Xiao Jueyan glanced at the carnage strewn across the mountain path, his expression betraying not a ripple of emotion. He raised a hand, signaling Chen Jing to fetch the oil, then ordered the bodies and scattered belongings burned to ashes, leaving no trace behind. He then dispatched Liu Zhou on horseback to the nearest county office to report bandit activity in the area, instructing them to send men to clean up the aftermath.
Soon, flames leaped skyward, the stench of char mixing with the metallic tang of blood. In less than half an incense stick’s time, Liu Zhou returned with several constables and the county magistrate in tow. Seeing Xiao Jueyan’s fine silk robes and jade belt, his noble bearing unmistakable, and learning he was the heir to the Duke of Yongning’s estate in the Eastern Capital, the magistrate immediately bowed deeply. “Young Master Xiao, your humble servant failed to welcome you properly! To think bandits disrupted your journey—I deserve ten thousand deaths!”
Xiao Jueyan gave a slight nod, his tone indifferent. “It’s of no consequence. However, our carriage has been damaged. I must trouble you to prepare a new one and arrange lodging in the nearest town. We depart for the capital at once.”
“Of course! Of course!” the magistrate hurriedly agreed, turning to have a brand-new blue silk carriage brought forth. He personally escorted the party to the most impressive inn in town, the Yuelai Inn.
“Second Young Miss, please wash up quickly. There’s still blood on your face.” Inside the inn’s guest room, Dongling entered with a basin of hot water, clearly still shaken by Xiao Jueyan’s earlier presence, yet seamlessly adapting to Lin Chunian’s new title.
Lin Chunian gazed at the water in the basin. Only when her fingertips touched the warm surface did she feel some of the chill that had gripped her begin to fade. She smiled bitterly. “We just crawled back from the gates of hell. My heart is still pounding.”
“Indeed,” Dongling said, wringing out a cloth for her. “Those bandits were ruthless… not a single one of our attendants survived. Thankfully, the young master saved us.”
“He saved us, but he also threw us into the fire,” Lin Chunian sighed softly as she wiped her face. “From now on, I am Xiao Wanyan. One misstep, and it’s a dead end.”
Dongling quickly pressed her hand, her eyes firm. “Don’t worry, Miss. I remember the young master’s words. I’ll keep my mouth sealed, remind you daily, and never let anyone see through the disguise!”
Looking at her, Lin Chunian felt a warmth in her heart. “Thank goodness I have you.” Otherwise, alone, she feared she wouldn’t last.
The two hastily bathed and changed into the plain ruqun dresses sent by the magistrate. Dongling carefully styled her hair into an elegant updo befitting a young lady, securing it with a simple silver hairpin. Once ready, Lin Chunian stood before the mirror. Her features were exquisitely delicate, her skin luminous. The plain attire did nothing to diminish her grace; instead, it accentuated her ethereal beauty, a natural-born beauty that bore no trace of her former life as a maid.
Chen Jing’s voice echoed from downstairs: “Second Young Miss, the young master says we must depart immediately without delay.”
Dongling helped Lin Chunian descend the stairs. As they reached the landing, the gazes of Xiao Jueyan and his two men fell upon them in unison. Chen Jing and Liu Zhou both paused, exchanging a brief, private glance: This appearance was not just ten times better than the real Second Young Miss—her features and bearing truly held the air of a noble young lady. When Xiao Jueyan’s eyes settled on her, a flicker of astonishment passed through their depths, instantly veiled again by his customary cool detachment.
His thin lips parted, his tone flat. “Let’s go.”
The group exited the inn, where the county magistrate had already been waiting at the door with his officers. Behind them were prepared some dry provisions and wine, which he respectfully offered with both hands: “Young Master Xiao, Second Miss, these humble gifts are but a token of my respect. May you travel safely! This humble official respectfully sends you off on your journey back to the capital!” He then bowed to Lin Chunian, adding, “Second Miss, take care on your journey.”
Lin Chunian imitated the manner of noble young ladies she had seen in television dramas, slightly raising her chin and giving a gentle nod, managing to carry an air of aristocratic dignity. Once inside the carriage, she let out a sigh of relief, leaning against the wall and whispering to Dongling, “You see, this is the treatment of a young lady of high status. Even as a concubine-born daughter, the county magistrate shows such deference.”
Dongling whispered back, “After all, you are a daughter of the Duke’s household. Who would dare show disrespect? It’s just… the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born children is strictly observed in the household. Once you return, I fear you may not enjoy the same freedom as you do now.”
Lin Chunian sighed softly, “How could I not know? The divide between legitimate and concubine-born is like an unbridgeable chasm in this ancient era. But we’ll take it one step at a time. First, we must survive the journey back to Bianjing, then think about the rest.”
No sooner had she spoken than Xiao Jueyan’s voice came from outside the carriage, carrying a note of warning: “Behave yourselves on the road. Do not speak carelessly.”
Dongling immediately fell silent, and Lin Chunian dared not utter another word, only muttering under her breath in a barely audible whisper, “Such double standards. Earlier, Xiao Wanyan chattered away endlessly in the carriage, and he didn’t say a word. Yet as soon as I speak a few sentences, he warns me. Is he deliberately targeting me?”
Though her soft grumbling was faint, it still drifted into Xiao Jueyan’s ears. He glanced sideways at the delicate figure behind the carriage curtain, his expression remaining cold as he turned back to Chen Jing and said, “Pick up the pace. Take the shortcut back to the capital. The road ahead is not safe, and the longer we delay, the more trouble may arise.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The sound of galloping hooves grew urgent as the dark silk carriage sped along the official road, racing toward the Eastern Capital.