Volume One, Chapter 15: Enduring the Journey to Yuanzhou City
Inside Qing’an Palace, seated in the carriage, he lifted the curtain.
Xie Zheng tried to glance toward the door—no one was there. Indeed, before leaving, no one had come out to see him off. He sighed softly.
It seemed that woman was not particularly attached to him; even on this long journey, with no idea when he would return, she hadn’t even bothered with a courtesy visit.
Still, Xie Zheng took a deep breath. After all, there was no real affection between them, so whether there was a farewell or not made little difference.
Lowering the curtain, he said to the coachman, “Let’s depart.”
The carriage left Qing’an Palace, but a graceful figure stood across the palace gates, watching it go. Naturally, no one else could see her there.
“Miss, why do you do this?”
“Does this princess not care about appearances?”
That beautiful face held a trace of melancholy as she watched the carriage disappear. For some reason, an emptiness filled her heart.
Uncertain why, the thought of not seeing him for a long time ahead suddenly weighed heavily on Qin Yuan’s mind.
The carriage grew smaller and smaller until it vanished…
Her expression lost some warmth, replaced by a cool detachment, and she turned toward the academy.
…
On the road.
The coachman said, “Your Highness, traveling the official road to Yuanzhou will take nearly a month. I will change horses along the way to ensure a smoother ride for you and Master Chen.”
Xie Zheng shook his head at this.
“Don’t take the official road. Instead, follow the small paths outside the north gate, avoiding all official routes. Even if it’s a bit rough, it doesn’t matter.”
“Your Highness, what is your intention?”
“Just do as I say.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The coachman didn’t understand but could only obey.
Inside the carriage, Xie Zheng said to Master Chen, “Many eyes are watching me leave the capital. They will surely look for any progress along the official road. It’s well known I am heading to Yuanzhou. Traveling openly on the official route is unwise.”
“What do you think, Master?”
At this, Master Chen spoke more than usual: “Your Highness has a plan, so naturally we follow your orders. Traveling the small paths will block many eyes. Your idea is sound.”
“But Master, can your people endure such roads?”
Xie Zheng showed concern: “If it’s too difficult for you, we can prepare another carriage for you to take the official road. We will meet in Yuanzhou.”
The meaning was clear: I intend to keep a low profile, even on the road to Yuanzhou. With Ning Ling and others supporting me, nothing will go wrong.
He expected Master Chen might offer one of two responses, but was surprised when he said directly,
“Why make things so complicated? I haven’t spoken much in Qing’an Palace, but I know your Highness is accompanied by an orphan of the previous dynasty. There will be no trouble.”
“I am no villain. If Your Highness must guard against even me, it means you have been betrayed often and act with extreme caution.”
“You knew this?” Xie Zheng was surprised.
“Now I do!” Master Chen smiled slyly.
Xie Zheng instantly felt exposed; this old fellow was like a ticking bomb, and once it went off, nothing was left hidden.
“You truly are an old fox, wise and cunning.”
Though shocked, Xie Zheng soon understood. If the Marquis of Anyang knew his affairs, how could Master Chen be unaware?
It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to keep things secret, just that he had encountered powerful figures, and before them, any concealment was laughable.
“Enough! Do as you will. Since I have been appointed your strategist, I must plan for you at every turn. If you want to change the coachman, so be it.”
Hearing this, the coachman outside was stunned.
Soon, Xie Zheng said, “Uncle Ma, you may step down.”
What? Am I unemployed?
After being replaced, Uncle Ma was dumbfounded. Wait… I was supposed to drive, why swap just before leaving the city? What kind of people are these, where wind is rain at a whim?
On the road, Ning Ling took over the carriage.
Master Chen smiled, “So this is a scion of the Nangong clan. Your luck is good to have their recognition.”
Ning Ling said, “Young master, that old man knows too much. Shall we silence him on the road?”
Xie Zheng was dumbfounded and quickly stopped her, “You girl, what nonsense! Master Chen is from the Hunting Deer Academy! Do you know what that means? He represents the nation’s military strength!”
“To put it bluntly, neither you nor I could take on the Master. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself.”
Master Chen didn’t mind being spoken of so plainly; instead, he smiled warmly.
“Young people nowadays are quite interesting!”
To prevent Ning Ling from acting rashly, Xie Zheng stepped out of the carriage to drive alongside her, keeping a close watch on her fiery temper.
“The Master’s abilities go beyond warriors. When he acts, it’s as if heaven collapses, the earth shatters, and the nation falls.”
“This is no bluff. The Master embodies the fate of the country.”
Since learning this, Xie Zheng understood more clearly the weight of the academy’s three great Masters.
In the past, attempts to assassinate the Master led to entire organizations being uprooted; attempts to harm him resulted in the purging of enemies and their expulsion from Daning.
He told Ning Ling this to remind her: the Master’s strength was formidable, beyond reason.
Ning Ling understood.
The Daning Masters, like the spiritual pillars of Beizhong, possessed power not only in battle but as symbols of a dynasty’s fortune.
“Mm.”
Ning Ling nodded.
Xie Zheng then changed the subject, chatting lightly with Ning Ling.
Occasionally Master Chen would join in, lightening the mood considerably.
Their journey to Yuanzhou passed through three territories of Daning: the outer capital city, the central-northern city, and the seven northern border states.
First stop on the road—
Yan County.
…
At an inn in Yan County.
After securing top-quality rooms for the young master and the master, Ning Ling prepared a feast.
By now, all three had changed into plain clothes, appearing as ordinary commoners. Master Chen was casual, doing whatever they requested.
Ning Ling, however, still looked like a young lady, drawing many curious glances.
“A mistake! Ning Ling must be disguised better, or we’ll attract unnecessary trouble before even leaving the city.”
Master Chen nodded, “Then apply some fake makeup. Make it ugly so she won’t be noticed.”
Throughout the journey, Xie Zheng’s motto was simple: don’t draw attention, don’t act heroically, don’t play the good guy.
No sooner said than done. Ning Ling was dragged back to her room, and under Master Chen’s guidance, Xie Zheng applied the ugliest makeup imaginable.
Looking in the copper mirror, Ning Ling nearly broke down.
“Ning Ling, beauty can wait. When we reach Yuanzhou, I’ll give you money for the finest powders and rouge. You’ll be beautiful then, no rush.”
Though reassured, Ning Ling, usually radiant, felt miserable enduring such needless torment.
“Master, you better keep your word, or I won’t forgive you!”
Reluctantly pacified, she saw her own reflection—still delicate and refined, though not striking.
No, she needed to make herself uglier, or she’d be too conspicuous.
In the end, Xie Zheng created a look so hideous even Ning Ling felt queasy, but only then was he satisfied and put down the brow pencil.
Looking in the mirror, it was disgusting…
But safe.
No one could guarantee that handsome men in this world wouldn’t have ill intent. He absolutely could not let that happen.
Finally, Xie Zheng and Ning Ling looked toward Master Chen, whose face showed panic—he hadn’t expected to dig a hole only to fall into it himself.
He didn’t want another ugly wrinkle added to his already furrowed face; he cared about his dignity, too.
“No need! I can change my appearance and disguise myself.”