Ji Wushang looked at it and his heart finally settled down a little. Fortunately, Zhu'er remembered to bring her mother's personal address.
The soldier looked at the inscription, which contained some blessings, Madam Bei's personal signature, and the seal of General Ji's household accountant. After reading it, the soldier looked up at Ji Wushang and saw that she was about thirteen or fourteen years old, wearing a slightly pink brocade embroidered skirt and a silver hairpin in her hair. She looked like a well-bred young lady. He carefully looked at the gold-stamped invitation a few more times.
At this moment, a soldier ran up, cupped his hands, and said to the leader, "Sir, there is news!"
Upon hearing this, the scarred-faced soldier felt a slight surge of joy. He handed the invitation back to Zhu'er, his tone softening somewhat, "I'm so sorry for rudeness! I've disturbed you, Miss!" With that, he turned his horse around, "Let's go!"
Pearl took it and breathed a sigh of relief.
Ji Wushang nodded slightly, "Take care, sir!"
Ji Wushang gave an order and was just about to lower the curtain when he saw a carriage approaching from afar. Wasn't this the Marquis's personal sedan chair? He had only ridden in that sedan chair once in his previous life, when he got married, but it was enough to leave a deep impression on him!
Ji Wushang was slightly disappointed. The people in the Marquis's mansion were all either wolves or tigers. How could they possibly help him get through this difficult time?
But this was clearly not Nan Jinxue's sedan chair; it was... Nan Xuzong's! Ji Wushang clearly saw that the sedan chair's curtain was wide open, and Nan Xuzong's entire wheelchair was inside. Because the wheelchair was quite large, the curtain was half-hanging and couldn't be lowered completely. Perhaps this was the only modified sedan chair left in the world? The base had been removed, and his wheelchair was placed inside.
Ji Wushang shook his head. So what if it was Nan Xuzong? He lowered the curtain and said softly, "Let's lift the sedan chair!"
"Yes!" Pearl replied crisply, unaware of the situation.
The man in the carriage immediately flipped over and sat behind Ji Wushang again, saying, "You're very clever."
"I dare not accept such praise," Ji Wushang said, still slightly shaken, and dared not say more.
Seeing that she didn't speak, the man felt embarrassed to say anything more and could only remain silent, paying attention to the surrounding movements.
Seeing a sedan chair stopped ahead, Nan Xuzong, who was standing some distance away, had some questions in his mind. He casually asked his personal servant Gong Shu, who was following him, "Whose sedan chair is that ahead? Why has it stopped?"
Gong Shu looked closely and said, "It's from General Ji's residence." Then a fast-moving servant said, "I heard that the soldiers of the Ma family army were just arresting a murderer. Who would have thought that General Ji's sedan chair happened to be here, so the soldiers stopped it to ask questions."
"Who is in the carriage?" Nan Xuzong asked expressionlessly.
"It's Miss Ji."
Nan Xuzong remained silent in thought, so Gong Shu immediately ordered the carriage to continue driving.
Two horse-drawn carriages drove past each other, their shafts rumbling.
Ji Wushang looked ahead, knowing that Nan Xuzong's carriage was passing by on the right, and Nan Xuzong knew it too. At this moment, Nan Xuzong recalled that day at the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, her stubborn figure, her slightly trembling eyelashes, and that song, sung with heartbreaking intensity.
Those who know me say I am worried; those who do not know me ask what I seek...
He couldn't help but turn his head and look at the carriage that was passing by on the left.
A gust of wind happened to blow by, slightly lifting the curtain on Ji Wushang's car window, carrying her fragrance. At the same time, there was also... the smell of blood!
Nan Xuzong was stunned.
☆、034 The two struck up a conversation, and hope was rekindled!
No, if that bloody smell is hers, then there's only one explanation: she's the escaped murderer... But that's impossible, because it looks like she's with a bunch of maids, servants, and other servants, so there's no time for her to commit the crime. That leaves only one possibility—the injured murderer is hiding in her car!
Nan Xuzong was alarmed by his own guess. The murderer was in Ji Wushang's carriage, and her situation... But why didn't she call for help? Nan Xuzong turned around, but in that instant, Ji Wushang was no longer in sight, and the carriage slowly disappeared into the distance.
Ji Wushang sighed silently and sat back in the sedan chair, only wanting this man to leave as soon as possible. But how fiercely his dagger was pressed against his vitals!
Nan Xuzong reached out and lifted the sedan curtain, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. "Gong Shu, turn your horse around and follow Miss Ji's sedan."
Gong Shu was startled, his mind filled with questions. "Master, aren't we going to Panyaoju to get the medicine?"
"Turn around and follow!" Nan Xuzong's words left no room for argument. Gong Shu immediately ordered his men to turn their horses around and follow Ji Wushang's carriage. His mind, however, was filled with questions. This was hardly his master! He rarely went out; when he did, it was always to visit the herbalist at the medicine shop to see his master, get medicine, and see if there was any way to cure his legs. But year after year, what method could possibly cure his legs? Gong Shu shook his head, but he was determined to follow his master.
Ji Wushang felt the man behind her slightly lift the curtain of the sedan chair window to look out. He clearly sensed something was off about him and guessed that Nan Xuzong had followed. Inevitably, Ji Wushang felt a slight sense of clarity.
But then, the man behind him suddenly held a dagger to Ji Wushang's neck, his eyes fierce. "You?"
"I...I didn't do anything..." Ji Wushang was indeed scared, but as clever as she was, she had to think of a way to get entangled with this person and keep him in his sight!
Looking at her slightly trembling body and her voice trembling with tears, the man awkwardly put down the dagger. "Do you know the person in that sedan chair that's coming from the opposite direction?"
Ji Wushang shook his head, "They are probably from the Marquis of Jinnan's residence."
The man remained silent, sheathing the dagger. "If you come up and ask me anything, you'd better watch out!"
Ji Wushang could only hum in response. But sensing that the man's grip had loosened considerably, she slightly turned her head, wanting to see his face clearly. The man, knowing her intentions, did not look away. Ji Wushang saw a pair of bright, piercing peach blossom eyes, now looking at her with a faint smile.
Ji Wushang blushed slightly, after all, she had never seen such a look before, and since her rebirth, no one had ever gotten so close to her. Ji Wushang quickly turned her head away, but the man's smile widened even more.
Ji Wushang sensed the person behind him acting this way and felt a slight surge of anger. What was going on? He was being held hostage, so why was the atmosphere like this?!
The carriage behind them was still following, and it was going faster and faster, overtaking Ji Wushang's carriage.
When Ji Wushang's servants saw that they were from the Marquis of Jinnan's residence, they made way for them.
Just then, Nan Xuzong's servant, Gong Shu, suddenly called out to Ji Wushang's convoy, "Is that General Ji's carriage?"
Ji Wushang became excited, but dared not show it too much, and kept a close eye on the outside.
The young servant in charge looked at him and said, "Yes."
"So it's Zhu'er? The one in the sedan chair must be Miss Ji, right?" Nan Xuzong lifted the curtain and said slowly, his glassy eyes like the stars in the sky.
Just as Zhu'er was about to return the greeting, Ji Wushang spoke first, "It is indeed I, young lady. Greetings, Prince Nan." As she spoke, she lifted the curtain to look at Nan Xuzong. At the same time, Ji Wushang felt the dagger and the man's strength!
Nan Xuzong watched, her face now tinged with a girlish shyness, her brows furrowed, her beautiful eyes slightly upturned, as if she had become even more bashful upon seeing Nan Xuzong. Nan Xuzong shivered. Was this still the Ji Wushang he had met before? Although they had only met once, based on his interactions with her, she was a composed, intelligent, courageous, and insightful woman… No, this was a hint… She didn't know he already knew about her, and was giving him this kind of hint.
Nan Xuzong nodded slightly. "Where does Miss wish to go?"
"We're heading to the Right Prime Minister's residence before midday." Ji Wushang's smile was so captivating that Nan Xuzong was mesmerized. Whether it was genuine or feigned, Nan Xuzong had never seen such a sweet smile before.
But then, his eyes turned sharp and bright. "Hehe, I suppose it's to congratulate Brother Bei on his big day." Nan Xuzong suddenly remembered that today was Bei Juefeng's big day. "I haven't seen Brother Bei for many years. Today is an auspicious day, so I've come to pay my respects! Gong Shu, come with me."
"This is not a good idea, is it?" If an unmarried young woman goes with a man who has never been married, and people talk about it, Ji Wushang's reputation will be halved.
“Miss is free to go her own way,” Nan Xuzong said in a deep voice. “It’s no big deal for Brother Bei and I to meet up.” With that, he lowered the curtain.
Nan Xuzong's servants were all puzzled. Why was things so strange today? They were supposed to be going to Panyaoju, but today they were going to the Right Prime Minister's residence instead. They had never heard that their master had made friends with someone surnamed Bei, but today they said they were going to pay a visit and join in the fun! How strange, how strange.
As soon as Ji Wushang lowered the curtain, the man behind her looked at her strangely, making her feel uneasy. Had he discovered something? The man didn't do anything, he just looked at her a few more times.
Now, all that could be heard was the rumble of the carriage shafts, the two carriages moving forward in a barely audible rhythm. It made Ji Wushang's heart leap into his throat; being with a murderer wielding a dagger was like having his heart clenched in his hand and his throat in his throat.
Just after turning the corner and arriving at Qingxuan Street, still some distance from the crossroads, the man shouted, "Stop the carriage!" Ji Wushang was immediately startled. From this angle, his carriage was in front, while Nan Xuzong's carriage hadn't followed at all, meaning he definitely didn't know what was happening here!
"Quick!" His dagger was pressed against Ji Wushang's neck!
☆、035 Cunning villain! Hero saves the damsel in distress!
Ji Wushang could only shout outside, "Zhu'er, have someone stop the carriage!"
Pearl was puzzled, but she didn't say anything and told someone to stop the carriage.
Ji Wushang's heart was pounding in his chest with anxiety. He didn't know what this person wanted to do, but what if he wanted to kill him? Ji Wushang dared not imagine it. He looked around, thinking of something to defend himself. Inadvertently, he remembered the silver hairpin he had worn today, which was about three inches long and could be used as a temporary self-defense item.
The man seemed unconcerned by Ji Wushang's subtle actions, instead focusing his attention on the back of the carriage, eager to seize the opportunity. Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, he pulled a smoke bomb from his pocket and threw it towards the carriage! Instantly, the surrounding area was enveloped in thick smoke. Ji Wushang inwardly cried out in alarm; the smoke choked her mouth and nose, causing her great discomfort. She could only cover her mouth and nose with her sleeve and cough violently, afraid to speak.
At the same time, a man in a straw hat and plain clothes suddenly appeared ahead, pushing a peddling cart used for grocery shopping, rushing towards Ji Wushang's convoy. Just as he was about to get close, he detached himself from the cart and disappeared! The cart was filled with firecrackers, which popped and banged, startling everyone and even the horses pulling the cart!
Ji Wushang was taken aback. Before he could take any precautions, the horse pulling his carriage let out a loud neigh and immediately galloped forward!
Nan Xuzong, standing behind, suddenly changed his expression. "Gong Shu, arrest and interrogate anyone who appears here! Xiaoyue, chase after them!" Xiaoyue was the young girl who was driving the carriage for him. Upon hearing this, she responded with a soft "ya ya" and then lashed out with her whip! It turned out that Xiaoyue was a mute girl.
Nan Xuzong felt a slight worry. Ji Wushang was supposed to be a weak woman; how could she possibly defeat a frightened horse? And what about that murderer… Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes. He never expected to be seen through by this person. His Shadow Sect had laid a trap on the way to the Right Prime Minister's residence, yet he still managed to see through it! This person was extremely quick-witted, willing to risk exposing his companions to get off the carriage here—truly cunning!
Looking at the chaotic crowd ahead, and Ji Wushang's frightened horse galloping wildly in all directions, Nan Xuzong felt a wave of sorrow wash over him once more. It was all because of his legs; if they were, he could certainly ride after them! But! Nan Xuzong pounded his numb legs hard.
Xiaoyue's face changed upon hearing the muffled groan. She turned around and made some incoherent noises, clearly telling Nan Xuzong to stop treating her like that!
Nan Xuzong calmed down after listening. Saving lives was the priority right now! At least he still had his own two hands, right?
"Xiaoyue, I'll drive!" Nan Xuzong said fiercely, as if possessed.
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyue immediately tumbled off the carriage. Although her martial arts skills weren't those of any martial arts masters, jumping off a carriage was no problem for her. As soon as Xiaoyue jumped off, Nan Xuzong immediately produced two silver threads from his sleeve. These threads were extremely strong, and he used them to wrap around the reins, controlling the entire carriage. He freed his right hand and lightly tapped the horse with his finger, causing it to bolt forward.
Ji Wushang's carriage jolted along, and the man behind him watched silently. But he didn't expect that the horse was indeed frightened. Now it was running around wildly, causing chaos and fear throughout the street, with everyone trying to avoid it.
For some reason, she stumbled, and the man behind her suddenly grabbed her waist! Ji Wushang was shocked. Why would he do such a thing to her? "Let me go!" Enraged, Ji Wushang immediately pulled the silver hairpin out of her hair and stabbed it at the man, not caring whether he lived or died.
The man, however, had extremely sharp eyes. Seeing Ji Wushang commit the crime, he grabbed her small hand that was holding the silver hairpin with both hands. The force was so great that Ji Wushang's entire hand felt numb, and she had to let go. The man's eyes swept over her with a slightly ruthless look, making Ji Wushang tremble with fear! He then made a move to take the silver hairpin from her hand.
The coachman, filled with dread, wanted nothing more than to chop the horse to pieces. His face drained of color, yet he dared not jump from the carriage to escape. In his predicament, a man in plain clothes suddenly leaped from the roadside, landing beside the coachman. He snatched the reins from the coachman's hand, and with a powerful twist of his wrists, combined with his internal energy, used an unknown method to calm the horse! Then, he turned a corner and drove the carriage back into the street.
The coachman, still sweating profusely, was startled to see a masked man in plain clothes sitting beside him. "You, what are you doing? Stop right now! Stop!"
How could that man in plain clothes possibly listen to him! The galloping horse rushed forward at breakneck speed.
The man in the carriage looked at Ji Wushang's small face and gently whispered in her ear, "You're very clever. I almost fell for your tricks too." Before Ji Wushang could react, the man had already lifted the curtain and was about to ride alongside the man in plain clothes in front of her.
Just as the two were about to leave together, a silver thread suddenly shot towards them! The man in plain clothes was startled. He looked at the silver thread and tried to block it, but unexpectedly, he was hit back by the force of the silver thread, and a bloody gash appeared on his right arm.
The other man never expected to be attacked like this. He turned around and saw Nan Xuzong glaring angrily at the two of them! The man clearly recognized Nan Xuzong and immediately gestured to the man in plain clothes.
Immediately, the two struck Nan Xuzong twice with their palms as he approached from behind. Nan Xuzong's eagle-like eyes coldly stared at the two people in front of him. The two silver threads in his hands transformed into thousands of strands to resist the continuous attacks. His expression remained unchanged, and he focused all his attention on the two of them.
As Nan Xuzong's men grew in number, the two men realized danger was approaching. They couldn't even defeat Nan Xuzong alone; how could they possibly withstand his entire force? This Nan Xuzong claims to be the heir of a marquis's family; it seems they need to investigate further!
Having figured it out, the man in black took advantage of an opening and tried to pull out some hidden weapons from his pocket, but instead touched Ji Wushang's silver hairpin. A smile flashed across his lips, but it disappeared instantly. He then took out a silver dart and attacked Ji Wushang, who was sitting in the carriage seat!
Nan Xuzong immediately produced a silver thread and swirled it towards the silver dart. The two men seized the opportunity, leaping from the carriage and disappearing from Nan Xuzong's sight in a few swift movements. The silver dart, caught by the silver thread, fell to the ground beneath the carriage.
Ji Wushang was still in shock. Just now, he saw the silver dart flying towards him, which would surely kill him, but it was dissolved by the silver thread.
Nan Xuzong's men hurriedly caught up, only to see the scene that was already close to being covered in dust.
Nan Xuzong remained expressionless, then used a silver thread in his hand to roll up the silver dart on the ground and put it into his pocket.
They've already run away. Humph, I'll definitely get to know these two better from now on!
"Is Miss Ji alright?" Nan Xuzong looked at Ji Wushang sitting in the carriage. The curtain was open, and he saw that her face was pale and bloodless. However, he was slightly relieved to see that she had no injuries.
☆、036 A warm question, with a subtle hint of ulterior motive.
"Thank you for saving me, Prince Nan. I am deeply grateful." Ji Wushang came back to her senses and, seeing Nan Xuzong's cold face, said no more.
"Hehe!" Nan Xuzong chuckled bitterly. Save people? If it weren't for his leg ailment, how could these two have escaped? "You almost harmed Miss, no need for thanks." He had only intended to help and see what was going on, but the thugs had seen through his plan. What was there to thank him for?