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"You already have a beautiful companion, what more do you need from family? Didn't you say that with this beauty by your side, you could forsake all other charms?" Xiao Luo sneered, "Stop making excuses. If we delay our departure tomorrow, it will be treated as defiance against the imperial decree."
Watching Xiao Luo leave in a huff, Nangong Nuo sighed for a while and muttered, "Jealousy, pure jealousy!"
---
That night, Mei Shuang slept soundly, not even dreaming, and she slept straight through until dawn.
The charcoal fire in the room kept it warm and cozy. Mei Shuang nestled under the covers, rubbed her eyes, and when she finally saw that it was bright outside, she suddenly remembered something and turned her gaze to the side.
The bed beside her looked perfectly fine, showing no signs of having been used. Clearly, that detestable man did not return last night. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The room was quiet. If she wasn't going to leave now, then when?
Mei Shuang quietly got dressed and looked around; everything seemed normal. Just as she was about to step out the door, a maid blocked her path and after greeting her softly asked, "Miss, where are you going?"
"Uh, I'm just going out for a stroll," Mei Shuang replied calmly.
"The prince has instructed that you should not go anywhere and that we are to set off soon," the maid said.
"...Where are we going?" Mei Shuang was somewhat surprised.
"I do not know either. Please follow me to wash up and have breakfast first."
---
Nangong Nuo had finished discussing state affairs with Xiao Luo in the palace when the sky had already brightened.
Thinking about Mei Shuang, he hurried back right after court ended, which inevitably earned him a scolding from Xiao Luo, who insisted that if he delayed state matters again, he would face military punishment.
As Nangong Nuo entered the door, he saw Mei Shuang sitting by the window, resting her chin on her hand and gazing thoughtfully outside.
Perhaps it was due to a good night's rest, but the originally pale face now had a faint blush. The current Mei Shuang, with her hair tied up simply and no makeup on, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall, looked even more ethereal against the backdrop of her white silk robe.
In truth, she was at her best now, yet she insisted on being the mundane Empress. Did she really think that dressing in bright red palace attire every day, adorned with countless hairpins and jewelry, would make her more admirable?
As memories flooded back, Nangong Nuo felt a subtle bitterness deep within. She gazed at Mei Shuang for a moment before walking over and softly saying, "Do you want to say goodbye to Chancellor Mei?"
"Back already?" Mei Shuang snapped out of her thoughts and turned around in surprise. "Goodbye?"
"I have received an imperial decree to guard the borders..."
Nangong Nuo lazily sat down. "Who knows how many years it will be before I return? If you miss Chancellor Mei, it's best to say your farewells early; we must leave before dark."
Mei Shuang was completely taken aback. "Guarding the borders?!"
Images of vast frontiers and desert sands flashed rapidly through her mind. "Before dark? That's too short of a time! How can I go see my father?"
"Chancellor Mei is still in morning court, and this place isn't far from the Minister's Residence. If you want to see him, I can take you to Mei Manor right away."
As she spoke, Nangong Nuo's usually playful peach blossom eyes were unexpectedly serious.
Mei Shuang thought for a moment and finally shook her head. "It's better not to go. My grievances have been cleared, and my father knows I'm safe; that's enough. Besides, everyone knows I'm gravely ill and resting in the palace. If I suddenly appear, my father might worry too much. If this reaches Queen Meiru's ears, this Empress might not sleep well... Who knows how many troubles that could cause... It might even implicate you..."
Nangong Nuo was taken aback by her words. After a long pause, as her gaze shifted thoughtfully, she smiled leisurely. "I never knew you had learned to consider others..."
Mei Shuang stood up and looked around casually. "Let's leave it at that. If you have anything to pack, I'll help you..."
Nangong Nuo also stood up, a meaningful glint flashing in her eyes. "Miss Mei Shuang, your words truly flatter me. The pampered Miss Mei Shuang is willing to help me today. Heh heh, do you want to become my princess so soon?..."
"..."
In the evening.
The Zhao Prince Mansion was all set. Although they were traveling light, various books and miscellaneous items filled nearly ten horse-drawn carriages, along with servants and maids, totaling fifteen carriages.
Sitting in the swaying carriage, Mei Shuang gazed absentmindedly through the curtain at the bustling street filled with people. The warm glow of the setting sun bathed the wide street and illuminated the hurried crowd heading home, making Mei Shuang feel a pang of envy in her heart.
Everyone had a home to return to, but now, despite being the daughter of the Minister's Residence, she had become homeless. The thought made her feel a bit sad.
Ever since she had fallen into misfortune, Mei Shuang felt like a lone soldier. The only thing that brought her some comfort was her accompanying maid, Sugar, who had been part of her dowry.
Recalling that little girl who used to fuss over everything with her cleverness, Mei Shuang felt a sudden wave of emotion. If it weren't for what had happened to her back then, she would still have someone caring by her side. Now, things were likely to be dire for Sugar as well. Such a young age, what a pity.
Mei Shuang sighed lightly.
"What are you sighing about? Isn't leaving the capital what you wished for?" Nangong Nuo sat across from Mei Shuang, lost in thought. Hearing her sigh, he casually asked.
"This time, many people must have been affected because of me," Mei Shuang said gloomily.
Nangong Nuo paused for a moment. "You’ve been daydreaming all this time just thinking about this?"
"Not really..." Mei Shuang shook her head, trying to lift her spirits. She changed the subject and said, "Earlier, I heard you say that women with long hair have short knowledge. Actually, in my opinion, it's all due to being confined at home. How can a woman gain knowledge if she never goes out? Everything seems new to me now. If you're not busy, tell me about the local customs along the way..."
Nangong Nuo seemed surprised by her words and was momentarily taken aback by Mei Shuang's gentle smile. He leaned forward to look outside and then smiled slightly. "Miss Mei Shuang, you are quite different today. I like this version of you more and more... I’ll allow you... Hehe, the grand residence ahead isn’t unfamiliar to you, is it?"
"......"
Mei Shuang glanced outside; through the dimming twilight, she could see an imposing mansion and quickly replied, "I can't see clearly; it's dark now."
Nangong Nuo chuckled softly but didn’t call out Mei Shuang’s bluff because the mansion they had just passed was actually Chancellor Mei's Residence.
So he began to tell Mei Shuang about Purple Dawn City, recounting its origins and layout as if he were sharing treasured memories.
Mei Shuang was both amazed and somewhat impressed by Nangong Nuo. "In such a large city, how do you know the layout so well?"
Nangong Nuo replied proudly, "Naturally. This city was built by the Founding Ancestor and expanded over the years by Taizong, Gaozong, and the Former Emperor, resulting in the scale and appearance of Purple Dawn City today..."
As he spoke of his ancestors' great achievements, pride was evident in Nangong Nuo's expression, with a hint of childishness in his eyes. He then pointed to the Changshuo Canal and said, "Did you know? This canal is my handiwork..."
Mei Shuang shook her head in disbelief. "You’re not that old; this canal must have taken at least three to five years to dig, right?"
"Three to five years? Ha! It took a full eight years..." Nangong Nuo said. "I started working on it when I was fifteen."
"So you're only twenty-three?" Mei Shuang asked, looking at Nangong Nuo's face, which indeed seemed to match that age.
Unexpectedly, Nangong Nuo shot her a glance that suggested she was foolish. "Do you think the canal just opened today?"
"......"
Once Mei Shuang realized her mistake, she couldn't help but scold herself for being slow; working on it for eight years didn’t mean he started just eight years ago.
Seeing Mei Shuang's embarrassment, Nangong Nuo chuckled lightly. "I am the same age as Xiao Luo, just a few months younger. Yet he still has to call me 'Uncle.'"
Mei Shuang was taken aback. "What? Uncle? The Emperor is younger than you? ... Uh, no, I mean, actually, you look much younger than him..."
Nangong Nuo nodded in satisfaction and leaned back with his hands behind his head. "Miss Mei Shuang, look at you now; when it comes to past events, you really are clueless. Who doesn’t know that Xiao Luo is just a brash warrior who only knows how to lead troops into battle? He’s not as carefree as I am..."
Suddenly, Mei Shuang recalled an incident that had occurred in front of Nangong Nuo's residence and her expression became somewhat strange.
Noticing her odd demeanor, Nangong Nuo also remembered that moment and awkwardly tried to cover it up. "What can I say? I’m just popular wherever I go..."
Mei Shuang shrugged, adopting an attitude of indifference.
When she turned her gaze back outside the window, night had fallen thickly. All that could be heard were the heavy hoofbeats and the occasional sharp sound of a coachman cracking his whip.
Listening to Nangong Nuo for an entire night, Mei Shuang began to feel drowsy and leaned back in her seat, unable to resist dozing off.
Just as she was drifting into a light sleep, the carriage suddenly jolted violently. She woke up with a start, her eyes wide open in panic, only to realize that the surroundings were pitch black and Nangong Nuo was nowhere to be seen. It seemed there was some commotion outside.
She focused her hearing and her heart raced—sounds of clashing swords, human screams, and the frightened whinnies of horses intertwined, creating a chilling atmosphere in the quiet night.
As cold sweat broke out all over her body, Mei Shuang trembled as she managed to lift a corner of the curtain of the carriage.
Indeed, under the faint moonlight, several masked figures in black were wielding gleaming daggers, engaged in combat with Nangong Nuo's men.
In the midst of flashing blades, people occasionally fell. The black-clad assailants were clearly well-trained; despite their small and frail appearances, they seemed incredibly strong. Their daggers moved like lightning under the starlight, almost every strike drawing blood. Although the guards fought valiantly, they were still overwhelmed by the opponents' vicious techniques. In just a short while, several bodies lay sprawled on the ground.
When she saw the daggers slicing through the air and blood raining down from above, Mei Shuang felt a wave of terror wash over her and covered her mouth as she gagged.
Trembling, she lowered the curtain and immediately thought in fear amidst the darkness: Could this be an encounter with robbers? Where had Nangong Nuo gone?
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