Official voices were heard approaching, and everyone began to murmur amongst themselves.
Chi You, seeing the warships rapidly approaching, turned pale with fright and quickly hid inside the boat's canopy.
Clutching her bundle tightly, she sat on a small stool, her forehead beaded with fine cold sweat from tension.
"Miss Liu, what's wrong?"
Yang Dan noticed her distress, lifted the curtain, and walked in.
Chi You peered through the gap in the curtain, seeing soldiers everywhere, on the deck of ships.
The pitch-black moonlight cast upon the entire river surface, with scattered crimson firelight, illuminating the gleaming armor and creating hazy shadows.
"Miss Liu?"
Chi You's body stiffened, she came back to her senses, her eyes involuntarily reddening.
She lowered her gaze and gently shook her head.
Yang Dan, not understanding, saw her pitiable state and hurried over, his voice gentle.
"Don't be afraid, they're just searching for a fugitive. No one is here to catch you."
"Is there anywhere to hide? Are there any other small waterways we can take?"
"Ah--"
Hearing her words, Yang Dan paused, then leaned out to look.
"Look, the soldiers are searching one by one. There are ships on all sides, the waterways are blocked, and we can't move."
Chi You watched the searching warships draw closer and closer. She surveyed the surroundings, then lifted the red wooden chest where the bedding was kept, took everything out, and curled herself up inside.
Yang Dan stared in astonishment at her actions.
"You—"
Chi You said cautiously, "Can you cover me up?"
"It's not breathable in there, you'll suffocate."
"But—but I can't be discovered."
Yang Dan felt she was acting strangely, but seeing her eyes redden with urgency, he pursed his lips slightly, walked over, took out a small knife, and made a small hole in the chest before covering her.
"I'll cover for you, don't worry."
"Thank you, Brother Yang."
Hidden in the chest, Chi You could faintly hear the sounds outside. Her limbs were ice-cold as she curled up, not daring to move.
Under the dark night sky, a cold wind howled, dark clouds rolled, obscuring the full moon, and across the entire river, the common people cried out in misery.
They were all out on business, blocked here, delayed for so long, with a chorus of laments and widespread discontent.
However, since ancient times, the common people did not fight the officials. Who dared to say anything? They all hoped the fugitive would be found quickly so they could cross the river.
Yan Zhou's Prefect, Jiang Huairen, stood on the dock, looking at the bustling, crowded river surface, his expression turning grim.
"Still haven't found them?"
Officials behind him stood in a line, and one stepped forward.
"It will take more time, there are too many ships."
Jiang Huairen, clad in official robes, glanced at the gloomy sky and frowned.
"Look at the sky, it's about to rain. Deploy more men and search quickly."
'Yes.'
Some soldiers piloted the warships downstream.
Behind him, a military officer stepped forward and spoke.
"Is it confirmed that Consort Qing is indeed coming here? Let's not be busy in vain."
Jiang Huairen glanced back and let out a cold snort, "If Lord Gao has any dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister's secret order, he is welcome to submit his memorial to the Emperor."
Scolded thus, Lord Gao dared not speak, turning his eyes away in annoyance.
Consort Qing, instead of being a proper consort, ran here to cause them trouble. Where else could she go but Yan Zhou?
Being dragged out to search for someone in the dead of night was truly the worst luck.
The moonlight gradually receded, and before long, rain began to fall on the river surface.
Chi You, hidden in the chest, was suffocating from the lack of air after such a long search.
Suddenly, the sound of thunder came from outside, followed by the patter of rain hitting the river and a fierce wind.
She was startled awake by the rain outside. In the darkness, her clear black and white eyes were moist, her eye corners tinged with red.
She heard the voices of soldiers talking with old man Yang outside, and she held her breath, her small face turning red from the strain.
After an unknown amount of time, hearing the sound of the warships leaving, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yang Dan, seeing the searching soldiers depart, quickly took off his straw cloak and entered the boat's canopy.
"Miss Liu."
The chest was opened from the outside, and a faint light shone in, making her small face appear even paler.
Chi You tried to climb out, but the chest was too small, and her figure was tall. She had been curled up in it for too long, her limbs stiff.
Before she could get up, she fell back in.
Seeing this, Yang Dan quickly supported her arm and pulled her out.
"Here, sit down and rest for a bit."
Chi You sat on the stool he brought, thanked him, and asked.
"Will anyone else come to search?"
Yang Dan handed her water and said, "It suddenly started raining, and the soldiers' search is not so strict. They just took a glance, didn't go inside to search, it should be over soon."
"Once they've patrolled all the ships on this line, they should let us cross the river."
Hearing this, Chi You's worries lessened slightly. She stayed in the boat's canopy, waiting quietly.
On the river dock, the officials all put on oilcloth coats and held umbrellas.
"Sir, the rain is getting heavier. If we continue to block them, it will incite public anger."
"Yes, look at the people on the river, old and young, especially those small, shaky boats. Once the rainwater spreads, they'll capsize, and if lives are lost, it will chill the hearts of our Yan Zhou citizens."
Jiang Huairen listened to the officials' remonstrances behind him and frowned.
"A secret order came from above saying that someone has come to our area and ordered a strict blockade and search. If we don't find them and let them go, and the Prime Minister finds out, our heads will roll."
Upon hearing this, the complaints behind him gradually subsided.
Jiang Huairen watched the commotion on the river, with fires breaking out everywhere, a scene of noise and chaos in all directions, and sighed inwardly.
The rain was so heavy, and if they continued searching, it was hard to guarantee that something wouldn't happen.
"Someone, dispatch another team of men to search. Hurry and search all the remaining vessels, don't delay."
"Yes."
The rain fell heavier and heavier, splashing into the river, creating waves.
Chi You listened to the noisy sounds outside, hiding in the boat's canopy, not daring to move, nor daring to peek outside. She only vaguely heard that the searching soldiers were increasing.
After an unknown amount of time, she heard sounds of cheering from outside and was startled.
What happened?
What had occurred?
As the thought crossed her mind, Yang Dan, who had been observing the situation outside, lifted the curtain and walked in, his face lit with joy.
"Finally, the search is over. They didn't find the fugitive. The road ahead that was blocked has been cleared, and we can cross the river."
Hearing this, Chi You rejoiced. Clasping the bundle in her hand, she suddenly stood up.
"Then, after we cross the river, can we head directly to the dock?"
Yang Dan nodded, "But it's raining, and many people are stranded at the dock ahead."
Chi You didn't think much of it. She dared not peek out but her mind was filled with the thought of reuniting with Brother Yun, and her heart couldn't help but tremble with excitement.
On the river surface, rain poured down furiously, and the boats gradually began to disperse and move forward.
Jiang Huairen stared at the rain-misted river surface, about to lead his troops away. But at that moment, a sudden loud noise from the sky startled everyone.
An official shouted, "Sir, it seems to be the Prince's warship."