无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

“That’s just how it is,” Li Hongyuan said lightly. “This is nothing. If he were a really heinous criminal, he’d also be wearing a cangue and shackles, and would probably be beaten and abused by the guards on the road.”

“If he were an evil criminal, then he’d deserve it,” Jiang Ning responded.

“He’s surrounded by people right now. Are you going over?” Li Hongyuan asked.

“Let’s head outside the city first,” Jiang Ning said.

The guards would not allow the crowds to linger here, so they yelled at the people to leave before leading Wenren Zong out of the city.

The city guards prevented the people from following, so they could only shout and cry from where they stood.

Li Hongyuan instructed the coachman to drive the carriage out of the city.

The guard inspected their identity, and upon seeing the Prince of Yu’s token, immediately let them pass.

It was much quieter outside the city.

Wenren Zong walked silently with the guards when he suddenly heard a young girl’s voice coming from behind – “Thirteen, wait a moment!”

Wenren Zong recognized the familiar voice and turned abruptly –

The girl poked her upper body out of the carriage and waved at him.

Her smile shone brilliantly under the sunlight.

Wenren Zong was captivated.

He thought that he could never forget this smile in his lifetime.

The carriage stopped, and Li Hongyuan helped Jiang Ning down and placed her in a wheelchair.

Upon seeing this, Wenren Zong’s gaze softened.

Jiang Ning pushed her own wheelchair forward, while Li Hongyuan leaned against the carriage, not approaching them.

Obviously, he was only there to see Jiang Ning off.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, “At least I made it in time.”

Looking at her smiling face, Wenren Zong’s heart also lightened.

Even though he was being exiled, he didn’t like sobbing, somber faces, nor the city people’s mournful looks. He didn’t like the sound of the girls’ weeping, either.

It seemed as though they were mourning his death.

He still preferred to see Jiang Ning’s bright smile.

Seeing it filled his heart with hope and the realization that there was so much more to look forward to in life.

Yun Dai handed him a box, “These are some snacks for you to pass the time.” She also gave him a bundle, “There are books in here. I thought that traveling would be lonely for you, so you could read to pass the time and broaden your horizons. There are also records of gameplay inside. I heard you’re great at playing chess – you must teach me when you return.”

Wenren Zong accepted the items and joked, “These are so heavy that carrying them with my shackles on will be quite exhausting.”

Jiang Ning laughed and said, “A big man like you shouldn’t be afraid of this kind of hardship. You should take this opportunity to learn martial arts, so you don’t get entranced by a lame person like me in the future.”

Her words were intended as a joke, but they carried a different meaning to Wenren Zong.

He thought to himself that he would gladly lose himself in her entrancing aura.

Jiang Ning nodded to Xiaoman, who handed a purse to one of the guards. The guard, though stern-faced, took the purse without a word.

Wenren Zong noticed and asked, “What’s that for?”

“Food money,” Xiaoman replied simply, thinking that eating would be the most important thing during their journey.

Wenren Zong looked at Jiang Ning, who didn’t offer any explanation, just smiled and said, “I can only send you this far. Thirteen, take care of yourself as you journey over hills and rivers.”

“Let’s go. It’s getting late. If you don’t hurry, you won’t arrive at your lodging before nightfall,” the guard urged.

Wenren Zong glanced at Li Hongyuan, who was standing not far away, and asked Jiang Ning, “Will you be with him?”

“I’m going to become the Princess Consort of Yu again,” she revealed.

“Really?” Wenren Zong paused, then said with a smile, “Congratulations. Prince Yu might appear cold on the outside, but he has a warm heart. You will have a good life..”