Chapter 171: I Will Not Let Go!
Jinsui comforted Miss Yan: “As long as you are safe, your eldest brother won’t blame you. You have no idea how worried he was when we saw your waist token and the bandits’ corpses on the road.”
“We searched day and night and finally wiped out that group of bandits. At that time, your brother must have been thinking that as long as you were alive and safe, he would forgive you no matter what you did.”
Parents are all like this; they might scold their children for small mistakes. But as long as it concerns their child’s safety, things like failing an exam or secretly playing games become minor issues.
While Yan Jiu is not a father, the role of eldest brother he plays is almost the same as a father’s.
These words eased Miss Yan’s anxiety, but she became remorseful: “Was I too willful?”
Before Jinsui could answer, she suddenly turned to Jinsui and said solemnly, “Sui Sui, I need to thank you.”
Jinsui was taken aback: “Thank me for what? Honestly, I even expected you to beat me half to death. I’m already happy that you don’t blame me.”
Miss Yan shook her head: “It’s not like that. If I hadn’t met you, I might never have left Yanzhou in my life. It’s because I met you that I had the courage to leave the pass.
This Northward Journey, no matter what we went through, even if it was desperate and painful at the time, after it passed, there was an unprecedented excitement and joy.
Whether being chased by wolves, encountering bandits, or living in snow caves and drinking rice wine for warmth… for us gentry noble ladies, these things are like the deeds of chivalrous heroines in storybooks.
That was the life I once yearned for, and now I have experienced it. It turns out that the outside world is like this when you step out of your boudoir and your home.
Thank you, Sui Sui. Without you, I wouldn’t have seen the boundless prairie, the Gobi desert covered in snow, the night sky surrounded by stars, or the solitary smoke in the desert.
Perhaps what gave me courage at first was what I thought was love, but now I know it was you who gave me courage.”
Jinsui looked at Miss Yan gently, impressed by the girl’s open-mindedness. She believed that no matter what this girl experienced in the future, she would live a calm and contented life.
At this moment, Miss Yan glanced at Han Xing, who was following not far behind them. Jinsui couldn’t see her face clearly through the scarf, but she could clearly see the shyness flashing in her eyes.
She then said apologetically to Jinsui, “There’s one more thing I need to apologize for.”
Jinsui quickly asked, “We don’t need to apologize to each other. No matter what it is, I won’t be angry with Miss Yan.”
You’re not even angry that I disguised myself as a man, so what right do I have to be angry with you?
She followed Miss Yan’s gaze backward, but she saw Gu Changxiao. Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Miss Yan had fallen for Gu Changxiao during their journey together?
Her heart began to pound uncontrollably. This was an emotion she had never felt before. Her hand gripping the reins tightened, and words like “heart in turmoil” and “uneasy” were insufficient to describe her current feelings.
Her heart felt as if it were on a scale, and Miss Yan’s next words would send her on a roller coaster ride.
On one hand, she looked down on herself, thinking, “You call Gu Changxiao love-struck, but you’re no different! In the face of life and death, why are you getting caught up in romantic entanglements?”
“Have you forgotten what you told Yan Jiu? This Northward Journey is absolutely not for personal feelings!”
On the other hand, she felt annoyed. “Having lived two lives, have you wasted all your time? How can you have the fluttery feelings of adolescence?”
She had to admit that in her heart, Gu Changxiao was different. Completely different from Yan Jiu and Han Xing.
Miss Yan’s voice lowered slightly: “I think I betrayed you.”
Jinsui’s heart pounded, but she just looked at her gently, encouraging her to continue.
“I swore before that even if I couldn’t marry you, I would always like you. You were the first man I liked, uh, that was before you became a woman.”
Jinsui: …
“I’m very touched. Thank you, Miss Yan.”
“No, but later, my heart was out of my control, and I changed my mind. Uh, I changed my mind before you became a woman.
How could I do this? Does this count as falling for someone else? Does it count as being unfaithful?”
Jinsui quickly said, “Of course not! Your feelings for me weren’t really love, but admiration and curiosity, with a bit of rebellion. Think about it, isn’t that right?
The Northward Journey has made you experience a lot, and your mind has matured. Especially during difficult times, it’s easiest to recognize your true heart. It’s natural to realize who you truly like.”
Jinsui’s voice grew softer. She mustered her courage and asked, “So, have you fallen for Lord Li?”
Miss Yan’s eyes widened, with an expression of being insulted: “How is that possible! Who would like that vixen! I can’t stand men who act so seductive!”
Jinsui: …
She silently looked at Gu Changxiao, thinking, “You’ll never shake off the title of ‘vixen’ in Jinsui’s heart.”
But her heart felt much lighter. She really didn’t want to create a rift with Miss Yan because of a man.
If Gu Changxiao knew that in Jinsui’s heart, he was just “a man,” he would surely cry himself red in the face.
If it wasn’t Gu Changxiao, Jinsui followed Miss Yan’s gaze backward again. Then it could only be Han Xing.
Hei Hu had Miss Bai, and although Huo Zi’an was also good-looking, his temperament was too gloomy. The cheerful Miss Yan would definitely not like him.
Liu Yun was still a child. It could only be Han Xing. Thinking about it, the two of them had a lot of interaction in the border city.
Jinsui recalled Han Xing’s inferiority complex that time. So that’s why! Because he also liked Miss Yan, he felt his status was too low, so he silently protected her, not daring to confess his feelings.
Thinking about the many times she had made a mistake, she decided to ask clearly, “Miss Yan, is Han Xing the one you like?”
Miss Yan’s eyes became completely flustered, but the girl wasn’t one to be coy. She nodded emphatically, “Yes!”
Jinsui smiled: “That’s great! I will definitely support you wholeheartedly. If we successfully pacify the Northern Frontier this time and return to the border city, Han Xing will surely be promoted…”
Miss Yan quickly said, “I don’t care what his official rank is!”
Jinsui shook her head: “You may not care, but your brother and the Yan Clan certainly will. I believe Han Xing also wants to give you the best.”
Just then, two people appeared ahead. Upon seeing Miss Yan, they dismounted and bowed: “Young Miss, it’s wonderful that you are safe!”
They were the Yan Clan bodyguards Yan Jiu had left to guide them. Gu Changxiao gave Han Xing a look, and Han Xing took a team of scouts and went on another path.
Jinsui understood that one must be cautious, especially since Princess Tuoya looked down on Lord Li. Gu Changxiao couldn’t just take everyone to see Princess Tuoya without any precautions.
Huo Zi’an also went with Han Xing. Jinsui said to Gu Changxiao, “Take a few trusted subordinates to see the Princess, and the rest can find a place to set up camp nearby!”
Gu Changxiao agreed and specifically brought Eunuch Zhou. Eunuch Zhou’s face was still pale after witnessing a brutal battle, and Jinsui noticed that his pants were abnormally wet and he smelled strongly.
She quickly said, “If you’re taking him to see the Princess, you should change his clothes first!”
Eunuch Zhou’s face, originally snow-white, turned crimson. He had already suffered many embarrassing moments on this journey, but none compared to this.
When the Tartars attacked, the Northern Frontier officials in the convoy immediately fled. He also wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go. When he saw the Black Feather Army cutting down the Tartars, with corpses and blood piling up near his horse’s hooves, he was so terrified that he lost consciousness.
Two young eunuchs quickly helped Eunuch Zhou to change his clothes. Liu Yun silently came to Gu Changxiao’s side and said meaningfully, “With Miss Ji here, Your Highness need not worry.”
What he meant was that Miss Ji had a Qiankun Pouch with many fish oil firearms inside, so even if the Princess had a hundred thousand troops, they could still fight their way out. Moreover, the Princess was also in a dire situation.
However, Gu Changxiao misunderstood Liu Yun, thinking he meant that with Miss Ji around, Yan Jiu would help them.
He became increasingly displeased. The overall situation was paramount; he couldn’t selfishly say, “This King does not need Yan Jiu’s help.”
But he couldn’t bring himself to rely on Sui Sui to win over Yan Jiu!
He glanced at Liu Yun: “You’ve relied on Miss Ji too much on this journey. Don’t always think of relying on others when facing problems!”
Liu Yun: …
I was just reminding Your Highness, why am I being scolded? If I had directly said that Miss Ji has a Qiankun Pouch, I would have been considered crazy.
Liu Yun felt very wronged.
“You will continue to be responsible for protecting Miss Ji. Stay close to her and absolutely do not let her be in danger.”
Hei Hu said in a deep voice, “Your Highness, why don’t you let me protect Leader Ji.”
Gu Changxiao shook his head: “No need!”
Hei Hu was too simple-minded and could easily be tricked by Yan Jiu.
The group didn’t wait for Eunuch Zhou to change his clothes and continued to advance. Fortunately, Eunuch Zhou had been so tormented that he no longer dared to be fussy and quickly changed his pants and caught up.
After passing through a stretch of hilly Gobi, a tribe appeared before them. A flock of sheep was grazing on grass roots in the shallow snow. A few herders stepped forward and pointed with their riding crops. Without saying a word, the Yan Clan bodyguards led the team in the direction they indicated.
The team wound and turned, and Jinsui felt that even a compass would go haywire. Moreover, she noticed that the herders were destroying the horse hoof prints they had left behind.
When they saw large expanses of felt tents, clearly a gathering place for a large tribe, Yan Jiu and Princess Tuoya appeared.
Miss Yan rushed to Yan Jiu on horseback ahead of everyone else. She dismounted nimbly, put her hands behind her back, and looked down at her toes, like an elementary school student who had done something wrong:
“Eldest Brother, I was wrong! You can hit me or scold me, just don’t get angry and harm your health.”
Jinsui began to sympathize with Yan Jiu. His younger siblings skillfully employed the “bravely admit mistakes, never change” strategy. Being an elder brother was tough!
Yan Jiu was very composed, as if he were on a pleasure trip and not looking for his sister. The anxiety and worry from the journey had all disappeared. He said calmly,
“I’m not seventy or eighty years old, how could I get sick from anger? Are you, are you injured?”
Miss Yan began to feign innocence, saying coquettishly:
“Of course I’m injured. I was almost captured by bandits, and my feet got frostbite. If I hadn’t received timely treatment, my toes would have had to be amputated.”
She emphasized: “Thanks to the Prince and Captain Han saving me, I am safe and sound.”
Jinsui couldn’t help but think of her own Jin’an. If he grew up to be like Miss Yan in the future, what should she do? She would probably have to spoil him helplessly, just like Yan Jiu.
Yan Jiu glanced at Jinsui, gave her a barely perceptible nod, then walked up to Gu Changxiao and bowed, “Thank you, Lord Li, for saving my sister!”
Gu Changxiao returned the bow, “This King should be thanking Yan Jiulang for saving Sui Sui!”
These words caused Yan Jiu’s gaze to change, and the knuckles of his clasped fists turned white, “Your Highness is joking. Miss Ji is also Yan Jiu’s friend, so saving her is my duty. I cannot accept Your Highness’s thanks.”
Gu Changxiao smiled, “Sui Sui is from the border city and is this King’s Military Strategist. Of course, this King must thank you.”
Miss Yan looked at the two of them, then turned to Jinsui, asking with her eyes what was wrong with them. Instead of quickly finding the Princess to discuss important matters, they were thanking each other.
Jinsui was equally speechless. Don’t think she couldn’t tell that while they seemed to be thanking each other, they were actually competing for “Jinsui’s” position in their hearts.
One said “my friend,” the other said “my Military Strategist.”
What do you take this young lady for? I’m a person, not an object!
Jinsui strode forward, stood between them, and cupped her hands:
“I thank Yan Jiulang for saving my life, and I also thank Your Highness for saving Miss Yan. Is that enough? Hurry up and go see the Crown Prince to discuss important matters. When we return to the border city, how about you two treat each other to a banquet to express your gratitude?”
At this moment, Princess Tuoya ran directly to Liu Yun’s side and tugged at his sleeve, saying, “Master Liu Yun, you’re here! Come in quickly and rest.”
Gu Changxiao and Yan Jiu exchanged a look. A spark flashed in their eyes that no one else could detect. The important matter at hand was more pressing.
They simultaneously looked at the young woman before them: snow-white skin, jade-like bones, bright eyes, pearly teeth, and a radiant spirit.
I will not let go!*2
The felt tent where the Northern Frontier Crown Prince Batel resided was like a mobile palace, large and luxurious. Jinsui thought that Princess Tuoya was fleeing everywhere, so she assumed the Crown Prince would be hiding and living miserably.
Similarly, Gu Changxiao, who was also being chased around, was much more miserable.
Batel was very young, looking even younger than Liu Yun. He had sharp wolf eyes and a nose as high and straight as his sister’s, exuding an arrogant air of being the best in the world.
He looked at everyone with displeasure. Towards Yan Jiu:
“You are the genius Yan Jiu that my father spoke of? You’re not that impressive! Has your sister explained everything clearly to you? Only after I ascend the throne will I grant you trade rights.”
Towards Gu Changxiao:
“You are the abandoned Crown Prince who was driven to the border? The Empress of the Central Plains wants you dead in the Northern Frontier. Now, if you want to live, you must save this Crown Prince. It’s not that this Crown Prince needs your help, do you understand?”
Towards Liu Yun: “I thought you were a monk? If you’re not a monk, why are you called Master?”
Liu Yun directly retorted, “I didn’t ask to be called Master! Your sister insisted on calling me Master!”
When it was Jinsui’s turn, she was very apprehensive. All employees know how important it is to have a client who is mentally mature and can communicate rationally.
A little brat like the Northern Frontier Crown Prince, with high status and great power, yet arrogant and willful, makes cooperation extremely difficult.
She waited to hear Batel’s assessment. Instead, he stroked his chin, walked out from the main seat, circled Jinsui twice, and raised an eyebrow:
“You are the most beautiful Han Woman this Crown Prince has ever seen! How about becoming this Crown Prince’s woman?”
Yan Jiu and Gu Changxiao both stepped forward simultaneously, but Tuoya was faster. She pulled Jinsui and said solemnly to Batel, “Do not be rude! Miss Ji is a Taoist Nun who serves the Gods and cannot be married!”
Batel surprisingly accepted this explanation naturally and said regretfully, “What a pity! But it’s true, a woman as beautiful as you should serve the Gods.”
Jinsui: …
Alright, although the client is not mentally mature, he is receptive to advice.
