Lu Yu also knew very well that asking Tan Xun for help was completely a risky move.

The mastermind behind the assassination on the imperial boat had yet to be revealed, but Lu Yu secretly speculated that those with both the motive and the power to strike at them could only be either the Empress Tan in the palace or the Xue clan of Suinan.

If it was indeed the doing of the Xue clan of Suinan, then naturally, he could seek aid from the Tan clan of Wan Commandery.

But now, even the Tan clan was not clean.

Given that reasoning, the matter became difficult.

He could not directly trust Tan Rong, the head of the Tan clan in Wan Commandery, yet he also could not allow the princess to remain in the hands of a bandit from the countryside. After much thought, Lu Yu could only take a gamble.

Even if the Tan clan truly had a problem, even if the Princess of Qinghe’s fiancé was inclined toward them—

If it really came to a life-and-death struggle with these local snakes, he still had in his hand the imperial tally personally bestowed by His Majesty as his final card.

However, he could not act rashly now.

They had just arrived and knew nothing about the political situation in Yiling Commandery or Wan Commandery.

If it ended up as “the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind,” and they were instead surrounded by both the bandits and the Tan clan, then the princess would truly have no hope of escape.

“They’re coming out.”

After keeping watch outside the headman’s house for half an hour, one of his men, staring at the group that emerged, said, “This isn’t the direction back to the mountain stronghold. This direction… are they going to Xiangcheng?”

Xiangcheng?

Lu Yu furrowed his brows.

How bold this bandit leader was—having captured the princess, he still dared to parade her around openly…

Could it be that this bandit leader did not know the princess’s identity?

It wasn’t impossible.

Although he hadn’t known the princess for long, after spending a few days together on the boat, he had noticed that she was clever and alert. Perhaps this trip was actually her attempt to seize a chance to escape?

If so, all the more reason to take the risk.

Lu Yu said, “One team will follow me to tail them. The other will inform the people sent by the Tan family. We must not miss this opportunity—today, we must rescue the princess!”

•—–٠✤٠—–•·

Lizhu was completely unaware of the tense vigilance on Lu Yu’s side.

Their group had first enjoyed a simple yet delicious lunch at the headman’s home, then boarded a boat to cross the Yu River, leisurely admiring the scenery along the way.

It was like a pleasure outing. By the time they passed the Shen hour [3–5 p.m.], the city gates of Xiangcheng were already in sight.

Lizhu let out a puzzled sound.

“Why is there such a long queue? What are those gate guards checking?”

Pei Zhaoye cast her a glance.

What else could they be checking? Checking for her.

The prefectural office of Yiling Commandery was located in Xiangcheng, and the place where they were landing was the city’s largest dock.

Since Yiling Commandery had received the request from the prefect of Wan Commandery to arrest their target, this was naturally the main checkpoint for inspections.

However, once he sent this hot potato back today, he would never have to bother with such inspections again.

Chang Jun grew suspicious, worried that the Tan clan might have already communicated with the officials of Yiling Commandery and that these people had come to arrest them. He turned to Lizhu and said, “Madam, how about I go and take a look first…”

“I’ll go,” Pei Zhaoye stopped him. “There are too many people, you won’t be able to squeeze in. I just saw a guard I know; I’ll go ask him.”

After saying that, he went straight toward the city gate.

The figure wearing a straw hat was tall—so tall that even in the dense crowd, he could be seen at a glance.

Lizhu and Chang Jun saw him exchange a few words with a soldier, then quickly return.

“Seems there’s been a thief in the city. The inspections have been strict these past few days, it’s nothing.”

Lizhu nodded, but Chang Jun shot him a glance and tugged Lizhu slightly to the side.

“Your Highness, something’s not right,” Chang Jun said in a low voice. “It’s been days since the attack on the imperial boat. Yiling Commandery couldn’t possibly know nothing, how could they show no reaction?”

Hearing that, Lizhu was silent for a moment.

“There’s one possibility,” she said. “We got separated from the imperial boat, and Fang Jian is dead. The people on board have lost their leader, they’ll only try to conceal the news. Once they reach Wan Commandery, they’ll report to their superiors.”

Lizhu mentally calculated the journey.

“If the imperial boat was traveling normally, it would only have reached Wan Commandery yesterday. It’s perfectly normal that Yiling Commandery hasn’t received any news yet.”

Chang Jun hesitated, gazing at her.

“…There’s another possibility. That mountain lord just now might have lied.”

“Impossible.”

Lizhu denied it instantly, without even thinking.

“If he lied, it would mean he wants to send me away. He would never hand me over to someone else.”

Chang Jun couldn’t understand where the princess got such confidence.

But given the current situation, turning to flee would likely be difficult as well.

When they returned to the group, Pei Zhaoye’s eyes swept over Chang Jun’s wary expression. Crossing his arms loosely, he asked in a casual tone, “What were you whispering about just now?”

“Nothing.”

Lizhu lifted her chin to look at him, then suddenly grabbed the sleeve of his robe.

“I heard Xiangcheng is very lively,” she said. “Each family’s restaurant has its own specialties. While we’re searching for that person, could you also take me to look around?”

“……”

Pei Zhaoye looked at her for a while.

“Sure,” he said with a faint smile.

The line inched forward a bit.

Lizhu still clutched the fabric of his sleeve, her fingertips turning white, her eyes serious.

“And also,” she said, “Sister Danzhu said that every first and fifteenth night of the month, Xiangcheng has baixi performances¹Baixi performances: Variety shows, including acrobatics and theater. before the night curfew. I… also want to see them. Can we? Will we be able to?”

The people ahead of them moved forward a good distance, but Pei Zhaoye didn’t immediately follow.

Those dark eyes of his quietly gazed at her.

After a long moment—until the people behind them began to grumble—he finally said, “How could you not be able to? If you want to watch, we’ll stay in Xiangcheng for the night and go back tomorrow morning.”

He turned his gaze aside and began to walk forward slowly.

As if letting out a breath of relief, Lizhu gave a soft “mm” and broke into a wide smile.

“That’s good, that’s good.”

The city gate was now close at hand. The guards wore cold expressions, shouting for people to move faster, and the pace of inspection seemed much quicker than before.

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but several pairs of eyes seemed to glance subtly in their direction.

Chang Jun watched the guards warily, the palm holding his sword’s scabbard growing slightly damp with sweat.

Only two people were left before them.

Then came the sound of copper coins clinking, carried by a passing breeze.

“Put this on.”

Lizhu turned her head. Layers of white gauze, faintly scented with osmanthus, fell over her head, veiling Pei Zhaoye’s unreadable expression—and at the same time, shielding her from prying eyes.

The old woman selling veiled hats took the coins, smiling cheerfully.

“Such a pretty little lady. To cover yourself so tightly with this veil, what a pity.”

“Not a pity,” a man’s low voice, laced with a smile, sounded beside her ear. “My wife is timid. If the ruffians on the street ruin her mood for strolling, that would be the real pity.”

Lizhu’s eyes widened in surprise. The next instant, a loud rumble suddenly erupted from within the city.

The noise was so great that many people instinctively turned to look. At that very moment, the gate captain, who had long been on alert, felt a chill flash through his eyes.

“Shh—”

A strong hand pressed firmly over the hilt of his sword, quietly forcing it back into its sheath just as he was about to draw it.

The captain’s face flushed red, unable to pull the blade out another inch.

Street performers were breathing fire and juggling flaming balls, standing upside down on stacked tables—the crowd’s cheers and applause rose and fell in waves.

“Pei Zhaoye, what do you mean by this? Don’t go too far! Do you know whose order this is—”

Under the straw hat, a pair of dark, deep eyes gleamed with a ghostly light, his smile void of warmth.

“Be quiet. I have my own plans.”

Chang Jun was the first to recover, and when he turned to look—

The young bandit chief was lightly patting the gate captain’s chest, still wearing a faint smile. To the onlookers, it seemed like nothing more than a casual greeting between acquaintances.

Only the gate captain himself, knowing the man’s nature, broke into a cold sweat from that pat.

“What’s so interesting about that,” Pei Zhaoye said as he turned back to Lizhu’s side, “the baixi tonight will be far more exciting.”

“Really?” Lizhu exclaimed in delight. “But this already looks amazing!”

“Between the two of us, who’s the city dweller? How are you even more rustic than I am?”

“Eh—wait, weren’t we supposed to be inspected? How come we can just enter the city now?”

Pei Zhaoye’s expression didn’t change. “Oh, they said they’ve already caught the person. Naturally, there’s no need for further inspection.”

Lizhu suspected nothing.

Chang Jun, however, was full of doubt, glancing back at the city gate several times.

Yet the guards truly did not pursue them.

…Was he just overthinking it?

After passing the gate, Lizhu’s mood clearly lightened.

The white veiled hat covered her from head to toe, yet even so, when the wind lifted the gauze, one could still glimpse the graceful, slender outline of the young girl beneath.

“…What’s this?”

Pei Zhaoye had only been glaring at a few men whose eyes lingered too long on Lizhu. When he turned his head, he found that Lizhu, at some point, had bought a skewer of candied hawthorn and was now handing it to him.

“For me?” Pei Zhaoye raised an eyebrow.

“Mm-hm.”

“I don’t want it.” He refused at once. “This is something girls eat.”

Lizhu snorted inwardly.

No matter how good someone was at pretending, they couldn’t pretend at everything. At least when it came to taste, Lizhu was confident she knew him well enough.

“Chang Jun and I bought too many earlier,” she said. “I really can’t finish this one. Sugar is expensive these days, throwing it away would be wasteful. Eat it for me.”

Only then did Pei Zhaoye reluctantly take it.

“Madam, they’re selling raccoon cats here!” Chang Jun called out excitedly.

“Where, where!”

Lizhu’s attention was immediately drawn away, turning toward the bamboo baskets by the street that held the small animals.

While she watched the raccoon cats, Pei Zhaoye watched her.

She looked as if she had completely forgotten why they had even come to Xiangcheng.

Biting into a sugared hawthorn, Pei Zhaoye thought that perhaps it had just been a moment of impulse earlier—but his decision would not change. He would definitely send her away today.

…Though whether he sent her in the morning or at night, what difference did it make?

Might as well let her have a day to enjoy Xiangcheng.

After all, she had escaped from home with difficulty, been injured, and suffered so much. He thought, to send her back without letting her even play a little, that was rather pitiful.

The young girl crouched beside the bamboo basket, reaching through the gaps to gently stroke the raccoon cat’s head, her eyes lighting up.

“Do you want to buy it?”

Lizhu looked up at the man crouching beside her.

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

Hearing his words, she was clearly tempted—but soon she shook her head.

“Forget it. I’m barely keeping myself safe as it is. Even if I bought it, I couldn’t take care of it. Better to leave it here, maybe 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 keep one at home?”

At the mention of that, the light in Lizhu’s eyes dimmed.

“I did.”

He glanced at her.

Resting her chin on her knees, Lizhu gently touched the raccoon cat’s damp nose.

“When I was little, I raised one. It was lively and never bit anyone. The maids and I all adored it. Later… my younger brother drowned it in the pond. When they fished it out, it was just a thin, shrunken lump. I had it cremated and made into a porcelain urn, painting its portrait on the body with red lacquer—but in the end, my brother smashed that urn too.”

“I’m not very capable. The things I like… I can never keep. So I thought, perhaps things I can’t protect are better left never in my hands at all.”

When she finished, Lizhu turned her head toward the man, who had fallen silent.

“But,” she added, “I’ll definitely raise one in the future.”

Pei Zhaoye met her gaze. Those eyes curved with the hint of a soft smile.

“When we’ve settled down someday, and I have the ability to protect it, we’ll raise one together.”

The small bell hanging beside the bamboo basket swayed in the breeze.

A clear chime rang—ding-ling-ling.

Pei Zhaoye snapped out of it.

“Let’s go.”

Lizhu rose to her feet, tugged at the brim of his straw hat, and pointed to a wine tavern behind them.

“The taverns are always the most well-informed places. Let’s have a cup of wine and ask around for news of my guards.”

Following her finger, Pei Zhaoye caught sight of a familiar tavern.

“…Drinking is bad for the health.”

He suddenly reached out, grasping her arm, and smiled.

“You know, we bandits have all sorts of lingering ailments. Too much wine, and they tend to flare up. How about we go to the teahouse next door instead?”

Hearing that, Lizhu nodded quickly.

“All right, all right—then let’s have tea.”

So he really did have an old illness!

Once she managed to contact Xuan Ying and the physician who came with her, she would have to make sure he was properly examined and nursed back to health!

When they reached the teahouse door, however, Pei Zhaoye didn’t go in.

He said he’d spotted an acquaintance nearby and told Lizhu and the others to go ahead; he would join them shortly.

Lizhu, of course, suspected nothing and entered the teahouse without question.

After a short while, Pei Zhaoye, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, twirled the bamboo skewer of candied hawthorn between his fingers, then turned and stepped into the tavern from earlier.

“—Mountain Lord Pei truly has eyes and ears everywhere. You’ve found the person so quickly.”

It was clearly the tavern’s busiest hour, yet the place was empty. Only a broad-shouldered man emerged from behind the counter.

Pei Zhaoye leaned lazily against a pillar and said, “Who are you? Lord Qi, I don’t quite understand what you mean by that.”

The man’s face darkened.

A lowly bandit, daring to feign ignorance here—trying to bargain with them.

“Mountain Lord Pei, you jest. Just yesterday you came asking about our affairs. How is it that after only one night, you’ve forgotten everything?”

The burly man turned sideways and clapped his hands.

More than ten skilled fighters filed out in succession, each fixing him with eyes brimming with killing intent.

“No matter if you remember or not. We’ll just take what we came for ourselves.”

Biting off the last piece of candied hawthorn, Pei Zhaoye turned the bamboo skewer between his fingers, thinking that the little treat was actually quite tasty.

In the next instant, the sugar-stained skewer pierced straight through the man’s eyeball.

•—–٠✤٠—–•·

One street away, inside the teahouse.

Lizhu’s tea had already been brewed three times, yet there was still no sign of Pei Zhaoye.

“…He’s taking so long. Could he have gotten lost?”

Chang Jun glanced around and whispered, “Your Highness, now’s the perfect chance. There are lots of people here, it’s the best time for us to escape!”

Lizhu tilted her head toward him. “Do you have money?”

Chang Jun: “…”

“Or anyone who can find Lu Yu for us?”

Chang Jun had no answer.

Lizhu comforted him softly. “Don’t be so nervous. Didn’t you say before that he’s a man of honor? He won’t hurt us. Trust me.”

“But—”

“Chang Jun is right.”

Lizhu and Chang Jun both turned toward the server who was pouring their tea.

The man lifted his eyes—his features upright, his gaze solemn—it was none other than Lu Yu, whom they had been separated from for days.

He said, “That man is dangerous. Your Highness, you must leave with me right now.”

Footnotes

• 1
  Baixi performances: Variety shows, including acrobatics and theater.