At the inn, Xue Nu sat by the window, watching the bustle in the hall below. She smiled slightly at Goku. "People really are something… By the time a story passes through a dozen mouths, it's completely different."
Goku shook his head, then glanced at the Yan Crown Princess Consort, whose cheeks were pink from the rumors swirling around them. "Don't mind it. Things get distorted the more they're passed along."
"It's fine," the princess consort replied calmly. "I'm sorry to have caused you trouble."
"What are your plans now?" Goku asked.
"I'll leave Yan," she said softly, gazing in the direction of the palace. A trace of sadness flickered in her eyes. "I don't want to stay any longer."
"Then come with us. We're heading to Han. I brought you out—I won't abandon you. And you're pregnant; you shouldn't be alone without someone to look after you." Goku took a sip of wine.
"You're… with child?" Xue Nu looked at the princess consort's abdomen in surprise.
"Mn." The princess consort nodded and lightly stroked her still-flat belly. Warmth softened her eyes.
Xue Nu's attitude shifted to respect. She had suspected the princess consort left the palace just to save herself—but it was for the child.
"Are you a physician?" the princess consort asked Goku, surprised. "Other than me and the doctor, no one knows. Not even His Highness Taizi Dan."
"I know more than that," Goku said with a faint smile. "I know if it's a boy or a girl."
Xue Nu perked up. "Oh? Hidden talents, Physician Goku? Well then—what is it?"
"A very adorable girl."
"A girl…" The princess consort's face glowed with maternal joy. "I can't wait to meet her."
"Have you chosen a name?" Goku asked.
"Not yet. I only just found out," she admitted.
"She'll be Ji Ru Qianlong—style name Qianlong, courtesy Qianlóng; we'll call her Yue'er as a nickname." Goku declared it as if sealing fate.
"Ji Ru… Qianlong…" The princess consort repeated it under her breath, then rose to give Goku a slight bow. "Thank you. It's beautiful. Then my daughter will be Ji Ru Qianlong, and we'll call her Yue'er."
It was as if Goku's certainty had convinced her completely—unsurprising, given his strength and confidence.
"'Ji Ru Qianlong'—lovely," Xue Nu said with a small smile to Goku. "You have a knack for names."
"Then let's have one of our own and let me name her, too," Goku chuckled.
Xue Nu pretended not to hear and sipped her tea with elegant calm. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow—though the blush at the tips of her ears did not escape Goku's eyes.
After they ate, Goku left a hefty silver ingot on the table. Xue Nu and the princess consort veiled their faces and followed him downstairs—both women were the subject of countless whispers; better not to draw more eyes. The veils only heightened their mystery, and heads turned as they passed.
No so-called arrogant young masters appeared to court disaster today.
They bought a carriage and set out for the city gate, bound for Han.
At the gate, a refined man with a guqin on his back watched their carriage shrink into the distance, a shadow of bleakness crossing his eyes. He turned and walked away in the opposite direction.
---
Their journey was unhurried. Driving the carriage, Goku took Xue Nu and the princess consort sightseeing more than traveling in earnest.
They enjoyed many scenic wonders—this Qin's Moon world had no shortage of them. They ran into bandits as well; Goku dispatched them without effort. They also met many refugees. When possible, he offered help—some silver or food—but never too much, knowing that excess can harm as well as help.
Days slipped by. Goku wasn't bored; in fact, he relished it—days on the road with two beauties, nights returning to his own world to sleep in warm arms. How could he not be pleased?
Even so, he knew time mattered. Han was his goal for the sake of Nongyu and Chi Lian. If he delayed, Wei Zhuang might cross paths with Chi Lian, making things troublesome—and if Nongyu died as in the original plot, that would be unacceptable. He had to reach Han before events set like stone. Every day lost risked new variables.
Under a blazing sun, the carriage rolled along the official road. Goku lounged across the driver's seat, watching white clouds drift. "Enough sightseeing," he murmured. "Time to get to Han."
He focused—and two figures appeared on a nearby patch of open ground. Who else could they be but Xiao Li and the High Priestess?
The sudden change of scenery startled them, but when they saw Goku waving, they relaxed. The little Pixiu cradled in Xiao Li's arms squealed with delight, leapt down, and bounded straight into Goku's embrace.
"What's going on?" Hearing the commotion, Xue Nu lifted the curtain. Seeing the fluffy creature in Goku's arms, her eyes softened. "How adorable! Where did it come from?"
She reached to pet it, but the Pixiu sensed it and bared tiny fangs at her.
"My, what a temper. You think I can't catch you?" Xue Nu's interest only grew. She stretched out a hand—
"You'd better not force it," Xiao Li warned gently as she and the High Priestess reached the carriage. "It'll bite."
"This little one is yours?" Xue Nu asked, surprised at the appearance of two women of such refined beauty in the middle of nowhere.
Xiao Li nodded. The High Priestess stepped forward, knelt slightly before Goku, and bowed. "Lord Goku." She knew what he truly was—far beyond any goddess she had once served. The goddess herself had entrusted her to follow him; serving Goku had become her mission.
"You… know each other?" Xue Nu was startled by the High Priestess's solemn salute. Such humility from such a poised woman only deepened her curiosity. Who exactly is Goku?
"Up," Goku sighed to the High Priestess. "How many times have I said—you don't have to kneel every time we meet."
He couldn't help recalling the parting conversation with the goddess:
"The High Priestess is my faithful servant… why not take her with you?"
"If you wish it—and if she's willing—then let her follow you."
A casual quip had turned into reality: the High Priestess had served as his attendant ever since.
Expression calm, she rose and nodded politely to Xue Nu. "I serve at Lord Goku's side. You may call me High Priestess."
"Attendant?" Xue Nu and the princess consort—who had just peeked out—exchanged a look of surprise. A woman so serene and dignified, a mere attendant? Their curiosity about Goku only deepened.
What kind of man has an attendant like this?
"And her?" Xue Nu's gaze shifted to the silent Xiao Li. A faint light flickered in her eyes, though her face remained composed. Instinct told her Xiao Li's relationship with Goku was anything but ordinary.
"She's Xiao Li," Goku said, cutting the topic short. He patted the Pixiu's head. "All right, you—show them your true form."
The Pixiu nodded, sprang from his arms, and shot into the air. Golden light burst forth. With a ringing draconic cry, the creature transformed into a majestic ancient Pixiu, its wings beating as it descended to kneel respectfully before Goku.
Xue Nu and the princess consort stared, speechless. Their awe—and their questions about Goku's identity—only grew.
After a long breath, the princess consort whispered, "So… such beasts really exist. They're not just legends."
"It's called Xiao Xiuxiu," Xiao Li explained. "An ancient divine beast of the dragon lineage—a Pixiu."
"Good. Let's ride," Goku said with a smile, leaping onto the Pixiu's back. He pulled Xue Nu and the others up after him.
The Pixiu spread its wings. With a rush of wind, they tore through the sky—arrowing toward Han.
_____
T/N:
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