying attention to every detail. At the same time, she kept a close eye on the lives of her father and brother, doing her best to take care of them. But every night when all was quiet, Qin Yi's figure would inevitably appear in her mind.

Lü Zhi was keenly aware of her sister's changes, and she felt a surge of anxiety. To help Lü Su overcome her depression, she took her to the construction site every day, chatting with her and listening to her inner pain. Sometimes, they would do needlework together to distract Lü Su from her sorrow.

Gradually, Lu Su's mood improved. She knew that life had to go on, and she had to be strong to reassure Brother Qin.