Xin He’s face became cold and resolute. "Prepare the horses for me, I need to make a trip to Duan Mansion," she commanded.
A surprise flashed across Xiaochaihuo’s face. "Duan Mansion? Are you planning on visiting Minister Duan? I suppose he should not even be at home right now."
Just at the thought of the scheming man, he went on high alert. He had no desire for Ji Xinhe to have anything to do with him. Despite her cunning, she couldn’t always outwit him. If he found a loophole, wouldn’t it be over?
He would normally avoid him at all costs. Now she was going to seek him out voluntarily. Wasn’t she walking into a trap?!
Xin He scoffed coldly, "Why would I go to him? Do you think I’m begging him to let us go? I, Ji Xinhe, value myself more than that."
With his head down, Xiaochaihuo touched his nose.
Xin He stated icily, "I need to find a more useful person."
Just as Xiaochaihuo was about to inquire further, Xin He had already walked out boldly.
Shulan hurried back to get a cloak, intending to catch up with Ji Xinhe’s swift pace. Xiaochaihuo, however, took the cloak from her and leapt forward. A few jumps later, he managed to reach Ji Xinhe who had already reached the courtyard gate.
The servant had led two fast horses from the courtyard.
Xin He rarely rode horses, as she found them too bumpy. Despite learning to ride eventually, she would only do so when she was in the mood to enjoy nature.
Xiaochaihuo draped the cloak over Xin He’s shoulders before she could mount the horse. "The autumn wind is chilly, princess. Take care of your health," he cautioned.
Xin He nodded, and swiftly mounted her horse. With a crack of the whip, she sped off.
Mounting the other horse, Xiaochaihuo followed quickly. He was uneasy about Xin He going alone.
Especially this time, when she had to ride a horse due to the urgency of the matter. Shulan and Xiaoyu did not know how to ride, so he was worried about her not having anyone to look after her.
Xin He led the way, galloping swiftly, with Xiaochaihuo following closely behind.
There was chaos on the bustling main street when people scrambled out of their path. People were about to curse, but when they saw the beautiful woman galloping past them, they were instantly stupefied.
In her haste to leave, she hadn’t had time to change into men’s clothes or lighter attire, and wasn’t even wearing a veil. Her moon-colored brocade fluttered in the wind, and her stunning beauty was only glimpsed briefly, leaving a lingering fragrance as she sped past. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Surrounded by gasps of astonishment, people saw an equally handsome young man following her. This was followed by another round of gasps.
It was only after the two figures disappeared completely that the crowd erupted into a frenzy.
"Who was that beautiful woman? Her beauty is like the full moon, and I dare say she’s not inferior to Ah Lian of the Flower House!"
"How can a courtesan from the Flower House compare to that noble woman? Did you not notice the married woman’s hairstyle? And the quality of her clothes; you can tell at a glance that they’re top-notch, far beyond an ordinary courtesan."
"So she’s from a wealthy family? Well, such beauty would have been spoken of all over Yu State had she not been sequestered behind closed doors. Such a pity, a beauty like her is already married."
"Tss, what’s there for you to pity? If she hadn’t been married, you wouldn’t stand a chance in eight hundred years!"
Laughter resounded through the crowd.
Suddenly someone asked, "Who was that young man who was following her? A fine woman just rushes out of her house, riding like she’s in a rush. It couldn’t be a secret elopement, could it?"
A louder round of laughter echoed, "If she was eloping with that young man, it’d be worth it. Just look at him, he’s a perfect match."
"Hold on, how can you be sure that her husband isn’t more handsome than that young man?"
That man simply scoffed, "Look around our entire Yu State. Among the rich nobles, who is handsome? Anyone paired with such a beauty would be a vile desecration!"
"Hahahaha, so true!"
Xin He didn’t pay attention to the joking crowd. She didn’t even bother listening to them. In a little while, she reached Duan Mansion.
She didn’t, however, go to the front gate.
Instead, she headed to a secluded area by the wall, and hastily hitched the horses.
Xiaochaihuo asked, "Madam, you’re not planning on using the front door?"
As soon as they left, he started calling her ’madam’. Xiaochaihuo was quick to transition between addresses.
Xin He glanced at a tall tree by the wall and nodded, her expression serious, "Yes, we’ll enter from here."
From the look in her eyes, Xiaochaihuo knew what she was planning to do. "I’ll go in first and catch you, madam."
Xin He nodded in agreement, "Alright."
Immediately, Xiaochaihuo leaped onto the wall soundlessly, and swiftly climbed over to the other side, assuring no one was around and no guards were present. Only then did he whistle to signal Xin He.
Upon hearing the whistle, Xin He clenched her fists. She retreated a few steps, then charged towards the wall. Her feet quickly stepped on the trunk and the wall, leveraging to propel her up. In only a few steps’ time, she was already "flying" onto the top of the wall.
While she had no lightness skill, she was more than capable of performing these physical feats.
However, when she jumped from the top of the wall, there was nothing to borrow force from. There weren’t even any branches near the wall, so she had to jump straight down.
Upon landing, she wobbled, barely maintaining her balance. Thankfully, Xiaochaihuo was already prepared to catch her, preventing her from stumbling.
"Are you alright, madam?" Xiaochaihuo asked softly.
With a faint smile, Xin He assured him, "I’m fine. I just haven’t exercised my muscles in a while. I can’t even handle this little height anymore."
Xiaochaihuo exhaled, then realized that his hands were still around her waist. His face flushed, and he quickly let go, taking a step back and lowering his head.
His movements were so subtle that Ji Xinhe hardly noticed them. Her entire attention was on observing the mansion, with no time to notice Xiaochaihuo’s flushed cheeks.
"This way, be careful," Xin He whispered, leading the way.
Xin He was familiar with the layout of Duan Lan’s residence. There were few secrets in Yu State that Duan Lan could hide. Even in his own residence, who were his servants, what was the layout, who lived in which courtyard; Marquis Mu possessed the most detailed information.
To know herself and her enemy ensured victory in all battles. Therefore, Xin He had naturally done her homework in advance. Now, wandering the confines of Duan’s mansion was like strolling through her own courtyard.
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