Prince Wu was still chattering away: "What, have I exposed your filthy thoughts, leaving you speechless and unable to refute me? This prince will never grant your wish!"
With that, Prince Wu stormed off in a huff.
Shen Wei’s lips twitched.
This man was out of his mind!
...
With their guide falling ill, the group temporarily rested at a relay station. Prince Wu returned to the courtyard, plopping onto a stone bench in a sulk, still seething with irritation.
That Yuan Xi’er!
To become a princess consort, she’d actually dared to pull such a bold stunt!
"Your Highness, please have some tea," Fifth Zhang, the guard, brought over a steaming bowl of tea.
Prince Wu accepted it but didn’t drink immediately. Instead, he asked, "Fifth Zhang, should I banish Shen Wei—no, Yuan Xi’er—from the group?"
Fifth Zhang tactfully advised, "Your Highness, you can’t send her away."
They had just left the borders of Donglin State, and the long journey ahead would be like walking blind without a guide.
Prince Wu cradled the tea bowl, lost in thought. "Are you saying that Yuan Xi’er is deeply devoted to me, unwavering even unto death? Knowing the dangers ahead, she still risks her life to follow me—such a girl is rare indeed?"
Fifth Zhang: "..."
That wasn’t what he meant.
Fifth Zhang spoke up, "Your Highness, it’s best to keep Yuan Xi’er."
The group needed her.
Prince Wu gulped down half the bowl of tea, still restless. He muttered under his breath, "You’re telling me to keep Yuan Xi’er? But the woman I marry must be the most extraordinary and beautiful in the world! If I keep Yuan Xi’er in Prince Wu's Mansion, how will I explain it to my future princess consort... Still, she’s so devoted to me—I can’t bear to betray her. Maybe I’ll take her as a concubine."
Fifth Zhang: "..."
Fifth Zhang carefully clarified, "Your Highness, what I meant was for you to keep Yuan Xi’er in the group."
Not to keep her in your mansion as a concubine!
Besides, during the journey, Fifth Zhang had often chatted with Yuan Xi’er. In her eyes, he saw nothing but disdain for Prince Wu—not a trace of affection.
Prince Wu glared at Fifth Zhang in annoyance. "You scoundrel, what nonsense! Yuan Xi’er is bedridden—how could I take advantage of her on the road? You seem like an honest man, yet your thoughts are so vulgar!"
Fifth Zhang choked, unable to get a word out.
Serving Prince Wu hadn’t brought him great fortune, but it sure rained down endless accusations.
After finishing the bowl of tea and enduring an internal struggle, Prince Wu finally made up his mind.
He rushed back into the relay station’s quarters like a whirlwind.
Shen Wei was leaning against the bedframe, frowning as she drank the fever-reducing medicine Yuan Fu had brought. Prince Wu barged in, startling her so much she nearly threw the medicine bowl at him.
Yuan Fu asked, "Your Highness, you’ve come in such a hurry—has the group been ambushed by bandits?"
Prince Wu waved a hand dismissively. "No bandits. Yuan Xi’er, after a heart-to-heart with Fifth Zhang, I’ve decided to grant your wish."
Shen Wei was utterly baffled.
Grant her what?
Prince Wu declared solemnly, "If I return safely to my kingdom, I’ll take you as my concubine!"
A bitter mouthful of medicine caught in Shen Wei’s throat, making her cough violently. She couldn’t fathom Prince Wu’s logic. Wheezing, she waved her hands frantically at him.
She had no intention of becoming anyone’s concubine!
She just wanted to return to Qing State and retire in peace!
Seeing her frantic gestures, Prince Wu assumed she was dissatisfied. His expression shifted dramatically before he finally relented. "Fine, being a concubine is beneath you. How about I make you my secondary consort?"
Shen Wei: "Cough—cough—cough—!"
...
The group didn’t linger long at the relay station. At dawn the next day, they set off again under the morning light. Shen Wei was still running a slight fever, her voice hoarse and weak.
She donned a windproof veil hat and pointed out the day’s route to Fifth Zhang before mounting her horse to lead the group.
Prince Wu eyed her frail figure and sighed inwardly. He called out to her, "Ride in the carriage with me. No need to stay on horseback."
Shen Wei weighed her options.
With her fever lingering, riding in the wind was risky. She always chose the most advantageous path, so without hesitation, she dismounted and climbed into Prince Wu’s carriage.
Prince Wu clicked his tongue.
She was so eager.
The journey resumed. The carriage was far more comfortable—soft cushions, shelter from wind and cold. After finishing her medicine, Shen Wei leaned against the carriage wall, closing her eyes to rest and recover her strength.
Their destination that afternoon was Wenzhou.
Wenzhou was dangerous, and the entire group needed to stay alert against potential robbers.
Prince Wu sipped his tea quietly, observing Shen Wei’s sleeping face across from him.
Her skin was still dark and rough, her features merely passable, and she was as thin as a stray cat. By no standard was she a beauty. Yet, the longer he looked, the more he found her oddly... charming.
Her sleeping posture was graceful.
Her aura was refined.
Prince Wu began questioning himself. "Have I been stuck in Wu County for so long that even a scrawny black cat seems appealing?"
Shen Wei stirred at his muttering, cracking an eye open irritably. "What cat?"
Her voice was raspy from illness.
Prince Wu suddenly felt warm, his throat dry.
Flustered, he gulped down another bowl of tea, avoiding her gaze. "Nothing... Go back to sleep."
The carriage continued slowly along the official road. In the distance, the border mountains of Qing State and the Mingyuan River connecting the two nations came into view. By afternoon, Shen Wei had rested enough. She unfolded a map, studying the route ahead.
The most perilous stretch was Wenzhou. Once they crossed into Qing State’s territory, local officials would provide escort, ensuring their safety.
As Shen Wei pondered their path, Fifth Zhang’s voice came from outside. "Your Highness! News!"
Prince Wu lifted the carriage curtain. "What news? Bandits?"
Fifth Zhang shook his head. "No bandits. It’s Qing State’s Minister of State Affairs, Shen Xiuming. He’s waiting for us in Wenzhou and has sent word."
Prince Wu blinked, then beamed. "Why isn’t he in Yanjing City? What’s he doing in Wenzhou?—Never mind! Now we don’t have to worry about robbery. We’ll just latch onto Shen Xiuming."
A high-ranking minister like Shen Xiuming would surely have elite guards. Prince Wu’s anxiety vanished, and he couldn’t wait to reach Wenzhou and take shelter under Shen Xiuming’s protection.
"Rest at the pavilion ahead. Everyone, wash up by the river to refresh yourselves. We’ll reach Wenzhou before nightfall," Prince Wu announced cheerfully.
Shen Wei was also surprised.
Shen Xiuming had come all the way to Wenzhou? Was it to find her?
She relaxed slightly. If she could meet Shen Xiuming, her return to Qing State was practically guaranteed.
Under the warm afternoon sun, Shen Wei stepped out of the carriage for air. Her low fever hadn’t fully broken, her forehead and cheeks still slightly flushed.
Yuan Fu went to the riverside to fetch water, intending to brew medicine for Shen Wei’s cold. Shen Wei walked to the riverbank, cupped a handful of water, and splashed it on her face.
The icy river water washed over her, clearing her mind slightly. She wiped her face with her sleeve and heard movement behind her. Assuming it was Yuan Fu, she turned and said, "Is the medicine for the cold ready—"
The rest of her words caught in her throat.
The riverbank, unnoticed until now, had been overrun by a dark mass of armored cavalry.
The Mingyuan River flowed steadily past, its surface reflecting the blood-red banners bearing the characters "Nan Chu" as they fluttered in the wind. Against the harsh glare of the sun, Shen Wei saw a tall figure striding toward her.
