Chapter 56

No trace of the night's light remained outside, only the faint, rustling sound of footsteps. Pei Muci’s waist hovered in the air as he lay half-propped on the bed, allowing Qingwu to sleep more comfortably and soundly.

The hand he placed on her back patted her gently, rhythmically, his gaze unblinkingly fixed upon her profile.

The calming incense was gradually burning down, the wisps of smoke rising from the censer dispersing wider and wider. An Qi poked half his head in from the outside, catching sight of the two figures embracing behind the screen. "Lord, everything is prepared."

Maintaining his posture, Pei Muci scooped her up into his arms and stepped out in his jade-soled boots.

Even the carriage's footrest was lined with a cashmere blanket, and the inner couch was spacious. He laid her down gently on the soft mattress, then lifted the curtain to return to the tent and adjust his attire.

His journey back would take him through the territories of eight prefectures; dressing too casually would compromise his dignity.

Upon entering, Gu Hanjiang first scanned the surroundings. Seeing only Pei Muci alone, he knew the stratagem of the master and servant had succeeded. "Why must you treat a young girl this way? Wouldn't it be better to just explain things clearly?"

"Qi Yu is still locked in the celestial prison; once we return, she will naturally understand." Pei Muci held fast to his decision, though inwardly he still had no idea how to explain his true lineage to her.

Gu Hanjiang always deferred to Pei Muci when it came to schemes and plotting, but he constantly disapproved of these minor affairs. "Even so, there was no need to go this far—"

Knocking someone out and carrying them away hardly seemed appropriate no matter how one looked at it.

"Otherwise, she wouldn't have come with me."

Seeing no trace of dejection in his tone—instead, he sounded rather pleased with himself—Gu Hanjiang did not waste breath arguing over a settled matter. He quickly changed the subject: "I want to borrow someone from you."

Pei Muci glanced at him, leisurely pulling his outer robe over his shoulders. "Speak."

"I want to keep Du Jin here for a while." Gu Hanjiang casually dragged a table and stool over to sit down, knowing full well Pei Muci wouldn't agree instantly.

As expected, Pei Muci frowned.

"He won't be an eyesore in front of you," Gu Hanjiang added. "He's going to Quzhou to meet Elder Mei and his wife, and taking the waterway will be faster to bring the Queen back to research the antidote. You take the path scouted by the outriders, and I'll stay here to wrap things up, joining you as quickly as possible."

The Southern Dynasty's Queen had had her arms severed by Pei Muci in a fit of rage. If she weren't rushed to the capital, Gu Hanjiang truly feared she wouldn't live until the day Pei Muci found his antidote.

"Unless Qingwu speaks, he won't..."

"When did you become such a petty person? Du Jin is a fine man in his conduct and actions. I've spoken with him twice; he understands reason and distinguishes right from wrong. He's much easier to get along with than you." Gu Hanjiang rested both hands on the arms of the chair, fighting injustice on Du Jin's behalf. If it weren't for the fact that Pei Muci's injuries were not yet fully healed, he had even harsher words waiting!

Even he felt it was more comfortable to be around Du Jin, let alone that young lady!

Yet he dared not speak such words to provoke Pei Muci.

While Pei Muci could tolerate the young lady's capers, anyone else doing the same would likely meet a grim fate.

"This way, we shall split into three groups. Quzhou has fine mountains and clear waters; take her out to stroll and relax so she doesn't brood and end up stabbing you when you least expect it." Gu Hanjiang's tone sounded distinctly gloating. "How about it?"

"Very well."

Pei Muci changed into a plain white robe adorned with dark flying dragons. His tall, slender figure carried an air of refined elegance as he walked out of the tent with measured steps.

An Qi draped a warm velvet cloak over his shoulders.

Xi Zhi and Xi Xing climbed down from the carriage, grasping a large bundle of sharp weapons—even her hairpins and the small fruit knife had been confiscated to prevent a repeat of past events.

"Alright, you go on ahead. Exercise caution in all things." Gu Hanjiang waved farewell.

Just as his voice fell and Pei Muci prepared to climb into the carriage, a soldier hurried over carrying a silver-glazed bowl, looking about nervously as if clutching a hot potato.

"What is it?" Gu Hanjiang was eager to see them off and, finding the matter interrupted once more, naturally spoke with a poor tone.

The soldier was heavily built, looking as though he could withstand swords and spears on the battlefield, but at that moment he looked ready to cry. "Du—Doctor Du asked me to deliver something."

Camp residents all knew that the eccentric physician living in the side tent had some unpleasant entanglements with the Lord, and no one wanted to run errands for him and court disaster. However, this soldier had contracted a rare case of measles that the military physicians could do nothing about. When he went to seek out Du Jin, Du Jin happened to be brewing medicine and demanded this bitter errand of delivering medicine as payment.

Though seven or eight people stood in the open space before the main tent, none stepped forward to ease the awkward atmosphere. They all stared at the bowl of medicine held by the soldier as if it were a bowl of fatal poison.

Especially when the carriage curtain suddenly parted an inch, and a more intimidating gaze fell upon him.

The soldier had once witnessed the Lord charge into the Southern Dynasty's vanguard, and his legs turned to jelly; he nearly dropped to his knees.

Pei Muci poked his head out from the carriage. "What did he say?"

The soldier began to stammer again. "It's medicine to clear away residual toxins. Doctor Du, he... he also left a note."

An Qi passed the note along with the bowl to Pei Muci.

The note contained Du Jin's instructions on how to take the medicine. Perhaps fearing suspicion, he had also written some words to verify his identity.

Back at the princess's estate, Pei Muci had often watched Du Jin prescribe medicine, and he recognized his handwriting.

Though he intensely loathed accepting anything from Du Jin, he could not deny that Du Jin understood Qingwu's physical condition best, and aside from himself, was likely the least

likely person to harm her.

"Convey my thanks."

The carriage wheels rolled forward slowly. Gu Hanjiang stood behind the carriage, waving frantically in celebration of his release.

Qingwu collapsedboneless onto the soft couch. Knowing she feared bitterness, Pei Muci administered the medicine in one go.

"So hot." The foul taste stirred fearful memories of the period when she was forced to take medicine. She opened her eyes dazedly, and the man before her possessed a cool, alluring charm.

Qingwu swallowed with difficulty twice, and Pei Muci fed her some more warm water.

"Once we reach the city, I'll buy some candied fruit for Your Highness."

Du Jin would not administer harsh drugs to Qingwu; most were conditioning herbs to dissipate heat and expel toxins, which now caused her entire body to break out in a sweat, her brow quickly dampening with dense beads of perspiration.

Pei Muci's gaze remained tender, fixed entirely upon her.

Her thick, smooth black hair was scattered across his knees, covering the already close space between them like climbing, intertwining vines that slowly tightened around his soul.

Qingwu seemed oblivious to his burning affection. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder, murmuring something unintelligible.

"What?" Pei Muci rested his chin against her ear, but she refused to repeat herself, rubbing uncomfortably against the crook of his arm. Her squirming threw his heart into chaos and set his whole body tingling with a sweet itch.

He unbuttoned his collar, letting her press against his exposed chest, then lowered his head with a soft smile.

His slightly pale face blossomed with a brilliant smile, dazzling to the point that it was hard to look directly at him.

"Hot," Qingwu repeated.

Pei Muci tried to curl her into his arms, but she was displeased and shoved him away fiercely.

With no other choice, he loosened the outermost sash of her garments, allowing her to lie flat, though he still refused to let her stray too far.

His fingertips inadvertently brushed over her flawless skin; the soft, delicate texture intoxicated him, especially the beads of sweat rolling down her jade neck and slipping into her collar, fixing his gaze upon them.

"Your Highness." Pei Muci curled his fingers, stroked her cheek, and hooked a lock of dark hair, playing with it between his fingers.

His movements were very light, but Qingwu seemed to sense it and instinctively rolled over.

Her head had originally rested on his thigh, but now the tip of her nose brushed directly across his clothing, lightly grazing his lower abdomen.

Pei Muci felt his bones turn to mush; his refined brows relaxed, and he made no effort to conceal the dark, unfathomable depths of his eyes.

He leaned down and tasted her parted lips.

At first, he maintained his reason, but soon unable to restrain himself, he shifted his sharp nose and began a frantic plunder.

Qingwu was kissed to the point of suffocation and let out two soft whimpers.

"What are you doing?"

It was clearly a tone of extreme anger, yet due to her grogginess upon waking, it sounded like coquettish whining.

Pei Muci licked the glistening moisture from the corner of her lips, gently supporting the back of her head.

Unfortunately, Qingwu only woke for a moment; as the medicine's effect took hold, she grew drowsy again. The carriage wheels rolling over the gravel road—the clattering sound of wooden wheels—drowned out all other noises.

They reached Quzhou two days later. Along the way, Pei Muci fed Qingwu simple liquid nourishment. Whether toxins remained in her system or An Qi's calming incense had been too potent, Qingwu drifted constantly between sleep and wakefulness. When awake, her consciousness remained hazy; she could not even discern who Pei Muci was, leaving him in absolute control of everything.

"Lord, we have entered the city." An Qi handed over a simple breakfast and involuntarily looked up.

Pei Muci had not slept for two nights, yet his energy seemed tenfold improved.

An Qi had sat on the carriage shaft all the way; from the rear compartment came the woman's soft scolding interspersed with the Lord's low, coaxing murmurs.

Even if the Lord had suffered near-fatal injuries, he would never have uttered such resonant, muffled groans.

An Qi dared neither listen too much nor look.

Pei Muci's complexion had returned to normal. He took the purchased breakfast and set it aside.

Qingwu sat huddled in the corner with her arms wrapped around her knees, curled into a tiny ball. From the bridge of her nose down to beneath her eyes, an undeniable flush spread across her skin.

Pei Muci leisurely poured half a cup of tea, softened his tone, and handed it to her.

"Rinse your mouth."

Qingwu took a small sip of the clear tea, spat it into the empty cup he held out, and then drank the remaining medicine from the bowl Du Jin had provided.

The rich medicinal fragrance finally masked any lingering scents.

"Stop the carriage." With a look of self-reproach upon passing a steaming pastry shop, Pei Muci spoke in a hoarse voice.

He poured another cup of hot tea, thrust it into Qingwu's hands, and stepped down to buy pastries for her personally.

The morning market was filled with peasant women and rough folk casually shopping. Though dressed in extremely unassuming plain clothes, Pei Muci's towering height and extraordinary bearing still made him an exceptionally striking presence.

Qingwu emerged and sat on the carriage shaft, elegantly blowing away the tea leaves floating on the water's surface.

An Qi's heart beat rapidly. Just as he assumed she had simply come out to breathe fresh air, Qingwu tilted her head and asked him very seriously, "When I bought you into the estate, the two of you plotted this all along, didn't you?"

How dared An Qi speak?

He always felt that Qingwu possessed an innate noble aura; anyone standing before her felt as small as an ant, compelled to prostrate and submit from the depths of their soul.

With the facts before her, Qingwu cared not whether he answered. The mist from the hot tea dyed her cheeks rosy, her smiling eyes bright. "When Pei Muci escaped the princess's estate that time, I should have killed you outright."

She rotated her wrists twice, seemingly lamenting the lack of internal energy to accomplish the task.

"The Lord didn't want to escape the princess's estate; he went to—"

An Qi was about to explain that Pei Muci had gone through great pains to leave the estate solely to retrieve the antidote and fool Qi Yu and the others, but before he could finish, a suave, dashing male voice interrupted their conversation.