"What is it? You're smiling so much, that means you got definite news?" Although she was smiling when they came, the smile didn't reach the depths of her eyes. However, after coming back from where Mu Ye brought her, she was lit up with smiles.

  Tang Doudou sat down next to him and then copied the way he was lying down. Her eyes curved into a smile as she said, "That's right, I got news. He's fine."

  "Happy?"

  "Happy."

  "Won't die anymore?"

  "Won't die anymore.""Alright, talk, what do you want to do?" Jun Xin flipped around to face Tang Doudou, his eyes flickering with light.

  Tang Doudou yawned without looking at him. "I'll go by myself."

  "Do you feel like I'd agree?" Jun Xin gave a disdainful humph.

  Tang Doudou really wanted to give this kid a beating. If it weren't for the fact that she couldn't beat him……

  "We can't allow anyone to find out about Baili Yu and two people would be too conspicuous. It'd be much easier for me to travel alone and…… you have to help me get rid of those tails from the shadows." Tang Doudou turned around and patted Jun Xin's chest. "Stinkin' brat, this is a really important matter, you'd better help me properly!"

  "No, it's too worrying."

  "This is a crucial time, so don't be so spoiled and stubborn." Tang Doudou rolled her eyes as she continued, "We're the only ones that can know about this, so help me, alright?"

  Jun Xin bit his lips. Spoiled and stubborn? Was this the way she viewed him?

  "Fine, I'll help!" His eyes then whirled with an idea. "But you have to promise me something."

  "As long as you help, I'd agree even to ten conditions."

  "Then let's elope?" Jun Xin laughed. When he saw that Tang Doudou's expression was rapidly turning dark, he quickly changed his tune. "I'm just joking, don't take it so seriously!"

  "Tch! I wasn't taking it seriously."

  "There's no way I'd be able to relax if you go by yourself. Since you're worried about your whereabouts being revealed, I'll just protect you from the shadows. How's that?"

  Tang Doudou glanced at him. If she didn't agree to this suggestion, he'd probably lock her up to keep her from heading out alone.

  "Fine, fine."

  "That's more like it. I'm telling you, before we find Baili Yu, you should give up all hopes of shaking me off," stated Jun Xin firmly.

  Then he got up and flicked off the leaves on his clothes. Licking his lips, he said, "We can't delay this matter, so let's head back to Huai City today. Once I finish dealing with the most pressing tasks, you should sneak out of Plum Garden and I'll follow you from the shadows."

  "Alright!"

  The two rushed back to Plum Garden. Tang Doudou found some time to go see Baili Yiling, but when she saw that Baili Yiling was still busy, she only chatted a little before she left and returned to her own room.

  As she waited for news from Jun Xin, she started wandering around the room. Jun Xin had told her that he had put her box in a cabinet.

  After rummaging through the room for a long time, she finally found the wooden box that was wrapped in a wedding garment in the cabinet that contained her clothes.

  When Tang Doudou saw the red garments, she couldn't help but feel sad. However, she soon recovered and nimbly untied the garment to open the box. It still contained the same things that she had seen in the hidden room. She fiddled with them, but couldn't figure out how to cure the Hoarfrost Poison with them.

  However, for the time being, she decided to keep them with her since Baili Yu would probably know how to use them when she found him.

  She was in the process of putting them away with Jun Xin came back.

  When he saw that she was putting away the things in that box, he said with a laugh, "Back then, you were clutching that box so tightly that I thought it was Baili Yu's ashes!"

  Blabbermouth of a stinkin' brat.

  Tang Doudou glared at him. "Always talking nonsense."

  Jun Xin laughed. "Everything's ready. You can slip out tonight."

  Tang Doudou nodded. "Alright, thanks!"

  "But……"

  "What do you want now?" She could tell he was up to something just by the way his eyes rolled around.

  Jun Xin licked his lips. "After you head out this time, it'll probably be a while before you have a chance to cook again, right?"

  In reality, he was thinking that even after they found Baili Yu, she probably wouldn't have time to cook again. In addition, it really wouldn't be right for him to keep hovering around her once Baili Yu came back because she was already married.

  Tang Doudou knew that it would be about food. She put the box away, then stood up and slapped the table. "Let's go, chowhound!"

  Jun Xin smiled slightly. "This way, Chef."

  Tang Doudou prepared a large feast for Jun Xin and fed him until his stomach turned completely round before he was satisfied enough to let her back.

  Since it was afternoon, she took a nap, and when she woke up again, it was already night.

  She got up and ate the meal the servants had brought over, then picked up the cloth bundle she had prepared. She had already extinguished the candles, so once she was ready, she quietly climbed out from the window.

  Jun Xin had already arranged for the hidden guards near her courtyard to be in other places, so even if she swaggered out, no one would see her. However, for the sake of making the act complete, she tiptoed out of the courtyard and quickly jumped over the tall wall.

  Once she got out of Plum Garden, she left Huai City on horseback.

  Jun Xin was dressed in black and wearing a silver mask as he followed her from the shadows.

  Tang Doudou decided to head to Dream Mountain first. It was fortunate that she had taken a nap in the afternoon because now she could travel through the night. She reached the inn right before dawn.

  "Shopkeeper? Waiter?" She entered the inn but didn't see anyone.

  She had only been gone for a day. Where did all the people go?

  The inn was still unrepaired. Could it be that they had gone into town to find someone that could fix this place up?

  Tang Doudou casually picked a room and went to sleep. When she woke up again, it was near night. She ate a bit of dry rations and was just about to continue traveling when someone appeared in the room.

  __________

  Credits: Translated by Chiyomira

  [Chiyomira's Corner]

  Enjoy~