Chapter 105 Seeing her with another man
"Boatman, where is this boat headed?"
Yunxi immediately turned around and saw Xu Yuansi, disguised as an old man in a gray robe, standing on the shore.
Ilgen and another servant were nowhere to be found.
Seemingly noticing her scrutinizing gaze, Xu Yuansi turned her head and glanced at her.
With so many people around, Yunxi couldn't just kick him out.
All I could do was mouth the question, "Hurry up."
Xu Yuansi shook his head slightly from a distance.
His attitude wasn't forceful, but it made it clear to Yunxi that he wouldn't leave.
Yunxi was a little angry.
So he turned and walked into the cabin.
This was originally just a fishing boat, used to haul some goods in its spare time. It wasn't very big, and the distance from Zhangjiawan to Huoxian Town was only about twenty li, so it would be a quick trip.
So the cabin was filled with a lot of benches.
There were quite a few people sitting up. Just as Yunxi was about to find an inconspicuous corner to sit down, she noticed that Xu Yuansi had followed her up.
She didn't want to talk to him and turned her head away.
Xu Yuansi, however, placed a warm hand warmer into her hands.
Then he took out pastries from his chest pocket and handed them to her along with the water pouch.
Yunxi pretended not to see it.
As a result, whichever way she turned her face, the thing in Xu Yuansi's hand would silently turn with her.
It's so bad that it's hard to ignore.
Yunxi couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a low voice, "Why aren't you leaving?"
She even emphasized, "This is the Kingdom of Jing!"
"I'll go back after I finish what I'm doing with you," he whispered.
"Why are you being so stubborn?" Yunxi glared at him, annoyed.
A Turkic prince followed her, a fugitive who could be captured at any moment.
She didn't even dare to imagine what would happen if she fell into Xiao Shenjing's hands.
Once she was certain that Yunxi was worried about her safety, Xu Yuansi smiled.
Yunxi happened to see his smile, and she couldn't help but nudge him with her elbow, saying, "Watch your mouth, or your beard will fall off if you keep laughing."
Xu Yuansi obediently stroked his beard, putting on an old-fashioned look, while secretly slipping the cake into Yunxi's hand with his other hand.
To be honest, Yunxi was really hungry.
A hot scallion pancake tastes better than any delicacy at this moment.
There are a lot of people, after all.
To avoid attracting attention, the two didn't talk much for the rest of the journey.
Yunxi kept her face turned to the other side the whole time.
The two of them looked like they didn't know each other well.
Under the wide sleeves of her robe, Yunxi quietly slipped the hand warmer to Xu Yuansi.
He quickly stuffed it back into his hands.
Over time, the sense of unfamiliarity and alienation that Yunxi had deliberately created was gradually shattered.
Xu Yuansi's mood improved noticeably.
He was clearly dressed as an old man, but his deep eyes showed no signs of old age.
The journey was short.
Soon, the ferry will arrive at Huoxian Town.
As a result, just as they were queuing to dock, a huge ship that blotted out the sky suddenly appeared behind all the other ships.
Looking at the soldiers lined up above, Yunxi's heart skipped a beat.
Xu Yuansi, who was standing next to him, also clearly noticed that something was wrong.
"I'll go take a look." After whispering this to Yunxi, he took advantage of his height, pushed through the crowd, and stood on the deck to look towards the shore.
Two rows of soldiers were checking each person on the shore.
Even among them were inspectors carrying embroidered spring knives, who not only compared each person disembarking with the paintings in their hands, but would even touch the neck of any suspicious person they encountered.
Upon seeing this, Xu Yuansi frowned.
Such a thorough and professional investigation would surely not be able to escape their disguise.
Yunxi looked around, her expression equally serious.
There were boats blocking our way from behind.
Ahead, officers and soldiers are conducting a check.
They blocked all her paths.
At this moment, Yunxi's disgust for Xiao Shenjing reached its peak.
Such a large-scale mobilization shows they are determined to bring her back.
The two exchanged a glance.
Almost instantly, Yunxi made her decision.
She could still negotiate with Xiao Shenjing even if she was arrested, but if Xu Yuansi was arrested, she would only face certain death.
I saw the determination that flashed in her eyes.
"No." Xu Yuansi immediately grasped her hand, using the cover of his wide sleeves.
Yunxi turned her head to look at him.
She pursed her lips.
Xu Yuansi immediately understood that Yun Xi had no intention of changing her decision.
Knowing her personality, he immediately said, "Irgen will provide assistance."
He knew that Xiao Shenjing would not give up and might conduct checks at various ferry crossings.
That's why Iljian was allowed to take over by land.
“But that’s not enough.” After saying that, Yunxi immediately looked at a government ship lined up not far away.
Even if this would expose their itinerary, it's still better than being caught by Xiao Shenjing.
Xu Yuansi understood her plan almost instantly, and without waiting for a reply, he grabbed her hand and said, "I'll go."
Before Yunxi could refuse, he said decisively, "My swimming skills are better than yours. Let's meet up twenty miles to the east."
As he spoke, he shoved the luggage he was carrying into her arms.
"Be careful," Yunxi cautioned.
Xu Yuansi, who was looking down to get her money bag, suddenly looked up and smiled at her when she heard her say that.
It sounded like both comfort and a promise.
Watching him silently slip into the water.
Yunxi's heart clenched.
It was winter, and snow was falling from the sky. Yunxi knew perfectly well how cold the water was.
However, this was the only way to reduce the risk of Xu Yuansi being exposed.
As Yunxi moved along with the line of people disembarking, watching them undergo inspection one by one, she adjusted the brim of her hat.
Her outfit will definitely give her away if you look closely.
So she prepared for the worst.
If they truly failed, which direction should they ram in? Just as there were still about ten people ahead, a sudden commotion arose in the crowd: "Black smoke! The official boat is on fire! The official boat is on fire!"
As Yunxi had anticipated, the inspector who conducted the second inspection was cautious enough, sending only a small number of troops to check the ship, while the soldiers blocking the last official ship also sent small boats over.
At this rate, Xu Yuansi will have no chance of escaping.
Yunxi gritted her teeth.
He quickly moved to the front and, amidst shouts of abuse, secured the very front seat.
"Are you looking for death?" The soldiers, seeing her disobeying the rules, raised their legs to kick her.
Yunxi pretended to dodge in a disheveled state, and was about to make a move when suddenly, a sharp explosion rang out in the air.
Thinking something terrible had happened, the people in line began to flee in panic, and the scene quickly descended into chaos.
Knowing that such chaos is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As Yunxi ran outside, she kept turning back to try and find Xu Yuansi.
She knew she absolutely could not turn back now.
Otherwise, if they were all wiped out, there would be no way to save Xu Yuansi.
Until they ran out of the chaotic dock.
Before the soldiers could seal off the city, she bought a horse at a high price and rode towards the east gate.
The checks at the city gate were sparse.
She managed to get out.
Then she waited anxiously outside the East Gate.
They walked back and forth outside the official road.
She had thought of many ways to rescue Xu Yuansi, although many of them were unreliable, but only in this way could she relieve her anxiety.
But she waited and waited and no one came. Just as she was about to turn back into the city, she finally saw a familiar figure.
At this moment, the huge weight in my heart finally lifted.
She couldn't wait to ride her horse to Xu Yuansi, bend down, and reach out her hand to him.
Without thinking twice, he took her hand, pushed off the saddle, and mounted the horse.
When Yunxi pulled on the reins, cracked the whip, and the horse galloped away, Xu Yuansi finally realized what was wrong.
Realizing that he was being held in the arms of Yunxi, a woman, his face flushed red.
He's a respectable man, after all.
How could you use such a shameful pose in public?
Just as he was thinking about how to phrase it, Yunxi suddenly asked, "Where are Yierjian and the others?"
Xu Yuansi subconsciously replied, "Don't worry, we agreed to meet in Wuqing, nothing will happen."
After saying that, he sneezed several times in a row.
Yunxi then noticed that his clothes were still dripping wet.
He had fled in the chaos, and didn't even have time to change his clothes.
As Yunxi rode the horse, he said, "I looked at the map before. We won't take the main road now. We'll take the small path along the west bank of the Ganggou River. Change your clothes in a bit, or you'll definitely get a fever."
"Okay." After saying that, Xu Yuansi sneezed several more times.
She even bought an oxcart, and the two of them pretended to be farmers.
After Xu Yuansi changed into coarse cloth clothes, Yunxi deliberately covered his face with several ointments to hide his deep and handsome features before she felt relieved.
Xu Yuansi let her do whatever she wanted throughout, only smiling at her with her eyes crinkled.
However, when Yunxi saw his pale face, she had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, just as Shenshi (3-5 PM) arrived, Yunxi noticed that Xu Yuansi's expression was off.
There is an abnormal redness on the face.
She dared not continue her journey, so she found a farmhouse to stay in and asked a barefoot doctor to prescribe herbal medicine.
For convenience, since they were now husband and wife, they naturally had to sleep in the same bed.
Yunxi had originally planned to spend the night in a chair, wearing a cloak, but in the middle of the night, Xu Yuansi's lips turned white from the cold.
Outside, snow was falling heavily, and inside the house, there wasn't even a heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed).
The mattress was incredibly thin.
Yunxi didn't think much of it, so she took off her outer robe and got onto the bed, then casually covered the two of them with her cloak.
Whether it was because her body was warm or not, Xu Yuansi, who was shivering from the cold, quickly came over and unconsciously hugged her tightly.
Even in the pitch-black night, when nothing could be seen, Yunxi could feel his disordered and heavy breathing, clearly indicating that he was in great discomfort.
Thinking that he had been soaking in the freezing river for so long on such a cold day, she couldn't bear to push him away.
Instead, she turned over to face him, letting him rest his head on her arm, with one hand on his back, patting him gently from time to time.
Soon, the body heat of the two of them warmed the blanket, and Yunxi, who was tired after a long day, hugged Xu Yuansi and closed her eyes in a daze.
Unbeknownst to her, while she was causing a ruckus in Huoxian Town, Xiao Shenjing in the palace had already received a message by carrier pigeon.
The message brought by the carrier pigeon was like a poisoned icy needle, piercing Xiao Shenjing's heart.
What happened in Huoxian Town must be related to Yunxi.
With inside help and outside cooperation, there must be accomplices. Who else could it be besides that scoundrel Xu Yuansi?
Inside the imperial study, Xiao Shenjing held the small strip of secret report in his hand, the air thick with tension, as if frozen.
"Your Majesty," Fu Shun bowed and reported, "Zheng Xiao, the Commander of the Capital Garrison, has been waiting outside the palace for a long time to report on the defense of the capital region."
"Should be announced." Xiao Shenjing's voice came out with a hoarseness that he himself did not realize.
The heavy palace doors slid open silently, and a tall, upright figure, shrouded in the chilly autumn wind, stepped into the hall. Zheng Xiao, Commander of the Capital Garrison, clad in black armor, walked with a steady gait; his chiseled features appeared even more stern in the dim light of the hall. He knelt on one knee, his armor clanging: "Your subject Zheng Xiao pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Zheng Xiao's voice was loud and clear as he reported on the deployment of various camps in the capital region, the details of winter training, and the reserves of grain and fodder.
Every word he uttered seemed to Xiao Shenjing as if it came from a distant underwater depths, muffled and indistinct.
After Zheng Xiao withdrew, as he lowered his head to ponder the deployment plan, a faint tinkling sound came from his jade pendants.
He subconsciously looked up.
Not far away, several palace maids were seen escorting a beautifully dressed woman, who was gracefully walking towards the Qianqing Palace.
A woman dressed in magnificent palace attire, her hair styled in a high bun, adorned with jewels, her beauty enhanced by the sunlight. She turned her head slightly and whispered to the maid beside her, a perfectly timed gentle smile playing on her lips. Her graceful and luxurious demeanor, tinged with alluring charm, was like a stunning peony suddenly blooming in the dark night.
Zheng Xiao's gaze was caught off guard by this scene, his steps faltered, and his breath caught in his throat.
He was no stranger to beautiful women, but this woman's radiance possessed a royal air and breathtaking beauty that made one dare not look directly at her.
In that instant, everything seemed to blur and fade, except for that beautiful figure, which was clearly etched into his heart. He felt as if something had struck his chest heavily, and an unprecedented surge of emotion gripped him. He forgot to look away and forgot the proper etiquette of avoiding eye contact.
Consort Xue seemed to notice his overly focused gaze. She slightly turned her head and glanced over. Zheng Xiao snapped back to reality, realizing his lapse in composure. He hurriedly lowered his eyes, bowed deeply, and stepped aside to make way for her. His heart was still pounding in his chest, and his palms were even sweating.
Consort Xue did not linger. She merely glanced at the unfamiliar military officer before leading her palace attendants past him like a fragrant breeze.
Inside the East Warm Pavilion, Xiao Shenjing's violent and anxious emotions did not subside; on the contrary, the more he suppressed them, the stronger they became.
When Consort Xue entered, she was carrying a black fox fur coat. The dark fur base shimmered with silver needle-like luster, and the snow-white fur trim around the collar made her exquisitely beautiful face appear even more radiant.
She walked to the imperial desk and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, winter is deep and the dew is heavy, the cold seeps into the bones. I have recently acquired this black fox fur coat, the color of which is still good. I offer it to Your Majesty to keep warm, and I wish Your Majesty good health."
She held the fur cloak with a gentle and respectful posture, her gaze lowered, her long eyelashes casting a soft shadow under her eyes.
"Your Highness is very thoughtful." Xiao Shenjing's gaze lingered on her for only a moment. Beneath his fingertips was the secret note that had flown in from Huoxian.
His voice rang out, unexpectedly calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
Fu Shun understood, silently stepped forward, and took the luxurious fox fur coat.
Consort Xue paused almost imperceptibly in the hand holding the fox fur coat.
The glimmer in her eyes suddenly dimmed, and she forcibly suppressed it.
After Consort Xue left, Xiao Shenjing suddenly stood up from his chair.
His mind raced with uncontrollable imagination: What were Yunxi and Xu Yuansi doing at that moment? Were they in the wilderness, weathering the storm together, supporting each other as they evaded capture? Every moment they shared was deepening the bond between them.
"Through trials and tribulations, our feelings have grown stronger."
Xiao Shenjing clenched his fist and said, jealousy like a vine, tightly binding his heart, making it unbearable.
He absolutely would not allow that.
Soon, a carriage, stripped of all royal insignia and exceptionally light, was escorted by the Imperial Guards. Like an arrow released from a bow, it sped silently and swiftly out of the palace gates, rolled across the wide imperial road, and headed towards Huoxian Town.
The horses' hooves, wrapped in soaked cotton cloth, crunched through the deathly still snow in the dead of night, producing only a dull, muffled thud. The north wind whipped up large snowflakes, lashing at faces like knives.
Xiao Shenjing's dragon-patterned cloak was already soaked through by the wind and snow, clinging heavily to his shoulders and back, the chill penetrating to his very bones.
Behind them was a dark mass of imperial guards, their hooves bound, their men gagged, their horses' bells removed, like a silent, armored ghost sweeping across the ground.
They moved silently toward a low-lying village on the edge of town.
Yunxi, fast asleep, was completely unaware of the danger that was approaching.
"It's that one, at the far east end, the one with half a window collapsed." The inspector's voice trembled in the wind as he pointed to a dilapidated little house, dark and without a single light.
"Surround it." Xiao Shenjing's voice was squeezed out from his clenched teeth, louder than the wind and snow. "Not a single mouse is allowed to escape."
The friction of the armor produced a deep, guttural hum, like a venomous snake slithering across the snow. The guards dispersed like ghosts, silently surrounding the small hut.
The cold glint of swords drawn from their sheaths flashed and disappeared in the snowy night.
Xiao Shenjing dismounted, his heavy leather boots sinking deep into the cold snow.
The burning jealousy in my heart almost burned my internal organs to ashes.
At this moment, Xiao Shenjing only wanted to tear that door apart with his own hands and see for himself what kind of scene was inside!
A tall figure, like an overturned mountain, stood before the door, in front of the decaying wooden door.
Without the slightest hesitation.
"Bang!"
The long boots slammed into the rickety wooden door!
The ear-piercing sound of breaking rotten wood instantly tore through the howling wind and snow. The door panel blew open violently, crashing against the earthen wall with a deafening roar, causing the snow on the roof to fall in a flurry.
A biting, icy wind, carrying snowflakes, roared and poured into the small space.
By the light of the torches behind him, which shone as brightly as the heavens, Xiao Shenjing saw the two people pressed tightly together on the bed.
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