Chapter 1204: Chapter 1204: I’m Holding Back My Tears
In the not-so-wide boat, along with Bai Zhi’er and Feng Fuce, there were four other people.
Two women carrying vegetables, who seemed to be planning to sell them at the market, were leaning against each other, dozing.
The other couple appeared to have married not too long ago and were quietly conversing.
Feng Fuce glanced around; the small boat was moving on the misty Shui River as daylight began to emerge.
The green mountains on both shores were wrapped in thin, pale clouds.
The boatman was an old man, standing at the stern, leisurely propelling the vessel forward.
The only sound was the gentle flow of water, devoid of other noises.
Feng Fuce withdrew his gaze and looked at Bai Zhi’er.
The three-year-old Bai Zhi’er wore simple clothing, but her clean and neat red cotton jacket stood out, paired with black pants.
Feng Fuce sat beside her and noticed her little shoes were covered in dirt.
He paused, eyes slightly lowered.
It seemed the little one had already walked a long way by herself.
The three-year-old Bai Zhi’er heard the movement, looked up, and gazed at Feng Fuce.
"Brother, are you also taking the boat to the Capital?" she asked, her voice soft and tender.
This immediately reminded Feng Fuce of her childhood days when she would pretend to be blindfolded, wanting to eat an orange.
He softly smiled and responded, "Yes."
It turns out this boat was headed to Shangjing, so Bai Zhi’er was recalling her journey to the Capital at three years old?
If Feng Fuce remembered correctly, this trip to the Capital was for her to acknowledge Bai Xilie as kin.
Feng Fuce wasn’t sure why she indulged herself in the past dreams; he guessed Bai Zhi’er, like the Empress of Great Qin Fu Xiru, had unspeakable reasons.
He lowered his gaze and saw a burlap sack at the little one’s feet.
With the boat’s jostling, a sweet potato rolled out.
The three-year-old Bai Zhi’er picked it up with a "hurrah" and handed it to Feng Fuce.
"Brother, here, eat this."
Her fair little hand held the sweet potato, causing a moment of pause for Feng Fuce.
Next, he accepted it, "Thank you, are these sweet potatoes all yours?"
"Yes!" The little one nodded, her pale face shaking a little.
The three-year-old Bai Zhi’er grabbed a sweet potato for herself, eating it while saying, "Once this bag is done, it’ll be about time to reach father."
Feng Fuce raised an eyebrow, "Oh, so you’re going to find your father. But why are you the only one? Where are the rest of your family? Are they comfortable with you going to the Capital alone?"
The little one’s voice was soft as she ate, her cheeks bulging.
She said, "I only have a mother, but she’s very busy. She needs to take care of others’ happiness, so she can only let Zhi’er go to father by herself."
"But don’t worry, brother. Zhi’er is very capable; I can do anything. On this journey, I’ve taken care of myself all along!"
She shot him a sweet smile, absolutely adorable.
However, Feng Fuce noticed a faint scratch on her chin.
He couldn’t help but reach out, gently touching it, prompting the little one to wince.
Feng Fuce’s gaze darkened, "Did you fall?"
The three-year-old Bai Zhi’er shyly scratched her cheek, "I often lose balance when walking, but it’s okay. Mother says as long as you learn to stand up by yourself, it’s fine."
"It doesn’t hurt, I’ve held back the tears. When I see father, I’ll cry and tell him everything."
Feng Fuce found her optimism adorable, couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
But then, a feeling of heartache took over all his emotions.
"Your mother is really willing to let you venture out alone," Feng Fuce said, clenching his teeth without realizing it.
As a sworn enemy of Lady Tiantian, no matter how she fought him, he was indifferent.
But to neglect Bai Zhi’er like that made him feel intolerable just thinking about it.
