Chapter 25: Hiding Jiaojiao
◎There are no walls that are completely airtight.◎
The richly-dressed young man in black robes seemed to have anticipated this; she wouldn’t die so easily.
Although most of the bodies were soaked in mud and difficult to identify, Nangong Xuan knew she wouldn’t be dead.
The pampered crown prince himself booked a room at the inn, wanting to experience the local customs.
The young woman had lived in this small place, so it must be quite interesting.
However, the magistrate was terrified, fearing for his life daily, constantly making his last will and testament.
“The crown prince must be investigating a major case. I’m doomed.”
Not just the county, but the provincial capital was also filled with fear, without anyone suspecting that the crown prince had come for only one person.
Although Nangong Xuan had lived a past life, he strangely didn’t understand love. He wanted to experience what it was like to like someone.
The top floor of Laifu Inn was reserved by the important personage, surrounded by his guards, quite lively.
But this had nothing to do with the Zhan family.
Madam Zhan would return in a few days, so the four young people enjoyed their time. A spare room next to Zhan Qiyu’s was available, and Mu Jiaojiao and Shan Cha moved in.
Neither woman complained; they had no objections.
At the Mu family, Shan Cha always had to serve and bow constantly. Now, with fewer constraints, her happiness was visible.
“I vaguely remember it being like this when I was a child.”
She had been sold at a young age, with few remaining memories, but she recalled the family atmosphere.
Mu Jiaojiao also changed into ordinary peasant clothes, devoid of silk and satin; she didn’t mind.
Her jeweled hairpins and ornaments were replaced with a simple floral headscarf, yet it couldn’t conceal her stunning beauty.
She didn’t care about the remaining red marks on her face, “It’s fine. Being alive is enough.”
Her cheerful and carefree nature wasn’t feigned, making Zhan Qiyu feel an itch in his heart. Even in simple attire, he remained uneasy, urging her to stay indoors.
“Stay indoors. You might run into someone you know.”
“I know, Zhan Da Ge. I’ll stay at home.”
Shan Cha had more freedom, going out to buy vegetables. The Mu family had no idea that she was a stone’s throw away.
This was the classic case of missing something right under one’s nose. No one could have guessed.
Mu Jiaojiao wasn’t idle at home. She got up early to help with chores.
She couldn’t really help much; Shan Cha and A Liu could do everything, but she helped maintain the mood and occasionally lent a hand.
A Liu found that having two more people in the house made a big difference; sometimes he felt like he was dreaming.
They had struggled to eat in the village, but now they lived comfortably and hopefully.
He planned his future: when his young master became an official, he would be his close bodyguard, defeating his enemies decisively.
This childish thinking often amused Shan Cha.
“Young Master Zhan will be a civilian official. You think you’re a general going to battle.”
Shan Cha picked beans, her small hands dexterous.
“You don’t understand. High-ranking officials are often assassinated. That’s when I’ll appear.”
A Liu patted his chest, his head held high.
It was true; they often heard news of assassinated officials, emperors, empresses, and princes.
But they had only heard about assassinations, never witnessed them.
Their conversation reminded Mu Jiaojiao of her past life.
Assassinations sometimes involved few people, using poison, medicine, or framing; countless methods existed.
This made her worry about Zhan Qiyu.
He would face assassination when he became an official. She needed to write down the methods she learned in the palace for precautions.
She knocked on Zhan Qiyu’s door and gently opened it, revealing a bright face. “Zhan Da Ge, may I borrow paper and ink?”
The intently focused young man was momentarily stunned, seemingly realizing the addition of a beautiful flower to his home.
“Hmm, help yourself.”
He continued reading, but when she picked up an ink-stained brush, he remembered something.
“Wait.”
He put down his book and stood before her. “Who told you about the booklet?”
The booklet detailed some events; he was certain it contained future predictions. How did she know about it?
His question startled Mu Jiaojiao; she almost dropped the brush.
She’d forgotten this matter. But how to explain? She could just make something up.
A cunning look appeared on the girl’s face. Her bright eyes blinked, and she said, “I heard it from a fortune-teller, but it may not be accurate. I think it’s better to be prepared, Zhan Da Ge, don’t you agree?”
Her explanation was unconvincing, but to the man who loved her, it was purely cute.
Her words didn’t register in his ears; his attention was captivated by her beauty.
She spoke at length, only receiving an “hmm” in reply.
Mu Jiaojiao thought she’d gotten away with it, unaware of his true thoughts.
She was too beautiful; her mere presence in his room made it impossible to think of anything else.
Zhan Qiyu barely restrained himself. If he continued failing the examinations and spending time with her like this, he would surely lose his resolve.
He could easily take advantage of her, but he didn’t want her to easily entrust herself to him. A grand wedding, he wanted everyone to know he would marry Mu Jiaojiao.
After a moment’s contemplation, he saw Mu Jiaojiao looking at him. Zhan Qiyu’s expression turned cold. “Leave. Close the door.”
Mu Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief, taking the paper and ink and quietly leaving. After hearing the door close, Zhan Qiyu leaned against the desk.
If she hadn’t left, he would have had impure thoughts. The exam was near; he couldn’t act so recklessly.
After the exam, he could go to the capital. Master Guan would also provide guidance, and he was confident about the final exam.
In less than a year, he could marry.
Then, she would truly be his.
Mu Jiaojiao started writing down her memories of palace intrigue and defensive strategies. Shan Cha called her for lunch, but she didn’t come out.
Finally finishing at night, she felt relieved, but her mood was somber.
Those experiences and overheard conversations felt like a lifetime ago.
In the palace, she had struggled daily, fearing death at the hands of a concubine.
She couldn’t choose sides, only pretending obedience and maintaining neutrality, even harming herself to feign illness.
But she had lost Shan Cha. This life, she wouldn’t repeat those experiences.
Seemingly moved by her memories, she sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, gazing ahead, bathed in moonlight, resembling Chang’e.
Zhan Qiyu was also sleepless, looking at the beautiful scene outside his window—a sight etched into his memory.
He rarely cared about things, but once he did, he wouldn’t let go.
In this life, he wouldn’t yield to fate and wouldn’t let her go.
Even if it meant becoming a sinner for eternity, he wouldn’t regret it.
The moonlight illuminated his window, causing his affection to grow stronger.
He had to have her to be complete.
Mu Jiaojiao sat in the courtyard for fifteen minutes, then Shan Cha called her back to bed.
Their small room was simple but clean, meticulously tidied by Shan Cha. She slept soundly.
Strangely, the elaborate bed in the palace was no match for this simple bed. Mu Jiaojiao slept peacefully and soundly.
Shan Cha listened to the sounds, ensuring her young lady was asleep before resting.
Where her young lady was, was her peace.
The hens crowed in the morning. The dog hole had been blocked to prevent the Mu family from discovering them.
Shan Cha went to buy vegetables in the morning and heard about the Mu family opening a free clinic; she felt emotional and went to see it.
Her master and young master were busy and didn’t notice her.
She prepared breakfast and told her young lady at dinner.
Mu Jiaojiao was surprised that her brothers had started doing something meaningful; it made her death seem worthwhile.
She wasn’t truly dead and could still influence her brothers.
Zhan Qiyu ate quietly, but he was worried that it might be a trap by the Mu family, suspecting that Mu Jiaojiao was still alive.
A Liu only ate, unconcerned.
However, one couldn’t always avoid suspicion. For instance, Cheng Xingyao had discovered the Zhan family’s secret.
Although he was out of town, he wanted a taste of the “immortal peach.”
He wouldn’t let the scholar have it all. Sharing the feast wouldn’t hurt. A person with dirty thoughts would only have such intentions.
Cheng Xingyao began planning how to get the “immortal peach,” while the crown prince was more refined.
He donated one thousand taels of silver to the Mu family’s clinic.
Mu Ming was astonished and asked the young man’s name, but Nangong Xuan casually said, “I don’t want to see the people suffer, just offering a small contribution. Don’t worry about it.”
Nangong Xuan wanted to get along with his future father-in-law. After finding Mu Jiaojiao, he would marry her.
Unfortunately, he already had a crown princess, but he could still shower Mu Jiaojiao with utmost favor. It would be better than marrying his father.
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