"What condition do you want me to agree to?" Wei Shuxuan raised her eyebrows.
"Your subordinate promised the general that he would protect the young lady at all costs. I can't leave the young lady's side."
Wei Shuxuan sighed. This man was a bit of a headache. It was hard to persuade someone as loyal as a devoted hound.
"What's your name?" Wei Shuxuan didn't answer his question directly.
"Your subordinate's name is Wei Wei, young lady."
"Do you have to follow me?" Wei Shuxuan looked at him.
Wei Wei didn't shy away from Wei Shuxuan's gaze at all. He answered her firmly, "Yes, young lady. It's my duty."
Seeing Wei Wei's determined look, Wei Shuxuan helplessly rubbed her forehead. "All right, all right. I got it. You can follow me, but you must never let Xin Zizhao find you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, young lady."
As a result, Wei Shuxuan brought her secret guard, Wei Wei, to the post station. She led her horse to the stable. As soon as she entered the stable, she recognized Xin Zizhao's horse. This guy had really arrived early.
Wei Shuxuan looked worriedly behind her. Although there was no one there, she knew that Wei Wei was hiding somewhere, watching her.
To be honest, she was a bit worried that Wei Wei would be discovered by Xin Zizhao, because Xin Zizhao's martial arts seemed pretty good. At least he was better than her, that was for sure.
As soon as she walked into the post station, she saw Xin Zizhao drinking tea. She knew this guy was sitting in the post station leisurely, waiting for her.
"You came quite fast this time."
"I've been riding hard. I'm almost exhausted, okay?" Wei Shuxuan picked up the chopsticks and gobbled up the side dishes Xin Zizhao had ordered.
After getting along for some time, Xin Zizhao seemed to have gotten used to the way Wei Shuxuan ate. "Eating so fast will put a heavy burden on your spleen and stomach."
"Whatever," Wei Shuxuan didn't care. "I mean, you always eat like this. Aren't you tired? Can't you just live more comfortably?"
"It's a matter of concept."
Wei Shuxuan glanced at him. He was such a stubborn man. She stopped talking to him and just ate her own food.
If they were indoors, Wei Shuxuan wasn't worried that Wei Wei would be discovered by Xin Zizhao. But if they were... outdoors, it would be a different story. She might have to be more careful tomorrow.
To prevent Xin Zizhao from finding an excuse to leave her behind again, Wei Shuxuan got up early and went to Xin Zizhao's room to wake him up and set off.
Xin Zizhao opened his eyes irritably. The first thing he saw was Wei Shuxuan's familiar face. He raised his hand to block the morning light coming from all directions. He sat up, and his long, silky hair slid down his shoulders. "Can't you be more modest?"
"Modest about what?" Wei Shuxuan didn't quite understand what strange thing he was talking about.
Could this guy not know that she already knew she was a woman? Xin Zizhao frowned and looked at her.
"Ah, you mean I shouldn't just barge into your room?" Wei Shuxuan looked at him with a smile. "But if I don't come to wake you up first, you'll definitely leave without me again. Didn't we agree that I would escort you to the capital?"
"I know, so I've been waiting for you to catch up," Xin Zizhao rubbed his temples. "Since you're awake, it's just right. Go fetch some water for me to wash my face."
"Did I ever promise to do this kind of thing for you?"
"Yes, you also said you'd wash my clothes and cook for me. If you can't do it, you can leave."
Xin Zizhao's voice was cold. Wei Shuxuan thought for a moment. She did say such things. "Okay, I know. I'll go fetch the water right away."
When she got to the backyard of the post station, Wei Shuxuan picked up the copper basin. Just as she was about to draw water, Wei Wei appeared. "Young lady, let me do this heavy work."
Before Wei Shuxuan could react, Wei Wei snatched the copper basin and started drawing water on his own.
"Here you are, young lady."
"Thanks, Wei Wei."
After Xin Zizhao finished washing up, they were ready to hit the road. Wei Shuxuan nervously held the reins, and her mind kept wandering to the back. She wanted to glance back, but she didn't dare, because it would be too obvious. Xin Zizhao was a smart man and would notice right away. She'd better not expose herself.
"Let's go."
"Okay. Which town is next?" Wei Shuxuan was already very skilled at mounting the horse.
"Difan City."
"What a strange name."
Wei Shuxuan mumbled to herself and clamped her horse's belly, following behind Xin Zizhao.
Along the way, Wei Shuxuan followed behind Xin Zizhao. Looking at his unhesitating back, she thought that Xin Zizhao probably hadn't noticed Wei Wei's presence. She couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
The sunlight filtered through the overlapping branches and leaves, casting dappled light on the mountain path. The sound of horses' hooves was especially clear in the quiet mountain, but there was also a discordant sound mixed in.
"Xin Zizhao!" Wei Shuxuan thought she heard someone calling for help.
Xin Zizhao reined in his horse and turned around to look at Wei Shuxuan, who was walking her horse over. "It seems someone is calling for help."
Without the interference of the horses' hooves, the sound became clearer and seemed to be getting closer.
"Help! Help! Is there anyone who can come and save me?"
Just as Wei Shuxuan was trying to figure out where the sound was coming from, it suddenly stopped. All of a sudden, it became quiet.
Judging from the voice, it was a man calling for help. But the voice only lasted for a moment. Wei Shuxuan thought there were only two possibilities. Either the man had been captured or killed, which was why the voice stopped.
"Xin Zizhao, let's go and take a look."
"I'll wait for you here."
Xin Zizhao wasn't interested in troublesome things.
Wei Shuxuan pouted. She had to go by herself.
Fortunately, her martial arts were not bad. She leaped from tree to tree, constantly looking down. Suddenly, someone appeared beside her. She was almost scared to death.
"Miss."
".... Can't you make a sound when you appear? You'll scare me to death."
"Sorry, miss. The man is over there. Please follow me."
Unexpectedly, Wei Wei actually knew where the man calling for help was. Wei Shuxuan followed Wei Wei over and sure enough saw several big men with knives holding a well - dressed middle - aged man hostage.
There was a knife across the middle - aged man's neck, so of course he didn't dare to call for help anymore.
"Miss, do you want to save him?"
"Of course."
Wei Shuxuan surveyed the scene. There were three big men in total, and they all had weapons in their hands. It should be no problem for her and Wei Wei to each take on one of them.
Wei Wei took out a small knife from his body and aimed it at one of the big men...