Chapter 19 – I’ll Bring the Emperor to Rescue You

For the three days Mu Nanjin had taken off, she had been busy fixing up her new house—hiring people to clean, buying furniture to decorate the rooms, and finally, employing three servants to manage the household affairs.

Only after all this did she finally feel that the residence truly belonged to her.

Fortunately, her leave coincided with the officials’ days of rest, so she could finally sleep in for once.

But, as the saying goes, things rarely go as planned.

Before dawn, someone knocked on her door.

“Miss, someone’s here to see you.”

The speaker was Zhenzhu—the maid Mu Nanjin had purchased from a broker for fifty taels of silver. Zhenzhu was a year older than Mu Nanjin but built as strong as an ox, with strength that could rival most men.

Half-awake, Mu Nanjin cracked her eyes open and saw that it was still dark outside. She muttered irritably, “Who is it?”

“He says his name is Tang Jingrui.”

The moment she heard Tang Jingrui’s name, Mu Nanjin felt as if she were back at the Tang residence.

She grumbled under her breath, “No wonder he’s Jinyiwei—they’re fast at tracking people down.”

Zhenzhu added, “He says you should come out quickly. There’s a whole team waiting outside.”

“A team? Are we going on a mission or something?”

After washing up, Mu Nanjin went to the front gate—and there stood Kan Chaoyan with a troop of two hundred Jinyiwei waiting for her. Every one of them held a rank of Sixth Grade or above, clad in either deep-blue or dark-purple flying fish robes, each astride a tall black horse. The sight was enough to make anyone tremble.

Whether commoners or officials, all who saw them would feel their imposing aura and shiver with fear.

【Well, well, so many high-ranking Jinyiwei came just to fetch a mere Ninth-Grade officer like me. I must be really important. Fine, I’ll forgive you for waking me up early.】

The Jinyiwei were divided into nine ranks. The highest was the Commander-in-Chief (First Rank), followed by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief (also First Rank), then the Vice Commander, Assistant Commander, Commander of the Jinyiwei, Deputy Commander, Assistant Deputy Commander, Deputy Commander, forty Colonels, Vice Colonels, Captains, Squad Leaders, Junior Officers, Martial Instructors, and so on—down to the ordinary Jinyiwei of Ninth Rank, which was Mu Nanjin’s current position.

The highest-ranking officers she had met so far were only Fourth Rank—Deputy Commanders Kan Chaoyan and Deng Xingchao.

The Jinyiwei on horseback all turned their eyes toward her at once.

Kan Chaoyan grinned. “Mu girl, you’re finally out. We’ve been waiting for you.”

【Isn’t it natural for men to wait for women? Can’t even show a little patience—no wonder seven out of ten Jinyiwei are still single.】

Everyone: “…”

Mu Nanjin asked, “What are you doing here so early?”

Captain Liu replied, “Today, His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are visiting Jingtuo Temple outside the city to offer incense. We’re assigned to protect them.”

【Incense offering? At this hour? The Emperor really has too much free time. Instead of enjoying a rare day off and sleeping in, he’s running around outside. With all that energy, he’d be better off spending more time in the harem—maybe then he wouldn’t keep getting cuckolded.】

The Jinyiwei silently agreed with her.

Mu Nanjin frowned. “I’m just a weak woman. Not only are you not protecting me, but you expect me to protect others?”

“That’s because you’re the only female guard among the Jinyiwei and the Imperial Guards. We need you by the Empress Dowager’s side—to make it look good.”

Of course, that was just an excuse. In truth, the Empress Dowager simply thought bringing Mu Nanjin along would keep the trip from being boring.

Right then, Zhenzhu came leading a horse from the backyard.

“His Majesty’s party has already left the city. We’d better catch up.”

Kan Chaoyan gave a sharp command, and his horse surged forward.

The others followed suit.

【Sigh, I’ll just treat it like a field trip.】

Resigned, Mu Nanjin mounted her horse and rode after them.

After leaving the city, they rode for ten li before catching up with the main procession.

Seeing the massive escort of over a thousand people, Mu Nanjin rolled her eyes.

【Such a huge entourage—are they afraid no one will notice the Emperor’s in the convoy? Or is this some trick to draw attention, so people think the Emperor’s here when he’s actually traveling incognito to Jingtuo Temple?】

Too lazy to think further, Mu Nanjin’s thoughts quickly drifted elsewhere.

【Forget it. Not my problem anyway. I’d rather check if there’s any new gossip for me to enjoy. It’s been three days since I last looked—who knows how many updates I’ve missed.】

As soon as she activated her gossip system, everyone nearby suddenly tensed, sitting stiffly as if awaiting disaster.

【Haha, everyone’s selling off their assets to buy my medicine. I knew it’d be in high demand. But unfortunately…】

Unfortunately what?

Everyone pricked up their ears.

【I only sell to corrupt officials, not honest ones.】

Why only to corrupt ones?

Confusion flickered in everyone’s eyes.

Just then, the sound of carriage wheels came from behind.

Instantly, the Jinyiwei grew alert.

“Is the person up ahead Guard Mu?”

Mu Nanjin recognized the voice—it was Gong Xiurong’s. Her eyes lit up as she turned her horse and approached his carriage.

“Master Xiurong.”

Tang Jingrui’s face darkened. “Master Xiurong, you must have quite the eyesight—to recognize Mu Nanjin in this dim light.”

“All of you Jinyiwei are tall, broad men. She’s the only one slender enough to stand out—it’s not hard to tell,” Gong Xiurong replied casually, then asked, “Where are you all headed?”

“Jingtuo Temple,” Mu Nanjin answered.

Tang Jingrui scolded, “Mu Nanjin! How could you casually reveal our destination?”

【Do I even need to say it? With such a grand display, it’s practically shouting ‘The Emperor’s going to Jingtuo Temple—assassins, come quick!’ Anyone with half a brain could figure it out.】

The Jinyiwei: “…”

Ignoring Tang Jingrui, Mu Nanjin asked Gong Xiurong, “And you? Where are you going?”

Noticing that Mu Nanjin didn’t care about Tang Jingrui’s rebuke—and that the others didn’t seem inclined to defend him—Gong Xiurong grew even more curious about her identity.

“Today’s the fifteenth. I’m also heading to Jingtuo Temple to offer incense.”

Mu Nanjin raised a brow. “Just for incense?”

Gong Xiurong chuckled. “What else? To secretly meet a monk?”

Mu Nanjin glanced at her gossip system, still open—and saw a new headline flash across the screen.

【Interesting…】

After those two words, nothing more appeared—leaving the Jinyiwei hanging, curiosity burning.

Interesting what?!

Hey! Finish your sentence already!

Damn it, she’s killing us here.

Mu Nanjin said calmly, “There’ll be plenty of people offering incense. If something happens, just call my name.”

Gong Xiurong smiled faintly. “If I call, will you actually come?”

Mu Nanjin nodded. “Of course. I’ll bring the Emperor to rescue you.”

Everyone: “…”

Gong Xiurong hadn’t expected that response. Unable to help himself, he laughed out loud, holding his forehead. “Hahaha—”

It had been a long time since he’d laughed that freely.