Chapter 629: with translation of chapter title

Meng never imagined that his lifelong reputation would be ruined in an instant; he was, after all, a dark guard personally cultivated by Xiao Yin.

Because he was highly alert and skilled in martial arts, Xiao Yin had kept him by Gu Jiu Ling's side; he never expected to be schemed against by his own master.

He knew that General Zhao's lady, Jinzhi, was certainly not the type to plot harm; therefore, doing this must be his master's intention.

In the blink of an eye he thought of all this, but it was already too late.

The drug's potency was extreme; he had no leeway to resist at all.

When he tried to use his inner force to expel the anesthetic during his last moment of clarity, a sharp pain shot through his arm, as if he had been pricked by a needle.

In his dazed state, he saw his master pull a strange needle tube from his arm, and looking at him, there was a hint of guilt in his master's eyes.

Meng lost consciousness completely in Gu Jiu Ling's guilty gaze.

When he awoke again, he found himself already lying in a black-covered boat.

He slept so deeply it was as if heaven and earth were overturned, not knowing how long he had slept.

"Awake?" Gu Jiu Ling's familiar voice came from beside him; Meng snapped his eyes open and met her face.

Just as he tried to sit up, with a thud he fell back down.

"Princess Consort!" Meng's heart sank instantly, his voice inevitably tinged with anxiety.

Originally, the Prince had sent him to Gu Jiu Ling's side, making him merely an object in her entourage.

No matter how well Gu Jiu Ling treated him, he could not resent her, yet now he truly felt a bit of regret.

"Don't be angry, don't be angry," Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly pressed her hand on his head, pushing him back onto the bed.

Gu Jiu Ling wore a sheepish grin as she softly laughed at Meng lying on the bed: "Really, I'm sorry, I used too large a dose."

"Your drug's effect hasn't fully worn off yet; wait a bit for the medicinal power to dissipate and you'll be fine."

Meng was furious beyond measure, but at the moment he couldn't afford to be angry; he noticed that the Princess Consort was dressed in male attire, her hair styled like a man's, even a fake Adam's apple stuck on her throat, giving the impression of a charming, handsome young gentleman.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of panic, only then realizing he was already on a boat, not the manor the Prince had designated.

"Princess Consort, where are you headed?"

"Before leaving, the Prince instructed the Princess Consort that she must go to the suburban manor to be safe; now the court is in turmoil, if the Princess Consort were to be captured…"

Gu Jiu Ling waved her hand impatiently, smiling lightly: "That's why I brought you along; after all, you're quite capable in a fight, and you can help me bear the burden at critical moments."

"I didn't bring any of the other dark guards; the more people we bring, the more conspicuous we become—just the two of us, we'll set out for…"

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes narrowed slightly as she slowly said: "Yingzhou!"

As soon as the two words 'Yingzhou' left Gu Jiu Ling's mouth, Meng jumped in fright, about to speak, but seeing her stare at him intently, she said: "If I'm not mistaken, your father died in battle at Qi Sha Gu."

"When your father passed away, because he bore a bad reputation, he didn't even receive the death gratuity; your mother fell into poverty and despair, dying of depression, and you had to travel a thousand miles to Shang Jing, where the Prince picked you up and raised you all these years."

"Are you willing to just follow a woman around, not wanting to avenge your father yourself?"

Meng's expression turned resistant.

Gu Jiu Ling said calmly: "Don't worry; if the Prince blames me, I'll take full responsibility, and I'll bring you to kill the enemy."

Meng closed his eyes, saying nothing; although he felt this went against the Prince's wishes, the Princess Consort's offer was truly too tempting.

Moreover, since the Prince had given him to the Princess Consort, he first had to obey his master's words—and his master was no longer the Prince, but the Princess Consort, right? Yes, that's how it is.

Gu Jiu Ling disguised herself as a merchant and, with Meng, traveled upstream along the river.

Upon reaching a small town not far from Yanan Pass, she hired a temporary caravan with silver.

With generous rewards come brave men; the price Gu Jiu Ling offered was so high that the caravans preparing to head south could not resist the temptation and followed her onward toward Yanan Pass.

Gu Jiu Ling had already told these people clearly that after passing Yanan Pass they would head west, turning toward Yingzhou.

Upon hearing they would turn toward Yingzhou, those people refused even more, and halfway through another half of them left.

Gu Jiu Ling raised the pay to a level that would move these people, recruited another batch, and only then continued marching toward Yanan Pass.

To reach Yingzhou, one must first stop at Yanan Pass.

Previously, Yanan Pass had been seized by the enemy; later, Southern Qi paid a heavenly tribute and reclaimed Yanan Pass from the Bei Di people.

Bei Di's strength gradually waned, retreating from the northern border of Southern Qi, leaving a vast expanse of territory vacant.

Both Southern Qi and the Xirong have been gradually nibbling at this region; now Yanan Pass has become an important trade and transit hub for Bei Di and Southern Qi, with both sides conducting border trade.

Gu Jiu Ling rode her horse into the bustling crowd, and for a moment she felt dazed.

It seemed as if the bloody battle at Yanan Pass nine years ago had, with the passage of time, washed away the last traces of bloodshed and faded into historical dust.

Back then, the defender of Yanan Pass was General Shi; his family was exterminated, leaving only his sole orphan, Zuo Feichen, who was sent to a friend in Shang Jing and thus escaped death.

Now the case of Qi Sha Gu has been overturned, and General Shi Hu can rest in peace.

At this moment, Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze to the gate of Yanan Pass and saw a brand-new statue erected there—none other than the likeness of General Shi Hu as he once guarded Yanan Pass.

Moreover, merchants coming and going through the pass tied red cloth strips onto the stone statue of General Shi, praying for blessings to keep their comings and goings safe.

Gu Jiu Ling never expected that Zuo Feichen's father would ultimately be regarded as a mascot by the old folk of the pass.

She couldn't help but laugh and cry at once, yet her heart felt a bit more comforted.

Back then, General Shi died in battle, fighting to the death to protect the people inside the pass.

And now the people regard him as a guardian deity, offering incense and worship.

Now Yingzhou is in great turmoil; the surrounding people have been forced to flee eastward to Yanan Pass.

Then, passing through the gate they fled south into the interior; this place, far from becoming desolate due to the war, has instead grown unusually lively.

Gu Jiu Ling entered the gate and then headed toward the liveliest alley on the right.

Everywhere were crowds of refugees, as well as coming-and-going merchants.

These merchants shared Gu Jiu Ling's idea: they were looking to profit from the chaos, and there were also various spies coming and going.

Gu Jiu Ling walked into an inconspicuous inn.

The innkeeper, clearly an old smooth‑talker, saw Gu Jiu Ling's respectable attire and presumed she was wealthy; he hurried over, bowed, and laughed loudly: "Sir, how many in your party? Lodging or just a meal?"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled faintly: "I'll stay the night; this damned weather looks like it won't let us go anywhere."

Gu Jiu Ling tossed the riding whip in her hand onto Meng, and Meng, instantly understanding, discussed lodging arrangements with the innkeeper.

Gu Jiu Ling, however, turned and sat down at a side table, where a person had already been seated.

Wearing a large conical hat that shaded half his face, Gu Jiu Ling sat beside him and whispered with a smile, "Xiao Zuo, you kid are still quite good at putting on a front."