The dragon-drawn carriage, with its outstanding design, moved smoothly through the procession. Inside, only Zheng Quchi and Gongshu Jiruo were seated; the others either rode horses or walked alongside the carriage.
Looking at Zheng Quchi's "lively and active" back in the carriage, Gongshu Jiruo asked hesitantly, "Aqing, are you feeling unwell?"
That's an understatement. If it were someone else, they'd probably say she's like a hairy monkey, never still for a moment.
"Me? No."
Zheng Quchi was leaning out of the car window at this moment. On the yellowish highland covered with a layer of sand and dust, there were cliffs and gray rocks, cypress trees and sunshine, and the sky was high and the land was far away...
Her eyes never stopped, observing the movements and situation around her. Even when she heard Gongshu Jiruo's question, she replied casually.
Gongshu Jiruo leaned closer and looked outside as well: "What are you looking at?"
He noticed that she hadn't been sitting still for long after getting on the bus, constantly fidgeting and looking left and right. He said she was admiring the scenery along the way, but her eyes were also moving around too alertly and nimbly.
When Zheng Quchi saw that he had also sat down, she was obviously a little suspicious, so she made an excuse: "I heard that you can often see antelopes in the outskirts of Julu Kingdom, but we have been walking for so long and I have not seen a single one. Where do you think they have gone?"
Hearing her say that, Gongshu Jiruo turned his gaze and quietly stared at her profile, which had returned to its original state... Only then did he realize that she was looking for the spotted antelope.
She has become much fairer.
She looked more plump and fuller than before, and with her rounder face, she looked especially cute.
Perhaps she isn't the kind of stunning beauty that captivates at first glance, but the more you look at her features, the more pleasing and comfortable they become. Just seeing her makes you feel happy without even realizing it.
What are you looking at?
Zheng Quchi turned his head and saw that the man was staring at him in a daze, and he was puzzled.
Gongshu Jiruo immediately came to his senses, his eyes unconsciously darting away: "I didn't see anything."
Speaking of which, the great migration of serows is a unique and original landscape in Julu Kingdom, unlike any other country. It's really not easy to see it elsewhere.
He told her, "You can't see them this season. They migrate to the warmer western part of Ye to breed as winter approaches, and then return to the lush, aquatic areas just before spring. It's past their season now."
"Oh, is that so? I thought the journey would be boring and I could see the unique scenery of Julu Kingdom. In that case, it's a pity."
After hearing what he said, she couldn't find an excuse to keep herself exposed and attract attention.
She straightened her posture and turned back, but her eyes still unconsciously glanced out the window.
She's been out there exposed to the wind and sand for so long, her location is conspicuous enough, isn't it?
They were almost at Tiger's Roar Pass, but why did everything still seem so calm and peaceful? She was starting to wonder if she had guessed wrong...
If she guessed wrong, then... she wouldn't rely on anyone else; she would have to rely on her own abilities to escape.
"We're almost at Tiger Roar Pass. When we get there, we'll need to get off the carriage to hand over some documents and tokens. It won't take much time, so just wait for me in the carriage," Gongshu Jiruo instructed her.
Zheng Quchi's eyes darted around, and she asked, feigning curiosity, "Is it that earthen fortress up ahead? I didn't take this route when I came from Ye Kingdom. Tiger Roar Pass is quite impressive. May I get off and walk around? Also... I need to use the restroom..."
She seemed a little embarrassed after saying that last sentence.
Gongshu Jiruo felt apologetic when he realized that she was making such a blatant attempt to remind him of her needs, and that he had been ignoring her, causing her such embarrassment.
"Then let's go down together. There's nothing interesting inside Tiger Roar Pass. It's just a border garrison of the Julu Kingdom, filled with burly soldiers. Once you get there, don't wander around. I'll have them take you there."
The area around Huxiaoguan is all loess plain, with not a single place to shelter from the elements, which was one of the important factors in choosing the location of Huxiaoguan.
However, this makes it inconvenient for some women who value their appearance to address their physiological needs.
However, there are latrines inside Huxiao Pass. After all, the garrison soldiers have been fighting and staying in this cold and harsh place for a long time, and they can't just relieve themselves wherever they want every time. After a while, the smell and the scene would be unbearable to look at.
"Okay, I won't wander off." She nodded honestly.
But she will definitely leave.
——
They arrived at Huxiao Pass. Zheng Quchi was unwilling to give up. In order to verify her guess, she got off the carriage with Gongshu Jiruo.
After getting off the carriage, she followed behind Gongshu Jiruo, pretending to be naive and observing her surroundings, but in reality, she was spying on anything that seemed amiss.
That's impossible.
Where are they?
Could it be that she really misjudged the situation?
But "Zheng" is the same as Guanjia'er, a pass. Doesn't this imply that she and Gongshu Jiruo left Wujue Temple and had to pass through Huxiao Pass on their way to Beiyuan?
"Who goes there? What is your purpose? Show me your travel documents!"
The guards from the city tower of Julu Kingdom shouted loudly to the group below.
"Gongshu family." Gongshu means to send someone up to submit identification, which is called "talisman".
The guard asked again, "The Gongshu family? Then who is the leader?"
The servant who handed over the "talisman" said, "It is Gongshu Jiruo from the Gongshu family."
The guard's expression turned strange upon hearing this. He took a deep breath, called over another guard, and glanced at them with downcast eyes: "You two, throw the talismans up here!"
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