As dawn approached, the unconscious city guards woke up, rubbing their numb, frozen arms, and looked around in confusion. One of them kicked a still-sleeping soldier. "Get up! Quick, get up!"
Everyone groggily opened their eyes, rubbing them. "Brother Zhang, what happened?" "How did we fall asleep here?" "I'm freezing to death." Zhang Xu frowned, looking at the approaching shift-changing guards in the distance.
"I say, Zhang Xu, you're off the city wall before your shift is even over!" Zhang Xu's face stiffened. "We came down because we saw you coming."
"Eh? Your voice is better?"
Zhang Xu retorted, "My voice?"
"Yeah, didn't you say last night you caught a chill and your voice changed? It's fine today."
Zhang Xu's heart sank. Someone had impersonated him and entered Xichen. But saying anything about it would be a death sentence. Zhang Xu composed himself and said, "Yes, it's fine."
The soldier said, "Alright, you guys head back quickly."
The two teams changed shifts. Once the other team walked away, a soldier spoke up, "Brother Zhang, last night..."
"Don't speak! Nothing happened last night, everything is normal!" Zhang Xu hissed, cutting him off. Everyone naturally understood the gravity of the situation and nodded repeatedly.
Jun Mo's group traveled through the night, heading straight for Zi'an, the imperial capital of Xichen. Su Li groggily opened her eyes and poked her head out from Jun Mo's embrace.
"Awake?" Jun Mo's pleasant voice came from above her. Su Li looked up and said, "You traveled all night, Ziyan, aren't you very tired?"
"It's fine. During campaigns, we often travel through the night. I'm used to it."
At this moment, Mo Yang rode up and said, "Your Highness, it's already sì (9-11 AM) hour. They should not have reported yet."
Jun Mo nodded and said, "Let's rest for half a day in the town ahead."
"Yes!"
Before they entered the town, a group of people saw them approaching and came to greet them. "Master!"
Jun Mo nodded. Seeing Su Li's puzzled expression, he explained, "This is Mo Lei, the earliest Mo Guard to enter Xichen."
The group bowed to Su Li and said, "Princess." They then looked at Jun Mo and said, "Master, we've bought a residence in the outskirts of the city. Please go there first to change into Xichen clothes. Otherwise, dressed as you are, you will definitely be caught." Xichen did not permit outsiders. Their current Tianqi attire was far too conspicuous.
The group arrived at the residence on the outskirts of the city. "Master, Princess, please come this way!"
Su Li and Jun Mo entered a luxurious room, and soon servants brought in clean water. "Master, Princess, please wash up and change. Your subordinates will bring food later."
Jun Mo nodded and said, "You may leave first."
"Yes, Master."
Jun Mo washed up in the outer room, while Su Li went to the inner room. Jun Mo finished washing and changed into Xichen attire. He sat by the table, drinking tea. After a long while, Su Li still hadn't come out.
"Li'er, are you not ready yet?"
"Ready."
Su Li emerged from the inner room, wiping her long hair with a cloth. She looked up at Jun Mo and instantly froze. He was wearing a long robe inside, with an indigo blue satin horse jacket over it.
The jacket's lapels were embroidered with silver silk flowing cloud patterns. His long hair was tied up, with several small braids woven with seven-colored ropes at the ponytail. He was originally a gentle, jade-like young master, but now he possessed a hint of untamed freedom.
Jun Mo smiled and said, "Li'er, your outfit is very beautiful."
Like Jun Mo, Su Li wore an indigo blue flowing cloud dress, with layers of satin sleeves draped over her shoulders, accentuating her snow-like skin, water-like eyes, and graceful figure. Her long hair was dark and lustrous. She wore it loose, her raven tresses dancing in the wind, exuding a fragrant aroma.
"Ziyan also looks very handsome."
Jun Mo poured her a cup of hot tea, then took the cloth from her hand and gently wiped her hair for her. Her hair was almost dry.
A maid brought in food. After eating, Su Li looked at her long hair and said, "I don't know Xichen hairstyles."
Jun Mo embraced her and said, "No rush. Let's sleep first. When we wake up, we'll have the maid comb it for you." Su Li tilted her head and said, "You should go to sleep quickly. You traveled all night."
"Li'er, accompany me."
Before Su Li could answer, he scooped her up by the waist and walked to the inner room. Jun Mo held her, covered them both with the quilt, buried his head between her shoulder and neck, and took a deep breath.
"Li'er smells so good."
"Sleep quickly."
Soon, his even breathing filled her ears. Su Li hadn't originally intended to sleep, but the atmosphere in the room was too cozy. Gradually, drowsiness overcame her, and she fell asleep.
When she woke up, Su Li looked at Jun Mo, who was leaning against the headboard, and said, "When did you wake up? Why didn't you wake me?"
"Just woke up."
"What time is it now?"
"It's shen (3-5 PM) hour."
Su Li was greatly surprised. She had slept for so long? "Then wouldn't that delay our journey?"
Jun Mo said gently, "It's fine. We'll leave tomorrow, and it will take at most three to five days to reach Zi'an."
Su Li got up and put on her outer robe, saying, "Even so, we should get up. What kind of talk is it for us to stay indoors all day in broad daylight?"
Jun Mo's lips curved. "What does it matter?"
Su Li sat in front of the dressing table, unsure where to start. Jun Mo put on his shoes and socks, then opened the door. To the maid waiting outside, he said, "Come in."
The maid entered and walked to Su Li, saying, "Madam, allow me to comb your hair."
Su Li nodded and said, "Thank you for the trouble."
"You're too kind, Madam."
The maid's hands were nimble. Soon, she braided her dark, lustrous long hair into several playful pigtails that hung over her chest. She only inserted a single silver warm jade hairpin, from which a silver bell hung, tinkling with every movement.
The maid also fitted a silver bangle to her fair wrist, matching the hairpin. With crescent eyebrows and starry eyes, a charming smile, and no makeup, she was fresh and alluring.
Su Li turned around, and Jun Mo's eyes lit up. Her attire added a touch of innocent playfulness, and a little less of her usual composure. She was like a new lotus emerging, fresh and delicate.
"Madam is truly beautiful!" the maid exclaimed.
Su Li turned and smiled, her dimples appearing at the corners of her lips. "Your hands are skillful."
The smile was as sweet as tasting honey. "It's because Madam is born beautiful."
Su Li smiled faintly, no longer replying. Jun Mo stepped forward and took her hand. "Let's go. Let's discuss with them what our next step should be." Su Li allowed him to lead her out the door.
In the study, Mo Lei said, "Master, we've been in Xichen for almost a year now, and we still haven't found a way into Snow Lotus Mountain. Snow Lotus Mountain is riddled with mechanisms, and every plant and tree might be highly poisonous. Only the Xichen imperial family knows how to enter. We've tried to approach the Xichen imperial family, but without success."
"Xichen is currently divided into two factions: one for Emperor Zi, and the other led by Princess Lan Jun. Princess Lan Jun is cautious and truly difficult to approach. Emperor Zi's adopted daughter, Princess Ziyue, is fond of men but is also ruthless and malicious. One of our brothers fell into her hands."
"A few days ago, news came from Zi'an that someone had broken into Snow Lotus Mountain. Now, the guards around Snow Lotus Mountain are even stricter."
Su Li was surprised: "Someone broke into Snow Lotus Mountain?"
Mo Lei nodded and said, "Yes, we don't know who it was. Now, Zi'an is on high alert; the streets are full of patrolling soldiers."
Jun Mo frowned. This made entering Snow Lotus Mountain even more difficult.
"No matter what, we leave tomorrow. We'll decide our next steps once we reach Zi'an."
"Yes."
Coming out of the study, they noticed Su Li frequently looking at them. Jun Mo smiled and said, "Li'er, what are you looking at?"
"Ziyan, Princess Ziyue is fond of men..."
Jun Mo interrupted her before she could finish: "No."
Su Li smiled and said, "Where did your mind go? I was saying to have Huang Yang disguise himself as a handsome man. You are mine. No matter who it is, no one can covet you."
Jun Mo's eyebrows relaxed. He said, "I misunderstood. Let's see the situation when we reach Zi'an. To gain Emperor Zi's trust, she's definitely not an ordinary person. Being fond of men might just be a façade."
Su Li nodded in agreement. She knew Mo Wei's skills. Since a Mo Guard had fallen into her hands, this woman was indeed not simple.
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