Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

Three days of leisure passed by slowly, like sand slipping through my fingers.

Inside the upper rooms of Xiangyun Inn, the usual eeriness and tension have faded, leaving only a rare touch of warmth.

Shui Rong had completely lost his former scheming edge. Every day, he would either sit and play chess with Daiyu, or stand side by side by the window, whispering sweet nothings that had nothing to do with power struggles or danger.

Daiyu would occasionally utter a few coquettish words, her eyes crinkling with warmth, making all the gossip and troubles of the city seem distant.

Initially, Shui Rong wanted to set off as soon as possible to avoid the undercurrents in Baoding Prefecture and the surveillance of Jiang happy and others, but he ultimately underestimated the schemes of Jiang happy and Lu Bingming.

The two openly sent people to pay their respects and inquire about the prince's injuries every day, but secretly they used excuses such as "the prince's injuries have not yet healed and he needs to rest properly" and "the hidden dangers along the way have not yet been cleared" to keep them waiting until yesterday before they finally led the main force away slowly.

Helpless, Shui Rong had no choice but to continue pretending that his injuries had not yet healed and patiently deal with the situation.

This morning, just as dawn broke, Gong Ji quietly slipped into the main room, bowed, and handed a secret report to Shui Rong, whispering:

"My lord, Jiang happy and Lu Bingming's main force has completely left the territory of Baoding Prefecture. Their reconnaissance along the way has revealed no unusual ambushes. However, since we are traveling south with the mistress and the accompanying female relatives, it is inconvenient for us to take secluded paths. We can only proceed along the main road."

Shui Rong unfolded the secret report, his gaze falling on the attached map. His fingertips slowly traced the map, finally stopping at the four words "Black Wind Canyon," and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

He pressed his fingertips heavily on the canyon marker, a look of understanding and seriousness flashing in his eyes, and murmured, "As expected, we can't get around this place."

Black Wind Canyon is a must-pass place on the main road. The terrain is treacherous, with cliffs on both sides and only a narrow passage in the middle. It has always been an excellent place for strongmen to lurk, ambush and kill.

Shui Rong knew perfectly well that Xiao Lie, Zhou Kui, and their gang of bandits, having suffered a loss last time, would certainly not let it go easily. They must have already laid a trap here, just waiting for him to walk right into it.

"It's a pity that, knowing there are tigers in the mountains, we still have no choice but to go into the tiger's den."

Shui Rong clicked his tongue softly, his tone tinged with helplessness. As he turned his head, he saw Daiyu walking in with a cup of hot tea, her eyes gentle. A thought struck him, and he suddenly asked:

"Yu'er, I suspect the Lin family has some past connection with Lu Bingming?"

Daiyu paused for a moment, then handed him the hot tea and asked softly, "Why would you ask that, my husband?"

"Zhao Cai came to report yesterday. I noticed that he treated you with even more respect than he treated me, which is definitely not the usual courtesy a guard shows to a woman."

Shui Rong held the hot tea, feeling the warmth on his fingertips, and stared intently at her. "Logically speaking, he is Lu Bingming's confidant and should obey Lu Bingming's orders without question. He shouldn't be so exceptionally polite to you."

Daiyu nestled into Shui Rong's arms, tilting her small face up, her clear eyes wide open. After pondering for a moment, she gently shook her head.

"I don't know either. Although Father has many dealings with officials in the court, he has never mentioned Commander Lu to me. I suppose we don't have any close relationship."

"That's strange."

Shui Rong frowned and muttered to himself, "If it's not that the Lin family has connections with him, then it must be... that person in the palace who doesn't want to kill you?"

He carefully deduced along this line of thought: the Empress was determined to get rid of him, but secretly instructed Lu Bingming to protect Daiyu.

If that's the case, then Daiyu's safety would be more secure, but what schemes lie behind this? For a moment, Shui Rong couldn't fathom the Empress's thoughts.

After a moment's thought, he looked down at Daiyu in his arms, his tone becoming serious:

"Yu'er, after you're all ready today, I'll have Zhao Cai lead the Imperial Guards to escort you out of Black Wind Valley first, shall I?"

Daiyu, being so intelligent, instantly understood Shui Rong's intention.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly grabbed Shui Rong's sleeve, her eyes filled with worry, but she knew she couldn't hold him back, so she could only softly reply:

"I understand, my husband. Please be careful in everything you do and do not be reckless. I will wait for you outside the canyon, no matter how long it takes."

"Haha, don't worry."

Shui Rong gently rubbed her pretty face, his eyes filled with doting affection and certainty.

"Who am I, your husband? This little matter is no problem for me. Besides, in addition to Zhao Cai, I will also arrange for secret guards to follow you and protect you at all times, so that you will not be disturbed in the slightest."

Daiyu nodded, her worries easing slightly. She raised her head and gently kissed Shui Rong's lips, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson. Then she quickly pulled away from his embrace and whispered:

"I will go pack my things now and get everything ready as soon as possible."

Watching Daiyu's light, slightly shy figure depart, the doting expression on Shui Rong's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep, calculating look. He muttered to himself:

"Lu Bingming, Empress... I want to see just how much you value Yu'er. It's time to put on a good show."

Just then, Gong Ji quietly walked in from outside the door, his expression hesitant, and softly reported:

"My lord, is it not right for you to send the mistress ahead with Zhao Cai as her guard? Black Wind Canyon is treacherous and unpredictable; it's tantamount to putting the mistress in great danger."

Shui Rong raised her hand, gesturing for silence, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes:

"Hush, Gongji, I have my own plans. Let Yu'er go first, firstly to protect her, and secondly, to test Zhao Cai and Lu Bingming's bottom line, to see if they will really do everything in their power to protect Yu'er. Besides, with secret guards following her, there won't be any mishaps."

Seeing this, Gong Ji knew that Shui Rong already had a plan in mind, so he said no more. He could only bow and step aside, standing silently with a respectful expression, ready to receive orders at any time.

Before long, Daiyu, having finished packing, came out carrying a small brocade box, followed by several maids. Shui Rong immediately sent someone to summon Zhao Cai and Xiao Mengzi to discuss their departure.

The two arrived quickly and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Your Highness; greetings, Miss Lin."

Shui Rong cut to the chase, his gaze fixed on Zhao Cai, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority:

"Zhao Cai, you and Eunuch Mengzi, take men and protect Miss Lin's safety first. I will follow shortly. Is that acceptable?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cai immediately knelt on one knee, his expression resolute, his tone firm and powerful:

"Your humble servant obeys! The entire Imperial Guard is determined to protect Miss Lin with our lives, never leaving her side, and will not allow her to suffer the slightest harm. Please rest assured, Your Highness!"

Looking at the young Mencius standing to the side, a somewhat troubled expression appeared on his face, and he quickly bowed and said:

"Your Highness, please forgive me. This servant dares not disobey Your Highness's orders. However, as Jiang Changgong instructed, our primary duty is to protect Your Highness's safety. If this servant were to lead the men to follow Miss Lin ahead, the guards around Your Highness would be weakened. This servant truly dares not abandon my post."

His tone was tactful, yet he clearly rejected Shui Rong's arrangement, giving a plausible reason, but in reality, he was following Jiang happy's orders.

Jiang happy only instructed him to monitor and restrain Shui Rong; Daiyu's safety was none of his concern, much less the Eastern Depot's.

He would naturally not allow the Eastern Depot's men to protect someone who had nothing to do with him.

A knowing glint flashed in Shui Rong's eyes, and her suspicions grew stronger, but her face remained impassive; she simply waved her hand dismissively.

"It's alright. Since Jiang Changgong has given the order, you may all stay by my side and protect me. Zhao Cai, I entrust Miss Lin's safety to you."

"This humble general will certainly not fail in his mission!" Zhao Cai bowed again, his tone still firm.

"Then I'll have to trouble Brother Zhao Cai." Shui Rong's tone softened a bit, and he nodded slightly.

Once the discussion was settled, the group immediately took action.

Daiyu walked up to Shui Rong and gave him a few more detailed instructions, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry. Then, under the protection of Zhao Cai and the Imperial Guards, she quietly left Xiangyun Inn with her maid and headed towards Black Wind Canyon.