When I used to watch TV dramas, I always heard characters complaining about horse-drawn carriages, saying things like, "It's so bumpy it feels like my bones are going to fall apart," and "Riding in a horse-drawn carriage is more tiring than walking."
At the time, she thought it was an exaggeration, thinking that no matter how bad the carriage was, it was still better than walking.
But now that I've experienced it firsthand, I understand that those criticisms in TV dramas are not unfounded.
Even this luxurious carriage couldn't escape the potholes on the road, making people dizzy and disoriented.
Sitting in the car, Wang Xiuxiu felt like a bean thrown into a sieve, swaying left and right, with no sense of security whatsoever.
Lu Jingze himself doesn't like using these cushioned backrests, so there weren't any prepared in the carriage.
But seeing that the guy looked unwell and swaying, the next day they had thick soft cushions laid out in the carriage.
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Bored on the journey, Wang Xiuxiu had no choice but to sleep to pass the time during this difficult trip.
At first, when she woke up and found herself in Lu Jingze's arms, she was filled with fear and trepidation, afraid of angering this capricious man.
But as she gradually got used to it, she dared to be bold and lean against Lu Jingze without any hesitation whenever she was about to go to sleep.
Lu Jingze was tolerant of her in this regard and never showed any dissatisfaction.
He would even slightly adjust his posture when she leaned in so that he could lean in more comfortably.
The journey to Liangzhou wasn't entirely boring.
Wang Xiuxiu also experienced some thrilling things, such as an assassination attempt.
When the first assassination attempt occurred, she was sleeping soundly in Lu Jingze's arms.
Suddenly, the sound of blades clashing outside startled Wang Xiuxiu awake from her dream.
She opened her eyes groggily, her voice still soft and sweet from just waking up.
"What happened?"
"It's okay, you can go back to sleep," Lu Jingze replied softly, reaching out to gently pat her back, trying to help the person in his arms fall asleep again.
However, a scream that followed completely woke Wang Xiuxiu up.
She shuddered, her heart pounding wildly.
"Leave no one alive." Lu Jingze's icy voice came from outside the car, carrying an unquestionable authority.
As he lifted the curtain and returned to the car, Wang Xiuxiu was trying to peek out.
Before she could even see what was happening outside, Lu Jingze shoved her back inside.
"Are you scared?" Lu Jingze suddenly asked, his tone tinged with a hint of probing.
After asking the question, he was taken aback, seemingly regretting that he had asked such a foolish question.
This little girl doesn't look scared at all.
Not only was she not afraid, but she was also curious and wanted to peek outside. She was quite bold!
"Aren't you afraid?"
Wang Xiuxiu flashed a fawning smile, obsequiously flattering him, "With you here, I feel very safe!"
Although Lu Jingze gave a cold snort on the surface, he felt very pleased inside.
He paused, then asked, "Did you hear what I said?"
"What?" Wang Xiuxiu tried to play dumb, blinking her eyes with an innocent look on her face.
“I said, ‘Leave no one alive.’” Lu Jingze repeated each word clearly, giving her no chance to play dumb.
“I heard you…” Wang Xiuxiu stammered in response.
"Hmm? Aren't you scared?" Lu Jingze continued to press, his gaze fixed on her face.
"What are you afraid of?" Wang Xiuxiu thought for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "Are you afraid of me?"
Lu Jingze didn't answer, but instead continued to ask, "Do you know why I killed them?"
His eyes were sharp as knives, fixed on Wang Xiuxiu.
Wang Xiuxiu felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze. "Of course it's self-defense. They came to our door, so we should retaliate in kind."
Lu Jingze looked at her for a long time, and finally smiled slightly, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Well said."
The scenery outside the carriage window kept changing, and the distance between the two people inside the carriage seemed to have gotten a little closer.
Wang Xiuxiu stole a glance at Lu Jingze and noticed that his expression was much gentler than usual, which secretly pleased her.
When she was assassinated several more times, Wang Xiuxiu was no longer surprised.
She could even joke and banter with Lu Jingze at times.
"Who did you offend? Why are you so hated?" She tilted her head, looking curious.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingze gritted his teeth and reached out to pinch her cheek, which she had leaned in out of curiosity.
"What, you think I'm a hassle?"
"How could I dare!" Wang Xiuxiu quickly waved her hand and said with a grin, "I just feel that you have too many enemies. Our journey together could almost fill a book of martial arts feuds."
Lu Jingze was amused by her and reached out to rub her little head. "Don't worry, with me here, no one can hurt you."
Hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu felt a warmth in her heart, but she deliberately muttered, "That's hard to say. What if you're in a bad mood one day and throw me out to take the fall?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingze's eyes darkened, and he reached out to pinch her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
"Wang Xiuxiu, try saying that again?"
Wang Xiuxiu was startled by his sudden action and quickly corrected herself, "I was wrong, I was wrong! Please forgive me!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingze finally let go.
Wang Xiuxiu rubbed her chin, which had been pinched so hard, and secretly glanced at Lu Jingze. She noticed that the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, and he seemed to be in a very good mood.
The carriage continued its journey, but the atmosphere inside was much more relaxed than before.
Wang Xiuxiu leaned slightly on Lu Jingze's shoulder, watching the scenery outside the window recede into the distance, silently thinking: Perhaps, this journey wasn't so bad after all.
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