After boarding the carriage, Qin Zhao removed her golden armor and remained in a slim black and red robe.
To pass the boring time during the journey, Qin Zhao set up a chessboard and casually played a game of black and white chess.
Huo Jun noticed her distraction and asked, "Your Highness, do you have something on your mind?"
Qin Zhao replied, "I am waiting for someone. I wonder if she will come."
At the city gate, Yu Qingzhu hurriedly arrived carrying a package, only to find that the imperial princess's expedition team had already gone far ahead.
She watched the diminishing figures with a helpless sigh.
Suddenly, a woman's voice came, "Miss Yu Qingzhu, is that you?"
Yu Qingzhu looked up and addressed the woman dressed in black armor, "Yes, it's me."
"I am Ling Yuan. I am here on the orders of Her Highness, the imperial princess, waiting for you here. Her Highness said that if you wish to go to the northwest border with her, then come with me."
Without hesitation, Yu Qingzhu replied, "I will go with you."
Ling Yuan led Yu Qingzhu to the small carriage that Qin Zhao had prepared in advance.
As Ling Yuan drove, they caught up with the main army's progress in the outskirts, but were stopped by the guards.
One of the soldiers drew his sword and aimed it at Ling Yuan, saying, "This is the imperial princess's carriage. Others should step aside!"
Not wanting to argue with the soldiers, Ling Yuan said, "Step aside!"
The soldiers exchanged glances and reluctantly stepped back.
Ling Yuan continued driving forward and approached Qin Zhao. She reported, "Your Highness, I have safely escorted Miss Yu."
Qin Zhao nodded and said, "Very well."
Yu Qingzhu lifted the curtain of the carriage and said to Qin Zhao, "I apologize for being late. I obtained my master's permission only this morning and needed time to pack my belongings."
"It's good that you're here."
"Did you know I would come?"
"I had a hunch. After all, my senior sister treats me so well. How could she bear to let me go to the battlefield alone?"
"I didn't expect you to be so good at reading people."
Qin Zhao gestured for Yu Qingzhu to come and sit in her carriage. "This carriage has been modified for greater comfort."
Yu Qingzhu did not refuse.
After entering the carriage, Yu Qingzhu, Qin Zhao discreetly surveyed the interior and felt surrounded by a group of beautiful women with distinct styles. It gave her a sense of being enveloped in happiness.
The expedition team traveled during the day and rested at campsites during the night, advancing at a speed of one hundred miles per day.
It would take approximately twenty-one days to reach the northwest border.
On the seventh day, during a midday nap, Qin Zhao was awakened by the jolting carriage. She opened her eyes and asked, "Cong Han, what's happening?"
After Cong Han got off the carriage to check, she reported, "There's a cliff ahead. Due to a rockslide, the carriage cannot pass for now. We need to clear the debris, which may take about an hour."
Qin Zhao said, "Perfect timing. My back is a bit uncomfortable. I'll get off and take a walk. You don't need to follow."
"Huo Jun reminded, "Your Highness, please be safe."
"Understood."
Qin Zhao got off the carriage and found herself surrounded by misty mountains. Not far away, there was a cliff.
As she walked along the path, it felt as if she were stepping into the clouds.
Unknowingly, Qin Zhao had wandered away from the crowd and suddenly noticed several strange tracks on the road!
The wheel tracks extended all the way to the cliff, and if I'm not mistaken, the carriages that left these imprints must have all plunged off the cliff!
Based on their freshness, it seemed to have happened several days ago.
Qin Zhao approached the edge of the cliff with a curious mindset and looked down.
A white mist shrouded the bottom, making it impossible to see the depths.
Just as Qin Zhao was about to step back to a safe distance, she saw something that made her heart skip a beat!
A green hairband with a rogue rabbit drawn on it, the one she had painted for Qi Yan Su Luo!
Qin Zhao realized that Qi Yan Su Luo was the person who fell off the cliff. Her footing slipped, and she nearly fell!
She quickly took a few steps back!
In the midst of her panic, she remembered what 502 had said about Qi Yan Su Luo encountering trouble but being unharmed. Her breathing gradually calmed down.
Qi Yan Su Luo was the female protagonist, and the heavens wouldn't allow her to die easily.
However, no matter how resilient she was, it was impossible for her to come out unscathed from such a high fall.
Qin Zhao could be certain that Qi Yan Su Luo was still somewhere below the cliff!
Qin Zhao stared at the mist below and said, "I'm going to find her...
She returned to the convoy and took some jerky, a water pouch, a hemp rope, flint, a dagger, a golden-slashing sword, two sets of clothes, and packed them in a cloth bundle.
Carrying the bundle, she entered the carriage where everyone was.
They all looked at her, and Huo Jun noticed the things in Qin Zhao's hands and asked, "Why do you have a bundle, Your Highness?"
Qin Zhao took a seat in the main position and said, "I'm going away for a few days. I need you all to cover for me and make sure no one finds out that I'm not here.
Don't wait for me; stick to the planned route.
If I don't catch up with the convoy within ten days, you don't need to worry.
I'll go directly to the northwest border and meet up with everyone there."
Cong Han was the first to object, "Your Highness, it's a desolate and mountainous area. You can't go alone. Let me accompany you!"
Shen Xue also echoed, "Let's go together and protect Your Highness."
Qin Zhao said, "No need. I'm capable of taking care of myself.
If you go with me, I might have to divert my attention to take care of you if we encounter real danger."
Cong Han and Shen Xue fell silent.
Faced with such a resolute refusal, they couldn't insist on going along.
Qin Zhao stood up and was about to leave when her wrist was grabbed by a hand with calluses.
She turned around and saw it was Huo Jun.
Huo Jun said, "Your Highness, let me go with you. You said I should stay by your side, and this time should be no exception."
Qin Zhao replied, "You stay here. This place needs you to be in command."
With her other hand, she tried to pry Huo Jun's fingers open.
Little did she know that Huo Jun wouldn't let go.
Qin Zhao narrowed her eyes, and a struggle ensued between her and Huo Jun.
Both of them were strong, refusing to yield to the other!
Suddenly, Qin Zhao said, "If you don't let go, I'll tell everyone how good your butt feels!"
Everyone: "..."
Huo Jun was shocked by this outrageous statement, and her grip involuntarily loosened.
Qin Zhao seized the opportunity and pulled her hand back.
Huo Jun wanted to ask how Qin Zhao knew how her butt felt, but by the time she looked, Qin Zhao had already escaped!
Everyone bombarded her with questions, "Miss Huo, is what Your Highness said true?"
Cong Han even said, "Can I also touch it?"
She was glared at by Shen Xue.
Huo Jun withdrew her hand, feeling sulky.
Huo Jun remained expressionless as he replied, "Your Highness is talking nonsense, but it's indeed true. After all, I have been practicing martial arts for years...
Qin Zhao took advantage of the distraction and slipped to the side of the road, surveying his surroundings to ensure there was no one around.
He found a tree and tied a hemp rope to it.
Using a rappelling technique, he descended to the bottom of the cliff.
·
For the past few days, Qi Yan Su Luo followed Zi Tan's medical advice and stayed motionless in bed.
Bored, she gazed at the bamboo forest outside the wooden window.
A butterfly fluttered its way into the room.
Qi Yan Su Luo cautiously extended her hand, and the butterfly unexpectedly landed on her palm.
She maintained her posture, not daring to move, afraid of scaring away the butterfly.
But after a few moments, the butterfly flapped its wings and took off.
Reluctant to part with her newfound companion, Qi Yan Su Luo couldn't help but stand up, attempting to catch the butterfly.
Suddenly, she realized that her thighs were moving!
Furthermore, there was no pain similar to a fracture.
Qi Yan Su Luo tried getting off the bed, standing up, and to her surprise, she was able to stand.
It indicated that her thighs were intact...
Qi Yan Su Luo felt puzzled. Why would Zi Tan deceive her?
