Chapter 49 It turns out you really are a woman! ...
Sleeping in the middle of nowhere is definitely not comfortable.
When we set off in the morning, I don't know if it was because of the tree behind me, but when I sat on the horse, I felt a soreness from my neck down.
The biscuit in my hand didn't taste as good anymore.
It hasn't rained for two days in a row, yesterday and today.
Even though the sun wasn't shining, Yu Nie was overjoyed. No need for a raincoat or straw hat, she was happy to be carefree and felt much lighter.
The three of them had passed through Panshan Pass yesterday and traveled a distance before dawn. They set off shortly after 5 a.m.
A gentle, gurgling sound came from ahead, growing louder the further we went.
Yu Nie took out a map from his pocket and carefully confirmed the location of everyone.
She closed the map, her eyes lighting up with joy, and called out to Shen Yan, who was walking in the middle, "Young Master Shen, the tributary of the Zuli River is just ahead. In less than half an hour, we will reach the real Zuli River."
Reaching Zuli River means that we are much closer to Jingyuan.
Once we arrive in Jingyuan, we can cross the Yellow River.
They were all going to Yongdeng Ferry, but after crossing the river, they would go in different directions and part ways.
Shen and Nie were going to the grasslands to visit their old friends, and Yu Nie, needless to say, had to hurry to Longdao.
Upon hearing that they were not far from the Zuli River, Shen Yan and Nie Lanting couldn't help but tense up.
Since escaping from Shuoyang City, the two of them haven't dared to close their eyes properly.
Panshan, a desolate and uninhabited place, is not particularly dangerous overall, allowing them to catch their breath.
If they were to arrive in a remote border town like Jingyuan, they would have to be extra cautious.
The farther they were from Shuoyang, the less pressure they felt.
However, based on the timeline, the forces pursuing them are likely already deployed along every possible escape route.
After crossing the Zuli River, they need to be even more careful.
Yu Nie gazed at the unfamiliar scenery along the way, her eyes sparkling with wonder. These landscapes and sights she had never seen before were particularly captivating to her.
Unknown scenery always seems more exotic.
Her voice was as cheerful as a nightingale soaring in spring: "I heard that the river over there is magnificent, with flocks of water birds, and the shape of the river is very similar to the Tai Chi Yin-Yang symbol of our Taoist school."
She held the obedient Xue Nu in one arm and loosely held the reins with the other: "When we pass by later, we must take a good look at her."
Shen Yan agreed, saying, "If the young Taoist priest wants to see it, then let's take a good look."
After saying that, her tone became wistful: "I don't know if I'll ever see such a beautiful sight again in my lifetime..."
Unaware of the situation, Yu Nie sensed the regret in the words of the person beside her and said reassuringly:
"My lord, you are already reluctant to leave your homeland even before you have left. There is no need for you to be sad. It's not like you two are never coming back. When you return, you will definitely pass by the Zuli River again. There is no need to rush. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery around you again. That would be wonderful."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan lowered his eyes and simply smiled.
Nie Lanting, who was standing to the side, rarely spoke up: "Daoist, your words are timely, but if Ayan can express such sentiments, is it possible that... we will not pass through this place again?"
When he said that, Yu Nie just assumed they wanted to take a different path and didn't think much of it.
He added with a hint of regret, "If that's the case, then it's worth feeling a bit melancholy."
Finally, she added, "But it doesn't matter. When Mr. Nie has time, he can bring Mr. Chen back again. Anyway, the Zuli River is right here, and no one can move it away."
Seeing how open-minded she was, Shen Yan said, "I never expected that you, Daoist, would be so young yet so broad-minded. You are more carefree than many older people. I, who am a few years older than you, am ashamed of myself."
“Don’t say I’m ashamed of myself, my lord, you flatter me too much.” She tugged at the strap of her travel bag on her shoulder: “I’m just an ordinary person, casual and unrestrained, I say whatever comes to mind.”
Shen Yan smiled and said, "It's rare to see someone as genuine as you, young Taoist priest. I don't often see such people around."
He seemed to sigh, "It's my fault for meeting you so late. If we had met earlier, we could have sat down and had a good chat."
Yu Nie also thought he was a good person, and she sighed, "It's really unfortunate this time. My husband is in a hurry to go to the grasslands, and I am in a hurry to go to Longdao. It's really a case of meeting at an inauspicious time."
She looked at him and said, "But it doesn't matter. If you two have the chance in the future, you can visit the Lingbao Temple in Huaiyuan. I will definitely treat you well. Then we can have a drink and have a good time."
Shen Yan did not refuse her invitation and replied, "What the young Taoist priest says is true. I hope that the Taoist priest will not forget me and Lan Ting at that time."
Anyone could tell he was joking when he said the second half of his sentence.
Yu Nie said, "Of course. If I forget you, may I be struck by lightning."
Shen Yan was amused by her and laughed like a silver bell.
With her by their side, the journey was much more enjoyable for them, and the time didn't seem so long.
After traveling for half a day, except for a short rest when they enjoyed the scenery of the Zuli River, the three of them did not even dismount their horses except for eating and sleeping, and rode along the riverbank towards Jingyuan.
This continued for three days in a row.
On the third day at noon, they finally caught sight of Jingyuan City amidst the wind and drizzle.
A travel permit is required to enter the city, presumably because the water level in Jincheng County has risen, making it impossible to cross the river.
The long line of people waiting to enter the city stretched as far as the eye could see, moving slowly in the dim light.
At first glance, it seems to stretch on endlessly.
Under the dark sky, Yu Nie and the others, wearing bamboo hats, sat upright on their horses.
Rain dripped down the edge of the straw hat. Yu Nie squinted slightly and looked towards the city gate through the rain.
Beneath the city gate, a troop of imperial guards stood solemnly, coldly observing the constables checking the travel permits of passersby one by one.
Yu Nie glanced at Shen Yan and said in a strange tone, "It's rare to see Imperial Guards here. I've only seen yamen runners before."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan and Nie Lanting's expressions suddenly tightened. They had noticed the armor gleaming coldly in the dim drizzle.
Nie Lanting's hand had already quietly rested on the sword at his waist, his eyes poised to strike.
Shen Yan caught a glimpse of his movement, raised his hand and pressed down on the back of Nie Lanting's hand, signaling him not to act rashly and to observe the situation first.
Yu Nie kept her eyes fixed on the city gate, completely unaware of the undercurrents between the two people behind her.
Finally arriving at Jingyuan City, with the ferry crossing in sight, she exclaimed with joy, "Young Master Shen, Young Master Nie, shall we dismount..."
As she spoke, she turned her head and looked at the two people beside her.
Nie Lanting subconsciously pulled her hand away from the sword hilt, but Shen Yan was a step too late, her slender fingers covering the back of the former's hand.
Seeing them holding hands unexpectedly, Yu Nie didn't know where to look, and the words she hadn't finished saying stuck in her throat.
Upon seeing this, Shen Yan realized that this had caused her misunderstanding, and immediately moved his hand away, intending to explain.
Yu Nie quickly raised his hand to stop them, pretending not to know anything, and laughed loudly, "It's alright, it's alright... You two brothers have a good relationship, it's normal, I understand."
She tapped the saddle as she spoke, as if trying to ease the awkward silence.
Nie Lanting didn't care what she had misunderstood; all he cared about were the imperial guards at the city gate.
Although they were far apart, he was all too familiar with the color of the armor.
The blue chainmail was the standard armor of the Imperial Horse Stable's White Guards.
This imperial guard, ostensibly a royal procession, secretly harbors the threat of swords and spears.
They can be both an impenetrable fortress for princesses and a relentless curse upon members of the royal family.
Nie Lanting and Shen Yan both knew who they were there for.
The other two imperial guards secretly observing from the city wall, along with several others outside the city gate, seemed to have noticed the three who had not moved for a long time.
As an outsider, after the awkward scene just now, Yu Nie coughed lightly and said what she hadn't finished: "The line is still long, let's not delay any longer, why don't we go and join the queue first."
With the Imperial Guards stationed there, the danger of them entering the city rashly at this time is self-evident.
But if they turned around and left now, it would only arouse more suspicion.
Besides... besides, they have pursuers behind them, so it's not advisable for them to turn back.
Now that things have come to this, they have no choice but to go to the city.
Both of them had changed their clothes, and now that Shen Yan was in this state, even if they carefully compared the portrait, it would be difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.
Shen Yan seemed to share the same thought. They exchanged a glance and then dismounted together.
Yu Nie was only thinking that once she arrived in Jincheng County from Yongdeng Ferry, she would be one step closer to Longdao.
She was secretly delighted, as the trip had gone much more smoothly than she had imagined, and she had even saved a lot of time.
When she gets back, she should offer incense to the Three Pure Ones and express her gratitude for their protection.
The three of them followed at the back of the group, gradually moving forward.
Nie Lanting observed the surrounding situation, his eyes occasionally glancing at the white-clad guards standing on the city wall.
He knew perfectly well how many people had been mobilized to capture them.
This shows they're determined to bring him back.
Walking ahead of him, Shen Yan clenched his fists and stared intently at the several white-clad guards standing behind the yamen runners.
She was prepared to fight to the death to escape this marriage.
She would rather die than marry someone she doesn't love.
After what seemed like an eternity, it was soon their turn to hand in their travel permit booklets.
Yu Nie walked at the front of the three people. When there were still three people ahead of her, she couldn't wait to take out her pass and hand it over as soon as it was her turn.
Finally, after the couple and the monks ahead of her, it was her turn.
She handed the travel permit to the yamen runner sitting behind the square wooden table with both hands.
"This seal..."
“It’s new,” she replied cheerfully.
To everyone's surprise, the black-bearded constable glared at her and then lifted her travel permit to examine it closely.
She assumed the other person didn't like jokes, so she reluctantly shut her mouth.
"Snap!" After reading it, the bailiff slammed the travel permit shut.
The loud shout startled her.
The bailiff casually slapped the pass back into her hand: "Next!"
With nothing else to do, Yu Nie took the travel permit and walked to the gate near the city, then turned around to wait for Shen Yan and the other person.
When they examined Shen Yan, the yamen runners examined her again and again, asking her how she got the scars on her face.
Shen Yan replied calmly, "I got into a conflict with someone while I was working and was scratched."
Upon hearing this, the constables burst into laughter: "You're so small, yet you can fight. That's interesting."
The laughter of the bailiffs reached Nie Lanting's ears. The latter remained indifferent, his hand on the hilt of his sword, motionless.
The imperial guards standing behind the yamen runners looked them up and down, scrutinizing them carefully from head to toe, and from toe to hand.
Fortunately, they both made it through unscathed.
As he walked into the city with the travel permit, Shen Yan realized that a thin layer of sweat had seeped out on his back.
After the three of them met up, Yu Nie asked him what the yamen runner had said to her.
Shen Yan repeated his words to her again.
Upon hearing this, Yu Nie turned around, mimicking the constable's expression, and rolled his eyes at him, saying, "Isn't this judging people by their appearance? Who says a small person can't fight? Although fighting is wrong, he is clearly looking down on people."
Seeing that she was even angrier than he was, Shen Yan smiled and comforted her, telling her not to take it to heart.
After saying that, they led their horses toward Yongdeng Ferry.
They hadn't gone far when a deep voice suddenly rang out behind them: "You three, wait..."
Hearing the sound, Nie Lanting and Shen Yan pretended not to hear and continued walking forward.
Yu Nie, unaware that the person behind her was calling them, looked around suspiciously.
Then a second voice rang out: "It's you three, the one with the scar on his face, and the one who mentioned the rabbit..."
Upon hearing the word "rabbit," Yu Nie suddenly realized that they were being called.
She stopped and turned around, pointing to herself: "Officer, are you calling me?"
Unexpectedly, the tall imperial guard ignored her, his iron boots stomping heavily on the bluestone slabs. He stopped in front of Shen Yan, looking down at him condescendingly: "You said you were scratched while doing manual labor?"
Shen Yan's heart was in his throat, but he remained calm: "Reporting to my lord, that is indeed the case."
The imperial guard sneered, and taking advantage of her momentary lapse in attention, grabbed her hand: "You, who do rough work, have such delicate skin..."
Shen Yan's wrist was gripped tightly, and he couldn't pull it away: "I think you're not doing hard labor at all, but a princess who lives in luxury and is worshipped by thousands!"
Upon hearing that he had been recognized, Shen Yan was horrified.
Just as the other party was about to call for help, Nie Lanting lunged forward and struck him squarely in the chest with a palm strike.
With a muffled thud, the Imperial Guards staggered back several steps, their armor slamming against the city wall.
"You two go first!" Nie Lanting grabbed Shen Yan's waist with one hand and Yu Nie's wrist with the other, using both arms to lift the two of them onto the horse at the same time.
Before they could even settle in, he slapped the horse hard on the rump. The horse, in pain, neighed and bolted. He stayed behind to cover their retreat.
All the White Guards instantly drew their swords and surrounded them.
Yu Nie was so shocked by this sudden turn of events that her mind went blank until the wind and rain hit her face, bringing her back to her senses.
She turned her head and saw that Shen Yan was gripping the reins tightly, almost leaning out of the horse's back, his eyes fixed on the direction of the city gate.
Suddenly, it dawned on him, and he exclaimed in shock, "So you really are a woman!"
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