Chapter 75 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
It's dark and I'm running away at night.
Zhang Xiaojia and He Fei sat in the carriage, and the secret guards drove the carriage towards Jiangnan.
The emperor watched them set off without saying a word.
The Wude Sishi arranged, "Send someone to protect Prince Jing and Princess Jing." The protection was real, and the surveillance was also real.
The emperor said calmly, "No need to monitor, just protect. As long as Jingwen and Jiaer don't expose anything, don't tell me."
After saying this, the emperor left.
The Wudeshi watched the carriage drive away. A black-clad guard behind him whispered, "Sir, are you really not going to send anyone to monitor it?"
The Wude Envoy shook his head and said indifferently, "Since the Emperor has said there's no need for surveillance, there's no need for us to do anything unnecessary. Besides..." He paused, a hint of meaning flashing in his eyes, "Prince Jing and Princess are smart people after all. They know what to do and what not to do. We just need to protect them."
The black-clad guard nodded and said no more.
The Wudesi Envoy turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.
The night was as dark as ink. The carriage sped along the official road, its wheels making a dull thud as they rolled over the cobblestones. Zhang Xiaojia leaned back against the cushions in the carriage, slightly parting the curtains and gazing out at the pitch-black night. Moonlight shone on her profile, revealing a hint of fatigue. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, clearly drowsy.
He Fei sat across from her, holding a book in his hands, but his eyes weren't fixed on the pages. He looked up at Zhang Xiaojia and asked softly, "Are you tired?"
Zhang Xiaojia nodded, lowered the curtain, and stretched lazily: "I've been running all day and night, and my bones are almost falling apart."
He Fei smiled slightly, put down the book, and patted the cushion beside him: "Lie down and rest for a while, you can rest when you reach Xiangyang City."
Zhang Xiaojia didn't hesitate and lay down directly, resting her head on He Fei's legs. She closed her eyes and muttered, "This carriage is quite comfortable, but it runs too slowly... We only traveled 400 kilometers in a day and a night. When will we reach Jiangnan?"
He Fei gently stroked her hair, his tone gentle: "Don't worry, take your time. The emperor has given you leave. I will go back a few days later. The emperor should agree."
Zhang Xiaojia didn't say anything else and soon fell into a deep sleep, her breathing even and long. He Fei looked down at her sleeping face and kissed her. He sighed softly and looked up at the car window. The night was dark, as if hiding countless unknown dangers.
---
The carriage finally stopped at Xiangyang City. Ah Da had been waiting at the city gate for a long time. When he saw the carriage approaching, he immediately went to meet it. He whispered to He Fei, "Your Highness, the inn has been arranged. The third floor is fully booked. It is safe and secure."
He Fei nodded and patted Zhang Xiaojia's shoulder gently: "Jiaer, we're here."
Zhang Xiaojia opened his eyes drowsily, rubbed them, and muttered, "We're here so soon?"
He Fei smiled and helped her get off the carriage. The night in Xiangyang City was still bustling, with lanterns hanging high on both sides of the street, lighting up the entire night market. Zhang Xiaojia was immediately in high spirits when she saw this bustling scene. She took He Fei's hand and said excitedly, "Let's go shopping! I heard that Xiangyang's night market is very famous!"
He Fei nodded lovingly: "Okay, but don't run too far."
The two of them wandered through the bustling night market, brimming with novelties. Zhang Xiaojia came across a small stall selling sugar paintings. The owner had exquisite craftsmanship, creating a variety of lifelike animals. Excitedly, Zhang Xiaojia asked the owner to draw her a ferruginous beast. He Fei paid for it lovingly, watching her hold up the sugar painting like a child, his eyes curved with a smile.
As they walked, they suddenly heard the melodious sound of a flute. The sound was so mellow and melodious, as if it held a certain magical power that made them stop in their tracks. Zhang Xiaojia followed the sound and found a woman in white standing at the bridgehead, playing the instrument. She had a slender figure and a cold face, and the flute music flowing from her lips seemed to carry an endless sorrow.
A large crowd gathered around, all immersed in the beautiful music. Zhang Xiaojia squeezed in curiously to listen, and He Fei followed closely behind, even protecting Zhang Xiaojia with his hands to prevent her from being squeezed by the crowd. However, when his eyes fell on the face of the woman in white, his pupils suddenly shrank, and a storm of emotions surged in his heart.
"The Fourth Imperial Concubine..." He Fei muttered in his heart, and his face instantly became solemn.
Before the late emperor's death, the Fourth Imperial Concubine poisoned and attempted to murder the Crown Prince, intending to support the Fourth Prince's ascension to the throne. However, their plan was thwarted, and the Fourth Prince's palace was "accidentally" flooded during the incident. The Fourth Imperial Concubine and her daughter were rumored to have perished in the fire. But now, why is she here?
He had killed the Fourth Prince and their child, and his mother had poisoned the late Emperor. This matter must not be spread.
He Fei remained calm, gently pulled Zhang Xiaojia's hand, and whispered, "Jiaer, it's getting late, we should go back."
Zhang Xiaojia was listening intently, and he felt a little reluctant to leave, but he nodded anyway: "Okay, but this flute sounds really nice, it feels a little familiar..."
He Fei said nothing more, but held her hand tightly and led her away from the crowd. After walking a distance, he whispered to Ah Da who was following behind him, "Send someone to keep an eye on the woman in white. Be careful and don't alert the enemy. Also, notify the Wude Division and have them send someone to keep an eye on her as well."
Ada nodded and quickly disappeared into the night.
Zhang Xiaojia noticed something was wrong with He Fei, looked up and asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
He Fei smiled slightly and soothed: "Go back and tell me, I just felt that the woman was a little familiar, so it's better to be careful."
Zhang Xiaojia frowned and looked back at the bridge. The figure of the woman in white had disappeared. She felt a little uneasy, but seeing that He Fei looked normal, she did not ask any more questions.
---
Back at the inn, Zhang Xiaojia took a comfortable hot bath and relaxed completely. Lying on the bed, she watched He Fei sitting at the table lost in thought. She couldn't help but ask, "Fei, are you hiding something from me? Who is that woman in white?"
He Fei came back to his senses, walked to the bed and sat down, gently holding her hand: "Jiaer, that woman in white looks like the Fourth Imperial Concubine."
Zhang Xiaojia was shocked. She leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "I know. But you have to be careful too."
He Fei lowered his head and kissed her forehead, saying softly, "Go to sleep. You won't be able to leave tomorrow."
Zhang Xiaojia closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.
I have a bad feeling in my heart that this storm is far from over, and their future is destined to be turbulent.
The night deepened, and the lights of Xiangyang City gradually went out. Only a window on the third floor of the inn still emitted a faint light. He Fei stood in front of the window, looking at the darkness in the distance, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
He Fei couldn't fall asleep for a long time. If his and Jia Jia's trip to Jiangnan was ruined by the Fourth Princess, he would grind the Fourth Prince to ashes when he returned.
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