The officers and soldiers suddenly realized that the approachable Lord Li of the past was gone, replaced by a strict and imposing magnanimous man.

It's heart-stopping.

"yes!"

Everyone responded in unison, not daring to delay for a moment, and strode down the city wall.

Li Siming's temples were already somewhat gray, and the wind blew the ends of his hair.

He lived a life of constant anxiety, but his back never bent.

He looked in the direction of the capital.

I only wish Prime Minister Su a safe journey.

In the blink of an eye, the small boat had traveled a hundred miles.

Ye Panjiu lay on the couch in the cabin. The past few days had been filled with both being chased and frantically copying, and she was so exhausted that she fell asleep.

Su Yan pulled up a chair, sat down beside her bed, and looked down at her sleeping face.

I listened carefully to every movement and sound on the ship.

Ye Panjiu held the package containing the account books tightly in her arms.

The night was cool and still, with the sound of flowing water and a bright moon hanging high above the cabin.

He rarely has such free time, and even less time to be with Pan Jiu.

Once Pan Jiu wakes up, the two of them will have to continue their hectic schedule.

He didn't see anything wrong with compassion.

He was lucky that Pan Jiu also had a compassionate heart.

Kind-hearted but ruthless in crucial moments, that's enough.

He killed many people in front of her, which was something he didn't want her to see.

He could sense that in Pan Jiu's heart, all human lives were equal.

This is rare in this era.

Some people are born into royalty, with a large number of servants at their disposal, and the power to decide the life and death of others.

Few people believe in the equality of human life; most feel they are not worthy of their fate and want to climb up and become superior to others.

When roles are reversed, human nature is often laid bare.

After sitting quietly all night, Ye Panjiu opened her eyes amidst a sudden, violent jolt.

She immediately became alert. "Has someone caught up with us?"

She was so traumatized by the pursuit that she was even dreaming of dodging arrows.

Su Yan patted her head affectionately, "No, it's only the fourth watch of the night, go back to sleep."

Ye Panjiu gently rubbed her hands together, looking at him with bright, lively eyes, "You've been sitting like this for most of the night?"

Su Yan curled her lips into a smile, "I feel quite at ease."

On such a night, in such a setting, with such people, who knows if in the future we will say, "It was just an ordinary day back then."

Ye Panjiu blinked. "Let's go sit at the bow of the boat. I want to hear you play the flute."

Su Yan lifted the blanket, picked her up in his arms, and walked steadily toward the bow of the boat.

Ye Panjiu looked up, peering through his chin at the star-studded sky.

"I've never seen a sky with so many stars before, it's so beautiful."

Modern pollution is severe, and she's busy making money. Occasionally, when she looks up, the sky above her is also dark and gloomy.

Tonight, the sky is filled with countless stars, and even the night breeze is gentle.

Su Yan sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat and looked up at the sky. "I've never seen such a beautiful night before."

He took out his flute and played the tune from their first meeting.

Ye Panjiu leaned against him, listening to the flute music spreading across the water, its echoes melodious.

Honest and simple-minded Song Yanzhi, holding the oar, stared wide-eyed in astonishment at the scene.

No, where is Lord Li's uncle? How did he suddenly become a man younger than Lord Li?

And he's so handsome!

The two looked like a divine couple, so ethereal that he didn't dare to approach and disturb them.

Even glancing at it a few more times felt inappropriate, so he turned away.

When the song ended, Ye Panjiu looked at him with a smile and said, "It was beautiful."

Su Yan pinched her cheek. "It's nice that you insisted on getting soaked in the rain and not getting on the carriage."

How could it not be lust at first sight? When it comes to matters of the heart, lust is always the first step.

A resonance of souls is even more difficult.

Ye Panjiu also raised her hand and pinched his cheek, "I don't want to be a chess piece, I like to be the one who plays the game."

"Then I'll be your pawn, so please keep me in your thoughts."

Su Yan's eyes reflected her smiling face, and the corners of his lips turned up.

Ye Panjiu glanced away, about to say something, when she saw the giant ship faintly emerging from the water.

Her voice was urgent, "We're here, we can't go to Jizhou anymore!"

Su Yan quickly stood up, helped her down, and gazed at the giant ship from afar.

Jiang Le'an's giant ship was also equipped with cannons, and its speed was several times that of his small boat.

He turned around and said coldly, "Song Yanzhi, I am Su Yan. Get to shore at full speed immediately!"

Song Yanzhi turned around, her mind completely frozen.

"Su...no, it is!"

The old man became like Prime Minister Su, and he could only work hard in silence!

He vigorously rowed the boat, while Su Yan lifted his foot to lift the oar and helped row.

He was strong, and the boat moved much faster.

Thunderous snoring filled the cabin, making Song Yanzhi's ears burn. She hurriedly shouted, "Get up! Everyone, get up and get going!"

With no one moving, he pulled out his oar and rushed into the cabin, beating up the six burly men who were fast asleep.

"Wake up! Wake up!"

A burly man rolled over, muttering in dissatisfaction, "Boss, what's the rush? Just say we ran into some waves on the water and were a little late when we get there!"

Song Yanzhi's eyes twitched as he listened. Outside was Prime Minister Su. Could he still keep his job?

"Don't delay! Get up now!" Song Yanzhi no longer held back and hit harder.

The burly men finally got up, their faces dark as they rowed the boat.

Su Yan said calmly, "It's my fault for dragging you all into this. That giant ship is the pursuers. If they catch up, none of us will survive."

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled.

In an instant, the sound of oars striking the water was deafening as the boat sped toward the nearest riverbank.

The giant ship was still far away; only a faint shadow could be seen.

After about half an incense stick's time, the small boat reached the shore. Su Yan put one arm around Ye Panjiu's waist and leaped ashore.

"Move the contents of the ship out and sink it."

Song Yan and the others quickly carried it away; this was a matter of life and death, and they dared not delay any longer.

Su Yan pulled out a tinderbox, blew on it, and the scarlet flame suddenly illuminated his stunningly beautiful face.

Her face was as white as jade, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, long and thick, and her phoenix eyes were narrow and long, with a sparkling light that captivated the soul.

Her slightly upturned eyes seemed to possess an innate allure, her nose was high and straight, her pink lips were illuminated by fire, and her white clothes were captivating.

Ye Panjiu coughed lightly. It would be too difficult not to be lustful towards someone like that.

Six throwing knives were positioned beside him, and as he raised two fingers, they flew straight towards the bottom of the small boat.

"Gurgle—"

Water quickly seeped up from the hole.

Song Yanzhi and the others' feet were soaked, and they shouted urgently, "Take only the most important box! Hurry up!"

The group managed to disembark from the ship just before it sank, carrying three large boxes.

They were all so tired that they sat on the shore, panting.

Ye Panjiu had already taken out a map and was holding a charcoal stick in her hand. "Where are we now?"

Su Yan pointed to Taizhou on the map, which is between Yangzhou and Quanzhou and is relatively close to Yangzhou.