Huanghe County Mansion.
Yun Liu and his group entered the city, dust-covered from travel, finally arriving before nightfall after a day’s journey.
This was a route that every southern citizen heading north must pass through.
The relay station here hosted a Royal Spirit Boat line, but the next treasure ship to Yudu wouldn’t depart for several days.
The group found respite at the city’s largest tavern.
Nini immediately asked for five premium private rooms.
It was peak travel season, so every inn was packed.
The shop assistant wore a troubled expression—only two standard rooms were left.
“How dare you! Do you know who we are? It’s bad enough we chose your shabby inn without complaint, but now you dare hesitate as if we can’t pay?”
“Wronged! Ladies, first come, first served—surely that’s only fair?”
Nini stood with hands on her hips, fuming.
With the Princess arriving, not clearing the inn for Her Highness was considered being low-key.
Disturbing her rest was a crime punishable by death.
Jing Tan’er waved her hand, recalling Yun Liu’s scolding.
She dared not cause trouble anymore, her big eyes darting around.
“Forget it. The situation’s sudden—let’s make do. I’ll take both rooms. You three squeeze together. I…I’ll suffer and reluctantly share with Yun Liu.”
?
“@#¥% Wow, you’re really making a sacrifice!”
Xiao Xinran rolled her eyes, laughing in exasperation.
She, the personal bodyguard, hadn’t even spoken yet.
Ji Shiyu left, only for an even shameless woman to take her place!
“Hiss, Your Highness is of noble birth—wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”
The bespectacled girl, Lu’er, gave a wry smile.
Though they were “privately betrothed,” rumors would still damage the Royal Family’s reputation.
“Are you teaching me how to act?”
Jing Tan’er glared at her little sidekick.
At first sight of Yun Liu, she’d already thought up names for their children.
Now, only an official announcement separated her from the wedding chamber.
She’d make it official when she could.
“It’s better for you and Mr. Yun to rest alone. We three servants can guard the door.”
Nini and Lu’er nodded, completely ignoring the red-clad girl.
“Who are you calling a servant! Don’t lump me in with you!”
Xiao Xinran waved her fists in protest.
Even if she was still in her probationary period, she was a genuine bodyguard (the kind sworn to defend her master’s chastity).
Even as a servant, she was a noble, high-class security officer, never allowing anyone near Xiao Yun.
Without Ji Shiyu, the Cloudsea Duo of Fools were still rowdy—dinner was a noisy affair.
Around them, diners gossiped about the treasure ship disaster—the Golden Crow’s crash was the first in a hundred years and had stirred up debate among the people.
Rumors spread.
Some called it an auspicious omen, colliding with the Holy Bird.
Others said it was a clash between mysterious experts.
But the truth of the air disaster remained unknown.
Fortunately, there were no casualties, and County Mansion Elites had gone to assist the injured.
Yun Liu sat with eyes closed, quietly cultivating, yet still alert, his attention fixed on Jing Tan’er.
Whenever he opened his eyes, the little princess would cough, avoiding his gaze and pretending to pick at her food.
Just as…always?
But what truly put Yun Liu at ease was a small episode after paying the bill.
As he pulled out his coin pouch to settle up, a handkerchief “accidentally” fell from his sleeve.
Jing Tan’er, following behind, picked it up.
Upon opening it, she found the little sugar figurine inside, preserved with care.
“Hmph, you really treasure the gift this Princess gave you, don’t you? Since you love it so much, I’ll have someone make you a super-sized one for your palace!”
“No need.”
Yun Liu retrieved the handkerchief, smiling and shaking his head.
He no longer doubted.
This was a secret only the two of them knew—unless Jing Tan’er had been possessed under Aotian’s nose in such a short time.
The girl’s eyes curved like crescent moons, her smile sweet.
Speaking of “tokens of affection,” this wasn’t the only one.
That handkerchief was one too, soaked with Jing Tan’er’s tears after being defeated by Ji Shiyu.
There was also the Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, a Jade Palace Spirit Foundation forged from love, indestructible, and now a part of her forever!
Yun Liu touched the “Engagement Ring” in Jing Tan’er’s eyes and led Xiao Xinran and the others to the city’s Shanhai Pavilion, intending to leave a letter for Sister Qin.
Unexpectedly, someone had arrived even earlier.
The ghostly figure of the signboard girl darted about.
Seeing the boss, she sweetly called out, “Head,” and handed over a slip of paper.
“We three are safe and unharmed. Not knowing if Brother Yun would pass this way, we set off first. See you in Yudu.”
The Shenhua Sect Representative Team had departed earlier, with Ao Tian and Senior Sister watching over them. It was best that nothing had happened.
“Three?”
Yun Liu blinked.
Ji Shiyu, Qin Yao, and…who else? Did they count the Yellow Chicken?
He didn’t dwell on it and went to rest—tomorrow would be another day on the road.
The little girls eyed the two plain rooms, each with their own thoughts, arranging and rearranging mentally.
“It’s late. Get some rest.”
Yun Liu didn’t waste words, going straight inside and closing the door, making the room arrangements final—one to four.
Jing Tan’er pouted and entered the other room under Xiao Xinran’s triumphant gaze, two maids attending her.
Night passed.
The white-clothed youth sat quietly on the bed, the turbulence in his qi sea gradually calming, pure spiritual energy returning to stillness.
Now that he’d confirmed the silly girl beside him was genuine, the duty of protecting the royal maiden fell upon him.
When the Shengyu Festival’s rebellion erupted, he could coordinate with Jing Rui from within to uproot the royal family’s hidden poison in one strike!
Stepping out in the morning, Yun Liu was startled to see the red-clad girl’s slender figure.
“Uh?”
Xiao Xinran had stood guard at the door all night, arms crossed over her sword without moving an inch.
She really did have the air of a bodyguard—emotionless.
In such cold weather, a little girl standing guard in the hallway all night would move even the shop assistant’s heart.
Spread the rumor, and it’d sound like the black-hearted pavilion lord was exploiting workers and bullying children!
Yun Liu covered his face, helpless.
“‘Running dog’ is just a figure of speech. I never actually made you keep watch. If you didn’t want to go next door, I understand. If you don’t mind your reputation, you could have come into my room to rest.”
Could she?
Xiao Xinran was about to speak in delight, but something stopped her.
She shook her head stubbornly, falling deeper into her assigned character.
No, no—her current setting was as the school prince’s personal Sword Guard, a cold, stoic woman sworn to defend the protagonist in her own storyline!
“Up to you.”
Yun Liu shook his head.
How could he know that Miss Xiao was playing out a domineering CEO romance in her mind—and enjoying it?
Qin and Xing were the family’s strongest shield, a gentle protector for the mountain king.
But he himself still lacked a handy blade, one that could sweep away all obstacles if needed.
Whether Xiao Xinran was up to the task remained to be seen~
Before leaving, Yun Liu returned to the Shanhai Pavilion and used his privileges to access intelligence, leaving nothing unexamined among the major factions.
He didn’t doubt Jing Rui could lie even under the Heartsway Technique, but caution was always best.
The Demon Sect likely had more than one secret agent like Madam Black Crow.