Qiqi was unbearably embarrassed. She spat, "You're no good. You're simply the worst, worst villain in the whole world!" Then she added, "So what if my breasts are small? I like them!"
Hu Xiaotian laughed. "So do I!"
"Stop the carriage!" Qiqi called loudly. The driver heard her shout and brought the carriage to a halt.
Qiqi suddenly felt reluctant to part with him again, but Hu Xiaotian had already pushed open the door and jumped down.
Qiqi lifted the curtain to look at him, two glistening beads shining in her lovely eyes. She bit her cherry lips and said, "Remember what you promised."
Hu Xiaotian crooked a finger, signaling her to come closer, then leaned toward her ear and used Secret Voice Transmission. "Next time I come back, I'll marry you with gongs ringing and drums beating!"
Qiqi's pretty face reddened again, but this time she did not hesitate. She nodded firmly and whispered, "All right!"
After bidding Qiqi farewell, Hu Xiaotian went to Fengyi Manor. Once he had met up with his men, he visited his mother's grave to burn incense and paper offerings. With his respects paid, he immediately set off north. He did not want to attract too much attention along the way. Given his present status, the local officials were bound to entertain him in every prefecture and county he passed through, so he chose to conceal his identity. His party stayed outside the cities whenever possible and avoided stopping as they passed through towns. Winter had already arrived, and the farther north they traveled, the colder it became. Along the way, they encountered countless displaced commoners. The countryside lay barren, villages stood abandoned, and all of Great Kang wore a desolate, dilapidated air.
They traveled quickly, reaching Wuxing Commandery in about half a month.