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Pingting and Zuiju came back to their senses, turning to Yaotian, slightly afraid that she would change her mind.

Yaotian softly replied, "You can leave."

Pingting and Zuiju both bowed towards her. "Thank you, Princess."

"I should be the one thanking you for your letter. With it, you have saved millions of sons of my Yun Chang." Yaotian seemed deeply tired as she waved her hand, saying, "Go. I wish you all the best with no more suffering."

Zuiju held the baggage with one hand, the other helping Pingting as she got off the carriage. The two stood at the city gates, watching the carriage disappear into the distance, slowly, like disappearing into the trance of a strange dream.

Zuiju lifted her head to look at the sun above her, before turning to the wide mud-caked roads outside the city gates. Her voice was full of disbelief as she whispered, "I can't believe she really let us go and even brought us to the city gates."

"It's because there are a lot of people at the city gates, meaning that there will a be a lot of people willing to testify that Pingting walked out of the city at her own free will."

Zuiju temporarily paused before asking, "What is Miss saying?" Her mind was keener than most and had quickly considered the options. Her heart began to beat furiously as she directed her inquiring eyes towards Pingting.

Pingting seemed to have smelled something dangerous too. Her expression was light, "It is still too early, not the right time to leave the capital yet. Let's go see that Yun Chang market you mentioned back there."

For that tiny life in her belly, she would have to be more careful than anyone else.

When Yaotian returned to the Royal Residence, Gui Changqing was already there waiting for her.

"Princess." Seeing Yaotian, Gui Changqing got up to bow.

Yaoting softly replied and tiredly sat down on the chair. She raised her hands to rub her temples and waited for several moments before saying, "I tested Bai Pingting. From what I see, she really has no intention of returning to Chu Beijie's side."

"Then...what does Princess think?"

Yaotian considered it for a while and hesitantly replied, "A mere woman. If she isn't a threat to us, then why harm her? The moment I mentioned that I could let her go, she was full of happiness. She clearly doesn't want to stay beside the Prince Consort either."

"Princess' heart softened towards her." Gui Changqing sighed.

"Senior Official," Yaotian changed her tone, lowering it, "Does Senior Official not understand Yaotian's troubles?"

Gui Changqing was silent.

This official of Yun Chang had always been uncompromisingly firm in his methods when dealing with matters that could affect Yun Chang's future.

He got up, shifting his gaze away from Yaotian towards a distant tower he could not see clearly. He gradually said, "Aren't Princess' troubles supposed to be the troubles of Yun Chang? Princess has already acquired great power and it should be used to protect and bring mercy to many, not just a single Bai Pingting. It's true, releasing Bai Pingting is not something difficult. However, I worry that if Princess is unable to deal with a small affair like Bai Pingting, not willing to go further simply because it's troublesome, will Princess be able to properly deal with bigger affairs without bringing destruction to the entire Yun Chang?

Yaotian was at a loss for words and remained silent.

Gui Changqing then continued, "War is very cruel, a predatory jungle, and is never the true path of life. Princess has a very important position, and many people will take advantage if Princess' is not heartless enough. Just because Princess doesn't want others to taste the bitter fruit of defeat, does this mean you will have it instead?

Yaotian took every word to heart and remained silent for a long time. "Yaotian understands Senior Official's intention."

"Please consider it, Princess."

Yaotian stayed silent for a while before sighing. "Sigh, go ahead, Senior Official."

"Yes!"

"Senior Official..."

"Please speak, Princess..."

"You must keep it a secret and mustn't let the Prince Consort know."

"I will take care," Gui Changqing departed, still in a bow.

The bead curtains shook at the movement, causing the jewels on it collide into each other, scattering the light coldly in all directions.

He Xia was on his way, his body full of dust as he speed towards the border.

If he knew that his most beloved maid had met with misfortune, how would he react?

Yaotian was fully worried as she thought carefully over and over again.

She dearly loved that man and clearly understood that if He Xia knew what she had done, she would never be forgiven.

Fate just played too many tricks on people.

Pingting, that woman called Pingting, was so clever yet simple.

Exploring the earth, without a single care for the rest of the world, as free as a bird.

If one could really explore the world the earth, without a single care for the rest of the world, truly as free as a bird, then how truly amazing it would be...

Because, even though Yun Chang was the most peaceful compared to the other three countries, she had been following the national policy that stayed with her through throughout life.

Although the clouds of battle now covered the head of this peaceful country, the markets in the capital had not yet been affected. Several carriages, horses and people strolled around the stalls that sold peanuts, soybean milk, rice dumplings as well as various displays, some with monkeys as they basked for money. Several maids curiously walked along the street, picking out rouge or watercolour paints and many seemed to have been ordered to buy a few for their residence's ladies and madams.

Pingting and Zuiju picked the places with the most number of people. They took several alleyways as shortcuts, twisting and turning until not long later, they had reached another bustling street.

Zuiju followed closely behind her, holding the baggage. Her feet no longer enjoyed the touch of ground, "Miss, we have already been walking for a long time."

"I'm trying to throw off the tail behind us."

Zuiju was surprised, "There's someone following us?"

"I'm just guessing. There's too many people to know who exactly is."

"Miss?"

A helpless expression formed on Pingting's face. "I really don't know."

She had always been protected at the residences, protected by He Xia or Chu Beijie, and whether she was inside or outside. Even on the battlefield or advisory tent, guards had accompanied her. As a result, her encounters with enemies were uncommon.

If He Xia or Chu Beijie had been there, they would immediately notice who was the enemy, but Pingting didn't have this ability. Her naturally sharp senses indicated whenever there was danger, but all she could do was to hide as best she could.

The two quickened their pace when Pingting suddenly stopped and said, "I'm thirsty. Let's buy a bowl of soybean milk." She pulled Zuiju to a stall and put down two silver coins. "I'd like two bowls of soybean milk please, Mister."

When she took it over, her hand suddenly wobbled, causing half of the milk to spill.

"Kyaa!" Zuiju couldn't dodge in time and was drenched in it. Pingting was not spared either and a few drops spilled onto her sleeve.

"Oops,"Pingting hurriedly put down the milk. "It's all my fault for being so clumsy,what to do now?" She worriedly looked around herself. Seeing a nice-lookingmatron looking their way from her residence, she hurriedly pulled Zuiju towardsthe entrance of the door, looking very innocent. "Matron, is it possible toborrow clothes from this place?"

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