Wang Xiuxiu's fingers gently brushed across the carriage window frame. It seemed like an unconscious movement, but in reality, her fingertips trembled slightly as she quietly applied Nanwei's specially made colorless powder into the gaps in the wood grain.
The medicinal powder dissolves upon contact with the wood, leaving only a faint fragrance that blends perfectly with the natural aroma of the sandalwood.
Zhou Yun'an lifted the curtain and entered. Wang Xiuxiu's heart skipped a beat, but she calmly withdrew her hand, turning her head with a perfectly measured indifference: "Judging by Lu Jingze's pace, he should have found it by now."
"Don't worry, he won't find her." Zhou Yun'an sneered, shifting his gaze away from her face.
The carriage jolted slightly, and Wang Xiuxiu used the momentum to lean to the side, causing the medicine powder sachet in her sleeve to slip out and roll under the seat, concealed by her skirt.
She practiced this move several times, and even Nanwei praised her for her exquisite technique.
"Why do you hate Lu Jingze so much?" Wang Xiuxiu deliberately brought up Lu Jingze, and sure enough, she saw a sinister glint flash in Zhou Yun'an's eyes.
"You'll never understand."
Wang Xiuxiu really didn't understand.
But she knew that Zhou Yun'an's hatred for Lu Jingze had long surpassed ordinary grudges.
Therefore, she was puzzled and couldn't understand it.
For Zhou Yun'an, the hatred wasn't just for Lu Jingze as a person, but also for the fact that he was born with everything—a noble status, the respect of the world, and even Wang Xiuxiu's heart... Zhou Yun'an wanted to take it all away.
And now, what he wants most is her.
Zhou Yun'an suddenly grabbed Wang Xiuxiu's wrist: "Are you still hoping he will come to save you? Don't dream about it. Once we leave Yunqu Pass, even if he is a great immortal, he will not be able to find us again."
Wang Xiuxiu winced in pain. She could feel Zhou Yun'an's fingers caressing her wrist, and that possessiveness made her stomach churn.
"You're hurting me," she said softly, feigning vulnerability just right.
Zhou Yun'an released his grip, but suddenly leaned closer: "Xiuxiu, do you know why I chose you?"
Before she could answer, he continued, "Because the way Lu Jingze looks at you...it's like he's looking at some rare treasure." He sneered, "I'll make him taste what it's like to have a treasure taken away."
Wang Xiuxiu lowered her eyes to hide the coldness in them.
She knew this twisted jealousy all too well—with the rise of caravans, she had seen far too many faces driven mad by envy.
----
As night fell, the convoy stopped at an abandoned post station.
Wang Xiuxiu sat by the stream, her eyes calm and serene.
Wang Xiuxiu subtly adjusted her sleeves, her fingertips lightly tracing the hidden powder of the secret medicine at the cuffs to ensure it wouldn't spill.
Throughout the journey, she secretly left behind a special tracking drug made by Nanwei, which was colorless and odorless, and ordinary people could not detect it at all.
But Zhou Yun'an is skilled in poisons, so she must be extremely careful.
She gazed at the distant, layered mountain shadows, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
Unbeknownst to them, Zhou Yun'an quietly approached.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Yun'an asked.
Wang Xiuxiu didn't look up, only saying calmly, "I'm wondering where you're taking me."
Zhou Yun'an chuckled softly and sat down beside her: "What's the rush? You'll find out soon enough."
"Zhou Yun'an," she suddenly asked, "how did your father die?"
Zhou Yun'an's smile suddenly froze.
Why are you asking this?
Wang Xiuxiu turned to look at him, her gaze calm: "Just curious. After all, everything you have now was taken from him, wasn't it?"
Zhou Yun'an's eyes flashed with a sinister glint, but quickly returned to normal: "Yes, I killed him."
He said it casually, as if discussing the weather, "It's like crushing an ant."
Wang Xiuxiu felt a chill run down her spine.
She had learned from intelligence gathered by the caravan that Zhou Zhao, the leader of the Dayong rebels, had suddenly disappeared not long ago. Combined with the power that Zhou Yun'an had suddenly gained, she had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.
But hearing him admit to patricide still sent chills down her spine.
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