Impératrice douairière Xiaoxuan

Chapitre 52

Zhan Zhao understood that the clothes they wore were brought down from the large ship, and the workmanship and materials were very exquisite, which showed that they were of extraordinary status. Since they would be traveling by land tomorrow, they should be careful.

After using the rooms, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. To take care of Bai Yingyu, Mo Yan shared a room with her, while the other three each had their own room.

"You mean those assassins will come after us?" Bai Yingyu asked in a panic from inside the room. She had only heard Mo Yan say that they should disguise themselves after trying on the clothes, and she was immediately terrified.

Mo Yan was making the bed and said casually, "Probably, I can't say for sure."

"Then what should we do?"

"Disguising yourself as an ordinary citizen might help you get away with it... Will you sleep inside or outside?"

"What if we can't escape inside?"

"We'll deal with it if we can't avoid it. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Bai Yingyu watched her busy, slender figure, her face slightly flushed, her heart filled with unease: "But Lord Zhan is injured, is he alright?"

"His injury is a bit troublesome." Mo Yan finished spreading out the blankets, not noticing her expression. She was also somewhat worried. Of the five people, Ning Jin and Bai Yingyu didn't know martial arts, Zhan Zhao was injured, leaving only herself and Wu Zichu. If they really faced the assassins again, they would probably be doomed.

Ning Jin is, after all, a prince, and Yangzhou City is just ahead. She should be able to negotiate with the Yangzhou prefect and ask the government for passage. Mo Yan pondered this in her mind, her steps already heading towards Zhan Zhao's room.

Zhan Zhao had just finished bathing. He was naturally fond of cleanliness, and after several days of bumpy travel, he was covered in dust and sticky with sweat, and had been feeling unwell for some time. Although his injured leg could not yet touch water, he still scooped up water to wash it, and carefully washed his hair as well.

The clothes had been given to Ning Jin to try on. When he heard someone knocking on the door, he assumed it was Wu Zichu bringing the clothes over and didn't pay any attention. He simply put on his robe and went to open the door.

"Zhan..." Mo Yan's voice trailed off when she saw him.

A thin layer of mist lingered around him, his damp hair cascading down his back, the lingering scent of soap filling the air. Because his robe was only casually draped over his shoulders, revealing skin below his neck, wisps of moisture could be seen seeping from it, making Zhan Zhao appear even more slender and handsome.

Mo Yan stared at him, speechless.

"Zhan is rude."

Zhan Zhao was surprised to see her and hurriedly went back to his room to get his outer robe, leaving Mo Yan standing at the door, looking dazed. She thought to herself: No wonder the ancients said that food and sex are human nature. It turns out that the phrase "beauty is food" can be used to describe women as well.

"What is it?" Zhan Zhao had already dressed again and let Mo Yan into the room.

"Mmm." She said with deep affection, "You looked so beautiful just now."

Zhan Zhao was taken aback. Although he knew she was always outspoken, her words still made his handsome face blush slightly.

"Is that all?" He could only try his best to remain calm.

"...It seems there's something else, but I can't remember it right now." She scratched her ear with difficulty, struggling to look away from him and forbidding herself from thinking about his appearance just now.

Zhan Zhao poured her a cup of tea: "Then take your time thinking about it, there's no rush."

Mo Yan obediently sat down and began to think slowly, occasionally stealing glances at him before quickly withdrawing them, her brows furrowing more and more. But with Zhan Zhao right in front of her, her mind went blank, and she couldn't remember why she had come. Zhan Zhao didn't urge her, simply sitting quietly to her side.

Suddenly someone knocked on the door again. Zhan Zhao opened the door and saw Ning Jin, dressed in a set of commoner's clothes, carrying another set in his hand.

"These clothes are a bit odd... What are you doing here?" Ning Jin asked curiously when he saw Mo Yan inside.

"I have important matters to discuss with Lord Zhan."

"Important matter?" Ning Jin looked at Zhan Zhao. "What important matter?"

Recalling Mo Yan's words, Zhan Zhao smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

"You have to keep things from me too?" Ning Jin snorted, handing the clothes in his hand to Zhan Zhao. "These are yours."

Zhan Zhao had assumed it would be Wu Zichu who delivered it, but Ning Jin hadn't expected him to bring it personally: "Where is Brother Zichu?"

“Zichu said he wanted to go for a walk around. You don’t know his temper. He has to know every single chicken and dog in the neighborhood. Otherwise, he’ll feel bad for his bed.”

"Brother Zichu has done his duty well, and Zhan Zhao is ashamed."

"Your leg is injured like this, you'd better behave yourself."

Ning Jin sat down listlessly, noticing Mo Yan staring at him inexplicably. Feeling awkward, he asked, "What's wrong? Do I look bad in this outfit?"

Mo Yan didn't answer, but suddenly her face lit up with joy as she said, "I remember now."

Zhan Zhao smiled: "What is it?"

Mo Yan conveniently pointed to Ning Jin: "I was thinking, Your Highness, could you ask the Prefect of Yangzhou to send some men to escort us?"

“That’s not a difficult thing.” Ning Jin shook his head.

“I have considered this,” Zhan Zhao frowned. “If it were feasible, it could be done in Suzhou, but that would make it easier for the Soul Chasers to find us. A few more officers wouldn’t be a problem for them. Besides, we don’t know if there are other assassins looking for us.”

Mo Yan was worried. "The ledgers and Miss Bai are important evidence. It would be terrible if they caught up with us."

After a long silence, Zhan Zhao said in a deep voice, "...How about we split into two groups?"

"The account book and Miss Bai should travel separately." Mo Yan immediately understood his meaning, at least to ensure that one of them could reach Kaifeng Prefecture safely.

Zhan Zhao nodded: "That night, only Brother Zichu and I fought the Soul Chaser head-on. They barely saw you and Miss Bai. If Your Highness allows, I would like to take the account books and leave with Brother Zichu first."

"But you still have injuries," Mo Yan said with some concern.

"It's alright. With Brother Zichu here, even if we encounter them, we can get away."

"That's true."

Mo Yan knew that with Zhan Zhao and Wu Zichu's skills, they should have no trouble escaping if no one was holding them back.

"You mean Miss Mo and Miss Bai should come with me?" Ning Jin asked.