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Chapter 61: Sixty-One Treasures ?

Life in Pingliang gradually returned to normal.

As the New Year holiday approached and the wild vegetables at home were nearly gone, Xu Zhen finally had the opportunity to visit the Xianbei region with Xun Qianchun.

Xianbei, in a broad sense, referred to a vast territory, though it now belonged to other tribes. As Xun Qianchun explained more specifically, Xianbei was just a small village on the outskirts of Yongzhou.

No one coveted that area because it lacked water and grass, and the soil was poor—just a barren hilltop.

The two packed their bags, mounted their horses, and after riding for about half a day, stopped at a gentle slope.

Xun Qianchun hadn't visited the place in a long time, but she still remembered a bit. She led Xu Zhen through a cave and up a hill, where her mother once took her.

By then, it was dusk.

The sky was a deep, somber shade.

Before them lay endless ruins and remnants, with gray-black cloth scattered on the ground, disordered stones, and dried grass blowing around. Traces of past life were evident, but now it was utterly deserted.

Snow blanketed the surroundings, except for a clear footpath down the middle.

Xu Zhen took a step forward and asked Xun Qianchun, "Have you been cleaning here recently?"

Xun Qianchun replied, "No."

Xu Zhen wondered aloud, "Then who cleared this path?"

Xun Qianchun shook her head, pondering the mystery. Perhaps it was done by other tribespeople.

Setting aside the question, Xu Zhen asked about the past, "Since you've been here before, describe it to me so I can imagine it."

Xun Qianchun smiled and said, "This entire area was once bustling with life."

Curious, Xu Zhen asked, "Where did you live?"

Xun Qianchun replied, "I don't remember."

Xu Zhen laughed and inquired, "What about places for selling vegetables and schools?"

Xun Qianchun explained, "We hunted together and shared everything. Tribespeople didn't go to school."

"Hunting? Catching some sheep here would be fantastic.

In the past, Xu Zhen had stopped Xun Qianchun from trying to catch sheep, fearing they might be caught by local tribes. However, this area was supposedly unclaimed by both the Han and the tribes, and it was so obscure that most people didn't even know it existed, making it seem quite safe."

Excited, Xu Zhen asked, "Where do you hunt?"

Xun Qianchun replied, "In the mountains."

Xu Zhen showed interest, so Xun Qianchun led her to explore. Unfortunately, with the current weather, many animals were too hungry to come out.

Besides, it was already night.

They lit a fire and settled in a cave, sealing the entrance with mud to block the wind. Xun Qianchun, experienced with caves, managed it effortlessly.

After finishing, she stepped outside to clean her hands with snow, returned to arrange the bedding, and crawled in to sleep. They only brought one quilt, and Xun Qianchun, with her warm body, quickly heated it up.

Xu Zhen quickly lifted the edge of the blanket and slipped inside. She tried to be discreet, daring only to place her hand briefly on Xun Qianchun's waist before quickly pulling it back.

However, Xun Qianchun was more direct, wrapping her arm around Xu Zhen and settling in to sleep. This made Xun Qianchun happy, but it left Xu Zhen in a bit of a predicament.

A few days earlier, after gaining fame from a lively debate, Xu Zhen had an engaging conversation with the owner of the Flower Tower. The discussion was pleasant until the owner insisted on giving her a colorful book.

Xu Zhen initially thought it was a classic text on Confucian or Daoist philosophy, but to her shock, it was an erotic book-illustrations depicting intimacy between women!

Having lived a life of simplicity and restraint for over thirty years, even rarely indulging in typical romance novels, Xu Zhen was so surprised that she had a nosebleed, internally exclaiming, "This is intense!"

The book was indeed well-made, and the illustrations were striking.

Yet, despite the surprise, she kept her wits about her, remembering that Xun Qianchun, the "little beggar," was still young.

Xu Zhen felt conflicted and cried, yet afterward, she inexplicably felt a sense of relief. She couldn't pinpoint why this feeling arose, but she found herself contemplating another question—

The saying goes that once the basic needs are met, desires follow.

But why, even when she wasn't particularly comfortable or content, did her mind fill with thoughts of Xun Qianchun's youthful and vibrant image?

As she pondered this, she gradually drifted into sleep.

In her slumber, she vaguely heard the wind howling outside, suggesting a chill, but she felt snug and warm under the covers, even breaking a slight sweat on her forehead.

Half-awake, she sensed something against her back, perhaps a calloused palm exploring her skin.

In her sleepy daze, Xu Zhen reached back to grab the hand disturbing her, holding it against her chest.

Instantly, the hand stilled.

Then, she was gently turned and enveloped in a warm embrace, her back resting against a soft body, with calm breathing echoing softly in her ear.

Xu Zhen's eyes fluttered open slightly.

She felt a bit more awake.

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**Author's Note:** Why am I typing so slowly? My mind is buzzing with all these lively ideas, but my fingers can't keep up-it's frustrating! No spicy scenes next chapter; the timing isn't quite right. I'll be sending out virtual red envelopes until the 10th. If I missed anyone's comments from yesterday or today, let me know, and I'll make it right!