Oh no, I forgot the lens would reflect light, and Jian Nuo frantically yanked off the binoculars. She felt like crying, curiosity truly did kill the cat!
【Could they be here to catch the streamer?】
【What should we do? Can the streamer hide?】
【Damn, where can they hide? It's broad daylight, they can be seen from a mile away!】
【How are they going to explain their outfit?】
"Quick, Xiao Yi, think of something! Can I return these things I'm wearing to the store?" Jian Nuo pleaded for help.
Fortunately, the system didn't fail them at this crucial moment. In an instant, everything Jian Nuo had bought from the store disappeared, including the worn-out gloves she hadn't had the heart to throw away.
Before Jian Nuo could breathe a sigh of relief, the sound of thunderous hoofbeats rushed towards them.
So fast! I haven't even thought of a plan yet!
"What scurvy dog dares to spy on a noble's whereabouts from hiding? Quickly..."
Before the words could finish, a child of about eight or nine years old tumbled out of the bushes, scrambling and rolling, nearly crashing into the horses' hooves.
Fortunately, the blue-robed warrior with thick eyebrows and a beard had excellent horsemanship and avoided injuring the horses or the child.
Seeing his companion's gesture, it was clear that besides this suspicious child, there was no one else around.
He nodded slightly, dismounted, but stopped, asking, "Whose child are you, and why are you here alone?"
Jian Nuo wanted to slam her head against the ground. How embarrassing! Rolling out like a ball in front of everyone, she really didn't want to be seen!
So it really was possible to trip over one's own feet and fall on flat ground. She used to complain about such clichéd plot points...
How should I answer?
Jian Nuo's heart was like ants on a hot pan as she slowly got up.
She dusted off her clothes, lowered her gaze, made a slight bow, and pretended to be calm as she retorted, "May I ask if the noble you speak of is Zhāng Wǔhóu?"
The blue-robed warrior with thick eyebrows and a beard's expression changed. He placed his hand on his sword, narrowed his eyes, and asked menacingly, "How do you know?"
He seemed ready to draw his sword and kill if words failed. The other blue-robed warrior remained mounted about ten feet away, surveying the surroundings vigilantly.
Jian Nuo, needing to lie, was afraid to meet anyone's eyes when speaking. Her gaze remained lowered, seeing only the horses' hooves and the black boots of the warrior, so she didn't notice his actions.
Thus, she calmly continued fabricating: "Last night, my master told me that a noble would be traveling today, none other than Zhāng Wǔhóu, the current Empress's brother! He told me to wait here and seek his help if we met!"
It was said that Zhāng Wǔhóu enjoyed seeking immortality, so Jian Nuo secretly prayed that this fabricated story would work.
The two blue-robed warriors exchanged a look. The warrior who had remained mounted shook his reins, turned his horse, and galloped rapidly in the direction of the carriage. His heart was racing.
He was one of Zhāng Wǔhóu's four personal guards. He knew that Zhāng Wǔhóu had met a sorcerer yesterday who predicted he would encounter a noble outside the city gates today. Now, as they were nearing the city gates, there had been no such encounter.
Unexpectedly, someone was waiting here. He needed to report back immediately.
His horse galloped at full speed. The distance of one *li* took only two to three minutes, but for Jian Nuo, it felt like an eternity.
What is meant by a day feeling like a year? She now truly understood.
Would such a simple explanation be believed?
If they believed it, what would she say when asked about her master? Where was this master?
The viewers in the livestream chat also worried about Jian Nuo. Seeing the blue-robed warrior gallop away, they discussed it with confusion.
【Why did that person leave? Is he going to report to the carriage owner?】
【Do you think the carriage owner will believe the streamer's story?】
【I don't know. Who knows how ancient people think?】
【Maybe they'll believe it, maybe they'll scoff!】
【Worried for the streamer!】
【Aren't ancient people smart enough? What will the streamer explain later?】
Jian Nuo watched the discussion in the livestream, feeling equally uneasy.
She had no confidence at all whether Zhāng Wǔhóu would believe her, or be willing to believe her.
As for what would happen next, she could only do her best and leave the rest to fate!
Jian Nuo was already discussing with Jian Yi the possibility of detaching her spirit from her body in an emergency to preserve it...
Although the waiting was agonizing, the few minutes passed quickly.
Having received his master's reply, the blue-robed warrior rode back, dismounted, and walked over.
Jian Nuo's heart was pounding. Her palms, curled inside her sleeves, were sweaty. She couldn't help but look up.
She saw him bow deeply, his hands reaching the ground, and say respectfully, "My lord requests that you move inside the carriage for a chat!"
What is the sound of nature? To Jian Nuo, this was it!
Upon hearing this, the blue-robed warrior with thick eyebrows and a beard relaxed, remounted his horse, and waited.
The viewers in the livestream chat also breathed a sigh of relief.
【Haha, I told you! The streamer is the chosen one!】
【Go, don't worry, the streamer isn't going to die immediately. Congratulations!】
【See? You guys said my suggestion was unreliable. Now it seems my unreliable suggestion was the most practical one!】
【Uh, who was that upstairs? What suggestion was it? Sorry, I wasn't paying much attention. Could you say it again?】
【Didn't we discuss before how the streamer should explain her detour to her Uncle Wang's family? I suggested the 'divine master' method!】
【Ah? Did we? Maybe the discussion was too heated, and I didn't notice.】
【Hey, as long as it works now!】
......
Seeing this, Jian Nuo couldn't help but curl her lips upwards.
In the eyes of the blue-robed warrior, this was a sign of confidence, making him even more respectful. "The journey is a bit far; please ride a horse," he said.
Are ancient people this tough? Do eight or nine-year-old children know how to ride horses? But I don't know how to!
Jian Nuo looked at the tall horse in front of her. She wasn't even as tall as its legs. She frowned, feeling embarrassed, and said, "I'm sorry, I don't know how to ride a horse..."
"Then I must offend you!" The blue-robed warrior directly picked up Jian Nuo and placed her on the horse's back. He then mounted the horse himself, controlling it from behind her.
He nodded to the warrior beside him, shook his reins, and the spirited horse let out a long neigh, galloping swiftly towards the carriage.
Jian Nuo's body lurched backward, and she almost cried out in alarm.
The distance of one *li* passed in the blink of an eye. Riding a horse was more uncomfortable than speeding, making her bones ache. Fortunately, the journey wasn't long, and they were nearing the carriage.
As they approached, she realized the carriage was indeed quite large, likely spacious enough for three or four adults to lie down and sleep.
A black-robed warrior by the carriage quickly lowered a small bamboo ladder, lifted the bamboo curtain at the front of the carriage, and motioned for Jian Nuo to enter.
Jian Nuo secretly calmed herself down and entered the carriage with her shabby little cloth bag on her back.
A light, fresh scent of coolness wafted towards her, almost making her suspect the carriage had modern air conditioning.
Upon closer inspection, she saw a wide-mouthed, intricately carved white jade basin on a lacquered table near the carriage door. The basin contained ice blocks a foot square.
Cool air was constantly emanating from it. A purple-clad maidservant kneeling beside the table fanned the air gently with a fan.
In a filigreed small censer in the corner, an unknown incense was burning, its wisps of smoke mingling with the cool breeze, calming her restless summer heart.
Seated at the head of the carriage was a young man in green, about thirty to forty years old, with a gentle, jade-like demeanor.
Beside him sat a handsome young boy with sharp eyes and sword-like brows. He resembled the young man in green, clearly related by blood.
Both were staring intently at the carriage door. Seeing a young girl of tender years walk in, they both showed a look of confusion.
Jian Nuo, ignoring the beautiful scenery, made a slight bow and asked, "Is Zhāng Wǔhóu present? This humble woman pays her respects."
The young man in green froze for a moment. He stood up, cupped his hands in a gesture of lễ, and said with a light laugh, "I just heard my servant report that someone knew I was entering the city and was waiting here. I was puzzled, wondering which old friend it might be, but I didn't expect it to be a young girl. Please forgive my rudeness!"
As he stood up, he was about 1.85 meters tall. Fortunately, the carriage was much higher than usual; otherwise, he would likely not be able to stand up straight inside.
Jian Nuo quickly returned the bow, "You are too kind."
Alas, if only she hadn't been so curious and used the binoculars, she wouldn't have gotten into this situation. Explaining things later would be a headache.
"Young lady, please be seated." The purple-clad maidservant wiped a jade seat with a fragrant cloth and gestured for her to sit.
After Jian Nuo was seated, the purple-clad maidservant respectfully served a white jade cup containing an unknown beverage, presumably chilled, as it was cool to the touch.
"May I ask where you are from, young lady? How did you know my identity, and when did you know I would be entering the city at this time?" the young man in green asked, cupping his hands curiously.
He considered his trip to be somewhat secretive, and the return journey's timing was decided on a whim. To have someone predict it in advance made him extremely curious.
The boy beside him eyed Jian Nuo suspiciously, clearly also perplexed.
Jian Nuo bowed slightly and said, "This humble woman is from the countryside of Huaili. Last night, my master brought me here and told me that a noble would pass by today, and if fate allowed, we might meet."
She paused briefly and continued, "If the noble pities me, could you take me to my uncle's home? I would like to give this item to the noble as a reward. If not, I can wait patiently for another fated person..."
Having said that, she took out a crystal-clear glass ball from her robes, depicting palaces, cranes, and auspicious clouds, and placed it on the table before her.
"Clang—" The boy rubbed his forehead, which had hit the roof of the carriage. Ignoring the reproachful look from the young man in green, he rushed to Jian Nuo's side in three steps.
He asked, "May I take a look?"
After receiving Jian Nuo's nod, he sat beside her.
He took out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve, placed it in his palm, put the glass ball from the table into it, and instructed the purple-clad maidservant to lift the green gauze curtain in front of the carriage window.
Sunlight streamed into the carriage, illuminating the glass ball and making it appear even more crystal clear.
The palaces, cranes, and auspicious clouds within were clearly visible, as if they were real objects shrunk down and sealed inside.
The boy was inwardly amazed. Although his family was not a noble lineage, as a relative of the current Empress, he was often summoned to the palace and had seen a great deal.
He had seen many transparent gemstones such as crystal, agate, and amber, but he had never seen nor heard of anything like this, flawless and containing scenery within.
Yet, a young girl had so easily produced it, merely as a reward for taking her to her uncle's home. What an absurd scene!
"As the saying goes, an innocent man is doomed by his possessions. Your master was too careless, little girl. Aren't you afraid of villains coveting your treasure and harming you?" the young man in green, Zhāng Wǔhóu, the owner of the carriage, asked disapprovingly.
"I do as my master says. I believe my master wouldn't lie to me! Is this bead very valuable? Can it be used as a reward to take me to my uncle's home?" Jian Nuo asked back, pretending not to understand.
"This bead your master gave you is priceless. You are still young and do not understand its value..." The boy pondered for a moment and then asked, "What do you think of this carriage? Does it meet your approval?"
It more than met her approval; it was something she couldn't possibly obtain! An ancient luxury RV! Jian Nuo nodded in confusion.
"Then do you know that this bead could buy at least five such carriages, plus the horsemen? And you still want to use it as a reward just to take you to your uncle's home?" the boy retorted.
Zhāng Wǔhóu nodded in satisfaction. As it is said, "A gentleman is cautious in his solitude and does not deceive in his private chambers. He humbles himself and maintains his integrity."
As the son of a marquis, being cautious, righteous, and not violating moral laws or conscience was something to be congratulated!
Compared to the scions in Chang'an who engaged in low buying and high selling, and bullied others in business, he was truly gratified that his own son had become a courteous and humble gentleman!
"My master said that the fated person I meet will surely be someone of both talent and virtue. This bead is the reward, and it should belong to them." She said, echoing the viewers in the livestream, "praise first."
"If I meet someone unworthy, this bead will naturally disappear!"
Jian Nuo hadn't expected that this glass bead, bought for ten points from the store to deal with the binoculars' reflection issue, would be considered so valuable by them!
But her primary mission now was to enter the city and find her Uncle Wang.
"Oh, it seems your master is an extraordinary person. May I have the honor of meeting him?" Zhāng Wǔhóu grew increasingly curious about this master who could foresee the future and bestow such rare treasures.
"I don't know where master has gone. She said I have great fortune and noble assistance, so I shouldn't worry!" Jian Nuo realized she was becoming increasingly adept at lying, now able to bluff without batting an eye.
"Since your master is so almighty, why didn't she just send you directly to your uncle's home?" the young man asked pointedly.
"I don't know! I don't even know why I need to go to my uncle's home!" Jian Nuo replied indignantly.
"What? You don't know? Then do you know where your uncle's home is?" The young man was speechless. What kind of master was this...
"Once we enter the city, find 'Wáng Family Pawn Shop', and give this jade pendant to the owner of the shop." Jian Nuo took out a jade pendant from her robes, preparing to place it on the table unhurriedly.
The young man's hand shot out, and he spread another silk handkerchief on the table, gesturing for her to place it there.
A jade pendant of good quality lay on the silk handkerchief, but the young man, who considered himself well-traveled and knowledgeable about treasures, found it unremarkable.
"Put it all away! We'll deal with it after finding your uncle. The reward should be paid by an adult!" Zhāng Wǔhóu took out a brocade pouch from a hidden compartment behind him and motioned for the purple-clad maidservant to give it to Jian Nuo.
Jian Nuo stood up, thanked him, and put the jade pendant into the brocade pouch. She said earnestly, "Since it was a reward given by my master, I hope Your Lordship will not refuse. I fear I might lose it, which would be a pity!"
Take it quickly! Take it! If you don't take it, how will you take me into the city?
Zhāng Wǔhóu pondered for a moment and then signaled to the young man, "Yīng, unfasten your personal seal!"
The young man looked at his father in disbelief but reluctantly unfastened the jade pendant from his waist and placed it on the table before Jian Nuo.
*Míng* was a name used by elders to address their juniors, while *zì* was used by peers and juniors. So, the person before her was Dòu Yīng? Jian Nuo couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
Zhāng Wǔhóu pointed to the purple-clad maidservant and said, "This is the personal seal of the Marquisate's eldest son. Today, I gift it to the young lady. Henceforth, if you have need, you may use this seal and send it to Xīnyí."
He said earnestly, "Xīnyí is a trusted servant in the manor. She is prudent and can help you familiarize yourself with the situation at your uncle's home. Once you are settled, you may send her back to the manor."
Upon hearing this, the purple-clad maidservant bowed to Jian Nuo and sat quietly behind her.
If an ordinary young girl heard these arrangements, she would likely be overwhelmed with gratitude and remember them forever.
Unfortunately, Jian Nuo, having read numerous ancient romance novels, recognized this as planting an operative to closely monitor her!
Never mind, let's get into the city first and avoid being caught by those black-clothed men.
The tightly shut city gates finally opened, and the carriage slowly and steadily drove towards them.
After entering the city, would she successfully meet her Uncle Wang?
What would his reaction be to her arrival?
Would he take her in?
Jian Nuo held the white jade cup, taking occasional sips, lost in thought.