“I’m sorry, Xuanwu. Are you hurt?”

The young person asked with some guilt.

Needless to say, these two in the carriage were undoubtedly Suzhen and the Shadow Guard.

Xuanwu supported her shoulder. “I’m fine. As long as Magistrate Li isn’t hurt.”

Though apart from Lian Yu, she treated other men no differently than women, there were still distinctions between men and women. Xuanwu’s hard muscles also reminded her of this. Suzhen thanked him and quickly got up.

Even so, whether because of their intimate position or because Xuanwu was after all Lian Yu’s guard, his clean scent reminded her of Lian Yu. Her ears grew hot.

Could it be from not being close to men for too long? Thinking of something amusing, she couldn’t help laughing heartily.

Xuanwu slowly sat across from her, seeing the smile on her face. “What is Magistrate Li laughing about?”

Suzhen was picking up case files and casually replied: “Xuanwu, you have a good build.”

Since she was indifferent, she spoke carelessly, but Xuanwu’s gaze darkened slightly, seeming unappreciative of this praise.

Perhaps because the other had indeed protected Lian Yu too long, over time acquiring that intimidating quality in Lian Yu’s eyes, she felt inexplicably tense and uncomfortable. She simply put down the case files: “I’ll rest for a bit. Please wake me when we stop at dawn.”

“Alright.” Xuanwu replied.

The carriage was equipped with thin quilts and blankets. Suzhen spread bedding on the floor space under the seats and wrapped herself in a blanket. Xuanwu watched her movements calmly, his gaze deep, with that feeling of not showing emotions yet making people increasingly uncomfortable. She buried her head inside as well, avoiding his gaze.

She was also tired, physically and mentally exhausted. She didn’t think much more about Lian Yu or the case, and her consciousness soon sank.

Subsequently feeling stifling heat, she uncomfortably kicked off the blanket. Soon, sweat appeared on her head while her body felt slightly cool. She reached blindly for the blanket with closed eyes, couldn’t find it, was too lazy to get up, and continued sleeping.

Vaguely, she seemed to hear a very low sigh or something, followed by Xuanwu bending down to cover her with the quilt.

She felt somewhat grateful but couldn’t rouse herself to thank him. She hadn’t expected this usually rough-seeming young man to be so considerate, having this side to him.

Xuanwu didn’t disappoint this praise. She clearly felt him not only cover her with the quilt but also tuck in the corners. The blanket wasn’t long enough, so she curled up her feet. After rustling sounds, he removed his outer robe to cover her feet.

Though she still lazily kept her eyes closed, her consciousness gradually became clearer. She instinctively wanted to refuse but felt too embarrassed to open her eyes and say something.

Just then, she felt that clean scent draw even closer, enveloping her from above. It smelled very pleasant, but she felt unsettled. This Xuanwu wasn’t going to rest and was being overly concerned.

This didn’t seem like a bad thing, but she felt awkward and truly didn’t need or want it. She thought if he did anything more, she would get up and stop him.

While pondering this, weight fell on her forehead – his hand rested on her forehead. Her body jolted, feeling very disgusted, almost jumping up. But if she spoke up now, it would be awkward for the rest of the journey. Better to endure it. She gritted her teeth and suppressed her reaction. His hand began moving, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead. For some reason, he was wearing black gloves today, covering more thoroughly than usual.

Finally, he finished wiping. She felt him sit down about an inch away from her. As if afraid she was too warm, he pulled her quilt down slightly, but afraid she’d catch cold, he held it in place at her shoulder.

He didn’t touch her body again, but Suzhen could no longer sleep, remaining drowsy yet awake.

A certain awareness gradually became clear in her heart.

This awareness made her uncomfortable and disgusted!

“Li Huaisu, Xuanwu.”

A voice interrupted this state. She pretended to wake up, pushing off the covers to sit up. “Who?”

The suddenly raised curtain, somewhat dazzling light, and striking face startled her slightly. “Lian Qin?”

“Seventh Brother’s here too. We live outside the palace usually, handling government affairs from our own residences. Not being at court for ten days or half a month doesn’t arouse suspicion. We were worried about you and came along for protection. Pretty good friend, right? We’ve reached a rest stop. You can freshen up first, we’ll eat something and continue.”

The newcomer spoke with a smile, raising his hand as if to pat her shoulder, then suddenly seeming to realize something, abruptly stopping.

They probably weren’t here to protect her. Suzhen didn’t expose this, patting his shoulder instead: “Thanks, I was most worried about eating dry rations.”

She didn’t greet Xuanwu, taking her small travel bag and jumping out of the carriage first. Outside was early morning scenery. The carriage was stopped by a roadside inn that had opened for business, with seven or eight customers dining inside. There weren’t many people on the street yet, with shops and stalls on both sides gradually opening.

Another carriage was parked ahead, with the driver still seated, eyes alert. Beside the carriage stood a young, elegant man in white robes.

Seeing her, he smiled and nodded.

A server approached with a full smile on his face. She nodded to Lian Jie and followed the server inside first. Lian Jie and Lian Qin also entered. She asked the server for a private room, simply bathed and washed, changed clothes, and came downstairs refreshed.

Lian Jie and the others had already secured a table and ordered dishes. The food was quite abundant.

But Xuanwu was nowhere to be seen. When Suzhen asked Lian Qin about Xuanwu’s whereabouts, Lian Qin laughed unkindly, saying Xuanwu’s equipment was special, his dining unchangeable – he would eat in the carriage and come over after finishing.

Suzhen found this amusing but couldn’t laugh, suddenly remembering the scene when she and Lian Yu went to Minzhou to handle the Second Prince’s case.

At that time, the two had argued at the dining table. He told her to get lost and return to the capital. She left in the rain, and he went out to drag her back… Then, though she had agreed to stay with him, she hadn’t been completely sincere. Later, when she gave her whole heart, the two had become strangers.

She respected his choice. Even his greater love for A’luo, she could understand. But the two of them, such people, shouldn’t have too much interaction!

When she sat down, Xuanwu had finished eating outside and came in to sit beside her.

“Please.”

No matter how good and abundant the dishes were, she had no appetite and barely touched them. After greeting everyone and drinking two sips of tea, she buried her head in eating rice.

Lian Jie and Lian Qin also didn’t talk much, eating quietly. Lian Qin occasionally stole glances at Xuanwu.

Xuanwu sat silently at the table. After a while, he had the server bring new chopsticks and placed a chopstick-full of food in Suzhen’s bowl. “Magistrate Li should eat more vegetables. Investigating cases requires energy.”

Suzhen put down her half-eaten rice. “Thank you, but I’m done.”

“I’ll go wait in the carriage first.” She smiled, wiped her mouth, and stood up.

Xuanwu’s hand remained frozen in place. Lian Qin looked anxious, standing up wanting to say something, but Lian Jie held him back.

When Xuanwu lifted the curtain and entered, Suzhen had already lain down again.

Wrapped in bedding, she still felt Xuanwu’s gaze falling lightly on her.

That feeling was always oppressive.

Anger rose in her heart. She bit her teeth hard, barely restraining herself from exploding on the spot.

“Xuanwu, why don’t you have Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince come here too? That way everyone can discuss things more conveniently.”

“The carriage space isn’t large. If Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince came, it would be even more cramped. Moreover, Magistrate Li is after all a young lady – having many people around when you rest and sleep would be inconvenient.”

Every word made sense. If she insisted further, she’d be the unreasonable one! Suzhen kept her tone calm, even with her usual smile: “True, fewer people is more comfortable. I can do whatever I want inside. How about you go over and ride with Seventh Prince and them?”

“Magistrate Li, protecting you is my duty. I cannot leave.”

The answer was steady and definite – she couldn’t refute it. Suzhen almost ground her teeth to powder but ultimately suppressed it. If something tore open, the journey would be even more awkward.

She smiled: “Fine, then call me when we reach our destination. I won’t eat anymore – I’ll sleep more to save energy.”

Their destination was the home of Chen Jin, the nearest palace maid in the suburbs. For the other families, Lian Yu had sent other people.

“Good.” The other replied calmly.

Suzhen wrapped the blanket tightly!

Perhaps from not sleeping all night, though it was broad daylight, she quickly became drowsy and fell asleep.

But she had a dream – dreaming someone held her tightly, kissing her repeatedly from forehead to lips, from gentle to fierce. She was startled – how could she have such a damned dream! She was furious and tried to struggle up, but seemed bewitched, with no strength in her body…

“Magistrate Li, we’ve arrived. Wake up.”

Until Xuanwu’s voice woke her, she got up holding her head. He was already below the carriage, lifting the curtain.

Her head still ached. She quickly jumped out of the carriage. Dark night stretched endlessly. Before her eyes was a stretch of courtyards – hundreds of households had already entered dreamland, with only a few homes still showing dim lamplight.

Lian Jie and Lian Qin were already waiting nearby. Seeing her emerge, both approached. Lian Jie’s face no longer showed yesterday’s relaxed expression: “We had the driver knock on several doors to ask. Chen Jin returned to her ancestral home after leaving the palace and married. She lives just ahead.”

He pointed to a house ahead. Suzhen wiped her face and rushed over quickly, with Xuanwu and the others following rapidly behind.

“Excuse me, is this Chen Jin’s home?” Suzhen pounded on the door forcefully.

After a long while, no one responded. Suzhen frowned slightly. Xuanwu suddenly said “This is bad.” Over there, Lian Qin had already kicked the door open with great force.

A thick smell of blood immediately rushed into everyone’s nostrils!

Suzhen’s scalp went numb. Behind her, Xuanwu reached around her waist and pulled her tightly into his embrace, protecting her.