The loudmouth spoke up again. "How could that Qian Xingzhi compare to our Lord Lu? I heard he's always messing around with fortune-telling and spirit communication—a total charlatan. I think..."
And he dares to accuse me of flattery? He's doing a pretty good job himself!
Lu Yu seemed unable to take it anymore and interrupted, "Gentlemen, rest well. Stop judging others so easily."
Once he left, the remaining officers chattered even more enthusiastically. Growing bolder, they all dared to call Qian Xingzhi by his name.
"If it were me, I wouldn't want to share a carriage with Qian Xingzhi. Being flattered every day would make my ears grow calluses."
"It's just that Lord Lu has a good temper. Those court officials—I think they just don't dare to speak out. If it weren't for the Third Prince backing him, who would know who Qian Xingzhi is?"
"Right now, he's probably anxious. The Third Prince's whereabouts are unknown. If his backing falls..."
Qian Xingzhi had never cared about people gossiping about her. She stood up, brushed the dust off her clothes, and couldn't help but smile at the thought of what she was about to do.
The officers were chatting heatedly, completely unaware that Qian Xingzhi was approaching quietly.
"Hey, talking about me?"
The four of them jolted, looking around at each other in panic.
The great traitor they were discussing was now smiling as she swept her gaze over each of their faces, as if memorizing their features.
The loudest one was the first to panic. "Lord... Lord Qian... We..."
The shortest one said, "We were just worried about you, my lord. If the Third Prince isn't found, it will implicate you."
What a clever pupil.
Qian Xingzhi feigned surprise. "Oh? Is that so?"
She didn't scold or punish them after that. This only made them sweat even more.
After all, Qian Xingzhi was still a fifth-rank official, backed by a powerful patron. She could handle this much.
"Lord Qian is truly young and talented! The mountain path ahead is treacherous. If you have any instructions, feel free to call on us."
See? Isn't he good at flattery too? Qian Xingzhi smiled even more brightly. "I'm touched that you're all so concerned. I've prepared a few carts of dried meat for everyone before we set out. Have some later. It'll save the drivers the trouble, and you can take turns riding in the empty carriages."
Having said that, Qian Xingzhi turned and left without a hint of annoyance.
They were to travel through the night. They'd only be able to bathe and rest once they reached a city inn the next day. Soon, they were on the move again. Having slept most of the day, Qian Xingzhi was wide awake now. The night was deep, and the carriage was pitch black. There was nothing to do but sit or chat.
"Would you like to try riding a horse?"
Qian Xingzhi was startled by Lu Yu's sudden question. "Are you worried I'm too bored, my lord? It's too cold outside. I could try tomorrow during the day."
She did know how to ride—she'd learned at a stable for a while and was fairly skilled.
The long night stretched on, and it seemed the only option was to chat about everything under the sun.
So she spoke again. "Lord Lu seems to have never married?"
"What, Lord Qian wants to marry your cousin into the Lu family?"
Qian Xingzhi swallowed, rambling, "How could that be? Marriage is all about matching families. With your vast wealth, you should marry a princess."
"Now that my lord is rising through the ranks, I'm sure there's no shortage of women of equal status. I heard you haven't married either. May I ask why?"
Sometimes, the brain suddenly goes offline, and the mouth moves too fast to stop.
Qian Xingzhi said, "I'm impotent."