Chapter 69

The four abandoned the carriage, each riding a horse to rush towards Jiaohuan City.

The bumpy journey made Shen Yao Xing, who had already suffered internal injuries, turn pale and cough incessantly. Fortunately, Meng Xin Yi still had some conscience and would occasionally stop to let her brew medicine.

In this way, they rode at full speed, completing a four-day journey in just eighteen hours.

After resting for a day at an inn in Jiaohuan City, Meng Xin Yi pointed out the location of Changshenglou to her, and demanded that she must retrieve the map within twelve hours, with Bai Sha not allowed to accompany her.

“No, the young miss has suffered such severe injuries. What if she faints on the way!” Bai Sha’s attitude was extremely resolute, her words full of concern, moving to hear. Of course, the only one moved was Shen Yao Xing.

Diran laughed contemptuously, “You’re quite the loyal dog to your master.”

No one paid attention to this superfluous remark. Meng Xin Yi glanced at the master and servant pair, but didn’t object. After all, now with the entire Shen family as a threat, there was no fear of them escaping or anything else.

“Fine, but you must first give me the three deerskin maps you have on you.”

“Heh, didn’t you refuse when I offered them before?” Shen Yao Xing tugged at her pale lips, carelessly tossing the long box containing the deerskin maps to her.

Meng Xin Yi pursed her lips, accepting the long box and watching the two walk away.

The two went on horseback. Along the way, Shen Yao Xing could feel the surveillance from the shadows. Indeed, she really thought those people could be so trusting.

Changshenglou was some distance from Jiaohuan City. The journey was smooth, but before they could clearly see what Changshenglou looked like, they saw dense black shadows flitting through the trees, accompanied by rustling sounds. A woman in green clothing landed in front of their horses.

“Might you be Miss Shen Yao Xing?” The woman’s voice was clear and certain, her gaze falling directly on the young woman in brick-red clothing.

“Um, yes.” Shen Yao Xing nodded.

“Our pavilion master requests your presence. Please follow me, Miss Shen.”

Pavilion master?

Shen Yao Xing was a bit confused. She remembered that the master of Changshenglou seemed to be Jiang Ming Yue’s mother. She turned her head to look at Bai Sha beside her, hesitated for a moment, but still nodded.

The two were about to follow on horseback when they saw the woman raise her hand to stop them. “The pavilion master only invites Miss Shen alone.”

“Then she……”

“Miss Shen can rest assured, our Changshenglou will not neglect guests.”

Alright then.

The two were thus led down separate paths. Shen Yao Xing followed behind the woman, inconspicuously surveying her surroundings. She found this place to be very large, but sunlight couldn’t penetrate, giving it a somewhat gloomy feel.

Passing through a very long corridor, they came upon two bronze doors carved with snarling totems. Two doorkeepers dressed in pitch-black stood on either side of the doors.

A gust of chilly wind blew by, giving Shen Yao Xing goosebumps.

No summer resort could be as cool as this place.

The huge, heavy bronze doors were pushed open. The woman made a gesture of invitation to her. As soon as Shen Yao Xing set foot inside, the bronze doors behind her slammed shut with a “boom”.

The scene inside the room left Shen Yao Xing in awe. Row upon row of towering bookshelves stood, and contrary to her imagination of darkness, the room was brightly lit by night pearls inlaid in the walls, giving it somewhat of an ultra-modern feel.

Shen Yao Xing clicked her tongue. Poverty truly limited her imagination.

As she was gaping in amazement, a faint sound came from behind a row of bookshelves. She turned to look and saw that man she hadn’t seen for many days, slowly walking out wearing a silver and white snow-colored robe.

His long hair was unbound, cascading over his body. The black and white colors were displayed to their fullest extent. The soft light from the night pearls fell on his exquisite and captivating features, lessening some of the coldness and aloofness, adding a touch of tender affection.

Shen Yao Xing had always known this person was very good-looking, but seeing him today, he seemed even more handsome than when she last saw him.

He didn’t come over, just stood quietly by the bookshelf looking at her, as if trying to make up for those days of not seeing her.

That sticky gaze, like a spider’s web, made Shen Yao Xing somewhat uncomfortable. She half-clenched her fist and placed it by her lips, lightly coughing, “Um, why are you here?”

Wasn’t it his mother who wanted to see her?

Jiang Ming Yue stared at her steadily for a while, then slightly lowered his gaze. He averted his eyes and slowly walked to the equally luxurious writing desk to sit down. His jade-white long fingers picked up a wolf-hair brush and began writing on a piece of white paper.

Feeling awkward at being ignored, Shen Yao Xing thought to herself that it made sense. Previously, she had been so suspicious of him, yet he had generously given her two maps. Now she came to his territory and asked why he was here; it would be strange if he wasn’t upset.

“I’m sorry……” Shen Yao Xing said dejectedly.

Jiang Ming Yue finally lifted his eyelids slightly to glance at her, then raised his hand to support his chin, his gaze returning to the paper.

The room was exceptionally quiet. Thinking of the tiger tally, Shen Yao Xing felt anxious. Disregarding face, she stepped closer and said urgently, “Can you help me with something? Let Bai Sha leave here for the border without anyone noticing.”

She knew he had that ability. Now that she couldn’t go personally, it would be best to send Bai Sha with the Shen family’s waist token.

The man still didn’t speak, his gaze on the paper exceptionally focused.

This couldn’t help but arouse Shen Yao Xing’s curiosity. She moved a few steps closer, craning her neck to look at the paper. When she saw clearly what was drawn, she felt as if her eyes had been scalded, her cheeks heating up.

This, this person was actually drawing her?!

And drawing so intently?!

This couldn’t be an obsession, could it? Shen Yao Xing struggled to look away, but inadvertently swept her gaze to the other side of the writing desk. There lay several stacks of paper, all filled with drawings of her.

Smiling, angry, unhappy, the expressions were vivid and lifelike, covering every possibility.

Shen Yao Xing now wished she could gouge out her own eyes.

What was all this?! It was a bit too creepy.

The person drawing finally raised his infatuated face, picked up the drawing, and smiled alluringly, “Does it look like you?”

Shen Yao Xing, having a favor to ask, didn’t dare say it didn’t look like her. She nodded stiffly.

That alluring face smiled even more enticingly.