Tie Ci was an excellent swimmer, but those people were like white strips in the waves, reaching her vicinity almost instantly.
Tie Ci reached to draw the dagger from her boot.
But at that moment, something suddenly appeared beside her. Tie Ci turned her head and saw a boat pole extended beside her shoulder.
Looking up, she saw the dark hull of a boat above.
Without hesitation, she reached out and grasped the boat pole. With a splash, she used it to break through the water surface, stepped twice in the air, and leaped onto the bow.
The moment she leaped onto the bow, the boat shook and creaked continuously. Several crossbow bolts shot into the water like lightning, and the river churned before its color darkened.
Under the swaying lamplight at the bow, a pale, bloody face emerged briefly, then sank back down.
This decisive and fierce killing move obviously startled those water ghosts. The water surface bubbled for a while, and ripples spread toward the distance.
The boat quickly headed toward the center of the river, simultaneously dispatching two small boats to rescue Dan Shuang and Chi Xue who had entered the water afterward.
Tie Ci stood at the bow. Only after seeing the maids rescued onto the boat did she relax. She suddenly sneezed loudly, and a cloak was draped over her shoulders.
She reached up to grab the cloak and also caught the hand holding it.
That person’s hand stiffened and went still.
Tie Ci slowly turned around and met a face like snow and jade.
Under the dark, vast sky and boundless clouds, that face was like a relief sculpture, glowing warmly and brilliantly.
Tie Ci released his hand and said with frank gratitude: “Lord Rong, thank you for the rescue.”
This form of address could rank first on the mood-killing list. The light in Rong Pu’s eyes immediately dimmed somewhat. He stepped back and respectfully saluted: “Your Highness.”
“Outside the imperial capital, let’s dispense with honorifics,” Tie Ci smiled. “Wet clothes are unseemly. Might I borrow some clothing?”
Rong Pu stepped aside with a gesture of invitation. Tie Ci nodded but didn’t rush into the cabin. Instead, she walked to the bow and, facing the group of pampered young men on shore who had discovered she was on the boat but couldn’t catch up in time and were jumping about in frustration, raised both hands and made a gesture of granting them permission to rise.
Behind her, Rong Pu couldn’t help but let out a soft “pff.”
The Crown Princess was quite mischievous, and mischievous in such an open way—truly a wonderful person.
Indeed, when she made this gesture, the pampered young men on shore were all dumbfounded. As their hot blood cooled, they remembered exactly who this person was and recalled her usual temperament. Immediately, one-third covered their faces, one-third retreated, and one-third cowered wanting to kneel.
Tie Ci had already laughed heartily and entered the cabin.
After she entered the cabin, Chi Xue, who had been standing aside, came forward. This maid had a brilliant smile on her face and held a brocade box in both hands, saying: “Lord Rong the Hanlin has merit in rescuing the Crown Princess and receives a reward.”
Rong Pu fell silent.
The Crown Princess was not only mischievous but also sufficiently aloof at heart.
Even her attendants were so vigilant and guarded, not easily accepting goodwill. How had she spent these years in the imperial court?
He remained silent for a long time without accepting the reward. Chi Xue wasn’t anxious either, waiting very patiently, her smile never changing its curve.
After a long while, Rong Pu finally said: “A minister serves his lord with loyalty. Even if it means exhausting oneself unto death, it’s merely what should be expected. If one receives generous rewards for such small matters, how could this minister face standing in court?”
Only then did Chi Xue smile with satisfaction, put away the box, and praised: “Lord Rong the Hanlin truly lives up to his reputation as a modest gentleman.”
Rong Pu could only smile bitterly.
Dan Shuang glanced at Chi Xue.
Lord Rong didn’t know, but didn’t she? In their hasty flight into the water, they hadn’t even brought their luggage. What could they possibly have on them now that would be worthy of rewarding such a noble young master?
This little hussy Chi Xue probably had nothing but soap in that box.
She calculated that Rong Pu wouldn’t accept, just wanting to take advantage of him while forcing him to maintain proper minister-subject boundaries.
Rong Pu might not be unaware either, but he was a clever person with a generous nature.
On deck, a group of clever people smiled falsely at each other. In the cabin, Tie Ci looked at the well-prepared women’s clothing and the complete array of matching exquisite jewelry, and sighed.
He was a thoughtful person, and also one with many ideas. Did this mean he intended to protect her throughout the journey of trials?
Unfortunately, she couldn’t accept this kindness.
She found a long robe in the cabin and put it on. The garment was a bit long, so she tied the sash high and rolled up the sleeves, revealing a section of snow-white, elegantly-lined wrists.
Her full head of black hair was casually secured with a jade hairpin. Her entire outfit took no more than a quarter-hour to arrange. When she lifted the curtain and emerged again, everyone on deck brightened their eyes.
Rong Pu’s expression changed slightly—Tie Ci was wearing his clothes.
However, when he met Tie Ci’s gaze again, those clear and frank eyes made him feel that any fluttering, turbulent thoughts would be a desecration of such a gaze.
Her eyes were like black glazed mirrors, reflecting the vastness of heaven and earth, thus highlighting the “smallness” in everyone’s hearts.
Standing there, she was as forthright as a great wind, sweeping past all the murky, drifting clouds of this world.
Rong Pu couldn’t approach, only be a good host. The guest was very gracious and generous—she ate what was given, wore what was offered, neither picky nor affected. When encountering good dishes, she would certainly praise them loudly, and when drinking good wine, she would definitely share the joy with everyone. Moreover, she could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk and would never lose composure to embarrass herself or her host. In leisure time, she could discuss politics or compete in martial arts. If you played a tune, she could identify the five musical notes and keep perfect rhythm, and her critiques would always hit the mark. There was no worry of playing to an unappreciative audience or casting pearls before swine. Traveling with such a person should be like bathing in spring breeze, yet Rong Pu felt as if he had encountered an endless jade screen wall, standing in a high hall, radiating cold, brilliant light wherever one turned, with no way to find the entrance.
The large boat traveled downstream, and with favorable winds, it was quite swift. During the journey, Rong Pu asked Tie Ci where she planned to choose as the first location for her trials. Usually, trial locations were selected and decided by the Inner Cabinet, but this time Tie Ci had left hastily, wanting to travel incognito without anyone knowing.
Tie Ci said she would go to Yongping Prefecture.
Rong Pu couldn’t help but be surprised. Yongping Prefecture was the prefecture closest to Liaodong, located in the northwest corner of Beining Provincial Administration Commission. Beyond Beining’s newly built border city, one could gaze upon the vast forests and perpetually snow-covered Liaodong. This was a military stronghold of vital strategic importance, not only bearing the heavy responsibility of monitoring Liaodong’s movements, but also serving as a necessary passage for major bandits and serious criminals from Liaodong wanting to enter the interior. Therefore, heavy troops were stationed here, with dragons and snakes mixed together, treacherous terrain, countless spies, and endless incidents of all kinds.
For the Crown Princess to choose that place for her first trial—did she feel that the mountains were high and the emperor far away, wanting to avoid the Empress Dowager’s assassins? Or had her gaze already turned to Liaodong, wanting to plan for Liaodong in advance?
Rong Pu had his own judgment but didn’t ask many questions. The large boat entered the river and then turned to sea, heading north without stopping at shore, until the sailors reported they were not far from Yongping Prefecture and would be able to land in two more days.
On this particular day, they caught many white fish. This type of fish had fine scales and tender meat with extremely thick oil, living only in the cold seawater of the north, making it most suitable for fish sashimi. The kitchen quickly prepared it with sharp knives and presented it on large blue and white plates. The plates were blue-green, spread with a layer of crystalline ice, and the pale pink fish slices bloomed like peony petals on the ice, thin as cicada wings, revealing the blue and white pattern beneath.
Naturally, Tie Ci wouldn’t waste such beauty by grabbing and eating carelessly. She admired the exquisite presentation for quite a while before slowly picking up a piece with chopsticks to dip in sauce and eat.
Rong Pu smiled and clapped his hands, and fine wine and delicious food were continuously brought forth.
Tables were arranged in a row on the deck, facing the vast river and brilliant moonlight. Distant boats and near sails were all hidden in the dark silver starlight.
Tie Ci only casually ate a few bites and praised the Rong family’s elegance—even while traveling, on a boat, the food and drink were so refined and exquisite. Then she leaned against the cabin wall and watched Rong Pu play the zither.
Poetry, literature, music, and chess were essential skills for noble young men from distinguished families. Tie Ci had long experience with various palace banquets and had heard all kinds of performances, yet she still had to admit that even compared to those famous masters renowned throughout the realm, Rong Pu’s skills could still rank in the top three.
Under the billowing high sails, his wide sleeves stirring in the wind, his satin-like black hair gently scattered, and his luminous face lowered in concentration, always reminded one of a banished immortal above the rainbow, stepping lightly over flower clouds to walk among mortals.
Tie Ci leaned against the side wall, one leg bent, one hand holding a wine cup resting on her knee. Her flowing eyes seemed to hold intoxication, and when she heard wonderful passages, she would raise her cup in distant salute.
Behind the jade cup, her slightly curved lips also seemed filled with wine—sweet and mellow, not self-intoxicating but intoxicating to others.
The zither music attracted boats from all directions to approach. Tie Ci saw in the distance a small boat battling waves across the vast sea toward them. Two figures stood on the boat, one tall and one short. When Rong Pu finished his piece, the shorter one loudly called out “Excellent!” However, at this moment, under the moon over sea and sky, with the zither music ethereal, this single “Excellent!” seemed to destroy the atmosphere. Tie Ci couldn’t help but glare angrily.
Tomorrow, so-and-so and so-and-so will finally meet informally.