"That’s for the best!" The Protectorate Duke got up huffily, letting the servants support him as he left the Crown Prince Residence.
"Ah, why did he leave just like that? He didn’t even make things clear." Gu Youyou said with a hint of regret and added anxiously, "Did Lin Qianqing really run away? What on earth happened?"
Jin Zijin squinted and pondered for a mont before saying, "It seems that there is sothing odd about the Prince Jin Residence. I’ll have Xiao Jinyan check it out."
"Alright."
"But your cousin... should you secretly give her a hand?"
Gu Youyou nodded and said, "Yes, of course. She has always wanted to escape, and now that she has, there’s no need to get caught and brought back again, right?"
"That makes sense. I’ll arrange it."
It was precisely because Gu Youyou ultimately intervened in Lin Qianqing’s escape that the Protectorate Duke, who initially had his doubts, beca utterly convinced of King Jin’s account.
In his view, Lin Qianqing’s escape was either a fra-up by King Jin or sothing that Gu Youyou and Jin Zijin had a hand in.
But he had no evidence, and there was no way he could accuse them of anything.
Moreover, the secrets hidden behind this incident were not to be shared with outsiders. Thus, despite knowing that Jin Zijin had sent n to thwart him, he could only swallow the bitter pill in silence.
...
The arrangents by Jin Zijin naturally favored escaping further south, as the Yue Family’s influence lay in the south. Even with an extended reach, no one could stretch their arm as far as Lingnan.
Yet at the boundary of Lingnan, they still encountered a massive ambush set by the Ducal Residence.
Xiao Qinqin had also t her most severe blow here during her escape in the past, resulting in the death of all the loyal followers by her side.
As for the reason, nobody knew back then.
This no-man’s land at the border was rampant with bandits. But these bandits were not really bandits—they were forces arranged by the Ducal Residence many years ago, and it had been years since. Following Xiao Qinqin’s incident, this was only the second ti they had been activated.
"Catch that woman, and the boss will promote the one who does to second-in-command."
"Brothers, charge..."
After days of fleeing, the carriage Lin Qianqing took when she left Beijing was long gone. She was now posing as the mute daughter of the Rucheng Pancake Shop, heading to Lingnan to seek refuge with relatives.
Seeing the bandits shouting atop the hill in front, Lin Qianqing bit her lip, clutching the bundle in her arms tightly.
Once upon a ti, she had more than once dreamt of leaving Beijing, running far away. But having really run away, the hardships of this journey and the sights and sounds she experienced along the way made her realize the difficulty of the commoner’s life. It was not at all as simple as she had imagined.
Yet if she were to do it all over again, she would make the sa choice. To go through an intense life of experiences was always better than being trapped in a quiet life of obscurity.
Life is like that, gains co with losses.
"Little mute girl, when we start fighting later, you must protect yourself. Find the chance to run and don’t worry about us. Head towards Lingnan, past the hill ahead, and you’ll be safe."
Lin Qianqing bit her teeth and nodded with determination.
The group she was with were kind-hearted people she had t on the road. After an ambush, all the people King Jin had arranged for her had died, and it was these people who had saved her.
They told her that they were rchants heading to Lingnan, and since it was on the way, they suggested that she follow them and send them off on their way.
Of course, Lin Qianqing had no idea that these people were sent by Jin Zijin to be by her side.
A man with a furrowed brow said, "These people don’t seem like ordinary bandits; their purpose is very clear."
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