Seeing that the man wasn't responding, Xiang Wan got a little anxious and blurted out this.
Quite some time had passed, and she wouldn't feel at ease until she saw Xiang Xia. The city gate was to the southeast. If she went with this man, she could find the carriage carrying Xiang Xia. If he asked, she could give a vague answer, and then claim the unconscious woman was his lover—it wouldn't be considered a slip of the tongue. Although it was a bit unethical, any woman would be captivated by a man like him, and he could surely handle any advances. If she didn't see the carriage, she could use that as an excuse to ask the guards for Xiang Xia's whereabouts, and then figure out a way to rescue her. However, this would mean owing the man another favor.
The man's smile hadn't faded when he heard Xiang Wan's words. He wasn't in a hurry and simply sat down in the carriage.
"Your Highness...Master, the matter has been completed."
A man who looked like a follower rushed over, glanced at Xiang Wan, frowned, and turned to report the situation to the man.
"Everything has been completed as planned. Master is wise."
“Great! I’m getting bored staying in Anyang City. It would be nice to go to the county government office. I bet it will be quite lively there.”
"yes!"
The man got up, lifted the curtain, and entered the carriage. His attendant drove the carriage around a corner, heading towards the county government office.
"Aren't you going to join the fun?" The man lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw Xiang Wan standing there blankly. He said to her teasingly.
Xiang Wan wanted to go to the city gate first, but seeing the man staring at her, she couldn't refuse. So she reluctantly got into the carriage and sat down on either side of the driver and attendant, and then headed towards the county government office.
After a night of turmoil and a morning of travel, Xiang Wan was exhausted, but she had to pull herself together. While the carriage traveled, she quickly combed her hair back up and tied it up. The handkerchief she'd used to soak up wine the night before had dried from her body heat and still smelled slightly of sweat, but she didn't care. She used the handkerchief to wipe her eyes and forehead, and managed to straighten her clothes before the carriage stopped.
"My lord," a military officer with a sword bowed to the carriage, "how does Your Excellency intend to proceed?"
"Heh, the county magistrate must already be in court by now. I... I will simply listen in."
"Yes." The military officer bowed and left, seemingly wiping his forehead as he turned away.
A group of soldiers passed by and saw that Madam Liu, Manager Wang, and a group of maids and servants had their hands tied behind their backs and were being carried forward by the soldiers.
Manager Wang's face was ashen, as if he had resigned himself to his fate. Madam Liu's hair was disheveled, her lips bruised, and her maidservant beside her looked defiant. As she passed by, her eyes caught sight of Xiang Wan's carriage, and she lowered her head, only to quickly raise it again. When she saw Xiang Wan, her eyes widened, and a surge of resentment shot forth. If her eyes could kill, Xiang Wan would probably have been pierced through by them long ago.
Seeing the group of people arrested, Xiang Wan breathed a sigh of relief, ignoring the maid's gaze, and looked back. She saw that the carriage that had carried the people was now completely uncovered, and Xiang Xia and the others were still lying unconscious inside.
"elder sister!"
Xiang Wan hurriedly jumped off the carriage and ran towards Xiang Xia's carriage. The soldier driving the carriage was about to stop her, but seeing that Xiang Wan jumped down from the carriage next to her, he tacitly approved of her actions.
More and more onlookers gathered around, whispering amongst themselves. Xiang Wan didn't care about anything else. After climbing onto the carriage, she shook Xiang Xia with her hand and pinched her philtrum. Seeing that she was slowly waking up, she was overwhelmed with emotion and tears streamed down her face.
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