So then—

She reached out and pinched Bai Yin’s cheeks, forcing him to open his mouth, then stuffed that wad of cloth back into his mouth, saying, “Then you’d better stay alive, because before you explain that portrait clearly, I won’t let you die.”

With a warning!

After dropping those words, she left.

Returning to sit by the fire!

Her movements were light, afraid she would wake Jingrong.

When she looked toward Bai Yin, she discovered he was also looking at her.

In those eyes was an uncontrollable fierceness.

Unyielding!

The next day.

Everyone extinguished the fire, gathered their things, and prepared to depart.

“We need to pass through this forest. The carriages and horses are all prepared on the other side,” Muruo said.

Pass through the forest!

But—

Lang Bo walked to Jingrong’s side and asked quietly, pointing at those young ladies, “Young Master, what about those young ladies?”

Yes!

They surely couldn’t bring them along, could they?

Jingrong thought for a moment, then turned to Muruo and said, “This matter might trouble you.”

Muruo understood immediately. “Don’t worry.”

So he instructed the people he had brought, “A few of you escort those young ladies back. We’ll split into two routes.”

“Yes.”

Those young ladies wiped their tears and thanked them profusely.

Qin Xi’s eyes brimmed with tears as she grasped Ji Yunshu’s hand and asked, “Jing Yun, after this parting, who knows when we’ll meet again.”

Ji Yunshu patted the back of her hand, advising, “Be careful on the road.”

“Yes.”

But Qin Xi’s face was pale. After only taking two steps, she suddenly fainted.

Fortunately, Lang Bo caught her with one hand!

Holding her firmly and securely.

Seeing this, Muruo quickly came over to check on her. After examining her, he said, “This young lady’s body is very weak. She probably won’t recover for a while.”

Lang Bo was anxious. “Then what should we do?”

“Let’s take her back to Hou Liao first.”

He had the others escort the remaining women back first.

Lang Bo held Qin Xi, at a loss. “This… what should I do?”

Shi Ziran appeared out of nowhere, clapping him on the shoulder and saying, “The young lady is already in your arms now. What do you think you should do? Of course you should take her with you.”

“I…” He was speechless, then looked toward Jingrong with pleading eyes, asking carefully, “You’re not really going to make me bring her along, are you?”

Jingrong told him with a serious face, “Ziran is right. The young lady is in your arms now. You should take care of her.”

Pfft—

“But men and women shouldn’t have physical contact!”

“Stop your nonsense. Hurry and carry her on your back. Once we pass through this forest and get her onto the carriage, it’ll be fine.” Jingrong’s tone brooked no argument.

Lang Bo really had no choice but to carry Qin Xi on his back all the way.

The woman on his back was very light!

It took no effort at all.

But he felt extremely awkward!

Shi Ziran, like a ghost, circled around Lang Bo continuously saying, “How does it feel to have a beauty on your back? Don’t you feel overjoyed?”

“…”

“You should thank me for giving you such a good opportunity.”

“…”

“Say something! Are you so nervous you can’t speak at all?”

“Get lost!”

His voice was heavy, but one could hear that his heart was full of anger.

Shi Ziran laughed a few times, then left.

Muruo happened to look back and nudged Jingrong with his elbow.

He said quietly, “Seriously, you should find a wife for Lang Bo too. You can’t keep having him follow you and Miss Ji around forever, right? His deceased parents are still waiting for him to continue the family line.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think that young lady is not bad, and she matches well with Lang Bo. How about…”

Jingrong grunted in acknowledgment.

“Just a grunt?”

Jingrong glanced at him, turned his head to look at Lang Bo, then said to Muruo, “Aren’t I creating opportunities for him right now?”

Muruo smiled and nudged him with his elbow again.

“At least you boy have some sense!”

Get lost!

Ji Yunshu heard the conversation between the two and couldn’t help but laugh.

She also looked back, but happened to see Bai Yin. He was bound with rope by two guards, being pulled along.

And he had been looking at Ji Yunshu with that same expression since last night.

That gaze made one feel cold!

Everyone walked toward the other end of the forest. The sun overhead grew increasingly intense.

After walking for about half a shichen, they finally emerged from the forest.

The carriages and horses were all there.

Ji Yunshu said to Lang Bo, “Brother Lang, please take Miss Qin to the carriage.”

“Alright.”

Lang Bo carefully placed her in the carriage.

Finally relieved!

She got in the carriage, while the others rode horses.

Heading toward Hou Liao!

On the road, Muruo looked at Bai Yin, who was bound and following behind the carriage, and asked Jingrong, “That person—what do you plan to do with him?”

Jingrong’s expression was cold and stern. He only said one sentence, “Let’s see if he can make it to Hou Liao alive!”

“Then might as well finish him off with one strike.”

Jingrong seemed to have other plans.

He said, “Huhehaote cares about him very much. If he can make it to Hou Liao alive, he might become a very useful chess piece.”

“Oh? That’s interesting!”

Muruo seemed to understand.

In the carriage.

Soon, Qin Xi woke up. When she opened her eyes, she found herself leaning on Ji Yunshu’s shoulder.

She raised her hand to rub her head and sat up.

But she was still weak all over.

“Jing Yun?” she called out.

“You’re awake!”

Hm?

She looked around and asked, “Where am I?”

“You fainted just now. Your health isn’t good. Right now we’re heading to Hou Liao.”

“Hou Liao?”

“Don’t worry. Once you’re better, we’ll send you back.”

“Thank you.”

“If you want to thank someone, you should thank Brother Lang—the one who rescued you and carried you all the way on his back.”

“Ah?” She was slightly startled and lowered her eyes. “Is that so? Then… I really must thank him. He’s a good person.”

Ji Yunshu played matchmaker. “Yes, don’t look at his honest and simple appearance, and he’s not good with words, but he’s a very good person.”

Qin Xi’s face flushed red. She reached out and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

Searching for Lang Bo’s figure.

That person was riding a horse, right up ahead.

Looking at that back, Qin Xi seemed even more bashful, and a smile quietly crept onto the corners of her mouth.

Afraid that person would turn around to look at her, she quickly withdrew her gaze and lowered the curtain.

Ji Yunshu had already perceived her small gesture and thoughts.

But a young lady’s thoughts shouldn’t be exposed directly, so she said nothing.

“Rest for a bit. We won’t reach Hou Liao that quickly.”

“Jing Yun, thank you.”

“You should call me Yunshu instead.”

Hm?

Qin Xi was puzzled.

She said, “My name is Ji Yunshu. Jing Yun was just a name I made up on the spot.”

“Ji Yunshu? Ji Yunshu?” Qin Xi murmured the name. “This name is really beautiful.”

She smiled.

However—

Qin Xi bit her lip and asked her, “Who exactly are you people?”