RPDPHW Chapter 41

Since ancient times, whenever a city was built, there would always be a secret passage leading from inside the city to the outside, reserved for emergencies.

This secret passage was primarily used to send urgent military reports during times of war, so those who knew the location of such passages were certainly high-ranking officials within the city.

By coincidence, General Lin had always valued Lin Ziyan, so Lin Ziyan happened to know the location of the secret passage in this city.

Late at night, the three groups of people had just managed to divert the large number of spies left outside the General’s residence by the Tang Clan. The group heading out of the city also drew away the main force of the Tang Clan.

Thus, Lin Ziyan easily led the people out of the city through the secret passage.

“Miss, so you’re not only sending these two young ladies away, but you’re also taking Fifth Madam with you?”

Outside the secret passage, Shi Hanfei, who had been waiting early with the carriage, was shocked to see that the group coming out included the sickly Fifth Madam. He asked in disbelief.

Shi Hanfei and Lin Ziyan had grown up together. They were both comrades on the battlefield and close friends who shared everything. He could be considered Lin Ziyan’s most loyal subordinate, and he was also one of the few people in the General’s residence who knew about her relationship with Madam Dan Wen.

This was why Lin Ziyan dared to entrust him with the responsibility of keeping the carriage ready outside the secret passage.

“Shi Ge, my father will return to the city today. If I don’t leave now, I may never have such a good opportunity again.”

Seeing the situation between Lin Ziyan and Fifth Madam, Shi Hanfei naturally felt distressed. However, when he thought about the General’s iron-fisted methods, he couldn’t help but try to advise, “Miss, think carefully. If you’re caught by your father, the torture awaiting you will be inhuman!”

“It’s too late to reconsider. I have no way out now.” Lin Ziyan glanced at the three people climbing into the carriage and said firmly, “I know what lies ahead. No matter what happens next, at least we’ve tried. When we look back, we’ll have more than just regret.

So what if she knew the difficulties ahead? Giving up without even trying—that was not Lin Ziyan’s way!

Shi Hanfei opened his mouth as if he wanted to say more, but Lin Ziyan cut him off. “Just pretend you know nothing about this, so you won’t be implicated. Time is tight, so I won’t say more. This is farewell!”

Shi Hanfei sighed, cupped his fists, and gave her a final bow. “Miss, take care!”

Perhaps this farewell meant they would never meet again.

“Hyah!”

With a flick of the whip, the horse weighed loudly and galloped away, kicking up a trail of dust.

The Tang Clan’s men had already been lured toward the main road, and by dawn, they had left the city. By now, they should have traveled most of the way to the next town.

Lin Ziyan was quite familiar with the surrounding terrain. To avoid a direct confrontation with the Tang Clan, she steered the carriage away from the main road, taking a smaller path toward Heifeng Town.

“You should go inside and keep her company. I’ll drive the carriage.”

Before long, Zhong Shujin’s voice rang out.

Lin Ziyan turned her head slightly and, seeing the serious expression on Zhong Shujin’s face, couldn’t help but smile. “Leader, you can drive a carriage?”

The carriage that Shi Hanfei had prepared was drawn by two horses. While it was faster, it was also much harder to control. With the dense forest and shrubs surrounding the narrow path, handling the carriage was even more challenging.

“Don’t underestimate me! I can manage something like this,” Zhong Shujin scoffed. “You just escaped, and now you’re leaving her alone while you are out here with me? What kind of impression does that give? Hurry up and go inside to keep her company!”

It was rare for Zhong Shujin to be this considerate, so Lin Ziyan gladly accepted. Without hesitation, she handed over the reins and said, “Many thanks, Leader!”

Fortunately, Zhong Shujin wasn’t just boasting—she truly knew how to drive a carriage. Though she was a bit slower than Lin Ziyan had been, her control was much steadier.

Inside the carriage, Gu Qingyin was chatting with Dan Wenshu. When Lin Ziyan entered, Dan Wenshu happened to be covering her mouth as she laughed.

Seeing the genuine smile on Dan Wenshu’s face, Lin Ziyan felt completely satisfied.

As long as this decision could bring Wenshu lasting happiness, it was enough.

Even if it meant leaving their homeland and having nowhere to return to, it was worth it.

“You’re here,” Gu Qingyin said with a smile, shifting aside to make space beside Dan Wenshu. “Sister Shu is in much better spirits today. If she could always be like this, it would be a great thing for her. I’ll leave her to you—I’m going outside for some fresh air.”

Earlier, both Gu Qingyin and Zhong Shujin had been addressing Dan Wenshu as “Madam.” But Dan Wenshu herself had suggested that, since she had already left the General’s residence, such a title was no longer appropriate. Given that they were all fairly close in age, she asked them to call her “Sister Shu” instead.

“Fresh air? Or are you just looking for an excuse to keep your little Sect Leader company?” Lin Ziyan teased before sitting down next to Dan Wenshu, gently pulling her into her arms. In a soft voice, she asked, “Are you tired? Do you want to rest for a while?”

Gu Qingyin chuckled without answering and simply opened the carriage door, stepping out.

The carriage jolted along the road, but resting against Lin Ziyan was far more comfortable than the soft cushions.

Dan Wenshu adjusted her position, settling cozily in Lin Ziyan’s embrace. She reached up and playfully pinched Lin Ziyan’s cheek, pouting, “Do you think I’m that fragile?”

Lin Ziyan let her do as she pleased and chuckled softly. “You haven’t been on a long journey in ages—I just don’t want you to get too exhausted.”

“I’m not tired, not at all.” Dan Wenshu’s fingers slowly transitioned from pinching to gently caressing Lin Ziyan’s face. She traced the smooth skin with care, her eyes fixed on her, unwilling to even blink.

“Ziyan,” she murmured, “tell me… I’m not dreaming, am I?”

“Fool.” Lin Ziyan gently took the hand on her cheek and took it to her lips, pressing a soft kiss against it. “This isn’t a dream. Trust me, I will never let you return to that cage.”

“Mm, I believe you.” Dan Wenshu snuggled closer to Lin Ziyan and murmured, “But… will you regret it? After all, Madam is still your birth mother.”

“I’ve been unfilial. I’ve disappointed them.” Lin Ziyan gave a bitter smile. “I doubt I’ll ever have the chance to make it up to them in this lifetime.”

Dan Wenshu frowned slightly, about to say something, but Lin Ziyan stopped her.

“That’s enough. We finally managed to escape—let’s not dwell on the past anymore. What we should be worried about now is whether the Tang Clan’s people will catch up to us.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “Shu’er, the jianghu is dangerous. Are you afraid?”

“Not at all.” Dan Wenshu was truly in much better spirits today. She tightened her hold around Lin Ziyan and whispered, “As long as you’re here, I fear nothing.”

She knew her days were numbered. If she didn’t cherish the little time she had left with Lin Ziyan, wouldn’t that be a terrible waste?

Though they were on the run, the four people in the carriage were in superb spirits.

Even Zhong Shujin, who had been driving with a cold expression, couldn’t help but smile the moment she saw Gu Qingyin step outside.

“The wind is strong out here. Why did you come out?”

Gu Qingyin sat down beside Zhong Shujin and chuckled. “I didn’t want to sit inside and interrupt those two. Rather than sitting there alone, watching them be all lovey-dovey, I figured I might as well come out and enjoy the breeze with you.”

Though the two inside weren’t openly affectionate, the way they looked at each other was enough to make anyone envious.

That quiet yet deeply affectionate way of being together—Gu Qingyin truly envied it.

Such love was like a gentle stream, flowing endlessly—lasting, profound, tender, and entwined.

“You have a point! How about staying out here a little longer and keeping me company for a chat?”

Zhong Shujin shrugged off her cloak with one hand and tossed it over Gu Qingyin.

“The wind is strong—put this on.”

Looking down at the cloak in her hands, Gu Qingyin’s gaze softened slightly.

She slowly draped the cloak over herself, then leaned to the side, resting against Zhong Shujin’s arm.

“Well, isn’t your Bloodflame Sect known for not accepting useless people? Yet you seem more than happy to have Sister Shu join Ziyan in seeking refuge with you.”

“If not for Ziyan’s plan, those annoying Tang Clan bastards would still be chasing us down! She did me a favor—I can’t just turn a blind eye, can I?” At this moment, Zhong Shujin seemed to have completely forgotten that the two of them were both women. She didn’t find anything odd about their relationship—if anything, she felt sympathy for what they had been through. “Besides, if they don’t join me in Bloodflame Sect, what will they do? If the authorities ever come after them, they won’t even have a place to demand justice! Having Sister Shu around just means another bowl of rice at the table. And it’s not like she’s a burden—just treat Ziyan as if she’s doing the work of two people!”

Zhong Shujin knew she was making an exception, and she’d surely have to listen to a bunch of nagging from the old men in the sect once they got back. But even so, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

Besides, with Bloodflame Sect taking care of Dan Wenshu, Lin Ziyan would undoubtedly be even more loyal and hardworking. Who knew—she might really end up doing the work of two people! It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

“What’s this? Finally realizing how great Ziyan is? Weren’t you being all fierce with her just last night?”

Recalling her jealousy from the night before, Zhong Shujin’s face flushed slightly red.

“Last night… that was because I was afraid she’d get drunk and mess things up, okay?”

“Alright, alright!” Gu Qingyin chuckled, not exposing Zhong Shujin’s true thoughts. She reached out, tugging the cloak over both of them so they could share it. “It’s warmer if we cover up together.”

“Good idea!”

Zhong Shujin didn’t refuse and let Gu Qingyin do as she pleased.

The two of them leaned against each other, chatting intermittently. Before long, Gu Qingyin, drowsy from the warmth, gradually dozed off against Zhong Shujin’s shoulder.

As her responses became softer and less frequent, Zhong Shujin knew she had fallen asleep.

After all, Gu Qingyin had been complaining about a headache this morning, saying she didn’t want to get up.

With a slight movement of her left arm, Zhong Shujin gently held Gu Qingyin closer.

Looking at the head resting against her neck, she couldn’t help but smile.

Driving a carriage with one hand was no easy task, but she didn’t want to wake Gu Qingyin, nor did she want her to be uncomfortable. So she slowed the pace and guided the horses forward carefully.

Fortunately, these two horses were fast. By the time dusk fell, Zhong Shujin had successfully driven the carriage to the outskirts of Blackwind Forest, just outside Blackwind Town.

They only needed to pass through the forest to reach the town.

However, something felt off—eerily so.

It wasn’t just that there were no birds or beasts around; even the usual chirping of insects had completely disappeared.

That was definitely not normal.

Zhong Shujin immediately pulled the reins, bringing the horses to a stop. Her gaze swept around warily.

Only then did Gu Qingyin groggily rub her eyes, still half-asleep.

“What’s wrong?”

Before Zhong Shujin could answer, Dan Wenshu had already emerged from the carriage.

“There’s something strange about the smell in this forest… The scent of medicine is very strong.”

It’s often said that those who are chronically ill become their own doctors. Someone like Dan Wenshu, who had spent years surrounded by medicine, was naturally far more sensitive to such scents.

Hearing this, Gu Qingyin gradually woke up. She took a deep breath, sniffing the air carefully.

Then, without hesitation, she jumped off the carriage, knelt down, and picked up some soil from the ground, bringing it to her nose to examine.