Spring arrives and the land smiles

The group had been traveling for half a day, and although the journey was slow, the road was rugged and bumpy. Qingyan, tired from the long journey, suggested that the group stop to rest.

Siyou and Siwu accepted the order and planned to go ahead to survey the terrain and find a suitable and safe place for Qingyan to rest. However, Qingyan said, "You two just need to convey my instructions to Chief Escort Chen. Leave the rest to Chief Escort Chen. Don't make any decisions on your own."

"Yes," Siyou replied.

Siwu was a beat slow to respond, only answering "yes" after Siyou tugged at her sleeve.

"Wait a minute." Qingyan smiled, knowing that Siwu was spoiled by her, and instructed, "The two of you don't need to ride horses for the next leg of the journey. Go and rest in the carriage at the back."

“Princess, we are not tired.” As expected, it was Siwu who spoke first.

"Siwu," Siyou quickly stopped her.

Qingyan wasn't offended, and instead asked Siyou, "Siyou, how many people have been following us along the way?"

“About seven or eight people,” Siyou replied.

"How's your Kung Fu?"

"Only one of them is a master; the others are nothing to fear. That group of bodyguards is more than enough to handle."

"It seems that Lady Yong'an is just testing the waters and does not intend to take her away. You two must not reveal your strength. Just act like ordinary maids who know a little bit of martial arts."

"Your subordinate obeys," Siyou Siwu quickly replied.

"Siwu, follow your sister on her mission. After we return to the capital, I'll take you to eat the honey-flavored rice cakes at Zhenxiu Pavilion." Qingyan smiled and patted Siwu's face.

Siwu's eyebrows twitched, and a look of joy appeared on his face: "This subordinate thanks the princess."

After getting off Qingyan's carriage, Siyou and Siwu conveyed Qingyan's orders to Chief Escort Chen. The two sisters then boarded another carriage and, together with Zhuier, took care of the still weak boy after the detoxification.

"Sister, I was wrong." Siwu said with a sullen face.

"It's good that you know you were wrong. Everything is under the princess's control. Don't question the princess anymore. If it weren't for the princess's good temper, we would have been sent back to Lingfeng Pavilion by now." Siyou reprimanded her sternly.

"I understand, sister. If the princess doesn't hire a bodyguard to escort her on this kind of mountain road, the group following us will definitely know that there are many experts in the group. How can we deceive them then?" Siwu chuckled and reached out to grab Siyou's hand. Siyou pretended to be angry and dodged away. Siwu then acted coquettishly, and Siyou's attitude finally softened.

"What are you two talking about?" Zhui'er wiped the forehead of the sleeping boy, but didn't quite understand what Siyou and Siwu were saying.

“We were talking about how Qin Mian, the guard, was sent by the princess to accompany my brother to the Yong'an Marquis's residence ahead of us. Some of them must be lovesick by now,” Siwu teased Zhui’er.

On the way back to the capital after the disaster relief mission, Qingyan was lured away and disappeared by Lan Zhen. Zhuier searched for her with Qin Mian and developed feelings for him. Later, she encountered Qin Mian several times back in the palace, and the two seemed to have developed feelings for each other, but they did not express them due to their status. Therefore, it was not surprising that Siyou and Siwu overheard their feelings. Before this trip to the southeast, Qin Mian was sent by Emperor Longqing to assist Qingyan, so Zhuier was naturally worried about him.

"Siwu, what nonsense are you talking about?" Zhuier blushed.

"Oh, oh, oh, your face is red, your face is red." Siwu and Zhuier are the same age, so naturally Siwu is playful.

"I told you not to talk nonsense." Zhui'er pretended to be angry and was about to hit Siwu, and the three of them burst into laughter.

Perhaps the noise from three women was too much, and the boy woke up.

"Sister Zhui'er," the boy called out hesitantly.

The three stopped their playful fighting.

Zhui'er turned to look at the boy and asked, "You're awake. Are you thirsty?"

The boy nodded, and Zhui'er poured him a cup of tea.

"Is there anything else that's bothering you?" Siwu asked the boy.

The boy trusted Siwu far more than Zhuier, who had been taking care of him these past few days, after Siwu had saved him. He rubbed his temples; his headache had eased somewhat. His body was well-bandaged, but although the pain was less than when he was rescued, it was still enough to make him grimace.

The boy shook his head at Siwu, then frowned and nodded.

"We must quickly inform the princess that the boy has woken up. In case anything goes wrong, we can't let the princess's blood be wasted." Siyou, being a few years older, was more prudent in handling matters.

“Sister is right.” Siwu immediately lifted the curtain of the carriage, and the guards outside the curtain stopped the procession.

Before long, the group stopped in a shady, open area.

When Siyou came to report, Luo Qing was still asleep, so Qingyan went to see the boy herself.

When the young man saw Qingyan, he quickly stood up to perform a grand salute, but Qingyan stopped him and asked about his health. Only after confirming that he was alright did he continue on his way.

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) Chen stepped forward and bowed to Qingyan: "Madam, may I speak with you in private?"

When Qingyan instructed Zhuier to hire bodyguards, she said that she and her husband were returning to their hometown to visit relatives. Her husband fell ill on the way, and she, as a woman in charge, was worried about the dangers along the way, so she hired bodyguards to escort them. That's why Chief Bodyguard Chen called her Madam.

Qingyan gestured for them to speak privately.

"Chief Escort Chen, is there something going on?" Qingyan didn't mince words.

“Madam, my bodyguards have discovered that a group of people have been following us all the way, and they may be plotting against you,” said Chief Bodyguard Chen.

Qingyan feigned panic: "What should we do? My husband is still unconscious. Our whole family, including children, servants, and everyone else, can only rely on Chief Escort Chen."

"Madam, rest assured, since Hongsheng Escort Agency has accepted this mission, we will certainly ensure the safety of you and your party," Chief Escort Chen promised. "But..." Chief Escort Chen paused.

"Chief Escort Chen, please speak frankly."

"There are about seven or eight people with us, only one of whom is a master. However, this master is difficult to deal with, and I have already made arrangements with the brothers. I noticed that the lady's two personal maids and the attendants by the carriage seem to know some martial arts. Before we reach our destination, I would like to ask the lady to lend them to me to strengthen our guard. I assure the lady that I will not let them lose their lives," said Chief Escort Chen.

Since that's the case, Qingyan agreed to Chen the镖头's request.

The procession only stopped for a short while before setting off again. By this time, the guards had regrouped, with the two carriages positioned in the very center.

As expected, Chief Escort Chen was experienced. Although the team was traveling on mountain roads, they always chose relatively open areas to proceed or rest, so that the people following them could not hide and thus could not launch a sneak attack.

After traveling along the mountain road for two days, Luo Qing slept for two days. At this pace, they should arrive in Hua County by noon tomorrow.

Huaxian is the last stop before reaching Jinzhou. If we cannot capture Qingyan and her group before reaching Huaxian, then the other side will lose the initiative.

Qingyan glanced at the sky, estimating it to be around 1:00 PM. They had already spotted a village in front of them. Since it was still early, Qingyan ordered the group to stop and rest.

"Madam." Chief镖头 Chen bowed solemnly to Qingyan.

Qingyan returned the greeting: "Is there something you need, Chief Escort Chen?"

"Madam, could you please tell me who Mr. Chen has offended?"

"Why does Chief Escort Chen ask this question?"

“Previously, I was careful to keep an eye on the group that was following us, so that they could not launch a sneak attack. Now they have actually sent more people, doubling their numbers. It seems that they are determined to win.” Chief Escort Chen frowned. “I hope that Madam can tell us the identity of the enemy. Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win. Otherwise, even if I give my life, I am afraid I will not be able to protect Madam’s shipment.”

The number of people has doubled; it seems they plan to kidnap someone tonight. Qingyan pondered for a moment and said, "Chief Escort Chen, it's not that I don't want to tell you, but I really don't know who the other party is. My husband and I are returning to our hometown to visit relatives, and we haven't made any enemies along the way. If there's anything unusual," Qingyan paused thoughtfully, "it's that we rescued a young master on the road. He also happened to be heading to Hua County, so we traveled together."

Qingyan spoke so sincerely that Chief Escort Chen believed her for the time being. He also began to make a calculation in his mind: perhaps that group of people were after the young master in the carriage behind.