Zhao Pei slowly opened her eyes amidst the turbulence, but all she saw was the dim light in the small space. She felt dizzy, and tried to recall what happened before she fainted, but she only remembered that it suddenly became dark.
Where is this... Zhao Pei tried to get up, but she found that her whole body was numb and she couldn't move. She was shocked, wondering if someone had set her up against her. She suddenly remembered Ziye, and turned around with difficulty to look around, only to see Ziye curled up in the corner of the carriage and sleeping soundly.
"Ziye...Ziye!" Zhao Pei called her anxiously, but Ziye didn't hear her at all. Zhao Pei called again: "Ziye! Ziye! Wake up!"
Although she didn't wake Zi Ye up, she did wake the people outside. The curtain was lifted, and the sunlight from outside suddenly shone in and blinded Zhao Pei's eyes. She tried hard to see who it was, but she could only see a silhouette.
"Oh, Princess, you're awake! It's been a whole day and I was scared." The voice belonged to a man in his thirties, with a hint of teasing and frivolity, "I'm really sorry, I beat that girl badly, I guess it will take a while for her to wake up." Zhao Pei finally saw his face clearly, it was very ordinary and unfamiliar.
Her heart suddenly rose, and she forced herself to remain calm and asked, "Who are you? Where is this? Why did you use a fake letter to lure me out? What are you going to do to me?"
The man smiled and said, "Princess, you asked so many questions, which one do you want me to answer?" Seeing Zhao Pei's cold eyes looking at him, as if she had a sharp sword hidden inside, he replied perfunctorily, "My name is Fu Rong. This is about 40 miles outside the city. I am just following orders, and I don't know what I am doing."
"Who is it? Where are you taking me?" Zhao Pei glared at him fiercely, feeling a little panicked.
"Hey, look at what you said, why is it kidnapping? It's inviting you." But Zhao Pei laughed sarcastically and cleared his throat, "This is mainly because they are afraid that the princess will not agree, so... the action is more direct. I have been ordered to invite the princess to Jiankang. Our master wants to see the princess."
Jiankang... Zhao Pei's heart was moved, Jiankang... Who could it be? Judging from the situation, it must not be someone from the Xu family, and it must not be Xiao Gang. Who else could it be? Could it be... Zhao Pei's mind gradually became clearer, and her face understood. Now she smiled faintly: "I haven't been back to Jiankang for a long time. It's great to be back now. Thank your master for me. But please give me some food and water, and remove this trick on me. I don't believe that your master treats guests from afar like this."
Fu Rong was stunned, as if he had not expected Zhao Pei to have such a reaction. He looked at her for a while before saying blankly, "I can guarantee the food, but I can't get rid of the incense. This incense is called "intoxication", and the effect will not disappear within five days. I am sorry to trouble you during this period."
Zhao Pei responded without objection. When Fu Rong was about to leave, she said, "Please help me lean against the wall of the car. I want to see the scenery outside. It's bumpy and stuffy lying like this."
Fu Rong was completely speechless. He stared at her for a long time before finally giving in and doing what she said. Then he immediately left the carriage and lowered the curtain.
The proud look on Zhao Pei's face quickly fell, and it became extremely gloomy. She kept thinking in her heart, this must be that person, is he trying to use her to threaten Xiao Yi? It's really... stupid... How can a person who doesn't even care about his own son care about her, one of his wives and concubines. However... Xiao Gang's eyebrows and eyes appeared in Zhao Pei's mind, but they were a little blurry. She thought... maybe she could see him.
For some reason, she wanted to see him so much.
Zhao Pei looked through the car window for a while and saw that there were only two cars. There was no one else except Fu Rong who was driving and another strange man. The other car was empty.
She chuckled. It seemed that this man named Fu Rong was very capable and should not be underestimated. She completely gave up the idea of escaping. Knowing that he would not dare to touch her for the time being, she simply closed her eyes and rested indifferently.
Fu Rong looked in from the outside and saw Zhao Pei's indifferent and careless eyes. He murmured with a smile: "This woman..." There was a trace of unusual thoughts in his light-colored pupils.
As the night fell, the carriage was still shaking, and Zhao Pei felt sore all over that she felt uncomfortable. She called Fu Rong over and asked him if there was any cushion or something, and Fu Rong gritted his teeth and replied, "I'm sorry, Princess. I was in a hurry on the road and didn't think it through."
Zhao Pei responded indifferently: "Oh, I must remember it next time." As soon as the words came out, Fu Rong's eyes twitched. If it weren't for the uncertain future, Zhao Pei would have laughed out loud.
Later, Ziye woke up and was stunned for a long time when he saw the scene in front of him. He was quite calm, and except for being surprised, he did not make any other unnecessary movements, such as Ruhua's usual exclamation and Hanzhen's usual mumbling that no one could understand.
Zhao Pei forced a smile that was uglier than crying: "I'm sorry that you have to suffer with me, Ziye."
Ziye raised his eyes and looked at her: "Where are we going?"
"Jiankang." Zhao Pei said nonchalantly with a grin.
Ziye's eyes suddenly darkened, as if she had seen the stormy waves ahead. She stared at Zhaopei in silence, and lowered her head without saying a word. Sometimes, Zhaopei loved Ziye, who was so smart and independent, but sometimes, she hated him.
》》》》》》》》》
Five days later, Zhao Pei was finally able to move.
Five days later, they also arrived at their destination, Jiankang. Zhao Pei looked at the dark city, which was solemn, sad, lonely and... deserted. The carriage entered the city easily, and she looked at the scenery on both sides of the road, feeling heavy in her heart. The pedestrians were full of sorrow and worry, and the shops on the street were also very run-down and deserted. There was no trace of the prosperity and bustle before Zhao Pei left.
She had never thought that one day she would return to Jiankang and see such a scene in such a way. The chaos and bloody rain before her eyes seemed vaguely like the chaos and bloody rain of years ago. A chill suddenly ran up her spine and she shuddered involuntarily.
The carriage stopped, Fu Rong lifted the curtain and said respectfully: "Madam, we have arrived. Please get off the carriage." Zhao Pei obediently stood up with Zi Ye. Because of the bumps and numbness in the past five days, Zhao Pei's muscles and bones were not yet flexible, and she seemed unable to walk. Seeing this, Fu Rong stepped forward and put his arm around Zhao Pei's waist and brought her down. Zhao Pei was startled, and after she came to her senses, her face was embarrassed and angry, but she couldn't say a word. This was the first time in the past five days that Zhao Pei looked at Fu Rong so closely. In fact, this man was quite good-looking, and his light brown eyes were particularly eye-catching.
Zhao Pei looked at him for a moment, and in Fu Rong's slightly smiling eyes, she broke away from him and said coldly: "You are quite brave as a servant. You have a chance to be promoted."
Fu Rong chuckled: "Then I'll borrow Madam's good words."
Zhao Pei couldn't argue with him, so she could only glare at him. At this time, a servant came forward and said to Zhao Pei respectfully, "Madam, please follow me." Zhao Pei no longer looked at this arrogant servant, took Ziye's hand and left.
Fu Rong watched Zhao Pei's shadow disappear behind the red gate from afar and shook his head gently: "This woman... " (To be continued)