Upon learning that the mission could still proceed, both Jiu Yue and the system were overjoyed. The system fully supported Jiu Yue's plan to return to Great Yan and reclaim her identity as a princess.
During this time, Jiu Yue asked the Mute Girl about the Great Yan Dynasty, but the Mute Girl, being just a palace maid, knew very little.
Finally, Jiu Yue posed one last question: "Why on earth did Muling come all the way to Tianqi?"
The Mute Girl sighed and gestured: [The king wanted the princess to marry into the grasslands as part of a political alliance. The tribal leader there is already fifty years old.]
Jiu Yue: "..."
The system: "..."
Jiu Yue decided she didn’t want to ask any more questions.
The system trembled. "Host, what if the new male lead turns out to be that tribal leader..."
Jiu Yue replied flatly, "Then I’ll just have to find another male lead."
The system: "..."
...
Three days later, the two passed through a city called Wushuo. The Mute Girl went into town to replenish supplies while Jiu Yue stayed outside guarding the carriage and taking the dog for a walk.
The dog had been suffering from motion sickness during the journey, and Jiu Yue often had to let it stick its head out of the carriage to keep its spirits up. Now, finally free to run around, the little dog wagged its tail so vigorously it looked like a propeller.
As long as they were still within Tianqi’s borders, Jiu Yue always wore a bamboo hat.
At the moment, the carriage was parked under the shade of a tree. The horse relaxed, nibbling on wild grass, while the well-behaved dog circled nearby. Jiu Yue leaned against the tree trunk, chewing on a blade of grass as she watched the two animals and occasionally glanced at passing travelers.
The Northwestern Army she had visited earlier was stationed west of Wushuo. From higher ground, their tents were visible, but to reach Great Yan, they needed to head east after passing through Wushuo.
Truthfully, if not for the mission, Jiu Yue thought this carefree lifestyle would suit her just fine.
Though the living conditions here paled in comparison to the modern world, at least she had been reborn as a human. She also had the means to protect herself. While she couldn’t take all the gold bars from the coffin, she had grabbed a handful—enough to sustain herself.
She could just find a remote mountain to live in, farm a little, play with her dog... Wasn’t this kind of unrestrained happiness what she had worked so hard for in her past life?
But the system shattered her daydream.
If the mission failed, both she and the system would be erased.
Jiu Yue sighed, spat out the blade of grass, and absentmindedly patted her clothes.
She had left in a hurry that night and wasn’t sure how much gold she had taken. She had handed the gold bars to the Mute Girl, but she still had some loose gold leaves on her.
Now, she began counting how much money she had left.
The system watched as she pulled out a small handful of gold leaves from her robe and couldn’t help but admire her. "These are much less bulky than gold bars. They’ll definitely be enough for the journey."
Jiu Yue raised an eyebrow, about to boast, when she suddenly pulled out a tiny object from her robe.
Staring at the thumb-sized jade pendant, she froze.
"What’s that?" the system asked curiously.
"...It’s a token Sima Qing gave me. With this, I can ask him for money." Jiu Yue examined the pendant, surprised.
She had assumed Sima Qing would take it back before her burial.
Yet he had buried it with her—how could someone be this true to their word?!
After a moment of stunned silence, Jiu Yue decisively tucked the pendant away.
This thing was still valuable.
Maybe after Sima Qing died of illness, she could use it to claim a share of his inheritance!
The system: "..."
Truly a woman who could be swayed by a billion-dollar reward.
After counting the gold leaves and stashing them back into her pouch, Jiu Yue looked up to see the Mute Girl approaching with bundles of supplies. She hurried over to help load them onto the carriage.
The Mute Girl smiled and, while Jiu Yue was busy, pulled out three or four fresh fruits from her robe.
Jiu Yue’s eyes lit up instantly!
Who could understand? Summer was the season for fruit, yet lately, with all the chaos, she hadn’t even had time for proper meals.
"Did you buy these in town? They look delicious!" Jiu Yue stared eagerly.
The Mute Girl gave her a fond look. She had deliberately washed the fruits in town and now took out a clean handkerchief to wipe them before handing one over.
[Try it. It’s a local specialty—crisp, sweet, and very refreshing.] she signed.
Jiu Yue took a bite and practically floated with happiness.
"You should try one too! It’s amazing! Though it doesn’t seem like it’ll keep for long..." she mumbled between bites, her expression lively.
The Mute Girl studied her for a moment.
She had never imagined Jiu Yue and Muling were sisters. Even after seeing Jiu Yue’s real face beneath the disguise, she hadn’t noticed any resemblance. But now, the more time they spent together, the more she saw traces of Muling in Jiu Yue.
Before, Jiu Yue had rarely shown emotion, keeping everything locked inside. But now, after avenging her past, she was noticeably more vibrant.
In fleeting moments, from certain angles—they truly looked like sisters.
The Mute Girl smiled and took a bite of the fruit at Jiu Yue’s urging. Just as she was about to sign something, Jiu Yue’s expression suddenly changed.
In the blink of an eye, Jiu Yue clamped down on the half-eaten fruit, yanked her hat low, and hid everything but the tip of her chin.
The Mute Girl blinked, instinctively turning to scan their surroundings—but saw nothing unusual. Just the usual passersby and carriages.
Jiu Yue’s heart raced as she quickly pulled the Mute Girl into the carriage, then scooped up the drowsy dog.
"Hurry, let’s go!" she whispered, clearly nervous.
Though confused, the Mute Girl didn’t question her and immediately drove the carriage away.
Peeking through the window, Jiu Yue spotted another carriage passing by—inside, she glimpsed two figures.
One of them was unmistakably Sima Qing!
Close call!
Thankfully, she had recognized the Prince Regent’s carriage at a glance!
If she hadn’t reacted fast enough and been discovered... things would have gotten ugly.
Jiu Yue exhaled in relief, removing her hat as she absentmindedly finished the fruit. Still, she couldn’t help wondering—why was Sima Qing here?
Recalling Nangong Xun’s words... Was he in the northwest seeking medical treatment?
That didn’t seem right.
During their previous trips, neither Sima Qing nor Prince Ping had mentioned any renowned physicians in this region...
Then it hit her—Wuyou.
Of course.
Xiao Chi's trip to the capital was merely a ruse to deceive Prince Ping. Now that Prince Ping had fallen, it was only natural for Xiao Chi to hurry back to the northwest. As for Wuyou, perhaps she hadn’t managed to meet her grandfather in the capital, so just like last time, Sima Qing was entrusted with escorting the child back…
Jiu Yue found this explanation quite reasonable.
She shook her head, allowing herself to relax a little as the doubts in her heart began to fade.
