Chapter 163: Escape

The National Teacher's expression didn't change at all; obviously he already knew, he looked at Mu Yuanzhi, and Mu Yuanzhi then told him everything that had happened these two days.

"It's not that I deliberately wanted to hide it from the National Teacher; I just didn't know how to bring it up." Mu Yuanzhi said.

Qilin nodded vigorously beside him, saying, "Right, right, right, Master, please don't blame my senior sister!"

"How could that be? Everyone has their own secrets and doesn't necessarily have to share them with others." the National Teacher said.

Qilin thought, the National Teacher is really so well-mannered!

He's also handsome and has a fine demeanor; any girl who marries him would indeed be fortunate.

But he recalled his senior sister saying the National Teacher seems unable to marry and have children? That would mean ending his line?

Qilin was lost in random thoughts, while over here Mu Yuanzhi and the National Teacher had already moved on to another topic—the purpose of this journey, the topic of the Black Sea.

Mu Yuanzhi thought that if the great misfortune was probably not caused by Pei Yunxi's mischief, then it was likely a danger coming from the Black Sea.

The Black Sea is far away; one must cross three countries to reach it, located in the northernmost region, belonging to no nation, its resources are not abundant, and no country wants to occupy it.

Its unique geographical environment makes this sea famous for its mystery.

Records of the Black Sea are scarce in their country; few books can be found, and those that exist are only fragmentary mentions.

Mu Yuanzhi had merely heard the name before and knew nothing about it.

"Have you been to the Black Sea, National Teacher?" Mu Yuanzhi asked.

The National Teacher nodded: "When I was young, I once went there with my master."

Qilin: "When you were young?!"

When was that? In childhood?

The National Teacher hummed, "When I was young, about ten or so years ago; I passed through the Black Sea once, but didn't go deep."

"Is it dangerous there?" Qilin asked.

The National Teacher's expression instantly tightened, and he nodded: "It's dangerous, but with me here, Qilin need not be afraid."

"What! I'm not afraid! I'm just worried about my senior sister's safety!" Qilin protested, "Besides, Master, you're the one who needs my protection more!"

Mu Yuanzhi inwardly agreed and nodded; she thought the National Teacher didn't look like a martial practitioner.

Hearing that, the National Teacher smiled at Qilin and said, "Then I'll entrust this to you, Qilin."

Qilin raised his eyebrows proudly: "Carry me on your back, and I'll protect my senior sister and master well!"

Meanwhile, on the other side, Pei Shangyan's mother was escorting Pei Yunxi back to the capital, putting up temporarily at an inn along the road.

Outside Pei Yunxi's room, Pei Shangjue was keeping watch.

Pei Shangling didn't know where she had gone, and Pei Yunxi guessed that this heartless brother of hers must have gone to look for Mu Yuanzhi!

Now that one person is missing, things are actually easier.

She pondered this return to the palace: what if Father Emperor flies into a rage like last time?

Besides, even if he doesn't lose his temper, there will surely be punishment.

Pei Yunxi thought it over and concluded the only viable option was for her to disappear!

Sometimes only after losing something do people realize its value; only then will they understand how important their own daughters and sisters are!

Furthermore, she needs to find Mu Yuanzhi; such a good opportunity, Mu Yuanzhi is right outside, free to slaughter as she pleases—how could she let it pass?!

Having made up her mind, she waited until deep night, when all was silent, then took out a stick of the remaining incense and quietly blew it outward.

She knew Pei Shangjue was just outside.

After Pei Yunxi finished blowing the incense, she tiptoed to the door and whispered, "Older brother Jue?"

No one answered.

Outside there was no movement; she really didn't know whether the incense had worked.

If it hadn't worked, Pei Shangjue, having smelled the scent, should have pushed the door open and confronted her.

So Pei Yunxi raised her voice a little: "Older brother Jue?"

Still no response.

Pei Yunxi plucked up her courage and opened the door; Pei Shangjue was sitting with his back to her.

Older brother Jue?

Strange, although she opened the door so softly it was almost inaudible, a martial practitioner would surely have noticed.

Pei Yunxi lightened her steps and went around to face Pei Shangjue, only then discovering that his eyes were tightly shut, with no reaction at all.

He had fainted so completely upright……

Pei Yunxi let out a long breath, glanced at Pei Shangyan's room, confirmed nothing was amiss, then slipped away quietly.

Just wait, Mu Yuanzhi—you definitely won't get away!

"What's wrong, senior sister?" Qilin looked at Mu Yuanzhi, who had just sneezed.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head: "Nothing, maybe some dirty thing is muttering about me."

Qilin gave an "oh," indeed there are many dirty things thinking of his senior sister.

The carriage sped forward, having passed several counties, and was about to leave the border.

Mu Yuanzhi was leaving the border for the first time, inevitably feeling some excitement.

She felt the outside air was all the breath of freedom!

Without the shackles of the imperial city, the sky is high and the sea wide!

Qilin had never left the border either; he was also excited. After they got off the carriage and arrived at an inn at the border, he couldn't wait to pull Mu Yuanzhi around to explore.

And this time the National Teacher also came along.

In the frontier regions there are many faces of Hu people, as well as various unfamiliar ethnic groups—everything and anything.

"Wow! What is this?" Qilin couldn't help but run over to look whenever he saw something strange.

"Don't run so fast!" Mu Yuanzhi hurried to catch up.

"Senior sister, don't be scared, I can go to the capital alone, you don't need to be so nervous."

"Yeah, Qilin's martial arts are superb, no need to worry. When away from home, the National Teacher basically never addresses the princess."

"That's the reasoning, but Mu Yuanzhi just can't help worrying about Qilin."

"In his peripheral vision, the National Teacher caught a fleeting figure, and curled his lips: 'Your fourth brother still came along.'"

"Mu Yuanzhi: 'Don't bother with him.'"

"Qilin had already discovered it and told her; as long as he doesn't show up in front of her, it's fine."

"But the National Teacher said: 'The road ahead is long and full of danger; letting him come along is actually good.'"

"He might also be part of the danger. No matter what, Mu Yuanzhi will never let her guard down around these people."

"The National Teacher remained silent, and followed them as they went shopping."

"Pei Shangling didn't realize he had already been exposed; he thought he had hidden himself well this time."

"He was originally also part of the escort taking Pei Yunxi back to the capital, but he simply couldn't put his mind at ease about his sister."

"Compared to how to punish Pei Yunxi, he was still more concerned about his sister's safety; once she returned to the capital safely, everything could be discussed."

'"Pei Shangling, why are you still haunting like a ghost!"'

"Pei Shangling suddenly turned his head and met a teasing face."

'"Gu Rongjin!" Pei Shangling instantly went on high alert; with Gu Rongjin, he had always been cautious, and he hadn't forgotten Gu Rongjin's past misdeeds.'

'"You still dare to sneak out of the capital?!"'

'"So what? If you have the guts, go ahead and expose me right now." Gu Rongjin remained calm, having anticipated that Pei Shangling wouldn't, which is why he acted so recklessly.'

"Pei Shangling indeed wouldn't, because with Gu Rongjin here, his sister gains an extra measure of safety—at least for now—although he doesn't know what Gu Rongjin is really plotting."