Chapter 170 Vanished without a trace

Without asking, Yun Si could roughly guess who it was.

They chased after her all the way, and if it weren't for Xiao Yi's speed and the rugged route she took, she might have been intercepted by them long ago.

Qin Ye looked at Yun Si, and the two only exchanged a glance before Qin Ye guessed who it was.

"Let them wait."

"yes."

Mu Ze wisely left.

After Yun Si was dressed, the two of them slowly went out.

Upon entering the main hall and seeing the state of the people inside, Yun Si's face flashed with surprise.

How did it get like this?

The leader, Gray Enchantress, was dressed in a silver-gray outfit, covered in dust and dried blood, with bandages faintly visible in several torn areas.

His face was pale, clearly indicating that he was seriously injured.

The Phantom Guards behind him were also in a sorry state, each bearing injuries.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess."

Hui Mei knelt on one knee, her voice filled with reverence: "Your Highness, we are incompetent and failed to protect the Crown Princess in time. Please punish us."

Protect her?

Yun Si raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

They were clearly trying to intercept her and forcibly take her back.

That sounds nice, but it doesn't.

Qin Ye raised his hand, gesturing for him to stand up.

"What happened? With your speed and skills, even if you couldn't catch up, you shouldn't be in such a sorry state."

A hint of shame and solemnity appeared on Gray Charm's face.

"Your Highness, we have been tracking the Crown Princess all the way. The Crown Princess's horse is incredibly fast and travels on treacherous mountain roads. We were already struggling to keep up, but then, when we passed through the One Line Sky Canyon, we were suddenly attacked by someone."

He paused, a hint of lingering fear flashing in his eyes.

"That person's martial arts skills are extremely high, and her movements are unpredictable. None of us... were her match."

"She was extremely fast, but she didn't kill us. She just severely injured us and then left leisurely."

She seemed to... just want to stop them from continuing to track down the Crown Princess.

But Gray Charm kept this suspicion to herself and didn't voice it.

Yun Si and Qin Ye exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and doubt in each other's eyes.

"Did you get a good look at the person?" Qin Ye asked in a deep voice.

Grey Charm shook her head: "That person was wearing a hooded cloak, and their face was completely covered, so we couldn't see their features clearly, but we can be sure that it was a woman."

Yun Si frowned in thought.

Intercept the Phantom Guards, injure them but don't kill them, the purpose being to prevent them from tracking me?

This doesn't sound like malicious intent; rather, it sounds like...helping her?

"How are your injuries?" Yun Si asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It's mostly internal injuries and fractures. I've already taken medicine and there's no danger to my life."

Hui Mei answered respectfully, then added, "His Majesty sent us here because he was worried about the Crown Princess's safety. Now that the Crown Princess has reunited with His Highness and is safe and sound, we are relieved."

"I am worried that person may pose a threat to Your Highness and the Crown Princess, which is why I have come to report this. I urge Your Highness and the Crown Princess to take precautions."

"Now that the message has been delivered, I will return to the capital to report to His Majesty, so as not to cause him any worry."

Qin Ye nodded: "Go back and report to Father that the Crown Princess is well, and I will take her back to the capital to apologize."

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

After bowing, Gray Demon led the group of wounded Shadow Guards out.

Only Yun Si and Qin Ye remained in the hall.

Yun Si remained silent, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Thinking about the person who intercepted the Phantom Guard?"

Qin Ye walked to her side and asked softly.

Yun Si nodded: "Hmm, this person's behavior is strange. If she's an enemy, she hasn't taken any lives; if she's a friend..."

How powerful must this person be to easily injure all of Gray Charm's group?

The image of Ah Wu flashed through her mind, but she immediately dismissed it.

Ah Wu doesn't cover her face.

Moreover, Hui Mei should know A Wu. Even if her face is unclear, she should be familiar with her figure and mannerisms.

Don't overthink it.

Qin Ye grasped her hand: "Whether she is friend or foe, the truth will come out sooner or later. Since she has not shown any hostility this time, let's wait and see."

Yun Si nodded in agreement: "That's the only way."

In the afternoon, Yun Si busied herself packing her things, preparing to set off for the capital.

As I passed by the door, I saw Xiao Yi lying listlessly at the entrance, its huge head drooping, not even bothering to wag its tail.

Those usually bright and piercing amber-colored beast eyes were now dull and lifeless.

What's wrong with it?

Yun Si asked Qin Ye, who was following behind her, "Are you sick?"

Qin Ye glanced at Xiao Yi and said calmly, "It feels it didn't protect you well last night, letting you be taken away by Hu Yanzheng, so it punished itself by not letting itself eat, and it's starving."

Upon hearing this, Yun Si couldn't help but chuckle, her heart softening and warming.

Speaking of which, she was quite curious about what kind of evil cultivation method Huyan Zheng used to lure Xiao Yi away.

After all, Xiao Yi is not an ordinary wild beast; it is intelligent and understands human nature, and it will not fall for ordinary tricks.

"Slight difference."

Yun Si walked up to Xiao Yi, squatted down, and patted its big head: "It's not your fault, get up and go eat something."

Xiao Yi raised her head, let out a pitiful sob, then buried her head back down, her attitude resolute.

Yun Si had no choice but to go to the kitchen and personally bring over a large bowl of fragrant meat, placing it in front of the animal to tempt it.

"Xiao Yi, your favorite succulent, doesn't it smell delicious?"

The aroma of meat filled the air.

Xiao Yi's nose twitched violently a few times, and saliva almost dripped out.

But it stubbornly turned its head away, letting out a persistent low growl from its throat.

Yun Si was both amused and exasperated, so she continued to persuade her, "We're about to go back. If we run into bad guys on the way, I'll need you to protect me. If you don't eat, how will you have the strength to fight?"

Xiao Yi tilted his big head, his amber eyes darting around.

It seems that Yun Si's words make a lot of sense.

It hesitated for a while, then looked at the tempting pot of meat again.

Ultimately, hunger and a sense of responsibility triumphed over self-blame.

It let out a low growl, finally lowered its head, and began to wolf down its food.

Yun Si breathed a sigh of relief as she watched it eat with relish, and then smiled and rubbed its ears.

By evening, everything was ready.

Qin Ye prepared an extremely spacious and comfortable carriage for Yun Si this time.

The car was lined with thick, soft cushions, had a fixed low table, a small bookshelf, and snacks and warm water in the corner.

It has everything you could need, aiming to ensure she gets the best rest on the road.

"This time we'll take the official road, it'll be smoother. Muze is a very good driver, there won't be any bumps. You can rest comfortably in the car, and if you get tired, just lie down and sleep."

Qin Ye helped her into the car and gave her careful instructions.

Yun Si felt a warmth in her heart and nodded in agreement.

As night deepened, the carriage slowly drove out of the city and embarked on its journey back to the capital.

The official road was smooth, and the candlelight inside the carriage flickered, illuminating Yun Si's fair and charming profile.

She leaned against Qin Ye's leg, seemingly resting with her eyes closed, but her mind was in turmoil.

Where did Ah Wu go?

With no news for so long, even though she was incredibly capable, Yun Si couldn't help but feel worried.

Who exactly is the woman who injured the Phantom Guard?

Are they enemies or friends?

Also, did Qin Ye hear what she said to Hu Yanzheng about "two lifetimes" last night?

If he had heard it, given his personality, why was he able to remain so calm and silent the whole way, not saying a word?

Does he not believe her, or... is he waiting for her to speak first?

She could feel Qin Ye's gaze fixed on her face, subtly scrutinizing and probing.

Suddenly, a warm hand gently touched her cheek, the thumb stroking the corner of her eye.

Yun Si opened her eyes and met Qin Ye's deep gaze.

"You've been frowning the whole way, what are you thinking about?"

He asked in a low voice, which sounded particularly deep and magnetic in the cramped carriage.

Yun Si opened her mouth, the question "How much did you hear last night?" almost slipped out, but she swallowed it back down.

What if he didn't hear it?

Wouldn't it be troublesome to bring it up myself?

The matter of being reborn was too unbelievable, and she hadn't yet figured out how to tell him.

Moreover, the experiences she had in her past life were too heavy for her to bear, and she was unwilling to tell him about them.

Finally, she shook her head, buried her face in his chest, and said in a muffled voice, "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired and a little homesick."

Qin Ye noticed her clearly evasive gaze, his eyes darkened, but he didn't press her for answers.

He simply lowered his head, his warm lips gently pressing against her forehead, then slowly moving down, brushing past the tip of her nose, and covering her slightly cool lips.

This kiss was different from the domineering and forceful ones of the past; instead, it carried an extreme tenderness and soothingness.

He carefully traced the shape of her lips, patiently coaxing her to open her teeth.

Yun Si's heart trembled, she closed her eyes, and obediently responded to him.

As their lips intertwined, it was as if all their worries and anxieties were temporarily dispelled, leaving only their breath and warmth.

When the kiss ended, both of them were slightly out of breath.

Qin Ye pressed his forehead against hers, his nose brushing against hers, his voice husky and sexy: "After we get back to Beijing and finish dealing with some trivial matters, I'll go home with you for a few days."

He knew that the "home" Yun Si was referring to was the Marquis's mansion, the home where her parents lived.

Yun Si left the capital without telling them, so that they wouldn't be worried and anxious about her.

"good."

Hearing Qin Ye's words, Yun Si felt a warmth in her heart.

She responded softly, temporarily suppressing her chaotic thoughts, nestled in his arms, and savored this rare moment of tranquility.

The carriage traveled day and night, stopping and starting frequently, and dared not go too fast because of Yun Si's health.

Along the way, they occasionally encountered officials from the prefecture to greet them, but Qin Ye refused to see them all, citing the Crown Princess's need for rest. He only ordered Mu Ze to replenish some necessities before continuing on his journey.

Eight days later, the majestic city walls of the capital finally came into view.

The closer they got to the capital, the calmer Yun Si's mind became.

This place, for better or for worse, is where she grew up, and it's probably the only place in her life where she feels truly at ease.

The carriage entered the city gate, passed through the still bustling streets, and ultimately did not go directly to the palace, but returned to the familiar Xiao Prince's Mansion.

The mansion gates were wide open, and Granny Qian, Lan Xin, Lu Yu and others, who had received the news, were already anxiously waiting at the gate. As soon as the carriage stopped, they rushed forward.

"Your Highness, you're finally back!" Granny Qian's eyes instantly reddened as she looked at Yun Si.

For every day Yun Si was gone, these people couldn't eat or sleep, fearing that something might happen to her.

"My lord, you seem to have lost weight everywhere except for your belly?"

Lan Xin and Lu Yu also surrounded her, looking her up and down, feeling both happy and distressed.

"No, you haven't lost weight anywhere."

Looking at their worried faces, Yun Si felt both touched and guilty: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Qin Ye watched from the side, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said to Yun Si, "Go back to your room and rest well. You can go to the palace tomorrow."

"And what about you?"

"I must go to the palace immediately to report to my father."

Yun Si knew that his visit to the palace this time was not only to report on the border affairs, but also to face all the turmoil caused by her unauthorized departure from the capital, and to bear the emperor's wrath alone.

That way, when she enters the palace tomorrow, Emperor Jiaqing's anger will be greatly appeased.

Looking into Qin Ye's deep eyes, Yun Si sighed softly: "Your Highness, then... thank you for your hard work."

Qin Ye snorted coldly, leaned closer to her, and lightly pecked her lips: "Remember this, and we'll get it back later."

Yun Si's face suddenly turned red.

Lan Xin and Lu Yu covered their mouths and chuckled, while Granny Qian looked on with satisfaction.

His Highness and the Crown Princess's relationship is finally getting better and better.

After Qin Ye finished speaking, he gave her a burning look before turning and leaving.

Yun Si's face was still red. She stood at the gate of the mansion, watching his tall figure disappear around the street corner, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

He remains the same as before, preferring to shoulder the most difficult parts alone.

"Your Highness, please come inside. It's windy outside." Granny Qian quickly stepped forward to help her.

Back at the familiar Qiwu Garden, soaking in the warm water to wash away the dust of the journey, Yun Si finally relaxed.

Lanxin and Lu Yu served him from the side, chattering on and on about the big and small things that had happened in the capital these days.

Most of them were trivial matters, but they allowed Yun Si to feel the long-lost warmth of everyday life.

What she cared about most was news of A-Wu.

"Granny, have I heard any news of A-Wu while I've been away from the capital?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Qian's smile faded slightly.

She shook her head: "Your Highness, there has been no news. This old servant has also sent people to secretly investigate, but it's as if they've vanished into thin air, and we can't find a trace of them at all."

"And the case of Consort Yu has remained unresolved for a long time, it seems to have just been left unresolved."

Yun Si's heart sank.

Ah Wu.

Where did she go?

After bathing and changing, Yun Si lay on the soft and comfortable bed, wide awake.

She gazed at the top of the tent, lost in thought.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of the night watchman striking the gong came from outside the window; it was already midnight.

Qin Ye did not return.

Yun Si couldn't help but feel a little worried.

I wonder if Qin Ye can handle that stubborn old man who's so arrogant and unyielding.

Just as she was tossing and turning, she suddenly heard two very faint knocks outside the window.

Yun Si immediately became alert: "Who?"

There was a moment of silence outside the window, then a deliberately lowered female voice, somewhat familiar yet tinged with unfamiliarity, softly rang out.

"It's me..."

Yun Si suddenly sat up.

This voice... sounds like A-Wu, yet it doesn't sound like A-Wu.

She has lost some of the girlish naivety and carefree spirit, and gained more calmness and a husky voice.

"A-Wu?"

Yun Si lowered her voice, hurriedly got out of bed, walked to the window, and pushed it open: "Was that you?"