11 Encountering Danger

What's your name?

When we entered Qiandu County, it was just getting dark.

There was a narrow terrace in the backyard of the inn. Hua Yao glanced at the sleeping Pian Zhu, put on an outer robe, and sat on the swing woven from vines.

She looked up at the lonely moon hanging high in the sky.

Two months here have felt like a very real dream.

What's different about the moon here?

Cui Xun's voice came from behind.

Hua Yao didn't turn around. She lightly touched the ground with her toes, and the swing stopped. "Now the moon has returned to the Duke."

As we brushed past each other, he suddenly asked, "What's your name?"

Hua Yao paused in her steps.

How did you figure that out?

Cui Xun walked to a stone bench and sat down. "Feeling," he said, only uttering two words. Moonlight illuminated half of his face, which remained expressionless.

Hua Yao stood there for a moment, then sat back down on the swing.

"You knew her before?"

“Never had any contact with him,” he answered decisively.

"Do you have a grudge against the Prime Minister's residence?" she asked again.

"No."

Hua Yao stared at him, "Just consider it as you trying to win over the Prime Minister's mansion, but I am not the one in charge. You should seek out the Prime Minister for this, why bother coming to me?"

"If repeated advice is ineffective, it's better to find a shortcut."

How do you know I'm the shortcut?

...

A night breeze rustled through the vines and leaves.

Cui Xun was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "I told you, I can help you return to your original world."

Hua Yao chuckled, “Even if the Duke knows that I am not the Second Miss Hua, he is only guessing correctly. As for the reasons behind it, how much do you understand? It’s not something you can decide with just a few words.”

Cui Xun lowered his head, chuckled softly, and then slowly opened his lips, "How do you think you got to this great swamp?"

A buzzing sound filled Hua Yao's ears, and her breathing became unsteady. She quickly walked to his side, grabbed one of his arms, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Don't worry, Miss Hua, I'm not so despicable as to scheme against an innocent person. I just happened to know some information about why you came here, and I also happen to know some ways to get back to where you came from."

Cui Xun sat on the stone bench, glancing sideways and tilting his head slightly to look at her. "I might as well tell you the truth first: you will definitely not gain anything on this trip to Lingzhou."

Hua Yao laughed in anger, a mocking smile curving her lips. "Duke Jin is so arrogant, has he ever considered that the one who orchestrates things will also become a player in the game?"

"We both have desires, but we exchange them for what we desire. As long as the ending is what I want, I don't care about the process." Cui Xun curled the corners of his lips.

...

After thinking it over, Hua Yao let go of him and sat down on the stone bench next to him, looking dejected.

"You must tell me what you are asking for. If this matter involves the safety of the Prime Minister's residence, then I have no choice but to comply."

Although he had mentioned before that the old scroll contained the injustice and blood of an innocent person, how could she know if he would use it as a pretext to do other things?

Cui Xun made no attempt to hide anything. “Years ago, there was an old scroll that disappeared from the world after passing through the hands of Prime Minister Hua. What was hidden in that old scroll was a mother’s silent cry.”

Hua Yao stared at him with a furrowed brow. His tone was indifferent, as if he were talking about someone else's business. But she sensed that his inner world was not as calm as it appeared.

Based on his previous statements, is he seeking revenge and clearing someone's name? But his grandmother said that his mother died after giving birth to him, so who is the person he is referring to? Or is there another story behind his mother's death?

Hua Yao hesitated, "Could you explain in more detail?"

Cui Xun looked up. "You didn't get the job done, but you asked a lot of questions."

"Before reaching a cooperation agreement, both parties need to understand and negotiate, and a formal contract should be drafted."

Why do you talk so much?

"Then I won't ask anymore, just tell me how to get back."

Cui Xun sighed and got up to leave.

"Hey, I'm not capable enough, just tell me the method directly."

Cui Xun didn't turn around. "Knowing more won't do you any good. You just need to know that this matter won't bring trouble to the Prime Minister's residence."

Watching his retreating figure, Hua Yao couldn't help but roll her eyes. He's such a nice guy, so kind; why didn't he just tell her the method directly?

--

However, by the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the sun was already quite strong.

Hua Yao kept the carriage curtain open, resting her elbows on the window, quietly watching the scenery flash by outside.

Two ancient trees stand tall by the water, their roots reaching the shore, their leaves casting shadows on the green water.

"Uncle Zhao, stop for a moment."

The carriage had barely come to a stop when, before Pianzhu could even help her up, Huayao had already jumped off the carriage, lifting her skirt.

Cui Xun had looked over when she called for a stop, and his eyebrows twitched slightly upon seeing this.

"Girl, slow down." Pianzhu hurriedly followed.

Hua Yao ran straight to the riverbank, squatted down, and started splashing water. The water droplets glistened in the sunlight. She laughed, her laughter carried on the river breeze.

Qin Feng couldn't help but complain under his breath, "At this rate, we'll either have to stop to rest or just relax along the way. When will we ever reach Luozhou?"

Hua Yao listened intently. Were they going to Luozhou? She turned around, her face still bearing the joyful smile she had while playing in the water, her eyes crinkling.

"This water is so refreshing! Don't you want to come and play in it?"

Qin Feng turned his face away, his expression not looking good.

Hua Yao seemed to realize something was wrong. She stood up, her eyelashes drooping, and her tone became exceptionally considerate. "I have lived in a secluded mansion since I was a child and have never seen the mountains and rivers outside. Only now, seeing this scene, do I realize how vast the world is."

"I apologize for the delay caused by my daughter. Please forgive me. If you all have important matters to attend to, why don't you proceed ahead?"

Cui Xun sat on horseback watching her, a barely perceptible twitch of his lips.

“It’s alright,” he said calmly.

Qin Feng wanted to say something, but Qin Yan subtly nudged him with his elbow. He could only swallow his words.

Seeing that her goal had not been achieved, Hua Yao was not annoyed and squatted back down to play in the water.

Cui Xun withdrew his gaze and looked at the winding official road ahead. "When you've had enough fun, let's hit the road."

"Won't the Duke come and have some fun?" Hua Yao turned her head and shouted at the top of her lungs.

Cui Xun didn't answer, but nimbly dismounted and walked towards her.

Seeing this, Pianzhu immediately stepped back a few paces and moved to the side of the carriage.

Cui Xun walked to Hua Yao's side and stopped. His tall figure cast a shadow that completely enveloped her.

She looked up and said, "You're blocking the sun."

He glanced at her, then at the bright sun, and without saying a word, squatted down beside her as instructed.

Even when he was squatting, his shoulders and back were still broad, and although his shadow was shorter, it still completely covered her.

Hua Yao turned her head to the side and stared at him resentfully.

Cui Xun sighed almost inaudibly, stood up, walked to her other side, and squatted down again.

"What trick are you planning to pull this time?" He spoke softly, so that only the two of them could hear him.

She looked quite relaxed. "Didn't the Duke say last night that my trip to Lingzhou would be a waste of time? In that case, why should I rush on my way? The scenery along the way is enchanting; if I miss it, it will be a rare treat."

"Are you sure you want to enjoy the scenery here?" Cui Xun's gaze swept over the somewhat desolate woods not far away. "The scenery here is beautiful, but there's no village or shop in sight. Last year, there were nine cases of caravans being robbed."

Hua Yao stood up, shook the water droplets off her hands, and said, "Let's go then."

Cui Xun also stood up, "Knowing this trip will be fruitless, you still want to continue?"

He glanced at her as she pondered, then suddenly his eyes narrowed sharply to the side, his gaze darkening instantly.

A cold arrow pierced the wind and flew straight at Hua Yao.

"Protect the people!"

Qin Feng and Qin Yan reacted quickly. Upon hearing the sound, they drew their swords and flanked the area, their eyes scanning the woods warily.

As Cui Xunli shouted, he grabbed Hua Yao and pulled her into his arms. He spun around to avoid her, and with a flick of his wrist, a silver dart flew out from his sleeve and accurately intercepted the arrow shaft. The arrow tip deflected and slammed into the carriage wall with a thud.

After helping Hua Yao to her feet, he continued walking towards a certain spot in the forest without stopping.

"My lord, I'll go with you!" Qin Feng immediately followed.

Cui Xun stopped him, saying, "Protect the people! This is our mission!"

Everything happened so suddenly that when Hua Yao came to her senses, all she saw was Cui Xun's back.

"Miss!" Pianzhu was so frightened that her face turned pale. She was walking to Hua Yao's side when the arrow was deeply embedded in the carriage wall, only a foot away from where Zhao Bo and she were standing.

Hua Yao squeezed Pian Zhu's hand back. She looked at Uncle Zhao, who was stunned and frightened, and felt a pang of guilt.

Leading Pianzhu to Uncle Zhao's side, she said with difficulty, "Pianzhu, Uncle Zhao, this place is a day's journey from the capital. You should turn back the way you came."

As soon as she finished speaking, her heart clenched again. The two of them were unarmed. What if they encountered bad guys on their way back? Earlier, she had sent the guards back to the manor because she thought they were in the way. Now, guilt washed over her like a tide.

Pianzhu sobbed softly, clutching the girl's sleeve tightly. Uncle Zhao frowned, "Miss, how can we let you risk your life alone?"

Qin Feng stood aside and chuckled, his voice not loud but each word clear, "Why can't you just keep traveling? You have to play around. It's one thing to suffer yourself, but you shouldn't drag the lord into it."

Qin Yan said in a deep voice, "Say less."

Hua Yao glanced at them but did not respond.

“Pianzhu, Uncle Zhao, listen to me. This trip to Lingzhou was my own selfish decision. Now you are in danger because of me. If you are alright, that's good, but if something happens to you…”

Hua Yao's eyes were slightly red, as if she had made up her mind. She pried Pian Zhu's hand away and said, "There is enough money and food in the carriage. Take the official road and don't take shortcuts. When you get to the manor, tell your grandmother that I sent you away."

Before Pianzhu could say anything more, Huayao interrupted her, "It's still early. You should hurry up and leave. If you walk fast, you can enter the capital before dark."

Pianzhu insisted on following the girl. Uncle Zhao tugged at her sleeve, and the two exchanged a glance before finally getting into the carriage.

Watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, Hua Yao couldn't help but clench her hands tightly in her sleeves, hoping nothing bad would happen.

...

Before long, Cui Xun emerged from the woods.

His robes were stained with bits of grass, and he carried a unconscious man in black, which he casually tossed to the ground. His expression was cold and stern, and his breathing was steady and normal.

Qin Feng immediately stepped forward and tied the man up.

Cui Xun walked straight to Hua Yao and stopped in front of her. "You sent the maid and the coachman away?"

Hua Yao remained silent.

His gaze swept over her slightly pale face. "Worried about them?"

"I thought that when the Second Miss sent the guards away, she had already thought of a plan for what to do if she encountered bad people."

Seeing that she still hadn't spoken, he frowned slightly, turned around and ordered, "Go and escort the two of them back to the manor safely."

Qin Feng immediately retorted, "My lord, our mission is to protect you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Yan grabbed him hard and replied, "Yes!"

Qin Feng glanced at Qin Yan silently. "You idiot, you keep interrupting me."