Chapter 32 Cloud Shadow Breaks "No, Ah Ying."

After the heavy snow, the mountain roads became difficult to traverse. A sudden gust of wind blew, and scattered ice particles sprinkled into my collar, making me feel even colder.

Ning Lu rode her horse swiftly northeast, stopping at the small river where she had stopped before.

She happened to run into a group of farmers, who were helping each other and staggering towards the city. She originally wanted to sneak in with them to get through the checkpoint.

She hadn't walked two steps when she came across two checkpoints, each one more heavily guarded than the last. Mustering her courage, she approached and discovered that the portrait the soldiers were holding was of herself, and the official title was still "Catching a Traitor."

"Don't the rebels have names? At least write a name on the portrait so I know what the original owner's name was, right?"

Ning Lu silently disappeared into the bushes, watched for a long time, and couldn't help but complain.

This was the first time I'd ever encountered such a large-scale wanted notice, especially one targeting me. It would be a lie to say I wasn't panicked.

She stealthily slipped into the dense forest, found a secluded spot to crouch down, and within moments she was drenched in a cold sweat.

He took a few deep breaths, his eyes still glancing at the soldiers checking him, but his mind had already wandered elsewhere.

I should have told Ji Ming before leaving. At least if something were to happen, I could entrust the few hundred coins hidden under the mattress to him.

If she were really caught and killed, at least we could collect her body.

When she first found her part-time job, she naively thought that things were looking up and that her future was bright. Little did she know that what followed was a fall from an overpass, her soul transmigrating into the body of the original owner of the body, and one after another, bitter storms and hardships.

The more Ning Lu thought about it, the more pathetic she felt, and she couldn't help but have the urge to quit.

"If we go back now and buy two jugs of wine, eat meat around the fire pit, we should be able to enjoy a few more happy days."

Sometimes, it seems like people don't need to be so proactive and ambitious in completing the main quest...

Ning Lu took a step back with her hands in her pockets, then remembered the note.

If the person who wrote the letter is indeed a friend of the original owner, then the matter she is investigating will probably be solved soon.

Moreover, all the clues are connected, so this trip, while not a complete success, will certainly not be in vain.

"It's okay, just take a look. If something's wrong, we'll run. You've always been lucky, nothing will happen to you."

"The problems you don't solve now will continue to bother you. Keep going, Ning Lulu!"

With her eyes closed and fists clenched, Ning Lu calmed herself down with a few words, then turned and disappeared into the deep forest, leaping along the direction the tree trunks were growing.

She was lucky; she didn't run into that group of tough guys again.

Emerging from the side path, the view suddenly opened up. The gate in front of us was not the main gate of Changzhou City, and there weren't many guards.

The sun was high in the sky, at noon, and the guards were all sluggish.

Ning Lu bought a straw hat by the roadside and followed a group of merchants into the city.

It wasn't as difficult as I imagined.

Successfully entering the city was the biggest positive feedback she had received recently, and she immediately cheered up and became complacent.

Following the directions of passersby, we walked through streets and alleys, across bridges, and gradually entered the center of Changzhou City.

The world before me had completely changed. High above, with taverns and markets.

As she passed by several servants dressed in fine fabrics, Ning Lu's ordinary coarse linen clothes suddenly seemed rather shabby.

"What's going on? Did we accidentally wander into Tomson Riviera?"

She kept turning around to look at the men who looked like servants, and was surprised to find that the servants of wealthy families in ancient times lived much better than ordinary farmers.

Looking up again, the Yanchunlou signboard hangs high in the distance, resplendent in gold.

Leaving aside Pingcheng County, let's just talk about Ying County, which is only thirty miles away from here. It's not even a tenth the size of Changzhou City.

The stark differences in living facilities and economic prosperity between towns are astonishing.

Before Ning Lu could sigh again, she felt a chill run down her spine. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced into the crowd and unexpectedly met the gazes of several burly men.

She was suddenly startled and cursed herself for being careless. Having grown accustomed to a comfortable life, she had completely forgotten that there might be someone in Changzhou City who harbored a grudge against the original owner of this body.

Ning Lu pulled her hat brim down low, tucked her shoulders, and walked toward Yan Chun Lou.

With a faint sense of someone following her, Ning Lu tried her best, pursing her lips as she wandered aimlessly through the streets and alleys, sometimes squeezing into crowds, sometimes slipping into restaurants.

After wandering around for about half an hour, she finally felt the chill on her back stop and tentatively turned into the alley.

After waiting a while and making sure no one was following her, Ning Lu crept along the wall and hurried towards Yan Chun Lou.

The sun is high overhead; it must be noon.

Sure enough, when Ning Lu arrived, the troop rotation had already ended, and several squads of soldiers stood guard solemnly. There were also many plainclothes guards dressed in coarse cloth at the stalls at the entrance.

She glanced at it from afar and knew she had missed the best opportunity.

"Then it's not my fault, we were just not meant to be."

Ning Lu's intention to retire resurfaced.

It wasn't that she was timid; it was just that the warm charcoal fire in Yingxian Bamboo Garden, along with the warm wine and late-night conversation, was simply too tempting.

Besides, there's really no need to fight the big boss head-on before your equipment is upgraded.

"withdraw."

Having made up her mind, she took two steps back.

Just then, the window on the second floor of Yanchunlou facing the street was pushed open from the inside.

A woman in flowing sleeves and a crimson skirt emerged, and was immediately pushed to the window. Passersby stopped, looking up and gasping in astonishment.

Ning Lu's attention was drawn by the shouts, and she looked up in the same direction as everyone else.

The woman had a jade-like neck, red lips, and an oval face. Her skin was as smooth as cream, and the thin veil on her shoulders seemed to be falling but not falling. She looked incredibly alluring.

But then, her almond-shaped eyes were filled with resentment, and the corners of her lips were half-smiling, a look of disdain and arrogance on her face, as if she were arguing with the person behind her.

Even from a distance, Ning Lu found her stunningly beautiful.

The girl was quite attractive, with light makeup, and was very different from the courtesan she had imagined; in fact, she seemed quite approachable.

Someone in the crowd shouted "Su Yun Niangzi!" and she finally connected the beautiful woman on the second floor with the courtesan of Yan Chun Lou who was being discussed in the teahouse.

She truly lives up to her title as the most beautiful courtesan; she is indeed stunning. Even a girl like me would be captivated by her beauty.

Ning Lu tugged at her clothes and looked down at herself.

The original owner was petite and her female characteristics were not very obvious. According to her observation, her menstrual cycle was also not very regular.

Her immediate priority was to eat more food for the original owner to nourish her body and replenish her energy.

After muttering his complaints to himself, he turned to leave, but unexpectedly his eyes met those of Su Yun Niangzi on the second floor.

The grief and indignation in her almond-shaped eyes instantly turned into disbelief. She glanced behind her in a panic, and her movements as she leaned against the window frame became stiff.

Ning Lu then noticed a gray shadow hidden deep inside the room on the second floor, indistinct from view.

Su Yun Niangzi moved her lips and quickly mouthed the words to her.

The window slammed shut with a snap, startling Ning Lu out of her daze.

"Hurry up."

That's what she said.

Su Yun Niangzi knew her.

More than what that person said, Ning Lu was shocked by her own guess.

His steps, which were about to leave, froze, and he dared not take a step forward rashly.

She found a nearby stall, ordered a pot of tea, and sat there blankly.

The momentary tension and panic on Su Yun Niangzi's face lingered in her mind.

And that madwoman should also be in Yanchun Tower...

Ning Lu's body was covered in cold sweat, which kept coming back up and going down.

As the sun began to set and darkness fell, the sun continued to set.

Since the other party had told her to leave, she should hurry up and go.

Besides, Ji Ming was still waiting for her, and she had promised to go back early.

But... we're already here.

Ning Lu tightened her grip on the brim of her hat.

The front gate of Yanchunlou was heavily guarded, reminiscent of the multiple gates found in grand mansions in TV dramas.

She went to the back door to take a look. If she could get in, she would go in. If she couldn't, then it was not a good day to travel. She would return to Yingxian and try again another day.

"Never mind, leave it to fate."

Ning Lu stuffed the unfinished melon seeds into her bosom, buried her head, and disappeared into the alley, following several servants who delivered vegetables and grains around to the side gate.

As darkness fell, the streetlights came on, their red lanterns and green tiles adding to the city's prosperity and grandeur.

Although the side gate was also fortified, it was bustling with people delivering vegetables and grains, making it seem less secure compared to the front gate.

Seeing several farmers dressed similarly to herself unloading and carrying goods, Ning Lu had an idea. She picked up a basket of vegetables and mingled among them.

She was dressed shabbily, and despite hunching over while unloading goods, no one noticed anything amiss, and she successfully blended in.

Ning Lu stumbled into a room by mistake and found a maid's outfit. It took Ning Lu some effort to put on the complicated clothes before she dared to wander around Yan Chun Lou.

With Su Yun Niangzi's reputation at its peak, finding her location is not difficult.

At the same time, she soon discovered that these layers of guards were guarding that Su Yun Niangzi.

Hiding in the second-floor corridor, I watched the people coming and going in Su Yun Niangzi's room. They were either the head housekeeper or well-dressed guards with swords.

Finally, I found a chance to sneak into the room; it was already late at night.

With things having come to this point, Ning Lu didn't hesitate any longer. She picked up the tray and followed the maid who was delivering the items into Su Yun Niangzi's room.

Hairpins and jewelry, cosmetics and fragrance, wealth and allure.

The maids ahead of her put down their things and then left without looking up.

Ning Lu paused, then slipped behind a pillar. The curtains swayed, and she could see that besides Su Yun Niangzi, there was also a woman who looked like a madam inside the room.

"I really don't understand you. You're giving up a bright future, and you're talking to me about feelings?"

The madam clapped her hands in exasperation and plopped down on the round stool: "Who is that Lord Pan? He's the king of Changzhou. Besides Prince Jing, he's the biggest. You can tell from this situation that Prince Jing won't protect you. If you don't submit to Lord Pan, there's no other way."

"Future prospects? Becoming someone else's thirteenth concubine? You're telling me this is a future, Madam Kang?"

Lady Suyun sneered and slammed her earring on the table: "In short, I'm not willing. Do whatever you want with me."

It turns out that the rumored thirteenth concubine of the governor of Changzhou and this courtesan of Yanchun Pavilion are the same person.

Ning Lu couldn't help but widen her eyes.

No wonder the officers and soldiers outside all look so imposing.

Upon hearing Su Yun's words, Madam Kang flew into a rage and raised her hand to strike, but Su Yun was not to be outdone. She held her head high and said, "Madam Kang, are you going to hit me? Come on, hit me here. When Lord Pan asks about it later, just tell him I was disobedient. I might as well smash my face and drive him crazy so I can be sold off cheaply!"

"You, you, you! You really think you're someone important?"

Madam Kang pointed her finger at her face, but for a long time she didn't dare to slap that delicate cheek.

Just when Ning Lu thought she wouldn't do anything more, Madam Kang pulled out a thin ruler from somewhere and lashed it hard at Su Yun Niangzi.

Snap—

The sound was crisp and clear, and Ning Lu was startled. She looked at Su Yun Niangzi and saw that she didn't even flinch, accepting the blow without changing her expression.

Just as Madam Kang raised her hand to strike a second time, Ning Lu had a sudden idea and said in a low voice, "Madam Kang, Lord Pan is here."

Upon hearing her voice, Su Yun jumped and turned around abruptly.

Fortunately, Madam Kang did not suspect anything. Her expression immediately changed, and she hurriedly threw down the ruler and was about to leave. When she reached the door, she did not forget to instruct Ning Lu: "You do her makeup properly, so that she does not spoil the adults' enjoyment again."

The door slammed shut from the outside, and Su Yun Niangzi, who was sitting in front of the dressing mirror, quickly stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder.

"Didn't I tell you to leave quickly? Why did you still come?"

Before Ning Lu could speak, she circled around her, her hands probing up and down: "Are you hurt? Where have you been for the past three months? I haven't heard a word from you, I was so worried."

The aloof beauty she had just admired from afar now had reddened eyes, paced hurriedly, and looked concerned. This made Ning Lu's heart soften instantly, and she couldn't speak, only shake her head.

Su Yun breathed a sigh of relief and pushed her into the inner room: "It's good that you're alright. When did you become so reckless? You dare to make up such a lie even when Lord Pan is here."

She peeked through the door and, seeing no unusual activity outside, returned to Ning Lu's side.

"You have no idea, last month, General Zhao, who was by Prince Jing's side, suddenly came to Yanchunlou and said that you had some entanglement with Lord Xie. I thought something had happened to you, and it scared me to death."

Lord Xie? Zhao Yue?

Ning Lu was completely confused and didn't know where to begin.

Although she didn't know what kind of relationship the Su Yun lady in front of her had with the original owner, she could sense that the gentleness and care she showed at this moment were all for the original owner.

For a moment, she didn't know how to start the conversation or how to explain her situation.

"that…"

There was a commotion outside the door, then a sudden knock came at the door, and Kang's mother's voice came in.

"Suyun, are you ready? Lord Pan has arrived!"

Is it really here?

Hearing the footsteps outside getting closer and closer, Su Yun visibly panicked.

“Go through the window…” Su Yun pushed her to the window, and when she looked down, she saw that the guards downstairs were even stronger than usual. She then pulled her back.

"Su Yun?"

"Wife?"

The door was pounded on loudly by the outside room, and a series of greasy, affected voices squeezed into the room.

Ning Lu felt uneasy. She glanced at the soldiers downstairs and inexplicably felt a surge of desperate courage, preparing to jump.

"No, Aying."

Su Yun Niangzi understood her meaning and, in a panic, pointed to the cabinet: "It's too dangerous, you should go inside and hide."

"Don't come out."

The carved wooden door creaked open, and Su Yun pushed the person inside, turned around, straightened her clothes, and went to block the person's steps.

Ning Lu hesitated for a moment, then finally leaped up and squeezed onto the roof beam.

Bang--

The doors and windows were tightly shut, the branches and snow were shaken off, and the red candles wept tears.

"Lost them?"

Wei Zhan and Wei Chun both knelt down, their heads bowed even lower than usual.

"Your subordinate has failed in his duties; please punish him, Master."

Ji Ming stood with his back turned, his face sinister.

"I have already sent two other teams stationed in the city to secretly investigate. I expect to have news by tomorrow morning."

As night deepened, the snowman stood alone in the courtyard. Ji Ming closed his eyes, remained silent, and paced restlessly.

Wei Chun and Wei Zhan dared not say another word and knelt even deeper.