Chapter 730

Jinzhi looked at Zhao Lang, who had survived the disaster, raised her hand and punched him; her fist was soft, yet it still made Zhao Lang groan in pain.

"Madam! Be gentler! It hurts!"

It really hurt; a childlike grievance flickered across Zhao Lang's sturdy, handsome face, making Jinzhi want to laugh, yet she felt so sorry for him she could die.

"If you ever do such reckless things again, don't blame me... don't blame me..."

Jinzhi simply didn't know how to punish him, and her eyes reddened a bit more.

"Don't cry! Don't cry! I was wrong, I was wrong, hit me, avoid the wound, hit me however you like," Zhao Lang, who couldn't stand seeing Jinzhi cry, panicked, grabbed her hand and begged softly.

Jinzhi wanted to push him away, but feared hurting him, so she hurriedly said: "You're ultimately serving the emperor; I don't blame you, I just wish you'd look after your health while on duty."

"If you lose your life, how can you serve the emperor? Our family matters are trivial; the emperor and the realm are what matter!"

Zhao Lang nodded: "What you say is true; I didn't expect Gu Kang that brat to have such skills—those men weren't imperial iron guards but more like assassins trained in the jianghu."

"They all fight like they don't care about dying, but I've got leverage on that brat; likely even Xiao Yin doesn't know. Forget it, I won't tell you—saying more wouldn't be good for you."

"The jianghu is treacherous, people's hearts are not as they used to be; as long as you stay by my side, I'll protect you! Tomorrow we'll leave this place; this manor has been targeted, I'll take you to a good place."

Jinzhi nodded obediently; this was her man, her world; even if the road ahead were a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, wherever Zhao Lang went, Jinzhi would surely be there.

The next morning, Jinzhi took the two children and got into the carriage with Zhao Lang.

Still traveling light, they dismissed the servants along the way, bringing only two skilled martial artists as guards.

The family of four wore ordinary clothes; even Jinzhi disguised herself, for she was so beautiful that her beauty could be a crime, easily drawing attention.

After Jinzhi got into the carriage, she stared steadily at her husband, her heart full of doubt, not knowing where Zhao Lang intended to take them and the children.

She was a timid, weak inner-house lady; one could see the situation was fraught with crisis, and Zhao Lang had likely offended the regent prince Gu Kang to the death.

Although their family held high status, this time they were no better than ordinary commoners; a slight misstep could mean extermination of the clan, and Jinzhi saying she wasn't worried would be false.

Even if Jinzhi were worried to death, she wouldn't dare say anything in front of Zhao Lang.

She always kept her demeanor extremely low, meek, fearing to cause trouble for others.

Even before the one she loved most, she didn't want to cause him confusion because of herself.

Zhao Lang looked at his wife's eyes, wet and soft like a fawn's, gazing at him, and his heart felt like it would melt.

Zhao Lang raised his hand, pulled Jinzhi into his embrace, lightly kissed her forehead, and whispered softly: "Don't fear; with me as your husband, I will surely protect you completely. Husband will take you to a good place."

Jinzhi knew Zhao Lang didn't want to say more, after all, walls have ears.

Even though Zhao Lang didn't trust these martial artists either, he kept quiet and sat meekly beside Jinzhi.

All along the way, Jinzhi helped him change his dressings; she secretly marveled at how strong his body was—he was material for a general.

Though his wound was like that, after three days it slowly showed signs of healing, and the worry that had been weighing on Jinzhi's heart finally eased completely.

Jinzhi lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, only to discover in surprise that their carriage had already reached the gate of Jing Cheng.

That city gate left a deep impression on Jinzhi's memory.

She had initially, at her mother's urging, wanted to go to the capital to find her relatives, never expecting to encounter so many dangers along the way.

This time she found herself missing the empress, wondering how the empress was doing now.

Zhao Lang also secretly told her a piece of news: the empress had disappeared, and the emperor had gone looking for her.

Thinking of this, Jinzhi felt upset, and she didn't know how many trials this couple would have to endure before achieving fruition.

She couldn't help either, so she could only sit quietly beside Zhao Lang, doing what she ought to do.

The carriage entered Jing Cheng, and Zhao Lang produced the token Xiao Yin had given him beforehand.

The city guards, seeing the token, became a bit more respectful; they let them in without a thorough search, then took a winding route to the southern part of the city where fish and dragons mingled.

Zhao Lang and Jinzhi each held a child, got out of the carriage, and walked straight into a small courtyard.

Afterwards they entered the Zheng Ting; Jinzhi still thought it unbelievable that she had returned to Shang Jing, and in such a furtive manner, feeling as if she were something that shouldn't see the light.

"Jinzhi, keep close," Zhao Lang said, looking at his wife, his expression dazed as if his mind were wandering.

Zhao Lang's lips curled into a doting smile, then he turned and took his wife's hand.

Jinzhi, holding the little one, walked with a slight wobble, so Zhao Lang simply took the son into his arms as well.

Then he turned sideways, revealing his belt, and looking at the woman beside him, he smiled softly: "We'll have to walk a long, winding stretch later; it'll be a bit troublesome, so don't get lost, like a child."

Jinzhi's face flushed slightly, she smiled, and hooked her hand onto Zhao Lang's belt, following her husband.

From behind the flower wall of the Zheng Ting they went down; behind that wall was a passage, unknown where it led, pitch black, with even a hint of damp wind drifting through, making Jinzhi shiver involuntarily.

"Afraid?"

"Not afraid. With you here, I have nothing to fear."

It was rare to hear Jinzhi speak a few moving words; Zhao Lang's face, hidden in the darkness, instantly flushed with a fervent smile.

Yet his steps slowed a little, his grip on the two children tightened, and he thought to himself that Xiao Yin and Gu Jiu Ling hiding the children on an island was a mistake.

Now, seeing Xiao Yin's past lessons, he resolved that even if beaten to death he would bind his wife and children to his waistband.

No matter if he went from spring breezes to winter cold, from sunrise to sunset, as long as he still drew breath, with his wife and children by his side, his life would be complete.

Simply.

Jinzhi followed Zhao Lang's pace for what felt like a long time; she grew a bit tired, yet she didn't want to say so, lest she burden everyone.

Yet Zhao Lang, every step he took, would have Jinzhi sit to rest; the couple walked and stopped, and when the exit came into view, they both felt as if they had stepped into another world.

Zhao Lang, with Jinzhi and the children in his arms, passed through the gate of the secret passage; when they emerged, they found themselves in a vast expanse of damp mist.

All around were planted various bouquets; the scenery was beautiful beyond compare.

It was midsummer now, all the flowers were in bloom; he could even hear the sound of water from time to time, but upon looking he realized the scene before him was somewhat familiar.

When he finally made out the three characters "Taiye Pond" carved on the Xihu stone by the lakeside, she was utterly dumbfounded.