Murong Jing He, with a cold and stern expression, left Qing Yan in charge of all matters at the prince's mansion and led the Tiger Wing Seventeen Riders out of the southern gate, following the main road in hot pursuit.
As they raced through the cold wind and snow, his heated emotions gradually cooled, and his rationality returned. While riding, he mentally reviewed the terrain of Jingbei, the complex network of roads, and the strategic passes surrounding the area. Though he had been under house arrest in the capital after being ennobled, he had always received regular reports on the situation in Jingbei. The map of the region had been handled by him so many times that the markings had started to fade.
Finally, he focused on Yecheng. The bald-headed healer had mentioned returning home in his letter, and Murong Jing He recalled that his men had captured them in Anyang, which meant they were heading south.
Whether they took the main road or a shortcut, they would have to pass through Yecheng. Yecheng's unique geography, with towering mountains on both sides creating a natural barrier, separated the north and south. In this snowstorm, it was impossible to bypass it. Rather than wasting time chasing that woman skilled in evasion, it was better to get to Yecheng ahead of them and wait. If they were in a hurry to leave Jingbei within the next few days, they would inevitably come through. And if they planned to linger in the countryside... Jingbei was his territory—there was no need to fear she would escape.
After a day and a half of hard riding, Yecheng's imposing presence came into view, but there was no sign of the two fugitives along the way. This indicated they hadn't taken the main road.
Using his authority as the Prince of Jingbei, Murong Jing He took control of the Yecheng military headquarters, ordering the entire city to be sealed off and thoroughly inspecting all travelers. On the third day after leaving Jingbei, just as he was comfortably resting in the Yecheng headquarters, waiting for his prey to fall into his trap, he received a message from Qing Yan.
The message was simply a partially drawn route map.
Upon seeing it, a faint smile crossed his face. He immediately stood up, leaving two riders in Yecheng to continue the watch while he led the remaining fifteen riders to a bandit hideout half a day's ride from Yecheng.
This bandit hideout had originally been an ordinary village, but due to its strategic location, it had been taken over by a group of bandits who used it as a base to rob travelers seeking shortcuts. Murong Jing He had known about it but hadn't allowed his advisors to eliminate them. After all, when he didn't even have his freedom, it wouldn't have been wise for his fief to appear too peaceful and prosperous.
It turned out that Qing Yan hadn't been idle after Murong Jing He left. While sealing off the city and deploying search teams to track Mei Lin and the healer, he also had to manage the increasingly temperamental Luo Mei. Even with all his abilities, he was stretched thin. Moreover, with the current unstable situation, he knew that the sooner Murong Jing He returned, the better. Thus, he couldn't afford to hold back any efforts.
Meticulously piecing together the clues he received each day, Qing Yan eventually saw the direction the route was pointing. By the evening of the second day, it was clear that the path led directly to the bandit hideout. He sighed but didn't delay, immediately sending the map to Yecheng. Qing Yan's ability to remain Murong Jing He's confidant was no coincidence—his understanding of Murong Jing He's thoughts and actions was unmatched.
Although the route initially wound around in confusing loops, even doubling back at times to obscure the true destination, by the evening of the second day, it pointed unmistakably to the bandit village.
Thus, Mei Lin was unaware that before they even reached the village, their destination had already been anticipated. And while they were busy dealing with the treacherous inn, Murong Jing He and his men were silently storming the village through the snowstorm, subduing the bandits without a sound.
"Room, please," Murong Jing He said as he stepped into the inn's open door, ignoring the varied expressions on the faces inside. He shook off the snow from his coat and spoke in a deep voice.
Despite everyone sensing his boiling anger, he had made no further outbursts after smashing the door outside.
Zheng San, the innkeeper, hesitated, unsure how to respond. But before he could make a decision, Murong Jing He had already approached, unfastening his cloak while glancing at him. Zheng San shivered and quickly stood up, making way for him. Yue Qin and Mei Lin also stood up, while the bald-headed healer remained seated in his chair, casually puffing on his pipe.
"A-alone, sir?" Zheng San stammered, his voice trembling.
Murong Jing He didn't look at anyone directly, only surveying the not-too-spacious room before calling out to the door, "Come in, everyone." As he spoke, he pulled off his cloak.
An anxious Mei Lin instinctively reached out to catch it, but he avoided her and tossed it to a surprised Yue Qin instead. At the same time, over a dozen robust men, each wearing black mink cloaks, began to file into the room. They had already shaken off the snow outside, and as they entered, they simply bowed to Murong Jing He before finding places to sit. Despite the number of people, the only sounds were the rustling of clothes.
Zheng San, overwhelmed by the scene, stood there dumbfounded.
Murong Jing He had already seated himself and, seeing that Zheng San was still standing there, frowned in displeasure. "Get the stove going for my men and bring out whatever food you have," he ordered. Then, glancing at the snowstorm still blowing into the hall, he added, "And find something to board up the door."
"Oh, yes... right away..." Zheng San stammered, snapping out of his daze. He tugged on Yue Qin's sleeve, "Qin Zi, come help me."
Yue Qin was overwhelmed with a mix of excitement and nervousness at seeing Murong Jing He again. Though the situation prevented him from showing the same affection he did with Mei Lin, his bright eyes were fixed on Murong Jing He, filled with admiration. As Zheng San pulled him along, he finally snapped out of it and was about to respond when Murong Jing He suddenly turned his head.
"Yue Qin stays."
As soon as he spoke, two of the men in blue brocade robes adorned with golden threads and silver-winged tigers rose to help Zheng San. Terrified yet curious, Zheng San couldn't help but steal glances at the men as they worked.
Ignoring them, Murong Jing He focused his attention on Yue Qin, gesturing for him to sit.
Yue Qin, awestruck by Murong Jing He's commanding presence, couldn't contain his admiration. He had so many questions—he wanted to ask how Murong Jing He knew his name, how he had recovered, and how he had ended up here. But there were so many questions that he didn't know where to begin.
"Foolish boy," the bald-headed healer muttered, shaking his head at Yue Qin's starstruck expression. He placed his pipe in his belt and then bowed to Murong Jing He. "Your Highness, take your time. I'm going to sleep." With that, he turned and left without waiting for a response, hands clasped behind his back as he sauntered away.
Murong Jing He lowered his gaze, not bothering to watch him leave. Instead, he glanced briefly at the woman standing there, her head lowered, lost in thought. Suddenly, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. Startled, Yue Qin watched in surprise as Murong Jing He effortlessly suppressed her instinctive struggle and smiled warmly, explaining, "She's my fiancée."
With those simple words, the woman in his arms froze, and the naive boy widened his bright, dark eyes in disbelief. Though it seemed hard to believe, he couldn't help but feel happy for them.
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