SGEIRS -Chapter 407 Switching to the Land Route

After hearing this, Meng Jinyao’s expression also turned solemn. This time, the assassination attempt had failed, but they would definitely send more people after them. And next time, there would be more assassins, and their skills would be even better.

Gu Jingxi suddenly felt a little regretful for bringing A-Yao along on this journey. On their way back to the capital, they would surely encounter more pursuit and attacks. For him, it was nothing serious. But for a woman who had no martial skills and had been raised in the inner quarters, even one encounter was enough to terrify her—yet more danger still lay ahead.

Seeing his guilt and self-blame, Meng Jinyao reached out and held his hand, smiling gently.

“Husband, I’m not afraid. I’ve always believed that good will triumph over evil. We’ll both make it back to the capital alive. Still, to be safe, we must find a way to send out the evidence we’ve gathered.”

Gu Jingxi pulled her into his arms and said, “The account books and letters aren’t with me. I already had Fang Xuan rush them back to the capital a day early. No matter how closely they watch us, it’s useless.”

“Then what’s your plan next?” Meng Jinyao looked up at him and suggested, “Chan’er is badly injured and needs proper rest. It’s not suitable for her to keep traveling with us. Why don’t we leave her here to recover and have Qingqiu take care of her? Their target isn’t Chan’er or Qingqiu. They should be safe.”

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly. “I was thinking the same. Let Chan’er stay here to recuperate, and have Qingqiu remain with her.”

Meng Jinyao asked again, “Husband, when will we set off again?”

“There are definitely still people watching us,” Gu Jingxi replied. “They just lack manpower and don’t dare act again for now. It’ll take at least a day for Lord Han’s side to learn that the assassination failed and report back. Sending more people will also take time. During this period, we’re safe. We shouldn’t stay long. We’ll set off at daybreak and cover as much safe ground as possible.”

Meanwhile, Chan’er truly developed a high fever. After examining her, the doctor said that once the fever subsided, her life would no longer be in danger. He prescribed medicine and left.

Gu Jingxi’s group could not afford to linger. If they stayed and another assassination attempt occurred, the injured Chan’er would suffer. Taking her along was even worse. In the end, they left her some money and instructed Qingqiu to stay behind and care for her. Once Chan’er recovered, they would return to the capital together.

Because many furnishings had been damaged in the fight, Gu Jingxi also compensated the innkeeper accordingly.

Since the innkeeper had reported the incident to the authorities the previous night and knew that Gu Jingxi came from an official family, he treated Chan’er and Qingqiu as honored guests. He dared not neglect them, nor did he harbor any improper thoughts just because they were two young women.

Before leaving, Yu Chuan saw that Chan’er was still unconscious and felt deeply worried. But he couldn’t stay behind and abandon the Marquis. Without him, the Marquis would lack support. Moreover, those people wouldn’t target Chan’er. She was just a maidservant, and they wouldn’t waste effort on her.

He nagged anxiously, “Miss Qingqiu, you must take good care of her. Don’t be fooled by her tough, man-like appearance and great strength—she’s nothing like a proper young lady, but she’s most afraid of taking medicine. Prepare some candied fruit when you give her medicine. When she starts feeling better, she might refuse to drink it and insist on traveling again. You must persuade her not to be stubborn. Such serious injuries, if not properly healed, will leave lasting problems.”

Qingqiu nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her. I’ll remember everything you said.”

“Qingqiu, we’re leaving now. Take good care of yourself and Chan’er.”

Meng Jinyao also offered a word of advice. She herself had no martial skills and would only be a burden if she stayed behind. Worse, she could be used as leverage against her husband. But maidservants were different—no one would use a maid to force their master to hand over such important evidence.

After leaving the room, Yu Chuan still lingered by the bed, reluctant to go. In the end, Zhou Yun had to drag him out.

When they arrived at the dock, the boatman was already waiting.

After boarding, the boatman’s wife noticed that two young women were missing and asked curiously, “Madam, why don’t I see the other two young ladies? Haven’t they arrived yet? Should we wait a bit longer?”

“No need,” Meng Jinyao replied gently. “They have relatives here and went to stay with them.”

The woman nodded in understanding and asked no further questions.

Back in their cabin, Meng Jinyao suddenly asked, “Husband, do you think Yu Chuan likes Chan’er? Zhou Yun and Fang Ce were worried too, but their concern wasn’t the same as his.”

Gu Jingxi answered honestly, “He does have feelings for her. As for whether she feels the same, that’s hard to say. I promised him before that once we return to the capital, you’d help matchmake for them. If Chan’er agrees, we’ll arrange their marriage.”

“Then when she recovers and returns to the capital, I’ll bring it up with her,” Meng Jinyao said.

She then thought of her two senior maids, Qingqiu and Ningdong. Both were of marriageable age. She didn’t want to waste their youth either. After returning, she would ask about their wishes and help find suitable husbands if they were willing.

Gu Jingxi didn’t want the next assassination attempt to happen on the boat. The boatman was innocent and made his living by ferrying passengers. If he were killed because of them, it would weigh heavily on Gu Jingxi’s conscience.

So he calculated the timing and instructed the boatman to sail day and night. After three days, they would disembark. As for their belongings, the boatman would continue north and deliver them to the Changxing Marquis Residence. Gu Jingxi also paid him extra.

When the boatman heard “Changxing Marquis Residence,” he realized their background was extraordinary. He didn’t ask questions and readily agreed. Sailing day and night was no problem; he and his helper could take turns.

Three days later, Gu Jingxi’s group disembarked, and the boat continued north.

Meng Jinyao asked softly, “Husband, what shall we do now? Stay here for a while, or…?”

“We’ll disguise ourselves and take the land route,” Gu Jingxi replied. “Before that, we need to go to the authorities to forge identity documents and obtain travel permits.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding. If they traveled by land, their movements could be traced through city records. But with forged identities and permits, things would be different.

After a moment, she raised another concern. “But if you go to the authorities, what if they betray you?”

Gu Jingxi smiled. “That’s why I made the boat travel day and night. We had to reach here within three days. Others might not be trustworthy, but Magistrate Zhang here is reliable. He’s my father’s former student and an upright official.”

“I see,” Meng Jinyao said in realization.