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The Grade A superior room on the second floor is the best room at this Yuelai Inn in Ping'an County.

It was said to be the best, but it was only slightly more spacious than the other rooms, with an extra eight-immortal table, and the bedding on the couch had been replaced with brand new silk.

But for Xie Jingxing, the Prince of Cheng, who had been traveling for days, this was the most decent place to rest he had found in all these days.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the waiter brought up the hot water.

Steam rose from the wooden tub, mingling with the fresh scent of soapberry, filling the entire room.

Xie Jingxing waved away Liu Wei, who was about to serve him, then took off his clothes and stepped into the bathtub.

The warm water washed over my chest, and the fatigue accumulated from the bumpy journey seemed to melt away little by little with the heat.

He leaned against the barrel, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Liu Wei".

"Your subordinate is here."

"When the innkeeper brings up the wine and food later, show the portrait to him so he can identify it."

Xie Jingxing opened his eyes, his voice calm and unhurried, "Perhaps they've seen him before."

"Your Highness..."

"How many times have I told you, call me 'Young Master' in public!"

Xie Jingxing suddenly opened his eyes and interrupted sharply.

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable pressure that made Liu Wei shudder.

Liu Wei immediately knelt on one knee and slapped himself.

The sharp "snap" sounded particularly jarring in the empty room.

Soon, a clear five-finger mark appeared on his dark face.

"Alright, alright."

Xie Jingxing frowned, his tone tinged with impatience.

"Next time, pay attention. Why slap me?"

Aren't you afraid that people will think something if they see this?

After following me for so long, haven't you made any progress?

"Give me a back rub!"

He picked up the bath towel from the edge of the tub and threw it behind him without looking back.

Liu Wei caught it steadily, quickly got up, and while deftly wiping Xie Jingxing's back, said in a low voice, "Yes, young master is right, I will remember it."

Xie Jingxing hummed in agreement, closed his eyes again, and enjoyed the comfortable pressure coming from his back.

Liu Wei had followed him for eight years. He was good in every way, loyal and skilled, but sometimes a bit clumsy.

This trip is different. If my identity is exposed, I will be restricted in many ways, and it may also cause unnecessary trouble.

After all, he was still under house arrest, yet he was released by secret decree.

Liu Wei rubbed his back, carefully considered his words, and cautiously asked, "Young master, how many days will we be staying in Ping'an County?"

"We'll see."

Xie Jingxing's voice carried a hint of languor.

"First, find out where that brat Liu Tao'er and that little brat are."

His tone turned slightly somber when he mentioned the name "Liu Tao'er".

That brat has some nerve; she's humiliated him multiple times. He's a prince, the emperor's son.

Most importantly, she was still holding the parchment scroll in her hand; otherwise, he would have killed her on the spot.

Only my father knew the secret in that parchment scroll.

The Emperor was unclear whether it was inconvenient or because he dared not pursue the matter openly.

However, he knew that the secret of that parchment scroll was extremely important to their royal family.

Otherwise, why would Father Emperor make things difficult for a mere girl? Wouldn't it be simpler to just kill her?

"Ping'an County is a necessary route to Jiangnan."

Liu Wei analyzed as he rubbed his back.

"Liu Tao'er will definitely be here, but I'm afraid they've already left."

If we stay here too long, it will waste time, and His Majesty hasn't given us much time..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

His Majesty has given them a month, and six or seven days have already passed. They must return to the capital in a month, regardless of the outcome.

If he fails to return by the deadline, he will be unable to explain himself to His Majesty, and those in the court who are eyeing him with covetous eyes will also seize the opportunity to make trouble.

Xie Jingxing pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Hmm, what you said makes sense."

Father has given us very little time; we can't waste it all on the road.

We'll inquire carefully later. If we confirm they've left, then we'll continue to the next stop without lingering.

"Yes, young master."

Fifteen minutes later, Xie Jingxing finished his comfortable shower.

As he stood up from the bathtub, water droplets slid down his strong back.

Liu Wei quickly handed him a dry cloth to help him dry his body, and then brought him a set of brocade clothes for everyday wear.

A moon-white robe with dark patterns, tied at the waist with a dark jade-inlaid belt.

Her long hair was loosely tied up with a single jade hairpin—with this tidying up, the weary traveler who had been resting with his eyes closed in the bathtub was gone, replaced by a handsome young man from a wealthy family.

Xie Jingxing straightened his collar in front of the bronze mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

When you're out and about, this physical appearance is the best cover.

Too shabby and you'll be looked down upon; too ostentatious and you'll attract attention. This middle-of-the-road, middle-of-the-road look of a wealthy young master is just right.

"Liu Wei, I'm hungry."

Go and urge them to hurry up with the food and drinks.

He sat down on the edge of the tatami mat and rubbed his empty stomach.

They endured wind and rain and slept in the open along the way, without even having a proper meal in order to keep moving.

We've finally arrived at a decent town, so we should treat ourselves to a good meal and a few drinks.

He thought that if he had beautiful women by his side at this moment, and the music of silk and bamboo instruments was delightful, that would be true happiness.

But then I thought, beauty can be a distraction at this time, and business is more important, so I should just hold back.

Xie Jingxing sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of loneliness and melancholy, like a hero.

"I'll go and urge them right away. Please go and rest for a while."

Liu Wei said this, then turned and left.

Xie Jingxing hummed in agreement, waved his hand casually, and then closed his eyes to rest on the couch.

After days of traveling, the jolting on horseback had left my bones feeling like they were about to fall apart. Now, lying on the couch, every muscle in my body was screaming with exhaustion.

But his mind was not idle; he was constantly planning his next trip.

Liu Tao'er was carrying a child and couldn't walk fast, so they shouldn't have passed Ping'an County yet.

But what if she traveled by water?

Or did you change your route along the way?

After all, that brat is full of tricks, and he's already suffered greatly at her hands.

He couldn't help but think more.

Outside the door, Liu Wei stood on the corridor, holding onto the railing, and shouted down to the lobby: "Manager, why haven't the wine and dishes been served yet?"

My young master is hungry!

The voice was so powerful that it made several guests dining in the lobby look up.

The innkeeper was standing behind the counter calculating accounts when he heard the shout. He quickly put down his account book, looked up, and said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll arrange for the waiter to bring the food up right away."

"Then hurry up!"

Liu Wei pointed to the shopkeeper downstairs, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

"Otherwise, if my young master goes hungry, you'll be in for a world of trouble!"

After saying that, he turned and went back into the house without waiting for the shopkeeper's reply.

The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself: Judging from their demeanor, these two are no ordinary people. If their servants are so arrogant, their master must be no pushover either.

Alright, alright, just take good care of them. It's better to avoid trouble.

He looked around the lobby and called out to a young waiter who was wiping a table, "A-Fu, go to the kitchen and see if the food and drinks ordered by the guests in the VIP room upstairs are ready."

If it's ready, send it up quickly. Don't let the guests get impatient, or everyone will be in trouble!

If it's not ready yet, hurry up and urge them to hurry. Bring some peanuts and pastries upstairs to tide you over.

"Shopkeeper, I'll go take a look right away."

Afu responded, slung the rag over his shoulder, and turned to jog towards the kitchen.