“Miss Qiao Zina, Miss Qiao Zilin has already left. She was carried out through the gates by a tall man wearing a mask.”
“What Qiao Zilin? She has already severed ties with Father. She is no longer the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Manor,” Qiao Zina snapped, cutting her maid off.
Her father had warned her not to cause trouble before Qiao Zilin’s departure, so she had behaved exceptionally well these past few days. She stayed in her courtyard, quietly embroidering a sachet and a belt for the Prince Regent, never stepping outside. Her mother had taught her that a woman should personally prepare such items for her husband.
But wait… the maid had just said Qiao Zilin was carried out by a masked man?
To be carried out meant that the man valued her deeply, that he held her like a treasure. Besides, if he hadn’t carried her, Qiao Zilin would have had to walk out alone, which would have been utterly humiliating. After all, she was the one who had severed ties with their father. Why would he bother to see her off?
Yet Qiao Zina clearly remembered that in her previous life, when she had been the one to marry that hunter, he had not even shown up to receive her. Why had everything changed this time? Even until her death back then, she had never seen his true face.
So many things are different now. Where did it all go wrong?
In the end, Qiao Zina dismissed the thought. It did not matter. In this life, she was destined to become the most honored woman in the land.
As for the subtle changes within the Prime Minister’s Manor, no one noticed. The furnishings were often rotated and replaced, so even if a few items disappeared, it did not raise suspicion.
…
When Qiao Zilin and Long Zhenting returned to the procession, the grand red bridal sedan had been replaced by an ordinary looking carriage.
“Wife, the journey ahead is long. When we reach Ping’an Town, we will switch back to the sedan for the final stretch,” Long Zhenting explained.
“Alright,” Qiao Zilin replied.
Just as she was about to step up, she suddenly felt herself lifted off the ground.
Long Zhenting picked her up and placed her directly into the carriage. “Sit properly. If you need anything, call for your husband.” He then handed her a package wrapped in oil paper.
Qiao Zilin didn’t even need to open it to know what it was. The rich aroma of roast duck filled the air.
“You haven’t eaten all day. Have something first.” With that, he turned and mounted his horse, signaling the group to move.
Through the slight gap in the carriage curtain, Qiao Zilin watched his lips move beneath the mask. His lips were well-shaped, the corners slightly curved as if he carried a natural smile. If he removed that mask, he would likely be very handsome.
She could not understand why Qiao Zina had thrown everything away in her previous life over a man like this.
But this time, things would be different. She would not meet such a tragic end again. She would live well.
Qing Mei sat across from her, watching her mistress shift between frowning and smiling. Thinking she was lost in thoughts of her new husband, she spoke with a grin.
“Miss, the groom treats you so well. He thinks of everything for you. We really should thank Miss Qiao Zina for exchanging the marriages. At least you don’t have to enter that palace where people devour each other.”
“You’ve only known him for half a day, silly girl. How can you already tell whether he’s good or not? It takes time to truly understand someone,” Qiao Zilin replied lightly.
What neither of them knew was that every word reached Long Zhenting’s ears as he rode beside the carriage.
It takes time to truly understand someone.
Don’t worry, Wife. In this lifetime, I will treat you better than anyone else. One life, one heart, one love.
The carriage rocked gently along the road, lulling Qiao Zilin into a light sleep. When she woke, she took out a book titled Gourmet Cooking Strategies from her bag. Though she already knew how to cook, the recipes inside made her mouth water. Xiao Bai had somehow found this book, though she had no idea where. Every dish was described in vivid detail, and most surprisingly, it even contained illustrations. It looked strikingly similar to a book from her previous world. Even more strange, once she read it, the contents were permanently etched into her memory.
Time passed slowly. They did not stop to rest, eating simple dry rations whenever they grew hungry.
As evening fell, they approached the next town. Qiao Zilin squinted ahead and made out the faint characters above the gate.
Qingshui Town.
Her expression changed.
Qingshui Town… this place…
She immediately called out, “Long… Husband! Let’s camp outside the city tonight.”
She clearly remembered that in her previous life, something strange had happened in this town on this exact night. Since they did not need to pass through it, there was no reason to risk trouble.
Long Zhenting was slightly surprised. His wife truly had her own way of doing things.
“Camping sounds pleasant, but there are mosquitoes, snakes, and wild animals outside at night. Are you not afraid?” he asked.
Without thinking, Qiao Zilin replied, “My husband is a hunter. Why would I be afraid of wild animals?”
Besides, she had her medicine and her space. There was nothing to fear.
They changed direction, moving away from the town, and eventually chose a spot beneath a large tree by a river. With shade, water, and access to the forest, it was an ideal place to rest.
After securing the horses, Long Zhenting instructed Long Shiyi to lead the men into the mountains to hunt wild chickens.
At the mention of chicken, Qiao Zilin immediately grew excited. She quickly set about preparing a fire with Qing Mei. She had been craving spicy diced chicken for a long time and decided she would make it tonight, regardless of whether the others could handle the heat.
She walked over to a large crate that had been taken off the cart and, using it as cover, pulled out a cooking pot and a sack of rice from her space.
Qing Mei stared in shock. “Isn’t that the pot from our courtyard? Miss, how did you bring it here?”
“I must have packed it when you weren’t looking,” Qiao Zilin replied casually, then handed her the rice. “Go wash this.”
She had only eaten two meat buns that morning, and after spending the entire afternoon reading that cookbook, her appetite had only grown stronger.
Soon, the rice was cooking over the fire. Qiao Zilin then took out around twenty buns and steamed bread from the crate. There were eight people in their group, and a single pot of rice would not be enough.
“Miss, where did these buns come from?” Qing Mei asked as she returned with some wild vegetables. Lifting the lid, she saw the rice completely covered with freshly steamed buns. She was certain they had not packed these earlier.
“I bought them,” Qiao Zilin replied without looking up. “There’s plenty more in the crate, enough to last us all the way to Ping’an Town.”
Qing Mei accepted the explanation without doubt. Her mistress had always been meticulous. If she said she had prepared them, then she must have.