"To the northwest?" Jiu Yue was quite surprised and couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
Mei Wuchang shrugged. "His Highness will explain it to you later... Can you ride a horse with your injuries? If not, I can talk to the prince—I’ll accompany him instead."
Jiu Yue jumped two meters high on the spot, proving her capability with action.
"Just average," she waved dismissively. "Riding won’t be much of a problem."
It had been nearly ten days since their return from Mingzhi Mountain, and Jiu Yue’s wounds had long since healed, though she still pretended otherwise in front of others.
Of course, every time Mei Wuchang expressed shock at her recovery, Jiu Yue would credit it to the assortment of mysterious medicine bottles she carried.
As fellow wanderers of the martial world, it was perfectly normal to have a few miracle elixirs on hand, so Mei Wuchang never questioned it.
Seeing her in good condition now, Mei Wuchang didn’t press further. "Then pack your things. His Highness wants to set off soon—ride hard and fast to reach the northwestern army by nightfall."
This was rather last-minute.
Since she was traveling openly with Prince Ping this time, Jiu Yue brought her longsword and a handful of jingling hidden weapons... Then she crawled under the bed and pried out the jade pendant Sima Qing had given her from a crack in the wall.
Last time, when she went to Mingzhi Mountain, she’d hidden it for safekeeping, afraid she might lose it during the mission.
Now, she blew on the pendant to wipe off the dust but didn’t hurry to climb out. Taking advantage of the moment when no one could see her, she quickly fastened it around her neck.
Sima Qing had told her to hand this pendant to General Xiao at the right moment.
But since she was going with Prince Ping, finding a chance to speak to General Xiao alone wouldn’t be easy... Jiu Yue prepared herself to pass it to him right under the prince’s nose.
Her mind raced through several plans as she slowly crawled backward out from under the bed—only to freeze when a voice suddenly spoke behind her.
"Ah Yue, why... are you under the bed?"
This was the first time Prince Ping had stepped foot in her courtyard since he’d fled in embarrassment last time. He’d come to discuss their plans with her, only to walk in and see nothing but Jiu Yue’s legs sticking out from beneath the bed.
Prince Ping was stunned.
Jiu Yue was equally stunned.
After triple-checking that the pendant was securely hidden, she scrambled out in a hurry—only to bump her head on the way.
Prince Ping’s eyelid twitched, and he immediately stepped forward to inspect the spot she’d hit. "What’s the rush? It’s not like I’m going anywhere."
Jiu Yue gave an awkward laugh and let him lead her out to sit in the courtyard.
"It’s fine, not too bad," she said, rubbing her head before feigning curiosity. "Your Highness, why are we going to the northwest?"
Prince Ping smiled gently. "To meet General Xiao."
Jiu Yue nodded vaguely. "Is it dangerous? Should I bring more weapons...?"
"No need." Prince Ping chuckled and, unable to help himself, took her hand. "The journey is safe. Just the two of us, and we won’t delay much on the road."
"...Haha." Jiu Yue glanced at her suffering hand and forced a smile. "Then I suppose it’s like a sightseeing trip for us."
Prince Ping’s heart stirred.
"Ah Yue, once General Xiao returns to the capital, everything will be over." He couldn’t resist reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "After that, whatever you desire, I’ll give it to you."
"Your Highness..." Jiu Yue sniffled, looking at him with moved eyes.
Prince Ping’s smile deepened. "I’ll have the horses prepared."
Jiu Yue nodded and watched him leave.
Mei Wuchang popped up again, his tone complicated. "Is this your ‘dreams come true’ expression? How odd—it doesn’t look at all like the bashful reactions described in romance novels."
Jiu Yue blinked. "What ‘dreams come true’?"
Mei Wuchang leaned in with an intrigued look. "Haven’t you always wanted mutual affection with His Highness? Now that he seems genuinely smitten, aren’t you overjoyed?"
Jiu Yue: "..."
Jiu Yue: "...Haha, I’m so happy."
Mei Wuchang: "...Then why do you look like you’ve just stepped in something foul?"
"Adult matters aren’t for children to meddle in." Jiu Yue pushed his face away expressionlessly.
Mei Wuchang: "...?"
He was only a year younger than her—how was he a child?!
Meanwhile, Jiu Yue was puzzling over Prince Ping’s words.
What did he mean by "once Xiao Chi returns to the capital, everything will be over"?
It felt like something big was about to happen.
She pressed a hand to her eyelid but decided to set it aside for now. Hoisting her bag, she took a few steps before glancing back—Mei Wuchang was muttering to himself.
"What incantation are you chanting?" Jiu Yue found it amusing.
Mei Wuchang clamped his mouth shut and shot her a resentful look.
Jiu Yue waved. "I’ll bring you back some local treats!"
Mei Wuchang paused, then hesitantly waved back.
Once she was gone, he lowered his gaze and leaped onto the roof, sprawling under the shade of a tree just as she often did.
Maybe she wasn’t entirely wrong.
Only a nineteen-year-old like her would treat an eighteen-year-old like a child.
...
Prince Ping had said it would just be the two of them, but Jiu Yue could sense a whole entourage trailing them from a distance.
Tch. And here she thought she might get a chance to take out this scoundrel on the road!
Jiu Yue scoffed inwardly—Prince Ping was such a coward.
She’d traveled to the northwest once before with Sima Qing, but back then, they’d taken backroads to secretly meet Xiao Chi and quietly escort Xiao Wuyou back to the capital.
This time, however, Prince Ping led her along a broad, well-paved main road.
And honestly? The scenery was breathtaking.
Galloping freely across the open land, the summer wind occasionally carried the ripe scent of crops—a lively yet serene sensation.
At first, Prince Ping had been concerned about her leg injury... but after seeing her ride like a madwoman, nearly leaving him in the dust, his worries vanished.
Watching her unrestrained figure, Prince Ping unconsciously smiled and urged his horse to follow.
Northwestern Army Camp.
Jiu Yue stayed in character, her face alight with curiosity as she spotted the tents in the distance.
Night had already fallen when they dismounted. Xiao Chi, having heard of their arrival, was already waiting at the entrance.
"This old general greets His Highness Prince Ping." Xiao Chi and the officers behind him looked haggard, unable to muster even a forced smile.
Prince Ping frowned. "General, there’s no need for formalities... Why does everyone look so troubled? Has Great Yan—?"
Xiao Chi waved a hand, his voice thick with sorrow. "Your Highness need not worry. This is a personal matter."
Prince Ping pressed, "General, what happened?"
Xiao Chi covered his face and turned away, his shoulders trembling faintly.
One of the officers nearby spoke up, voice choked with tears. "Your Highness, forgive us... The general’s young grandson fell from a horse some time ago. He... did not survive."
Prince Ping went still.
So did Jiu Yue.
