Chapter 205

Pei Yunxi's eyes darted, and he shouted toward Mu Yuanzhi's direction: "Mu Yuanzhi!"

The Imperial Guard and the soldiers of the Imperial Court of Justice, upon hearing, all looked around.

They had received a secret order: whoever saw Princess Yuanzhi must secretly bring her back.

Although they didn't know what had happened, the emperor's secret edict was naturally always kept in mind.

Where is she?

The crowd was packed; nothing could be seen clearly, and there was no trace of Mu Yuanzhi anywhere.

Pei Yunxi really was exasperated by these people—what kind of eyes do they have?

Seeing how tense they looked, could it be that Mu Yuanzhi really had escaped?

Pei Yunxi couldn't help but imagine what crime Mu Yuanzhi had committed—would she, like her, be thrown into the heavenly prison? Perhaps the Father Emperor, in his anger toward Mu Yuanzhi, would overlook her deeds!

She was making optimistic calculations, and hope rose in her heart.

By then, Mu Yuanzhi had already blended into the crowd, evading the officials' gazes—luckily she was quick-witted!

"That damned woman really—she can't even parade without causing trouble!" Qilin snapped angrily, "Watching the monkey show almost got her dragged in."

"Let's head back after the show."

It's still unsafe on the main street.

"I really hope to see Pei Yunxi beheaded before we leave the capital!"

"That's just daydreaming."

"The emperor will only have Pei Yunxi's head cut off."

"No, not beheading—flaying and bone-pulling."

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head, refusing to think of that despairing past.

They returned to the tavern, went up to the second floor, which still had no one else except the Prince Jia sitting there.

Mu Yuanzhi thought this tavern might be Prince Jia's turf.

Quite impressive— as a hostage who hasn't returned to the capital for years, he actually manages to keep his footing in such a place.

She guessed that Prince Jia might have started laying plans long ago; perhaps he isn't in the capital, but every move in Jingcheng is under his control.

"Did you two patrons come to watch the excitement today?" the monk laughed, stepping out from behind the curtain.

"You know about it too?" Mu Yuanzhi asked curiously.

"I, the humble monk, have also contributed my modest share to this excitement."

Qilin: "What do you mean? Could it be that you leaked Pei Yunxi's whereabouts to the officials?"

"Pretty much." The monk spoke ambiguously.

Mu Yuanzhi grew even more curious, boldly supposing: "Could it be that you know who helped Pei Yunxi break out of prison?"

The monk smiled and said nothing.

The more Qilin looked, the more he felt the monk deserved a beating.

"You couldn't have helped, could you?"

"Why not? Prison break is a crime of the highest order." The monk said, "Besides, you get to parade the streets for free as a spectacle."

Qilin: "You're saying this seriously?"

"Who knows?" the monk laughed enigmatically, sat down opposite Prince Jia, and poured himself tea.

"Aren't monastics supposed not to tell falsehoods?!" Qilin put his hands on his hips.

"Amitabha."

Qilin: "……"

Mu Yuanzhi could never figure out what the monk was selling from his gourd, so she stopped guessing— as long as he's on the same boat as her, that's fine.

As for Prince Jia…

…still needs observation.

On the third day, the day they were to leave Jingcheng, several ordinary wagons loaded with goods arrived, and they hid inside to exit the city; the fake travel permits for leaving the city had also been prepared.

They scattered, one person per wagon, making it less conspicuous.

Mu Yuanzhi was still dressed in male attire, her travel permit was also for a man, and she sat in the second wagon leaving the city.

Recently the city gate guards were very strict, with a dozen or so officials guarding, and occasionally the Imperial Guard patrolled.

Mu Yuanzhi sat in the wagon, ever vigilant.

"Pull over, routine inspection."

It should be the gate soldiers coming to inspect; Mu Yuanzhi straightened her back.

The inspection always took a long time.

When it came to the wagon Mu Yuanzhi was sitting in, the curtain was lifted and she was called down from the wagon.

"Recently they've been strict; everyone must be searched."

"A body search?"

"Damn, she's dressed as a man now—what to do?"

Mu Yuanzhi got off the wagon reluctantly, her mind racing for a solution.

At that moment Qilin came over, stepping in front of Mu Yuanzhi and said: "My older brother just recovered from a serious injury; his body is frail, sir, please show some leniency."

As he spoke, he discreetly passed over a certain amount of gold.

Mu Yuanzhi cooperated by covering her waist and coughing a few times, looking very weak.

The guard took the gold, was hesitating, when a few higher-ranking officials came over: "What's going on?"

Mu Yuanzhi thought, "Oh no"—never mind whether these people will be lenient; if they suddenly produce that much gold, it'll look even more suspicious.

Qilin clenched his palm, ready to strike at any moment.

What are a bunch of people doing gathered here?

A familiar, cold voice came over, and everyone turned around—it was Xiao Yichen!

Xiao Yichen actually came in person?!

Mu Yuanzhi was startled.

He will definitely recognize her!

At that moment, Mu Yuanzhi's heart pounded, and cold sweat broke out.

Xiao Yichen recognized Mu Yuanzhi at a glance, his gaze sweeping over the several carriages, his eyes flickered.

He stared at Mu Yuanzhi, and she stared back at him; neither spoke.

But soon, Xiao Yichen said, "Don't delay the others leaving the city; just let them go for now."

Here!

The Senior Minister has spoken—who dares not obey?

Mu Yuanzhi's heart instantly relaxed.

She never expected him to actually let her leave the city.

"Senior Minister Xiao!" someone rushed over, shouting, "Senior Minister Xiao! Something terrible has happened—Princess Yunxi seems to have miscarried!"

Pei Yunxi had a miscarriage? What a coincidence!

Just now, when she was being taken back?

Mu Yuanzhi guessed it might be a self-harm stratagem.

Hearing this, Xiao Yichen's expression wavered as he glanced at Mu Yuanzhi; it seemed he had much to say.

"Senior Minister!" seeing Xiao Yichen show no reaction, the person shouted anxiously, "His Majesty is waiting for you to come over."

After giving Mu Yuanzhi a deep look, Xiao Yichen followed that person away.

After he left, the other guards looked at each other, wondering if they should release the people.

Qilin: "Can we go now, Soldier big brother?"

Even Xiao Yichen let them go, yet these people are still standing there—what's the deal?

Let's go, let's go!

Mu Yuanzhi hurried back onto the carriage, to avoid any complications.

Only when the carriage truly moved out of the city gate did Mu Yuanzhi finally relax.

Finally, we've left the capital.

Unlike the last time leaving the capital, this time Mu Yuanzhi felt like she had escaped death.

Next, she was to meet with Rong Jin, hoping everything would go smoothly; Mu Yuanzhi prayed in her heart.

After leaving the capital, several people piled into a carriage, and the transported goods were also sold at a place.

"Senior sister, what do you think Pei Yunxi will be like this time? That woman's ideas just keep coming, making her impossible to guard against!" Qilin, like Mu Yuanzhi, didn't really believe Pei Yunxi's miscarriage was natural.

Moreover, it's not even certain whether the miscarriage actually happened.