Zhu Yanniang and Jun Xiaoqiao chased after him all the way, first heading towards the Ning Prince's residence, but finally finding no trace of him. So the two of them discussed it and concluded that Shen Jinchen's hurried and flustered state was likely due to something happening in the capital, and that he was in a hurry to return to the capital.
Moreover, Zhu Yanniang and Jun Xiaoqiao both knew that Cen Xi disliked the capital city, which is why Shen Jinchen ended up carrying Cen Xi onto the carriage.
"Go! Chase after them towards the capital."
The two exchanged glances, both understanding each other's thoughts. Jun Xiaoqiao then uttered those words in unison before whipping her horse and galloping away.
"Sigh, I think this Prime Minister Shen is out of his mind. Why does he keep running to the capital? Cen Xi doesn't like it there anyway. No man is ever understanding."
Zhu Yanniang was truly disgusted by Shen Jinchen's behavior, so she complained as she chased after Jun Xiaoqiao.
“Cen Xi fell in love with him entirely because he took her body first. If he hadn’t been such a thief, I bet even ten Shen Jinchens, no matter how handsome they were, wouldn’t have been able to win that heartless woman’s heart. And you still expect him to be understanding?”
Jun Xiaoqiao brandished her riding whip like a dashing young man in fine clothes, galloping freely and unrestrained, her snickering voice drifting into the wind along with her words.
“That’s true! Cen Xi is indeed quite heartless. If it weren’t for Prime Minister Shen’s methods, she would probably be alone for the rest of her life. So what’s so good about men? Even if they aren’t heartless, most of them are still domineering. If it weren’t for him, and Cen Xi didn’t join us, my Su Nu Sect would be fine too. We could find a beautiful place with clear waters and green mountains, build a manor, and the three of us could live together. Wouldn’t that be better?”
Listening to Jun Xiaoqiao's analysis, Zhu Yanniang couldn't help but sigh.
"That's right! For men, first of all, they have to like the other person, and then the other person has to be loyal to them. Being a little assertive sometimes can be fun, but this guy Shen Gou is really hard to handle. If I don't meet a man I like for the rest of my life, I might as well spend my life with you guys. It's not like I can't do it."
Jun Xiaoqiao turned to look at Zhu Yanniang and finally understood why Cen Xi could befriend this person. It was a common trait that they both disliked men, and perhaps they were both people who had been hurt, and this was their last act of resistance.
“It’s really exhausting, but we can’t compete with you in terms of taking people. I’m afraid our days of living in seclusion with you are going to be a long time coming. Hey, look at all the wheel tracks and hoofprints ahead. It seems we’ve come to the right place.”
Zhu Yanniang looked at her, sighed again, and then suddenly noticed that there were more tire tracks on the road, so she quickly reminded her.
"Although we took the wrong turn, it seems they're not moving very fast now, so we should be able to catch up with them soon."
Jun Xiaoqiao responded, then cracked her whip a few more times and chased after the direction with the most tire tracks.
"I wonder how Cen Xi is doing?"
"Why worry about her? Shen Jinchen can't eat her. She must really want to escape. When we catch up with her, we'll secretly give her a hand."
Jun Xiaoqiao guessed that Cen Xi definitely didn't want to go back to the capital with Shen Jinchen, and they should kindly help this ill-fated couple separate. If she really ran away, she didn't know if Shen Jinchen would even want to go back to the capital.
"Look what kind of wicked idea you're up to now, huh? Don't go too far. If you hadn't caused trouble last time, the two of you wouldn't have been trapped in that rocky forest for so long."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yanniang knew that she was about to play another prank, so she reminded her to tone it down.
"Don't worry, this time I won't get myself into someone else's trap. I know what I'm doing."
Jun Xiaoqiao responded, and the horse ran faster and faster.
Zhu Yanniang was somewhat surprised by her answer; well, she did have some self-awareness.
After chasing them all night, at noon the next day, they finally caught up with a group of people by a river and saw them resting.
Jun Xiaoqiao gestured to Zhu Yanniang and Chenxi's two maids, signaling them to quietly hide to the side while she followed alone to see what was going on with Cen Xi.
Zhu Yanniang had originally intended to do the same, but Jun Xiaoqiao volunteered, so she abandoned the idea. After spending time together, she had come to understand Madam Yuan's temperament, and realized it was better not to compete with her for some things.
Inside the carriage by the river, Cen Xi looked on with a resentful expression as the man in front of her fed her water, sip by sip.
She wanted to move, but this bastard had sealed several major acupoints all over her body, so he could only let her do as she pleased.
If she hadn't been pointing frantically at her mouth, that bastard probably wouldn't have even given her water.
She had initially thought he would respect her wishes, but his restraint was short-lived; his true nature was revealed. How much did he want her to be his appendage? Was that really meaningful?
"Don't glare at me. Qingqing will never learn. Let's just leave it at that for now. Don't even think about running away. Once we get to the capital, you'll be free."
After slowly wiping the water stains from the corners of Chen Xi's lips, Shen Jinchen spoke calmly.
Cen Xi: "..."
Cen Xi could only purse her lips, because this person had also pressed her acupoints, and Cen Xi understood the purpose of doing so. He not only wanted him to obediently go to the capital, but also didn't want him to hear anything provocative from her along the way.
She had been arrogant for half her life, but she never expected that Buddha would travel through time and set up such huge obstacles for her. She really had no way to deal with this man.
Cen Xi really wanted to just die, but the words of the Hidden Sect Ancestor made her afraid to die.
Now all she wants to ask is, when will that damned Emperor Yan finally die? Is there any hope left in this life? She only hopes to be reborn into a better life in the next, so she won't have to meet that bastard again. And if she does, she'll make him be reborn as her son, so she can beat and scold him as she pleases.
"Have you rested enough? If you have, then we'll set off."
Regardless of how angry Cen Xi was, after serving her, Shen Jinchen got up and left the carriage. He asked Feng Qin to fetch a pot of water and then asked everyone.
"You've rested well, young master."
After Shen Jinchen finished asking the question, everyone answered in unison.
"Alright, let's set off then."
Shen Jinchen took the water jug from Feng Qin and then slowly boarded the carriage.
Taking advantage of the moment he went out, Jun Xiaoqiao secretly peeked at Cen Xi through the carriage curtain.
Believe it or not, this scoundrel really treats Cen Xi like a treasure. She's lying in a comfortable position, being taken care of meticulously, but it seems like her movements are being hindered.
She was in a real dilemma – whether to save him or not.
However, someone overestimated their abilities, and regardless of whether she tried to save her or not, she had already been discovered.
At that moment, as soon as she turned around, she met Shen Jinchen's deep eyes.
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