Since that kiss with Helian Qi, Dongfang Yi's feelings towards him had become complicated. Especially since they were going to leave the palace together the next day, her mood grew even more anxious. Although the thought of leaving the palace filled her with boundless excitement, she also worried about the awkwardness of being alone with him for a long time once they were out.
However, no matter how anxious she was, the day of leaving the palace finally arrived. Besides the two of them, Xiaoxin, who was to attend to Dongfang Yi's daily needs, and Helian Qi's personal guard, Ruyi, were also part of the entourage. Dongfang Yi had only recently learned that Ruyi was the second - in - command of the Imperial Guards. He was an outstanding martial artist and a peerless expert, rarely met with an equal within the palace.
Xiaoxin was quite happy about leaving the palace because the journey would pass by her hometown in Subei. She could return to visit her old mother and pay respects to her father's grave.
"Once we're out of the palace, never mention the palace in front of others. Just call me Young Master," Helian Qi commanded as he stood in front of the carriage. Then he looked at Dongfang Yi and said, "You can call me Song Qi."
"Okay, okay, okay..." A brief eye - contact made her face flush.
The carriage carrying the four of them slowly drove out of the palace. Ruyi sat in front to drive the horses, while the other three were inside.
As the carriage gradually left the palace, the atmosphere inside grew tenser. Helian Qi squinted his eyes as if taking a nap. Xiaoxin was making tea on one side, and Dongfang Yi couldn't help but stare out of the window.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted. Off - guard, Dongfang Yi crashed into Helian Qi's arms. Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Xiaoxin stared in surprise with her eyes wide open, and the tea spilled out of the cup.
Helian Qi, who had been sitting upright, instantly opened his squinted eyes. He stared at Dongfang Yi, who was lying in his arms, as if asking a question. Then he gently parted his lips and said, "What is the Queen up to?"
Dongfang Yi quickly got up and straightened her clothes. She replied awkwardly, "The carriage is too bumpy... Hehe..."
"Slow down the carriage, Ruyi," Helian Qi called out through the window.
Dongfang Yi felt warm inside and looked at the man who had closed his eyes again with gratitude.
"Xiaoxin, what are the special local snacks in your hometown?" Dongfang Yi asked.
"Ah? Well... there are some really delicious pastries," Xiaoxin replied.
"Are there any fun things to do there, Xiaoxin?" she asked again.
"Well... when I was a child, I really liked sugar figurines," Xiaoxin answered again.
"Xiaoxin..."
... Along the way, Dongfang Yi asked all sorts of questions about food, drinks, and entertainment. She didn't stop until her stomach growled with hunger. Xiaoxin then went to the front to drive the carriage with Ruyi, leaving only Dongfang Yi and Helian Qi in the carriage.
Dongfang Yi stared intently at the man in front of her. He had long eyelashes, thin lips, and eyebrows as sharp as sword blades. Even though his eyes were closed, one could imagine how bright and dazzling they would be when open.
He was really a good - looking man, Dongfang Yi thought. Who on earth wanted to assassinate him? During this trip out of the palace, she must find out the mastermind behind the whole thing. Although Helian Qi hadn't blindly believed others and assumed she was the culprit, the best way was still to find the real murderer herself to clear her name.
"Have you stared enough?" Helian Qi, with his eyes closed, suddenly asked.
"You weren't sleeping?!" Dongfang Yi asked in surprise.
She saw him slowly open his eyes. His eyes were like stars in the sky, just as she had imagined.
"How could I sleep? You've probably asked about all the snacks in Subei along the way," Helian Qi squinted and said.
"Uh..." Dongfang Yi understood what he meant. She knew it was her constant chatter that had prevented him from resting well.
"Ouch!"
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the carriage. The horses seemed to be startled and writhed around, causing the carriage to jolt.
"Sir, there are attackers!" Ruyi lifted the curtain and said to Helian Qi.
"Go. Leave one alive," Helian Qi waved his hand and commanded Ruyi.
Ruyi jumped out of the carriage after receiving the order. In less than a quarter of an hour, the battle was over. He dragged a man with a black cloth covering his face, forced him to kneel on the ground, and tore off the cloth. He questioned, "Speak! Who sent you?"
Unexpectedly, the man instantly bit something. A large amount of blood gushed out of his mouth, and he tilted his head and fell to the ground.
Ruyi went to check his breath and found that he was dead.
"Check his body for anything," Helian Qi said.
Ruyi rummaged through the man's body and found a note on his chest that read: Leave no one alive. He also found a black hawk totem on the man's back - neck.
Helian Qi's eyes darkened, and Dongfang Yi also looked solemn. They had just left the palace. Who was so eager to take their lives? And what did this black hawk totem represent?
It seemed that this trip out of the palace was doomed to be anything but peaceful.
The carriage traveled for another hour and finally entered their first stop - the city of Beiguan.
This city was very close to the imperial city and could be considered its subsidiary city. So it was quite prosperous, and the local people were simple and honest.
They stopped at an inn. As soon as they entered, the waiter asked, "Are the four guests here for a meal or to stay overnight?"
"To stay overnight," Helian Qi replied coldly. He casually threw out a silver ingot and said, "Three top - grade rooms."
Three?
"Ah? Why three, Song Qi?" Dongfang Yi panicked and followed Helian Qi, who was walking up the stairs to the second floor, and asked.
Helian Qi suddenly stopped and told Dongfang Yi from a superior position, "The two of us will share one room."
What? Dongfang Yi was completely stunned. Xiaoxin, who was following them, couldn't help but giggle, and Ruyi also curled the corner of his mouth.
Dongfang Yi was completely confused. Why did she still have to share a room with Helian Qi even after leaving the palace? Wouldn't it be unbearably awkward?
After entering the room, Dongfang Yi put her hands on her hips and asked Helian Qi, "Why not four rooms? One more room won't cost that much more, right? Is our budget that tight?"
"Because you're my wife," Helian Qi stared at her and said. His deep voice seemed to have a bewitching charm.
Dongfang Yi was momentarily spellbound and couldn't find any words to refute.
"Staying together will arouse less suspicion and be safer," Helian Qi continued.
Dongfang Yi was speechless. Oh, so it was just for safety...
On the first night at the inn, Dongfang Yi fell asleep in a huff and slept until dawn. When she woke up, the bed beside her was already cold. It seemed that the person next to her had gotten up long ago.