This entourage heading south was just a routine change of post, without any urgent matters to attend to. As a result, the entire convoy was not traveling particularly fast. Presumably, it was also because Lu Zhao had considered Shen Qingyao’s health and given her time to adapt.
In fact, Shen Qingyao didn’t feel very tired along the way. The carriage was comfortably arranged, and the gentle swaying made her drowsy. Without resisting, she confirmed there was nothing pressing and allowed herself to drift into a deep sleep.
When she woke up again, she realized the carriage had stopped at some point. Rubbing her eyes in a daze, she called out for Cui Qiao but received no response. Turning her head to lift the curtain, she noticed it was almost dusk. Had she slept the whole afternoon?
At that moment, the curtain of the carriage door was lifted, and Lu Zhao bent down to enter. He must have heard her calling for someone. Seeing her awake, he wasn’t surprised. He smiled at her and ruffled her slightly messy hair, “Awake? It’s a good time to get out and rest a bit.”
Shen Qingyao, not fully awake, nodded drowsily. She obediently placed her hand in Lu Zhao’s outstretched palm and, with his help, bent down to stand up. Lu Zhao guided her out of the carriage. He jumped down first, then turned to extend his hand to her again, still smiling, “Can you come down?”
Shen Qingyao hesitated, glancing at the footstool already set up beside the carriage. She thought to herself, “I’m not disabled, just not in good health.”
But before she could voice her defiance, she reconsidered. After the bumpy journey, she was indeed feeling sore all over. Admitting a bit of weakness wasn’t a crime, after all!
So, she thickened her skin and shook her head, her eyes looking like a pleading fawn’s as she stared at him, “Um… I can’t get down…”
The system clicked its tongue at the barely half-meter high step, [Host, where’s your dignity?]
Shen Qingyao didn’t care, “Hmph, you’re just jealous.”
Seeing her adorable, helpless demeanor, Lu Zhao’s smile deepened. Just as he was about to ask if she needed to be carried down, the young girl had already stretched out her arms, softly pleading, “Elder Brother Lu Zhao, can you carry me down?”
The second time came easier than the first. Carrying his wife was bound to happen countless times! Shen Qingyao smiled cheekily; she loved the feeling of being carried by Lu Zhao.
Lu Zhao was momentarily stunned but how could he refuse? Smiling, he withdrew his outstretched hand, turned around, and slightly bent over to make it easier for her to climb on, his voice doting, “Come on up.”
Shen Qingyao cheered and jumped onto his back from the carriage step, her hands skillfully wrapping around his neck, her chin resting against his neck, making Lu Zhao feel a tickle in his heart.
“Elder Brother Lu Zhao, where are we?” Shen Qingyao leaned forward, looking around with curiosity. It didn’t seem like a random campsite.
Lu Zhao chuckled softly and replied, “This place is some distance from the capital. It’s an official post station set up on the outskirts of the capital. Usually, when foreign envoys or vassal princes enter the capital, they rest here before proceeding. Since we were traveling leisurely today, we can rest here.”
“I see…” Shen Qingyao suddenly understood, then excitedly and somewhat regretfully said, “I’ve been in the capital for so long, this is the first time I’ve actually left it. I don’t even know what it’s like outside.”
Before her engagement, she wouldn’t even step outside the courtyard gate.
Lu Zhao tightened his grip and lifted her slightly, his warm voice promising, “It’s alright, there’s plenty of time. I’ll take you to see everything, one place at a time!”
He turned his head to meet Shen Qingyao’s slightly startled eyes.
He was talking about the future? Shen Qingyao didn’t know what she felt inside, but a strange sense of anticipation had begun to stir within her.
She smiled with her eyes, her lips curling up. She moved her arms around Lu Zhao’s neck, about to get down since they were already out of the carriage. However, before she could react, Lu Zhao’s hold on her suddenly tightened, and he swiftly walked forward.
Shen Qingyao was startled and struggled on his back, somewhat flustered, saying, “Ah! Elder Brother Lu Zhao, we’ve already gotten off the carriage! Please put me down!”
This was different from the last time they left the city. There were eyes all around, all of them Lu Zhao’s subordinates. If they saw him carrying a young girl on his back, it would be quite inappropriate! Does White Moonlight not care about his dignity?
However, Lu Zhao didn’t listen to her. He laughed recklessly, paying no attention to the gazes around them. “Can’t walk anymore? Isn’t it perfect for me to carry you into the post station?”
Some people had already openly or secretly looked over, making Shen Qingyao felt helpless. Embarrassed, she buried her face in his back, thinking, Well, it’s better to face this together than alone.
As the two of them were laughing and joking, nearing the inn, several figures rushed out from the other end. Seeing Lu Zhao, the leader of the group’s eyes lit up, stepping forward and saying loudly, “To unexpectedly encounter Young Master Lu here! What a coincidence!”
Shen Qingyao raised her head in confusion, turning with Lu Zhao to look. It wasn’t anyone else, but precisely someone Shen Qingyao had met before—the Ninth Prince, Xiao Jing.
[How did the main antagonist end up here?”]The system’s idle soul suddenly woke up and asked hastily.
“…I’d like to know too,” Shen Qingyao stared at the person who just arrived, feeling wary.
Lu Zhao’s smile faded slightly as he turned his head, his expression turning cold as he greeted, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Xiao Jing approached, looking at Lu Zhao with a person on the back, then a smile with unclear intentions appeared on his face. Shen Qingyao’s hair stood on end just from looking at him, and she heard him say, “I’ve heard about the deep affection between Young Master and Young Madam. Now that I see you together, it seems to be true indeed.”
“Tch, what a weird remark!” Shen Qingyao scoffed at this and commented to the system.
Then she felt it was inappropriate. With the main antagonist present, White Moonlight’s momentum couldn’t be compromised! So she made a move—this time Lu Zhao didn’t stop her. She smoothly slid down from his back, standing behind him, but her eyes remained vigilant, fixed on Xiao Jing.
“Why is Your Highness here?” Lu Zhao stepped sideways, completely shielding her, ignoring Xiao Jing’s words.
Xiao Jing smiled, unfolding a folding fan in his hand, presenting a charming and elegant demeanor. “I’ve been in the palace for many years. It’s time to return to the capital and show filial piety to my Father, the Emperor.”
Xiao Jing provided a grandiose reason, which made Shen Qingyao roll her eyes. Everyone present knew well that Xiao Jing had been in the capital since before the New Year. His appearance here was obviously to confront someone, needless to say.
At this moment, Xiao Jing seemed to finally notice Shen Qingyao. His gaze shifted towards her, and he chuckled as he waved the fan, “Madam, we meet again.”
The word ‘again’ made Lu Zhao’s eyes darken slightly.
Following his words, Shen Qingyao remembered their hurried encounter at the noodle shop. Seeing that he didn’t even bother to conceal his intentions now, she became even angrier. Why didn’t this antagonist focus on his career and go bother the protagonist’s group instead of sticking to Lu Zhao like gum every day?
Thinking this, Shen Qingyao stopped hiding. As if she had just recognized the person in front of her, she stared, jumping out from behind Lu Zhao and squeezing between the two men, separating Lu Zhao from the antagonist.
Protecting White Moonlight from contamination is her responsibility!
She pointed at Xiao Jing, incredulously saying, “Why is it you again! I’ve told you before, my husband only loves me! Why do you still come to pester him! We’re already married! What are you still bothering my husband for?! You even followed us here?”
Standing behind her, Lu Zhao glanced over her head and made eye contact with Xiao Jing. Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow, indicating a sense of confusion. But he still cleared his throat and gently pulled her back, saying softly, “Yaoyao, this is Ninth Prince.” Then, as if nothing had happened, he bowed to Xiao Jing and said, “My wife is used to being spoiled. Your Highness, please don’t mind.”
Xiao Jing’s eyebrows twitched, not expecting Shen Qingyao to be so bold even in front of Lu Zhao. However, he suppressed his anger and waved his hand with a smile, “No need to worry, it was my fault for scaring Madam last time and causing her to misunderstand.”
Shen Qingyao rolled her eyes again, thinking to herself that she deliberately misunderstood him. Otherwise, why would she wait for his plans to be implemented and then do even more terrifying things?
“Is it acceptable for Ninth Prince to covet someone else’s husband? Can’t he find someone else himself? If he doesn’t like girls, there are other boys he can choose from. What’s the point of clinging to my husband?” Shen Qingyao pretended to complain softly, but everyone who should hear it did.
Xiao Jing finally couldn’t maintain his composure, his face darkened, and Lu Zhao fell silent for a moment as well.
Xiao Jing forced a smile, “Young Master, I…”
Lu Zhao interrupted him, nodding understandingly and saying calmly, “Your Highness, no need to say more, Lu Zhao understands.”
He understood that only his little girl could come up with such an absurd an ridiculous idea. But he also didn’t want to say much to Xiao Jing. Having an excuse was good, so he took a step back as if to avoid suspicion and said in a deep voice, “Since there’s no issue, Lu Zhao will take his leave first. Your Highness, please take your time.”
With that, he took the muttering little girl and walked away. Just before entering the door, Xiao Jing called out to him again, “Young Master! Young Master is heading to the southern border, please do take care on your journey.”
His tone was inexplicable, making Shen Qingyao’s heart sink. She had a hunch that this person might be up to something bad. She exerted a bit of force on the hand holding hers and tightly grasped Lu Zhao’s hand.
Sensing her emotions, Lu Zhao patted her reassuringly and turned back to say, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
With that, he quickly left with Shen Qingyao.
Xiao Jing stared at their backs with a dark expression. Several times, the nonsense and gibberish of the Shen family’s daughter disrupted his plans, making it impossible for him to win over Lu Zhao, which was frustrating.
He turned his head and gloomily instructed the people around him, “Send a team to secretly follow them to the south. Be careful not to be discovered.”
On the other side, the two entered the room prepared in the inn. As soon as they entered, Shen Qingyao let go of Lu Zhao’s hand and sat nervously on the edge of the bed. It wasn’t the first time she had lied in front of Lu Zhao, but it was the first time she had spread the scandal about Lu Zhao and a man in front of Lu Zhao himself. Shen Qingyao felt a bit anxious and didn’t dare to look at Lu Zhao.
Lu Zhao could tell what she was thinking just by looking at her expression. He smirked, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and asked softly, “Ninth Prince is coveting your husband? Repeatedly pestering? Do you think he approached me with that intention? Why haven’t you forgotten these messy thoughts?”
He remembered, before the Spring Examination, when there was trouble at Ruyi Pavillion, she had said she was afraid Xiao Jing had ulterior motives against him. He thought she was just talking casually, but she really thought that way?
“And…” Lu Zhao paused, then asked, “What did he mean by meeting again just now? Did he come to see you?”
Every time Lu Zhao asked a question, Shen Qingyao shrank back a little more, feeling increasingly guilty. She didn’t make it up! But she couldn’t say! If Lu Zhao asked her why she was so afraid of him interacting with Xiao Jing, how could she answer? She could only reluctantly admit it.
“But he can’t possibly have ulterior motives against me, right? Anyway, I always feel he has bad intentions whenever I see him!” Shen Qingyao wrinkled her nose and exaggeratedly recounted the time when Lu Zhao entered the exam hall and she coincidentally encountered Xiao Jing, then said angrily, “He’s a Prince! He concealed his identity just to get close to me! If not for you, what else could it be for?!”
So, Lu Zhao must be cautious! It’s best to stay away from Xiao Jing! Otherwise, after finally leaving the leads’ group, it wouldn’t be worth it to be caught up in the antagonist’s affairs!
After hearing her, Lu Zhao furrowed his brows. Xiao Jing had already set his sights on Yaoyao? And hearing her last sentence, he couldn’t help but feel a bit amused. Xiao Jing’s intention was indeed to get close to him, but it was to win him over, not the kind of intention the little girl thought. How did she arrive at that conclusion?
Helplessly, he reached out and tapped her forehead. Seeing her pout and then covered her face, he said, “Forget about all these messy thoughts! Just remember, if he sends someone to approach you again, be sure to tell me.”
“Why?” Shen Qingyao asked, holding her head.
“Because…” Lu Zhao lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, “Because your husband is already married to you in this lifetime, and he’ll only ever love you. If the Prince comes again, I’ll make it clear to him: stay away from both of us and stop pestering.”
Lu Zhao’s gaze turned cold.
…But, wasn’t this what she had said to Xiao Jing?
Shen Qingyao closed her eyes. It had been a long time since she felt this awkwardly embarrassed.