Chapter 366  : Return Journey

Chang Yang’s eyes were filled with terror, but no matter how frightened he was, he couldn’t move at all. He could only watch as Bai Ling’s axe descended onto him.

Jiang Peihuan, as she left, only heard screams from behind but did not look back.

If there were any doubts or questions in Jiang Peihuan’s heart before, they were erased after hearing Bai Ling’s story. She felt that Chang Yang deserved his fate.

However, remembering Chang Yang’s identity, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t help but turn to the man beside her. “Xiao Nanye, you just left like that. If the royal family finds out, would there be consequences for you?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Seeing the look in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes, Xiao Nanye replied softly.

Gazing out of the window, the man continued, “Even if they find out, what can they do to me?”

Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan said no more.

From a personal perspective, Xiao Nanye should have saved Chang Yang. But from her own heart, Jiang Peihuan felt that such a person deserved death.

“Do you want to return home, or stay here for a couple of days as previously planned?”

After Jiang Peihuan took a seat, the man also sat beside her.

Hearing Xiao Nanye’s voice, Jiang Peihuan lifted her head and softly replied, “Let’s stay for a couple of days. We’re already here. If we left now, wouldn’t it be a waste of this scenery?”

“Then, as you wish.”

While they were conversing, Han Feng approached them.

Arriving in front of Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye, Han Feng bowed and then looked at Xiao Nanye, “Master, Prince Chang Yang is dead.”

Given the screams they’d heard when leaving, Jiang Peihuan was not surprised. But thinking of Bai Ling, she turned to Han Feng and asked, “And Bai Ling?”

“She’s also dead.”

Meeting Jiang Peihuan’s gaze, Han Feng softly replied, “After Bai Ling killed Prince Chang Yang, she hanged herself.”

Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan fell silent.

After a moment, Han Feng turned to Xiao Nanye, “Master, should we inform the Mu Mansion?”

“Send a message to the capital and let them handle the bodies.”

“Also, find a place to bury Bai Ling’s body.”

“Yes.”

After bowing to them both, Han Feng left.

For some time after, neither Jiang Peihuan nor Xiao Nanye mentioned the incident, as if they hadn’t seen the scene in the courtyard.

After dinner, Jiang Peihuan sat on a swing in the courtyard.

Xiao Nanye, just like when he first arrived, stood behind her, gently pushing the swing.

A gust of wind lifted Jiang Peihuan’s skirt, and with the scent of flowers, she felt a sense of calm.

Nightfall comes early in the mountains. After chatting for a while, Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye went to bed.

But not long after Jiang Peihuan had fallen asleep, she was awakened by the sound of thunder.

“Huan Er?”

When Jiang Peihuan opened her eyes, Xiao Nanye was already awake.

The sound of rain and wind filled her ears. Looking at the man beside her, she couldn’t help but speak, “Is it raining outside?”

“Yes, and it’s a rainstorm.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Soon after, Han Feng’s voice was heard, “Master, there’s a sudden heavy rain. The courtyard is flooding. Should we head back to the city?”

Upon hearing that, Xiao Nanye did not reply, but headed straight for the door.

Jiang Peihuan, seeing his movement, quickly grabbed her coat from the side.

As the door was opened, a chill breeze struck. When Xiao Nanye heard the footsteps behind him, he immediately raised his sleeve to shield Jiang Peihuan from the cold wind.

Only after the chill subsided did he lower his arm.

Both Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye looked outside to find the water level in the courtyard had already risen past their ankles.

The rain showed no signs of letting up, and seemed to be getting even heavier.

After a brief contemplation, Jiang Peihuan said, “It doesn’t seem like the rain will stop anytime soon, and considering the low-lying terrain here, we should head back to the city.”

“Alright.”

Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Xiao Nanye nodded.

Moments later, everyone was packed and ready to leave.

As Jiang Peihuan started to walk outside, Xiao Nanye grasped her hand.

Meeting her puzzled look, he softly remarked, “The ground is flooded. If you walk on it, your shoes and stockings will get wet.”

After saying this, Xiao Nanye picked up Jiang Peihuan in a princess carry.

Behind them, Ye Xiao hastily opened an umbrella to shield them from the rain.

Carrying Jiang Peihuan, Xiao Nanye strode towards the carriage.

Han Feng had already brought the carriage into the courtyard. After only a few steps, Xiao Nanye carried Jiang Peihuan onto it.

Jiang Peihuan’s first instinct was to look at Xiao Nanye’s shoes.

“It’s fine; these boots are waterproof,” he whispered, seeing her gaze.

After speaking, he took a cloth from his sleeve and gently wiped away the raindrops on Jiang Peihuan’s face.

At that moment, Jiang Peihuan noticed that the cloth in his hand was the same one she had used to bandage his wound previously.

Following her gaze, he smiled warmly and asked, “Huan Er, do you still remember this cloth?”

“Of course 1 do, but I never imagined you’d still have it.”

“This cloth has a special meaning to me, naturally, I’d keep it.”

“Master, we’re setting off now,” Han Feng’s voice came from outside the carriage.

Xiao Nanye responded with a simple acknowledgment.

The carriage then began its journey to the city, accompanied by the sound of the rain.

Peeking out, Jiang Peihuan realized the downpour was so heavy that it was nearly impossible to see the road.

After a moment of thought, she called out, “Ye Xiao, the rain is too heavy.

Come inside the carriage.”

“Understood.”

Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s voice, Ye Xiao entered the spacious carriage.

The carriage was spacious enough that Ye Xiao, sitting near the entrance, did not obstruct the space between Xiao Nanye and Jiang Peihuan.

At one point, Ye Xiao wanted to switch places with Han Feng, but was declined.

An hour later, they entered the city.

Inside the city, the flooding seemed worse than outside due to the sudden increase in rainwater, causing the city’s protective moat to overflow. Many homes were inundated. Given the conditions in the city, Jiang Peihuan could only imagine how the villagers outside fared.

The carriage proceeded directly to the King Cheng’s mansion.

The Cheng Mansion was located on higher ground within the city, so it was relatively unaffected.

However, as Jiang Peihuan looked at the relentless rain, she couldn’t help but say to Ye Xiao, “Go and find out the current situation outside the city.”

“Understood.”

Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Ye Xiao promptly left the mansion.

After his departure, Xiao Nanye turned to Jiang Peihuan, “Huan Er, it’s still early. Go rest in your room..”