Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Lu Yu was acutely aware that seeking aid from Tan Xun was a perilous gamble.

The mastermind behind the imperial ship's assassination remained shrouded in mystery, yet Lu Yu privately surmised that only Empress Qin within the palace and the Suinan Xue Clan possessed both the motive and the means to target them.

If the Suinan Xue Clan were definitively implicated, then soliciting help from the Wan Commandery Tan Clan would be a logical recourse.

However, the Tan Clan itself was not entirely above suspicion.

This realization complicated the situation considerably.

They could neither fully trust Tan Rong, the patriarch of the Wan Commandery Tan Clan, nor could they permit the princess to remain captive to a rural bandit. After much deliberation, Lu Yu decided to stake everything on a single chance.

Even if the Tan Clan harbored ill intentions, and even if Princess Qinghe's fiancé sided with them...

Should it escalate to a life-or-death confrontation with these local powers, he still held the imperial tally, a gift from the emperor, as his ultimate trump card.

Nevertheless, rash action was out of the question for now.

As newcomers, they were utterly blind to the political landscape of Yiling and Wan Commanderies.

They had to avoid a scenario where, in pursuing one foe, they overlooked another, only to find themselves encircled by both the bandits and the Tan Clan. In such a case, the princess would truly have no hope of escape.

"They're emerging."

After half an hour of surveillance outside the village administrator's residence, his subordinate reported, observing the departing group:

"This isn't the path back to the stronghold. This direction... are they heading to Xiangcheng?"

Xiangcheng?

Lu Yu's brow furrowed.

This bandit chief possessed audacious nerve—daring to parade the princess after her capture...

Could it be that the bandit chief was unaware of the princess's true identity?

It was a possibility.

Though his acquaintance with the princess was brief, their days together on the ship had revealed her intelligence and astuteness. Perhaps this outing was the princess seizing an opportunity to flee?

If so, the risk was even more imperative.

Lu Yu: "One team will follow them with me. The other will inform the people sent by the Tan family. This is an unmissable opportunity—we must rescue the princess today!"

-

Li Zhu remained utterly oblivious to Lu Yu's urgent preparations.

Their group first enjoyed a simple yet flavorful lunch at the village administrator's home, then boarded a boat to cross the Yu River, leisurely admiring the scenery along the way.

As if on a pleasure excursion, the gates of Xiangcheng appeared before them just after the hour of Shen (around 3-5 PM).

Li Zhu let out a curious "Eh?"

"Why is the queue so long? What are the city guards inspecting?"

Pei Zhaoye cast a glance at her.

What else could they be inspecting? Her, of course.

The Yiling Commandery Prefect's office was located in Xiangcheng, and their landing point was the city's largest ferry terminal.

Since Yiling Commandery had received a request from the Wan Commandery Prefect to apprehend them, this location was naturally a critical checkpoint.

However, once he had delivered this troublesome matter today, such inspections would no longer be necessary.

Changjun grew suspicious, fearing that the Tan Clan had colluded with Yiling Commandery officials and that these people were there to apprehend them. He said to Li Zhu:

"My lady, perhaps I should go and investigate first..."

"I'll go," Pei Zhaoye interjected, stopping Changjun. "There are too many people; you won't be able to push through. I just saw a guard I know. I'll go ask him."

With that, he headed directly towards the city gate.

His tall figure, crowned with a straw hat, was easily discernible even amidst the dense crowd.

Li Zhu and Changjun watched as he exchanged a few words with a soldier before quickly returning.

"It seems there's been a thief in the city recently, which is why inspections have been stricter these past few days. Nothing to worry about."

Li Zhu nodded, but Changjun shot him a glance and pulled Li Zhu aside.

"Princess, this doesn't seem right," Changjun whispered. "It's been several days since the imperial ship was attacked. It's impossible for Yiling Commandery to be unaware. Why is there no reaction?"

Li Zhu pondered for a moment.

"One possibility is that after we were separated from the imperial ship and Fang Jian died, those on board lost their leadership and would only conceal the news, waiting until they reached Wan Commandery to report to their superiors."

Li Zhu mentally calculated the journey time.

"The imperial ship would have arrived in Wan Commandery only yesterday under normal sailing conditions. It's perfectly normal for Yiling Commandery not to have received the news yet."

Changjun looked at her, hesitating to speak:

"...There's another possibility: that bandit chief just lied to us."

"Absolutely impossible."

Li Zhu dismissed the idea without a second thought.

"If he lied, it would mean he wants to send me away. He would never hand me over to anyone else."

Changjun wondered where the princess found such confidence.

But in their current predicament, attempting to flee now would likely be difficult.

Returning to the group, Pei Zhaoye's gaze swept over Changjun's wary expression. Arms crossed, he asked casually:

"What were you two whispering about?"

"Nothing."

Li Zhu looked up at him and suddenly tugged on his sleeve:

"I've heard Xiangcheng is bustling, and its eateries are quite unique. While we're searching for someone, could you take me to explore the city?"

"..."

Pei Zhaoye regarded her for a moment.

"Alright," he said with a faint smile.

The line moved forward slightly.

Li Zhu still clutched his sleeve, her knuckles white from the grip, her gaze earnest:

"And also, Sister Dan Zhu said that in Xiangcheng, on the first and fifteenth nights of the lunar month, there are street performances before curfew. I... would like to see them too. Can we? Will we get to see them?"

The people ahead of them suddenly moved a considerable distance forward, but Pei Zhaoye did not immediately follow.

His dark eyes rested intently on her.

After a long moment, when those behind them were nearly grumbling, he finally said:

"Why wouldn't we see them? If you want to watch, we can stay in Xiangcheng tonight and return tomorrow morning."

He averted his gaze and slowly stepped forward.

As if relieved, Li Zhu murmured in agreement and broke into a wide smile.

"That's good, that's good."

The city gate was now very close. The guards, stern-faced, shouted at people to move quickly, and the pace seemed to have accelerated significantly.

Whether it was an illusion or not, several glances seemed to subtly sweep over them.

Changjun watched the guards with a wary expression, his palm on the sword-hilt slightly damp with sweat.

Only two people remained ahead of them.

Beside them, the clinking of coins sounded, and a gust of wind swept past.

"Wear this."

Li Zhu turned her head to look. Layers of white gauze, fragrant with osmanthus, fell over her head, obscuring Pei Zhaoye’s unreadable expression and shielding them from prying eyes.

The old woman selling the veiled hat pocketed the coins and said with a smile,

"Such a pretty young lady, covering up so thoroughly with this hat—what a pity."

"No pity at all," a man's voice, laced with amusement, sounded by her ear. "My wife is timid. It would be a true shame if some street ruffian ruined her enjoyment of shopping."

Li Zhu looked surprised, but the next moment, a sudden loud rumble echoed from within the city.

The noise was so great that many instinctively turned to look. At that precise moment, the Gate Commandant, who had been prepared, his eyes glinted coldly.

"Shh—"

A strong hand firmly covered the hilt of his sword, smoothly easing it back into the sheath.

The Gate Commandant's face flushed crimson, yet he could not draw his sword even a fraction.

Fire-breathers and jugglers stacked tables and performed handstands, while cheers swelled and faded in waves from the crowd.

"Pei Zhaoye, what is the meaning of this? Don't push your luck! Do you know whose orders these are—"

Beneath the straw hat, a pair of dark eyes gleamed with a chilling, mirthless smile.

"Quiet. I have my own plans."

Changjun was the first to regain his composure. He turned to look.

The young bandit chief patted the Gate Commandant's chest with the back of his hand, a smirk still playing on his lips. To an outsider, it might have appeared to be a mere friendly exchange.

Only the Gate Commandant himself, knowing the other's true nature, broke out in a cold sweat from the gesture.

"What's so great about this?" Pei Zhaoye turned back to Li Zhu's side. "The nighttime performances are far more spectacular."

Li Zhu exclaimed, "Really? But this already looks amazing!"

"Which of us is the city dweller here? How are you more countrified than I am?"

"Hey—weren't we supposed to be checked? How come we can just enter the city directly?"

Pei Zhaoye replied without changing his expression, "Oh, they just said they already caught the culprit, so there's no need for further inspections."

Li Zhu didn't question it.

Changjun, however, was full of suspicion and looked back over his shoulder at the city gate several times.

Yet, the guards did not pursue them.

...Was he overthinking it?

Once past the city gate, Li Zhu's mood visibly brightened.

The white veiled hat covered her from head to toe, yet even so, when the breeze occasionally stirred the veil, one could still catch a glimpse of the girl's graceful figure.

"...What's this?"

Pei Zhaoye had just been glaring at a few men whose eyes lingered on Li Zhu when he turned to find that she had, at some point, bought a candied hawthorn skewer and handed it to him.

"This for me?" Pei Zhaoye raised an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh."

"I don't want it," he refused quickly. "This is something girls eat."

Li Zhu snorted inwardly.

No matter how much someone pretended, they couldn't fake everything. At least when it came to tastes, Li Zhu was confident she understood him.

"Changjun and I bought too much just now. I really can't finish this one. Since sugar is expensive now, it'd be a waste to throw it away. Finish it for me."

Only then did Pei Zhaoye grudgingly accept it.

"Madam, there's someone selling kitties here!" Changjun called out excitedly, waving her over.

"Where? Where?"

Li Zhu was instantly distracted and turned to look at the street-side baskets full of kitties.

She watched the kitties, while Pei Zhaoye watched her.

He thought she seemed to have forgotten what they had come to Xiangcheng for.

Biting into a candied haw, Pei Zhaoye reflected that it had just been a momentary weakness. His decision wouldn't change—today, he would definitely send her away.

...But whether it was in the morning or evening, what difference did it truly make?

Why not just let her spend the day in Xiangcheng?

She had managed to escape from home, suffered injuries, and endured such great injustice—it would be pitiful to send her back without even letting her have some fun.

She crouched beside the bamboo basket, reached through the gaps, and stroked the cat's head, her eyes suddenly lighting up.

"Want to buy it?"

Li Zhu looked at the man who had crouched down beside her.

Pei Zhaoye also reached two fingers through the gaps to touch the cat.

After hearing Pei Zhaoye's words, she was clearly interested for a moment but quickly shook her head:

"Forget it. My life is so uncertain right now—if I buy it, I won't be able to take good care of it. It's better to leave it here. Perhaps some wealthy family will take a liking to it—wouldn't that be better than following me?"

Pei Zhaoye said, "Your family is so wealthy. Didn't you raise one when you were at home?"

At this, Li Zhu's eyes suddenly dimmed.

"I did."

His gaze shifted toward her.

Li Zhu rested her chin on her knees and touched the cat's wet nose:

"I had one when I was little. It was very lively and never bit anyone. The maids and I all loved it. Later, my younger brother drowned it in the pond. When it was fished out, it was just a small, shriveled lump. I had it made into a porcelain jar, with its portrait painted in red lacquer on the surface. But in the end, my younger brother smashed that jar too."

"I'm not very capable. The things I love, I can never hold onto. So I think it's better not to let things I can't protect come into my hands in the first place."

After saying this, Li Zhu tilted her head to look at the suddenly silent man.

"But I will definitely have one in the future."

Pei Zhaoye met her eyes, which held a faint smile.

"When we settle down someday, and I have the ability to protect it, we'll raise one together."

A small bell hanging beside the bamboo basket chimed in the wind.

Ding-a-ling.

Pei Zhaoye snapped out of his thoughts.

"Let's go, let's go."

Li Zhu stood up, tugged at his straw hat, and pointed to the tavern behind them:

"Taverns are always the best places for information. Let's grab a drink and ask around about my guards."

Following Li Zhu's direction, Pei Zhaoye immediately spotted a familiar tavern.

"...Drinking is bad for your health."

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Li Zhu's arm, smiling:

"You know, us bandits have many old ailments. Drinking too much might trigger them. How about we go to the tea stall next door instead?"

Hearing this, Li Zhu quickly nodded:

"Alright, alright, let's go have tea then."

So he really does have old ailments!

Once we reconnect with Xuan Ying and the physician she brought, we must have him properly examined and get his health restored as soon as possible!

When they reached the entrance of the tea stall, Pei Zhaoye did not go inside.

He said he had spotted an acquaintance nearby and told Li Zhu and the others to go ahead, promising to join them shortly.

Li Zhu, without suspicion, entered the tea stall.

A while later, Pei Zhaoye, standing with his hands behind his back, twirled the skewer of the candied hawthorn in his hand, then turned and entered the tavern he had just passed.

"—Chieftain Pei truly has far-reaching influence, finding someone so quickly."

Despite it being the busiest hour, the tavern was empty except for a burly man who emerged from behind the counter.

Pei Zhaoye leaned against a pillar and said:

"Who? Lord Qi, I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean."

The expression of the man across from him turned colder.

A lowly bandit, daring to play dumb and drive a hard bargain here.

"Chieftain Pei, you jest. Just yesterday, you came asking about us. How could you forget in just one day?"

The burly man turned sideways and clapped his hands.

Over a dozen skilled fighters filed out, all staring at him with deadly intent.

"If you don't remember, it doesn't matter. We'll simply take what we need ourselves."

Pei Zhaoye took the last bite of the candied hawthorn, twirling the skewer in his hand, thinking that this little treat was indeed quite delicious.

The next moment, the sugar-coated skewer pierced through the man's eye.

In the tea stall just a lane away.

Li Zhu had already finished three rounds of tea but still saw no sign of Pei Zhaoye.

"...He's taking so long. Could he have gotten lost?"

Changjun looked around and whispered:

"Princess, now is a good opportunity. This place is crowded and chaotic—it's the perfect time for us to escape!"

Li Zhu tilted her head to look at him: "Do you have any money?"

Changjun: "..."

"Or do you know anyone who can help us find Lu Yu?"

Changjun had no reply.

Li Zhu comforted him: "Don't be so nervous. Didn't you say earlier that he's a gentleman? He won't harm us. Trust me."

"But..."

"Changjun is right."

Li Zhu and Changjun both turned to look at the waiter who was pouring their tea.

The man raised his head, his features dignified and his expression grave—it was Lu Yu, whom they had not seen for days.

He said: "That man is dangerous, Princess. You must leave with me now."