A morning breeze blows, and clothes flutter in the wind.

As the carriage gradually disappeared into the morning mist, it was soon swallowed up.

"Master, let's go back. Young Master and Miss Jiang have gone far away." Xiang Song withdrew his gaze and cupped his hands in greeting.

Xiao Jingzhao concealed the lingering affection in his eyes and waved his hand, "Go to the military camp."

Three days later, when Nangong Zeyue returned, the west wing was already empty.

Looking at the empty west wing, Nangong Zeyue turned to leave.

"Young Master Nangong, Sui Sui's father is here." Aunt Su called out to him hurriedly.

"Sui Sui's dad!"

"He...wasn't he already dead on the battlefield?"

Aunt Su saw Nangong Zeyue's incredulous expression, with a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Aunt Su had no choice but to explain the whole story.

"This is too absurd; even storytellers wouldn't dare to tell a story like this."

He was kept by his master for a few more days, but when he returned, there was another person there—the Crown Prince.

Aunt Su said, "Before Yue'er left, the young master sent someone to take the mother and daughter to his villa for a few days."

What does he mean by this?

"Why not bring Sui Sui and her son back to the Yannan Prince's Mansion? Is he planning to make Miss Jiang his mistress?"

Faced with a barrage of questions from Nangong Zeyue, Aunt Su was unable to answer them.

After all, Yue'er left in such a hurry that she didn't even have time to ask her about her future plans.

Aunt Su was very pleased to learn that Shui Sheng was doing well in Black Pool Valley.

Nangong Zeyue said goodbye to Aunt Su and walked into the street, slapping his forehead in frustration.

What an idiot! He's met the Prince of Yannan before, how could he not have realized that he was Sui Sui's father?

Now, looking back on that devilish face, he realized that Sui Sui looked remarkably like that person.

Nangong Zeyue led his horse through the bustling streets. He looked up at the sky and silently calculated the time in his mind.

Jiang Shuyue was riding in a carriage, which was not as fast as he could run alone.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should be able to catch up with her in just five days.

...

On this day, Jiang Shuyue and her group left the Yannan territory.

Fewer and fewer pedestrians were on the road, and the fields on both sides of the official road were desolate.

Under the blazing sun, the cicadas' chirping was deafening, and the leaves on the roadside trees curled slightly.

Qiuju moved the ice basin in the carriage closer to Suisui, and kept waving the round fan in her hand.

A cool breeze blew on the small couch, and Sui Sui slept soundly.

The corners of his lips occasionally turned up, perhaps because he dreamed of playing with his father.

Jiang Shuyue glanced out the window and then lowered the curtain. She frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Judging from this situation, there are quite a few places suffering from severe drought."

"Miss, didn't you say that a severe drought is inevitably followed by a severe flood?"

“That’s right, I just don’t know when this downpour will start.” Jiang Shuyue said, taking out a map from a hidden compartment in the carriage.

Qiuju thought that her mistress had found a shortcut to the capital.

In the evening, Gao Mu and Cang Yun found a clean inn.

After dinner, Jiang Shuyue asked Qiuju to call Gao Mu and Cangyun over.

"Have either of you been to the capital?" Jiang Shuyue asked directly.

Gao Mu and Cang Yun bowed in unison, "Your subordinate has been there, Miss, please rest assured, your subordinate is very familiar with the official road."

"Think back, if you encounter heavy rain or flash floods, which sections of the road would be dangerous?"

"this……"

Gao Mu and Cang Yun exchanged a glance, and Gao Mu said, "If a flash flood occurs, the Jiulianpo section of the road is prone to landslides, so it will definitely be impassable."

Jiang Shuyue looked at the map and found that it would take about five days to reach Jiulianpo.

“If we see signs of rain when we get close to Jiulianpo, we’ll take a detour. Do you two know of any other route to the capital?” Jiang Shuyue said, handing the map to Gao Mu.

"The river is almost dry, and the capital is upstream, so traveling by water is not an option. If we take another route, I am worried that bandits might appear and frighten the young master."

"Let's continue towards Jiulianpo and change our route depending on the weather," Jiang Shuyue decided after weighing the pros and cons.

She could take her son and hide in the space, but what if there were too many bandits and Gao Mu and Cang Yun couldn't protect the three girls?

On the morning of the fifth day, Jiang Shuyue looked up at the sky, but the vast sky was cloudless.

At dusk, two carriages arrived at the official road below Jiulianpo.

After nearly ten days of carriage rides, Sui Sui's initial enthusiasm has turned into a listless state.

"Mother, how much longer until we reach the capital? My bottom is sore from all the bumping." Sui Sui's little head was resting on Jiang Shuyue's lap, her eyes listless, as if she was about to fall asleep at any moment.

Upon hearing this, Qiuju quickly reached out and pinched his short legs. "Young Master's legs must be sore from all the jostling, right? A little pinch will make them feel much better."

Jiang Shuyue stroked her son's face and said softly, "Gao Mu said that we will be able to reach the capital in eight days. After we pass through this mountain forest, there is a small town about twenty miles ahead, where we can rest."

Jiang Shuyue then started telling Sui Sui fairy tales.

"Who goes there? Show yourselves!"

Suddenly, the neighing of horses rang out, and with a low roar from Gao Mu and Cang Yun, the carriage jolted and came to a stop.

A series of chaotic footsteps sounded.

Immediately afterwards, a man shouted, "Those in the carriage, leave your money and food, or none of you will pass through here today!"

Gao Mu snorted coldly and shouted angrily, "Come and take it if you dare!"

The sound of swords being drawn rang out.

Qiu Ju was shocked. "A robbery?"

"Don't panic, I'll go out and take a look." Jiang Shuyue put on her veil and just as she lifted the carriage curtain, she saw Gao Mu holding his sword across his chest.

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