Chapter 159: Miss Ji’s Thoughts
The preparations before departure were simple. Jin Sui was almost penniless; her food, clothing, and daily necessities were all prepared by the Yan family.
She had considered whether to say goodbye to Grandpa Ling and Jin An, or to meet Cheng Yu privately, but then thought it unnecessary.
The matter of going to the Northern Frontier had to be kept from Grandpa Ling, as she didn’t want to see the old man’s worried and anxious expression.
She would just leave a letter saying she was going on a long trip with Yan Jiu, that she was protected by the Yan family, and that they shouldn’t worry about her safety.
Grandpa and Jin An should just focus on recuperating. Jin An should study at the villa. In three to five months, or at most a year or two, she would be back.
As for Cheng Yu, he was indeed under a lot of pressure, but as long as Gu Changxiao was still alive, no one would dare to target the Border City.
However, if Gu Changxiao died in the Northern Frontier, even with the Yan family’s help, Cheng Yu would not be able to defend the Border City.
Therefore, meeting him would be of little significance. The core issue was to bring Gu Changxiao and the Black Feather Camp brothers back alive.
Yan Jiu took Yan Shiyi to meet the Yan clan members, stating that it was to prevent the Imperial Court from accusing the Yan family of colluding with the Northern Frontier. He said his trip to the Northern Frontier needed to be kept secret, and Yan Shiyi would be responsible for all Yan family affairs.
Yan Shiyi was still immersed in the joy of winning the polo match, and wanted to train every day to maintain the Yan Cloud Team’s record of ten consecutive championships.
As a result, today he was burdened with a heavy responsibility by his Eldest Brother. He somewhat understood why his Eldest Brother usually didn’t smile; now he couldn’t smile either.
Yan Jiu comforted him, “Steward Yan will not be going with me. If you encounter any problems with internal affairs, ask him. As for external enemies, the bodyguard team is here, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Remember, don’t tarnish our Yan family’s reputation. If anyone dares to take advantage of my absence and bully you for being ignorant, kill them if you can. If you can’t kill them, cripple them and throw them out.”
Yan Shiyi was horrified. He knew his Eldest Brother was fierce, but he didn’t expect him to be this fierce! Or had he been infected by that violent woman?
Even if he had a hundred questions now, he could only seize the remaining time to instruct his Eldest Brother: “You must take care of yourself. Also, you absolutely must not be charmed by that woman and marry her.”
If she becomes my Eldest Sister-in-law, I won’t have a good life for the rest of my days!
Suddenly, Yan Shiyi remembered that the Fake Li King had once said he was interested in him.
He was immediately shocked and terrified. He absolutely could not let his Eldest Brother know about this! What a vixen! Whether you’re male or female, this young master will never be charmed by you!
Yan Jiu glanced at him sideways. “Your eyes need a good doctor.”
How could Miss Ji have any intention of charming me? If she had even a shred of romantic feeling for me, she wouldn’t have reacted like that when I held her…
Thinking of this, Yan Jiu actually felt a little hurt. Miss Ji had a delicate and beautiful appearance, but her heart was as hard as cast iron.
Yan Jiulang, is there truly nothing about me that can move you?
When Yan Jiu went to pick up Jin Sui, she pulled him into the room, saying she had some private matters to discuss that were only for the two of them.
Honestly, at this moment, Yan Jiu’s heart stirred. Traveling north together, spending day and night in each other’s company, even if you have a heart of stone, I can still warm it.
Then he heard Jin Sui ask with utmost seriousness, “Master, since I’ll be impersonating your maidservant all the way, we need to agree in advance that there are some things I will not do.”
Yan Jiulang’s heart skipped a beat. “Miss Ji, please call me Jiulang as you always have.”
Jin Sui shook her head. “No maidservant would directly address her Master by name.”
Yan Jiu sighed softly. “You don’t have to do anything.”
Jin Sui shook her head again. “Since we’re going to act, we should act convincingly. I will do what a maidservant should do, like serving tea and water, grinding ink, and preparing paper. I can do those things well.”
“However, I will not wash your personal clothing, nor will I help you bathe or change.”
Before she could finish her sentence, Yan Jiulang, who was sipping tea, spat it all out. For the first time in his life, he was so flustered.
He coughed until his ears were red, the fluffy collar of his cloak on his shoulders trembled, and his hair became disheveled.
It was completely different from his usual noble and aloof demeanor. For a moment, Jin Sui thought of Mei Changsu played by Hu Ge.
She couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Are you alright? The Northern Frontier is very cold.”
Yan Jiu: …
“Cough, cough, thank you for your concern, Miss Ji. I am in good health.”
“Besides, I was born in the Northern Border, so I’m used to this kind of severe cold. As for you, Miss Ji, you are from the Central Plains and should not be accustomed to the long winters of the Northern Border. I will have someone prepare more warm clothing for you.”
He thought this would change the subject, but he didn’t expect Miss Ji to be so persistent: “About what I said earlier, helping you bathe…”
Yan Jiu quickly said, “You don’t need to do any of these things, Miss Ji! Your identity as a maidservant is just to deceive others. In public, as long as you don’t slip up, you don’t have to do anything in private.”
Jin Sui then nodded with satisfaction. It was better to clarify these things in advance. What if he treated her as a real maidservant halfway through?
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Yan Jiulang’s character, but given that he had a brother like Yan Shiyi who had no integrity, it was still necessary to be cautious.
If Yan Jiu knew that Jin Sui was wary of him, largely due to Yan Shiyi’s actions, he would be so angry that he would immediately turn back and beat Yan Shiyi half to death…
“Do you have any news about Miss Twelve?” Jin Sui asked worriedly.
Yan Jiu shook his head. “I’ve already sent people to look for her, but Miss Twelve is very stubborn. If she can’t find you, she won’t come back.”
Jin Sui felt very guilty. That day, when the real and fake Li Kings revealed their identities, Miss Twelve wasn’t present, and afterward, she hadn’t even thought to say goodbye to Miss Twelve.
I seem like a scumbag!
“When we find her, I will let her scold and vent her anger. Miss Twelve is a sincere and pure good girl. She will definitely find a good man who loves and respects her.”
Jin Sui’s tone was so sincere that Yan Jiu’s heart fluttered. After a pause, he said, “Miss Ji, you are too.”
Jin Sui looked at him doubtfully. When she realized what he meant, she couldn’t help but laugh:
“I kill people, I lie, I bully, I betray. What kind of good girl am I? Any man who fancies me must have problems with his eyes.”
“However, I never thought of getting married. I’ll follow my Grandpa and become a Taoist nun.”
Yan Jiu was stunned, and his voice couldn’t help but rise: “No! Miss Ji is an unparalleled chivalrous woman! Loyal and righteous, open-minded and unrestrained.”
Jin Sui showed no shyness at being praised by a man. She cupped her face in her hands, rested her chin on them, and looked at him, laughing heartily:
“As a courtesy, it’s my turn to praise the Master.
But let’s not waste time complimenting each other. Master, do you have a map of the northward journey? May I borrow it?”
In the past, Jin Sui would have simply admired Yan Jiu with the attitude of appreciating an ancient young master.
But this time, he concealed his own affairs, which made her hold back a surge of anger, and she no longer had any favorable impression of Yan Jiu.
I will repay the favor I owe you. If I owe too much, I’ll repay it with my life, but I will never grovel and try to please you.
Yan Jiu’s heart fluttered again, but he quickly calmed his subtle emotions.
Miss Ji, one day, I will make you realize that in front of me, you can open your heart and recognize yourself as a young maiden.
Yan Jiu spread out the map of the northward journey. Fortunately, the mountains and terrain had not changed much from his previous life, but it was thousands of miles long and almost uninhabited.
If they encountered herdsmen tribes, it would be considered lucky. The few resting points were privately built by traveling merchant caravans, giving a feeling like the Dragon Gate Inn.
Jin Sui asked softly, “Do you know where the Black Feather Army has reached?”
Yan Jiu pointed to a mountain range. “If they didn’t stop along the way, they should have reached this place.”
After a long period of contemplation, Jin Sui asked in a low voice, “What would happen if that Eunuch Zhou died of illness on the way?”
Yan Jiu shook his head. “If he dies, he should die on the way back. Letting him live to go to the Northern Frontier is more useful.”
Jin Sui smiled wickedly. “Dying on the way back, would Gu Changxiao be rebelling?”
Yan Jiu did not answer. He was not interested in whether the Li King would rebel, whether he would return alive, or whether he would fight his way back to Chang’an.
Jin Sui suddenly sighed. “It’s just pitiful for the people of Yandi! They live in constant fear, fearing both the Northern Frontier and the Imperial Court.”
Yan Jiu’s eyebrows slightly raised. He gave her a meaningful look. Miss Ji, are you trying to persuade me and Gu Changxiao to join forces?
This topic was not suitable for deep discussion at the moment, and both of them stopped at a hint, not continuing further.
To reassure him, Jin Sui once again promised, “As long as I bring them back safely, I will personally lead a team to open up safe shipping routes for you.”
Yan Jiu said softly, “I am doing this to bring back Miss Twelve. I don’t need Miss Ji to repay me anything.”
Jin Sui shook her head. “One thing is one thing, even close brothers settle accounts clearly! So many friendships, loves, and familial bonds have parted ways due to issues of interest.”
Besides, I’m the kind of person who can’t sleep soundly if I owe a debt of gratitude.
Before leaving, Yan Jiu’s last words to Yan Shiyi were: “Take good care of White Lion. It’s afraid of the cold.”
Jin Sui’s expression was similar to Yan Shiyi’s. So your brother is not as important as your cat!
She waved goodbye to the pitiful Yan Shiyi, who stood in the snow like an abandoned child.
After the carriage had traveled some distance, he actually started crying and chasing after the carriage, “Eldest Brother, you must return safely!”
He added, “And bring Miss Twelve back safely!”
Yan Jiu: …
Jin Sui waved to him from inside the carriage, “Yanzi, how can I live without you!”
“Who is Yanzi?”
Jin Sui said with a straight face and utter nonsense, “The person your brother likes.”
Yan Jiu was not curious at all and continued to drink tea and read.
His grand carriage was so luxurious that if it appeared in a historical drama, it would definitely be criticized by millions of viewers. This was not a carriage at all, but a mobile RV!
It really was like an RV. Many people in later generations couldn’t afford such a single room.
It could comfortably seat ten people, but currently, only Jin Sui and Yan Jiu were inside. The seats were covered with animal hide, the carriage walls were thick, and they were also inlaid with animal fabric.
The tea stove was burning silver-flake charcoal, producing no smoke at all. Jin Sui wanted to recommend using coal, but upon seeing the carriage’s interior decoration, she immediately shut up. Using coal all the way would blacken his white clothes.
A thick cloth curtain hung from a hook on the ceiling. During the day, it was moved to the corner as decoration, and at night, it was pulled open to reveal two luxurious single beds.
Even so, Yan Jiu said, “It’s a bit simple. I apologize for the inconvenience, Miss Ji.”
Jin Sui gave a dry laugh. “Brother, do you have a misunderstanding of the word ‘simple’?”
She asked sincerely, “Have you traveled far before? Is this the usual setup for your long journeys?”
Yan Jiu shook his head. “Snowy roads are difficult to travel, so I can only use ordinary heavy carriages. For spring hunts and autumn gatherings outside the city, there are many accompanying servants and more things to bring.”
Understood. The thousand-plus guards accompanying them to the Northern Frontier had very few servants, and supplies were reduced to the bare minimum. So, the Yan family Master was inconvenienced.
Jin Sui said very seriously, “When I earn money, I’ll also build a luxurious grand carriage like this!”
Yan Jiu chuckled. “If you like it, I’ll give it to you.”
Jin Sui shook her head. “I want to earn it myself!” Another day of envying the rich.
Damn Gu Changxiao, you’ve shattered my dream of being a tycoon. When you crawl back to the Border City, I won’t be polite. I’ll take all the Border City land you once promised me.
The convoy had just left Yanzhou when it stopped.
The leader of the guards was named Yan Dingqi. Jin Sui noticed that the Yan family liked to name people with numbers, including the Master and his subordinates.
“Master, County Magistrate Cheng from the Border City requests an audience.”
Yan Jiu seemed to have anticipated this. “Please have him inspect the guards’ weapons and horse tack. If there are any deficiencies, please advise, Magistrate Cheng.”
Yan Dingqi did not ask why and immediately complied.
Jin Sui asked, “Why are you having Cheng Yu inspect these? If you’re worried about insufficient weapons and equipment, why not just buy some from the Border City?”
Yan Jiu put down his book and put on his cloak himself. Jin Sui noticed he wasn’t very good at tying the straps, and it took him several tries to tie a loose knot.
However, she had no intention of helping, as she had agreed that as a maidservant, she would not do the task of helping with clothing.
As he got out of the carriage, he pointed to the window area. “You sit here and pretend to be asleep.”
Jin Sui became even more confused. It wasn’t until she heard Cheng Yu’s voice that she suddenly realized. She quickly turned her head and leaned against the carriage wall, revealing half her face, making it obvious at a glance that she was a woman, but not clearly showing her features.
Moreover, she had even applied makeup, thickening her eyebrows and making her skin look sallow. Dressed in the Yan family’s maidservant attire, unless they were face-to-face, it would be impossible to recognize her immediately.
She was vastly different now compared to when she impersonated the Li King. The reason she wasn’t wearing a veil was that Cheng Yu was too intelligent; the more she tried to conceal herself, the more suspicious he would become.
Cheng Yu wasn’t there to see them off. He had received news that the Yan family Master was going to the Northern Frontier. He was certain that little Daoist Ji was among the group and had come to recognize her.
The reason Jin Sui didn’t want to reveal herself to him now was that time was too tight. Revealing herself would only make Cheng Yu worry about her in addition to Gu Changxiao, without offering any help.
Also, she was too embarrassed! Cheng Yu would probably have his eyes pop out if little Daoist Ji turned into a woman.
It was better to not reveal herself for now and wait until she brought back the Black Feather Camp brothers.
As expected, Cheng Yu looked at everyone accompanying them one by one. He was too familiar with little Daoist Ji’s face and figure; even with disguise, he could recognize her.
There wasn’t. Guards, drivers, servants, none of them!
The few cargo carriages behind were hiding people, leaving only this luxurious grand carriage belonging to the Yan family Master.
He casually walked up and patted the carriage axle, “The snow road is slippery, the wheels need to be fitted with axle sleeves…”
As he spoke, he looked up and saw a woman leaning by the window, seemingly resting. He quickly averted his gaze and said apologetically to Yan Jiu,
“I didn’t know there was a lady in the carriage. I apologize for my rudeness.”
Yan Jiu’s attitude was humble. “It is Jiulang who should thank Lord Cheng for seeing us off. Rest assured, if I encounter the Prince along the way, I will convey Lord Cheng’s regards to him.”
Cheng Yu listened carefully. He had good martial arts skills and could hear the breathing of the people in the carriage.
Only one person. Little Daoist Ji was not among the group.
Sorry, my dears. From now on, I will update during the day and no longer at night.
Thank you to the reader “Orange Family Relative” for the reward. I am extremely grateful! Thank you for your support and liking for Sui Sui!
