Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Meng Huaiqing went out to rent a carriage while I briefly packed my belongings.

He was meticulous and observant; I would surely be able to escape this death trap!

No.

It was the both of us!

After about the time it takes to eat a meal, Meng Huaiqing returned, his face clouded with worry.

He hurriedly helped me move my luggage onto the carriage and locked the door.

Filled with guilt, I quickly apologized. “I’m so sorry, Brother Meng. In the end, I’ve still dragged you into this.”

Meng Huaiqing supported me as I climbed into the carriage, forcing a smile. “This is the path I chose. No matter the outcome, I must bear it.”

With that, he used his grey squirrel-fur neck warmer to cover most of his face as usual, sat outside, and cracked the whip to drive the horse forward.

The carriage creaked as it traveled through the narrow alleys.

After hesitating several times, I lifted the curtain and asked in a low voice, “Is there nothing in your room that you want to take with you?”

Meng Huaiqing shook his head. “They are all worldly possessions. They aren’t important.”

Was my portrait not important?

Yuan Heng would find this place sooner or later. Once he saw that painting, he would understand everything.

Then again…

I sat back in the carriage, wrapping my cloak tightly around myself.

Even if that beast understood, we would already be gone. What could he possibly do then?

Suddenly, my heart skipped a beat. I asked anxiously, “Brother Meng, what if Yuan Heng retaliates against your family or friends?”

I heard Meng Huaiqing let out a cold laugh. “It doesn’t matter. I know a secret about the Marquis. If he dares to retaliate, I will make him lose his reputation and everything he owns!”

“What secret?” I asked quickly.

Meng Huaiqing didn’t say.

In truth, I was incredibly curious about what kind of secret could ruin Yuan Heng’s reputation and, most importantly, cause him to lose everything.

Meng Huaiqing had been by that beast’s side for three years; whatever he knew certainly wasn’t a trivial matter.

Though I desperately wanted revenge, I had to face reality. The gap in power and status between Yuan Heng and me was like that of a mayfly and a great tree. I couldn’t shake him in the slightest.

For now, preserving my life was the most urgent priority.

…

The carriage traveled for nearly an hour. Just as we were about to leave the city, it suddenly came to a stop.

My nerves tightened instantly. I straightened my back, my hands clenched into fists. What was happening?

Meng Huaiqing said warmly, “I’m going to buy some dry rations. Wait here for a moment.”

I breathed a sigh of relief and lifted the curtain slightly to look out. I saw Meng Huaiqing walk over and say something to a street vendor. He glanced back at the carriage and quickly paid the money.

Before long, he returned with a large bundle of food.

I helped him stack the food inside. Seeing that his expression was still a bit off, I whispered, “Did the vendor overcharge you?”

He gave a distracted grunt. “Once we leave Chang’an, we’ll buy the rest in the nearby counties.”

I nodded quickly. I truly owed Meng Huaiqing a massive debt of gratitude this time.

Once we were successfully settled, I would definitely find work to earn money-whether it was embroidery or transcribing books-anything to pay him back!

Life certainly wouldn’t be as wealthy or comfortable as it was in the Marquis Manor, but it would be peaceful and content.

At that thought, the corners of my lips couldn’t help but turn upward.

I was finally leaving this prosperous cage. It was wonderful.

…

Likely out of consideration for my health, the carriage didn’t travel very fast, swaying gently as it moved along the road.

I ate some dry rations midway through, then suddenly felt drowsy and fell asleep.

By the time I woke up, the sky was growing dark. I had actually slept for that long?

I was lying inside the carriage with a quilt over me. The surroundings were deathly silent.

“Brother Meng?”

My head felt a bit dizzy. I braced my hand against the carriage wall to sit up. “Where are we?”

There was no response.

Like a small, weak animal lost in the snow sensing the scent of a wolf, I became tense in an instant.

Immediately after, I caught a faint scent of winter sweet blossoms and the unique smell of incense and candles found only in temples.

Could it be?

My hands trembled uncontrollably as I lifted the carriage curtain.

The carriage was currently parked in front of a temple. Three large characters were written on the plaque: Qiyun Temple.

The blood in my body seemed to turn cold in an instant. In my past life, I had died in this place several times. I wouldn’t forget it even if I became a ghost.

A man’s playful laughter drifted over from not far away.

“Qing Qiu, I’ve come to pick you up.”

It was him. Yuan Heng.