Those outside had already heard the commotion inside the carriage.
Eunuch Xu, who was closest to the house, was the happiest.
He cautiously approached and whispered from outside the carriage curtain, "Your Highness?"
Ning Xi'er had already been pulled back into Xie Zhun's arms.
Xie Zhun sat up and let Ning Xi'er lean against him.
Ning Xi'er's hand was still held in his palm, unable to break free. This time, Ning Xi'er had a new understanding of the strength of this man.
Ning Xi'er wanted to agree, but she was worried that Eunuch Xu would come in and see this awkward scene...
Unexpectedly, Xie Zhun spoke up first, "Eunuch Xu, prepare some porridge, the Princess Consort has woken up..."
Grandpa Xu's voice was noticeably louder, and you could tell he was happy just by looking at his voice.
To Ning Xi'er's relief, Eunuch Xu did not lift the carriage curtain. Ning Xi'er's heart, which had been pounding, finally settled back down.
Xie Zhun seemed to notice her predicament, but did not point it out.
A magnetic, gentle voice sounded in my ear, "While you were asleep, Eunuch Xu was very worried about you..."
The sound was soothing and tingling, and Ning Xi'er felt a little itchy, so she scratched it a few times.
Xie Zhun spoke more than usual.
"Besides Xu Yan and me, this is the first time I've seen Eunuch Xu so worried about someone..."
Upon hearing Xu Yan's name, Ning Xi'er's expression clearly darkened.
Xie Zhun reminded him, "Xu Yan took my token and has already left..."
Ning Xi'er nodded, unsure how to begin.
She was an outsider, having known them for less than a month, yet Xu Yan, as Eunuch Xu's adopted son, was arranged by Xie Zhun to go to the desolate region in advance...
She's definitely one of his confidants. If she says something, will Xie Zhun think she's trying to sow discord?
As for Eunuch Xu, Ning Xi'er would naturally not say anything unless absolutely necessary.
Throughout the journey, Eunuch Xu treated everyone else with authority, but he treated her exceptionally well.
Even though she had already divorced Xie Zhun, Eunuch Xu still treated her with respect and courtesy.
Putting all other factors aside, Ning Xi'er simply didn't want to upset Eunuch Xu.
Xie Zhun glanced down at the person in his arms, and seeing that she didn't speak, he didn't say anything more either.
Where are Haitang and the others?
Ning Xi'er thought of her maids; they must be terribly worried.
Xie Zhun replied, "Everything was fine. At that time, Eunuch Xu intervened and together they subdued the bandits. Bai Zhi and Gan Cao were both unharmed."
Thinking of Atractylodes lancea, Ning Xi'er asked, "How's Atractylodes lancea? Have you found anything out?"
Xie Zhun's lips softened. "He died on the spot. He had poison in his mouth and committed suicide."
Ning Xi'er sighed, somewhat regretful.
Xie Zhun then instructed Zheng Ye to search the area from the foot of the mountain and the patrolmen, but they found nothing.
The reason is simple: either the person guarding the foot of the mountain is suspicious, letting the bandits in but then deliberately denying it.
Another possibility is that the bandits followed them from the beginning, infiltrated the group, and waited for an opportunity to strike.
But how did she manage to appear so precisely at the moment when manpower was at its weakest, when Bai Zhi was holding Ning Xi'er and there were no guards around...?
Furthermore, they managed to evade the team's daily headcount, and no discrepancies were detected...
This only proves one thing: there was someone on the scene who was acting as his accomplice, both to conceal his presence and...
It can also provide accurate information, allowing the enemy to ambush at the appropriate location in a timely manner...
The scene was chaotic, with bandits rioting and a surprise attack from behind the mountain...
It even came to the point where Eunuch Xu had to be called in, with the Duke and his wife, along with the First and Second Wives, personally acting as human shields in front of them...
Xie Zhun clearly remembered the time when the person appeared and their route of movement...
Although it was regrettable, Ning Xi'er immediately felt relieved.
For Cangshu to attack him, it would either be Xie Zhun's rival or an enemy on his side.
Xie Zhun's rival is a well-known figure.
And who else could be coming from their side besides that bunch of scoundrels from the Marquis's mansion?!
Clearly, Xie Zhun and she were thinking the same thing.
Xie Zhun pulled her closer to him, his voice gentle, "Don't worry! I won't let anyone who dares to lay a hand on you get away with it!"
Ning Xi'er couldn't help but look up; this seemed to be the first time she had heard something like this from Xie Zhun.
Even though he was poisoned as a child and lost his most prestigious status...
Even after being imprisoned and exiled, he was relentlessly pursued by villains...
He never said a word that he would not let anyone off the hook.
But now, because she was stabbed, he said he would not let anyone who dared to lay a hand on her get away with it!
The most touching thing is the subtle, unintentional preferential treatment...
Ning Xi'er felt her heart pounding, and her back, pressed against Xie Zhun's chest, felt warm...
She struggled to sit up, but Xie Zhun seemed oblivious, showing no sign of letting go...
After struggling to no avail, Ning Xi'er simply resigned herself to her fate and collapsed into the other person's arms.
The person above slowly curled the corners of their lips into a smile.
Ning Xi'er closed her eyes to rest, gently activating her consciousness...
As she explored every corner of her consciousness, she sensed that her stored resources and used items were returning to their original locations...
She also sensed a previously isolated, unfamiliar area slowly opening up towards her...
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