The Yongfu had barely been concealed for a quarter hour when Mo Zi saw that ship sailing closer and closer, and she silently thanked heaven for treating her well.

If she hadn’t acted decisively when she saw the opportunity, they would have come face to face with the other party. Whether they were enemies or friends was hard to say, but her instinct told her they wouldn’t be friends. One must know that those who could travel this waterway were either officials or people trying to avoid naval inspection and sneak into Nande. Officials and smugglers were opposed—if the Yongfu encountered them, it would spell disaster. There was nothing more to say about that. But even if they were people trying to cross illegally, they naturally wouldn’t want others to spot them, even if those others had the same purpose. This was called competition between rivals in the same trade.

Earlier, judging by that ship’s bulk, it wasn’t as nimble as the Yongfu, but it was still a medium-sized vessel. Entering Startled Fish Rapids wasn’t impossible, but it required extremely high steering skills. She therefore thought either that ship had experts aboard, or they were outsiders who didn’t know their own limitations. But those swaying lampfires really didn’t look like they had expert command. If they were outsiders, seeing the white waves surging ahead, they’d probably be scared into turning back. Sure enough, as she expected, that ship sailed back.

Mo Zi and Bai Yu’s group crouched low on the deck, only their eyes exposed, watching intently as the other party approached. When almost parallel with the Yongfu, the two ships were only several meters apart. If not for the dense vines and deep-set cliff face, they would have been discovered long ago at such a distance.

Though holding her breath with her entire body tense, Mo Zi was still curious to know what kind of people that ship was carrying.

As if heaven specifically wanted to satisfy her wish, on that ship, facing her direction, two people appeared. Because they were close and the lamplight was bright, through the gaps in the branches and leaves, she could make out about seventy to eighty percent of the two men’s features.

One was a white-haired old man tall as a bamboo pole with a monkey face, wearing gray clothes with bound sleeves and pant legs—a martial artist’s attire. The other was a head shorter, a middle-aged man with a prosperous appearance sporting a goatee, small eyes and a large nose, draped in a wide white brocade robe that made his rotund figure look comical.

The two were talking. Thinking the night was dark and windy with no ears behind walls, they hadn’t lowered their voices.

“I said long ago that this route is impassable without a local boatman as guide.” The goateed man sneered, his words carrying dissatisfaction. “A wet-behind-the-ears boy wins a few minor water skirmishes and thinks he can command all waters under heaven? If this old man weren’t entrusted by royal command, I wouldn’t have accepted such an assignment.”

“Old Hu, why bother getting angry with that brat? If this mission can’t be completed, it’s all due to his poor command—what’s it got to do with us? He’ll be the one to answer to the prince. You and I are just minor military followers. We can’t make decisions, and when we speak he treats it like passing gas. We just muddle through and that’s enough.” The tall bamboo pole had no regard whatsoever for their commander.

“You speak lightly. On the day of departure, the prince said that you and I could exercise expedient authority at critical moments, with power superseding the one currently throwing a tantrum inside. What do you think that means?” The goateed man glanced at the tall bamboo pole and answered his own question. “It means if things go badly, he won’t blame his own brother but will take it out on us.”

“That… won’t happen, will it? We two have followed him since he was crown prince, loyal and devoted. Never mind civil governance and military prowess—we also have illustrious military achievements. His Highness has always trusted us greatly. Old Hu, you’re overthinking.” The tall bamboo pole patted the goateed man’s shoulder, quite dismissive.

“You old fellow only know how to fight, not read books. Are there few examples recorded in history books of emperors purging wartime meritorious officials after ascending the throne? If you stubbornly cling to your bull-headed temper, watch out—you’ll be the first to get the blade. When he was crown prince, we could call ourselves sworn brothers. Can we do that with His Highness now? In the Crown Prince’s mansion, we could come and go freely, without kowtowing or kneeling, shouting and yelling at the crown prince. Can we do that in the royal palace? Now, though we’re beloved ministers before the prince, it’s a difference between heaven and earth. You—use your brain.” The goateed man clearly understood the relationship between sovereign and subject.

“Then what do we do?” After listening, the tall bamboo pole finally became somewhat anxious. “How about we go in and persuade him to just crash through it, people and ship together? Whether it’s startled fish or dead fish, I don’t believe we can’t make it to shore.”

“Your lightness skills may be high, but unfortunately you can’t swim.” The goateed man threw cold water on the tall bamboo pole. “If you want to go, you go. I know my limitations—I want to keep my little life and father a few more sons.”

“At your age, seven daughters is a blessing. Recruit more sons-in-law—won’t the grandsons born still be Hu family bloodline?” The tall bamboo pole chuckled heartily.

“Honored sirs, the young marquis requests your presence.” A delicate female voice drifted across the water.

Mo Zi’s eardrums immediately trembled, the sound entering her heart like ripples on a lake.

This voice—whose was it? Why did it stir such strange feelings in her?

Mo Zi opened her eyes wide, but the woman stood within the shadows of one tall and one fat figure. She could only see a bright silver hairpin in her hair, flashing with purple gemstone light.

“Miss Ye’er, has a decision been made?” The goateed man spoke to her with what seemed like some respect.

“Yes. The young marquis has decided to follow both your suggestions—travel light and simple, abandon the many and choose the elite, entering through Pingjiang.” That woman’s voice was beautiful as a nightingale, her tone clear as dawn.

“Hey, wouldn’t it have been better to do this earlier?” The tall bamboo pole couldn’t hide his thoughts, laughing happily.

Mo Zi couldn’t see the goateed man’s expression, but could imagine it wouldn’t be as simple-minded as the tall bamboo pole’s.

“Elder Hu, Elder Gao, the young marquis is young and hot-blooded. Since His Highness ascended the throne, he’s been eager to establish merit and achievements for him. Sometimes he’s inevitably somewhat impetuous in his actions. You’ve followed the prince for many years and practically watched the young marquis grow up. He truly doesn’t mean to disrespect you elders—please be understanding. Regardless, we’re all on this mission under royal command on royal business, sharing fortune and misfortune alike. We must be united in serving our lord.” That Miss Ye’er had quite a clever tongue.

“Miss Ye’er, after all, you’ve followed…” The goateed man’s words left half unsaid.

“Well now, you’re all here speaking ill of me. Ye’er, you said you’d invite the two elders—turns out you came to complain.” A young voice with a playful tone—the words half-true and half-false, the manner supremely proud and noble.

Mo Zi couldn’t help but cover her heart.

However, the voice’s owner, like Miss Ye’er, stood in the shadows with indistinct features. Only—he had a set of bright, even white teeth that when he smiled, not even the dark night could conceal their brilliance.

In her memories, was there such a voice? In her memories, were there such beautiful teeth? Always proud, always playful, always making one laugh and get angry, always leaving one helpless yet unable to hate.

Were there? Were there?

She didn’t know.

She only knew that something inside her heart wanted to come out, surging, drowning everything. But she couldn’t let it out, didn’t want to let it out. Don’t ask for reasons. She bit through her lip, the fishy taste of fresh blood seeping between her teeth, spreading over her tongue, swallowed down.

Like addictive poison mixed with blood, only then did her restless soul settle and calm.

Closing her eyes tightly, she listened to the ripples cut by that ship slowly surging toward the Yongfu, from front to back.

The voices grew distant, the ship grew distant, the lamps grew distant, the people grew distant.