CHAPTER 1095: CHAPTER 601: ZHAO DOUAN: TEACHING PRINCE JING A LESSON

"Me?" Little Rou was taken aback, somewhat uncertain as she twisted her wrist and tapped her nose with her finger.

Only after Zhao Douan nodded again to confirm did she reluctantly walk over.

It was nearly noon, and the caravan was gradually halting in the wilderness, starting fires to cook meals.

Zhao Douan stepped off the carriage and sat down on a log lying on the ground, with a member of the caravan responsible for preparing the meal.

The curtain of the carriage lifted again, and Yu Xiu, now dressed as an ordinary woman, led the drowsy Jin Jian off the carriage.

"Young Master, what do you want with me?" Little Rou asked, unable to resist casting a cautious glance at Yu Xiu, her eyes filled with envy.

As a female escort, though not ugly in appearance, her demeanor and attire leaned towards the masculine side, making her a rugged heroine. She was naturally defenseless against the ethereal, transcendent qualities exuded by the Daoist Yu Xiu.

Zhao Douan, wearing the "Nine Changes" mask and donning a new appearance, was disguised as a wealthy young master. He cheerfully lifted the hem of his robe, sat on a round log, gazed into the distant winter woods, and asked, "How far is it to White Stone Bridge from here?"

White Stone Bridge was a checkpoint west of Hu Ting, and according to intelligence, housed a Jiancheng Rebel Army unit. It wasn’t a key defensive point but was a vital passage in and out of Hu Ting.

This time, Zhao Douan was heading to Hu Ting without soldiers, traveling lightly within a caravan arranged by Prince Huaian. No one in the caravan knew their identity, only that he was a young master accompanying to do business in Hu Ting.

Before arriving, Zhao Douan had secretly made contact with the court’s army in Hu Ting through the Shadow Guard, arranging to meet at White Stone Bridge.

"Oh, after eating, we’ll head out again, and it should take about half an hour," Little Rou explained.

Afterwards, the female escort’s eyes shifted curiously, "What exactly are you going to Hu Ting for?"

She had held back this question the whole journey.

Zhao Douan chuckled, pointing with a teasing tone to a coffin on a carriage in the caravan, "To collect a corpse."

I guessed as much... Little Rou’s eyes showed a gleeful shine.

She had already noticed the fine coffin and, combined with Hu Ting being on the front lines, suspected that the young master’s elder had died on the front lines, thus risking the war to go there for the body. But Little Rou couldn’t understand why this noble young master could still smile, bringing the whole family along to collect a corpse.

"Ahem, I should remind you a few things," Little Rou sternly cautioned, "Hu Ting is at war. Although no battles are happening due to the deep winter, the checkpoints around are very strict. White Stone Bridge is in the hands of the Jiancheng Army. When crossing the bridge later, if they check you, remember not to speak recklessly, and don’t joke around. Otherwise, we can’t protect you."

Pausing, she glanced at Yu Xiu and Jin Jian, gritting her teeth, "And I don’t understand why you brought women along."

Zhao Douan, holding a twig, found this female escort amusing and asked knowingly, "Aren’t you escorts? Aren’t you supposed to protect us?"

Little Rou glared angrily, "They’re soldiers! Don’t you know civilians can’t fight officials?"

Zhao Douan shook his head, saying, "A bunch of mutinous rebels are bandits, not officials."

"Hey, you!" Little Rou’s eyes widened in anger, almost leaping up, shouting, "You can think such things, but how can you speak them out loud? Don’t drag everyone to death! This is the front line, not your cozy home!"

She gritted her teeth, classifying Zhao Douan as a foolish "ignorant sweet" noble young master.

From past escort experiences, she had escorted scions from wealthy families, many of whom were arrogantly stupid to the point of disgust. If it were ordinary times, she’d tolerate it, but now they were heading to the front lines. If this person acted foolishly, it would really endanger everyone to lose their heads.

Thinking of this, Little Rou patiently and repeatedly described the dangers of the front line, urging Zhao Douan and others to keep their mouths shut at the checkpoint, treating him as if he were an untrustworthy three-year-old.

Witnessing this, Yu Xiu, also sitting on the round log, had the corners of her mouth turn up under her veil, feeling rare joy along the journey.

Zhao Douan listened again and again with a grin, nodding frequently, displaying a humble learning attitude, finally reassuring Little Rou somewhat.

After the female escort left, the caravan’s helper brought the hot cakes over to Zhao Douan, Yu Xiu, and Jin Jian, who shared them. The helper brought a separate portion to the side of the carriage and placed it outside the curtain.

Turning around, a hand swiftly snatched the food into the carriage from behind the curtain in a flash.

Ji Yue, the old man fearing contact with people...

In the midwinter forest, the scenery was desolate, with white snow covering the withered yellow leaves, leaving behind a series of unknown footprints.

"After crossing White Stone Bridge, we’re in Hu Ting County. Then we can rest," Zhao Douan said as he tore a piece of steaming pancake and chewed it.

Yu Xiu ate slowly as well, her expression calm, "We only deal with the people of the Divine Dragon Temple."

"Understood, Master has emphasized it a thousand times," Zhao Douan replied, blinking playfully, "But if we run into Qingshan people..."

"It’s none of our concern," Yu Xiu said indifferently, "The Qingshan Warrior descending the mountain and joining any force is normal, unlike violating rules with Divine Dragon Temple."

Alright then... Zhao Douan sighed in disappointment.

The priests of the Heavenly Master Mansion have this downside; their rules are too rigid. Zhang Yan Yi practiced the Heavenly Dao, acting according to it was fine, but to have all disciples follow suit...