Hearing Deng Yi say this, the postmaster and coachman both showed relaxed and joyful expressions.

“We will certainly relay the message,” the coachman said. “The Prince had hoped to converse with you at length today, but unfortunately the timing wasn’t suitable.”

Deng Yi suddenly smiled, looking thoughtful. Could it be that back then, Chu Zhao didn’t want to have dealings with Prince Zhongshan’s mansion not because she herself didn’t want to, but because she didn’t want him to have dealings with Prince Zhongshan’s mansion?

The intelligence said Chu Ling had sent a deputy general to see Chu Zhao—was this what Chu Ling had instructed his daughter during that brief meeting?

His mind wandered somewhat.

“Sir,” the postmaster said hurriedly, “the Prince asks, is now the right time to go to the capital?”

Deng Yi came back to his senses and patted the carriage door. “This is just my payment for giving the Prince the opportunity to become acquainted with the Chu family’s daughter. Anything else will cost extra.”

The postmaster wasn’t annoyed and said with a smile, “Naturally, naturally.”

Deng Yi pondered for a moment, looking toward the direction of the capital. “Now is indeed a good time to go to the capital. His Majesty’s health isn’t very good, the Crown Prince’s position is unstable, and the Third Prince has come of age. It’s quite lively, you could say.”

The postmaster said happily, “Then our heir apparent will escort Miss Chu to the capital.”

This was the original arrangement, but Deng Yi looked at him mockingly. “Your heir apparent failed to win Miss Chu’s favor. Miss Chu won’t agree to the heir apparent’s escort.”

The postmaster sighed. “Yes, sir. The Prince also thought of this, which is why he’s asking for your help.”

Deng Yi shook his head. “I can’t persuade that Miss Chu, but…” he looked at the postmaster, “if it’s something within my official duties, I’ll naturally spare no effort.”

With that, he patted the postmaster’s shoulder, signaled the guards to handle the money matters here, and turned to leave.

The postmaster didn’t dare keep him and stood there thoughtfully.

Deng Yi walked through the bustling back courtyard. Just as he emerged, a guard approached and said in a low voice, “Someone has been wandering around here.”

Deng Yi made a sound of acknowledgment. “Who?”

Someone was actually spying on him?

The guard said, “It’s Miss Chu’s maid.”

Miss Chu, ah—Deng Yi looked thoughtful.

“I was going to question her,” the guard said quietly, “but she spoke with the servants and asked for some medicinal herbs.”

The back courtyard was crowded with all sorts of people coming and going.

It was reasonable for that maid to be here. They had no authority to question her, and even hesitated, wondering if they were overthinking things.

Deng Yi said nothing. Just as he reached his lodging, he saw someone standing in the shadows of the corridor.

“Who?” He stopped and asked.

The guards following him immediately moved forward.

“Lord Deng, it’s me,” Chu Zhao said hastily, stepping out.

Deng Yi looked at the girl who appeared even more petite and delicate in the night, and asked, “What instructions does Miss Chu have?”

Chu Zhao bowed. “I wouldn’t dare. I have a matter that troubles Lord Deng, and I’ve been waiting for your return.”

So that maid wandering around the back courtyard earlier was indeed spying on his whereabouts. Deng Yi smiled. “Miss Chu is too polite. Please speak.”

Chu Zhao said, “On the return journey, my cousin and I would like to ride in a carriage. My cousin’s body can’t withstand being on the road so long, and now that I’ve been caught too, let him have it easier on the way back. Otherwise, if something happens to him, I’ll truly become my family’s eternal sinner.”

This girl was quite good at making light of herself. Deng Yi gave a slight smile.

After Chu Zhao finished speaking, she called for A’Le.

A’Le came forward carrying a box.

Chu Zhao continued, “No matter what, this is our family matter, yet Lord Deng has also been troubled. I’d like to offer this money, not for anything else, but just so that you and the officers can travel a bit more easily and comfortably, eat well, sleep well, and suffer less from the cold.”

Deng Yi looked at the box the maid was holding with interest. It seemed to contain quite a bit of money—of course, it couldn’t compare to Prince Zhongshan’s, but for this child it was no small amount. And for him, even a single coin was money; he never scorned having too little.

He had already experienced this girl’s generosity before. Good, good—whether it was the postmaster, the courtesan, the traveling physician, or him, a court official, Miss Chu treated everyone equally.

“Miss Chu is truly too polite,” he said. “Then I’ll respectfully accept.”

In the dim light, a smile bloomed on the girl’s face.

“Thank you, Lord Deng,” Chu Zhao bowed, then left happily with A’Le.

Deng Yi watched them disappear before entering his room.

The room was brightly lit. The guards placed the box on the table and opened it, calling out, “Sir, this money is what was confiscated on the road before.”

Deng Yi walked over and glanced at it, smiling. “It really is.” He reached out to stir the money and jewels in the box, picking up a hairpin. “I remember Young Master Chu said this was part of his mother’s dowry.”

The guard nodded. “Yes, Miss Chu gave it to that courtesan.” At this point he looked at Deng Yi with a strange expression. “Miss Chu is giving these to you—does Young Master Chu know?”

Young Master Chu didn’t seem like that kind of person.

Could Miss Chu have stolen them again?!

Deng Yi suddenly laughed heartily. He rarely laughed like this. He spun the pearl hairpin in his hand and tossed it back into the box. “That’s none of my business. I only accept money. Where the money comes from has nothing to do with me.”

……

……

The next day when it was time to depart, Chu Ke had originally been pulling a long face unwillingly, but when he saw two spacious carriages with large, sturdy wheels, he was immediately delighted.

“This was prepared for me?” he asked.

“For us,” Chu Zhao corrected, watching A’Le load bundles onto the carriage. “We’ll ride in one.”

With two people, the carriage would be a bit cramped. Chu Ke frowned. “What about the other one?”

“That’s Lord Deng’s,” Chu Zhao said, looking at him. “Would you rather ride with Lord Deng, or have me ride with Lord Deng?”

Chu Ke was annoyed. I’d rather have you run alongside outside! He stopped paying attention to Chu Zhao and urged the servants to load the carriage. Chu Zhao also ignored him and climbed aboard with A’Le. She had few belongings and traveled light. She heard the bustle outside for a while, then came Chu Ke’s loud shout—

Immediately followed by stomping footsteps. The curtain was yanked open as Chu Ke’s contorted face burst in.

“Where’s my money! Where’s my box of money?” he shouted. “Chu Zhao, did you steal it again?”

Chu Zhao didn’t even look at him. “No.” Then she pointed beside her. “If you don’t believe me, search.”

Though it was obvious at a glance, Chu Ke still huffily rummaged through Chu Zhao’s two bundles. Of course there was nothing.

“You, it must be you who stole it,” he said, his eyes red with anger. “Where did you hide it?”

Chu Zhao said, “Brother, we’re so far from home. What use would hiding it here be? Am I waiting for it to multiply?”

Chu Ke glared at her fiercely, jumped down from the carriage, and searched everywhere for the money, turning the entire post station into a chaotic commotion with chickens flying and dogs jumping. The travelers staying at the station were all officials, and they wouldn’t let him search randomly. It nearly caused trouble.

Chu Zhao stopped him.

“Otherwise, report it to the authorities and have the local government investigate the case. You stay here and wait.”

Chu Ke felt he had exhausted all the hardship of his entire life. The young man truly understood what it meant that home is comfortable for a thousand days, but going out is difficult for even one day. He didn’t want to stay outside for even a moment and wished he could fly home immediately.

“Forget it,” he said, his voice choking. “It’s all my fault. I lost it; I can’t blame anyone else.”

With that, he climbed into the carriage and lay down with his head back.

Chu Zhao comforted him again. “This money was stolen by me in the first place and spent by me. It has nothing to do with you. Won’t you feel better thinking of it that way?”

Feel better my ass! Chu Ke was so angry he nearly fainted. He pulled the blanket over his head. When they returned to the capital, he’d let the Liang family deal with Chu Zhao. After the Liang family finished with her, he’d have their parents send this disaster back to the border commandery.

If they kept her in the capital any longer, she’d be the death of him. What good was his future prospects then!

The carriage became quiet. Deng Yi glanced at Miss Chu by the carriage window, whose expression remained calm as if nothing had happened.

Miss Chu smiled at him.

He smiled back as well, withdrew his gaze, and raised his hand to signal the guards. “Depart.”