Bu Shulin traveled day and night to meet Xiao Changying, standing before him in such a state that Xiao Changying stared at her unblinkingly in astonishment.
Summer garments were light and thin, especially women's silk skirts which were particularly flowing. Bu Shulin wore a plain white ruqun, her black hair tied up with a white silk flower. Whether as herself or in her current assumed identity, she was a woman mourning her father's passing, making this appearance perfectly reasonable.
This was an unfamiliar face. Had Bu Shulin not introduced herself and been accompanied by Jinshan, even if they had passed each other on the road, Xiao Changying would never have recognized her as Bu Shulin.
"You have immense courage," Xiao Changying's words carried both admiration and respect.
Although Bu Shulin had altered her appearance and identity, a person's natural gait was not easily disguised. Bu Shulin was truly female and pregnant. It was precisely because of this that even when Jinshan and the others had exposed their tracks, traveling with a large merchant caravan made it impossible to guess who exactly was Bu Shulin.
His Second and Eighth Brothers' agents were likely only watching the young men along the route. Even if they considered Bu Shulin might disguise herself as a woman to slip through, they would never suspect a genuinely pregnant woman.
"Likewise, I'm only forced to do this to survive," Bu Shulin clasped her hands respectfully toward Xiao Changying. "Yet Prince Lie has left the capital without authorization to protect me, opposing His Majesty. When it comes to boldness, how could I compare to even half of Your Highness?"
Xiao Changying narrowed his slender eyes, his tone suddenly turning cold and heavy: "You truly dare to trust me? Aren't you afraid I might be deliberately luring you out?"
"Whether it's true or not, if I lack even the courage to meet Your Highness, what qualification would I have to earn Crown Princess's trust?" Bu Shulin appeared calm and unruffled, as if unafraid that Xiao Changying might simply be tricking her into revealing herself. "Now that I'm surrounded by enemies on all sides, could my situation become any more dangerous?"
Xiao Changying claimed he was risking leaving the capital and even daring to oppose His Majesty in secret because of Shen Xihe. Bu Shulin believed this, but hadn't rushed to meet Xiao Changying solely based on this trust.
The situation was truly too unfavorable for her. If the Crown Prince intended to give her a chance to prove her capabilities, he wouldn't send messages from the capital. Having been in the capital for so many years, she naturally had her own operations, but didn't dare act rashly for fear of exposing her whereabouts.
Currently knowing nothing about the capital's situation, she never expected that despite the Crown Prince creating such favorable circumstances for her and even diverting attention from various parties, she was still intercepted by multiple forces before completing half her journey. Even if not completely exposed, she was already in grave danger.
Even if Xiao Changying was merely drawing her out, her circumstances couldn't worsen further. Since Xiao Changying had come personally, he wouldn't be as easily deceived as those sent by His Majesty, Prince Zhao, and Jing Wang. If she didn't appear today, Xiao Changying only needed to investigate the merchant caravan to quickly identify her. Even if temporarily deceived by her current appearance, after screening everyone, it would merely take an extra day or half.
At this point, rather than cautiously testing the waters while ultimately facing inevitable exposure—or worse, exposing herself to others while evading Xiao Changying—would be even more disadvantageous.
"With such comparison, there's indeed no need for further concealment," Xiao Changying nodded, beginning to scrutinize Bu Shulin.The current Worldly Son Bu, who appeared in the guise of a woman, not only looked vastly different from his usual self but also seemed far more astute than before.
"Since Your Highness has mentioned the Crown Princess, it means you truly have a scheme to lure me out. Now that I've fallen into your hands, even out of consideration for the Crown Princess, you will ensure my safety." Bu Shulin spoke with a hint of audacious confidence.
To claim she truly believed Xiao Changying held deep affection for Shen Xihe—Bu Shulin was not that naive. After careful consideration, she concluded that falling into Xiao Changying's hands was preferable to being captured by His Majesty, Prince Zhao, or Jing Wang. At the very least, Xiao Changying would have to protect her, effectively providing her with a safeguard.
"In the capital, I underestimated you, Worldly Son Bu." Xiao Changying sneered coldly. "Discard your petty schemes. My presence here has nothing to do with you. If you wish to secure another path to survival, it's best not to plot behind my back."
Bu Shulin was taken aback. She had already arrived, and there was no need for Xiao Changying to feign sincerity to lower her guard. Just as she had firmly believed, no matter what designs Xiao Changying had on her, he would not endanger her life. Therefore, his words at this moment were entirely truthful—he had truly gone to such lengths for the Crown Princess.
Unconsciously, Bu Shulin blurted out, "Your Highness, will you not regret this?"
The cost was too great. Although venturing out of the capital without permission was a serious offense, it could still be glossed over. But if His Majesty discovered he had left to aid her, he would be the first to face His Majesty's wrath. He was staking his life on this gamble.
"My affairs are none of your concern, Worldly Son Bu." Xiao Changying had no desire to discuss this further with Bu Shulin and changed the subject. "For some reason, Second Brother has been able to track your movements all along. We all followed him here. The urgent matter now is for you to clarify how this happened."
"Additionally," he continued, "both Second Brother and Eighth Brother have suffered heavy losses here. Even if we intercept their messages to the capital in time, it will only raise suspicions. With so many casualties, they will pursue relentlessly. His Majesty's men will also soon receive word. How do you plan to evade this calamity? Do you have a strategy in mind?"
"I already know the reason." Bu Shulin retrieved a thumb-sized glass vial from her waist, inside which two peculiar-looking moths fluttered their wings. "Once these insects are released from the vial, they will persistently hover around Yinshan. They must have used this to track me."
This explained why, as soon as Yinshan moved, Xiao Changyan's men followed without checking if she was trailing behind.
"Since their men have been silenced, communication will be cut off, and they will grow suspicious. I plan to have Yinshan temporarily lead them away. Even if they are only half-convinced, they will not refrain from pursuing him." Bu Shulin added, "As for me, I must reach the Min River within seven days."
"Reach the Min River?" Xiao Changying was puzzled.
"To return to Shunan City via the Min River," Bu Shulin replied without further explanation.
This was her agreement with Xiao Huayong. Xiao Huayong had set three deadly traps for His Majesty and the others. The first was at the Jialing River. Since her whereabouts were not entirely exposed, even if suspicions arose, they would fall for it. The result: the river ran red with blood, staining its depths.The second round took place at the Min River. To ensure they would be forced into the game even after suffering losses at the Jialing River, she had to be present herself, compelling them to join. If they dared not come, the Min River led directly to Shunan City, allowing her to return smoothly to Shunan, and thus there would be no third round.
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