Lu Zhan did not go back on his word. When they reached the next dock, he really did release Guo Yong. However, Guo Yong’s clothes were quite clean, with no visible bloodstains.

’It seems my cousin lied to me. He didn’t torture Guo Yong after all.’

Zhi Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

As Guo Yong was disembarking, he handed a pouch of money to Zhi Wan.

"Ma’am, I failed to escort you to Yangzhou as we agreed. Please, take this payment back."

Zhi Wan refused to take it. "This wasn’t your fault. My own plans changed. Besides, you helped me fend off those ruffians at the dock that day, and you’ve lost so much time because of me. Consider this money your proper payment. Keep it. Your mother is getting on in years, so spend more time with her. Don’t take on any more of these long-distance jobs. Just stay in the Capital City and live a good life with her."

Guo Yong’s eyes reddened. Thinking of his elderly mother at home, he finally stopped refusing. He cupped his fist and said to Zhi Wan, "Then I will shamelessly accept it. If you have any need of me in the future, ma’am, you can call on me at any time."

"Alright, I will," Zhi Wan nodded.

Only then did Guo Yong disembark, looking back every few steps.

"A man like Guo Yong is hard to find," Chen Jiu remarked from the side.

Guo Yong could have just kept the money and run off. But seeing that the Miss was in "trouble," he unhesitatingly snuck onto the ship, looking for a chance to rescue her.

When his plan failed, he still tried to return the money to the Miss.

’He really is an honest man.’

"Then why were you so rough with him that day?" Zhi Wan asked, displeased.

Chen Jiu hurriedly defended himself. "I didn’t recognize him! I thought he was an assassin."

Zhi Wan didn’t believe him for a second.

From the way Chen Jiu had questioned Guo Yong that day, it was obvious he’d recognized him.

The rest of the voyage proceeded smoothly.

On this day, the ship finally reached Yangzhou.

Zhi Wan let out a breath, assuming her cousin would take her into Yangzhou. She calculated in her head: ’My cousin came to Jiangnan on official business, so he can’t possibly stay in Yangzhou every day. When the time comes, I’ll take the opportunity to suggest we go to Jurong to find Nanny Chen.’

’Even if he says no, I’ll find a way to go by myself when he’s busy with his duties.’

However, after reaching Yangzhou, the ship didn’t stop. Instead, it sailed straight on toward Jiangning.

Seeing this, Zhi Wan felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on her. She scrambled to find Lu Zhan.

"Cousin, we’ve reached Yangzhou! Why aren’t we stopping? Weren’t we coming to Yangzhou?"

Lu Zhan was sitting at a desk reading through case files. At her words, he lifted his gaze to her. "I haven’t finished my official business in Jiangning yet. I must trouble you, cousin, to accompany me to Jiangning first. Once my affairs there are settled, I will take you to Yangzhou. If you wish to find Nanny Chen then, I will go with you."

Zhi Wan was furious. "If you have official business, then go by yourself! Let me off this ship!"

"No. I can’t rest easy leaving a young lady like you in Yangzhou alone," Lu Zhan said coolly.

Staring at the man’s cold, stern features, Zhi Wan grew even angrier. "And you said you weren’t trying to imprison me! This is exactly what you’re doing!"

"Cousin, do you perhaps misunderstand the meaning of imprisonment?"

"What?"

"Have I restricted your movements these past few days? What prisoner is as free as you?" Lu Zhan asked.

Zhi Wan knit her brows. "You may not have restricted my movements, but we’re on a ship. A ship that’s sailing. I can’t get off."

"I won’t restrict your movements in Jiangning, either. If you wish to go out and shop, I will not stop you," Lu Zhan said.

Zhi Wan was so angry her chest heaved.

Lu Zhan paused, then said, "If there is nothing else, cousin, please leave. I still have several files to review."

Zhi Wan stormed out, utterly dejected.

’My cousin is always so mild-mannered, yet his words are so ruthless, leaving no room for negotiation.’

’He says he isn’t restricting me, but in reality, he’s restricting me at every turn. I can’t even go where I want to go.’

’It’s not imprisonment, but he keeps me by his side to watch over me. That’s just a different form of imprisonment.’

’Hypocrite!’ 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

’A wolf in sheep’s clothing!’

Zhi Wan mentally cursed her cousin with every name she could think of.

...

No sooner had the ship carrying Zhi Wan and Lu Zhan set off for Jiangning than the one carrying Lady Wei arrived in Yangzhou.

She led her people in a great flurry to the Lu Family Villa, only to be told by Elder Tian that Lu Zhan and Zhi Wan had not come to Yangzhou.

Upon hearing this, Lady Wei nearly choked.

"What? They didn’t come to Yangzhou?"

"No." Elder Tian shook his head, feeling puzzled himself. ’What’s in the air in Yangzhou lately? Members of the Lu Family are arriving one after another, and now even the matriarch herself is here.’

"Could they have gone to the mountain villa?" A sliver of hope sparked in Lady Wei as she remembered the Lu Family owned another property in Yangzhou.

"This old servant has not received any report from the steward there." Elder Tian shook his head. "If you are worried, my lady, I can send someone to Pan Yun Mountain Villa to check."

"Go quickly," Lady Wei urged.

Elder Tian hurried off.

Lady Wei let out a breath and, leaning on Nanny Fang’s arm, sat down in a chair.

She suffered from seasickness, and after days of rushing here by boat, she felt on the verge of collapse.

After so much trouble, she’d finally reached Yangzhou, thinking she would see her son and Wan’er, only to find they weren’t at the Lu Family Villa.

Now, her only hope was that they had gone to the mountain villa.

However, the person Elder Tian sent returned to report that the two were not at the villa either.

Lady Wei’s vision went dark, and she nearly fainted.

’That rebellious son of mine, Lu Zhan!’

’He took Wan’er and didn’t come to Yangzhou, so where could they have gone?’

"My lady, the Princely Heir went to Jiangning some time ago. Could it be they are in Jiangning now?" Elder Tian couldn’t help but speculate, seeing how anxious she was.

The light returned to Lady Wei’s dimmed eyes. ’Yes, why didn’t I think of that?’

Her son had returned to the Capital City from Jiangning just a short while ago.

But the thought of having to take another boat to Jiangning made her wilt.

Then, she thought of the innocent Wan’er, and her spirits rallied.

’No, I have to go to Jiangning.’

’My son has unspeakable intentions toward Wan’er. If I’m too late, poor, innocent Wan’er will fall into his hands and be eaten clean, leaving not a single bone behind!’

The more Lady Wei thought about it, the more frantic she became. She didn’t even bother to rest, immediately setting off for Jiangning at top speed.

Meanwhile, Zhi Wan had already arrived in Jiangning with Lu Zhan.

As he stepped off the boat, Lu Zhan’s eyelid suddenly twitched, and an inexplicable sense of unease washed over him.

But when he turned and saw his cousin following obediently behind him, he suppressed the sudden feeling.

’I must be overthinking things.’

「Jiangning Post House.」

Duan Ling had been run ragged these past few days. When he heard Lu Zhan had returned, he was delighted. He immediately dropped his work to go and greet him, only to see Zhi Wan trailing behind Lu Zhan.

He froze, asking in surprise, "Cousin Zhi Wan, what are you doing here?"

"Junior Minister Duan." Zhi Wan curtsied.

"No need for formalities." Duan Ling waved his hand dismissively, his gaze full of confusion as he looked at her. "Didn’t you return to the Capital City last time? Why have you come to Jiangning now?"

At his words, Zhi Wan couldn’t help but glance at her cousin.

Seeing this, Duan Ling also turned to look at Lu Zhan.

Lu Zhan asked coolly, "Is she not allowed to come to Jiangning?"