Chapter 3 The Wolf Clan Blockade
Yan Zhuo pursued relentlessly and finally forced one carriage to stop at a cliff.
"Imperial Princess, where are you headed? We came under Young Lord's orders to escort you back—"
When he approached, he found only a girl the same size as A Li driving.
Yan Zhuo froze.
Several guards leapt from the carriage and attacked.
His subordinates shouted, "Commander Yan, Imperial Princess is not here!"
Yan Zhuo remembered the other plain carriage at the fork.
It had headed toward Lan Shan.
"We guessed wrong," he gritted out.
Birds scattered from a nearby valley.
To reach Lan Shan, one had to pass through Ling Yun Valley.
"Notify the Wolf Clan in Ling Yun Valley to watch for Imperial Princess."
"Tell Xie Ning to stop her for me."
I knew nothing of what happened on the cliff.
I only stared out the window with a frown.
Night was falling. We would have to spend it in the valley.
"Imperial Princess, I still have some water." A Li tied the reins and climbed inside.
I shook my head. "I'm not thirsty. You drink."
"We should be careful," A Li said anxiously. "Ling Yun Valley belongs to the Wolf Clan."
"They like to claim territory and rob travelers."
I reassured her. "Relax. When have I ever had such bad luck?"
As soon as the words left my mouth, wolf howls echoed through the valley.
A Li: "..."
I: "..."
Moments later, more than ten figures surrounded the carriage.
Each one was heavily muscled, eyes fixed greedily on the compartment.
"Get out—"
A Li and I exchanged a glance.
We gripped our bone fans.
I lifted the curtain and saw a white-haired youth standing in front of the carriage.
He greeted us politely.
"Ladies, my apologies for the disturbance."
"We only wish to trouble you for your valuables."
How courteous.
His tone made it sound as if he were offering free storage.
A Li subtly stepped in front of me.
I lowered my voice. "Give them some gold first."
Yan Zhuo's men could arrive at any moment.
Only by reaching Lan Shan City and finding Xie Ning would I feel safe.
He would help.
A Li tossed a small pouch reluctantly. "Can we leave now?"
The youth examined it, then tucked it away with satisfaction.
"Of course. We take wealth, not people."
"Travel safely. The night is cold."
The Wolf Clan truly had thick skin.
Nothing here frightened me more than them.
I pulled A Li along and brushed past him, face cold.
Just as I reached the carriage, a lazy voice called out.
"Wait—"
I paused.
I looked up.
A figure crouched on a nearby rock.
He wore a crimson outfit patched with fur, ink-black hair loose over his shoulders.
A bamboo hat hid his face, but I could see the faint curve of thin lips.
"You came from Yu Jing?"
I frowned. "So what?"
The voice sounded familiar.
As if I had heard the same tone before.
He did not continue. Instead he asked, "What are you holding?"
I realized he meant the herbs meant for Xie Ning.
I hid them behind my back and swallowed.
"You can't have this!"
"It's for my husband."
A Li: "?"
Before she recovered from her shock, he drawled mockingly,
"Husband?"
"The man who lets you and your maid spend the night alone in Ling Yun Valley can't be much."
I snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
He smiled.
"Coincidentally, I happen to need a wife as well."
I stared.
"What?"
He stood slowly and spoke in a flat tone.
"Tie them up. Take them away."