Qi Yuan smiled and curled her lips slightly, looking at him as if it were only natural. “Yes, His Highness asked you to protect me all the way. And haven’t you all been doing just that along the journey? But now, I’m not continuing on, so there’s no need for your protection anymore.”
Babao had a generally good temper and had always held a deep respect for Qi Yuan.
After all, whether it was courage, intelligence, or conduct, this young lady was no ordinary woman.
But now, even he couldn’t help but darken his expression. “Miss Qi, are you playing games with us?”
So many people had accompanied Qi Yuan this far, fully prepared to escort her to Fujian.
And now, after she inexplicably changed the route without warning, she wanted them to continue on alone—while she stayed behind?
What was this supposed to mean?
Compared to their frustration, Qi Yuan was surprisingly calm this time.
She gestured for them to be patient and waited until both men had calmed down before speaking softly, “I’m not toying with you. The reason I ordered the route changed without informing you was because I wanted to lure Qi Wang here.”
Qi Wang…
Babao and Liujin exchanged glances. “Then Miss Qi, when you told us to wear your cloak…”
“Yes, exactly what you’re thinking,” Qi Yuan looked at them seriously. “One of you will impersonate me, wear my cloak, and head for Fujian. Lure Qi Wang into following you.”
After a moment of silence, she added, “But this journey will be dangerous. If Qi Wang realizes something’s off, your lives will be in jeopardy. So you must keep your heads down—don’t show your faces, and don’t let him catch up. Even if he does, you must not expose yourselves.”
She lifted her gaze to them. “Thank you for your efforts. Once you return, I’ll make sure to commend you to His Highness.”
…This wasn’t just about commendations anymore!
Babao scratched his head. “Then… Miss Qi, where are you going?”
Having them draw away Qi Wang was one thing, but what about Qi Yuan herself?
Qi Yuan smiled faintly. “If Qi Wang comes, the Liu family will come too.”
Qi Wang was the Liu family’s golden treasure—their future hope for continued prosperity and power.
Naturally, they’d be watching his movements closely.
If they knew he was coming after her, the so-called witch, the Liu family—already itching to kill her—would certainly act.
However, they’d also need time to track Qi Wang’s movements.
Besides, in their past life, Qi Wang had always been annoyed by Liu Jinghong overstepping boundaries. So he wouldn’t report his movements to him.
Liu Jinghong could only rely on the route they’d obtained back in the capital.
And the destination Qi Yuan had hinted at before was toward Henan.
So now, she needed to return to the original route.
Babao and Liujin both looked like they were on the verge of tears.
Everything she said made sense.
But the order His Highness had given them was to protect Miss Qi!
Babao hesitated. “Then… you alone…”
Qi Yuan suddenly smiled. “You forgot—I still have what His Highness gave me. Don’t worry.”
After she spoke, she gave them further instructions to change routes a few times, to delay Qi Wang’s discovery, and then mounted a horse and disappeared into the snowy wilderness.
Babao’s heart pounded loudly. He couldn’t help but ask, “Are we really going to do as Miss Qi said?”
“What else can we do?” Liujin narrowed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and made up his mind. “If she won’t cooperate, what choice do we have? We can’t tie her up. Let’s help her buy time and go!”
—
Wind howled past her ears as Qi Yuan lowered her body on horseback and galloped along the side path.
At the same time, another group sped along the official road, racing in the opposite direction she had come.
Separated by a mountain, the distance between them only grew farther and farther.
The wind was too bitter. Riding on horseback, Liu Jinghong soon felt his hands and feet going numb and had to call the group to a halt.
As soon as he stopped, a steward handed him a water pouch for a sip of hot water.
His face pale from cold, Liu Jinghong rubbed his frozen face and ears and stamped his feet. “How far to the next post station?”
A subordinate quickly responded, “Young Master, not until nightfall at the earliest.”
Traveling in this kind of cold was sheer torture. Liu Jinghong narrowed his eyes in discomfort, but thinking of Qi Wang chasing Qi Yuan to find Liu Wangfei, he pulled himself together.
No matter what, Qi Yuan and the Liu Wangfei must die. This trip couldn’t be for nothing!
He gave a grunt, mounted his horse, and continued riding.
—
It was not until nightfall that they reached the third post station.
Once Liu Jinghong had settled in, he ordered his men to inquire about Qi Yuan and Qi Wang’s whereabouts.
But once again, his trusted aide shook his head. “Young Master, we’ve searched all the stations—no sign of Miss Qi or His Highness.”
Still no sign at this station?!
Liu Jinghong was instantly irritated.
By his calculations, he was at least a day and a night behind Qi Wang and Qi Yuan.
But he’d already been traveling at full speed—why hadn’t he caught up?
Could it be they weren’t staying at post stations?
With that thought, Liu Jinghong’s eyes gleamed as he ordered, “Check the inns in the surrounding towns too.”
So many people, needing food, water, and rest—they were bound to leave traces.
How could they just vanish?
He didn’t believe it.
His men took the order and began asking around that very night.
At that moment, Qi Yuan was passing by that very same post station with a hired caravan and a team of bodyguards.
Her carriage was spacious and ornate, clearly not something an ordinary traveler would use.
The guards around her were obviously highly skilled as well.
They drew plenty of attention.
The next day, Liu Jinghong’s aide returned with a report: “Young Master, we’ve spotted Miss Qi Yuan’s caravan! They’re actually slower than us. They didn’t stay at any post stations—just passed them and went straight to town inns.”
Finally found her!
Liu Jinghong let out a cold laugh. “Thought she was a celestial maiden, feeding on wind and dew, did she?”
Then he asked, “What about His Highness?”
His aide shook his head. “Young Master, there’s been no sign of him—only Miss Qi’s group.”
Where was Qi Wang?
Something felt off. Liu Jinghong drummed his fingers on the table, then gave a new order: “Keep searching for His Highness. Also—have someone follow Qi Yuan. Don’t let a single move of hers escape our sight. Report everything.”
His aide agreed immediately.
Liu Jinghong walked to the window and pushed it open. Looking at the snow-covered landscape, he sneered silently:
“Qi Yuan, your death is near.”
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