The truth was harsh, but of course, they dared not voice any dissatisfaction.
However, they believed this reason.
"What does Young Master wish for us to do?"
"No rush!"
Nan Shiying had some plans but wanted to ponder further. "You will accompany me to Changming Mountain first."
"Changming Mountain?"
The innkeeper and the other two exchanged glances. As innkeepers, they were the most well-informed. They were fully aware of the recent changes in Changming Mountain.
So, this person was here to resolve issues on behalf of the court... or rather, on behalf of the Regent?
Nan Shiying raised her eyelids and looked at them. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no problem!" The innkeeper and the other two hurriedly shook their heads.
Nan Shiying yawned, a touch of moisture welling up at the corner of her eyes. Her face showed weariness, and her slightly drooping eyebrows softened the sharpness at the end of her eyes, making her appear like a noble young gentleman with a clear and serene demeanor.
Nan Shiying raised her hand, casually wiping away the moisture from the corner of her eye. Her elbow rested on her knee, her hand supporting her cheek. The firelight cast a warm glow in her eyes. She asked the cook, "Your surname is Zhu, what is your name?"
The cook hesitated for a second before replying, "Zhu Zhaodi!"
Nan Shiying opened her half-closed eyes and looked at her.
The innkeeper and the waiter also turned their heads to look at her. A hint of surprise appeared on their faces, as if they hadn't expected her to reveal her true name.
This true name, which she despised and which had caused her so much suffering.
"I don't like this name, change it!" Nan Shiying said casually.
The cook asked, "Change it to what?"
"Whatever!"
After speaking, Nan Shiying asked, "What do you like?"
"Flowers in spring!"
"Lily of the valley blooms in late spring."
Nan Shiying switched her hand supporting her cheek. "Call yourself Lily of the Valley, Zhu Lilan!"
The innkeeper murmured, "Lily of the valley blooms, happiness returns."
Zhu Zhaodi lowered her head, fiddling with the boning knife in her hand, and slowly nodded, letting out a soft hum from her nose, "Mm!"
Nan Shiying turned her gaze to the innkeeper.
"Situ Kong."
"Your surname is Situ?"
Ying glanced at him.
In Yunjiang, compound surnames were common, but there were few people with the surname Situ. Those who bore this surname were descendants of Situ Yi, a pillar of the former Xiliang Kingdom. After Xiliang was destroyed, the direct lineage of the Situ family perished, leaving only scattered collateral branches.
Ying bent down and whispered a few words into Nan Shiying's ear. Nan Shiying raised her eyebrows slightly. She hadn't expected that this person she casually picked up would have such a background.
Xiliang!
Seeing Nan Shiying's deep gaze, Situ Kong hastily explained, "When I was born, Xiliang had already been destroyed. The people of Xiliang became subjects of Linyuan, so I am a true Linyuan person."
Nan Shiying hummed and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous."
Situ Kong became even more nervous.
Nan Shiying did not dwell on this any longer and turned her gaze to the waiter.
"My name is Er Gou!"
"I am an orphan. When I was starving to death, an old beggar took me in. He gave me this name."
Actually, he had given himself another name later on. But seeing that the cook and the innkeeper had both reported their true names, he thought about it and decided not to reveal the name Ji Jinbai.
He was afraid of being killed!
"You haven't chosen another name?" Nan Shiying asked.
"I have!"
"But I don't dare to mention it."
Nan Shiying looked at him.
Situ Kong and Zhu Lilan couldn't help but want to laugh. He truly didn't dare to mention it. Ji was a royal surname. It was one thing for him to be adept at using it, but to dare to usurp the Regent's name was like carrying a lantern to the latrine – asking for trouble (or death)!
Nan Shiying turned her gaze to Situ Kong. Situ Kong choked on his saliva and began to cough violently.
Zhu Lilan lowered her head, avoiding their gaze.
"Forget it!"
Nan Shiying was too lazy to investigate further. She said, "It's getting late. Let's rest. We have to travel tomorrow!"
The innkeeper and the other two nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, yes!"
Seeing Nan Shiying slowly close her eyes, the three of them got up and sat in a corner.
The night passed without incident.
Only the sound of the bonfire burning could be heard.
Early the next morning, Nan Shiying and Xiaoman rode one horse together, giving the other horse to Zhu Lilan. As the horses galloped, Situ Kong and Er Gou could only chase on foot. Not only did they eat dust, but they were also left far behind by Ying Yi and the others, chasing until they were almost spitting blood.
...
Since Wen Zhong and Bi Chongwen led a large army to attack Huaicheng and were defeated, they retreated to Weicheng.
The news reached Dali. After the court session, Yuwen Yi smashed the imperial study to pieces and then dispatched more troops for support, as if intending to fight Linyuan to the bitter end.
...
The carriage sped past, raising a cloud of dust, heading towards Jinmen City.
Xuan Xiao got out of the carriage and looked at the inn that had already been reduced to ashes. He then turned back to the carriage and headed towards Fujian.
Passing by Ju De Manor, he heard a piece of news.
"The Deputy楼主 is actually Feng Luan!"
Although the Wan Ku Lou was quite powerful in the martial arts world, it was far from comparable to the Medicine King Valley. Moreover, Feng Luan had a powerful and influential close friend. If the latter were to forge a personal feud with the Wan Ku Lou, then the Wan Ku Lou's foundation built over the years might be destroyed.
"That damned waste!"
Xuan Xiao cursed. If he had known this earlier, he should have killed him and absorbed the sacred worm within him. Now, his corpse had been ground to ashes, and the sacred worm had also met a swift end.
What a pity!
"Let's go, continue on our way!"
...
Nan Shiying and the others were stopped outside the city.
"What are you doing? Take out your travel permits!"
Outside Wucheng, Nan Shiying and the others were lining up to enter the city, but were singled out by the patrolling soldiers.
Xiaoman took out a travel permit from her bag and handed it over.
The soldier looked through it and saw that the permit was issued from the capital and had passed through several cities on its way to Wucheng. His sharp gaze scrutinized the group.
"We're here to visit relatives."
Xiaoman smiled cheekily at the guards at Wucheng's gate, showing no fear.
The soldier questioned them repeatedly for a long time before letting them in.
It wasn't that they were being targeted; it was the same for every outsider entering the city.
"The inspection is really strict!"
Xiaoman tucked the travel permit back into her pocket and mumbled.
The commoners passing by her seemed to find her quite endearing, so one of them said, "It's always been like this. It's only been like this for the last few days!"
Xiaoman looked up and smiled at the uncle who had spoken to her. "Oh, is that so? Uncle, are you a local? Do you know where the county yamen is?"
"Yes, yes. Go this way, and then..."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Xiaoman waved goodbye to the uncle. Seeing Zhu Lilan and the others looking at her, she grinned at them.
Zhu Lilan and the other two instinctively tightened their clothes, suddenly feeling a chill.
Led by Xiaoman, everyone headed towards the county yamen. As they reached the衙門, they were stopped by guards holding swords. "What are you doing, what are you doing? This is a restricted area of the county yamen, and unauthorized personnel are not allowed entry."
Nan Shiying took out a token and threw it over.
The constable fumbled to catch the token. He saw that the golden token was engraved with a dragon pattern on the back and the words "Imperial Decree" on the front.