Qian Xingzhi broke out in a cold sweat from the sudden memory. Indeed, returning to Nanchuan was the right choice.
The closer she got, the more information she received, and the more memories she recalled. Perhaps this way she could understand why she had inexplicably come here and find a way back.
She had to go to Chengxin Temple. But for now, she had to stay with the group, and she still had the task of finding the Third Prince, so she could only wait for an opportunity.
At noon, the General Who Pacifies the South ordered an hour's rest.
Qian Xingzhi got off her carriage, tidied up alone, and wandered around.
"Lord Qian, a moment please," Wei Yang came from the front of the column. "We'll reach the North Gate of Nanchuan in a few days. Do you have any way to locate the Third Prince now?"
It was getting harder to fob him off as time went on. Qian Xingzhi evaded: "Has any new news come from Nanchuan?"
Wei Yang's expression darkened: "Indeed, an urgent report just arrived. The Nanchuan governor says some rioters have sent a message by arrow, demanding the court immediately open the granaries to distribute grain, or they will kill His Highness. As things stand, if you can divine the Third Prince's general location, we might rescue him by surprise."
"No wonder I couldn't calculate it," Qian Xingzhi said with a polite smile. "The rioters are now fleeing everywhere with no fixed abode, making their location hard to determine. In my opinion, the top priority is to open the granaries and distribute grain. Once they let their guard down, we can plan slowly."
Wei Yang was startled for a moment, then shook his head with a contemptuous smile: "Lord Qian, there were already many in the court who despised you. I had some expectations of you, but it seems I was mistaken. I hope you can still make good use of your eloquence when you return to the capital to avoid charges of dereliction of duty!"
With the disaster in Nanchuan delayed to this point, even opening granaries to appease the people was still not the court's top priority. Instead, they placed their hopes on mysterious divination. What an eye-opener.
Qian Xingzhi also smiled: "Thank you for your concern, my lord. But Lord Wei, as a newly appointed governor, you'd do better to focus on the welfare of Nanchuan's people. I am confident enough that I won't be held accountable. As for you, your father holds a high position, yet His Majesty assigned you to this impoverished, troublesome place. If you can't clean up this mess, I wonder how you'll settle the charge of dereliction of duty?"
Ridiculous. Did they think this southern tour was solely her mission? Jun Anche knew with his little finger that Qian Xingzhi was just filling a slot...
Wei Yang was left speechless. Unable to out-talk Qian Xingzhi, he stormed off in anger.
But Qian Xingzhi belatedly realized the oddity of this successful return to Nanchuan. Lu Yu could have mentioned this matter through someone else, yet he proactively brought her up in court. Not only that, Jun Anche promptly 'exiled' Lu Yu here as well. The old emperor had recently taken back much power; Lu Yu's reputation was too good to punish overtly, but using an excuse to strip his authority was feasible.
Surely Lu Yu wouldn't give up power just to help her?!
Qian Xingzhi inexplicably approached Lu Yu's luxurious carriage and, through the window, said with pretense, "Lord Lu, I have important matters to discuss. Could I have a word inside?"
What pill had this fellow taken today? Lu Yu continued playing with his chessboard, not lifting his head: "Lord Qian, please come in."
Qian Xingzhi decorously squeezed into a corner. Seeing Lu Yu absorbed in his chess, she said hesitantly, "Lord Lu, I have a question I'd like to ask."
"Speak."
"Why did you personally suggest to His Majesty in the court assembly that I accompany the mission?"
Lu Yu's hand holding a chess piece paused: "Don't overthink it. In His Majesty's eyes, sooner or later you and I will be seen as allies."
"I thought it would be better if you and I had no obvious public interactions."
Lu Yu lifted the corner of his mouth, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "Even if you and I walked out of this carriage arm in arm today, only you would be scolded, Lord Qian."
Qian Xingzhi was speechless.
Sunlight seeped through the window, gilding Lu Yu's edges. Qian Xingzhi recalled the first time she had ridden in his carriage, how she had been distracted by his face. If he didn't speak, she could appreciate him a little longer.
But Lu Yu delivered the coup de grâce: "The world will only think that you, Qian Xingzhi, with your glib tongue, managed to fool even me. How utterly detestable."
Qian Xingzhi couldn't refute that, so she steeled herself to continue: "Did His Majesty order you to accompany me as a warning?"
"Yes." Lu Yu admitted readily. "Because I've been associating with you, Lord Qian, His Majesty has punished me to relive my nightmare. Would you consider compensating me?"
Wasn't it I who saved you first, making you owe me? Qian Xingzhi resigned herself: "I've disturbed you. I'll take my leave."
"We'll reach Nanchuan soon. Qian Xingzhi, what do you want to do back in Nanchuan? I want the truth."
Qian Xingzhi spoke without thinking: "Just to find something very important. Perhaps I left it behind before going to Shengjing."
"You're lying," Lu Yu examined a white piece for a long time before finally placing it. He turned to look at Qian Xingzhi's flustered expression, in a good mood: "Deceiving both above and below—that deserves punishment."
"How would I dare deceive you, my lord?"
"Is that so? Lord Qian, why not swear an oath? If you have never lied to me, then I will never probe your loyalty again. But if you have lied..." Though he smiled, his eyes were cold: "Then you shall be punished by serving me forever, never able to leave. How about it?"
Qian Xingzhi was alarmed. Lu Yu's words seemed loaded, strange.
Before she could speak, he pressed on: "What? Lord Qian doesn't dare to swear?"
It was just an oath—could it actually have any binding power? Qian Xingzhi naturally blurted out: "What's so hard about that? I can certainly swear that I have never concealed anything from you, so may heaven and earth witness."
But the false words came out with an instinctive guilt, and Qian Xingzhi felt something was off.
A hint of amusement appeared in Lu Yu's eyes as he said meaningfully, "Then I am relieved."
She couldn't deal with this man. Qian Xingzhi slunk out of the carriage, took a few more walks to loosen her stiff backside.
Over the next few days, the closer they got to Nanchuan, the more tense the atmosphere became between Qian Xingzhi, Wei Yang, and the General Who Pacifies the South.
"The court's atmosphere is getting worse by the day. Many people collect salaries while doing nothing, relaxing in comfort. Without sycophantic skills, one might lose their job tomorrow. Don't you agree, Lord Qian?"
They happened to be eating together, four of them. Wei Yang, apparently still sore about losing the argument last time, was the first to start with sarcastic remarks.
Qian Xingzhi sneered and chimed in: "Governor Wei is absolutely right. You'd better learn how to flatter properly, or you might really lose your position."
Wei Yang, young and hotheaded, finally couldn't sit still. He pointed at Qian Xingzhi and cursed: "Qian Xingzhi! Have you no shame? I really don't know what His Majesty expected by having you come along. You're just wasting supplies. I think you should pack up and get back to Shengjing!"
Wei Yang, clearly spoiled since childhood, still wore fine robes even after many days on the southern journey. Seeing him agitated, Qian Xingzhi said unhurriedly: "The people of Nanchuan have been suffering since last summer. Before I came to the capital, epidemics were rampant. Governor Wei, it's ridiculous for you to focus on court atmosphere while avoiding the real issues."
After finishing her dry rations, she stood up, staring straight at Wei Yang until he inexplicably felt guilty: "To speak plainly, even if we don't rescue the Third Prince, rebuilding Nanchuan remains of utmost importance. I hope you understand, my lord."
The General Who Pacifies the South tried to defend Wei Yang: "We've witnessed Lord Qian's sharp tongue. But I think you worry too much. They're just some rioters, nothing to fear."
"I think Lord Qian has a point," Lu Yu, still seated, curved his peach-blossom eyes, playing the peacemaker: "All of you are His Majesty's confidants, otherwise you wouldn't have been sent to Nanchuan. Why argue here?"