Journey
As the ship gradually sailed away from the harbor, the group finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, not long after, Ji Yinglei and Ye Qingzhu simultaneously realized that something was wrong:
Where are we going?
The two asked the question together, and Jiang Yingyue didn't hide anything: "Kuizhou."
"Kuizhou? Are you crazy?" Ye Qingzhu's face was full of disbelief. She hadn't even finished processing what happened in Hangzhou, how could she be going to a new place now? "Kuizhou is more than two thousand miles away. You don't need to go that far to hide from being wanted!"
Before Jiang Yingyue could answer, a man came out of the cabin: "Hey, who are you people?"
The man looked burly and his skin was clearly tanned from years of sun exposure. The group couldn't confirm his identity, and Jiang Yingyue was momentarily speechless. Ji Yinglei, however, quietly stepped forward: "Brother, we had some trouble behind us and had no choice but to board your ship. We apologize for the inconvenience, but don't worry, we're just giving you a ride, and you'll be paid accordingly."
It was Ji Yinglei, who frequently traveled to various places, who knew how to handle the situation. She took out a bag of loose silver from her pocket and tossed it to the man. Sure enough, his face no longer showed hostility, but even a hint of flattery: "Hehe, not at all, it was nothing." At this moment, as if he had thought of something, he asked again: "Where are you ladies headed?"
"Kuizhou."
"Oh dear, that's unfortunate. We're a merchant ship, and our route is fixed. We'll stop at Jiangzhou," the man explained. This meant that they would have to find another way after that. Ji Yinglei and Ye Qingzhu looked at Jiang Yingyue, seemingly waiting for her reply.
Jiang Yingyue pondered for a moment: "No problem, thank you for your help."
After saying "good" to them, the man left with a smile, saying he was going to prepare a cabin for them. After all, Ji Yinglei had given them a lot of money; two taels of silver was more than enough for the three of them to travel the whole way, and it even covered their food and lodging expenses. The boatman could even have some money left over.
Now, only they remained on the deck. Ji Yinglei finally couldn't help but ask Jiang Yingyue, "What did you ask?"
"Didn't you say you were going to ask the mole?" Ye Qingzhu asked, somewhat puzzled. Jiang Yingyue had personally told them that she was going to ask this question, so how did Ji Yinglei know that she hadn't?
A hint of complexity crept into Jiang Yingyue's eyes: "That question was too expensive, I didn't ask it." Jiang Yingyue paused, "I... traded the Qingyun Sword for the whereabouts of a divine artifact."
"What are you taking?" Ji Yinglei was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that Jiang Yingyue no longer had her sword at her waist. "Qingyun Sword? The sword that Master forged for you? You took it?" Ji Yinglei couldn't understand Jiang Yingyue this time. She never thought that Jiang Yingyue would take the only thing her father left her to exchange for information.
Jiang Yingyue had anticipated Ji Yinglei's reaction, and her voice choked with emotion: "I can no longer wield a sword... and I will never wield a sword again."
She was even prepared to be scolded by Ji Yinglei, or even beaten by her, but the storm she imagined never came. Instead, she was met with an embrace filled with the fragrance of laurel.
"Yue'er, I'm sorry." Ji Yinglei hugged Jiang Yingyue and gently comforted her, "If I could have found you sooner... you must have suffered a lot."
Upon hearing Ji Yinglei's words, Jiang Yingyue's tears instantly streamed down her face. Endless emotions poured forth with her tears; at this moment, they truly felt reunited. Ye Qingzhu couldn't bear to disturb them any longer. She silently went to the edge of the deck, watching Hangzhou recede into the distance, and silently apologized to Mozhu.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
