Chapter 54 The night attack was like a gentle tide, slowly drowning her...
The sun was setting, the sky was slightly warm, and the magnolia flowers in the courtyard were cast into long shadows. A breeze blew by, blowing the bamboo curtains hanging under the corridor, making a slight sound.
Feiyun was busy for a while, and finally packed up the boxes. After watching the servants carry them onto the carriage, he hurried over to report to Shen Xingwan: "Miss, everything is ready, we can set off."
Shen Xingwan sat by the window, slightly leaning sideways, his fingertips lightly touching the window frame, his expression silent.
After a while, she slowly stood up, put on her outer robe, and walked out.
Feiyun quickly followed, hesitated for a moment, and couldn't help asking: "Miss, are you just leaving like this? Without leaving a letter for your son-in-law?"
Shen Xingwan paused, his eyes fell on the horn bells blowing in the wind under the eaves, his tone was indifferent, and no emotion could be heard.
"Whether I stay or not, what difference does it make? He won't care."
The breeze blew on her face, and her sleeves fluttered. Feiyun felt a pang in her heart, but she was speechless. She could only follow her out silently.
The two men walked outside the mansion and were about to get in the car when they suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind them.
"princess!"
The steward came over breathlessly, his face full of anxiety, "Where are you going, Princess? If the prince comes back and asks about it, you can have an explanation."
Shen Xingwan looked indifferent, raised his eyes and glanced at him, his voice calm and calm, "I'm just visiting relatives and staying away for a while."
The steward frowned, hesitating to persuade him again, but he saw Shen Xingwan had already boarded the carriage. Without saying anything more, he just whispered, "Let's go."
The driver received the order, whipped the horse, and the wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a dull rolling sound, and slowly drove out of the mansion.
The afterglow of the setting sun lengthened the shadow of the carriage. The steward stood at the door, watching the carriage go farther and farther away. Finally, he could only sigh and turn back to go home.
The moon was at its zenith, and the stars were twinkling like silver fragments scattered on the inky night sky.
The carriage moved slowly along the rugged path, and the wheels made a crackling sound as they collided with the stones.
Feiyun slightly lifted the curtain of the car, and the cold wind instantly blew in. She couldn't help but shiver. She saw that it was pitch black outside, with the shadows of the mountains in the distance as dark as ink and the shadows of the trees swaying. She couldn't help but frown and feel worried.
"Miss......"
Feiyun lowered the curtain, turned to look at Shen Xingwan who was leaning against the wall of the car, and advised carefully: "It will take several days to get to Yangzhou, there is really no need to travel day and night."
Her voice was soft and a little worried. "Why don't we stay in a hotel in the town ahead for a night before we go on. If we miss this town, we may have to wait until tomorrow to reach the next city."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xingwan raised his eyes slightly. There was a heavy look of fatigue in his eyes, but there was still a hint of clarity.
She thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay, I'll do as you say."
Seeing that she agreed, Feiyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly stuck his head out to pass the message to the coachman.
The carriage turned slightly and headed towards the town not far away.
Although the town is not big, there are still a few lights flickering in the night, like fireflies in the dark, giving people some warmth and hope.
Feiyun found the largest inn. There were two red lanterns hanging in front of the door, emitting a soft glow. The four words "Ping'an Inn" on the sign had become a little blurred by the years.
After the carriage stopped, Feiyun got off first. After making sure that no one was paying attention, he carefully helped Shen Xingwan down.
"Waiter, I want two rooms upstairs." Feiyun ordered loudly. Although his tone was kind, it was firm and unquestionable.
The waiter agreed and hurriedly led the way, mumbling: "You two distinguished guests have come at the right time. There are two upper rooms facing the street left today. They are clean and comfortable. I guarantee you will have a safe stay."
Although Shen Xingwan wore a hood to cover her pretty face, her expensive clothes and noble aura still attracted the attention of the owner and guests.
Several diners involuntarily put down their bowls and chopsticks, their eyes wandering greedily over Shen Xingwan with a bit of curiosity and speculation.
Shen Xingwan frowned, feeling slightly annoyed, and with the help of Feiyun, he quickly walked through the lobby and went upstairs.
Feiyun swiftly stood in front of Shen Xingwan, like a barrier, blocking those malicious gazes for her.
"Miss, please wait a moment. I will go and see if the room is ready."
Feiyun spoke respectfully and entered the guest room first. He carefully checked the bed, bedding, etc. and only invited Shen Xingwan in after confirming that there was nothing unusual.
The room was simply furnished with a wooden bed, a set of tables and chairs, and a washbasin. It looked a little old but was clean and tidy.
Feiyun arranged for Shen Xingwan to sit down, and then hurried downstairs to bring back the food, her eyes full of apology: "This town is too small, and the food is crude, please eat as much as you can, don't go hungry."
Shen Xingwan looked at the side dishes on the table. Although simple, they were delicious and tasty.
"It's okay. You don't need to worry too much about these things when you are out."
She pulled Feiyun over and motioned for her to sit down with her.
"You've been tired all day, let's have dinner together."
Feiyun was flattered and wanted to decline, but seeing that Shen Xingwan was very insistent, she sat down at the table carefully, but did not dare to pick up her chopsticks first.
Shen Xingwan took a few sips and motioned Feiyun to eat as well, but his eyes were looking thoughtfully at the moonlight outside the window.
"Feiyun, we are really too conspicuous dressed like this."
Shen Xingwan suddenly said, "Go ask the boss to buy two sets of men's clothes for you to change into. It will be more convenient for you to walk around outside."
Feiyun was stunned when she heard the words, then she understood the young lady's intention, and quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks and responded: "Yes, young lady, you are right. I will do it right away."
She lowered her head, quickly finished the food in the bowl, and hurried downstairs. She quietly gave the boss a silver ingot and asked him to buy two sets of men's clothes.
The boss was holding the silver ingot, overjoyed, and promised to find the best material. Feiyun rolled his eyes slightly, called him and told him: "I don't want the best material, just ordinary clothes."
The boss was stunned. Although he didn't quite understand, he still agreed. In a short while, he asked the waiter to deliver two sets of clothes to the door of Shen Xingwan's room.
Although the clothes are plain and simple, they are clean and tidy, which is perfect for changing on the way to avoid being seen.
As the night deepened, the inky blackness enveloped the town. The noise in the inn gradually died down, and only a few dog barks could be heard in the distance, like sighs in the darkness.
Shen Xingwan lay on the slightly cold and hard couch, tossing and turning for a long time and unable to fall asleep, so he simply opened his eyes.
The faint moonlight filtered through the window lattice into the room, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
Her eyes flickered slightly, and her thoughts were in a tizzy. Her mind kept replaying everything that happened before she left Beijing, and she couldn't calm down.
Suddenly, a black shadow passed by the window silently, so fast that it seemed just a wandering soul in the night.
Shen Xingwan was startled, as if pricked by a needle. He suddenly sat up from the couch and looked out the window intently.
The sound caused by the movement woke up Feiyun beside him.
Feiyun sat up dazedly with sleepy eyes, her voice still full of sleepiness: "Miss, what's wrong?"
Shen Xingwan quickly reached out to cover Feiyun's mouth, pressing her fingertips lightly on her lips, signaling her to be quiet.
She looked alert, shook her head slowly, and signaled Feiyun with her eyes not to make a sound.
Feiyun suddenly woke up, his eyes full of fear, and he stared at the door with wide eyes.
Suddenly, there was a rustling sound of footsteps outside the door, as quiet as a sneaking mouse, but with a creepy atmosphere.
The sound was getting closer and closer, like a predator slowly approaching in the darkness, bringing with it a suffocating feeling of oppression.
Feiyun's face turned pale with horror. He grabbed Shen Xingwan's arm tightly, his nails almost digging into the flesh.
Shen Xingwan's eyes were as sharp as knives as she stared at the door vigilantly.
She protected Feiyun with one hand and reached quietly under the pillow with the other hand, her fingertips touching the cold dagger.
That was the hidden weapon she brought with her for protection, and it was their only reliance at the moment.
The footsteps were getting closer and closer, almost reaching the door.
The dim light shone through the paper on the door, revealing a few blurry figures that were swaying, looking as eerie as ghosts.
The two held their breath and heard a man whispering something outside the door.
The voice was very low, like the whisper of a devil, revealing a cold murderous intent.
"This one...must be..."
The intermittent sentences were vaguely discernible, which made people feel even colder.
Suddenly, someone tried to push the door.
The wooden door creaked slightly, like thunder in the darkness.
Feiyun was trembling all over and subconsciously stood in front of Shen Xingwan, like a little bird spreading its fragile wings to protect her beloved master.
However, Shen Xingwan gently pushed her behind him, his eyes sharp as a knife, he pulled out the dagger and held it tightly in front of him.
Her resolute eyes were reflected in the flashing cold light.
At the critical moment, there was a sound of gust of wind passing by outside the door.
Immediately afterwards, dull collisions and groans continued, as if some kind of silent fight was going on.
The owners of the rustling footsteps seemed to have their mouths covered and were dragged away from the door.
Some people struggled, some growled, but their sounds came to an abrupt halt as if cut off by an invisible hand.
Only the sound of hurried footsteps gradually faded away, sounding particularly harsh in the quiet night.
Those people seemed to be dragged away from the inn by some external force, and disappeared into the night as if they were swallowed by the darkness.
In a moment, everything returned to silence, as if the noise just now was just an illusion.
For a long time, there was no movement inside or outside the inn, only a few dog barkings in the distance.
Feiyun was still trembling slightly, like a frightened little deer, crying: "Miss, what's going on?"
Shen Xingwan lowered her eyes, her long feathery eyelashes casting a small shadow on her eyelids.
She probably understood about 70% of it in her heart, but was unwilling to say more.
Is it him? still......
She pursed her lips, put away the dagger, and said softly: "It's okay, go to sleep."
His tone was so calm as if the thrilling scene just now had never happened.
Although Feiyun was still worried, seeing that she didn't want to say more, she had to lie down quietly and close her eyes.
Shen Xingwan also lay down, looking at the mottled moonlight shining on the beams, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.
But somehow, this time, sleepiness gradually came over her, like a gentle tide, slowly drowning her.
She fell into a deep sleep, and in her dream there seemed to be a familiar figure, hazy and unclear, but it seemed to be always guarding her.
And deep in the dense forest outside the inn, several ragged thugs were kneeling in front of a team of black-clad secret guards, trembling and begging for mercy.
"Master, spare my life..."
A man who seemed to be the leader had a terrified look on his face, with beads of cold sweat rolling down his forehead. "We really didn't know that he was a noble man. If we knew, we wouldn't dare to do it even if we had ten courage..."
The secret guards had stern expressions and exuded a murderous aura, like demons walking out of hell, and were not moved at all.
The leading secret guard held a long sword in his hand, the blade shining coldly, and it was emitting a chilling chill under the moonlight.
His eyes were like lightning, and he swept them coldly, and said in a low voice: "Who ordered you?"
A few thugs looked at each other, their faces full of fear and confusion.
The leading secret guard raised his hand slightly, and in the blink of an eye, several thugs were dragged silently into the deeper jungle.
The night was quiet, hiding all traces, leaving only the rustling sound of the night wind blowing through the treetops.
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