Is that why she was so close with these two?

She didn't know, but she knew that she couldn't get along with Imperial Concubine Xu and Baili Lin that well. She was different from the real transmigrated Wei Xiao Hua and even now, she still held the same view she had from the modern world.

'But I have to survive here… so I can never let them know…'

It was so frustrating for her.

Wei Xiao Hua put on a fake smile on her face and said in a lighthearted tone. "Mother is wise."

Imperial Concubine Xu smiled brightly. "You're a nice girl as well, Xiao Hua. Now, let's go back before my son began to preach me about taking you out for so long."

Wei Xiao Hua giggled. "Yes."

Baili Lin also shook her head, thinking about how Prince Ji Shu has smitten with Wei Xiao Hua for a long time. For the past two years, the two of them were often seen together and looked to be attracted to each other so much.

Wei Xiao Hua slowed her pace so that she would be behind the other two. There was a faint sigh escaped from her lips. Somehow, she felt that the ancient world was not any better than the modern world and vice versa.

Even here, she had to wear a mask all the time.

"Xiao Hua, come on."

"Yes, Mother."

She just had to do her best so that she could survive and probably someday…. Return back to her own world.

…

- Wei Liuying's Location -

The news of how the Emperor had passed away circulated so quickly. It seemed as if everyone wished that everyone in Han Shi Kingdom will know that the Emperor had passed away.

In addition, the inauguration ceremony was planned to be done in a rush.

"Strategist Liu, we're going to Dong Shan City and not Prince Ji Sheng's City?" Xie Jing asked in confusion.

Wei Liuying turned her head around and nodded faintly. "It's nearer to the capital city from Dong Shan City rather than Prince Ji Sheng's City."

"I thought that we're going there to inform His Highness first."

"There's no need for that."

Xie Jing tilted his head while furrowing his brows. He could never understand what was inside Liu Ying's head. No matter what the strategist has been saying all this time, it was something that Xie Jing could not comprehend easily. In addition…

He turned his head to the back and looked at the man who was following them on top of the horse. He was wearing a cloak that covered his head and body, which would make it harder to recognize him. The man was the supposed 'servant' who had been watching from a distance and also the one who talked with General Hao before.

'How did Strategist Liu managed to convince him?'

While Xie Jing was confused, Wei Liuying looked at the row of carriages in a distance. She stopped the horse. "I'll be going to visit a friend for a while. Would you like to come along?"

"Who?"

"Northern area most famous merchant, Shi Yan, isn't it?" the man asked. He raised his head lightly as his dark eyes stared straight to Wei Liuying.

Wei Liuying nodded, not trying to hide anything. The carriages belonged to Shi Yan, so she could guess that he must have just returned back from a trip since the carriages were heading to Dong Shan City.

Xie Jing tilted his head once more. "But who is this…."

Plak!

"You need to review your lesson again, Xie Jing."

Hearing that, Xie Jing nearly wallowed in despair. He looked at the young man behind him with pleading look, yet the man ignored his gaze. He simply nodded at Wei Liuying. "You can go to visit him. If we're heading in the same direction, it'll be better to travel together."

Wei Liuying smiled. "Thank you very much for your consideration. Let us depart."

Xie Jing was baffled when he saw their interaction. They clearly only knew each other for days, but it looked as if the man had already accepted Wei Liuying as part of them. It was weird considering that Strategist Liu was known to be part of Prince Ji Sheng's people.

Their horse didn't take long to reach the row of carriages. Some people in the carriages were looking at them with distrust, but Wei Liuying simply ignored them and walked straight to the front.

Neigh!

Pulling the rein so that the horse moved at the same speech, she knocked the window of the carriage at the front.

"Yan, are you there?'

"If it's not me, who do you think will be here?" Shi Yan asked with a grunt. He pulled the carriage window open and peeked his head out. His expression clearly showed his displeasure as he looked at Wei Liuying. "What do you want?"

"There's only two or three incense stick of time before we reach Dong Shan City. I'm wondering whether I can join you or not," Wei Liuying said with a smile.

Shi Yan sighed. "The guards already recognize you, and you're clearly already here. Do what you want."

"In that case, let me enter the carriage."

"What? NO!"

"Why?"

"Yang Xian will kill me!"

Wei Liuying: "…" he'll kill you just because I enter your carriage?

Shi Yan pursed his lips and shook his head rapidly. He crossed his arms and looked away, pouting like a girl. Added with his feminine countenance, no one would think he was a man like this.

Wei Liuying creased her brows. Why is it that Shi Yan looked even more feminine after he grew up? Shouldn't guys turn more manly when they grew up?

While she was pondering, she heard light cough from the back and noticed the man and Xie Jing were close to her. They were controlling their horse to keep a certain distance while looking at her with curious look.

"I asked for Yan's opinion. He agrees to let us tag along with him."