Xie Lin didn’t want to bring Jiang Yunshu along as a burden either.
Traveling alone was far more convenient. Taking Jiang Yunshu would require carriages, attendants, and at least two nights’ stay outside the palace.
Yet leaving Jiang Yunshu alone in the palace didn’t sit right with Xie Lin.
Empress Dowager Wu clearly had ulterior motives. Though Xie Lin hadn’t uncovered her exact plans, whatever she was scheming, his absence would provide the perfect opportunity for her to act.
And Jiang Yunshu was foolishly oblivious. While Empress Dowager Wu openly bribed palace servants to win their loyalty, Jiang Yunshu hadn’t even considered such tactics.
Aside from her two maids, she only interacted with Xiazhi, Xiaoman, and Lichun—who was often by Xie Lin’s side. The rest of the palace staff? She barely acknowledged them.
If Empress Dowager Wu made a move against Jiang Yunshu while he was away, Xie Lin doubted she’d know how to defend herself.
The Dowager’s deliberate attempts to befriend her were glaringly obvious, yet Jiang Yunshu remained utterly unsuspecting.
Every time the Dowager summoned her, she’d eagerly rush over, even reciprocating with invitations of her own.
Xie Lin had noticed long ago: Jiang Yunshu claimed she wanted to write plays, but after scribbling a couple of lines, she’d invent excuses to escape—most often, "going to play with the Dowager!"
Or else, she’d flee to practice dancing.
Xie Lin had never met someone so quick to abandon a task.
No one forced her to write those plays; it was her own idea. Yet at the slightest difficulty, she’d bolt.
He couldn’t fathom how Jiang Yunshu had even mastered dancing as a child. Both dance and martial arts demanded relentless discipline.
That night, returning to Weiyang Palace, he asked, "Have you packed?"
Jiang Yunshu nodded timidly, inching closer. "Lord Xie, for this trip… could I go without attendants?"
Xie Lin smirked. "Does Her Majesty expect me to attend to her every need—eating, drinking, even relieving herself?"
"I can manage on my own…" Jiang Yunshu had backpacked solo in her past life as a student.
But under Xie Lin’s piercing gaze, her voice dwindled to silence.
Xie Lin guessed her hesitation: she’d likely heard rumors about his notorious temper around the annual trip to Wushan.
Too afraid to refuse the journey outright, she was trying to spare her maids from potential danger.
With a cold scoff, he declared, "Everyone comes. Not a single one stays behind."
How could anyone be this naive? Blind to where the real threat lay.
Empress Dowager Wu’s malice was plain as day, yet Jiang Yunshu chatted with her cheerfully, utterly unguarded.
If Xie Lin wanted to harm her, he wouldn’t have waited till now.
Even in a foul mood, he wouldn’t casually kill Jiang Yunshu outside the palace.
Her attendants, though… that was another matter.
Yet the thought of Jiang Yunshu’s bright eyes dimming if he slaughtered her people gave him pause.
Plenty of others in the world deserved death more.
Of course, he’d never admit this to her. Watching her tread carefully, more obedient and attentive than usual, was its own amusement.
Before departure, Xie Lin observed Jiang Yunshu scurrying like a squirrel, ordering the kitchen to prepare mountains of snacks for the journey.
But at dawn, when the procession set out, she could barely keep her eyes open. Her maids carried all the bundles she’d packed.
One maid attempted to slip a snack pouch into Jiang Yunshu’s hand, but she was too drowsy to even curl her fingers around it.
Defeated, the maid retreated to the rear carriage with the treats.
Then Xie Lin extended his hand.
The maid gaped in shock as he plucked the pouch from her grasp.
Frozen for a heartbeat, she then fled as if scalded.
Jiang Yunshu dozed fitfully in the carriage, her head bobbing like a chick pecking grain with each jolt of the wheels.
No matter—years of napping through lectures had honed her ability to sleep with eyes open. A little swaying was nothing…
Half-asleep, she felt a searing palm cradle the back of her skull.
Too hot… She tried to squirm away.
But exhaustion pinned her in place, and the warmth ensured her head no longer knocked against the carriage wall. She sank deeper into slumber.
By the time she awoke, the sun hung high.
Glancing at Xie Lin beside her, Jiang Yunshu hastily wiped her mouth—relieved to find no drool.
She smoothed her hair next; Taoye’s simple updo had held firm through her nap, needing only minor adjustments.
Grrr… Her stomach growled.
Starving. She vaguely recalled Xiazhi feeding her two dumplings at dawn, which she’d pushed away, appetite lost to sleepiness.
But hadn’t she packed enough food for the entire road?
Melon seeds, candied fruits, fresh produce… pastries, crispy cakes, honey twists…
Where were they?
Where?!
Her frantic scan of the spacious, opulent—yet barren—carriage revealed none of her carefully prepared bundles.
Grrr… Another stomach protest. The snacks must’ve been left behind or loaded onto the maids’ carriage.
She shouldn’t have dozed off during boarding.
Just as despair set in, Xie Lin magically produced a familiar-looking bundle.
With deliberate elegance, he unfolded it, lifted a honey twist with spotless silk, and took a crisp bite.
Jiang Yunshu: …?!
Her twist. Her bundle. Why were they in his mouth instead of hers?
Xie Lin chewed slowly, somehow making junk food look refined.
Finally, after finishing one, he glanced at her.
"Hungry, Your Majesty?"
Jiang Yunshu nodded.
"Want some?"
Vigorous nodding.
Xie Lin feigned reluctance. "But Your Majesty hasn’t washed her hands."
She patted her robes for a handkerchief—only to remember her maids held all her linens.
A slow smile curled his lips. "You may eat… but no using your hands."
