Chapter 428: Almost Gave Away the Secret

Two days later, in Xi Xiang Cheng, everything had returned to how it was before; the small vendors had also come out to set up stalls, and the number of people on the streets had increased, as if everything had returned to normal.

Jiang Yunchu wore a set of men's clothes, with a jeweled hat on her head, and the young master was warm and gentle like jade.

"Once I leave, I don't know when we'll meet again; if anything comes up, just write to the Northern Great Camp. On the envelope, you only need to write the two characters 'bamboo pole,' and that will do."

Bamboo pole?

Thinking back to what Ze had said—that Ning Chengyan had been like a little bamboo pole as a child—she hadn't expected him to actually use 'bamboo pole' as his codename.

"Good."

Ning Chengyan saw her strange expression and originally wanted to ask more, but realizing it was already late, after leaving the city she still had to head all the way to West Wind Mirror; moreover, if there were any changes at the city gate, they would need to spend even more time.

"Let's go."

But when they reached the gate, Ning Chengyan grabbed Jiang Yunchu's arm, then opened his arms and said, "Can I hug you?"

Those eyes, looking at Jiang Yunchu, were filled with a tender feeling, wanting to imprint this woman deeply into his heart.

"I just want to hug you."

Jiang Yunchu lifted her head, looked at him, then hooked her index finger.

"What's wrong?" Ning Chengyan leaned forward.

Jiang Yunchu grabbed his collar, exerting a little force; Ning Chengyan would never refuse her, yielding to her pull, he lowered his head, and at that moment a softness pressed against his lips.

Soft, with a slight coolness, a sweet fragrance rushed into his nose and into his lips.

Just as he reacted, that cool-lipped kiss had already left his lips.

"It's sealed; from now on, only I may kiss here." She smiled like a cat that had stolen fish, a bit smug and languid, yet not the slightest bit cautious.

After a few days of getting along, she admitted she had fallen for him.

Perhaps it was the contrast between past and present that made her curious about him, wanting to know more.

Perhaps…

She naturally liked this kind of meticulous, gentle and polite treatment, didn't she?

She herself didn't know, but if she wanted to do something, she did it; if she wanted to kiss him, she kissed him.

Although she was originally a person of this era, her thoughts were modern; she more readily followed her true heart—love if she loved, part if she didn't.

"Good." Ning Chengyan lowered his gaze, looking at the woman embracing his waist; for a moment, her soft body leaning against him seemed able to melt him.

"I'm leaving."

Soon, the person in his arms withdrew; the just-warm embrace instantly felt a chill, as if his heart had become empty.

"Good, I'll stay nearby; if anything happens, you don't need to worry." Ning Chengyan replied.

Jiang Yunchu nodded, said no more, opened the door and walked out openly, choosing precisely the east gate that Xi Ge had been guarding.

Ning Chengyan pushed a small cart, dressed like a farmer, always behind Jiang Yunchu; his steps were not fast, and even while walking on the road he would greet several people, calling out their familiar titles and names.

"Where are you going?" the gate guard, seeing a man dressed respectfully and not searching him, still carried out the routine inquiry.

"The Royal City." Jiang Yunchu answered.

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves came from afar and grew nearer; Xi Ge sat in his carriage, looking at the gate's position, and said, "Bring the travel document over for me to look at."

I don't know why, although their height and build are different, he just felt this person was suspicious.

Seeing Xi Ge, she hurriedly lowered her head; one could hide anywhere, but the eyes are hard to conceal.

"Yes." Jiang Yunchu produced the travel document and handed it to a soldier nearby.

That soldier took the travel document and then respectfully handed it to Xi Ge.

Xi Ge had been sizing up this person; for the past three days he seemed tense, and indeed he was tense, swearing to find that woman and imprison her so she could never escape.

In the following days, it appeared relaxed but was actually still tense.

Many people had hidden themselves from open view into the shadows, yet they continued to watch the four city gates.

Having toyed with him, she now wants to run?

Looking at all the records on the travel document, he found nothing wrong, but…

At that moment, Jiang Yunchu lifted her head and her eyes met Xi Ge's.

"Oh no!" Jiang Yunchu silently gasped.

Xi Ge's gaze, which had just been looking down from above, turned sharp.

Ning Chengyan's small cart had already stopped, his hand gripping the hilt of the Gentleman's Sword.

Everyone had made ready; the battle was about to break out.

"Older Brother Xi Ge, don't you want Sujin anymore?" At that moment a female voice came from the side; a woman in pure white clothes, like the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, descended from the heavens.

At least, in Jiang Yunchu's eyes, that's how it seemed.

Feng Sujin had never been this cute and this understanding before.

When Feng Sujin came over, she glanced at Jiang Yunchu and said, "How ugly, get lost, don't dirty my lady's eyes."

Then she snatched the travel document from Xi Ge's hand and flung it aside…

Jiang Yunchu picked up the travel document, her face full of anger, looking at Feng Sujin with eyes full of fury: "Unreasonable!"

But…

But her eyes saw Feng Sujin lightly waving her pale, tender hand.

"Hmph!"

She tidied her bundle, placed the travel document properly, then slowly turned and left; as she walked out, she rudely spat a mouthful of saliva.

Her unhurried demeanor made Xi Ge relax, wondering if he had been mistaken.

And Ning Chengyan had already drawn a section of the Gentleman's Sword, then slowly returned it to its original place.

He left…

Yun chu had left, so he could now move as well.

Feng Sujin did not do it only for Yun Miao Er, but also for herself; she did not want to marry the Third Prince, nor accept her fate.

"Feng Sujin, it's impossible between us." Xi Ge's gaze was deep; as he looked at Feng Sujin, he thought of another woman — her light gauze robes, her delicate little feet, her soft, boneless waist, her alluring bearing, and the way her hands slowly wandered over his body; every detail replayed in his mind.

That woman……

He must find her.

Xi Xiang Cheng — this night was not peaceful; the Huang family's young master died an unnatural death, and beside his corpse lay a peony flower.

To die beneath a peony blossom — even as a ghost, one is romantic.

And the death of the Huang family's young master seemed merely a beginning; Xi Xiang Cheng fell into chaos……

The Feng family's eldest son was assassinated, his shoulder injured, and he fled Xi Xiang Cheng overnight; although Xi Ge had no part in it, Xi Xiang Cheng lies in Xi Ge's hands — if we say Xi Ge is innocent, can the Feng family believe that?

Feng Qing left……

And Feng Sujin was free……

Ning Chengyan watched the chaotic Xi Xiang Cheng, hid his merits and fame, and completely left Xijiang.