Zhao Qingyu was fifty-nine that year.
A beauty in her twilight years.
As the saying went, time could not defeat a beauty.
Yet the passage of time could never be held back.
Zhao Qingyu had been beautiful in her youth, inheriting her mother's good looks. After years of wind and sun in the Western Regions, time had carved many traces into her face. Beneath her silver hair, her features had taken on a kindly dignity.
"You never even think of me."
"All these years, and you never wrote to me."
"If the Tanguts hadn't rebelled, were you planning to wait until I was dying before coming to see me?"
Zhao Qingyu spoke to Verdant Green Maiden with a hint of reproach in her voice.
"..."
Verdant Green Maiden fell silent.
She really did feel rather ashamed.
She had simply had so much to deal with over the years.
Seeing Verdant Green Maiden remain silent, Zhao Qingyu reached out and took her arm, saying with a smile, "All right! I'm only teasing. I'm not angry. I know someone like you must have all sorts of things to deal with, Master, so I understand."
Despite those words, Verdant Green Maiden still caught a trace of hurt in her eyes.
"Thank you for all your hard work."
Verdant Green Maiden stroked Zhao Qingyu's hair.
Just as she had all those years ago.
Zhao Qingyu said quietly, "Master, spare me a little dignity. I'm an old woman myself now."
Verdant Green Maiden laughed at that and nodded. "Mm!"
After dismissing all the attendants, master and disciple talked for a long time.
Zhao Qingyu reported to Verdant Green Maiden on everything she had accomplished in the Western Regions over the years.
"Heh!"
"After we drove off the Black Khanate, they wanted to come back, but