Chapter 86

  Bai Yutang proactively suggested canceling the agreement he had with Lu Xiaofeng from the beginning. No matter how hard he tried, whenever he thought of those hands that had touched corpses and skulls, and then used to cook meals, he really found it difficult to swallow!

  And this was exactly what Little Phoenix had in mind, she didn't want to cook for Bai Xiaofei anyway.

  Emperor Renzong was quite considerate and immediately made a decree regarding what the Eighth Wise King said, conferring the official title of Wuguo Island Five Mice Five Product Officer on him, who would serve by Feng's side.

  "What right does that cat have to be ranked fourth while we're only fifth?" The Jinmousuo couldn't help but flare up again at the fact that his own brother was outranked by a mere cat.

  Little Phoenix glanced at him and said calmly, "Because your IQ is a problem."

  "Hey, girl, your elbow is really sharp!"

  Xiao Feng finally cut the last piece, and the watermelon was cut into blocks of equal size. She went to one side to wash her hands, came back to pick up the melon and eat it, too lazy to bother with a certain mouse.

  Zhan Zhao jumped over the wall and came in. The brother and sister were sitting on opposite sides, each holding a piece of watermelon and eating it.

  The noble cat didn't even bother with a greeting, just went over and grabbed a piece of watermelon to gnaw on.

  "Little cat, where is your junior sister?" Bai Yutang was a person who would mention one thing and think of another.

  That's right, he did it on purpose. The fake sister is really hateful and always needs to be taught a lesson.

  Zhan Zhao swallowed the melon in his mouth and shook his head with a smile, looking at the person who was quietly eating melon on the other side and saying, "What's wrong with him again?"

  "You're younger than Official's son, aren't you?" Little Phoenix girl directly exposed without any psychological barrier.

  Bai Yutang suddenly got angry again, "Hey——"

  Little Phoenix Maiden looked at him with an innocent face, "You just said that a moment ago." She didn't even add any embellishments.

  "Zhan Zhao, don't change the subject, Wu Ye asked you a question first, where is your junior sister?"

  "He has already left Kaifeng Prefecture."

  "Oh, really? She actually left?"

  Lu Xiaofeng casually inserted a sentence: "Zhan Xiaomao, you didn't even go to see her off. Last time she was taken away by someone to play with in Luoyang."

  Zhan Zhao coughed in a covering-up manner.

  Bai Yutang's mood was great, "Exactly, why didn't you go see him off?"

  "What happened last time was an accident, Brother Bai is overthinking."

  "Was I overthinking? Your junior sister is quite dissatisfied with my little sister."

  Zhan Zhao hesitated for a moment, "Bai Xiong—"

  "Baixiaowu, can't you even keep your mouth shut while eating?"

  "Look at this partiality, it's really unbearable." Bai Yutang sighed with a hint of irony.

  Little Phoenix Maiden said matter-of-factly: "Then just close your eyes."

  Bai Yutang was choked with rage.

  Zhan Zhao couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Lu Xiaofeng threw away the melon rind in his hand and went aside to wash his hands.

  Xiaohe handed her a towel from the linen room to wipe her hands.

  Most of the time, Xiao He was a silent presence, her duty was just to be by her mistress's side at all times, ready to serve.

  Bai Yutang glanced at Zhan Zhao with a mixture of surprise and delight, while Liu Mei's mood was clearly not great. That Miss Meng had said she left on her own, but in reality, more than half the reason was that she was scared away by Liu Mei. Just thinking about how Meng Chunni would retreat in disarray whenever she saw Liu Mei made Bai Yutang want to laugh unkindly.

  Zhan Zhao could only helplessly sigh, as his junior sister's actions were indeed somewhat overbearing at times. However, since she was their master's late-born daughter, he couldn't bring himself to criticize her too much. As a result, Xiaofeng naturally suffered some grievances and it was understandable that she felt resentful.

  "Xiao Feng, don't be on familiar terms with your junior sister."

  "What's the big deal?" Isn't it that others are allowed to be freshmen, but she isn't allowed to be a sophomore? Is this saying that scaring Meng Chunni was wrong? Thinking of this, Xiaofeng's expression turned angry.

  What does this little cat mean?

  Zhan Zhao saw her expression change and his heart secretly cried out "bad", hastily saying: "I didn't mean anything else, don't think wildly."

  Little Phoenix Maiden snorted, "Am I thinking too much? You two are childhood sweethearts, but it's me, the young lady of the Taishi manor, who is being unreasonable. I interfered in your relationship for no reason, and now I'm the one who's wrong. Do you want me to go bring him back right now so that you two can be even closer?"

  Zhan Zhao just wanted to speak.

  Xiao Feng suddenly swung her sleeve and turned around, "Xiao He, let's go back to the Tai Shi Fu."

  "Yes." Xiao He glanced at Zhan Zhao disapprovingly before leaving, this time she absolutely wouldn't stand on the side of Master Zhan. That Meng girl had some harsh words to say in private, and with her family's young lady's abilities, it was already a very gentle punishment.

  Bai Yutang continued to eat the melon without being affected, while saying sarcastically, "Zhan Xiaomao, Liu Mei is not like other women. She doesn't get angry easily. If she does get angry, I'm afraid you won't be able to coax her."

  Zhan Zhao helplessly sighed and didn't chase after her. She was still in a huff now, and chasing after her would be futile anyway.

  Unfortunately, that's what Master Cat thought was wrong. When a girl gets angry, if her boyfriend thinks so, the problem may get bigger from small.

  Girls need to be coaxed, and tomboys are still girls after all, so they also need to be coaxed.

  Zhan Zhao sat at the stone table in the courtyard.

  "Are you really not going to chase after her?"

  "She's in a huff and probably won't listen to my explanation either."

  Bai Yutang thought for a moment and felt it made sense, so he didn't say anything more.

  This cat and mouse are both lonely people, in love they are both clumsy, so the emotional intelligence of these two people added together is not strong, therefore it will inevitably lead to a tragic outcome.

  That night, Little Phoenix and her maid Xiaohe rode a horse out of the capital together.

  No one knew where they would go, and Little Phoenix even abandoned the carriage and coachman Feng Si that Tai Shifu had prepared for her.

  Zhan Zhao received the news three days later, and at this time it was truly too late to say anything.

  "Miss, is it really okay for you to leave like this?" When Ma Ben rushed out of the capital, Xiao He couldn't help but ask such a sentence on horseback.

  "What's wrong? I have to leave early or late anyway, and Father and Mother know that too."

  "The slave is referring to Master Zhan——"

  "Xiao He, you must remember one thing, you are my maid, not Zhan Zhao's." Lu Xiao Feng's words were somewhat heavy.

  Xiaohe immediately fell silent, and in her heart, she also understood that Miss was really, really, extremely angry at this moment. Helping Zhang Daxian speak at this time would be like adding fuel to the fire.

  Pang Yu sent his third sister a fine horse that could travel a thousand miles in one day, so by the time Zhan Zhao received the news, Little Phoenix was already far away in some unknown place.

  "Miss, where is this?" Xiao He asked under the lady's support after getting off the horse and looking up at the words on the city gate not far away.

  Leshan County

  Leshan?

  "Yes, there is Mount Emei which is famous all over the world and also the Leshan Giant Buddha. We can go take a look."

  Xiaohe was praised by Miss, "Isn't it very beautiful?"

  "Of course, Emei is the most beautiful under heaven." In various martial arts of later generations, the Emei Sect is also an indispensable school in the Jianghu, with both orthodox and evil ones.

  "Then let's go into town."

  "Uh-huh."

  Lu Xiaofeng led the horse, taking Xiaohe slowly towards the city gate.

  For convenience of travel, Lu Xiaofeng and his servant were dressed in a simple and practical outfit similar to that of the Jianghu people.

  But in this way, two young women traveling together will still attract attention.

  As the sun approached noon, Lu Xiaofeng and his servant entered a restaurant on the side of the street, planning to eat something and take a short rest before continuing their journey.

  It was just the right time for business in the restaurant, and there were already many diners in the small shop. There were not many empty tables left, and if they had come any later, they might not have gotten a seat.

  "Two young ladies this way, please." The shopkeeper warmly invited them to sit at an empty table by the window.

  Xiaohe put down the package he was holding and picked up the teapot to pour a cup of tea for the young lady, then poured another cup for himself to quench his thirst.

  Lu Xiaofeng also had a package in his hand and casually placed it on the bench where he was sitting.

  Since it's a small restaurant, the dishes here can't be too impressive, so they just casually ordered a few small dishes to fill their stomachs.

  The dishes were served quickly, and when the shopkeeper had arranged all the food on the table, Xiao He said: "Also help us prepare twenty steamed buns and some dried meat, we'll take them away later."

  "Alright then, you two gentlemen take your time."

  Because of going out, many things have to be done in a hurry, so Xiao He didn't insist on standing by and serving the young lady's meal, but he wouldn't mess with the dishes on the table either.

  Lu Xiaofeng knew this was a reluctant affair, so every time he would push two dishes of food to her side.

  When they finished their lunch and were about to leave with some dry provisions, a small incident occurred.

  A few people were standing in front of the red-maned horse tied outside, and as soon as they came out, a servant-like person walked over and said, "Miss, are you selling this horse?"

  "Not for sale."

  "My family's young master can offer a large sum of money."

  Lu Xiaofeng glanced at the young man in brocade and said, "This was specially bought for me by my younger brother, so it's not for sale."

  "Li Huai, come back! This is a gift from this young lady's family, and we really can't force someone to do something difficult."

  Lu Xiaofeng bowed his head in respect to the young master.

  "I was presumptuous, please forgive me, young lady."

  "It doesn't matter."

  Xiaohe repositioned the luggage on the horse's back and then mounted with the help of the young lady.

  Lu Xiaofeng turned his head to the brocade-clad young master who still refused to leave and said, "My servant and I still have a long way to go, sorry." Then he spurred his horse.

  With a tug on the reins and a squeeze of his legs against the horse's belly, the sorrel stallion shot forward.

  The young nobleman in brocade clothes watched as the figure on horseback gradually disappeared into the distance, and couldn't help but sigh: "A fierce steed with a red mane, a beauty like a dream."

  Some people, some things, have been destined to be shallow since the beginning of fate.

  Sometimes a fleeting encounter is a glance that can only be sought after 500 years in front of Buddha.

  "Miss, it seems the young master's interest is not in horses."

  "Does he think I'm taken with this clever and cunning little maid?" Lu Xiaofeng lightly and casually retorted.

  Xiao He suddenly became a gourd with a saw-like mouth, and Xiao Feng's daughter burst out laughing, a string of crisp laughter scattered along the way.

  When the sky was completely dark, they had already arrived at a small town at the foot of Mount Emei and found an inn to stay in.

  Xiaohe asked the shopkeeper to boil some hot water and then went to tidy up his luggage.

  "Xiaohe, we're going up the mountain, I'm afraid we'll have to buy a few pairs of thick-soled canvas shoes, otherwise we'll be in for a tough time."

  "Nothing compares to something made by oneself; let's have the servants quickly make a pair."

  "Isn't that too rushed?"

  Xiaohe said: "Anyway, we've all arrived at the foot of Mount Emei. Delaying for a couple of days won't matter." Miss, you're now a bird out of its cage, free to fly wherever you want, so time is no longer a concern.

  "Alright."

  Xiao Er brought all the hot water into the house, and Xiao He moved a stool to the doorway to keep watch.

  Lu Xiaofeng went behind the screen to take a bath. After several days of traveling, he really needed to wash up.

  After she finished washing, Xiao He helped her tidy up her long hair, and then simply washed herself with the still warm water.

  At that time, Lu Xiaofeng had already practiced several big characters.

  "Miss, you've been traveling all day, why don't you get some rest now? You can read the book tomorrow, it's not too late."

  "This geography book has got me completely bewildered, but anyway, it's just a way to pass the time." Lu Xiao Feng smoothly closed the book.

  The wind blew somewhat mournfully at night, and it started raining heavily in the second half of the night.

  Xiaohe was startled by the rain at night and became a little scared.

  "Xiaohe, come to bed and sleep."

  Xiaohe hesitated for a moment, then still carried the quilt and ran onto the bed.

  As for courage, she has always been inferior to Miss. Moreover, Xiaohe is determined that there won't be many women in this world who can match up to Miss's courage.