Zhan Lan slightly nodded at the Silver-faced Fox, and after the other party nodded in response, he lowered the carriage curtain.
The Silver-faced Fox crossed his arms; what he needed to do now was to follow Zhan Lan without the diplomatic mission noticing.
After the snow, the road was difficult, and the mission stopped to rest in the mid-afternoon; the group rested in the hostel.
When Zhan Lan returned to her room dressed in men’s clothing, she saw Wang Qingchen admiring the scenery by the river at the hostel.
He had an elegant demeanor, wearing a long blue robe with a white cloak draped over his shoulders. He gazed at the steaming water and the distant snowy landscape, lost in thought.
"It’s rare to see a river that isn’t frozen over," Zhan Lan said as she passed by him.
Wang Qingchen nodded; before departing, they had agreed not to reveal Zhan Lan’s identity, so he swallowed back the words "Queen Mother."
"Wang Qingchen, I have something to say to you."
Zhan Lan walked ahead, with Wang Qingchen following behind her.
Wang Qingchen watched Zhan Lan in her blue attire; her black hair was tied high, and the white ribbons fluttered in the wind. In her men’s disguise, she looked valiant and spirited.
The two sat in a private room drinking tea. Zhan Lan raised her teacup, "To you, sir."
Wang Qingchen nodded slightly, "Mr. Lan, you are too kind; I don’t deserve to be called sir."
Outside, they all addressed Zhan Lan as Mr. Lan.
"You helped me a lot back then, and I never had a chance to thank you," Zhan Lan smiled.
Wang Qingchen’s slender fingers caressed the teacup, "Becoming Si Yun’s adviser was forced by circumstances, and Mr. Lan mentioned waiting for the right time to reemerge. I merely went along with it; you needn’t dwell on it."
Zhan Lan’s lips curled slightly, "If ever you need anything from me, just say the word, sir."
Wang Qingchen’s delicate brows lifted, and he made eye contact with Zhan Lan, his heartbeat quickening slightly. However, since the day of Zhan Lan’s wedding, he had put away any inappropriate thoughts.
He often dreamt of the scene where they, a Scholarly Champion and a Martial Arts Champion, rode side by side through the streets.
As of today, he no longer dared to harbor any fantasies.
Now, he was a minister, and Zhan Lan was the queen mother; there was absolutely no possibility for them in this lifetime.
Even though each time he saw Zhan Lan his heart couldn’t help but race, he was a gentleman and would never do anything out of line.
"Thank you, Mr. Lan. If needed, I... I will certainly trouble you," Wang Qingchen looked at her eyes, as beautiful as spring water, almost stumbling over his words.
Zhan Lan raised her cup again, "Alright, it’s a deal."
She disliked owing people favors. Wang Qingchen had once met with her privately, agreed to become Si Yun’s adviser, and helped her gradually disband the Si Family.
This favor had to be repaid.
Wang Qingchen opened the window to look at the river outside, "Mr. Lan, do you have time to accompany me to enjoy the snowy landscape?"
Zhan Lan ate a candied fruit, "Of course, I also want to ask you what good books you’ve read lately. Could you share some?"
Wang Qingchen smiled, "Traveling is lonely; I brought a few books and will send them to you later, Mr. Lan."
Zhan Lan’s eyes brightened, "Thank you."
Wang Qingchen and Zhan Lan enjoyed the scenery and drank tea together. When Huang Gun passed by, he slyly mimicked a cuckoo call.
Zhan Lan received the signal and looked at Wang Qingchen, "Sir, I have some matters to attend to. Let’s catch up another day."
Wang Qingchen and Zhan Lan were having a pleasant conversation, but he knew the limits. He stood up and cupped his hands toward Zhan Lan, "Alright, I take my leave."
When Wang Qingchen’s figure disappeared from view, Huang Gun climbed in through the window, sat naturally across from Zhan Lan, and started munching on the peanuts on the plate.
"Did he see you before you left?" Zhan Lan asked.
Huang Gun nodded, "He really cares about you; I was afraid of slipping up, kept pounding my chest, and assured him I’d definitely protect you!"
Zhan Lan pursed her lips, "You’re quick-witted. Once we reach Shuiyu City, I might leave the mission at any time."
"Alright, I’ll cover for you, but don’t worry too much. I somehow feel that Mr. Mu seems to know you have your own plans. When he left, he patted my shoulder meaningfully, almost scared me half to death."
Zhan Lan’s lips curled; perhaps Mu Yan knew something.
Just like last time when she went to Fengyu Pass, Mu Yan had sent Xiao Chen, Huang Gun, and Dugu Yan to her. Being with Mu Yan, although he worried for her safety, he still granted her the greatest freedom.
"The mission talks may last for days; Main General, you must keep in touch with me daily, or even I wouldn’t feel at ease," Huang Gun ate a candied fruit, thinking to himself how awfully sweet it was, and thought: Why does His Majesty stuff?
"Alright, daily contact is too frequent. I’ll send someone to deliver messages to you regularly," Zhan Lan moved the candied fruit to her side and pushed the peanuts toward Huang Gun.
Huang Gun frowned; the Main General was so stingy, he only had one candied fruit, could it be that the candied fruit was brought by His Majesty for her?
Oh, suddenly he found the peanuts in his hand a bit sour.
The diplomatic mission traveled on and off and finally arrived at Shuiyu City after four days.
Once Zhan Lan settled in the hostel, the Silver-faced Fox quietly came to her room.
Zhan Lan sat before the bronze mirror, and the Silver-faced Fox placed the black wooden box in his hand down and sat beside her.
"Who do you want to disguise as?" The Silver-faced Fox opened the box, showing Zhan Lan the small silver carving knives and some powdered substances, as well as some strange items she had never seen before.
"Just an ordinary man, I suppose." Zhan Lan pushed her elegant hair aside with her fingers.
The Silver-faced Fox spoke softly, "Your Highness, with your peerless beauty and captivating looks, even if you disguise, you’d still look like a remarkably handsome man. Even if I were to give you a scar on your face, it wouldn’t be concealed."
Zhan Lan cleared her throat, "Then do it as you see fit, as long as it doesn’t look like me."
The Silver-faced Fox rolled up his sleeves and began helping Zhan Lan disguise. An hour later, Zhan Lan looked at herself in the mirror, sharp-browed and bright-eyed, with rosy lips and white teeth, as charmingly handsome as ever.
The Silver-faced Fox also paid attention to details, even conjuring an Adam’s apple out of nowhere on her neck.
"Your Highness, the scar on your hand was quite obvious; I’ve covered it up for you," the Silver-faced Fox completed Zhan Lan’s disguise and took off the gloves specially designed not to leave fingerprints.
"You’re truly a master of the craft, outstanding!" Zhan Lan, with her hair tied into a jade crown, exuded a heroic spirit. She smiled at the Silver-faced Fox, who was momentarily entranced.
Zhan Lan’s lips twitched; she had forgotten that the Silver-faced Fox’s preferences were different from ordinary people!