Caught Up

“Good boy.”

Xiaoguo stroked Zhuang Zhuang’s head. She was glad that he didn’t continue asking as she had run out of excuses.

“Grab your clothes and let’s go out.”

Xiaoguo walked out with Zhuang Zhuang. At this hour, the situation outside was different from when they first arrived.

When they arrived at this place, it was still early and there weren’t many people around. Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang had been soaking in the hot spring for quite a while, so it seemed like they had come out during the peak hour.

There were many men and women crowding within the shop. All of them were choosing the hot spring they wanted to soak in. The women who were teasing Zhuang Zhuang earlier on, were so busy now that they must be wishing for extra help.

Xiaoguo held Zhuang Zhuang’s hand tightly and made their way to the front desk by avoiding the crowd. Coincidentally, she bumped into the woman who had just given her a massage.

One look at her and the woman knew what she wanted. She quickly brought her a bottle of the essential oil.

Xiaoguo took it from her, lifted the lid, and sniffed the contents. After making sure she had the correct item, she handed over the money.

After putting away the essential oil in their bag, the two of them quickly left the shop.

Xiaoguo estimated that it was just past midnight. It should have been dark at this hour, but at the moment, the streets were looking even more dazzling and bright than it did at noon.

This also explains why the people here were as active at night as they were during the day. At this hour, most people from other places would have been sleeping by now. They wouldn’t be so energetic like the people here.

“Speaking of which, could their minds and bodies really take it? Wouldn’t their body clocks be all messed up?”

Xiaoguo looked at the street, which was still bustling with activity. She was a little curious about the people here. Their bodies must be in superb condition.

“Yawn…”

Zhuang Zhuang yawned. He held the lotus lantern in one hand and held on to Xiaoguo with his other hand. With two hands occupied, he was unable to wipe his tears.

Xiaoguo shifted her bag to the front of her body and took the lotus lantern from Zhuang Zhuang. Then, she lifted him up.

As soon as Zhuang Zhuang landed in her arms, he immediately adjusted himself into a comfortable position and fell asleep.

Xiaoguo quickly returned to the inn. At the moment, everyone was still busy. Xiaoguo greeted the officer on duty and returned to their room.

The next morning, Xiaoguo brought breakfast into the room when Zhuang Zhuang was still asleep.

Xiaoguo knew that if she were to wake him by calling him, he would create a fuss as he usually did. It would be better to settle this the hard way.

Xiaoguo picked up Zhuang Zhuang and helped him put on his clothes and comb his hair.

Then, she quickly rinsed his mouth and washed his face.

Zhuang Zhuang was still in a daze as he ate the pickled vegetables that Xiaoguo was feeding him. He didn’t know how he could be eating when he was still fast asleep.

Xiaoguo got into the carriage on time and they began their journey home again.

At this moment, the streets were still bustling with activity. These people seemed to have no idea what fatigue was. They ate and drank every day as if they did not require any sleep.

Xiaoguo was about to lower the curtain when she was attracted by a figure.

A ten-meter-tall Buddha statue was standing halfway up the mountains and was facing towards their carriage. Xiaoguo was a little surprised. The carriage had been moving all this time, but no matter where they were, she felt like the statue was watching her.

Xiaoguo felt a tinge of regret. She really wanted to visit the temple. It was such a famous landmark here, but she was unable to pay her respects. It was such a pity.

Although Xiaoguo did not believe in gods, she could feel the spirituality in this place.

At this moment, Xiaoguo was setting a small goal in her heart. When she had the chance in the future, she would definitely bring Zhuang Zhuang to travel around the country.

Not long after leaving the city gates, the carriage suddenly stopped and Xiaoguo jerked forward. Her first reaction was to hug Zhuang Zhuang tightly.

Zhuang Zhuang also held on to Xiaoguo tightly in that instant. When there were no further movements, Xiaoguo lifted the curtain and looked outside.

To be honest, Xiaoguo’s first thought was that they had encountered bandits.

But looking at the quiet surroundings outside, it didn’t seem like what she had thought. There should be sounds of fighting if that was the case.

Xiaoguo lowered the curtain on one side and lifted the other.

Before her hand could touch the curtain, it was forcefully lifted.

Xiaoguo was shocked and instinctively blocked Zhuang Zhuang.

Outside the carriage, Jiang Danhe looked at the scene in front of him in a daze. At this moment, the smile on his face had stiffened.

He really did not expect to scare them.

“Xiaoguo? Xiaoguo? Zhuang Zhuang?”

Jiang Danhe looked at Xiaoguo, whose eyes were closed, and called out to them innocently.

Xiaoguo thought she was hearing things. Why was she hearing Jiang Danhe’s voice?

Xiaoguo carefully opened her eyes and saw a zoomed-in view of a handsome face.

“Jiang Danhe!”

Xiaoguo was a little excited. Why was he here?!

Zhuang Zhuang had also heard Jiang Danhe’s name. He instantly came out from behind Xiaoguo and said in surprise, “Father!”

“Why are you here?”

Jiang Danhe got off the horse and walked excitedly to the carriage. Xiaoguo made way for Jiang Danhe to sit down.

“I have some work to do and will be going the same way, so I’ll travel with you.”

Jiang Danhe hugged Zhuang Zhuang and said to Xiaoguo.

Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang were very happy. Zhuang Zhuang hugged Jiang Danhe and asked apprehensively, “Really?”

“Of course. I’m going to Feng City. It’s on the way.”

“Feng City? Why does that sound so familiar?”

Upon hearing Jiang Danhe’s words, Xiaoguo felt a little strange.

When Zhuang Zhuang heard this, he had a huge reaction. “Really?! That’s great!”

Zhuang Zhuang happily pounced on Jiang Danhe and kept rubbing himself against him.

Jiang Danhe was amused by Zhuang Zhuang’s cuteness, so he laughed and played along.

Earlier on, Jiang Danhe’s horse had been led away by his men. In the meanwhile, Zhuang Zhuang had had enough fun and was resting on his father.

Jiang Danhe finally had the time to speak with Xiaoguo.

“To Feng City, you say?”

“That’s right.”

Jiang Danhe nodded and said.

Xiaoguo fell into deep thought. She just recalled where she had seen Feng City. Wasn’t Feng City the strange town that she had encountered during their journey to the capital? There were many people waiting at the entrance and she saw a woman coming out from that strange place at night.

“On my way to the capital, I passed by Feng City…”

Xiaoguo told Jiang Danhe about the unusual sight that she witnessed. When Jiang Danhe heard this, there was an indescribable look in his eyes. “There must be something wrong with that place.”

“To tell you the truth, I’m going there to handle this matter.”

When Xiaoguo heard this, she found it a little strange. How could a general like him be running errands?

“In order for us to spend more time together, the emperor sent me to Feng City to handle some matters. At the same time, I can accompany you along the way.”

Jiang Danhe immediately added as he was afraid that Xiaoguo would think of him as an idle person. He was a general after all. How could he be involved in such trivial matters?

After hearing him out, Xiaoguo understood. “So that was the reason…”

“Then why didn’t you set off with us?”

Xiaoguo was a little puzzled. Why did he only catch up with them halfway through their journey?

“It’s all because of Li Shouji.” When Jiang Danhe started explaining, he was at a loss for words. “Li Shouji is too unreliable. The emperor told him about this the day before yesterday, but Li Shouji had forgotten about it. He only recalled the matter and informed me after you left yesterday.”

Xiaoguo snickered. He must have rushed over to catch up with them.

Along the way, Jiang Danhe kept stretching out and crossing his legs in order to attract Xiaoguo’s attention.

However, Xiaoguo did not notice it. After some time, she realized that he was trying to show her something, so she gave him her full attention.