Qi Muxiao: “……!!!”

Who am I, where am I? What have I encountered?!

Tie Ci smiled gracefully as she pulled him toward her. With her strength, Qi Muxiao immediately stumbled forward with a lurch.

However, Tie Ci had no intention of steadying him. Just as she was about to let go and let him fall flat on his face, she suddenly heard a commotion in the distance—torches flickering, hoofbeats thundering rapidly. It seemed many people were approaching, and she could faintly hear someone shouting: “Indeed here they are, everyone hurry!”

Tie Ci’s expression changed, and she urgently asked: “Qi Muxiao, when you came out, did anyone know?”

The Qi residence was also located in the Taiping Street area where high officials and nobles gathered. There, official mansions stretched endlessly, with eaves connecting to each other. The green peaches from the Grand Secretary’s garden would always be picked by the maids from the neighboring Supreme Court Minister’s house, while the earliest batch of elm seeds from the Supreme Court Minister’s house would end up in the cooking pot of the Minister of War’s residence next door.

If Qi Muxiao had come out ostentatiously, it would be impossible to hide from others.

Qi Muxiao replied in bewilderment: “…This… no one…”

“How many people did you bring when you came out?”

“Just seven or eight servants—those driving the carriage, attendants, footstools, and dressers…”

Tie Ci: “Hai!”

You should be the Crown Princess instead!

In just a few words, the crowd had already reached them. Indeed, they were dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, with golden bridles and carved saddles. At first glance, one could tell they were the pampered sons from high official families in the capital.

They were also among the unlucky ones on this trial list.

Tie Ci took to her heels and ran.

Seeing that group charging too fast, she feared they might startle the horses and injure her delicate former fiancé, so she dragged Qi Muxiao along as she fled.

However, Qi Muxiao thought she was really going to drag him away to suffer through trials. Being pulled along stumbling and staggering, he cried out in alarm: “Your Highness! Your Highness!”

Tie Ci paid no attention, burying her head as she ran wildly.

She had come out secretly without bringing guards. At this moment, the ferry was full of noble young men who harbored resentment and anger toward her for being implicated by her. Taking advantage of the night when no one would know, they would most likely pretend it was a misunderstanding and gang up to beat her thoroughly. In the end, they could claim ignorance, and the law doesn’t punish the masses—she would have to swallow this loss herself.

Tie Ci loved eating everything, except losses.

As she ran wildly on that side, Qi Muxiao was gasping for breath: “Your Highness! Let me go! Let me go! I can’t leave with you like this! You… you…”

Tie Ci ignored him.

The deaf-mute guide had no martial arts skills and was carried along by Dan Shuang as they ran. When Dan Shuang asked him where the boat was, the deaf-mute pointed.

Tie Ci looked and saw it was still a full li away, while the hoofbeats behind them were practically at their heels.

Seeing that she wouldn’t let go, Qi Muxiao panicked and frantically tugged at her sleeve, crying: “Your Highness… Your Highness… I know you can’t bear to part with me… but we have no destiny together… Please… please let me go!”

Tie Ci: “…!!”

She turned her head and stared at Qi Muxiao. Under her gaze, Qi Muxiao shrank back and covered his face, sobbing: “Your Highness… please stop pestering me…”

Between his spread fingers, a white streak slowly trickled down.

Tie Ci: …Damn, he’s even wearing powder!

From now on, whenever she saw pale white men, they were all powder-wearing, and she’d beat them all to death.

She suddenly smiled.

Whispering in Qi Muxiao’s ear: “Young Master Qi is truly heartless.”

Qi Muxiao shuddered and dared not look at her.

Tie Ci smiled again: “I hope you won’t regret this in the future.”

She reached out and pushed Qi Muxiao backward. The two treacherous maids had a perfect understanding and pounced on Qi Muxiao together, crying in unison: “Your Highness!”

The crowd shouted: “Over there!” and the hoofbeats chased wildly after them.

Tie Ci turned around and ran at full speed with her long legs.

However, just as she was about to reach the boat, she saw someone jump into the water. A cold gleam flashed in their hand as they punctured the boat’s hull.

Tie Ci: “…”

A warning flashed through her mind.

The pampered young men were chasing together, and the direction they were chasing from was still behind her, but the person sabotaging the boat was in front of her—they were likely not the same group.

Someone wanted to trap her.

This made the situation extraordinarily dangerous.

It wasn’t just a simple matter of being beaten up by pampered young men anymore. There would be people with ulterior motives who would fish in troubled waters, taking advantage of the crowd to strike at her.

Tie Ci reacted extremely quickly, turned around, and plunged into the river with a splash.

In the river water, they couldn’t form a group beating, right?

The pampered young men on shore had already discovered that Qi Muxiao wasn’t Tie Ci. Now seeing Tie Ci fall into the water, they all let out cheers together.

We chased the Crown Princess like a homeless dog and even forced her to jump into the water!

Great celebration all around!

While the pampered young men on shore were celebrating, Tie Ci in the water saw cold gleams flashing continuously underwater. There were indeed assassins underwater, now all swimming over to surround her.

Tie Ci was an excellent swimmer, but those people were like white strips in the waves, reaching her vicinity almost instantly.

Tie Ci reached to draw the dagger from her boot.

But at that moment, something suddenly appeared beside her. Tie Ci turned her head and saw a boat pole extended beside her shoulder.

Looking up, she saw the dark hull of a boat above.

Without hesitation, she reached out and grasped the boat pole. With a splash, she used it to break through the water surface, stepped twice in the air, and leaped onto the bow.

The moment she leaped onto the bow, the boat shook and creaked continuously. Several crossbow bolts shot into the water like lightning, and the river churned before its color darkened.

Under the swaying lamplight at the bow, a pale, bloody face emerged briefly, then sank back down.

This decisive and fierce killing move obviously startled those water ghosts. The water surface bubbled for a while, and ripples spread toward the distance.

The boat quickly headed toward the center of the river, simultaneously dispatching two small boats to rescue Dan Shuang and Chi Xue who had entered the water afterward.

Tie Ci stood at the bow. Only after seeing the maids rescued onto the boat did she relax. She suddenly sneezed loudly, and a cloak was draped over her shoulders.

She reached up to grab the cloak and also caught the hand holding it.

That person’s hand stiffened and went still.

Tie Ci slowly turned around and met a face like snow and jade.

Under the dark, vast sky and boundless clouds, that face was like a relief sculpture, glowing warmly and brilliantly.

Tie Ci released his hand and said with frank gratitude: “Lord Rong, thank you for the rescue.”

This form of address could rank first on the mood-killing list. The light in Rong Pu’s eyes immediately dimmed somewhat. He stepped back and respectfully saluted: “Your Highness.”

“Outside the imperial capital, let’s dispense with honorifics,” Tie Ci smiled. “Wet clothes are unseemly. Might I borrow some clothing?”

Rong Pu stepped aside with a gesture of invitation. Tie Ci nodded but didn’t rush into the cabin. Instead, she walked to the bow and, facing the group of pampered young men on shore who had discovered she was on the boat but couldn’t catch up in time and were jumping about in frustration, raised both hands and made a gesture of granting them permission to rise.

Behind her, Rong Pu couldn’t help but let out a soft “pff.”

The Crown Princess was quite mischievous, and mischievous in such an open way—truly a wonderful person.

Indeed, when she made this gesture, the pampered young men on shore were all dumbfounded. As their hot blood cooled, they remembered exactly who this person was and recalled her usual temperament. Immediately, one-third covered their faces, one-third retreated, and one-third cowered wanting to kneel.

Tie Ci had already laughed heartily and entered the cabin.

After she entered the cabin, Chi Xue, who had been standing aside, came forward. This maid had a brilliant smile on her face and held a brocade box in both hands, saying: “Lord Rong the Hanlin has merit in rescuing the Crown Princess and receives a reward.”

Rong Pu fell silent.

The Crown Princess was not only mischievous but also sufficiently aloof at heart.

Even her attendants were so vigilant and guarded, not easily accepting goodwill. How had she spent these years in the imperial court?

He remained silent for a long time without accepting the reward. Chi Xue wasn’t anxious either, waiting very patiently, her smile never changing its curve.

After a long while, Rong Pu finally said: “A minister serves his lord with loyalty. Even if it means exhausting oneself unto death, it’s merely what should be expected. If one receives generous rewards for such small matters, how could this minister face standing in court?”

Only then did Chi Xue smile with satisfaction, put away the box, and praised: “Lord Rong the Hanlin truly lives up to his reputation as a modest gentleman.”

Rong Pu could only smile bitterly.

Dan Shuang glanced at Chi Xue.

Lord Rong didn’t know, but didn’t she? In their hasty flight into the water, they hadn’t even brought their luggage. What could they possibly have on them now that would be worthy of rewarding such a noble young master?

This little hussy Chi Xue probably had nothing but soap in that box.

She calculated that Rong Pu wouldn’t accept, just wanting to take advantage of him while forcing him to maintain proper minister-subject boundaries.

Rong Pu might not be unaware either, but he was a clever person with a generous nature.

On deck, a group of clever people smiled falsely at each other. In the cabin, Tie Ci looked at the well-prepared women’s clothing and the complete array of matching exquisite jewelry, and sighed.

He was a thoughtful person, and also one with many ideas. Did this mean he intended to protect her throughout the journey of trials?

Unfortunately, she couldn’t accept this kindness.

She found a long robe in the cabin and put it on. The garment was a bit long, so she tied the sash high and rolled up the sleeves, revealing a section of snow-white, elegantly-lined wrists.

Her full head of black hair was casually secured with a jade hairpin. Her entire outfit took no more than a quarter-hour to arrange. When she lifted the curtain and emerged again, everyone on deck brightened their eyes.

Rong Pu’s expression changed slightly—Tie Ci was wearing his clothes.

However, when he met Tie Ci’s gaze again, those clear and frank eyes made him feel that any fluttering, turbulent thoughts would be a desecration of such a gaze.

Her eyes were like black glazed mirrors, reflecting the vastness of heaven and earth, thus highlighting the “smallness” in everyone’s hearts.

Standing there, she was as forthright as a great wind, sweeping past all the murky, drifting clouds of this world.

Rong Pu couldn’t approach, only be a good host. The guest was very gracious and generous—she ate what was given, wore what was offered, neither picky nor affected. When encountering good dishes, she would certainly praise them loudly, and when drinking good wine, she would definitely share the joy with everyone. Moreover, she could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk and would never lose composure to embarrass herself or her host. In leisure time, she could discuss politics or compete in martial arts. If you played a tune, she could identify the five musical notes and keep perfect rhythm, and her critiques would always hit the mark. There was no worry of playing to an unappreciative audience or casting pearls before swine. Traveling with such a person should be like bathing in spring breeze, yet Rong Pu felt as if he had encountered an endless jade screen wall, standing in a high hall, radiating cold, brilliant light wherever one turned, with no way to find the entrance.

The large boat traveled downstream, and with favorable winds, it was quite swift. During the journey, Rong Pu asked Tie Ci where she planned to choose as the first location for her trials. Usually, trial locations were selected and decided by the Inner Cabinet, but this time Tie Ci had left hastily, wanting to travel incognito without anyone knowing.

Tie Ci said she would go to Yongping Prefecture.

Rong Pu couldn’t help but be surprised. Yongping Prefecture was the prefecture closest to Liaodong, located in the northwest corner of Beining Provincial Administration Commission. Beyond Beining’s newly built border city, one could gaze upon the vast forests and perpetually snow-covered Liaodong. This was a military stronghold of vital strategic importance, not only bearing the heavy responsibility of monitoring Liaodong’s movements, but also serving as a necessary passage for major bandits and serious criminals from Liaodong wanting to enter the interior. Therefore, heavy troops were stationed here, with dragons and snakes mixed together, treacherous terrain, countless spies, and endless incidents of all kinds.

For the Crown Princess to choose that place for her first trial—did she feel that the mountains were high and the emperor far away, wanting to avoid the Empress Dowager’s assassins? Or had her gaze already turned to Liaodong, wanting to plan for Liaodong in advance?

Rong Pu had his own judgment but didn’t ask many questions. The large boat entered the river and then turned to sea, heading north without stopping at shore, until the sailors reported they were not far from Yongping Prefecture and would be able to land in two more days.

On this particular day, they caught many white fish. This type of fish had fine scales and tender meat with extremely thick oil, living only in the cold seawater of the north, making it most suitable for fish sashimi. The kitchen quickly prepared it with sharp knives and presented it on large blue and white plates. The plates were blue-green, spread with a layer of crystalline ice, and the pale pink fish slices bloomed like peony petals on the ice, thin as cicada wings, revealing the blue and white pattern beneath.

Naturally, Tie Ci wouldn’t waste such beauty by grabbing and eating carelessly. She admired the exquisite presentation for quite a while before slowly picking up a piece with chopsticks to dip in sauce and eat.

Rong Pu smiled and clapped his hands, and fine wine and delicious food were continuously brought forth.

Tables were arranged in a row on the deck, facing the vast river and brilliant moonlight. Distant boats and near sails were all hidden in the dark silver starlight.

Tie Ci only casually ate a few bites and praised the Rong family’s elegance—even while traveling, on a boat, the food and drink were so refined and exquisite. Then she leaned against the cabin wall and watched Rong Pu play the zither.

Poetry, literature, music, and chess were essential skills for noble young men from distinguished families. Tie Ci had long experience with various palace banquets and had heard all kinds of performances, yet she still had to admit that even compared to those famous masters renowned throughout the realm, Rong Pu’s skills could still rank in the top three.

Under the billowing high sails, his wide sleeves stirring in the wind, his satin-like black hair gently scattered, and his luminous face lowered in concentration, always reminded one of a banished immortal above the rainbow, stepping lightly over flower clouds to walk among mortals.

Tie Ci leaned against the side wall, one leg bent, one hand holding a wine cup resting on her knee. Her flowing eyes seemed to hold intoxication, and when she heard wonderful passages, she would raise her cup in distant salute.

Behind the jade cup, her slightly curved lips also seemed filled with wine—sweet and mellow, not self-intoxicating but intoxicating to others.

The zither music attracted boats from all directions to approach. Tie Ci saw in the distance a small boat battling waves across the vast sea toward them. Two figures stood on the boat, one tall and one short. When Rong Pu finished his piece, the shorter one loudly called out “Excellent!” However, at this moment, under the moon over sea and sky, with the zither music ethereal, this single “Excellent!” seemed to destroy the atmosphere. Tie Ci couldn’t help but glare angrily.

Tomorrow, so-and-so and so-and-so will finally meet informally.