Chapter 105 (2/2)

Since Jun Huang had asked him to leave, Nan Xun couldn't possibly insist on staying. He sighed and turned away.

Jun Huang didn't return to her room in the south wing immediately. Instead, she went to the east wing and asked Zhang Yuan about what had happened between him and Wan'er.

Zhang Yuan was easily embarra.s.sed. Jun Huang's direct question caused all the blood in his body to rush into his face. He stammered and couldn't form an answer.

Mister Ji Bo followed the school of Ghost Valley1. Because of his unpredictable personality, many men had failed to convince him to leave retirement.

Rumors had it the some people even visited him thrice like Liu Bei had with Zhuge Liang. Mister Ji Bo, however, refused to even meet these men in person. Instead, he ordered his servant to dismiss the visitors.

It was also said that tracking Mister Ji Bo down alone was not an easy task. Today he might be in the imperial city; the next day he would appear on a mountain elsewhere. Fortunately, Jun Huang's investigation did yield some results.

Right after her conversation with Nan Xun ang Qi Yun, Jun Huang had ordered a shadowguard to ask around. The shadowguard didn't return until after three days. He said that someone had spotted Mister Ji Bo lately. He now lived deep inside a mountain where vermin ran rampant. So far, no one had mustered the courage to venture in.

Jun Huang hummed. ”Can we trust this information?”

The shadowguard nodded. After a moment of silence, she ordered him to send Qi Yun a message. She would have to visit Mister Ji Bo in person.

Qi Yun had been feeling restless ever since he heard about Jun Huang's plan. This responsibility shouldn't fall on Jun Huang alone! Nevertheless, he couldn't spare the time for the journey. And they couldn't afford to wait any longer. He didn't have a choice.

It was close to the time for her departure. Jun Huang had planned to leave at once, but Qi Yun insisted on seeing her off. She couldn't say no to that, could she? When she arrived at the tavern, Nan Xun was already there, looking at her with an arched eyebrow.

”What are you doing here?” asked Jun Huang.

”It's too dangerous for you to go alone,” said Nan Xun. ”The emperor rarely asks for me these days. The more I think about it, the more I believe I should go with you.”

Jun Huang snorted. She knew they were only worried for her safety. It was true that she might run into trouble on her own. With Nan Xun at her side, accidents would be less likely to happen.

She took a deep breath and nodded. ”I appreciate the help.”

Nan Xun let out a relieved sigh. He was worried that Jun Huang would say no to him. With that out of the way, he sat down and drank some tea to clear his throat. ”It's going to be a long and difficult journey. You should take a short rest. We will leave after noon.”

Jun Huang nodded. She had not slept well the night before. It didn't take long before she was asleep on the divan. She was never someone who fell into a deep slumber, though. She could still hear the conversation between Nan Xun and Qi Yun.

”It's going to be a long journey, brother Nan,” Qi Yun said worriedly. ”No one can predict what may happen to you on your way. You must take good care of Jun – of gentleman Feng.”

After a pause, Nan Xun chuckled. He s.h.i.+fted his gaze to the sleeping Jun Huang and said in a low voice, ”I will protect her. Don't worry too much. You, on the other hand, will be staying in the imperial city on your own. Remember to not do anything reckless. Don't attract Qi Chen's attention. Do you understand?”

”Of course I do. You don't have to worry about me.” Qi Yun turned to Jun Huang. Restlessness refused to leave his heart. He had a bad feeling about this trip.

The last time Jun Huang and Nan Xun traveled to Yangzhou, they came back b.l.o.o.d.y and tattered. When he saw the long gash on Jun Huang's palm, he broke into a cold sweat. He could have lost her! What he wouldn't do to take the pain for her.

Jun Huang had shouldered too heavy a burden that shouldn't have been hers to bear. Now she was devoting her efforts in helping Qi Yun as well. It made him feel guilty.

It started raining while Jun Huang was still resting. The sound woke her up. When she opened her eyes, Nan Xun and Qi Yun were drinking tea with their backs straight.

She looked at them with inquisitive eyes. She had been asleep for a few hours. They couldn't have been so disciplined that they only drank tea. She sat up and approached them. She couldn't smell any alcohol. She raised an eyebrow.

As if reading her mind, Nan Xun covered a smile. He looked outside the window and sighed. ”It's the rain season. Our trip will not be a comfortable one.”

Jun Huang followed his gaze, her eyebrows furrowed. ”So? The rain won't last long.”

It was about time. The Court of Judicial Review had sent a messenger for Qi Yun again. Qi Yun was exasperated. ”We have closed some difficult cases, but some issues are too widespread, we still have trouble tying those up. Royal Father has been urging us to complete our investigation sooner. The court must have found something.”

Jun Huang nodded. ”Don't overtax yourself. And don't let other people lure you into making a mistake. When in doubt, go to my place to consult Zhang Yuan. He is a clever man. He will be able to help you.”

The rain stopped not long after she finished giving Qi Yun advice. Jun Huang and Nan Xun were prepared to leave. Worried, Qi Yun looked pensively at Jun Huang. There were many things he would like to say, but he didn't know how to say them.

From Guiguzi, which literally translated as Ghost Valley. It's composed of writings on lobbying techniques and political theories. ↩