Chapter 76

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 76: Title

Pingzhou

“Oh dear, Qingfeng, we’ve been traveling for two months. When will this end? The weather is so hot; it really might take my life,” Gu Hengbo complained. In the 21st century, traveling abroad was just a matter of one or two days, but here they were, having traveled for two months and barely reached the outskirts.

Qingfeng peered out the window and, hearing her words, chuckled, “Miss, this is quite normal. Our journey has been pretty smooth; if something happens, it wouldn’t be strange to take three months.”

Gu Hengbo almost jumped up. “Don’t scare me! They say Liangzhou isn’t peaceful these days. Do you think we’ll be alright when we enter the city tomorrow?”

“Miss, don’t overthink it. With Qingfeng here, nothing will happen. It’s getting late; I’m going to the lady’s side. You should sleep early.” Qingfeng closed the window and said to the gloomy Gu Hengbo.

Gu Hengbo lay back on the bed. “My right eyelid has been twitching a lot lately; I always feel like something will happen. Ah, forget it. You go ahead; rest early. We need to get up early tomorrow.”

Qingfeng nodded in silence and went out, securing the door as she headed downstairs.

They stayed in an inn shaped like a square. The outer two circles were guest rooms, and in the middle was a sizable courtyard. By now, the sky was darkening, and there weren’t many people in the yard. She sat down on a long wooden bench in the corridor.

Tomorrow would be the 23rd of July; time passed so quickly. Their plan was full of flaws, yet here they were in Pingzhou. After Liangzhou, they would reach the Northern Region. Was her master really determined to let the crown princess go this time?

As Qingfeng was lost in thought, a shadow suddenly appeared in front of her. “Zhan, the guard.”

“Have you checked?”

“The people of Liangzhou have gathered at the city gate and have been stopped by the Second Prince and the Third Prince’s men,” the black-clad man said in a deep voice.

Qingfeng leaned against the railing, her tone indifferent. “Are you saying we need to take a detour?”

“Yes.”

“I understand. You may leave now.”

The black-clad man nodded and quickly disappeared into the corridor.

Qingfeng sat in the courtyard for a while before turning to go back upstairs. This Second Miss of the Gu family often seemed carefree, yet in some matters, she was more perceptive than anyone else. Perhaps it might be a good thing for someone like her to leave Prince Rong’s residence.

Early in the morning, Gu Hengbo was stirred awake by a commotion. Rubbing her forehead, she mumbled, “What’s going on this early? It’s so annoying!”

Qingfeng pushed the door open and saw her swaying as she tried to walk outside. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed her. “Miss, let’s wash up first. After we’re done and have breakfast, we’ll hit the road.”

Gu Hengbo sat on the bench, looking sour. “What’s happening outside?”

Qingfeng twisted the towel in her hands. “Oh, it seems someone didn’t pay for their stay and is arguing with the owner downstairs.”

Gu Hengbo shot her a glance. “You seem to enjoy this. But, isn’t it supposed to be paid beforehand? Why are they paying only after staying?”

“Who knows? Here, Miss, wipe your face.” Qingfeng handed the towel to Gu Hengbo.

As Gu Hengbo wiped her face, she peeked outside. “Should we go out and take a look?”

Qingfeng looked at her helplessly. “Miss, we need to travel today.”

“Oh,” she said, just being curious! Seriously!

Madam Dou entered the room and immediately saw her daughter, Gu Hengbo, pouting with a sulky expression while wiping her face. She frowned and asked, "What’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep well last night?"

Gu Hengbo pouted even more and said, "No, I just think about sitting in the carriage and my head starts to hurt. Your daughter has been bouncing around in that carriage for two months; I bet it feels much bigger than usual now. I don’t like having a big backside at all." No, it’s swollen!

Madam Dou was silent for a moment, but then Qingfeng suddenly laughed, "Miss, you really say anything, as long as Madam gets used to it!"

"That’s right!" someone protested unhappily.

Madam Dou thought of something and sighed softly. Compared to her own anxiety, her child’s every action left her at a loss for words. Even though she understood everything clearly, there were moments when this child felt so strange to her.

“Mother, when we get to Liangzhou, I will buy you a few new clothes, and then we will be completely free! Ah~ I’m so excited!” Gu Hengbo happily jumped into Madam Dou’s arms.

Madam Dou sighed helplessly, “I really don’t know what to do with you. You’re already this grown-up and still act like a child.”

Gu Hengbo touched her nose, realizing she was indeed twenty-four or twenty-five years old.

When they stepped out of the inn, Gu Hengbo did not forget to check if the fighting had stopped. Qingfeng couldn’t be pulled away, and she found it strange. With her kind of temperament, how could the master tolerate her? Using that person’s words, she was truly a magical creature.

After finally getting her into the carriage, Qingfeng already had a fine layer of sweat on her forehead. It was so hot; she regretted coming along. She should have refused right from the start. She truly didn’t know what she was thinking, risking so much to join this grand escape.

“Come here, little Qingqing, let me wipe your face. You’re all sweaty from the heat,” someone said, randomly swiping the handkerchief across her face.

Qingfeng grabbed her hand, “Miss, I can do it myself.”

Gu Hengbo wouldn’t let go, wiping her face and then her neck. “Look at this delicate skin! Following me, you don’t know how much hardship you’ll have to endure, Qingfeng.” Suddenly, she became serious and asked, “Tell me, do you regret coming with us?”

Qingfeng was taken aback, captivated by Gu Hengbo’s clear eyes. She felt a stir in her heart, “What?”

Gu Hengbo withdrew her hand and turned to Madam Dou, “Mother, once our lives are settled, we must find a good family for this girl.”

Madam Dou took a while but finally nodded, “That’s for sure. Qingfeng is smart and sensible; we must take care in finding her a match.”

Qingfeng’s mouth twitched; they suddenly started talking about her marriage. She wanted to marry too, but that depended on the other person agreeing.

At that moment, Xiao Tang, who was driving the carriage, suddenly said, “Miss, Madam, up ahead is a mountain road. It’s not easy to travel, so please hold on tight.”

Gu Hengbo leaned her head out to look, “Xiao Tang, is there a chance of mountain bandits on this road, you know, robbers who steal money and other things?”

Xiao Tang, a young man about twenty-three or twenty-four, scratched his head, “There shouldn’t be any, but if there are, I’m not worried. I can handle a few mountain bandits easily.”

With that, Gu Hengbo felt relieved and burrowed back inside; her courage was not much bigger than a needle tip. After many troubles, although she was quite lucky, no one could bear a sudden misfortune. Before, Lian Rong had been there with her, but now they were all ordinary people in the carriage. If something went wrong, anything could happen.

Oh, Lian Rong. It had been two months; she hoped nothing happened to that person. Someone like her didn’t want for anything. If she suddenly encountered trouble, she would probably be very happy, especially since Gu Hengbo had teased her so much back then.

“Qingfeng, what’s the date today?” She hoped to get through before August.

“It’s July 23,” Qingfeng replied. So she remembered; the master hadn’t neglected her care.

“Ah? At this speed, we definitely won’t reach the Northern Region before August. Ugh! So annoying!” Gu Hengbo said in frustration.

Qingfeng was stunned, “Miss, don’t you know what today’s date is?”

“Hmm?”

Madam Dou sighed, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, “Today is Prince Rong’s birthday.”

Gu Hengbo secretly glanced at Madam Dou, pulling her mouth into a smirk, “What does his birthday have to do with me?” She had long forgotten when he told her. Gu Hengbo silently prayed for him; she didn’t mean to offend. Something came to her mind, and she instinctively touched the warm object in her arms. She needed to ask Madam Dou what the hollowed-out phoenix jade pendant was for. Lian Rong had said it belonged to its rightful owner, so it must be hers?

As Gu Hengbo was lost in thought, the carriage suddenly came to a screeching halt, nearly causing all three inside to topple over.

Gu Hengbo’s heart raced, her right eyelid began to twitch fiercely. She covered her chest and lifted the curtain of the carriage, trembling as she asked, “Xiao Tang, are there mountain bandits?”

“Miss, it’s not mountain bandits. It’s a dead person,” Xiao Tang’s calm voice came from outside.

"Huh?! Not mountain bandits? A dead person? Let me get down and check! Hey, Mother, stay in the carriage, please. Qingfeng, you stay seated; I’ll go take a look!" Gu Hengbo exclaimed, jumping out of the carriage excitedly.

As she stepped down, Xiao Tang had already approached. Right in the middle of the narrow mountain path lay what appeared to be a man’s body.

As they neared the body, Xiao Tang suddenly stopped Gu Hengbo. "Miss, let me check it out. You wait here."

Gu Hengbo nodded and stopped in her tracks. It was odd; she wasn’t sure why she felt this way. She wasn’t scared of the dead, but the living? That was another story. How strange!

"Miss, he’s alive," Xiao Tang said after checking the man’s breath.

Gu Hengbo narrowed her eyes, "Be careful; it might be a trap."

Ignoring her, Xiao Tang helped the man up. "Miss, what should we do?"

Gu Hengbo hesitated but then walked over. One look and she was completely stunned.

Lianyang! Lianyang!

Qingfeng had also jumped down from the carriage at some point. "Miss, what’s going on?"

Gu Hengbo nearly collapsed, grabbing the man from Xiao Tang’s arms. "Lianyang, Lianyang!"

Perhaps shaken too much, the unconscious man finally stirred, slowly opening his eyes after a moment.

With red-rimmed eyes, Gu Hengbo shouted, "Xiao Tang, quick! Help me get him into the carriage. This place isn’t safe!"

Madam Dou was shocked to see Lianyang, bloodied, being helped into the carriage. "Meisheng?"

"Mother, I’ll explain later," Gu Hengbo said, holding Lianyang partially in her arms. "Xiao Tang, drive faster. Stop at the nearest inn."

Lianyang struggled to speak, "Royal, royal aunt?"

Gu Hengbo took a deep breath and wiped the blood from his face. "Don’t call me royal aunt. Truth is, I’ve escaped. Just call me Meisheng."

Lianyang coughed violently, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You, you, cough cough."

"Alright, alright, we’ll talk when you’re better. For now, stay quiet, Xiao Tang, hurry up!" Gu Hengbo frowned deeply, her lips pale, and the cold sweat on her palms revealed her tension.