When the group of people saw us come out, they started running in the other direction, and Xie Yuancheng followed on horseback.
I looked around, and it was the place where Xie Yuancheng had his accident in my dream, so I held the box tightly and became especially careful.
"Ying'er, don't be nervous, we're just taking a detour?"
"Let's not go into the woods. I think there's an ambush there. I dreamt that something happened to us in the woods, so let's take a longer route. Let's split into two groups and go together. That way, the people lying in ambush in the woods won't be able to protect either side."
"Alright, now Ying'er is the apple of my eye, I'll do whatever you say."
Xie Yuancheng gave an order, and I wondered how they communicated. The people who were still running ahead quickly split into two groups. Those who were originally going to enter the forest started to take a detour.
It was still a bit chilly in the night, especially in late spring. After running all the way, I felt a little cold, so I leaned back against Xie Yuancheng.
"Is Ying'er cold?"
"Just focus on the road, I feel safe leaning against you."
"Should we stop and rest before continuing?"
"The situation isn't looking good right now, so don't worry about me. You should keep your eyes peeled and ears open, because those lackeys might just pop out of the woods in a minute."
I really regretted my jinx. As soon as I said it, a group of people dressed entirely in red and wearing masks flew out of the forest. I was already very nervous, and Xie Yuancheng was still laughing next to me.
However, the group of people in red were not skilled enough. Before they could get close, they were taken down by arrows shot from the shadows. I wanted to clap my hands in celebration, but I was afraid of interfering with Xie Yuancheng's judgment, so I stayed quietly in his arms.
The horse ran very fast, and Xie Yuancheng kept his distance from the people in front, covering their rear.
I heard a lot of hoofbeats and wanted to turn around to look, but Xie Yuancheng spoke up: "It's Lin Yu's men. He probably wants to capture us alive so he can give the Crown Prince a big gift."
"Shouldn't he be in Dongqin? Why is he still in Da Zhaohuang?"
"Dongqin is now a vassal state, so as long as the emperor ensures that the government does not fall into chaos, he can stay abroad."
“Alas, the people of Dongqin feel sorry for them. With such a tyrannical ruler, life is too difficult.”
"Stop being silly. If you feel unwell later, we'll get off and walk around."
"Hmm, I'll feel better after leaning on it for a bit." It must be because I haven't been out for a long time and have been staying home taking care of the kids, so I've been living too leisurely and that's why I feel unwell. Luckily, it's just mild.
Xie Yuancheng whipped the horse again, lowered his body, and galloped into the woods. The sound of hooves followed him, and I even saw arrows being shot at us, but thankfully the trees provided cover and blocked them all.
The branches of the trees hung low, so we all had to crouch down. Xie Yuancheng circled around a few times, startling the people hiding in the woods out.
I couldn't even imagine what it would be like if he were captured, so I gripped the Phantom Sword tightly. Xie Yuancheng was in charge of the overall situation, and when I saw someone sneaking up from the shadows, I slashed at them with my sword.
The moonlight was still quite bright tonight, so I could clearly see who had fired the hidden arrow. Luckily, my father taught me how to use some hidden weapons, which I secretly carried with me.
I spotted a few people hiding behind a tree, and threw a few needles at them. They fell to the ground immediately.
"Ying'er, you always seem to be learning things I don't know."
"Let's escape first. Don't get distracted. I'm doing this for your own good."
Someone started attacking from the tree. I hid in Xie Yuancheng's arms and swung my sword. Although my swordsmanship wasn't outstanding, I was able to take down at least a few of them.
Xie Yuancheng parried a few blows, and when he heard the sound of horses' hooves getting closer, he flicked out his homemade mist projectile. It was quite a tearjerker; he had been researching it in the laboratory for a long time.
I burst into tears on the spot. Xie Yuancheng wiped my tears and walked around a few big trees, and then my eyes felt less uncomfortable.
"You can't see my face, so how do you know where my eyes are?"
"I know Ying'er's face best. I'll give you a good wash when we go out later."
"Forget it, let's go to a safe place first. My eyes don't hurt anymore."
I looked up at him, and his eyes, like a little rabbit's, were streaked with tears. I took the handkerchief and used it to wipe his tears. Luckily, my eyesight is good and my limbs are coordinated, and I managed to wipe away the tear stains on his face.
They had only been running for a short while and had not yet reached the exit of the forest when they heard the sound of horns. These were the Second Prince's horns. Xie Yuancheng had said that the horns of his subordinates sounded just like the sound of a flute.
"What's that idiot doing here?"
"Coming here is pointless. Lin Chao and the others should have arrived by now, so I'm going to turn around and run in another direction."
Xie Yuancheng held me tightly around the waist with one hand, and I worried that he couldn't hold the reins properly with one hand: "Yuancheng, you don't need to worry about me."
"Of course we should. It'll be very fast in a moment. Ying'er, don't open your eyes, or your eyes won't be able to take it."
As soon as Xie Yuancheng finished speaking, he took out the red cloak. "How could I have forgotten about this?" He came to the forest to tell those people to run to a safe place first.
"My man is so smart!" I couldn't help but praise him. So what if he's shrewd and cunning? I love him just the way he is.
"I'm so happy to have Ying'er." He kissed me on the cheek and then told me to close my eyes.
I had just closed my eyes when the horse turned and galloped off towards the spot where I had placed the smoke bomb. However, this horse was exceptionally skilled at turning; I could hear the sound, but it was some distance away.
No wonder Yu'er can always run so fast. Even though she sometimes trips and falls when she's standing, she runs like the wind.
The wind was incredibly loud in my ears, and Xie Yuancheng was leaning close to my back, half-embracing me.
The horse had finally slowed down after running for a while, and Xie Yuancheng spoke. Only then did I open my eyes: "Are we already outside the woods?"
"Yes, there's a small path in this forest that branches into more than fifty exits, but we don't go that way. We take the main road instead, and we've only left footprints on the small path to give them some time to find it slowly."
"You naughty boy, this red cloak is really extraordinary. Yu'er can run so fast, it must be thanks to it."
"You're one to talk! We can't take him out of the manor now. He runs faster than a rabbit, and he's so small that he's hard to catch."
"The Marquis also has things to worry about." Now that there are no pursuers on either side, I feel much more relaxed, and I can even move my hands a bit.
"Ying'er, let me check if you are hurt?"
"No, it's you I'm going to show you later."
Xie Yuancheng came closer, and I knew he had ill intentions. I waited there for him to cause trouble. Luckily, he remembered we were on the run and continued on his horse.
After walking for half an hour, we finally arrived at the meeting place. The surrounding area was barren mountains. When we came in, we circled around several times, probably because the teacher taught us some kind of esoteric techniques.
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