That “low-key” horse of Xiao Dingfei’s made jingling sounds all along the way. At first, it was somewhat irritating to hear, but gradually everyone grew accustomed to it. They even found a strange amusement in it, as if it injected a particularly distinctive color into this monotonous and tedious journey.

As dusk approached, they finally arrived outside Tongzhou city.

Jiang Xuening recalled the plan she’d made with Zhang Zhe by the river at noon. Thinking they were about to enter the city, she felt somewhat nervous. Unexpectedly, Huang Qian, who was riding ahead, actually reined in his horse first and helped Feng Mingyu down from his mount. He said to everyone: “Please rest here outside the city for a while, brothers. We’ll enter the city a bit later.”

From the capital to Tongzhou was at most a few shichen if one hurried. Yet now they’d traveled an entire day.

In the afternoon, not only Jiang Xuening and Zhang Zhe, but even the Heavenly Doctrine’s own followers and those notorious bandits who’d escaped from prison had sensed it—the team’s pace was very slow, as if waiting for something, wary of something.

This made everyone feel uneasy.

Especially those with serious criminal records. Some immediately expressed dissatisfaction: “We’re already at the city gate, and we’ve all changed our appearances. Everyone can split into groups and enter separately. Why do we still need to wait outside the city? What’s the meaning of this?”

Feng Mingyu and Huang Qian were the decision-makers of the Heavenly Doctrine. Having staged a prison break without finding any trace of Gongyi Cheng, they’d released everyone else from the imperial prison, naturally harboring thoughts of recruiting and employing these people.

But hearing this questioning, they still couldn’t help frowning.

The Heavenly Doctrine followers naturally obeyed them completely.

So Huang Qian wasn’t worried about them. He merely cupped his hands toward those who’d escaped from prison, explaining with apparent goodwill: “Heroes, please remain calm. Times are different from before. The case of Prince Pingnan’s faction has just implicated the Marquis of Yongyi’s household, and we’ve just broken out of prison. If it were only our Heavenly Doctrine people, naturally we’d enter the city directly. But you heroes all have criminal records and have just escaped from prison. We should still be cautious above all. Our sect’s scouts already departed ahead during the journey to investigate the situation in the city. When they return shortly and report that all is well inside, we’ll naturally enter. I hope you heroes will be understanding.”

Someone with a hot temper caught the implication: “Hall Master Huang, do you mean we’re dragging your sect down?”

Huang Qian’s expression changed.

But Feng Mingyu was an old fox. He smiled: “Our sect absolutely means no such thing. This is truly for the heroes’ benefit as well.”

That man who spoke was powerfully built with fierce brows and angry eyes, clearly someone with a bad temper.

But right now, circumstances were stronger than people.

Without the Heavenly Doctrine’s prison break, they’d still be in that dungeon being tortured and awaiting death.

Therefore, some clever and quick-witted person, fearing a conflict might arise here, hurried to grab this man and persuade him with smiling words, playing peacemaker: “Hall Master Huang is a renowned hero in the jianghu. Brother Li, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Besides, this really wasn’t their place to speak.

Seeing that man surnamed Li frown as if still unconvinced, this person hurriedly gave him a meaningful look and directed his gaze toward Meng Yang, who had already silently sat down nearby.

At noon when they’d rested at that village halfway, everyone had already changed out of their prison garb.

Meng Yang now wore a gray robe.

He’d been imprisoned for a long time. The scars on his body couldn’t be hidden, extending from his chest to his neck. His originally disheveled hair was tied back with a cloth strip, revealing that peaceful face. Even his gaze held little ferocity, appearing quite ordinary instead.

He’d naturally heard this somewhat contentious argument. But when everyone’s gaze fell on his face, he looked up with some puzzlement and smiled at them, his two rows of teeth snow-white: “Why is everyone standing? Won’t you sit?”

This could be called a refined and gentle smile.

However, everyone who saw this smile couldn’t help shivering involuntarily, feeling an inexplicable fear they shouldn’t have had.

Immediately, these originally vicious and evil fugitives from the imperial prison fell silent. Though their hearts held considerable dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Doctrine’s dawdling behavior, they forcefully swallowed it down. Trembling and not daring to make a sound, they obediently sat down in this wilderness outside the city.

After all, the violent fear the wicked, and the wicked fear those who don’t value their lives.

By rights, since these people hadn’t caused trouble and this Meng Yang seemed not to care about anything, the Heavenly Doctrine side should be pleased. But Huang Qian and Feng Mingyu, seeing this, both quietly frowned.

Jiang Xuening and Zhang Zhe both took in this scene. They exchanged a remarkably synchronized glance: The Heavenly Doctrine had rescued these people intending to absorb them into the sect, but these people were all unruly and not easy to tame. Instead, they suppressed their dissatisfaction in secret. Though it wasn’t stated explicitly, they implicitly regarded this Meng Yang as their leader.

The two of them were weak and isolated.

After entering the city, the court naturally had reinforcements, but the plan itself carried risks. No one knew what news the Heavenly Doctrine’s scouts would bring back. The greatest fear was that this group would be united like iron with no opening to exploit. But now there were signs of mutual suspicion—perhaps they could consider whether to use one force against another and find some unexpected opportunity.

The two didn’t speak but understood each other perfectly.

Since the Heavenly Doctrine wanted to stop, they had no objections and didn’t dare have any objections.

They dismounted and sat together with everyone.

This area outside the city must frequently have people stopping and lodging. There was a thatched shelter nearby. Everyone led their horses and tethered them to the side to graze. As the sky darkened, they built a roaring bonfire outside.

The blazing firelight ignited, also dispelling some of the cold.

When leaving the village, everyone had brought dry rations and had water pouches. They all sat around the bonfire. After a day of shared hardship, their conversation became much more casual.

Zhang Zhe was cold and taciturn by nature, but Jiang Xuening inside was quite eloquent.

After all, in her previous life, she’d relied on her glib tongue to coax people.

Others, seeing such a beautiful person, were also willing to listen to her speak a bit more.

Originally, Xiao Bao was sitting on her other side, but after Xiao Dingfei threw down his saddle, he came over and drove Xiao Bao away, shamelessly squeezing in to sit beside Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuening glanced at him sideways, seeing this roguish behavior identical to her previous life, finding it amusing: “Young Master Dingfei said on the road that you had good fortune, which I didn’t believe. But now I do. I’ve always heard that the Heavenly Doctrine has lofty righteousness, sharing joys and sorrows with the common people of the world. Yet looking at you, you don’t seem like a Heavenly Doctrine follower at all.”

Xiao Dingfei rolled his eyes: “Don’t talk nonsense. Though this young master looks dissolute on the surface, inside I have the world at heart. How does that saying go? Something about ‘first under heaven’ something something, ‘after under heaven’ something something…”

Feng Mingyu and Huang Qian had just walked over when they heard this. They felt a rush of blood to their heads.

Feng Mingyu glared angrily.

Huang Qian, fearing others would think all their Heavenly Doctrine followers were of this quality, hurried forward to smooth things over: “It’s ‘Be first to worry about the world’s worries, last to enjoy the world’s pleasures.’ But our sect’s teaching is ‘Universal Harmony Under Heaven.’ Our Young Master Dingfei is joking with everyone—don’t take it seriously.”

Who among the crowd couldn’t see what kind of character Xiao Dingfei was?

Some smiled without smiling, while others gave face and nodded.

Jiang Xuening was the type to give face. Not knowing whether she understood or not, she nodded anyway, only saying: “That’s truly impressive. This is the ideal of ancient sages.”

Huang Qian thought to himself that this young lady actually had some knowledge. He was about to accept this flattery when unexpectedly a cold laugh came from the side, sneering: “What bullshit universal harmony is there under heaven? In these times, I think your sect’s teachings are rather meaningless.”

This voice was hoarse and rough, grating on the ears.

Jiang Xuening’s eyelid twitched hearing it. Along with everyone else, she looked toward the sound. It was none other than Meng Yang from earlier. Who knew where he’d gotten a jar of wine? Now he sat sprawled by the bonfire, chest wide open, actually drinking wine while saying these words.

Several traces of wariness immediately surfaced on Feng Mingyu’s wrinkled face.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t quite fathom this person’s depths either, only sensing some danger by instinct.

For a time, no one replied.

But what Meng Yang had just said truly stirred up some feelings in people. After a while, someone shook their head and sighed deeply, saying: “Actually, what Righteous Hero Meng said isn’t wrong. These times truly aren’t right. When I was still in prison, I heard that they actually arrested and imprisoned the entire Marquis of Yongyi household in the imperial prison. That’s a family of loyal heroes who fought countless victorious battles for our Great Qian dynasty! Without cause, they were given the label of contacting rebels and thrown in prison. When you came to break us out yesterday, you were a step too late—that marquis household has all been exiled to Huangzhou. Truly pitiful. How muddled the current court is! Taxes grow heavier by the day, people can’t make a living, and they still talk about ‘Universal Harmony Under Heaven!’ Bah!”

The name of the Marquis of Yongyi household was more or less known to the common people of the Great Qian dynasty.

After all, in earlier years, Marquis Yan Mu led troops in battle, repelling repeated invasions by border barbarians. He fought until these savages became afraid, submitting to Great Qian, which finally gave the ten thousand people some days of rest and recuperation.

Trade finally began across the borders as well.

But recently, life had become difficult for border merchants.

Not mentioning this would have been fine, but once brought up, people inevitably recalled old matters. Someone laughed and said: “Speaking of which, don’t laugh at me—back when I was forced to become a bandit chief in the mountains, I once thought of coming down to join the army, specifically under General Yan’s command. I heard that though young General Yan was young in years, he inherited his father’s aspirations and was quite capable. What a pity! Before I could act, I was arrested by the court for suppressing bandits and thrown in prison. Who would have thought, heh heh, I’d actually encounter General Yan in prison!”

By the end of his words, there was inevitably some desolation.

Meng Yang in the corner drank his wine but didn’t respond.

That man surnamed Li who’d earlier confronted Feng Mingyu and Huang Qian exploded in temper again, saying disdainfully: “Capable courts resist foreign enemies, incapable courts harm loyal subjects! That matter of the Three Hundred Righteous Children’s Tomb from twenty years ago still hasn’t been clearly explained. It caused a huge uproar throughout the city. I heard General Yan’s nephew also died under mysterious circumstances. Now look—the entire Yan clan sent in. The one sitting on the dragon throne is probably making an example to warn others. Bah, what nonsense! The Tatar envoys have even entered the capital, actually daring to demand to marry one of our Great Qian’s princesses for a marriage alliance. What absolute horseshit!”

“…”

Tatar. Marriage alliance. Princess.

Jiang Xuening had been listening attentively to these people talk, intending to learn more about the Heavenly Doctrine’s inner workings. But she truly hadn’t expected anyone to mention the marriage alliance matter.

The fingers holding her water pouch suddenly trembled lightly.

That person was still cursing: “What are the Tatars? Barbarians who eat raw meat and drink blood! When the old man dies, his wife is even left to his son! Simply defying human ethics! Years ago, they knelt before us begging for peace, even offering annual tribute. Now that the Marquis of Yongyi household has fallen, all sorts of demons and monsters climb up our noses. The court right now is just spineless! Marriage alliance, marriage alliance—it’s just marrying off a princess to beg for peace, and we have to reward them with a pile of good things besides. Ptui!”

Zhang Zhe listened and thought of Shen Zhiyi’s fate in the previous life. He also recalled that coffin welcomed back amidst the tearful solemn standing of all civil and military officials, with the empire’s princess who would never smile again lying inside. He lowered his eyelids but couldn’t help turning to look at the young woman beside him.

She appeared completely oblivious.

The person sat beside him, long thick lashes pressing down, covering the light in her eyes. Her gentle cheeks, originally illuminated by the blazing firelight, gradually lost their color, becoming fragile and pale.

Perhaps sometimes, leaving wasn’t as easy as one thought.