"Chirp chirp~" the little bird chirped, opened its beak and started eating nuts, finishing them in just a few bites.
I had only touched it a couple of times when Xie Yuancheng grabbed it and put it in the bag. Before I could even say anything, the little bird flew out, and I burst out laughing.
"See? It's not happy with your arrangement. Let's see if you dare to put it in the bag again."
"Ying'er, we still have a long way to go. The people in the world behind us have all made plans. If we don't return within the stipulated time, they will become restless."
"What's wrong? Will you be threatened if you don't behave?"
"What I mean by 'restlessness' is that they'll start making wild guesses and then panic. After all, they're all newcomers, and we need to guide them slowly."
"Ouch~ you scared me." I clutched my chest and hugged the little bird to my chest. "Little bird~ you can't fly away like that, okay? Stay in my pocket, alright?"
"Chirp chirp~" This little bird is definitely special. I was delighted when I saw it. When I saw it tilt its little head, I quickly put it in my pocket.
Xie Yuancheng then took out his red cloak and chased after him with lightning speed. Worried that his mission would be fraught with difficulty, I didn't say much and sat quietly.
After passing several city gates, I noticed that the city gates here were different from the ones I had seen the first time. There was a reason why he was so angry back then. Even the strongest fortifications are no match for internal strife. If problems arise internally first, even a natural barrier will be useless.
"That's so thoughtful! Your brain is incredibly smart." I praised him, and Xie Yuancheng was practically strutting around with pride.
"Hmph~ I'm awesome! Let's see if you dare to act up in front of me again, always thinking of running away~"
"No, no, I wouldn't dare. Even if I wanted to run away, there would be nowhere to run. Besides, how could I bear to part with such a good man like you?"
"Hmph, all you know is how to talk a good game, but when you're on the run, you don't care about anyone."
I'm truly innocent. Every single time, it's him who does something first that I might misunderstand, always labeling me with all sorts of wrong accusations. But he's my man, so I'll just let it go. When I argue with him, I always lose in terms of tactics and wit, and I have to learn to admit defeat.
"You stingy guy~" I leaned against Xie Yuancheng's chest and stopped talking to him. Anyway, I couldn't reason with him.
The horse ran very fast, and in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we were out of the city and met our teacher and Lingwu. I thought the horse would run past us, but it actually stopped right in front of them.
"You've come at just the right time; we were just about to leave." The teacher turned around and was clearly stunned when he saw us, his eyes filled with disbelief. I quickly took out the little bird from my pocket to show him.
“Master, we found it on the road, otherwise it would have been even faster.”
"Is this a kingfisher? It's very rare. Some people have spent their whole lives practicing magic and still can't find it. How did you find it?"
"It was Ying'er who saw it. She spotted it in the bushes, which is why we were delayed for a moment."
"Not bad, my good disciple may not be very skilled, but she is certainly lucky. You don't have to worry about her running away this time, right?"
"Teacher, how could I not worry? I worry every day. She even argued with me the day before yesterday. If I had gone home late yesterday, she probably would have run away in Linyang City."
"That's nonsense!" I started to complain. Even if I had thought about it in my mind, I couldn't escape it.
"Haha, stop arguing. We've got some new information and we need to go to the capital. We'll need your help with the Misty Abode matter this time."
What's going on at Piaomiao Residence? I went to see Xie Yuancheng, and he just nodded, saying he'd ask him properly later. I held the little bird and played with it; its five-colored tail was so beautiful, it almost made me dizzy.
"Senior brother, why don't you let your wife come with us to the capital? She might be able to help along the way." I always thought Lingwu's words were good, but unfortunately, it was impossible for her to do so.
“Alright, Ying’er, you go to the capital with your teacher and the others, I’ll catch up with you halfway there.”
"Huh? Did I hear that right?" I thought he was going to drag me back. Maybe he's in a good mood today.
"It's only three days, not long at all."
"Didn't you say we were going to Misty Abode? How can it be three days?" I was a little skeptical. Misty Abode is far away. Did you think I was really stupid?
"Ying'er~" Xie Yuancheng whispered in my ear, saying that they had found the traitors from Piaomiao Residence and had surrounded them in the past two days.
"No wonder you brought someone with you. I'll help you so you don't have to be flustered." I volunteered, worried that I'd run into the same kind of woman as last time, who was always lecherous and didn't do anything productive, just stealing other women's men.
"Forget it, you should go. If you come with us, you'll probably just make things worse."
"Hmph~" I didn't bring anything, just the books. He's going to a dangerous place alone, and I'm going too. Also, I haven't said goodbye to Xizhi and Suling yet. Xie Yuancheng didn't agree when I came with him, and now he suddenly wants to go to the capital. How can I feel at ease?
"Since you're so reluctant to part, you shouldn't come with us. You'll see each other again in a few days. Remember to be ruthless and don't leave any trouble behind."
Lingwu mounted her horse with a smile. The teacher exclaimed that I was hopeless. I was hopeless to begin with; I just wanted to be with Xie Yuancheng. I'll give them some kingfishers; maybe they can help.
Just as I was about to hand the kingfisher over, the little bird started chirping and hopping around at me, and I was completely mesmerized.
“You should still keep it. Once it recognizes its owner, it won’t change. We’ll be careful on our journey. Lu Fengjun went back early, so we’ll treat it as a trip to the capital before coming back for the New Year.”
"Master, which road will you take? Let me calculate it for you. Don't worry, Xie Yuancheng knows my divination skills, I won't be wrong."
Xie Yuancheng rarely speaks up for me, so I knew he was happy. He was just pretending to be generous, humph! What kind of person is he!
"You can tell fortunes now? That's good. Help us with the fortune telling, we haven't decided on our route yet."
The teacher and Lingwu rode over on horseback. I touched the book, silently reciting their route to the capital, and checking for any bad guys lying in ambush. Lu Fengjun left early; he didn't even follow them properly—that's really too much.
I unfolded the scroll, and Xie Yuancheng's breath hit the back of my neck. I'll explain to him later; some of the treasures I own aren't his.
The scroll really was a great guide; it actually showed the teachers the way. I even saw Lu Fengjun; that kid runs fast and has a lot of followers.
"Teachers, you should take the main road and keep a lot of noise along the way. Don't worry, it will be absolutely safe. As for Lu Fengjun, you can find him at Wanfu Inn in Anyang Town in two days. Go early, or he will be kidnapped by that wicked woman."
After leaving Anyang Town, just follow the newly built paths. You can ask the older women you see at the town entrance for directions; they'll definitely know. Don't ask the younger people.
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