Bu Shulin traveled through the night to meet Xiao Changying, standing before him in her current appearance, leaving him staring at her in shock.

In the light summer clothing, especially women’s gauze skirts being more flowing, Bu Shulin wore a plain white dress. Her black hair was tied up with a white silk flower. Whether as herself or her current borrowed identity, she appeared as a woman mourning her father – an appropriate appearance.

This was an unfamiliar face. If not for Bu Shulin announcing herself and being accompanied by Jinshan, even if they had passed each other on the road, Xiao Changying wouldn’t have recognized her as Bu Shulin.

“You are quite daring,” Xiao Changying’s words seemed both amazed and admiring.

Though Bu Shulin had changed her appearance and identity, a person’s way of moving wasn’t easily faked. Bu Shulin was truly in female form and pregnant. Because of this, even though Jinshan and the others had exposed their trail, traveling with the merchant caravan among many people made it impossible to guess who Bu Shulin was.

His second and eighth brothers’ men likely only watched the young men along the way. Even if they thought Bu Shulin might disguise herself as a woman to slip through, they wouldn’t suspect a genuinely pregnant woman.

“We’re alike in this. I only did what I had to to survive, but Prince Lie left the capital and protected me – that’s opposing His Majesty. In terms of daring, how could I compare to half of Your Highness’s courage?” Bu Shulin cupped her hands respectfully to Xiao Changying.

Xiao Changying’s narrow eyes narrowed further, his tone suddenly cold: “You’re quite trusting. Aren’t you afraid I deliberately lured you out?”

“Whether true or false, if I don’t even dare to meet Your Highness, how could I deserve the Crown Princess’s trust?” Bu Shulin’s expression remained serene, seemingly unafraid of Xiao Changying’s potential trap. “I’m already surrounded – could my situation get any more dangerous?”

Bu Shulin believed Xiao Changying when he said he was risking leaving the capital and opposing His Majesty because of Shen Xihe. However, believing this didn’t make her rush blindly to meet him.

The situation was too unfavorable. If the Crown Prince meant to give her a chance to prove herself, he wouldn’t send news from the capital. Though she had her network in the capital after so many years, she dared not act rashly for fear of exposing her whereabouts.

Now knowing nothing about the capital’s situation, she never imagined the Crown Prince would set up such an advantageous situation, even drawing away various parties’ attention. Yet barely halfway through her journey, she was already intercepted by different groups. Though not fully exposed, she faced grave danger.

Even if Xiao Changying was just luring her out, her situation couldn’t get worse. Since he came personally, unlike His Majesty’s, Prince Zhao’s, and Prince Jing’s men, he wouldn’t be easily fooled. If she didn’t appear today, Xiao Changying would only need to investigate the merchant caravan to find her. Even if temporarily deceived by her current appearance, it would only take him a day or so to screen everyone.

At this point, rather than cautiously probing while inevitably being exposed, and possibly exposing herself to others while avoiding Xiao Changying, it would be worse.

“Indeed, there’s no need for further concealment.” Xiao Changying nodded, examining Bu Shulin.

The Bu Shizi before him, appearing as a woman, not only looked completely different but seemed much cleverer than before.

“Since Your Highness mentioned the Crown Princess, you must have some purpose. Having me appear and fall into your hands, even if just for the Crown Princess’s sake, you’ll preserve my life,” Bu Shulin spoke somewhat smugly.

She wasn’t naive enough to truly believe in Xiao Changying’s deep feelings for Shen Xihe, but after consideration, falling into his hands was better than His Majesty’s or Prince Zhao’s and Prince Jing’s. Xiao Changying at least had to keep her alive – a form of protection.

“In the capital, I underestimated Bu Shizi.” Xiao Changying sneered. “Put aside your calculations. My coming here has nothing to do with you. If you want another chance at survival, better not scheme behind my back.”

Bu Shulin was startled. She had already appeared, so Xiao Changying did not need to act to lower her guard. As she firmly believed, regardless of his plans, he wouldn’t endanger her life.

Therefore, Xiao Changying’s words now were completely genuine – he had gone this far for the Crown Princess.

Inexplicably, Bu Shulin blurted out: “Your Highness, won’t you regret this?”

The price was too high. Though leaving the capital without permission was a serious crime, it could be explained away. But if His Majesty learned he had left privately to help her, His Majesty would be the first to turn against him.

He was gambling with his life.

“Bu Shizi need not concern herself with my affairs.” Xiao Changying didn’t wish to discuss this further, instead saying: “Somehow my second brother could track your movements. We all followed him here. Your urgent task is to figure out how. Also, though my second and eighth brothers’ men died here, and we stopped them from sending messages back to the capital, the loss of so many men makes this suspicious. They will pursue relentlessly. His Majesty’s men will soon receive news. Do you have any plans to escape this crisis?”

“I already know the cause.” Bu Shulin took out a thumb-sized glass bottle from her waist containing two strange-looking flying moths. “Once released from the bottle, these insects will follow Yinshan constantly. They must have used this to track us.”

This explained why when Yinshan moved, Xiao Changyan’s men followed, regardless of whether she was behind.

“Their men have all been silenced, obviously breaking communication. They will certainly grow suspicious. I plan to have Yinshan temporarily lead them away. Even if they’re skeptical, they won’t abandon the pursuit,” Bu Shulin continued. “As for me, I must reach the Min River within seven days.”

“The Min River?” Xiao Changying asked, puzzled.

“Following the Min River back to Shunan City.” Bu Shulin didn’t explain further.

This was her agreement with Xiao Huayong. He had set three deadly traps for His Majesty and the others. The first trap was at the Jialing River – since her whereabouts weren’t completely exposed, even with suspicions, they would take the bait. Blood seeping to the river bottom would be the result.

The second trap was at the Min River. To ensure they would enter the trap despite losses at the Jialing River, she had to appear personally to make it impossible for them to resist. If they dared not come, the Min River led directly to Shunan City – she could return safely, and there would be no need for the third trap.