Painting, for the Beimo Cheng King, is not a difficult task.

After the Beimo Cheng King left, the Taoist collected the two silver notes, ready to pack up, when two fortune-tellers approached.

The Taoist continued his business.

The Beimo Cheng King walked a bit further away and turned back to the Taoist, "Go and find out the background of this Taoist."

The guard nodded and left.

The Beimo Cheng King didn’t wander the streets idly; his head seemed to be fuming with smoke, who has the leisure for that?

He went straight back to the Crown Prince’s Separate Courtyard.

The Beimo Cheng King, who hadn’t copied Buddhist Scriptures for decades, unsettlingly started to do so.

By evening, the guard returned and reported the news to the Beimo Cheng King, "That Taoist had been telling fortunes in front of Putuo Temple, only started setting up a fortune-telling stall on the street a few days ago."

"After wide inquiry, it appears the Taoist truly has some skills. Initially, many didn’t believe him but went to thank him after the fact, gaining him some reputation around the Putuo Temple area."

In fact, being able to mention that many people are burning paper money for the Beimo Cheng King is enough to be convincing.

Making inquiries is also to prevent being schemed against.

After all, caution can ensure a longer journey.

Not only was it discovered where the Taoist had told fortunes, but even his dwelling was found out.

The Beimo Cheng King instructed the guard to investigate at night.

The guard went.

When he arrived, the Taoist had just finished bathing, sipping tea, accidentally dropping the tea cup.

The Taoist used the broken tea cup on the ground to conduct a fortune-telling for himself.

The Taoist’s face was grim as he muttered, "I really shouldn’t have taken that fortune today."

"This is clearly inviting trouble; it would be wise to leave early."

The Taoist hurriedly packed his things and was about to leave overnight.

As he left the door, he was blocked by the guard, "Where are you headed?"

The Taoist appeared terrified, "The latrine, the humble Taoist is going to the latrine."

"Going to the latrine with a bundle?" the guard coldly asked.

"This habit is indeed odd," the Taoist was nearly in tears.

The Taoist quickly turned back, went inside, and closed the door.

It’s truly maddening.

Why is every step within that man’s calculations?

Did he encounter another colleague?

The Taoist locked the door and bolted it; unable to use the door, he decided to try the window, but the guard was waiting there too.

The Taoist felt like dying.

The guard coldly said, "If I hadn’t come here, you, Taoist, would have escaped."

"Stay put and think carefully about how to help my master avoid disaster; otherwise, tomorrow will be the day your head meets the ground!"

What could the Taoist do? He was already aboard the pirate ship and couldn’t disembark.

Yet, according to his own fortune, that person is a noble in his fate.

Why does he only sense pitfalls?

The Taoist repeatedly apologized, placed his bundle back, and peacefully went to sleep.

To prevent the Taoist’s escape, the guard stayed inside the small courtyard.

The Taoist’s attempt to flee further convinced the guard of his genuine abilities.

Following the Taoist’s advice, the Beimo Cheng King did exactly as instructed, and fortunately, it was a sunny day.

After painting, he had it mounted and went to the fortune-telling stall.

With genuine skills, the Taoist baffled both the Beimo Cheng King and the guard.

After paying, he left with a deep expression.

Half an hour later, Xie Jingchen went to the fortune-telling stall to retrieve the "Hundred Ghosts Night Parade Painting."

Looking at the Taoist, he said, "I will not break my promise."

The Taoist said nothing.

He had divined that the Prince Consort would hold the commander’s seal, and the Prince openly admitted to disguising himself. Could he not believe such a noble?

Yet, he indeed didn’t understand how this noble, seemingly without rebellious intent, dared promise him the position at the Astronomical Bureau?

Holding the painting, Xie Jingchen left, while Dong Chenglang, who was in the restaurant above, watched knowing almost everything Xie Jingchen was doing.

When Xie Jingchen returned to Changning Marquis Mansion with the painting, Dong Chenglang looked at him, "Busy for so many days, just for this one painting?"

He was almost suspecting that Xie Jingchen was messing around.

The crucial thing was he accompanied him all these days.

Xie Jingchen closely examined the painting, and after a few glances, Dong Chenglang said, "The painting isn’t very good."

Xie Jingchen rolled the painting up and said, "The value of this painting exceeds your imagination."

"I’ve completed my business and can head to the border now."

Dong Chenglang was stunned.

It’s done?

Was he not planning to approach the Crown Prince?

"You abandoned approaching the Crown Prince?" Dong Chenglang reminded him.

Xie Jingchen shook his head, "There’s no need to approach the Crown Prince anymore."

He rolled up the painting and placed it back in the brocade box.

Dong Chenglang watched as Xie Jingchen closed the brocade box.

Was Xie Jingchen staying in the Capital for the Border Defense Map the Crown Prince held all this time, and it ended with just this painting?

Or is the Border Defense Map hidden within this painting?

It must be so!

With Xie Jingchen finishing his business, Dong Chenglang had nothing more to do and set off for the border the next day.

Midway, Dong Chenglang checked the painting more than once.

He could confirm it was indeed just a painting and not the imagined Border Defense Map.

Xie Jingchen knew of Dong Chenglang’s sneak peek but didn’t stop him.

As long as it wasn’t damaged, he could look at it as many times as he wanted.

A party of three, plus several guards, set out hastily for the border.

Traveling too fast, they barely missed the carriage where Princess Jing Mountain was bound and held.

Inside the carriage, Princess Jing Shan and the maid had cloth stuffed in their mouths, their hands and feet tightly bound.

She forcefully struck the carriage, but it was a bumpy road, and her attempts couldn’t rival the shaking of the carriage.

After riding a few steps away, Xie Jingchen tightened the reins, looking back at the carriage, his brows furrowed.

Did he misjudge?

Seeing Xie Jingchen halt, Dong Chenglang also stopped the reins, "Brother Li, why did you stop?"

"You go ahead to the town and wait for me; I have something to handle," Xie Jingchen said.

Saying so, he tossed his baggage to Dong Chenglang.

Dong Chenglang caught it casually.

Though he saved Dong Chenglang several times, Xie Jingchen felt that Dong Chenglang had become somewhat suspicious of him.

The bundle contained the painting he painstakingly acquired.

With the painting in Dong Chenglang’s hands, there’s no fear of him escaping.

Young Master Shi watched as Xie Jingchen rode away and remarked to his cousin, "I still feel he’s not simple."

"But he did save me several times," Dong Chenglang replied.

"He seems to have no ill intentions towards me."

As for being utilized, there appears to be no exploitation of him either?

He couldn’t intervene in military matters or advise against Daqi to assist his uncle.

Handing the bundle and the painting for him to guard seems to indicate trust.

"I happen to have some errands in the town up ahead, let’s go," Dong Chenglang said.

He nudged the horse to pick up speed.

Young Master Shi had no choice but to follow.

Back to Xie Jingchen, riding behind the carriage, which sped quickly, so he didn’t chase directly to avoid alerting them.

He trusted he didn’t misjudge, although it was a mere glance when the wind lifted the curtain.

Furthermore, Nanliang has sufficient motive to kidnap Beimo Princess Jing Shan.