Chapter 11: Caught in the Act?

Chapter 11: Caught in the Act

Last night, actually, nothing happened?

When Mu Lan realized she was surprised by this, she hurriedly composed herself. It wasn't that she was hoping for something to happen; it was just that the perverted beast in her memory had suddenly become a gentleman, which made it hard for her to believe for a moment.

Over the next few days, the journey continued without pause. Her body had transitioned from initial discomfort to gradually getting used to it, and her horsemanship grew steadily through her daily racing competitions with Dongling Jue.

At night, they still stayed in inns. Because of the large number of people, Mu Lan had no choice but to share a room with Dongling Jue. However, no matter how much this man ridiculed or mocked her during the day, he seemed like a completely different person in bed, never making a single attempt to take advantage of her.

Mu Lan found that this sort of principled behavior actually gave her a sliver of admiration for Dongling Jue. However, more often than not, his unfathomable gaze and his wicked, arrogant smile made her wary and resentful.

According to Dongling Jue, they would be able to completely leave the borders of Xia Liang tomorrow. Once they crossed the two-hundred-mile wasteland, they would be in the territory of the Western Chu Kingdom.

Throughout this journey, Mu Lan had been looking for an opportunity to escape, but their group was simply too large; there wasn't even a single person daring to intercept them for robbery. Since she slept with Dongling Jue at night, there was simply no chance to slip away.

Looking at it now, this two-hundred-mile wasteland was likely her only chance.

Because they were close to the border and couldn't make it to an inn, they were staying in a small village tonight. Taking advantage of the time Dongling Jue was bathing, Mu Lan slipped out to the back of the house to feed the horses.

This was her only diversion these past few days. Seeing that she enjoyed it endlessly, Dongling Jue didn't bother her. He simply had someone find some horse fodder and let her tinker with it.

Dozens of horses were tied up one after another in the woods behind the house. Just as Mu Lan approached with the fodder, she discovered a person standing beside one of the horses.

"Xiao Yi?" Against the backdrop of the twilight, Mu Lan recognized him. "Are you here to feed the horses too?"

Whether it was because she had addressed him by his full name, Xiao Yi seemed somewhat stunned. He nodded, and after a long moment, he spoke: "Tomorrow, we leave the country of Xia Liang."

That short sentence contained many emotions. Indeed, if it were Jin Ning, after tomorrow, she would be leaving her homeland forever.

Mu Lan glanced around; no one was noticing her. Thinking of the question she had been wanting to ask, she said, "General Xiao, regarding the marriage with Qingping, you don't blame me?"

Xiao Yi gave a low laugh and said, "To be able to become the Princess's backbone, Xiao Yi does not regret it."

Backbone? After a brief thought, Mu Lan understood. By marrying Qingping, Xiao Yi would provide significant support to the faction of Princess Jin Ning's maternal family. When making this decision, she truly hadn't considered that layer. Was this the reason he had agreed to this marriage without hesitation back then?

Mu Lan felt a stir in her heart. "You don't ask me why I am replacing Jin Xue to marry into Western Chu?"

Xiao Yi gazed at her, the tenderness in his eyes mixed with desolation. "I know, this was not your decision."

Mu Lan suddenly realized that perhaps she had underestimated the feelings of the man before her. Xiao Yi must love Jin Ning very much, right? That was why he could see through so many things so clearly. And regarding her decision, he chose only to silently tolerate and accept it. Because, between them, there was still the greater cause of the nation.

Though reality was cruel, Mu Lan had to say, "Xiao Yi... Jin Ning loves you, and she only loves you. It's just that, in this lifetime, there is no longer a chance. So, just act as if Jin Ning is already dead, and forget everything."

Xiao Yi remained motionless, his gaze like water, the pain hidden deep within it making one's heart ache. After a long time, he finally said, "The Princess need not worry about me. In the past, I was useless and could not protect you. But from now on, I, Xiao Yi, swear that I will use my life to guard Xia Liang for you."

To guard Xia Liang—that was his way of loving her. Perhaps he could not give her what she wanted, but he would give her everything else, regardless of the cost.

For some reason, Mu Lan's eyes grew moist. She suddenly felt a sense of envy toward Jin Ning, for having a man who loved her so silently.

However, she was not Jin Ning after all. Therefore, she could not marry into Western Chu; she had to return to being herself.

"Xiao Yi, I am no longer the Jin Ning of the past. You, too, must take care of yourself." After saying these words, Mu Lan let out a long breath; this served as the final severance from this body.

From this point forward, in this world, there would no longer be a Jin Ning, only her, Mu Lan.

She turned hurriedly to return to her quarters, only then remembering that Dongling Jue was bathing. Mu Lan adjusted her mood, preparing to see how the food was being prepared, when the tightly closed door suddenly swung open.

"Finished feeding the horses so early today?" Dongling Jue had changed into a brocade robe, standing in the doorway looking at her with a cold, deep gaze.

Whether it was an illusion, Mu Lan felt as though there was an element of anger hidden within his emotions, even though his expression looked no different from usual.

Could it be... he knew she had just met with Xiao Yi?

Mu Lan was startled by this suspicion in her heart, but immediately felt it was impossible. He had been bathing in his room; there was no way he could know.

"What, did you lose your wits after feeding the horses?" After only a moment of daze, Dongling Jue had already reached her. They were originally only an arm's length apart, but now, his toes were touching hers.

For the first time, Mu Lan realized this fellow was much taller than her; she barely reached below his collarbone.

"No, I'm just tired and hungry, and was just coming to invite Your Majesty to eat together." Perhaps it truly was the guilt of a thief, as Mu Lan felt her confidence in making excuses was lower than ever before.

Having said that, she was about to make a quick escape, but just as she turned, her wrist was grabbed by him. With just a slight pull, her entire body lunged against him.

"So dirty, aren't you going to take a bath first?" As Dongling Jue spoke, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into the room.

"Ah!" Accompanied by her cry of alarm, the door slammed shut. This unprecedented situation caused the blood in Mu Lan's entire body to run cold; like a startled bird, she quickly scrambled out of his embrace.

"Your Majesty, you... don't get excited." Mu Lan retreated several steps until her back hit the table behind her, forcing her to stop.

"I am merely asking you to take a bath, why are you so panicked?" Dongling Jue smiled coldly, approaching her step by step with elegant strides.