Chapter 12: Intercepting the Convoy

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Hearing Meng Yifan speak so confidently, Meng Yuxi felt momentarily dazed, as if she had slipped back into the modern era. Could these words truly have come from a woman of this era? Meng Xuexian was indeed quite extraordinary.

“Is Third Sister always like this by nature?” Meng Yuxi asked offhandedly as she rode her horse. Ahead, she already spotted the tracks of a carriage, and it wouldn’t be long before they caught up with Meng Hongchang’s party.

“Hahaha, Third Sister has been special since childhood. Father dotes on her greatly—second only to one other in the household,” came the reply.

Since Meng Hongchang traveled by carriage, his pace was not fast, so before long, the two of them could see it from afar.

A large red and black flag emblazoned with the Meng family emblem fluttered in the wind, flanked by two rows of soldiers on horseback. Four loyal bodyguards sat cross-legged at the four corners of the spacious carriage roof, while another four rode back and forth between the carriages, patrolling.

Meng Yifan urged his horse forward with strong legs. The steed winced in pain but surged ahead with great force.

“Fourth Brother, wait here. I’ll go call the escort to stop. You can come slowly afterward,” Meng Yifan called out.

His body floated lightly in the air, feet firmly in the stirrups, his figure drifting like a falling leaf as he galloped swiftly toward Meng Hongchang’s carriage, like an arrow released from a bow.

Meng Yuxi hadn’t expected Meng Yifan’s lightness skill to be so refined. She was riding the same breed of horse, but no matter how she squeezed with her legs, she couldn’t go any faster. She feared she might accidentally bruise the horse’s ribs. Strangely, the horse had been fine at first, but now it was slowing down, even foaming at the mouth from exhaustion.

Damn it, why was this horse so uncooperative? It looked rather thin to her, but it acted as if it were burdened by a several-hundred-pound fat man. Could it be that she was born with unnatural strength, her body denser than ordinary people?

The Meng family carriage had already been stopped for some time by the time Meng Yuxi caught up. As soon as she leapt down from her horse, her steed collapsed to the side, wheezing heavily.

“Heh, I still need to practice my riding skills,” Meng Yuxi said with an awkward smile under the watchful eyes of Meng Yifan and the others, then climbed aboard Meng Hongchang’s carriage.

“Xi’er, so hurried to catch up—something urgent?” Meng Hongchang asked solemnly. He had just reprimanded Meng Yifan for calling to stop earlier but relaxed upon hearing it was Meng Yuxi.

“Something very important,” Meng Yuxi said, pointing toward the carriage roof.

Meng Hongchang understood immediately and clapped his hands. “Everyone, spread out and keep watch.”

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“Understood.” The sound of hooves gradually faded away.

Once the others had gone, Meng Yuxi leaned close to Meng Hongchang and whispered, repeating what Qin Ming had said—except for the part about kicking him in the water, which she had to omit.

“It seems this journey is more perilous than the letter suggested. The matters in the capital are complex, not as simple as Qin Ming described. Xi’er’s words must be kept between us—no one else can know, especially anything concerning that nobleman. Not a single word must be remembered.”

“As for that Fragrant Pavilion, I originally thought it was just an intelligence point for the Eighth Prince. Seems I underestimated it,” Meng Hongchang mused, a cold gleam flashing briefly in his eyes.

“Their target is still you, Lao Meng. I wonder if you’re secretly hiding some treasure that’s drawn their attention?”

“What treasure could I possibly have? All I possess is unwavering loyalty to His Majesty, to serve the nation faithfully, even unto death...”

“All right, all right, I get it. Be on guard for any treachery. That poisonous perfume isn’t sold openly in such a city. Once we reach the capital, you might be arranged a ‘toxic DJ version’ of the perfume, and then you’ll truly die for your cause. By then, the seal you gave me won’t have been used and will be worthless.”

Seeing Meng Hongchang begin to recite again, Meng Yuxi hurriedly interrupted. This old Meng always displayed his so-called loyalty in front of her, yet she didn’t even know what the emperor looked like. She certainly wasn’t going to learn from him.

“What’s that ‘ground drop’?”

“Nothing, just a more potent poison. In any case, be cautious.”

“Heh, Xi’er, rest assured. I’ll camp here for now and, after finishing preparations, will proceed to the capital.”

After bidding farewell to Meng Hongchang and switching horses, Meng Yuxi and Meng Yifan set off again toward Sucheng.

“Fourth Brother, how’s Miss Qin Ming? Does she really have all those incredible skills as rumored?”

“She’s far more impressive than the legends say—truly mesmerizing,” Meng Yuxi admitted. Of course, it was Qin Ming’s soul that was captivated, not his own.

“Too bad I don’t want to go back to that Fragrant Pavilion. Looks like you and Third Sister should find a new place,” he advised.

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Meng Yuxi gently held the reins and spoke kindly, knowing how complicated the Fragrant Pavilion was and offering good counsel.

Meng Yifan didn’t think much of it and simply joined in, calling this the “wise moment” of his Fourth Brother.

“There are plenty of pleasure houses in Sucheng—not just the Fragrant Pavilion. If Fourth Brother isn’t in a hurry to return home, I can show you around; a few places are quite special.”

Their journey back was slow, both reluctant to return to the Meng estate. Meeting Wu Jiwen felt awkward and insincere.

“Oh? What kind of special places? Tell me more,” Meng Yuxi asked, clearly not in a hurry to go home.

“The two most beautiful in Sucheng’s pleasure district are Miss Qin Ming and Miss Qing Lian,” Meng Yifan said.

“I’ve experienced Miss Qin Ming’s talents. She’s beautiful, but overly seductive. Though she can’t be easily toyed with, she’s still accessible. Miss Qing Lian is different.”

“She is a true artist who doesn’t sell herself and only performs for talented men. No matter how much money a client without talent offers, she won’t entertain them.”

“But she’s proud for good reason. Her figure is even more perfect than Qin Ming’s. When she sings her melodies, many men standing outside the Jade Cloud Pavilion can’t help but listen intently. I once heard Miss Qing Lian’s elegant performance, and I still can’t forget it.”

Meng Yifan described vividly, even gesturing to outline Qing Lian’s figure, while Meng Yuxi pictured a concert of female stars performing in a red-light district.

“I wouldn’t have guessed, Fifth Brother—you’re quite the talented poet, too!”

“Heh, don’t laugh at me, Fourth Brother. The poem that won Miss Qing Lian’s favor last time cost me two hundred taels of silver,” Meng Yifan admitted sheepishly and continued.

“The worst part is that scoundrel poet who sold the same poem to others after me, so now I’m blacklisted by Miss Qing Lian. Whether I succeed this time depends entirely on you, Fourth Brother.”

“Also, the Jade Cloud Pavilion is closing after today due to its highbrow nature. The competition on Miss Qing Lian’s final night will be fierce. So even if you don’t win, don’t be discouraged. I’ll buy two front-row seats by the wall, so at least you can listen to most of it.”

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