Chapter 53: Reunion
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The night was dark and the wind was strong, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling.
On the road to the capital, the sounds of swords and knives clashing never ceased, blending with the thunder, making it all seem even more menacing.
Yuechu quietly opened the carriage window, stuck her head out, and glanced into the distance a few times. She couldn't help but shiver and quickly turned back to Li Qiubai, who was sitting with her inside the carriage, saying, “Your Highness, it seems like this group of assassins is even more troublesome than the last one.”
However, even amid this trap full of murderous intent, Li Qiubai remained as calm and composed as usual, flipping through the military book in her hands.
"It is fine. Yu Jin and Lin Xingyang will handle it properly. Just wait calmly."
By the light of the luminous pearl inside the carriage, Yuechu quietly studied the expression on the Princess’ face. She still did not see a hint of panic, urgency, or tension.
Seeing this, Yuechu had no choice but to silently close her mouth and wait peacefully with the Princess for the battle outside to end.
It was only a moment later, just as Yuechu was starting to calm down when the carriage window was knocked on.
"Your Highness."
Upon hearing He Changping’s voice and seeing that the Princess showed no intention of avoiding guests, Yuechu dared to open the window slightly.
Seeing this, He Changping, standing outside the window, continued, "They are just some people from the martial world. It seems they are all here for me. Do you really not need me to step in?"
After hearing He Changping's question, the Princess still did not lift her head from the military book in her hands. She only raised her voice slightly and replied, "There is no rush. They are just some lowly rabble, not worth exposing yourself for. Just go back and wait in peace."
Since the day they left the capital, the Princess and her group had been attacked by several waves of assassins.
Some poisoned in secret, some launched surprise attacks at night, and others posed as bandits blocking the road.
They all used the methods of martial world conflicts and fighting, and all of them were targeting He Changping.
Even though He Changping knew that these people were all coming for him, since the Princess had already said there was no need for him to take action, naturally, He Changping would not create trouble for himself. After shrugging helplessly, he went back to his own carriage to wait quietly for news from the guards.
"Your Highness, everyone has been taken care of. Just like last time, they were all martial world people."
Li Qiubai did not have to wait long before Yu Jin returned to report.
At this moment, heavy rain had already started to pour, extinguishing the torches held by the guards outside the carriage.
"Mm. Travel through the night and find an inn to take shelter from the rain first."
Seeing the rain getting heavier, after Li Qiubai gave her instructions, Yuechu hurriedly closed the carriage window, blocking out the sound of the rain outside.
The blood stains on the road had been washed away by the downpour, leaving only dozens of bodies still lying in place.
"What? The entire force was wiped out?"
It did not take long for the result of the battle on the outskirts of the capital to be reported back to Bai Yun Inn by those secretly observing.
"You mean the eighteen strong men from Min Mountain had already set up traps to capture people, yet they still ended up completely wiped out? And they did not even get to see the other party's face?"
The main hall was filled with people eating late-night snacks and waiting for news. As soon as the information was delivered to Bai Yun Inn, the hall erupted like a boiling pot.
This time, the people at each table, engrossed in their exchanges and discussions, hardly noticed when Meng Chang'an appeared, nor did they care to avoid discussing the news they had received during the night; they talked openly.
"It seems like business will not be easy this time."
"Exactly. I heard that those who got discovered earlier did not have a good end."
Ever since Meng Chang'an learned that they were discussing the Princess and her elder brother, she could no longer remain as detached as she had initially been.
Fortunately, from the surrounding conversations, Meng Chang'an gleaned that the Princess and her elder brother were safe and sound. Only then did the heart that had been stuck in her throat finally settle. She turned to Shu Yao, who had pulled her to sit by the table, and asked,
"Why did you drag me over here?"
Originally, when Young Master Meng overheard that conversation, she knew something was wrong. She immediately went back to her room to grab her knife and rushed downstairs. However, before she could even step out of Bai Yun Inn, she was held back by Shu Yao, who was sitting in the main hall. Shu Yao then pulled her to the table and pushed her down into a chair.
“Seeing you in such a hurry, I thought you were about to do something foolish, so I stopped you. Otherwise, Lingyun would worry about you again if she found out.”
Shu Yao spoke casually, and Meng Chang'an did not think much of it. After calming down, she glanced at the late-night snacks in front of Shu Yao and explained, “I just wanted to go out to get some fresh air.”
“Fresh air?”
Shu Yao raised an eyebrow, slightly lifting her chin and nodding toward the door. “With rain this heavy, you’re telling me you want to get some fresh air?”
At her smile, Young Master Meng's expression froze for a moment.
By now, Shen Lingyun and Ye Wuyou had long since retired for the night, leaving only Shu Yao and Meng Chang'an sitting together.
“You still have the nerve to say that to me."
Meng Chang'an turned her head to hide the momentary embarrassment. After seeing the mud under the table, she pointed to Shu Yao's shoes, which were covered in wet mud, and retorted, “Have you not just gone outside just now as well?”
Upon hearing this, Shu Yao’s expression did not change. She calmly replied, “I went out before it started raining to check the surroundings. Who knows if us few weak women, all alone out here, might encounter some danger? We have to scout the area first, correct?”
After hearing this, Meng Chang'an did not think much of it and just asked, “Did you notice anything unusual?”
“Yes, I did.”
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
With that, Shu Yao leaned closer to Young Master Meng and pointed in the direction of the spacious corridor in the distance, lowering her voice as she hinted, “Do you see? It is already the middle of the night, yet there are still so many merchant caravans coming and going into Bai Yun Inn. Do you think that is normal?”
Following the direction Shu Yao pointed, Young Master Meng raised her head and indeed saw a caravan being guided by the shop assistant, pushing their vehicles as they headed inside.
Bai Yun Inn was different from ordinary inns. Caravans of over ten people were separated from where ordinary guests stayed. Guests like them, who were just individual travelers, could only stay in the three tall buildings in front of the inn, which leaned against the main hall where meals were served.
This area used to be an open-air main hall with separate buildings, but due to the lively nature of people in the martial world, Bai Yun Inn had connected those three tall buildings with covered walkways, surrounding the central main hall. They even added a roof over the tall buildings, expanding the living quarters into the spacious structures seen today.
However, the front of this inn was only used to accommodate regular, scattered guests. Large merchant caravans were usually taken to the separate courtyards at the back to stay.
In the past, it was rare to see people still eating late-night snacks in the main hall in the middle of the night, let alone having merchant caravans coming and going.
Moreover... within this merchant caravan, there were quite a few who moved lightly like swallows, their steps silent, yet they exuded a heavy killing intent.
Clearly, this caravan had as many skilled fighters as the people sitting in the hall eating late-night snacks.
Meng Chang'an frowned, scanned the people from the caravan a few times, and then focused on the beautiful woman by the walkway who was calculating on an abacus.
"Fifteen carts, fifty-six people, and sixty horses to feed. According to tonight's price, it's fifty-three taels of silver for the night. Xiao Liu, make sure not to collect less from the guests."
"Got it, boss!"
After responding repeatedly, the servant named Xiao Liu led the people to the back.
Once the caravan had dispersed, Meng Chang'an walked over to the boss with her knife and politely called out, "Hello, Aunt Bai."
"Oh, isn’t this Xiao Chang’an!"
After a whole day of work, Bai Shuangyan was just about to head back to her room to rest when she was stopped by Young Master Meng.
Having not seen Young Master Meng for a long time, Bai Shuangyan was quite pleased to see her now. She immediately put away the abacus in her hand and turned around to pinch Young Master Meng's cheek.
"Look at you. You have grown into quite a beauty. If I did not look closely, I would not even recognize you. What brings you to my little inn?"
Meng Chang'an smiled slightly and replied, "I happened to pass by and saw you here, so I came over to say hello."
Hearing this, Bai Shuangyan quickly glanced around the hall and asked, "Just you alone? Did your master and the others not come out this time?
"My master is still at the sect. I came back this time with Sister Lingyun and a few friends."
At this, Bai Shuangyan smiled meaningfully and said, "Oh, you are out with Lingyun. I heard from your master years ago that she arranged a marriage for you, setting you up with a bride since you were young. I did not believe you would agree. So, it seems this good thing is about to come?"
Joking like this, Meng Chang'an immediately put on a stern face and said angrily, "Aunt Bai, what are you talking about? You know I have never liked women since I was young!"
At this point, Meng Chang'an suddenly remembered everything that had happened between her and Li Qiubai these past few days. She quickly stopped herself, cleared her throat, and corrected, "Anyway, do not make such jokes. There is nothing between Sister Lingyun and me! From now on, do not say such things again, so others do not misunderstand!"
Meng Chang'an's blush did not escape Bai Shuangyan's eyes. Unaware of the real situation, Bai Shuangyan continued to misunderstand more and more. However, she did not reveal the Young Master's thoughts and just smiled, saying, "Alright, alright, I will not mention it. Why are you getting so embarrassed? Aunt Bai will apologize."
Accustomed to being occasionally teased by the elders at the sect, Meng Chang'an did not hold any grudge against Bai Shuangyan. After avoiding the topic of Shen Lingyun, she quickly leaned closer to Bai Shuangyan's ear and whispered, "Aunt Bai, do you know what these people are up to? They all seem so murderous.”
Noticing the direction Meng Chang'an was looking, Bai Shuangyan immediately realized what was going on.
"Want to gather information? As usual, Bai Yun Inn always charges money for services, no matter who comes. However, since you are a familiar face, Aunt Bai can give you a discount."
Meng Chang'an smiled helplessly and immediately took a piece of silver from her pouch and put it into Bai Shuangyan's hand, saying, "Is this enough?"
As Bai Shuangyan weighed the silver and smiled meaningfully, she said, "Oh, official silver. It seems our Xiao Chang'an has become quite successful."
Young Master Meng did not catch the deeper meaning in Bai Shuangyan's words and urged, "Aunt Bai, stop keeping me in suspense."
"Do you not know yet?"
Since Young Master Meng asked such a question, she must have already heard some rumors.
Bai Shuangyan did not say much more. She casually put her hand on the Young Master's shoulder and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Someone is offering a thousand gold taels for your elder brother's head."
Young Master Meng was stunned for a moment.
Before she could react, Bai Shuangyan gripped her shoulder and pointed toward the group of desperate criminals in the hall, saying, "Look, these people are all here for that thousand gold taels. Everyone wants a share of the prize."
Before Young Master Meng could ask further about who was behind this, the door of Bai Yun Inn was knocked open again.
Upon seeing the newcomer's face, Young Master Meng was immediately stunned.
Author's Note:
I have been picking the lock for several days. I am so tired.
(It is so tiring to pick the lock. I need some nutrient solution to replenish my energy! It is the end of the month. Remember to fill up the nutrient solution! Otherwise, it will expire!)
