Hua Manman originally had no expectations for the trip to Shangjing.
But things were different now.
She already knew she was a counterfeit, and that Prince Yu knew it too.
Although Prince Yu was acting like he valued her greatly and needed her to continue living as Lu Man...
’What if he suddenly changes his mind one day?’
’After all, that old scoundrel is rotten to the core!’
Hua Manman couldn’t just sit around and wait for her doom.
This trip to Shangjing was an excellent opportunity for her.
As long as she could leave the Yu Royal Mansion, she would be as free as a bird in the sky or a fish in the sea.
No one would be able to threaten her then.
’I’ll be completely free! Hahaha!’
Jiao Gui asked, "Young Master, what are you laughing about?"
Hua Manman snapped back to reality. "Nothing. What did you just say?"
"This is the packing list for your long journey, and this is the list of accompanying personnel. Please take a look."
Hua Manman ignored the list of personnel and stared only at the packing list.
’Tsk, tsk. There’s a lot of valuable stuff here.’
There was a huge case of silver notes alone, not to mention the gold, silver, and jewels, which filled more than ten chests.
Anyone in the know would realize she was going to Shangjing for the capital relocation ceremony. Anyone who didn’t would think she was planning to buy the entire city!
Seeing her stare without blinking, Jiao Gui asked cautiously,
"Do you think anything needs to be changed?"
Hua Manman shamelessly drooled with emotion.
"No changes needed. This is great as it is."
She decided that after leaving the Prince Mansion, she would secretly snatch that case of silver notes and then slip away when no one was looking.
With so many silver notes on her, she could live out the rest of her life in comfort even if she never worked another day.
’Just thinking about it feels amazing!’
Jiao Gui said worriedly, "We have to set off in two days. It’s such a rush."
Hua Manman quickly replied, "It’s not a rush, not at all."
’I wish we could leave today!’
’The sooner we leave, the sooner I can get out of this Prince Mansion and regain my freedom!’
Jiao Gui looked at her in surprise.
"Young Master, you’ve really changed!"
The Princely Heir used to be extremely opposed to going to Shangjing, even throwing tantrums and running away from home to avoid it.
Hua Manman beamed. "People have to grow up sometime!"
「Two days passed in a flash.」
On the day of departure, Hua Manman deliberately woke up early, changed into the clothes she had prepared, and walked out wearing a cloak.
She was in an excellent mood, striding forward with her cloak swaying behind her.
She walked with a swagger that disowned the world.
However, when she reached the entrance of the Prince Mansion, she saw a familiar, tall figure standing there.
She couldn’t help but slow down, her heart sinking.
’No way, no way, no way!’
’It can’t be that guy Ban Ren, can it?’
As it turned out, her eyesight was perfectly fine.
Ban Ren stood at the main gate with his arms crossed. The thin fabric of his clothes strained against his bulging muscles. A heavy broadsword was strapped to his back, and his posture was ramrod straight.
Even without saying a word, his mere presence exuded such a powerful and intimidating aura that people made a wide detour around him.
Standing beside Ban Ren was a young man in a pale cyan, long-robed scholar’s gown.
The young man was handsome, tall, and slender.
He wore a scholar’s kerchief and was dressed as a classic intellectual, looking refined and gentle.
Hua Manman had seen him in the Prince Mansion before.
Nominally, he was the accountant hired by the Prince Mansion.
Besides helping with the accounts, he spent most of his time reading in the Book Collection Pavilion.
But everyone in the mansion knew that this Mr. Du was actually one of Prince Yu’s most trusted advisors, holding a very special position.
’In short, neither of these two were to be trifled with!’
Mr. Du stepped forward to greet her, saying with a smile,
"This subordinate pays his respects to the Young Master."
Ban Ren also cupped his fist toward Hua Manman, which counted as his greeting.
Hua Manman asked drily,
"What are you two doing here?"
Mr. Du explained patiently, "The Prince is worried about the Young Master’s safety and has specially assigned the two of us to personally escort you."
Hua Manman was shocked, her voice filled with disbelief.
"How come I didn’t know about this?"
Beside her, Jiao Gui whispered a reminder.
"Didn’t you look at the list of accompanying personnel two days ago?
Mr. Du’s and Ban Ren’s names were on the list.
This servant even asked for your opinion at the time, and you said it was great and needed no changes."
Hua Manman: "..."
Her eyes had been dazzled by the gold, silver, and jewels on the packing list; she hadn’t even bothered to look at who was on the personnel list.
’I regret it! I regret it so much my guts are turning green!’
Mr. Du said politely,
"It’s about time. The Young Master should get in the carriage."
Mrs. Xie arrived with her young daughter to see them off.
With them watching, Hua Manman slumped into the carriage, her face fallen.
Hua Manman’s good mood had completely vanished.
She had it all planned out. As soon as they left Prince Yu’s fiefdom, she’d find a chance to slip away.
But now with these two shadows, Ban Ren and Mr. Du, her escape plan probably wouldn’t go so smoothly.
And as it turned out, she was right.
From the moment she left the Prince Mansion, Mr. Du and Ban Ren stuck to her like glue, giving her absolutely no opportunity to escape.
After they left Prince Yu’s fiefdom, the surrounding area became more and more sparsely populated.
At noon, the procession stopped by a river to rest.
Hua Manman jumped out of the carriage and walked straight toward the forest.
Mr. Du asked where she was going.
Without turning her head, Hua Manman said,
"To take a shit!"
Mr. Du was momentarily taken aback by her bluntness but quickly recovered and said,
"There should be a chamber pot in the carriage."
Hua Manman argued unreasonably, "I don’t like chamber pots. I want to take a dump right now, out in the open with the sky as my roof!"
She thought he would try his best to dissuade her.
But to her surprise, Mr. Du agreed good-naturedly.
"Very well, then."
Hua Manman was completely surprised.
’I finally have a chance to get out of these two shadows’ sight!’
But in the next moment, she saw Mr. Du give an order, and dozens of trusted aides came running over, carrying tools.
With incredible speed, they set up a simple tent on the spot.
In order to satisfy the Young Master’s request to be "out in the open with the sky as a roof,"...
...Mr. Du thoughtfully had them remove the tent’s roof.
He said with a wide smile,
"Young Master, if you please."
Hua Manman: "..."
’No, this isn’t how the plot was supposed to go in my head!’
Under Mr. Du’s repeated urging, Hua Manman could only walk into the tent with a look on her face that said she had lost all will to live.
The tent was completely empty. There was nothing inside but lush green grass.
Looking up, she saw nothing but blue sky and white clouds. The view was exceptionally open.
The thick fabric walls surrounding her were sealed tight, leaving no gaps.
Hua Manman still hadn’t given up hope.
She started pacing inside the tent, looking for a low spot to climb out.
Just then, Mr. Du’s voice came through the fabric.
"Don’t worry, Young Master. This subordinate has already ordered men to surround the area completely. I guarantee no one will be able to peek at you while you relieve yourself."
Hua Manman: "..."
’You really didn’t have to be *that* thoughtful.’