Then, using his support, she climbed into the carriage, lowering her head as she disappeared inside.
Nie San stood by the carriage, watching as the curtain fell.
Slowly, he raised his hand, which still carried the faint scent of her.
A sweet, delicate fragrance.
He recalled her voice when she had thanked him—soft and light, like melted honey.
***
The carriage moved forward slowly. Inside, the felt lining was somewhat old and emitted a damp, musty smell.
The two rough-handed servant women sat with drooping eyelids, looking utterly disinterested in this errand.
However, A’Wu paid no attention to them.
Her mind was completely occupied with the events of the day.
She was still feeling a bit fearful.
If Lady Su had checked her cotton-padded clothing, she would not have been able to take away the gold she had hidden inside.
Then all the days and nights she had spent with the Crown Prince would have been for nothing!
Thinking about this, she recalled Sun Momo as well.
She suspected that Sun Momo had likely guessed something but chose to turn a blind eye and let her go.
It must have been the gold hairpin that sealed Sun Momo’s lips.
So, when the moment is critical, one must be willing to part with silver.
Money can keep mouths shut!
Of course, in some situations, money alone might not be enough—perhaps something else would need to be sacrificed.
A’Wu thought back to the way Nie San had looked at her earlier…
She leaned against the wooden wall of the carriage, resting her chin on her hand as she carefully considered him.
That Nie San did not seem like someone who followed the rules.
He was probably a wild one.
For now, she would avoid provoking him—keep him in her pocket and deal with him when the opportunity arose.
At that moment, the carriage jolted over a bump, pulling A’Wu from her thoughts.
She realized that they were now passing through a bustling street, with the sounds of a lively crowd filling the air.
Curious, she thought back to when she had first arrived in the capital.
The carriage had been tightly enclosed, and she had not been able to catch even a glimpse of its grandeur.
Now that she had the chance, she couldn’t resist looking.
It saddened her slightly.
Once she became a nun, she would never see such things again.
If not now, then when?
Carefully, she pinched the corner of the carriage curtain and lifted it just a little, peeking outside.
Seeing that no one was paying attention, she pulled it higher and leaned forward to get a better view.
At first glance, she was stunned.
The streets were packed with people and lined with endless shops and stalls.
Banners of vibrant silk fluttered in the air, casting shadows that blocked out the sky.
Everywhere she looked, there were merchants and traders, their businesses flourishing.
The sight was dazzling.
She had heard before that the capital of the Great Hui Dynasty was a gathering place for all things, a city of endless commerce and wealth, the most splendid and prosperous land under heaven.
Yet, despite having lived here, despite residing in the Crown Prince’s mansion—a place that ordinary people could only dream of—she had never even caught a glimpse of this world.
What a waste.
No matter how she thought about it, it was a loss.
Even if she was not the Crown Prince’s consort, even if she was not an empress, she should not have followed the Crown Prince at all.
What was the point of being trapped inside grand halls and luxurious silks if she could not even step outside?
As she took in the scene with great interest, she suddenly felt a gaze fixed on her from the street.
Her heart thumped.
She instinctively turned in that direction and saw a towering three-story building—magnificent and lavish, draped with beaded curtains and embroidered eaves.
At the entrance, colorful banners and decorations hung high, and an endless stream of guests came and went.
She wanted to find the owner of that gaze, but how could she?
The street was crowded, filled with noblemen and high-ranking officials.
She felt lost.
For the past few months in the Crown Prince’s residence, he had spoiled and indulged her so much that she had almost forgotten her past.
Clutching the hem of her sleeve tightly, she knew she was not mistaken.
That gaze—it was him.
He was in the capital.
Perhaps he had been watching her all along.
A’Wu’s heart became unsettled.
If he had been keeping an eye on her, what did he want?
How had he learned so quickly that she had been expelled from the Crown Prince’s residence?
As she was thinking, the carriage suddenly came to a stop.
Puzzled, A’Wu leaned out to look.
Just then, Nie San dismounted from the driver’s seat.
His gaze met hers directly, and he said, “Lady, the road ahead is blocked.”
A’Wu frowned.
“Blocked?”
Nie San glanced at her dazed expression and explained, “A noble entourage is passing through. According to protocol, commoners must clear the way.”
A’Wu understood.
“Oh… I see.”
Nie San looked at her, his brow furrowing slightly.
The woman before him had eyes that were too pure and naive.
It was hard to believe that this was the bewitching temptress rumored to have ensnared the Crown Prince—the southern beauty who had been called a disaster in the making.
He tested her, saying, “Lady, we must leave the city before the gates close. If we delay any longer, it will be too late.”
A’Wu hesitated.
“Then what should we do?”
Nie San suggested, “Lady, you should step out. I will take you through a side street.”
A’Wu’s heart stirred as she looked at him.
Nie San was staring straight into her eyes.
She knew that look all too well.
Desire.
Ambition.
He was watching his prey.
And she was that prey.
It was clear that this man was not behaving as a mere guard should.
Even though she had been cast out of the Crown Prince’s mansion, she had still once belonged to the Crown Prince.
She was about to enter Yanxiang Temple to become a nun—he should have shown her at least the basic respect due to her status.
Yet, judging from how Sun Momo had arranged things, it was obvious they were throwing her straight into Nie San’s hands.
Could this have been orchestrated by the Crown Princess?
Not only had they expelled her, but now they wanted to eradicate her completely.
A’Wu sighed softly in her heart.
Then, meeting Nie San’s gaze, she pressed her lips into a smile and spoke in a soft, dependent tone, “Alright.”
With the two rough-handed servant women accompanying her, A’Wu stepped down from the carriage.
Nie San swiftly grabbed her luggage and led the way forward.
The servant women followed closely at her sides, and behind them were several sturdy young attendants.
A’Wu understood that they were watching over her, so she obediently followed along without resistance.
The streets were crowded, people shoulder to shoulder.
A’Wu was strikingly beautiful, and many curious gazes turned toward her.
Some even fixated on her face, staring openly.
The two servant women were of little use in shielding her, and the attendants were getting pushed aside in the crowd.
Seeing this, Nie San reached out, grabbed A’Wu’s arm, and protectively led her forward.
His expression was dark, his gaze fierce.
Those who wanted to continue staring at A’Wu hesitated, intimidated by Nie San, and reluctantly made way.
Finally, he guided her into a side alley, where there were still a few vendors, but the crowd was much thinner.
A’Wu stood on her toes, looking back at the two servant women who were still struggling through the sea of people.
She waved her hand, “Hurry, over here!”
Her voice was sweet and soft.
Though not particularly loud amidst the noisy crowd, for some reason, it stood out distinctly.
Many people turned to look at her.
Nie San muttered, “Can you quiet down a bit?”
A’Wu blinked, “Huh?”
Nie San looked at her expressionlessly.
Her face was stunningly beautiful, bright and vivid, her gaze clear as water.
She was dazzling, yet she seemed completely unaware of it, carrying an air of innocent charm that naturally drew attention.
He understood now.
Before, he had doubted how such an innocent-looking woman could have bewitched the Crown Prince.
Now, he was beginning to see it.
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