Tie Yi and the few did not think that Shen Miao would become silly at such a critical time. Even though Feng Tou Zhuang was not far from Long Ye, a trip to and fro on a fast horse would take two days, even without any other changes during the journey. The most important thing was that Superior One in that legend, other than the Gao residence sibling's recount, no one had seen him before. One did not know if these were real or not and it was too irrational and naïve for Shen Miao to search for a person that one did not know if he existed.
But Shen Miao seemed to be fixated on it and instructed Tang Shu on what to do for the next few days before bringing Luo Tan out. Before leaving, she even instructed again that the matter of her and Luo Tan leaving could not be divulged.
After disguising, she then brought Ba Jiao, Hui Xiang, Mo Qing and Cong Yang on the road with Luo Tan.
Because all of them wore clothes from ordinary people, no one was able to recognize them. The residence of Prince Rui had always been good with disguises. Even though Tie Yi was somewhat worried, when Shen Miao was determined, even Shen Qiu would not dare to stop her, much less these servants.
Watching Shen Miao's departing figure, Tang Shu asked, "Can Fūrén find the person?"
Tie Yi shook his head, "It is better to have a heart than unable to manage one's mind. At least one is a person who values relationships." He then turned his head and instructed the rest, "The matter of Fūrén leaving the residence must be concealed well. If it leaks, you will bear the consequences."
In the horse carriage, Luo Tan looked at Shen Miao and said, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, why don't you sleep for a while? These few days you have not rested well and since there would be no stop in this journey, it is better for you to rest a while."
Shen Miao's heart was somewhat chaotic. The carriage was bumpy and even though she had no mood to rest, what Luo Tan said made sense. If she did not rest well then it would be bad if matters later would be delayed, thus she closed her eyes for a while for a nap.
She did not know why but this nap was especially long. Shen Miao left in the afternoon but she was awakened by someone else. When she opened her eyes, she saw Luo Tan staring at her, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, wake up. We have arrived."
Shen Miao followed Luo Tan off the carriage and it was almost evening of the second day. The horse carriage stopped at a desolated area and one was not sure if there was no one taking care that the branches were so dense that they almost obscured the skies. Even it was in the evening, with the weather in the sixth month, there would be sunlight but it was so dark that there was no heat at all. It made one feel strangely fearful.
Mo Qing and Cong Yang also frowned. Cong Yang said, "What kind of ghostly place is this? There is no one around at all."
"One heard that this was previously an embroidery village and they were best in embroidering a type of phoenix pattern but afterwards the embroidery village fell and it was abandoned." Ba Jiao was one who would always enquire about things so she immediately explained.
Luo Tan looked around and took out the map that was sewn on the handkerchief, "This map indicated that there should be a small path here but there is no such path."
Everyone came over to take a look. Indeed, the map clearly indicated that there was a small path in front of Feng Tou Zhuang and by following the small path, there would be a field and a house.
Much less mentioned about the house and field, there were no signs of the small path at all.
"How can there not be even a single person? It seemed that no one came here for a long time." Luo Tan said, "Could it be that the grass few tall and blocked the path so we could not see it?"
Mo Qing and Cong Yang looked around and shook their head, "It would not be so."
Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang took a look. Hui Xiang said, "This forest is just too big. Afterwards, when the sun sets, it would be easy to get lost in the forest and perhaps there are wild beasts. We are also not familiar with the roads here. Fūrén, what do you think?"
The most important thing for them, as servants, was to ensure the safety of Shen Miao. Even if one was unable to find the Superior One who could change fates, Shen Miao could not fall into danger. The Mo Yun Army was good at dealing with enemies but they were not good at walking in this unfamiliar dark forest at night. Actually, Hui Xiang and the rest did not care much about the Superior One that Luo Tan mentioned. From their perspective, Luo Tan was too curious and overly naïve thus everyone's heart did not move much.
It was only Mo Qing who listened to Shen Miao's orders unquestioning. Hui Xiang and the rest did not understand Shen Miao but Mo Qing followed Shen Miao from the beginning. When in Ming Qi, Shen Miao's situation was even more precarious but she could walk out of such a difficult situation. Every decision that Shen Miao made had a special role in the future so Mo Qing had never doubted it at all.
Shen Miao looked at the map and asked Luo Tan, "From what Ben Yue said, after that pair of Jiě dì entered Feng Tou Zhuang, they kept going southwards. Correct?"
Luo Tan said, "Yes. But she also said that there is a small path on the south side and that path heads southwards. There is no path here."
"Let's go." Shen Miao said.
Everyone was startled and Cong Yang asked, "Fūrén, where are we going?"
Shen Miao gestured for Luo Tan to take the compass out and said, "Walk towards the south."
"But there is no path at all." Hui Xiang was extremely surprised, "If it is an incorrect road then isn't the beginning wrong?"
Shen Miao took a glance at Hui Xiang, "Since we are already here and cannot differentiate which route is right or wrong, then just try it. There is a direction towards it. Since that pair of Jiě dì mention to keep heading south, the direction is consistent. No matter where the path is, the very most we can search all directions for it. If there is no other way, trying is also a method." She took the compass and started walking forward.
Everyone remained stunned for a moment before Luo Tan said, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, wait for me."
Ba Jiao was at all smiles, "Let's quickly catch up."
The rest of them followed.
As the sun began to set, the dense canopy of the forest grew darker and darker. It was unquestionably dark as soon as the sun had set. Thanks to Cong Yang's torches, they were able to keep moving forward even after it was dark.
However, it was difficult to tell where one image ended and another began because of how similar all of the branches were and how they appeared to blend together. Because it was so cold, it didn't feel like the sixth month. Mo Qing and Cong Yang were unaffected, but the females were starting to get chilly.
At this very time, those present, including Shen Miao, could not help but tighten their grip on the cloaks they had brought with them. There were some wild beast noises heard in the distance. Suddenly, the hands of Mo Qing, Cong Yang and the others slid down their waists to their swords.
Hui Xiang said softly and lowly, "It's the sound of wolves. There are actually wolves here."
"Wolves are afraid of fire." Shen Miao said, "Everyone should hold two lit fire torches. Wolves are very cunning beasts. If there are packs of wolves in the forest then when they see so much fire, they would think that we have many people and dared not come close."
Hui Xiang was startled and even Ba Jiao's round face revealed a surprised look, "Fūrén, you even know the methods to deal with wolves?" Mo Yun Army contained people from the pugilist world, it was not strange for one to know about it but Shen Miao was a Xiǎojiě of an official family, so it was just too unusual for her to know about these matters. Even if the Shen family was of military lineage, these actions were just overly familiar. It instead seemed that she was from a veteran hunting family.
Shen Miao smiled, "One only heard it from others."
In the beginning, when Wan Yu had to marry the Xiongnu, one heard that there were many packs of wolves at the Xiongnu's side, thus, Shen Miao became worried and searched for ways to chase away wolves for Wan Yun. She had thought to let Wan Yu try them in the future but it was just unfortunate.
A flash of pain appeared in her eyes and when Shen Miao looked up again, it became calm as she said, "Continue heading forward."
"Still head forward?" Hui Xiang said, "Fūrén, we have walked for a few shichens (1 shichen = 2 hours). Did you not realize that we are going rounds on the same spot and have not gone forward. Just one we have walked on that path for a few times and if this continues, one fear that one will not be able to walk to the end in the entire night."
Cong Yang also said, "Correct. Fūrén, even if one were to continue walking, one cannot just walk on aimlessly, otherwise it can be said that we are making a mistake after another mistake."
Shen Miao sighed for a moment and looked towards Luo Tan, "The compass kept on pointing south?"
Luo Tan nodded her head quickly, "Yes, we are definitely not walking in the wrong direction but this scene seemed familiar."
"It is obviously not the wrong direction but the scene is exactly the same. This is even stranger." Shen Miao said, "If something was abnormal then it must be demonic. If one walks the incorrect route then we can just turn around the same way and would still be trapped and unable to get out. It is better to continue walking on. But what you said is correct, what was seen as the exact same scene and even the trees look the same thus inevitably misleading people. If it was truly the same then it would make one suspicious but if it is fake, it only serves to confuse."
She took out a handkerchief from her sleeves and made Luo Tan take another out one. She covered her eyes with the handkerchief and said, "How about this? In order not to let one eyes be misled, one would not see anything and follow the compass and see where would one walk to. I and Older Biao Sister will cover our eyes while Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang watch the compass in front while Cong Yang and the rest follow behind. We will try it this way."
Mo Qing was somewhat hesitant, "Fūrén, really do it like this?"
"I know what you all want to say." Shen Miao covered her eyes but her tone was unquestionable, "Honestly speaking, I too do not know what result would there be to carry on walking like this but Xie Jing Xing does not have that much time. One more step we take means an additional one more possibility. If we do not even walk, then there would no change in the result."
"Yes. Yes. Yes." Luo Tan quickly said, "No matter what, one has to try it out. It is useless to speak about it thousands of times. It is actually more practical to do it oneself."
Hui Xiang was somewhat surprised. She felt that she really did not understand this Fūrén. In the beginning when she married over to the residence of Prince Rui, the subordinates of the Mo Yun Army also secretly took a peek and felt that this Fūrén had a calm and steady temperament and was not that enthusiastic towards Zhǔzi. But one could not say that she was unfeeling as she could take a risk of entering and walking for an entire night in this pitch dark forest for Zhǔzi. She looked like an intelligent person and could analyse the pros and cons sensibly but this time was naïve enough to believe the legend of changing fate and even use such a stupid method.
Hui Xiang could not understand Shen Miao's contradictory actions but it was not as complicated as she had imagined it to be. At the critical juncture, people would unconsciously expose their true selves and during urgency, one would not be guided by rationality or intelligence but by instinct.
At this moment, wisdom could not compete with the current urgent feeling.
Mo Qing silently followed behind Shen Miao and walked forward. Hui Xiang and the few paused and finally did not say anything more and continued following.
These matters in Feng Tou Zhuang were not known to the people in Long Ye. The officials only knew that Prince Rui was injured during the hunt but no one knew what the injuries were like and naturally no one dared to ask. Xie Yuan's position in Long Ye's court was very special. Some people wholeheartedly wish for his death while others had bet their whole family lives on him and were praying that nothing happened to him.
No matter how much doubt everyone had, Prince Rui's Residence was like a metal bucket, with not a breath of wind revealed. Because no one was aware of the situation, everyone was unable to sleep due to an itch in their heart, but nothing could be inquired about.
Those who were restless remained restless. Those who were rejoicing the misfortune continue to do so. No one was able to help the other.
In the Lu Residence, Lu Wan-er was walking back and forth in the room, speaking coquettishly to Lu Fūrén, "Mǔqīn, I want to take a look at Diànxià. One does not know how his injuries are. What if the injury is serious?"
Lu Fūrén consoled her, "How can it be serious? If it is serious, then one would definitely look around for doctors. Currently, there is no information from Rui Qīnwáng's Residence at all, so one thinks that it is alright. So why do you need to join the bustle?"
"But my heart is very restless." Lu Wan-er said, "It is all that Shen Miao's to blame. She is indeed a misfortune star. She just married over and Rui Qīnwáng Diànxià fell into such misfortune. She is one who curses one's husband and it is better to divorce her earlier. If one were to keep on being entangled with her then His Highness would have more misfortune."
Lu Fūrén smiled and said, "Yes. Yes. Yes. But now, you cannot go over. After Rui Qīnwáng's health recovers a little, just let your Jiějiě think of a way to let both of you meet. One cannot seek trouble at this moment.
Lu Wan-er said unhappily, "Mǔqīn cannot deceive me."
After Lu Wan-er left, Lu Fūrén's smile sank and she instructed the maid by her side, "Watch after Xiǎojiě carefully and do not let her out the door these few days. If Dàrén's plans are disrupted, I will hold you all accountable." When she spoke at the end, her tone became harsh and her expression was ruthless, exactly like the fierce General Lu Zheng Xuan.
The maids quickly lowered their heads and complied.
However on the other side, in the residence of the Prime Minister, Ye Fūrén was also talking to Ye Dàrén about this matter.
Ye Fūrén was playing chess with Ye Dàrén. Ye Mao Chun and Lu Zhen Xuan were completely different. Lu Zheng Xuan was a typical martial practitioner and with one glance, one could tell that he grew up fighting with others. His eyebrows were suffocating and he had a fierce appearance that even little kids would cry due to fright. Ye Mao Chun had a fair appearance and also looked harmless but had a scholarly appearance.
However, this Prime Minister could make the officials in Long Ye dared not act rashly despite having a lack of descendants. Even Emperor Yong Le dared not shed all pretence of cordiality, thus he was not as harmless as he appeared to be.
Ye Fūrén place a chess piece down and smiled, "This Residence of Rui Qīnwáng is like a iron bucket. Currently, there are no news and one does not know what is the situation with Rui Qīnwáng Diànxià. I cannot eat properly or sleep properly. It is really frustrating."
"Don't Fūrén already have a plan in your heart? Why still worry about it?" Ye Mao Chun smiled and followed by placing a chess piece down.
Ye Fūrén looked at him with blame. She was not a dainty twenty years old female thus it was somewhat uncomfortable for her to put up such an act. Ye Fūrén did not notice it and place another chess piece down and said, "No news means bad news. Rui Qīnwáng Diànxià is such a showoff so if he could see other, he would definitely come out. For him not to appear after so long, it is most likely he is unable to do so."
Ye Mao Chun smiled, "Perhaps it is to confuse others."
"Master is underestimating this Qie and teasing this Qie." Ye Fūrén said, "This is definitely not a lie."
"Oh? Why is it so?"
Ye Fūrén looked at the chessboard and said, "One do not know about the residence of Rui Qīnwáng's end but the Emperor did not hid it. Isn't he currently starting to deal with the Lu family? Seeing how heavy the Emperor's hands are, Rui Qīnwáng's injuries are not light."
Ye Mao Chun laughed out happily, "So Fūrén can see things so clearly. I am clearly embarrassed that Fūrén is able to see clearly the matters of court. Then why not Fūrén guess what do I plan to do?"
Ye Fūrén lowered her head and laughed, "This is difficult to say, one has to see what happens to Rui Qīnwáng." See that Ye Mao Chun did not deny it, Ye Fūrén felt that she had spoken correctly and continued, "The Emperor and the Lu family had been playing with one another for so many years and these days even want to pull our Ye family in but we are not fools. How would one be used as rafts? When the sandpiper and clam war together, it is the fisherman that catches both, so just let the Emperor and Lu family fight. Previously Rui Qīnwáng was present so we sided the Emperor and is happy to be good to the Emperor but If this time Rui Qīnwáng is unable to escape from this, the Emperor is alone and the world will still be controlled by the Lu family."
"It is only one Rui Qīnwáng, how is that incredulous as you said?" Ye Mao Chun smiled lightly.
"Rui Qīnwáng is a powerful person." Ye Fūrén smiled too, "Done Dàrén also feel so?"
Ye Mao Chun paused his chess movement s for a bit and looked at Ye Fūrén meaningfully, "Ye Fūrén seems to always be able to guess my heart. However does Fūrén think that Rui Qīnwáng can escape this calamity?"
Ye Fūrén thought for a long time and said five words (actually four words in original text), "Difficult to avoid this calamity."
Ye Mao Chun looked at her.
"Does Dàrén still remember two years ago when Rui Qīnwáng returned to Long Ye? At that time he was seriously injured. The Emperor was able to hide it from other was unable to conceal it from us. At that time one had though that Rui Qīnwáng would lack the strength to reverse the situation but one did not know what good fortune he had gotten and survived it. Afterwards he used his own power to mess up the situation in court." Ye Fūrén smiled, "But one would not be that lucky twice. The last time it was the Gods that protected him but this time, who would be protecting him? From the beginning it was already destined that Rui Qīnwáng would not have any future. One can escape two years ago but unable to escape two years later."
"Really?" Ye Mao Chun quickly followed Ye Fūrén and placed a chess piece down, "I however thought the exact opposite of you. Two years ago Rui Qīnwáng's medication was ineffective but at the end did not die so one's fate is already determined in the beginning. Rui Qīnwáng would definitely have a future, he had escape two years ago and would definitely escape two years later."
Ye Fūrén did not get angry when she heard of it but also did not rebut Ye Mao Chun, "Let's wait and see."
Ye Fūrén also laughed and placed the last chess piece down, "Fūrén seemed to have lost."
Ye Fūrén took a look. It was really the case and thus she said in a spoilt manner, "It is not right for Dàrén to talk to Qie when playing chess. One round again."
However, Ye Mao Chun shook his head and smiled, "Another day. Today one will be testing Hong Guang's homework and it is almost time."
Ye Fūrén quickly said, "Then may Dàrén leave first, Hong Huang's homework is important."
Ye Mao Chun got up and leave. When Ye Fūrén saw Ye Dàrén leaving figure, her expression gradually became cold and very ugly and her mouth became sharper, "Only a cripple. So what if one has great erudition and knowledge, one only can hide in the residence for one's another life." She felt indignant and unable to calm herself down thus she swept the chess pieces onto the floor and said lowly, "Exactly the same as that fox vixen."
The maids that were serving in the room dared not moved as everyone knew that Ye Fūrén dislike Ye Shàoyé the most. Ye Hong Guang was born from that concubine and raised under Ye Fūrén's name but was an unhealthy Di-son, Ye family only descendent.
The morning light was so weak that when it shone through the branches and onto the ground, it was only a few silver threads that made it look good. This small little silver sunlight drove away the darkness in the dark night. Even though there were only a few, it was heartwarming.
Hui Xiang and Ba Jiao stopped and turned around to support Shen Miao and Luo Tan who still had their eyes blindfolded, before saying to Shen Miao, "Fūrén, the skies have brightened."
If one did not see it personally, Hui Xiang and the few of them would not have thought that Shen Miao, a high born Xiǎojiě, could actually walk the entire night in an uninhabited forest with them. Hui Xiang had been specially trained and would not feel tired but Luo Tan, who had martial arts foundation, was already so tired that the words sleepiness was written on her face, but Shen Miao was still wide awake and clear-minded.
Hui Xiang and Cong Yang were whispering in their hearts. Could it be that this Fūrén also practised martial arts so she had such a strong willpower?
In fact, they were thinking too much. It was just that when Shen Miao was in the Cold Palace, Mei Fūrén and other concubines would find trouble for her. Situations where one threw stones when one was down, were not uncommon in the Palace so when she washed clothes at night, she would need to wash throughout the entire night. Moreover, the situation was currently urgent and she wholeheartedly want to get out of the forest, so how could she worry about being sleepy?
"How long have we walked?" Shen Miao asked.
"Replying to Fūrén." Cong Yang said, "After walking for a night, we have walked very far but based on the markings that was left behind, one had not seen the second marking so we are not walking in rounds." He then said, "The concept of masking one eyes is indeed good. It seems that we were conceived by our own eyes."
"But these forests looked exactly the same as before." Luo Tan was already powerless.
"Continue walking." Shen Miao said, "One have already walk this far, the end point can be reached."
Hui Xiang was startled a bit and did not say anything this time. During the night, they had tried a few time to get Shen Miao to stop but not only Shen Miao did not listen to them, she seemed to be annoyed by it and scolded them. It was them, from Mo Yun Army, which were used to be unbridled, were actually behaving like a mouse that saw a cat after being scolded by Shen Miao. Hui Xiang and Cong Yang were bewildered in their heart. This Fūrén looked gentle and easy to speak with but once she gets angry, why was she so scary?
Even Empress Xian De in the Palace would not be that scary and imposing.
A few of them continued to trail Shen Miao. Luo Tan was somewhat dispirited. She was currently stubbornly pushing forward and widened her eyes to find something to distract herself because no matter how much martial arts skills she practised, it could not be compared to Hui Xiang and the others and was not like Shen Miao who had experienced hardship.
With such an action, she discovered that there was something unusual. She pulled Shen Miao, "There are flowers here. During the journey just now, one did not see any flowers at all."
Everyone was taken aback and came over to take a look. True, there were small flowers on the bushes that one would miss if they did not pay attention.
Mo Qing suddenly frowned, "It seems that there are chickens calling."
Hui Xiang, Ba Jiao and Cong Yang had higher martial arts skills and they perked up their ears to listen and finally said, "That is correct."
"How would there be chickens calling?" Shen Miao muttered to herself, "Could it be that there is a house in front?" She then continued, "Stop looking and let's walk. Since there are sounds, then the exit is nearby. We will soon be able to get out of this forest."
When everyone found out they were leaving the forest, their fighting spirits rose and they immediately regrouped. This time their fortunes were in their favour, and after walking half an incense (modern timing: 15 minutes), they noticed that the tree branches were thickening and the forest was not as dense as before. More sunlight began to shine in, making one feel more at ease.
"It appears that one would be able to get out." Luo Tan's sleepiness was swept away by the excitement, "Let's walk faster." She saw the end of the forest and a path before her voice landed. Everyone looked around as Shen Miao took the lead and walked on it.
Walking down the road, there was a garden at the end, and despite the fact that it was a garden, flowers and vegetables were planted. Despite the fact that it was a sloppy arrangement, it was planted by someone who did not care for it well. As a result, the plants grew wildly and the situation devolved into chaos.
Nonetheless, there was a house behind it.
The house was made of thatch, and the roof was crumbling, as if it could be blown away by the wind. As everyone moved forward, Ba Jiao ran in and shook her head, "Fūrén, there is no one inside."
Luo Tan's eyes glowed with disappointment, "How can there be no one?"
This was not at all what they had expected. They had not anticipated that the Superior One's lodging would be so run-down. It was disheartening that there was no one around.
"The plants are still here, and it does not appear that there will be no one," Shen Miao said. Wait here, and someone will appear."
Before the voice arrived, one could hear a broken voice say, "Oh? A distinguished visitor has arrived. I sincerely appreciate your presence. I sincerely appreciate your presence."
Everyone returned together. Shen Miao saw that person's face and could not help but be startled as her voice cracked up, "It is you."
Ba Jiao asked, "Fūrén is acquainted?"
That smilling middle-aged man in tattered Taoist priest robes, who accepted Shen Miao's golden peanut at Ming Qi's Pu Tuo Monastery and said, 'even though a Phoneix's destiny is good, it is a pity to be imprisoned for a lifetime.' This was the Taoist priest who also predicted that 'the past is like a dream, avoid entanglement' and that 'the auspicious portent (direct translation from Chinese is Purple Cloud) comes from the East'.