Chapter 112 (1/2)
Chapter 112: Fighting for Attention
Jun Huang felt her heart sink. She had never considered the possibility that history might repeat itself. She broke into a cold sweat upon realizing her mistake.
A gust of wind swept into the room. She shuddered and tightened her robe without a word, her face as pale as sheet. It was difficult to think about what could happen. She needed some time to sort through her thoughts.
Ji Bo sighed. He chucked Jun Huang's now cold tea and earnestly said, ”It's only a possibility; You don't have to be so concerned. I will do all I can to a.s.sist you.”
Jun Huang trudged her way back to the room she was staying in. She curled into herself on the bed, her body trembling. It was as if she were back to the day Western Que was burned to the ground. Screams and wails could be heard everywhere. She had witnessed most of her family being slaughtered like animals.
The next morning, Ji Bo sent the pageboy to check up on Jun Huang when she was still half-asleep. Her previous night had been plagued with nightmares. Her body was covered in sweat. She propped herself up and gazed into the distance.
The page boy called out for her again. He wondered what Jun Huang was doing.
Jun Huang started her morning ritual and changed into a violet silk robe. On her waist was a fine jade carved into the shape of the mystical creature Qilin. The jade cap she wore glistened under the sunlight.
She cut an ethereal figure, seemingly above the mundane matters in the mortal realm. In other people's eyes, she was so graceful it seemed as if a light breeze was following her every step. Her very presence attracted attention.
The page boy stared owlishly at her when she walked out of the door. He was only brought back to the reality when Jun Huang called out for him impatiently. Mortified, he took Jun Huang to Ji Bo with his cheeks flushed.
Jun Huang a.s.sumed that Ji Bo wanted to discuss business with her, so she quickened her pace. Nan Xun was at the door when she reached Ji Bo's building. She slowly came to a halt.
She cupped her hands at Ji Bo in greeting. It was her principle to always treat people with the proper etiquette. ”I've kept you waiting. I wonder why you are so urgent to see me?”
”I have been thinking about our conversation,” said Ji Bo. ”Since I have agreed to follow you back to the imperial city, it's best for us to leave as soon as we can. Qi Yun may be a remarkable man with the potential to be a great emperor, but he is still inexperienced. We should serve at his side to avoid unnecessary accidents.”
Jun Huang hummed. Ji Bo had a point, but she didn't immediately respond. Nan Xun had not yet fully recovered. She was worried that he might not fare well against the fatigue of traveling such long distance.
She looked up at Nan Xun. As if he was able to read her mind, Nan Xun gave her a smile. ”Don't worry about me. I've mostly recovered.”
”If so, I will have my men make the necessary preparations,” said Ji Bo. ”How about we depart now?”
Nan Xun and Jun Huang both nodded. They packed up their things and followed Ji Bo out of Mount Wuming. It took them only two days. Their return journey went so much more smoothly than their journey into the mountain.
Once they arrived at the foot of the mountain, Nan Xun had his people bring them the horses they had left here when they arrived. Ji Bo shuddered when he saw the horses.
His reaction was subtle, but it didn't escape Jun Huang's eyes. The thought that she should refrain from commenting on it to save Ji Bo's face never crossed her mind. ”Is Mister Ji Bo afraid of horses?” she asked.
Before Ji Bo could answer, his page boy nodded and said, ”Master once fell from a horse. After that, he could not stand the sight of any horses, let alone ride on them – ow!”
The page boy rubbed at his forehead and pouted. Ji Bo had hit him with his foldable fan.
Ji Bo threw daggers at the pageboy. ”You have forgotten your place.”
Jun Huang chuckled. She told one of the shadow guards to find them a coach.
Jun Huang was going to ride on a horse herself, but Nan Xun pushed her into the coach, saying that she shouldn't ride with an injured foot.
Jun Huang didn't argue with him. She would gladly take the opportunity to talk about the current situation with Ji Bo.
When they were close to the imperial city, Ji Bo turned to Jun Huang and said, ”The most important thing now is to prevent Qi Chen from suspecting us. It's a task that you must do yourself. Do you understand?”
”Of course.” Jun Huang nodded. Neither of them said another word.
Back to the imperial city, Jun Huang told Ji Bo to go to Nan Xun's manor. She couldn't let him stay in her place. There were onlookers that might start spreading rumors. People already started to take notice that the royal princes frequently visited her. She dared not take any more risks. Fortunately, Nan Xun was a prince himself. It made sense for him to have a an advisor at his side.