TRT -Chapter 51

…Look, that white-haired guy’s pets are all named Knife or Fork. Why can’t my pet be called Ladle?! Ah, when it grows up, it’s definitely going to be a grand, gallant, and dashing Ladle! (Stars practically sparkling in my eyes)

It was almost the end of autumn, yet the midday sun was still warm.

Ladle was sleeping in my arms. Lately it had grown a bit—it was now as big as White Hair’s hand—and it could walk. Every day it dashed around like a fluffy little ball, occasionally tumbling over. It was utterly adorable.

I wore a nondescript bluish-gray short shirt, draped a dark blue multipurpose cloak over my shoulders, and slung a black cloth satchel across one shoulder. I looked like a wandering merchant inside and outside the pass, holding Ladle, sitting in front of the money chest in Jingdu, waiting for White Hair’s people to come escort me out of the pass.

This was the Wangbei Pass, beyond which stretched the boundless grasslands. Life on the border was never as hostile as people within the pass imagined. In fact, free trade across the border was nearly unstoppable. The Xi Emperor of the Later Ming had taken a relatively lenient stance on northern border issues, which allowed Jingdu to bustle with people dressed in all sorts of clothing, and a lively trade of goods from north to south. This small money chest was already crowded with several minorities wearing headscarves or rough silver ornaments, as well as people from within the pass in silk clothing.

This was the first time in two months that I had been separated from White Hair. I was a newcomer, so I could openly pass through the city gate, but White Hair, being a foreign prince, was involved in complex political matters. Entering the pass without the emperor’s invitation would have been very troublesome. That’s why, when they had entered the pass, they had come down the western cliffs of Jingdu—terrain only passable by skilled riders on prized horses. The technical and precision requirements were extremely high, so there was no way White Hair could bring me along the same way.

Last night, Yacha brought a secret report. White Hair was furious and instructed me to wait here for someone to pick me up while he rode ahead early this morning.

Seeing him so angry… could it be that there was trouble in the royal family again? I remembered him saying that he had two older brothers. The Pursuing Wind Tribe didn’t have the usual primogeniture system; the capable succeeded, which is why he, the third son, got his turn. But the older brothers always wanted to save face, causing a lot of trouble. Sigh… that hot-tempered White Hair. I just hoped he wouldn’t make these matters even more tangled…

Lost in thought, I suddenly stopped! Wait a minute—why should I care about White Hair? When did I start worrying about him?! Oh my god, Zhao Minmin, what are you doing?! Something’s wrong! Something’s wrong! Lately I’ve been acting so strange! Ever since that night on the cliff, I’ve been sentimental, inviting trouble, becoming complacent… (You don’t need to blame yourself so much…) Didn’t I want to go home no matter what?! Now Xiao Tao has settled on her own place, Qingqing will look after her at the Changle Weiyang Gate, I’m caught up in my own romantic whirlwind, and Luo Cheng has already given me something like the Hunyuan Pearl… Everything is favorable, free of attachment. I should have gone to Master Mingjing back then, done the ritual, recited the sutras, and gone home! Why did I keep letting myself mess around with White Hair?!

What am I even doing?! I stood up suddenly and let out a long howl to the sky!

Hm, I’d like to know that too. A cheerful voice came from behind, startling me, and I quickly turned.

“Long time no see~ hmm… Minmin?” Silver skin, a fine horse, a long robe, a curved blade, and a headscarf—the man was from the Pursuing Wind Tribe. He was slender, fair-featured, and inherited the tall frame of northern men. His smile was especially friendly.

“You are…” I flipped through the list in my mind, pausing. Two pages back… yes! You are… the Silver Hero who gave me a chicken leg when White Hair bullied me in the cave?!” I pointed at him in surprise.

White Hair… chicken leg… his expression twitched slightly. Whatever… at least you remember me… even if it’s just because of the chicken leg…

“You must be the Fourth, right? White Hair sent you to pick me up?” I stepped closer happily.

He smiled gently, pressed his right hand to his left shoulder, and bowed slightly. “I am Fu Jun of the Pursuing Wind Tribe. I was indeed sent by the Young Master to escort you, Miss. You may just call me Azu~”

“Azu, huh… all your Pursuing Wind Tribe names are just one character?”

“Yes, but each tribe’s real names are much longer…”

“What’s Fu Jun, Azu?”

“Equivalent to a military advisor, I suppose…”

We walked side by side, leading the horse, chatting casually… I, again, seemed to have forgotten the main task… -_-

I had expected a smooth departure, but unexpectedly ran into trouble!

It turned out the Big Fox had anticipated that traveling with the Young Master of the Pursuing Wind Tribe would inevitably mean heading north. Although he couldn’t control the route, he set up an obstruction at the last checkpoint I would pass.

“Orders from above! Find a girl named Zhao Minmin, around ten-something years old. Once found, immediately escort her back to the army!” announced the dark-skinned city gate guard mechanically.

This elder blocked me, and though he didn’t anticipate this change, Azu remained remarkably calm. He was indeed experienced at assisting the royal family with schemes. “This younger brother is in the horse business and was about to check on the stock in our tribe. It’s too late to travel far today. I ask, Sir Guard, please allow passage…”

“Horse business?!” The dark-skinned guard looked skeptical. How could someone in horse trade be so delicate and fair-skinned?

“He is the youngest son of a long-time client. First time going out, just accompanying elders to learn. He will take over the family business in the future. Though pampered, he’s a genuine male. This has nothing to do with Miss Min! Sir Guard, please do not make things difficult for us. We’d like to rest at noon…”

Azu was amazing—he improvised this lie so smoothly that even I, the person involved, was nearly convinced!

“Uh… we would like to rest too, but the higher-ups are strict. Mishandling this matter could cost your head…” The guard slowed his tone but remained strict procedurally. “You two should still go check near the city gate. Since you’re boys, it’ll be quick and won’t delay anything. But lately… many girls are dressing as boys…” He looked at me strangely.

Now things were truly tricky. If we delayed, it would arouse suspicion. But if we went, my disguise might be revealed. Azu seemed troubled as well, simply blocking me in place.

While both sides stalled, a group of people in ornate clothing and on tall horses emerged from the city. The guard quickly moved us aside to clear the way. With so many people and eyes, this was our chance to slip away! Azu signaled, and we quietly pushed through the crowd toward the city’s edge. Unfortunately, the guard was sharp-eyed. Seeing us escape far enough, he shouted: “Catch them! Don’t let them get away!”

His shout alerted not just the soldiers, but also the noble party leaving the city. I cursed the meddlesome guard in my heart, yet was surprised to see all these people in fine attire had silver-toned skin—Pursuing Wind Tribe! Could they be White Hair’s people?

A man on a chestnut horse looked at us. When he saw Azu, he froze! The horse halted. He rode toward us. Azu hesitated slightly, then pulled me forward, shouting: “Second Young Master! Second Young Master! Please take charge of me!”

I was stunned. What drama was this now?

The guard froze too. Only Azu took a few hurried steps and knelt in front of the horse, trembling in apparent guilt. Before the man spoke, he blurted: “Second Young Master! I am incapable! The girl you ordered found cannot be taken out! If your men let others touch her, how can I allow it?! Please, Second Young Master, intervene!”

Everyone was stunned. Only the man on the horse studied Azu quietly. Azu didn’t look up. I felt a tension between them like a negotiation in business… Finally, the man said slowly and firmly: “Rise! Useless thing! Bring the person here!”

Azu, thrilled, quickly got up, ushered me to the chestnut horse, then politely fell back into the group. Just before letting go of me, he whispered: “Cooperate with him.”

I wanted to ask who this “him” was, and how to cooperate, but a sharp pain at my waist stopped me! I was forced onto the horse! The saddle dug into my thigh. His arm locked my waist like iron, pressing me against his chest, unbearably uncomfortable! Worse, he leaned in with a teasing tone, lifted my chin with one hand, and gently brushed his lips across my cheek: “Truly raised in the south, so tender and fair~”

Even I realized this wasn’t normal treatment of a servant—he was flirting with a boy pet! I had encountered lustful men before, but never allowed anyone to take advantage without resistance. Yet now, following Azu’s prior instructions, I had to pretend to be obedient, nestling in his chest, glaring at him with restrained anger. As I looked at him, I realized he was quite attractive, around thirty, handsome, and commanding. Not as stunning as White Hair, but striking nonetheless… I scoffed inwardly. Why do I always compare him to White Hair?

Meanwhile, the black-skinned guard approached cautiously: “Uh… Sir… I did not know this young man was part of your party. Please forgive my offense and bear with him.”

The Second Young Master nodded slightly. The man by the guard tried to step forward but was blocked. “He’s here to negotiate with General Fan. At this point, we cannot cause trouble.”

“But that man’s earlier words were suspicious!”

The guard glanced at the Second Young Master and said softly: “This is illegal human trafficking. It’s not surprising he lied… Do not interfere.” His words were precise, signaling that they had saved face for the Second Young Master. Both sides could now cooperate easily in the future.

The matter concluded. The Second Young Master took me and his party out of the pass in grand style.

Later that evening, Wangbei Pass.

A young man in silver soft armor, a general, patrolled steadily while listening to a report from a soldier.

“The Second Prince of the Pursuing Wind Tribe left the city today?” The young man raised his brows. His deep purple, grape-like eyes were striking. His straight nose and firm mouth added a rugged touch to his otherwise youthful face. Clearly, he had already negotiated with General Fan… Outside the pass, no need to monitor him, but once inside, surveillance must be strict!

“Yes, sir!” The soldier straightened. Hesitating, he added: “Deputy General Xiao, I’m not sure if I should mention this.”

“Speak.”

“Today, the black-skinned guard intercepted someone who seemed to be the girl the prince was looking for. But the Second Prince took her when he left the city.”

“What?! Deputy General Xiao stopped abruptly, turning! You found Minmin? Why didn’t you report immediately?!”

The soldier was startled and reported properly: “No, sir! That person was male, a boy pet of the Second Prince. The guards feared trouble would arise and affect negotiations with the Pursuing Wind Tribe, so they let him go.”

Boy pet? Hmph! Deputy General Xiao looked down on this, but considering the stakes, the guards’ handling was appropriate. He gazed silently at the grasslands beyond the pass: That Second Prince is cunning. Though not interested in men, he used boy pets as an excuse to recruit many unusual talents to oppose the Third Prince. Clever indeed. But their internal struggle is good for us… Thinking this, he smiled wryly. Right, that Second Prince is the Third Prince’s archenemy. How could he possibly help the Third Prince smuggle Minmin out? I’ve missed her too much… flustered…

Outside Wangbei Pass, the sun set westward, the sky dyed crimson.