Chapter 81

The carriage continued onward, its wheels creaking as they turned. In the carriage, Ling Yuwan was like a curious little child, asking questions nonstop while Madam Liu patiently answered each one. Ling Jiayue could not be bothered with Ling Yuwan and simply leaned against the carriage wall with her eyes closed, resting. Before long, the carriage arrived at the peach-blossom grove. When Ling Yuwan lifted the curtain and saw the grove, she became extremely excited and called out, “Wow, this peach-blossom grove is truly beautiful! Coachman, are we going into the grove?” “Miss, on the way to Mulan Horse Ranch, we have to pass through this peach-blossom grove. Once we cross it, we’ll reach Mulan Horse Ranch after traveling a little farther,” the coachman explained carefully, seeing how curious Ling Yuwan was. Ling Jiayue, who had been resting against the carriage wall, opened her eyes when she heard that they had to pass through the grove to reach Mulan Horse Ranch, and gazed toward it. The peach-blossom grove was densely packed with peach blossoms, presenting a spring scene so beautiful it could intoxicate anyone. However, the trees grew far too close together. If they wanted to pass through the grove, they would inevitably have to travel through the woods. Thinking of this, Ling Jiayue gave Danyun, who was following outside the carriage, a meaningful look. Danyun immediately understood and quietly concealed herself, going to contact Feng Yan. Perhaps Ling Jiayue had yet to realize it herself, but whenever a problem arose now, her first reaction was to have Danyun find Feng Yan and contact Mu Yuheng through him. Her reliance on Mu Yuheng was growing heavier and heavier, yet Ling Jiayue remained unaware of it. Using the special means of contact between her and Feng Yan, Danyun informed him of Ling Jiayue’s concern. “Master, Miss Ling sent word through Danyun that when they pass through the peach-blossom grove shortly, she is worried that the assassins who attacked her earlier may not give up and might launch another attack,” Feng Yan reported to Mu Yuheng inside the carriage. “Have all the secret guards been mobilized?” Mu Yuheng asked. “Reporting to you, master, they have.” “Then I don’t need to say anything else. You know what to do.” Mu Yuheng’s voice came from inside the carriage. Feng Yan immediately sent a message to the secret guards: Protect Miss Ling’s safety at all costs. He then sent a reply to Danyun to put both her and Miss Ling at ease. After all, Feng Yan and Danyun had trained with the secret guards together. Feng Yan had followed Mu Yuheng since childhood, while Danyun had been trained to protect Mu Yuheng’s future wife. Mu Yuheng had given Danyun to Ling Jiayue; the meaning behind that needed no explanation. After receiving Feng Yan’s reply, Danyun felt somewhat reassured. She quietly returned to Ling Jiayue’s carriage and gently nodded at her. Ling Jiayue felt much more at ease. Ling Yuwan remained absorbed in admiring the peach-blossom grove and did not notice Danyun’s actions. She continued sighing over the grove’s beauty, looking as though she wanted to move in and live there. Ling Jiayue, meanwhile, thought, This is exactly why it’s so important to cultivate a force of my own for revenge in the future. In situations like this, they could protect themselves. But where can I find suitable candidates? People won over with money alone aren’t reliable. At that moment, Ling Jiayue missed the Liuhuo Army, which she had once built with her own hands, terribly. Suddenly, inspiration struck her. Cheese Lord! Although Cheese Lord was an outlaw, he was an upright man. He could indeed be cultivated into part of her own force. The jade pendant Cheese Lord had given her last time was still in the jewelry box on her dressing table. Now it could finally come in handy. At this thought, Ling Jiayue’s mood improved considerably. By then, the carriages belonging to the various families were passing through the peach-blossom grove one after another. Because this peach-blossom banquet was being held in Dayi, the people from the Ye Kingdom were allowed to go first, followed by the court ladies and young ladies of Dayi. Before long, it would be Ling Jiayue’s group’s turn. Third Prince Mu Yuyang and Murong Xi each gave the guards outside their carriages a meaningful look. The guards immediately acknowledged the orders and went into action. Ling Jiayue’s carriage drew closer and closer to the peach-blossom grove. Suddenly, Ling Jiayue lowered the carriage curtain that Ling Yuwan had kept lifted. Ling Yuwan asked in confusion, “Sister, why did you lower the curtain?” Ling Jiayue said with a solemn expression, “In spring, all living things awaken. There may be more than just peach pollen in this grove. If some unknown pollen falls onto your face, you could develop an allergic reaction. Your face might swell up, and then you wouldn’t look pretty anymore.” Ling Yuwan had originally intended to open the curtain again, but the moment she heard this, she quickly withdrew the hand she had extended toward it. Ling Jiayue said nothing more and simply closed her eyes to rest. Madam Liu smiled and said, “Yuwan, your sister is right. There’s a lot of pollen in spring. It would be bad if your appearance were ruined while you’re still young. Just sit quietly.” “Yuwan will listen to Mother and Sister,” Ling Yuwan said with a smile. Ling Jiayue, Ling Yuwan, and Madam Liu sat quietly inside the carriage. Ling Jiayue was eager to get through the peach-blossom grove as quickly as possible. Madam Liu and Ling Yuwan had no idea what Ling Jiayue was worried about, and they both leaned against the carriage wall to rest. Danyun walked silently alongside the carriage. Afraid that the assassins might suddenly appear, she tightened her grip on her sword and waited with bated breath. Just as Ling Jiayue’s carriage was about to leave the peach-blossom grove, they suddenly reached a sharp bend. The turn was exceedingly concealed. Danyun frowned, thinking that something was wrong, and tightened her grip on her sword even further. Suddenly, a series of sounds split the air. The assassins sent by Third Prince Mu Yuyang and Murong Xi fired concealed weapons at Ling Jiayue’s carriage one after another. Danyun swiftly drew her sword and knocked all the concealed weapons away. When the assassins saw that Ling Jiayue had a maid skilled in martial arts at her side, they immediately turned and attacked Danyun. Just as Danyun was about to counterattack, the secret guards arranged by Mu Yuheng appeared. The secret-guard leader whispered to Danyun, “Miss, go protect Miss Ling. Leave these people to us.” “Thank you all for your trouble,” Danyun said. Hearing the commotion outside, Ling Jiayue asked, “Danyun, what happened?” Danyun knew that Madam Liu and Ling Yuwan were inside, and that they could not be allowed to learn about the assassins or the secret guards. She simply replied, “Miss, nothing happened. Please rest assured.” When Ling Jiayue heard Danyun tell her not to worry, she knew there was no serious problem and continued sitting at ease. After a brief clash, the assassins proved no match for Mu Yuheng’s secret guards. Wounded, they fled one after another. The secret guards clasped their fists toward Danyun before turning and leaving as well. The fight had begun quickly and ended even faster. The carriage continued onward. Before long, the carriage emerged from the peach-blossom grove, and Mulan Horse Ranch lay ahead. Mulan Horse Ranch truly lived up to its reputation as the venue for the peach-blossom banquet. The sky stretched high and the waters ran broad. The madams and young ladies usually stayed in the capital and rarely had the chance to see such beautiful wilderness scenery, so they all began praising it in wonder.