After being forced to leave the marriage, I became the wife of a top scholar.

Chapter 249 Madam, are you sure you can fool others?
Just as Wushuang and Wuhuan were about to leave, the Lin family gate behind them suddenly opened again.

"Young masters, please wait." Feng Niang hurriedly chased after them.

Wu Huan and Wu Shuang turned around together. Wu Huan looked impatient, while Wu Shuang looked completely confused.

"Young masters, it was my fault just now. I forgot Madam's instructions. She told me that if either of you came looking for her, I must make sure you were well taken care of and waited for her to return."

"It's all my fault. I was confused for a moment and didn't think of it. Please forgive me, gentlemen."

As Fengniang spoke, she bent down to apologize to Wushuang and Wuhuan.

A hint of surprise flashed in Wu Shuang's eyes, while Wu Huan raised his chin at Wu Shuang, as if to say that Lin Yunche was at least thoughtful.

Wushuang and Wuhuan had nowhere to go, so they didn't refuse Fengniang's further offer.

Fengniang rented a new house for Wushuang and Wuhuan to stay in.

Wushuang was a little embarrassed. "Sister-in-law Feng, it's our brother and I who have caused you trouble."

As Fengniang tidied the room, she said, "Young master, you flatter us. Since you are the master's guests, you are also honored guests of the Lin family."

"Since your wife is not home, it is not convenient for you to stay at our house."

"I hope the two young masters won't feel that we have been neglecting them."

Wu Huan was quite satisfied with the courtyard and house in front of him, so he was in a good mood and cheerfully replied, "Sister-in-law Feng, don't say that. The conditions are already very good."

Seeing that the two were satisfied, Fengniang nodded happily.

"Young masters, you must be tired after traveling for so many days. I have prepared hot water for you both so you can take a bath and rest."

Wushuang and Wuhuan nodded their thanks quickly.

After arranging their accommodations, Fengniang did not linger, but left them some travel money before departing with peace of mind.

After taking a bath, Wushuang and Wuhuan finally felt much more relaxed.

"Wushuang, what's going on with the Lin family's servants suddenly changing their attitude towards us by 180 degrees?"

Wushuang shook her head with a smile as she dried her wet hair, "I don't know!"

Wu Huan gave a wicked smile, then leaned close to Wu Shuang and said, "Then tell me, could it be a trap?"

Wushuang shook her head again.

Wu Huan, chin in hand, walked to the table and looked at the large pile of silver notes left on it. An idea popped into his head: "Why don't we take the money and run away?"

"No matter what the Lin family's intentions are, if we run away, they won't be able to harm us anymore."

"Besides, with this money, are we afraid we won't be able to survive here?"

Wushuang had to admit that Wuhuan was right.

Wu Huan saw that Wu Shuang did not refute, and thought that doing so was simply the wisest choice.

"Shall we leave now?" Wu Huan shoved the silver notes on the table into his pocket and whispered.

Wushuang glanced at Wuhuan, chuckled, and then sat down on the edge of the bed.

Wu Huan hadn't seen Wu Shuang smile so contentedly in a long time. Although it seemed like she was mocking him, he didn't feel angry at all.

"Have you forgotten what the stall owner on the street said?"

Wu Huan scratched his head. "I haven't forgotten, but you don't really believe me, do you?"

Wushuang nodded, "I believe you!"

"I believe in Young Master Lin, and I also believe in Madam Lin."

After saying that, Wushuang pulled the blanket over herself, gently shook it out, and covered herself with it, preparing to go to sleep.

Wu Huan knew that once Wu Shuang made up her mind, it was very difficult to change it.

Helpless, Wu Huan could only walk to his own bedside, crawl into the covers and lie down. Well, since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it.

Perhaps they were both exhausted from the past few days, because they were able to fall asleep quickly in a comfortable environment.

I slept soundly until dawn.

Wu Huan dreamed of lots of delicious food, like braised beef and braised chicken, which made his mouth water.

He was still savoring the moment until a voice woke him up.

"No joy. No joy!"

Wu Huan opened his eyes, his body tensed up at the unfamiliar surroundings, and he suddenly sat up.

Only after seeing Wushuang's attire clearly did he realize that they had been away from Yunhai Palace for some time. They were now in Shang Kingdom, in Huaizhou City, on the territory of that Young Master Lin.

"Wushuang, has something happened? Should we run away now?"

Wu Huan was still a little groggy from sleep, but he knew that Wu Shuang must have something to tell him when she came to call him.

Wushuang patted his shoulders with both hands, "We're not running away, but you've been sleeping for two days and two nights. If you don't get up soon, I'm afraid you won't die from being trapped, but from starvation."

Wu Huan looked surprised. Had he actually slept for two days and two nights?
This was something he never dared to imagine when he was in Yunhai Palace. Suddenly, a fragrant aroma wafted over, making Wu Huan's stomach rumble. He then realized that he was really hungry.

Wushuang pulled him off the bed, and he immediately saw the table full of delicious food.

Braised beef, braised chicken, steamed fish
Good heavens, he wasn't dreaming!

Wushuang served rice to both of them. Wuhuan took it with both hands and asked blankly, "Wushuang, when did you develop such cooking skills?"

Wushuang raised her hand and slapped Wuhuan on the head, "Nonsense, when did I ever have such skills?"

"This was brought to us by Sister-in-law Feng."

“You’ve been unconscious these past two days, and Sister-in-law Feng has been bringing us food every meal.”

"Now that you're awake, you should thank them properly."

Wu Huan paused, but didn't move his chopsticks. Wu Shuang ignored him and wanted to eat on her own, but Wu Huan quickly stopped her.

"You'll eat it if I give it to you? Aren't you afraid it's poisoned?!"

Wushuang rolled her eyes at Wuhuan, scooped out a large piece of fish, put it in her mouth, and said with a smile, "If it were poisonous, I would have been poisoned to death long ago."

"Okay, let's eat quickly."

Seeing that Wushuang was alright, Wuhuan, who was also starving, began to eat heartily.

He just couldn't understand why Fengniang's attitude changed so quickly.

At this moment, Fengniang had just returned from Wushuang and Wuhuan's place, and she took out the letter that Wuhuan had given her from her bosom to read again.

She had only noticed Master Lin's instructions before, but after she refused the two young masters, she carefully read the letter and discovered that it was actually written by Hu Zi.

She knew Tiger's habits well, which is why she understood the secret of the letter.

These two young masters seem to be very important to the master, which is why she hurriedly came out to keep them here.

She needs to take good care of these two, at least until the lady returns.

Wushuang and Wuhuan stayed temporarily in Huaizhou City, while Bai Wanqing had already arrived in Jiangnan.

"Madam, everyone says the scenery in Jiangnan is beautiful! We've seen quite a few sights along the way, but none of them are as beautiful as this place."

Ruixin, like a curious child, kept peeking out from behind the carriage curtain.

Bai Wanqing put down her book and, through the crack, saw the landscape of Jiangnan: towering peaks, emerald green waters, and a few small boats that looked just like the ink paintings she had seen in her father's study.

"It looks good!"

Ruixin began to dream, "Madam, if only we could live in Jiangnan in the future, we could see such scenery every day."

Bai Wanqing chuckled and said, "It seems that no one is as greedy as our Ruixin."

"Madam, I didn't!" Ruixin quickly denied, making Bai Wanqing giggle. Just then, the Du family steward ran to the carriage and asked, "Madam, we've arrived at Pengcheng soon."

Arriving in Pengcheng means entering the Jiangnan region, but that's not where they're going this time.

"Thank you, Steward Du. Let's rest here for the day."

"We'll continue our journey to Yangzhou tomorrow."

After receiving the order, Steward Du sent someone to make arrangements, and they found a not-too-large inn to stay at that night.

Just as the group unloaded their luggage from the carriage, Steward Du rushed over in a hurry.

"Madam!" Steward Du clearly had something to say.

Bai Wanqing told Ruixin to close the door immediately and then have Ruixin stand guard outside. Only then did Steward Du feel at ease enough to speak.

“Madam, we’ve only just entered this Jiangnan region, and we’ve already been followed by tails.”

Steward Du was specially selected by Madam Du because she was afraid that Bai Wanqing would be in danger. He was the most capable steward in the Du family. He was not only loyal, but also had excellent skills.

So when Steward Du said they were being watched, it was pretty much true.

"Did you notice what kind of group of people they were?" Bai Wanqing asked.

Steward Du frowned deeply and said softly, "I have been paying attention. I originally thought that since we have gone through so many places, we would not disturb the Fang family in Jiangnan."

"In fact, from my observation, the people who are following us are probably not from the Fang family of Jiangnan."

"If it's not the Fang family, I don't know who it could be."

Bai Wanqing originally thought it was someone from the Fang family who wanted to stop her, but who else could it be but someone from the Fang family?

Upon closer reflection, this person followed them as soon as they entered the Jiangnan region, suggesting that someone had been tipping them off along the way.

Who on earth has the power to keep an eye on her?

Why was he staring at her? Bai Wanqing felt uneasy, thinking that there might be unexpected trouble.

"Manager Du, since they've come, they must have ill intentions."

Steward Du agreed, saying, "Madam, before she left, Madam Du instructed me to ensure your safety."

“We don’t even know who our opponent is right now, so your safety here can no longer be guaranteed.”

"Why don't we go back to Huaizhou first and then discuss this further?"

Go back? Bai Wanqing hadn't considered that she came here to resolve business issues in Jiangnan, and perhaps the appearance of someone was an attempt to scare her away.

"Manager Du, we'll just be careful. There's no need for us to go back."

Manager Du was filled with anxiety. They had already traveled through so many places, yet they had still been discovered. They must have come prepared.

"Does Madam have any ideas?"

"After all, it's not a good idea for us to always be being watched like this."

Bai Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then looked Steward Du up and down. Steward Du felt a little uneasy under Bai Wanqing's sudden gaze.

Unconsciously, he placed his hands in front of his body.

"Steward Du, go and prepare some men's clothing. Starting tomorrow, I will be Young Master Du."

Steward Du was almost speechless with shock. Someone with such delicate features could clearly be a woman, how could it be Young Master Du!
"Madam, I'm afraid this can't fool anyone," Steward Du said awkwardly.

"Whether it can fool them or not, I don't know, but it'll do for now."

Steward Du couldn't say anything, so he could only prepare according to Bai Wanqing's instructions.

The next day, Ruixin, dressed in Bai Wanqing's clothes, left Pengcheng in a carriage driven by Steward Du, heading towards Huainan.

Bai Wanqing, dressed in men's clothing, rode alone towards Yangzhou.

The scouts who had been following Bai Wanqing's carriage were now leaving Pengcheng with it.

Ruixin was very nervous in the carriage. She told herself not to be afraid. These people had been following them all the way, so it seemed they didn't want to kill them.

Steward Du drove the carriage while keeping an eye on the movements behind him.

Surprisingly, the lady's idea actually fooled those people.
Now only the lady is outside.
Steward Du rubbed his backside. All he wanted to do now was pray to all the gods so that nothing would happen to Madam Lin, or Madam Du might take his life.

Why was he so unlucky to get assigned such a job?

Bai Wanqing broke away from Steward Du and the carriage, and sped along the way, covering dozens of miles in just half a day.

Bai Wanqing saw a grove of trees ahead and spurred her horse toward it, intending to rest for a while.

Bai Wanqing quickly arrived at the woods, led her horse to graze in the woods, and then went to the river to fill her water bottle and take out a flatbread to eat.

She had never been so unrestrained in her entire life.

I wonder if the female knights in the storybooks lived a life like this.

Thinking of this, Bai Wanqing couldn't help but smile with relief. A female knight-errant? She probably would never become a female knight-errant in her lifetime.

After eating and drinking her fill, Bai Wanqing found a tree to rest under.

She found a very secluded spot and picked some leaves to cover herself up; most people wouldn't notice there was someone there unless they looked closely.

Just as Bai Wanqing was about to rest for a while, she heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from not far away.

Judging from the sound, it wasn't just the sound of one horse, but rather the sound of several, no, more than a dozen.

Alarm bells rang in Bai Wanqing's heart; she suddenly felt worried about Ruixin and the others.

Could it be that their tricks were discovered by those people, and now they've caught up with them again?

Bai Wanqing slowly lowered her body to the ground, trying not to make a sound.

Soon they saw a horse-drawn carriage speeding ahead, with more than a dozen masked men chasing after it.

Although Bai Wanqing didn't understand martial arts, she could tell from a few movements that the dozen or so people behind her were quite skilled and definitely well-trained experts.

But she also realized that the carriage being chased was not hers.

Bai Wanqing didn't want to get involved in this trivial matter, but her hand still unconsciously reached for the poison bottle at her waist.

Meanwhile, the spies following behind Du Jiama's carriage had already sensed something was wrong.

"Brother, this woman's carriage usually stops and starts, but today it's strange that it's been traveling for so long without stopping."

Another scout pursed his lips, also wondering, "Is it because we've reached the Jiangnan region that this woman is in a hurry?"

"Brother, have you seen this woman show any signs of anxiety along the way?"

"The lord told us to keep a close eye on this woman, and if we lose her..." The scout shuddered and touched his neck.

The spy, who was called the "Big Brother," was also somewhat frightened.

Indeed, just as this young man said, this woman is behaving very strangely today.

"Never mind, let's chase after them and see!" the scout said, leading his men to charge.

But the scout, frightened, quickly said, "Brother, the lord told us to just follow along and not to expose ourselves."

"If we are exposed now, we will probably face dire consequences when we return."

The scout spat at the scout and growled, "Hmph, you little brat, what time is it? Is your head more important, or your fat ass?"

The scout immediately replied, "The head, of course the head is more important."

"Then what are you waiting for? Everyone listen up, catch up with that carriage!"

Immediately, the spies who had been following Steward Du and his men at a distance suddenly rushed forward with all their might, determined to stop their carriage.

(End of this chapter)