Wen Shiqing: "..."
*I’d rather he just joked that I looked like a girl!*
While cursing inwardly, she could only force a stiff, awkward smile. "There's no need, really. Once we reach the post station, I can just rub it a little and it will feel better."
"Why the worry? We’re both men. Let me see if you’ve chafed it until it’s bleeding." Su Jingyi set his folding fan aside, rose, and sat down next to Wen Shiqing.
"Lord Su, I really don't need that!" Wen Shiqing scooted toward the edge of the carriage seat.
Are you kidding me? If I actually take off my shoes, wouldn't the secret of my inner-height insoles be exposed? Not to mention that her feet weren't as large as a real man's; explaining that would be a nightmare.
The carriage was cramped. As she dodged, her back slammed into the wooden wall with a "thud," and she couldn't help but gasp at the sharp pain.
Seeing this, Su Jingyi frowned. "What is it? You’re always locking arms and shoulders with Lin Yuxuan, yet when I simply show concern for your injury, you dodge me like this?"
"It seems that in Lord Wen’s heart, you prefer Lord Lin as a friend?"
"No, no, no! In my heart, Brother Lin and Brother Su are both my best friends in the Capital." Wen Shiqing hurriedly explained, "Besides, I have never locked arms or shoulders with him. You know as well as I do, Brother Su, that I... I don't like physical contact with others."
Su Jingyi raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Then do it yourself."
Wen Shiqing looked at her foot in a dilemma, then looked back up at the man beside her who clearly wouldn't give up until he got his way. She spoke with a strange expression: "It’s better not to, Brother Su."
"It’s sweaty, and it doesn't smell very good."
Su Jingyi was taken aback, then burst out laughing. "You’re certainly particular."
"Alright then. Handle it yourself when we reach the post station. If the injury is serious, don't try to tough it out."
Two old lanterns hung at the entrance of the post station. Their dim yellow light flickered in the breeze, barely illuminating the somewhat weathered plaque above the door.
As soon as she stepped off the carriage, someone caught her arm to steady her.
Wen Shiqing turned to see Su Jingyi looking perfectly matter-of-fact. "Let’s go. If we don’t get a good rest tonight, there will only be me left tomorrow."
"How could that be? Won't Brother Lin be arriving tomorrow?" Wen Shiqing asked instinctively.
The corners of Su Jingyi’s mouth curled up slightly, and he looked at her with a cryptic expression. "You’re right. Tomorrow, he will be the only one left."
They walked into the lobby of the post station, where a few wooden tables were scattered about.
Su Jingyi went to the counter, took out his waist token, and said to the innkeeper: "Two premium rooms, please."
The innkeeper took the token, checked it carefully, and then offered a profuse, apologetic smile. "My apologies, my Lords, but we are fully booked tonight. We truly have no vacant rooms left."
"Full?" Su Jingyi frowned, a trace of surprise flashing across his face. He clearly hadn't seen anyone else around.
Wen Shiqing stood to the side, her gaze casually sweeping across the lobby, when suddenly, her eyes fixed on a figure in the distance.
The man wore a long black robe and held a tall, upright posture. Though his back was turned to them, for some reason, Wen Shiqing felt he looked familiar.
Just as she was thinking this, the man seemed to sense her gaze and turned around.
Wen Shiqing looked closely, and her heart gave a violent jolt. It was the Prince Regent! Why would he be here?
Su Jingyi sensed something was wrong with Wen Shiqing and his body instantly stiffened. He followed her gaze and was equally stunned.
However, he reacted very quickly. In the next second, he reached out to pull Wen Shiqing down, and with a "thud," they both knelt on both knees.
"Your humble servant, Su Jingyi, pays respects to Prince Jiu."
"Your humble servant, Wen Shiqing, pays respects to Prince Jiu."
The Prince Regent gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over them, his expression calm and unreadable. He wore a black robe with exquisite, dark gold patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, and a translucent jade pendant hung at his waist, which only added to his cold and stern demeanor.
"Rise," Shen Heting said, his voice low but carrying an unquestionable authority.
Su Jingyi and Wen Shiqing stood up and stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Shen Heting hadn't expected to run into Wen Shiqing again. His gaze swept lightly over the arm being held and then down to her ankle. His thin lips parted slightly. "Is Censor Wen’s foot still not healed?"
Wen Shiqing was startled and hastily bowed her head to respond: "Answering Your Highness, it has already largely healed. It is of no consequence."
Shen Heting nodded slightly and did not press further. He turned his gaze to Su Jingyi. "For Censor Su to personally conduct this inspection is truly diligent."
Su Jingyi quickly cupped his hands, responding respectfully: "Your Highness is too kind; it is my duty, and I dare not be slack. This inspection for the prayers is of great importance, so I must give it my all."
Shen Heting nodded slightly, turned to the innkeeper, and said, "Give them two premium rooms."
The innkeeper nodded and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Yes, Your Highness." It was clear that the Prince Regent’s party had rented out the entire post station.
Once the rooms were arranged, Su Jingyi and Wen Shiqing thanked the Prince Regent and returned to their respective rooms.
As soon as Wen Shiqing entered her room, she collapsed onto the bed and let out a long sigh of relief.
She took off her shoe and looked at her slightly reddened ankle, her brows knitting together. This couldn't go on. Looking at the itinerary, it would take at least four or five days to return to the Capital. If she walked like this every day, her foot would only get worse.
After lying there for a while, Wen Shiqing figured the Prince had likely gone upstairs to rest. She put her shoes back on, straightened her clothes, and decided to go find the innkeeper to ask if there was any medicine she could apply.
When Wen Shiqing reached the lobby, she found it empty. The tables and chairs were scattered about, and the flickering candlelight cast a deathly stillness over the room.
A sense of confusion welled up in her heart. "Innkeeper? Is anyone here?"
Seeing the front door of the post station standing wide open, Wen Shiqing assumed the innkeeper had gone to feed the horses, so she stepped outside to take a look.
The lanterns outside had gone out at some point. By the faint moonlight, she could dimly see several figures in the distance.
Wen Shiqing felt a spark of hope and hurriedly walked over. "Innkeeper, I wanted to ask..."
Before she could finish, she drew closer and finally saw the figures clearly: besides the innkeeper, there were several of the guards from earlier. And there was the Prince Regent, Shen Heting.
That wasn't the point.
The point was that everyone’s expression was grave, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords, the atmosphere crackling with tension. And shrouded in the darkness were several men in black, their blades gleaming with a cold, piercing light under the moonlight.
Wen Shiqing felt a chill race from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. Her blood seemed to freeze, and her heart was filled with terror.
Instinct told her to turn back to the post station, but her legs were so weak that she collapsed to the ground the moment she moved.
Shen Heting’s eyes shifted in her direction, and his brow creased imperceptibly.
Just then, an assassin seized the moment and swung his blade toward Shen Heting. He flashed aside, easily dodging the attack, and struck back with his own sword.
The chaotic battle broke out in an instant. Swords clashed, and the situation became dire.
Wen Shiqing backed away repeatedly, her heart pounding and her breath coming in ragged gasps. She was torn between the instinct to flee and the terrifying realization that abandoning the Prince Regent would be a capital offense.
Damn it all! If only she had known, she should have just kept complaining about her foot!