With Nian'an in tow, Shen Qing and Xiao Yu set out once more along the spice trade route. Nian'an, still a swaddled infant, was tucked into a custom-made cradle that bumped along with the caravan’s carriages. To look after her daughter more easily, Shen Qing often held her while sitting in the carriage, watching the world go by through the window and whispering stories of the sights and experiences they encountered along the way.
The caravan pressed forward toward the next kingdom, this time crossing a vast, boundless desert. The scorching sun hung high, and the burning sand radiated an oppressive heat under the intense glare. The caravan members were parched, and even the horses seemed weary. Seeing the toll the journey took on everyone, Shen Qing was filled with concern. Recalling methods for desert travel she had learned back in Xiliang, she asked Xiao Yu to organize the group to seek shade during the heat of midday and wrap their water skins in damp cloths to slow evaporation.
However, the dangers of the desert extended far beyond the heat. One evening, clouds of yellow sand suddenly surged across the horizon, and a terrifying sandstorm swept in. With the wind howling and gravel flying, the caravan was thrown into instant chaos. Xiao Yu quickly directed the guards to form a circle with the carriages, shielding Shen Qing and Nian'an in the center. Shen Qing held Nian'an tightly, using her own body to protect her from the wind and sand, silently praying that they would su…
Chapter 50