As Wu Youyan spoke, she stopped crying. “After I escaped, I returned to the capital, but when I saw guards at the family gate, I changed my mind. I can’t go back—if I go back, there’s no way to investigate the truth. If my family members can’t escape capital punishment, I still need to find someone to rescue them.”

“I’ve discovered that the more powerful and influential a family is, the more heartless they are. At the very least, they had already brought you through the door, yet the moment your in-laws’ family met with trouble, they rushed to distance themselves—they don’t even understand basic human principles.” Luo Ying narrowed her eyes. “But when you ran away, didn’t you bring silver? To actually end up starving like this.”

“I brought quite a lot of silver and banknotes. Passing through Hua Zhou, I saw many Yuling refugees and took some out to buy food and clothing for them. I probably attracted thieves’ eyes because of this. The next day when I woke, my bundle had been rummaged through in complete disarray. After paying for lodging, I didn’t have much loose silver left on me. All the way here I pawned everything I could pawn and nearly got tricked into a brothel—” Every kind of bad luck found her.

“You still paid for lodging?” Xiao Yi had an expression that said she was foolish. “Most likely it was a black shop. They drugged your food and drink to make you sleep like the dead so they could rummage through your bundle however they wanted.”

Wu Youyan blinked. “No wonder I felt drowsy after eating that night. I didn’t suspect anything at all. That innkeeper seemed like a good person. Because I was robbed, he even gave me a twenty percent discount.”

Mo Zi wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. “Giving a discount doesn’t prove he’s a good person, but rather that he knows how to do business. However, he was actually decent—at least he didn’t steal your virtue.”

“By then I’d learned my lesson and dressed as a man, even pasting on a beard.” Such a close call.

This commandery princess was pampered and spoiled, yet being able to walk here also had to be said demonstrated considerable cleverness and intelligence. Thinking of this, Mo Zi asked, “Did the commandery princess come to Luo Zhou seeking someone?”

“I came to seek refuge with my uncle. But ever since Father was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, he took his whole family and fled. Only a few menial old servants were left at the mansion, and asking them yielded nothing.” She couldn’t very well reveal her identity, fearing news would leak. The result was still empty-handed and with a rumbling stomach.

“Eat then. It’s getting cold.” Wu Youyan’s experiences were probably beyond everyone’s expectations. Just this courage and persistence to venture out alone was worth treating her to a meal. “By the way, take out your jade pendant and let me see it.”

Mo Zi didn’t speak in a high pitch, but there was always an invisible authority that made people involuntarily comply. Wu Youyan was no exception. She gave her the jade pendant and began eating again. Prolonged hunger left lasting panic. Even if in the future there would be no more times of going hungry, the shadow would remain in one’s heart. She had such thoughts now—hurry and eat full, eat a bit more, and she could endure a bit longer. Afraid of having this meal but not the next.

When Yuan Cheng entered, he saw a tableau: a round table, heavy on the left, light on the right. Four people had small dishes before them, chopsticks unmoving. One person had large bowls and plates before her, mouth never stopping. Especially since that person was Prince Li’s daughter, Wu Youyan. He immediately thought—had she come to seek revenge?

“You all started eating already?” Stinky Fish behind them watched with envy. “Couldn’t even wait for us.”

His loud yell startled Wu Youyan who was eating enthusiastically. She looked over, immediately dropped her chopsticks, pointed at Yuan Cheng and said, “It’s you! You’re the one who harmed my father!”

Yuan Cheng smiled faintly and walked to Mo Zi’s side.

Luo Ying consciously yielded her seat, pulling Water Snake to the neighboring table to give him a surprise.

“What would you like to eat?” Ignoring the other party’s accusation, Mo Zi was also leisurely.

“Whatever you order is fine.” Luo Zhou was also his former haunt. The cold of that year had already passed. Only warm features remained in his eyes.

“If you don’t have anything special you want to eat, I won’t order anything.” Hearing Stinky Fish and Luo Ying calling out dish names one after another over there, Mo Zi gestured with her mouth. “Two portions of everything is simplest.”

Wu Youyan wanted to stand up but was pressed down at the shoulder by Zan Jin’s hand, unable to move. Although she couldn’t use her hands, she could use her mouth. She questioned him aggressively with righteous indignation.

“Yuan Cheng, on what basis do you say my father wanted to rebel?” When she saw Mo Zi, she should have thought of it—her brother had said these two had an unclear, ambiguous relationship.

“The commandery princess was clearly married off to Qing Zhou, yet now appears in Luo Zhou. Your own identity is one that cannot openly show itself publicly, yet you accuse this humble one. Do you think this humble one needs to answer you?” Yuan Cheng picked up small dishes to eat.

“She didn’t succeed in marrying. She fled.” Xiao Yi compressed Wu Youyan’s original words into six characters, swiftly wanting to drink the—she’d lost count—cup of wine, but Huayi with an evil face confiscated it.

A face maintaining an evil expression was a demon face. Xiao Yi didn’t dare provoke him. She used a teacup as a wine cup, tea as wine, putting on a very capable drinker’s “pose.”

“That kind of family—better not to marry into it.” Yuan Cheng wasn’t entirely cold either. “As for your father’s matter, even if evidence is conclusive requiring severe punishment, I believe His Majesty will handle it fairly and won’t implicate the innocent. Moreover, you are also His Majesty’s relatives.”

“My father would never rebel.” Wu Youyan was indignant. She had transformed from a refined young lady who didn’t even vary the volume of her speech into a bean that easily exploded—progress after great rises and falls in life.

“Then where did that secret chamber in your father’s rooms come from? And that contract signed with Daqiu—could it be someone framed and entrapped him? Were Prince Li mansion’s guards and the experts your father hired with great expense all blind? Every piece of evidence we discovered is connected to your father. Though the commandery princess’s father-daughter bond with Prince Li is certainly precious, I’m afraid you also don’t actually know what your own father was doing.” Women independently handling matters outside were too few. Wu Youyan was even more a caged bird.

“I… though I’m not very clear about Father’s affairs, I know Father’s character.” Wu Youyan still wouldn’t give up, but her words softened somewhat. “Of course, my father… isn’t a completely good person, but he’s absolutely not a great traitor or villain either. He’s just… loves to show off, loves wealth and honor, but… he’s timid! Afraid of death! Moreover, he has no military authority. How could he rebel? How could he possibly rebel?”

Yuan Cheng suddenly looked at Wu Youyan for quite a while.

Being stared at by him made Wu Youyan’s heart race faster. She involuntarily avoided his gaze. “Don’t think you can scare me off like this.” Previously she only felt he was refined and gentle. Only now did she discover he was actually a beautiful man. The instant his gaze met hers, his countenance was as magnificent as jewels. So it wasn’t that she hadn’t noticed, but rather that he was stingy and disdained to bestow his true self.

Yuan Cheng withdrew his gaze and smiled at Mo Zi. “Who would have thought Prince Li produced such a good daughter—not merely having an attractive appearance.”

Mo Zi proudly raised her eyebrows. “Who says women are inferior to men?”

“Ever since I met you, I absolutely haven’t said that.” Yuan Cheng filled a bowl of soup for Mo Zi. “Nourish your body.”

“The commandery princess wants to sell this jade pendant. You recognize quality better than I do—see what price is appropriate.” Mo Zi was responsible for drinking soup, letting him be responsible for haggling.

Yuan Cheng only looked once. “This is tribute. Better if you don’t buy it.” Everyone knew tribute goods couldn’t be casually bought and sold—they could only be bestowed by the Emperor upon his subjects.

“Yet the commandery princess said it was made by a palace master craftsman.” She could judge wood but not jade very well.

Wu Youyan bit her lip and snatched it back. “I won’t sell it anymore.”

Yuan Cheng didn’t care and instead looked at Mo Zi.

Mo Zi still had goodwill. “Commandery Princess, though I dare not buy this tribute item, lending you travel expenses isn’t difficult.” She took out a banknote. “Remember to repay me in the future. I won’t calculate interest.”

If Mo Zi said she’d give it to her for free, Wu Youyan definitely wouldn’t accept. But repeatedly mentioning borrowing and interest—though she knew this was the other party considering her self-respect—her heart was moved. Those who should have treated her intimately avoided her like a snake or scorpion. Those who should have despised and mocked her instead sent charcoal in the snow. Were these people harboring ulterior motives, or had she misjudged them? She was full of uncertainty.

However, Mo Zi and Yuan Cheng didn’t speak to Wu Youyan again. The two ate and chatted casually in an intimate posture that anyone could see at a glance. The only thing paying attention to her was that large palm pressed on her shoulder.

“Let me go.” She knew the tall man listened to Mo Zi’s commands. Her tone couldn’t be harsh—she owed them. “I’ll borrow the silver. I want to leave now.”

Zan Jin had already removed his hand. “Pardon the offense.”

The tooth marks on his arm made Wu Youyan feel guilty. “I’m sorry.” After saying this, she ran out.

“Really just let her leave like that?” Mo Zi asked.

“If she’s both stupid and foolish, she can’t blame anyone.” Yuan Cheng pulled a cold smile.

They were supposed to leave on the third day, but the weather wasn’t good. For two consecutive days there were strong winds and heavy rain, non-stop from morning to night. No matter how capable the boat handlers, they couldn’t overcome Heaven’s will and could only postpone repeatedly.

Though the wind and waves were great, the port was quiet. Among so many moored boats, few human figures were seen. When night fell, the autumn rain was cold and chill. Even those on night watch hid in the cabins to escape the rain. The whooshing wind was like ghostly wails, as if winter had suddenly arrived.

At this time when no people were seen, only ghosts, a shadow suddenly wandered before Mo Zi’s boat, walking two steps then stopping one step, constantly looking around.

Looking closer, that person was completely soaking wet. The old robe clung to a slender figure. Under the gray kerchief, loose hair stuck to a clean white face. Even male clothing couldn’t conceal that noble beauty. It was Wu Youyan who had left but returned. Actually, after walking out of the tavern, she had understood—a woman alone couldn’t necessarily return even with silver. So after Mo Zi and Yuan Cheng came out, she quietly followed behind and found their boat. She had been looking for an opportunity to slip onto the boat. Tonight, that forgotten gangplank finally let her wait for her chance. Don’t ask why she had to board the boat—her heart told her to. Moreover, apart from these people, she had no one to rely on, no one to trust. No matter what they came to Luo Zhou to do, they would certainly return to the capital. That’s what she thought.

Cold enough to make her teeth chatter, Wu Youyan secretly climbed onto the deck. As far as her eyes could see, there wasn’t a single person. Overjoyed, she was just pondering where to hide so as not to be discovered when she suddenly saw a black shadow leap up, landing soundlessly. She hurriedly crouched to hide behind a pile of canvas, yet couldn’t help being curious enough to peek. She saw that person in black clothes, black pants, black face covering, with triangular eyes slanted upward, more whites than blacks showing, gaze vicious and evil.

A thief? She didn’t yet know this was a malevolent star. Her experience hadn’t yet reached such profound depths, but she instinctively sensed danger, saying in a hushed voice, “Where is Female Official Song? I must hurry and tell her.”

When she looked again, she was shocked. That triangular-eyed person beckoned against the ship’s side, and dozens of shadowy figures leapt up, all dressed in black with covered faces.

No matter how inexperienced, she wouldn’t take them for thieves now. She was so anxious she didn’t know what to do.

Suddenly, a large hand reached over and covered Wu Youyan’s mouth.