Chapter 64: Don't Think of Shaking Him Off

  A small town near the capital was bustling with activity, although it was small, it was also a thriving scene. As dusk approached, the streets were still crowded and lively. In the distance, a simple horse-drawn carriage came into view, its simplicity was striking, without any beautiful decorations or grand emblem that represented identity on the carriage. If one looked closely, they would notice that the carriage was made of high-quality wood, and the horses pulling it had shiny coats and robust bodies, truly worthy of being called a thousand-mile horse.

  Behind the carriage, four men rode horses. The woman driving the carriage had a dignified appearance and healthy wheat-colored skin. Such a person was either a military general who had been on many campaigns or a peasant woman who worked in the fields. But it was unclear who was sitting inside the carriage - an extraordinary man with a stunning appearance or a majestic and elegant woman?

  "Whoa!" Zhao Yu drove the horse carriage to the front of the inn, and with a soft whistle, the horses came to a stop. The people at the inn saw the arriving guest, and the young servant hastily came forward to greet them.

  "Master, the inn is here." Zhao Yu lifted the curtain and saw Zi Ruoye sitting lazily on the soft couch, comfortably drinking wine.

  "Hmm." Zi Ruoye put back the wine jug, once out of the capital city, he was no longer that lustful prince.

  The little girl looked up at the person who came out, although the style of the clothes was very simple, but after so many years she had already developed a good eye for it, and the fabric of the clothes was extremely good, one look and you could tell they were a noble guest. "Sir, would you like to have some tea or eat?"

  "They're all here." Zǐ Ruò Yè walked into the inn, took a simple look around, and saw that it was a simple two-story building. The first floor was the main hall where people ate, and the second floor was the guest rooms. She casually found a table and sat down.

  "Bring whatever you like, we've all been starving for half a day. Also, bring me another jug of wine." Zi Ruoye instructed, and Zhao Yu went to add food and water to the horse carriage.

  "You all sit down too." Zǐ Ruò Yè said, pointing to the other seats. A lot of dishes were ordered, but those four people stood still, showing no intention of sitting down.

  "The master is the master, we can't be without etiquette." One of the four took the lead in saying, although the prince had just let them sit together and was somewhat taken aback, she still spoke directly.

  Zi Ruoye saw that they were not willing to sit with her, so she didn't force them. Everyone had their own stance and position. When Zhao Yu came in, she let them start another table with Zhao Yu and ordered the waiter to bring out the same dishes. Then, she began to observe this inn.

  Now that the sun has set, the town is still bustling with cars, and most people have bought dry food and left in a hurry. A few people stayed at the inn, but Liu Qingyou followed behind, not daring to enter the inn, and casually found a place to rest. He took out a bun from his bag and ate it bit by bit, wearing a veil on his head, so passersby couldn't see his face clearly. However, just his elegant demeanor was enough to make people turn their heads. Even when eating buns, Liu Qingyou still had the refinement to tear them apart bit by bit, although he had been dressed in brocade and eaten jade-like food since childhood, but when eating buns, he didn't even frown once.

  Looking at the inn where Zǐ Ruò Yè had entered, his lips pursed slightly. Now it's probably impossible to get in. That scoundrel should be sitting in the main hall now. If he went in, he would definitely be discovered. But if he didn't go to that inn and instead stayed at another one, he might miss her. This way, he wouldn't catch up with her. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, his horse was eating its feed, and after taking a sip of water, the dryness in his throat finally subsided.

  Take another look at the inn, and take a look at your horse. Don't sleep today... or maybe sit next to the horse and rest for a while. The white brocade robe had been through a day of rushing about but hadn't gotten a speck of dust on it. This kind of elegant man sat wherever he pleased, and that place became the center of attention. But Liu Qingyou didn't notice at all, only looking at the inn and eating a mouthful of rice balls from time to time. Liu Qingyou had forgotten, although his lightness skill was quite good, but his martial arts skills were just enough to deal with some unremarkable small fries. If he didn't stay in the shop and slept on the streets, it would be very dangerous.

  "Waiter." Zi Ruoye called out to the waiter, wanting to ask if there were any wineries nearby. This untamed wanderer had gone who-knows-where? Even Anying couldn't track down her location. Although drinking could suppress the intoxicating effects of the medicine, it made each outbreak of the icy fire poison more and more severe. Her fingertips lightly tapped on the table, her eyelids drooping to conceal the expression in her eyes.

  "Sir, what can I do for you?"

  "Is there a winery in this town that sells wine? Or is there a place that sells wine?"

  The young innkeeper scratched his head slightly, looking a bit embarrassed. "To be honest with you, our town doesn't really have those kinds of places. However, we do have wine at the inn. What kind would you like?"

  There isn't even wine for sale?

  "Uh... then just give me two jars of wine, load them onto the carriage, and then give me two bags of peanuts. That's all." He took out some silver coins and handed them to Er Ye, "Keep the change as a tip, no need to return it."

  "Alright! I'll go and get it ready for you, sir." The shop assistant took the money with a smile on his face as he walked away, secretly thinking that this customer was indeed very generous, and he hadn't misjudged him.

  The night had fallen, and Zi Ruo Ye simply washed up and went to bed. The coal mine was hijacked on the way, but the road that transported the coal happened to be different from the one she took to Ning City now. She originally wanted to go straight to that road to see if there were any clues, but Zi Yan Ran insisted that she go to Ning City first, which would delay her for many days. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

  Liu Qingyou didn't dare to go to another inn for fear of missing the departure time with Zi Ruoye, so he really found an alley and sat down in front of the inn where Zi Ruoye was staying. He let his horse kneel down and sit on the ground casually, leaning against the horse and dozing off lightly. The wind in the suburbs was very strong, especially the night wind which carried a chill. Liu Qingyou frowned, but thanks to the horse, he felt warmer. Although some passersby would occasionally glance at him, he didn't mind.

  Ying had already discovered Liu Qingyou when she was not far from the guest house, but didn't know whether to tell Zi Ruoye. When she saw that Liu Qingyou was actually sleeping outside, she immediately appeared in front of Zi Ruoye.

  As soon as the shadow appeared, Ziyue Ye's eyes opened, as if she had never fallen asleep at all. She looked at the shadow kneeling in front of her and asked lightly, "What is it?" The shadow wouldn't appear for no reason, wasn't there something big going on?

  "Mugwort, we found Liu Gongzi resting in a small alley outside. He's a man, and it's not safe for him to be out there, so after some thought, we decided to report back to you." The Shadow said calmly before standing up. Outside, they didn't address Ziyue Ye as 'Your Highness'.

  "What! Take me away!" Zi Ruoye casually pulled over her clothes and suddenly felt like her soul was about to be scared out of her. How could Liu Qingyou follow her out? What did he want to do? Didn't he know it was very dangerous for a man to go out alone at night? And why didn't they stay in the inn?

  Yingying nodded and disappeared into the room, Ziruoye followed closely behind her, her heart filled with anxiety and anger, but more so with a desire to scold Qingyu. Ziruoye arrived at the alley and indeed saw Qingyu.

  At this moment, leaning on the horse in a light doze, seeing that he was fine, she finally put down her heart and walked over lightly. Originally angry and wanting to scold him, but after seeing him safe and sound, her anger dissipated. Liu Qingyou might be too tired, after all, he had never been on a long trip before, and after a day of bumping around, he only ate some mantou (steamed buns). Zi Ruoye looked at his exhausted little face and sighed inwardly. She walked forward and picked him up.

  She was suddenly hugged, and Liu Qingyu woke up abruptly! "Who!" When she opened her eyes, she saw Zi Ruoye. The tip of her nose was the familiar faint scent of sandalwood that she knew well. Although he had never been hugged by her before, his heart had long been savoring the fragrance on her body, which was not like the usual feminine scent. It was a refreshing and subtle scent that instantly relaxed his tired heart.

  "Awake?" Zi Ruoye didn't stop in her tracks, perhaps due to being blown by the night wind for a while, Liu Qingyou's body felt cool and she couldn't help but hug herself tighter.

  "Shit... damn it..." It was as if something was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say anything. He had been discovered! His heart was a bit panicked - would she drive him away? He thought that this bastard would always find out eventually, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon. It left him somewhat unprepared, unable to put on his usual arrogant air or speak the insincere words he normally used. All he could do was stare blankly at Zǐ Ruò Yè, with a faint hint of panic in his eyes.

  "Huh? I'm not dead yet." Zi Ruoye, afraid of disturbing other guests, tiptoed and used her lightness skill to enter her own room, feeling involuntarily depressed, as if she had some ulterior motive.

  Zi Ruoye put Liu Qingyou on her own bed, personally took off his shoes and socks for him, and then let him cover himself with the quilt. Looking at Liu Qingyou staring at her with wide eyes, she couldn't help but say out loud, "Could it be that you're actually asleep? I didn't know you sleep with your eyes open!"

  As the warmth spread through the quilt, Liu Qingyou suddenly woke up with a start. He had just been frightened out of his wits and was afraid that Zi Ruoye would make him leave, but instead he saw her taking off her shoes and socks for him. His heart was even more shocked, and for a moment he forgot to react, only able to blankly let her put him on the bed. The roots of his ears turned red, and his slightly tired face also took on a pink hue. "This young master is awake!" He said, turning his head away and closing his eyes, not looking at Zi Ruoye. But in his heart, he was still panicked...

  "When did you start following me? Won't you follow me as soon as I leave the city gate? Are you worried that I won't come back?" Zi Ruoye was still in a good mood, teasing Liu Qingyu, with a sly smile in her clear eyes. He just followed her out like this, wasn't he afraid of Liu Xiang's worry?

  "You all know what to do, why ask me!" Liu Qing said in a low and somewhat pleading tone, "Let me... let me go with you to Ning City, can I?"

  Zi Ruoye was taken aback, she had originally planned to let Liu Qingyou sleep for a night and then have the shadow send Liu Qingyou back. Just now it was just a joke, but her voice became serious and solemn, "I'm going to Ning City not to play, you rest for a night and tomorrow morning I'll have someone send you back to Beijing."

  Liu Qingyu suddenly crawled out of the quilt, grabbed her sleeve, and said in a hurry and panic, "Damn it, just let me go with you! If you don't let me follow you, I'll sneak after you. After you send me back, I'll come out again. Damn it...". Liu Qingyu only realized halfway through that Zi Ruoye was wearing only her outer coat at the moment. She... had rushed to find him in such a hurry? That's why she looked like this? A faint sweetness rose in his heart.

  "I know you're not going to play, I know...". He tightly grasped Zi Ruoye's sleeve, his voice trembling slightly. Liu Qingyou knew that if Zi Ruoye didn't agree, he would really be sent back to the capital.

  Zi Ruoye let out a soft sigh, but didn't understand why Liu Qingyou wanted to follow her to Ning City. "The journey is long and arduous, not to mention the possibility of spending nights on the streets. Following me will only bring you suffering. Why not return to the capital? Besides, isn't Li Yu still in the capital?"

  As soon as he heard Li Yu, Liu Qing's eyes dimmed slightly, and indeed the dead scoundrel still thought he liked Li Yu. After a while, he finally made up his mind, "This young master no longer likes Li Yu!"

  Zi Ruoye was taken aback, didn't he like Li Yu anymore? Didn't he say just the other day that he wanted to use a stimulating method to stimulate Li Yu? Seeing Zi Ruoye not responding, he felt annoyed in his heart, this dead scoundrel! "This young master likes someone else, but the agreement between us is still valid, it's just that the object is no longer Li Yu, so this young master wants to ensure your safety!"

  Li Yu is not a good person, if you don't like him then just don't like him. Zi Ruoye thought for a moment, but even if it was someone else, that person should still be in the capital, listening to his inexplicable excuses made her even more helpless. "Who is that person? Can't they just use an imperial edict?" Is there really someone who dares to defy an imperial order? There really is, and Zi Ruoye is one of them. But she didn't think of herself, instead she directly asked Liu Qingyu.

  Liu Qing's mouth opened slightly, looking at Zi Ruoye with a seeking expression, his heart became even more annoyed. Did he need to say it directly? Wasn't his hint enough? Biting his lip, he said hatefully, "This person can't be told to you now! In short, you must bring Ben Shao Ye along, don't send me back to the capital!" He covered himself with the quilt and stopped talking. This dead fool was really stupid to death!

  Zi Ruoye helplessly looked at Liu Qingyou, who was covered with a quilt, thinking that now no matter what she said, he wouldn't listen anyway. She could only wait until tomorrow morning to talk to him again. Walking over to the table, she propped up her head and dozed off with her eyes closed. It's already so late, it's not good to disturb the innkeeper either, just make do for one night.

  Liu Qing gently lifted the quilt, looking at the back of Zi Ruoye, originally thinking that this scoundrel's usual behavior would be with him together... He had also made mental preparations, but now seeing her sit down to the table edge on her own initiative, he felt a slight sense of loss in his heart.

  My god! How could he think like this? How could he even think of sleeping with that dead bastard?

  At this thought, Liu Qingyou's face turned bright red, and she hastily closed her eyes, trying not to think about it. However, she couldn't resist the sweetness in her heart, and she slightly opened her eyes to look at Zi Ruoye. Only then did she gently curve the corners of her mouth and fall asleep. The quilt was filled with the faint scent of wood incense from that dead scoundrel, which slowly calmed down her previously frantic heart.

  Damn it, this time Ning City trip he will definitely follow her! Don't think about shaking him off...

  Digression

  These past few days... have all failed to meet the word count requirement, sorry everyone... TAT