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Chapter Two

Listening to the startled cries of birds and the pounding of hooves behind her, Meng Yu Ning dared not utter a sound. She tightened her grip on the reins and urged her horse to gallop wildly forward.

The wind howled past her ears. She lost track of how long she had ridden, but the sounds behind her gradually faded away. Up ahead, at the end of the road, she could already see the camp where Qi Jingyan and the others had stayed overnight.

She slowed her pace, flexing her numb legs, but hesitation crept into her heart.

Qi Jingyan and his group had never been fond of “her” to begin with. Now, having stolen a horse in the dead of night and fled without permission, the impression they held of her would undoubtedly be even worse.

If she returned just like this, would Qi Jingyan, enraged by her betrayal, kill her on the spot?

Even if Qi Jingyan chose not to hold it against her, would those fierce guards under his command forgive her so easily? Would they not cause trouble for her in the future?

Thinking of those fearsome bodyguards surrounding Qi Jingyan, Meng Yu Ning’s face grew solemn, and she sighed softly. This was difficult indeed.

Watching the camp grow nearer, she pulled the horse to a halt and paused to observe.

To be honest, she really did not want to go back.

But if she didn’t return, where else could she possibly go?

After a moment of internal struggle, Meng Yu Ning slapped her thigh.

Forget it. Whether she stuck her neck out or hid away, the outcome would be the same. She might as well face it bravely. At worst, she’d endure some cold words; as long as she survived, that was enough.

The only question was how to explain her return. She couldn’t say she had intended to run away but changed her mind halfway through. Even if Qi Jingyan was willing to listen, she herself would be too ashamed to admit it.

Her eyes scanned the surroundings and suddenly lit up when she spotted finger-thick wild bamboo shoots growing in the bamboo grove by the roadside. She’d found it.

She swung down from the horse, led it to a patch of grass, loosened the reins, and let it graze freely.

Then she dropped to her knees by the bamboo shoots, breaking off one tender stalk after another.

“Snap, snap, snap…”

The crisp sound was pleasant, and before long, she had gathered a sizable bundle at her side.

Seeing so many bamboo shoots still unpicked, she felt reluctant to stop, but with her future uncertain, this was no time for indulgence.

Without a container, she tore a few blades of grass from the roadside, twisted them into a makeshift rope, neatly arranged the shoots, and tied them into two bundles with simple knots. Then she tied those two bundles together and carried them in her hand.

With the bamboo shoots in tow, she returned to the horse, gathered the reins, slung the bundles over the saddle, mounted, and cantered toward the camp.

Though she didn’t want to linger on the road, she couldn’t resist when she passed a lush patch of fresh wild shepherd’s purse. She dismounted again and gathered a large bunch.

---

Inside the camp, Qi Jingyan had just finished washing and was being helped into his wheelchair by Mu Yun when Mu Feng suddenly burst into the tent, his face full of indignation.

“Your Highness, that Meng girl—”

Qi Jingyan’s expression remained cold and impassive. “I am already aware. If she ran away, then so be it. No need to bring it up again.”

Mu Yun glanced at Mu Feng, signaling him to leave quickly.

Before dawn that morning, Mu Feng had caught sight of Miss Meng sneaking off with a bundle on her back to steal a horse and immediately reported it to His Highness.

Qi Jingyan had only said, “Let her go. No need to bother with her,” then closed his eyes and returned to sleep.

His Highness seemed neither angry nor concerned about her escape.

Yet being abandoned by one’s fiancée was a humiliation no man could easily bear.

So Mu Feng had warned everyone not to mention Miss Meng in front of His Highness anymore, to simply act as if she had never existed.

But Mu Feng himself lacked discretion—now he came running in again to mention her name, only adding to His Highness’s frustration.

Seeing they misunderstood him, Mu Feng hastened to clarify, pointing outside the tent, “But Your Highness, Miss Meng has returned. She’s riding a horse this way.”

Qi Jingyan’s brow furrowed slightly. “Returned?”

Mu Feng nodded firmly. “I am certain it is her.”

Mu Yun was also surprised. “How strange. Miss Meng had been planning for days and finally made up her mind to run away. Why would she come back now?”

Mu Feng snorted angrily, “Who cares why she’s back? With a despicable, treacherous father like Meng Huaifu, she’s no better herself.”

“Your Highness, since Miss Meng has returned, she surely harbors no good intentions. May I go and drive her off?”

Qi Jingyan said, “Push me outside to take a look.”

The two nodded in agreement. Mu Yun moved the wheelchair, and Mu Feng pulled aside the tent flap.

On the simple bed behind them, the three-year-old seventeenth prince Qi Jingyi, who had somehow awakened, sat obediently clutching his small blanket.

Seeing Qi Jingyan prepare to leave without him, the little boy’s expression changed. Using both hands and feet, he scrambled off the bed barefoot and chased after him, bursting into tears.

“Brother, don’t leave me behind!”

All three turned in unison to see the thin little boy bounding over.

Qi Jingyan’s leg was still injured. Fearing the young prince might accidentally hurt him, Mu Yun and Mu Feng both crouched down, reaching out to catch him.

But the little boy was clever; instead of climbing onto his brother as before, he stood quietly beside the wheelchair, gripping Qi Jingyan’s sleeve tightly, tears shimmering in his eyes as he sobbed,

“Brother, don’t, don’t leave me!”

Hearing the child’s innocent voice full of fear and uncertainty, and recalling the boy’s former carefree nature, Mu Feng and Mu Yun’s eyes reddened. They turned away, unable to watch any longer.

Qi Jingyan reached out to gently stroke his brother’s head, smiling faintly.

“Qi Jingyi, don’t be afraid. Brother will never leave you.”

The little boy nodded slowly, standing on tiptoe to reach for his brother’s neck.

Qi Jingyan scooped him up into his arms and glanced at Mu Yun.

“Let’s go see.”

---

Meng Yu Ning rode to the edge of the camp and saw a man so handsome he seemed otherworldly sitting in a wheelchair, his expression stern and commanding without raising his voice.

In his arms was an exceptionally beautiful child with large, dark eyes that looked at her quietly, a mix of innocence and wariness.

Looking again at the two black-faced guards standing behind the wheelchair, Meng Yu Ning felt a headache coming on. Her journey back would be no easy matter.

But now that she was here, she could only steel herself and face it.

When she was about ten paces away, she dismounted, carrying the bamboo shoots and shepherd’s purse, and slowly approached.

Qi Jingyan sat unmoved in his wheelchair, silent and steadfast.

The two of them stood facing each other, waiting for the other to speak first.

After a while, under that cold, sharp, scrutinizing gaze, Meng Yu Ning could no longer hold back her guilt. She lowered her eyes slightly.

With one hand holding the wild bamboo shoots and the other the shepherd’s purse, she awkwardly smiled.

“Your Highness, if I said I went to gather wild vegetables, would you believe me?”

Mu Feng, standing behind Qi Jingyan, immediately rolled his eyes and scoffed quietly.

“Our lord is no fool. Who would believe that?”

Meng Yu Ning said nothing, simply holding out the two bundles of wild greens until her arms grew sore. Only then did Qi Jingyan glance briefly at the bundle on her back and the chestnut horse, still silent, lightly tapping the wheelchair’s armrest.

Mu Yun hurriedly pushed the wheelchair, steering Qi Jingyan back toward the camp.

Mu Feng rolled his eyes again, walking past Meng Yu Ning to take the horse.

Muttering to himself, “She stole our best horse—what a heartless thing to do. The Meng family has no good people. She left once, and now she’s back just to cause trouble for our lord.”

Meng Yu Ning ignored his mocking tone, carrying the wild vegetables as she followed behind.

She reminded herself that, according to the original story, Mu Feng was only fifteen, known for his frank and blunt nature.

In the near future, the group would be ambushed. Mu Feng would die protecting Qi Jingyan, and before dying, he’d save the team’s cook—a loyal, kind young man.

Mu Feng’s attitude towards her was understandable, considering the despicable deeds of Meng Huaifu and her own betrayal of their lord. There was reason behind it; she need not take it personally.

Though none of them treated her kindly, at least Qi Jingyan had not killed her, nor directly insulted or expelled her—that alone was enough.

---

Entering the camp, Meng Yu Ning was surprised.

Usually by this time, the camp would be packed up and ready to move, but today, there was complete stillness.

The guards on duty stood at attention by the camp’s edge, swords hanging at their hips, facing outward.

In the clearing behind the camp, two squads of guards drilled in formation, but no others were in sight.

According to imperial regulations, the number of guards assigned to a feudal prince varied between ten thousand and thirty thousand, depending on the size of his domain.

But Qi Jingyan, branded a traitor and disgraced crown prince, was clearly not entitled to such privileges. The Kangwen Emperor’s edict limited his personal guard in the domain to no more than two thousand.

Yet on this journey, the emperor had only permitted him to bring two hundred from the former Eastern Palace guards. The rest of the two thousand would have to be recruited after arrival in Lingnan.

Even these two hundred had suffered heavy casualties from multiple incidents along the way. By the time they reached Canghai Commandery, fewer than fifty remained, including Qi Jingyan and the three-year-old prince Qi Jingyi.

Having just left the capital’s territory the day before, they’d yet to encounter further mishaps, so those who had accompanied Qi Jingyan from the capital were still present, including the cook who was notoriously bad at cooking and had a strange temper.

Seeing smoke rising from the eastern side of the camp, Meng Yu Ning guessed the cook was preparing a meal.

Mu Feng used to bring her food, but judging by his attitude earlier, she would likely have to serve herself from now on.

However, the aroma of food had not yet reached her; it would be some time before the meal was ready.

So Meng Yu Ning stopped looking around and returned to her small tent with the wild greens.

Inside, she tossed the bundles on the floor, unstrapped her pack, slipped off her shoes, and collapsed onto the narrow camp bed.

Only when she felt the mattress and blanket against her skin did the full extent of her exhaustion and pain hit her, especially the burning ache in her inner thighs.

Riding horses was no easy task. Next time, she resolved to stick to the carriage—though she wondered if after this ordeal, they would even allow her to ride in the luggage cart.

For now, though, all she cared about was that she was back in camp, her life temporarily safe. She felt utterly drained and hungry, unwilling to move a finger, wanting only to rest. Other matters would have to wait until she recovered.

With these thoughts, she closed her eyes, intending only to nap until the food was ready.

But after hours of riding and constant vigilance, the moment she relaxed she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

---

In Qi Jingyan’s tent, he was eating with Qi Jingyi.

Two dull, unidentifiable dishes sat on the table. Qi Jingyan hadn’t touched them, quietly sipping a bowl of plain white rice porridge. Qi Jingyi imitated him, holding his own bowl and sipping carefully.

Mu Feng, standing nearby, whispered a complaint to Mu Yun.

“That old cook must be doing this on purpose—making the food so awful.”

Mu Yun glanced at him, puzzled. “Why would he do that?”

Mu Feng replied, “If the food’s bad, no one will let him cook. Then he can have a quiet life and get back to fiddling with his medicines.”

Mu Yun said, “That can’t be. Doctor Tang knows his limits.”

At the time the imperial decree was issued, it specifically forbade the prince from bringing doctors from the capital on the journey, as medical resources were scarce.

The emperor clearly wanted Qi Jingyan’s leg to remain unhealed.

Everyone was outraged, but had no choice.

After learning this, Doctor Tang had volunteered to join the group as a cook, secretly treating the prince’s leg.

What no one expected was that the legendary Doctor Tang’s cooking was so horrendous it was nearly inedible.

Mu Feng nodded. “True enough. All two hundred of us are clean and proper, but who knows which of the guards watching us are spies? We have to be careful.”

He grimaced. “But still, that old Tang’s food is unbearable. Can’t we get someone else to cook?”

Mu Yun shot him a sideways glance. “You want to cook? Or me? Or those wild men outside?”

Mu Feng shuddered, recalling a hunting trip where a friend had enthusiastically prepared a delicious mushroom soup, only for his horse to suddenly sprout a beautiful woman’s face chasing after him, begging to marry him...

He promptly shivered and rubbed his arms. “Better not. At least with Tang’s cooking, we’ll stay alive.”

After finishing his porridge, Qi Jingyan noticed the two whispering at the door and asked, “Did Miss Meng get her food?”

Mu Feng turned sharply. “Your Highness, Miss Meng is so carefree she came back and immediately fell asleep. She probably hasn’t even woken up yet. No need to feed her.”

Qi Jingyan said, “She still must eat. Since she chose to travel with us, we mustn’t mistreat her. If she falls ill, Doctor Tang will have to treat her, and if he gets angry, the food will only get worse.”

“Understood.” Mu Feng’s expression darkened further. He turned and left to the makeshift kitchen, bringing back a bowl of porridge and a dish of vegetables.

Outside Meng Yu Ning’s tent, he declared coldly, “Miss Meng, your meal.”

Exhausted and hungry, Meng Yu Ning had been dreaming of a huge bowl of braised pork knuckles, endlessly trying to pick them up but failing, making her nearly frantic.

Hearing “meal” made her open her eyes immediately, and catching the scent of rice, she replied hurriedly, “Coming.”

Struggling to her feet, she lifted the tent flap and saw Mu Feng standing there, scowling and holding the food.

Without a word, he placed the bowl and dish in her hands and turned to leave.

She called after his retreating back, “Thank you, Mu Feng.”

He stiffened briefly, then shrugged and walked away.

Looking at the thick white porridge, Meng Yu Ning swallowed and returned inside. She put down the vegetables and, without even using a spoon, drank several hearty mouthfuls.

The warm porridge soothed her, and she settled onto the bed, picking up her chopsticks to try the unidentifiable vegetable dish.

She barely chewed before spitting it out—it was both bitter and salty, impossible to swallow even with her eyes closed.

What kind of dish was this? How could it be even worse than a few days ago?

She quickly ate two more mouthfuls of porridge, which helped diminish the strange taste.

After finishing the bowl silently, she stared at the plate, a thought stirring in her heart.

She set down the bowl, picked up the wild bamboo shoots and shepherd’s purse, and left her tent.

At Qi Jingyan’s tent, she announced, “Your Highness, I have a request.”

There was a brief silence inside before Mu Yun lifted the curtain and stepped out, gesturing politely.

“Miss Meng, His Highness invites you in.”

Meng Yu Ning gave a slight nod and entered the tent, where the strange cook sat by the wheelchair, holding a cloth bundle and glaring at her.

She was no stranger to their hostile looks and paid no attention, instead raising the two bundles of wild greens before Qi Jingyan and speaking plainly.

“Your Highness, I wish to borrow a pot to cook these two dishes.”

Before Qi Jingyan could respond, the cook immediately became alert.

“What do you intend? Poison His Highness?”

“Absolutely not,” Meng Yu Ning hurriedly shook her head, silently grateful she had come straight to Qi Jingyan; otherwise, the pot might have been useless.

Qi Jingyan reached out to stop the cook from speaking and nodded to Meng Yu Ning.

“The pot is over there. Use it if you wish.”

Meng Yu Ning smiled in thanks and turned to leave.

After a few steps, she remembered she had not bowed and turned back.

Following the memory of proper etiquette, she made a respectful bow to Qi Jingyan before taking the vegetables to the kitchen.

Once she was gone, Tang He opened the cloth bundle, pulled out a silver needle, and resumed treating Qi Jingyan’s leg, muttering without cease.

“She’s a pampered noble lady who knows nothing of grains or vegetables, only crying and whining, yet she dares to boast about cooking. What a joke.”

Qi Jingyan said calmly, “Let her do as she pleases. No need to get angry over it.”

Tang He replied, “I’m just worried she’ll poison someone and then expect me to fix it.”

Qi Jingyan said, “Rest assured. No one will eat what she makes.”

Mu Feng chimed in, “Exactly. Anything made by a Meng is so bad, even the dogs in our Shen Wang Mansion won’t touch it.”