Chapter 11

  Two flowers bloom, each representing one branch.

  Lu Xiaofeng left in a hurry and randomly chose a direction to head in.

  The Northern Song Dynasty was full of novelty for Little Phoenix, she planned to be a backpacker in the Northern Song Dynasty, using her feet to measure this land and satisfy her travel addiction. Heaven knows, in her previous life, she had always wanted to travel, but unfortunately, she never had the time or opportunity.

  Now is the time, the opportunity has finally come, if you don't put your past ideals into practice, then you're a fool.

  Little Phoenix changed into a scholar's outfit, put on a backpack in the style often seen in movies and TV shows, and suddenly felt like Ning Caichen from A Chinese Ghost Story, so she jumped around happily for half a day.

  Lu Xiaofeng walked with ease, feeling carefree. Thinking that she had already made things clear to Pang Yu in her letter, she didn't have any mental burden at all, but she never expected that the young master of Anle would get someone from Kaifeng Prefecture to look for her!

  It was only because I overheard two people from the jianghu talking casually while resting during a trip that I knew about this matter.

  Lu Xiaofeng suddenly became furious at that moment.

  Zhan Zhao actually used his underworld connections to find her!

  Nowadays, there are all sorts of speculations about Jianghu people, the most absurd one being that she is Xianzhao's unmarried wife.

  And this saying was spread by that unreliable guy Jinmao Mouse - this world is simply too damn mysterious!

  Is she Zhan Xiaomei's fiancée?

  Is this the rhythm of Master Pang's cohabitation with Kaifeng Prefecture and Hebei Province?

  Was Bai Yutang's head kicked by a donkey?

  The mouse's brain capacity is indeed a big problem!

  Things have come to this point, Lu Xiaofeng thought that the matter of revenge can be put off for now. The mountains won't change but the green waters will always flow, and he'll take his revenge when the time is right. If he were to seek him out at this moment, he's afraid it would only play into the other party's plan to lure him in.

  Reputation is nothing but thin air to her!

  But for Xiao Mao who was about to go and fight, it's different - cats and mice are indeed not very harmonious, they're arch-enemies!

  When the time comes, if Xiao Mao wins the fight and marries his official partner, the rumors will naturally be dispelled!

  What's wrong?

  Then, after the storm had passed, Little Phoenix resumed her calm demeanor, packed up her bags and continued on her journey to measure the territory of Northern Song with a light step.

  A sudden heavy rain blocked Lu Xiaofeng's path, so he had to find a nearby inn to stay in.

  After taking a comfortable hot bath, changing into clean clothes, and twisting her hair into a semi-dry state, Lu Xiaofeng sat cross-legged on the bed with his long hair scattered, reading a storybook.

  This might be the only entertainment she could find in this world.

  Lu Xiaofeng never worried about making a living, when he left, he also brought some silver with him. During the journey, he would occasionally copy books or write letters to earn some small money. Even if the money was little, it was still income, and accumulating less could become more, so as not to only spend without earning, one day falling into a state of being penniless.

  It is said that if one does not think about the distant future, he will have immediate worries.

  Waiting until her hair was completely dry, Lu Xiaofeng retied it and opened the door to call for the waiter to bring in their meal.

  Encounters sometimes always seem so sudden and unexpected.

  Just as she had just stood still and hadn't had time to raise her voice, the door of the next room also opened, and the person who was about to step out stopped his pace abruptly.

  "Lu Niangniang——"

  Can she understand from Xiao Mao's delighted expression that he is finally free to go and play drums without any worries?

  Seeing her eyebrows suddenly raised, Zhan Zhao immediately understood what kind of mistake he had made and hastily changed his words to: "Brother Lu."

  Lu Xiaofeng suddenly lost his appetite and turned back to his room.

  Of course, Zhan Zhao also followed him in.

  "Lu Niang——"

  "Stop."

  Zhan Zhao looked at her.

  Lu Xiaofeng furrowed his brow and tilted his head, looking at him with a hint of distress, saying: "Zhan sir, can't you see me?"

  "An Le Hou asks you, sir, to help find the young lady."

  "That little rascal didn't see the letter I left for him? Why did he still ask you to find me? Now that I'm free and easy, isn't it better than being a lady in a golden cage at Taishi's residence?"

  Zhan Zhao could only say: "Master Hou is also worried about Miss's safety."

  "Without you making such a big fuss looking for me, I'm perfectly safe." Lu Xiao Feng said with some sarcasm.

  Zhan Zhao was at a loss for words and could only remain silent.

  "Besides," Lu Xiaofeng circled around him twice, his right hand on his left arm and his left hand supporting his chin, said in a very uncertain tone, "can't you tell the difference between primary and secondary relationships? Shouldn't you be rushing to Songjiang Prefecture for the martial arts competition now? How come you're here?"

  "Zhan Mou has already asked Bai Xiong to apologize to the Ding brothers on his behalf."

  "Are you an idiot? You should feel apologetic, it's obviously Miss Ding Yuehua. You can still make it if you hurry now, go quickly! Your whole life's major event isn't urgent, how long do you want to be a big-aged youth? Boss Bao definitely hasn't worried less about this for you." Can she say he is dedicated to his job and forgets himself? Can she?"

  This little cat is wrapped in pink, absolutely brain-damaged level.

  Zhan Zhao had an urge to slap his forehead, and he finally understood the feeling of Anle Hou Pong Yu when she lectured him in the Kaifeng Prefecture government office. It was a truly complicated and powerless feeling.

  "Lu Niang, Zhan Mou has no other ideas about Ding Niang, just because of the face of fellow practitioners in Jianghu, he needs to go and say hello. Now that things have come to this point, he really can't help but explain it to her, otherwise she will always think so."

  "...but aren't you two obviously a match made in heaven?"

  Look at her puzzled expression, Zhan Zhao also felt helpless. He really wanted to knock open her brain and see what she was thinking about all day. She was usually so clever and capable, but sometimes she just lacked a bit of common sense... silly silly...

  "It can't be wrong......" Lu Xiaofeng muttered to himself, could the official match be broken just like that? That's too unreliable, right?

  Isn't what's known as an arranged marriage just a legally unchangeable one?

  Is she too out of touch with this world?

  "You're really wrong." Zhan Zhao replied affirmatively to her.

  This seems to be quite different from the plot in my memory, and the difference is not small!

  However, she has already helped Pang Yu rewrite his fate, so it seems reasonable that Xian Xiaomao's fate will also change.

  Lu Xiaofeng suddenly felt that it didn't matter anymore. As a passerby, he had already been drawn into the plot, and some deviation was only to be expected.

  We must believe in the positive energy of historical corrections. Local details may have their ups and downs, but the overall trend will make history correct itself along a predetermined path.

  Perhaps this time the blind date didn't work out, but in the future, Xiao Mao and his partner will still have other encounters and may eventually get together.

  "Let's get one thing straight, I'm not going back with you. If you try to use force, I won't guarantee the consequences." Having superior martial arts skills doesn't mean everything, and don't even think about using violence to solve everything.

  Zhan Zhao heard this and smiled, "I didn't think of forcing you to go back either."

  Lu Xiaofeng didn't understand, so she asked, "What are you looking for?"

  "Marquis Hou has entrusted me with this task, and as a superior, I have accepted it. Naturally, there must be an explanation to give. Xing can wait until the young lady is settled down before returning to the capital to report back."

  Shrimp rice?

  The little cat's words are even more ambiguous, first, Lao Bao must give the Pang family an explanation for this matter, second, he will follow her until she is stable, third, after returning to Beijing, what actions the Pang family takes is not his responsibility, fourth...

  Awesome!

  This is simply a trap.

  "Zhan Daren," Lu Xiao Feng said in a tone of negotiation, "As for me, I don't plan on going back, nor do I plan on finding a place to settle down in the near future—"

  "What does that girl want to do?" Zhan Zhao directly interrupted her words and asked.

  Lu Xiaofeng slightly furrowed his brow, "Reading ten thousand volumes is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. I plan to carry my book bag and travel all over the world, take in the scenery of mountains and rivers, and then find a place with lush mountains and clear waters to settle down."

  "The girl said that Zhan had always wanted this kind of life."

  "Such a life is worth yearning for, if I were confined to the boudoir and couldn't leave the house, how could I live such a carefree life? Of course, I don't want to go back."

  Zhan Zhao deeply agreed with him.

  "It's not a good idea to leave without saying goodbye."

  "I wouldn't have made it if I didn't do this, I'm just an insignificant adopted daughter of the Peng family, why would they be so relentless?"

  Zhan Zhao sighed inwardly and could only tell the truth, "Not to mention the deep affection between Anle Hou and the young lady's siblings, but even Taishi and his wife have been eagerly awaiting her return, frequently urging and inquiring about it. Moreover, the Emperor himself has also heard about the young lady's actions in Chenzhou and has asked about them several times. In this situation, what does the young lady think will be the outcome?"

  "What did I do?" Aren't all these things done in the name of Marquis Anle?

  Zhan Zhao smiled, "The young lady doesn't mind, but everything has fallen into the eyes of others. The young lady wants to deeply hide her merits and fame, but also needs to put the minds of the masses at ease."

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but furrow his brow, "In other words, you must make sure I'm safe before proceeding?"

  "That's it."

  "Well then, I'll settle in Yangzhou." The poem says "With a belt wrapped with ten thousand pieces of silver, riding a crane down to Yangzhou", she might as well go and be a crane-riding guest too.

  Zhan Zhao nodded.

  "Since General Zhan wants to ensure my safety, he will naturally have to accompany me all the way. At that time, the matter of settling me in can also be entrusted to you, and I'll be spared the trouble."

  Xiaofeng thought to herself: Yangzhou is not far from Songjiang Prefecture, and if Xiao Mao rushes over in time, it's still possible to make it. She also counts as making up for the butterfly effect she brought about.

  "One should do his best in whatever he undertakes."

  "And one last question."

  "Please go ahead and speak, young lady."

  "Is this a coincidence? Or did you receive news from your fellow Jianghu and rush over to block me?"

  Zhan Zhao said truthfully: "There is news that a suspicious girl-like person has appeared in this area, and I rushed over as soon as I heard."

  "You wouldn't go so far as to spread my portrait all over the Jianghu like a wanted poster, would you?"

  Zhan Zhao shook his head, "This naturally won't happen."

  Lu Xiaofeng let out a sigh, "This is good, otherwise, it's really being made by you guys that I don't want to be high-profile but become high-profile, and who knows, maybe I'll become the bird that sticks its head out and gets targeted by some bad elements. Tell me, do you guys want me to be good or harm me?"

  Zhan Zhao: "......"

  "Can I know how you describe me to your friends?" Lu Xiaofeng was very curious about this.

  "Lu Niang——"

  Lu Xiaofeng blinked his eyes waiting for an answer.

  Zhan Zhao could only vaguely say: "I think the girl will likely change her hairstyle and clothes, so please pay attention to people who are disguised."

  Obviously, what Little Cat said wasn't entirely true, but Lu Xiao Feng didn't want to pursue the matter further either. So he decided to let it go generously. "Is that so? Are there many people asking for favors?"

  "It's better if this fact is not known by too many people."

  Little Phoenix Maiden couldn't help but hum a tune upon hearing this. How else would she have overheard others gossiping at the tea house?

  "What's wrong?" Zhan Zhao felt her indignation.

  Lu Xiaofeng didn't rush to blame, but instead furrowed her brow and thought carefully. Perhaps those two people just wanted to test her reaction? That would be understandable, as Zhan Zhao was originally a steady and cautious person, and if that were the case, it really shouldn't have been spread around so much. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile, this was truly a case of "the insider is confused".

  "No big deal, your Jianghu friends are indeed very Jianghu," she said sincerely.

  Zhan Zhao seemed to have understood something, and his lips curled up slightly.

  "Alright, I have no other questions, Master Zhang can leave now."

  Zhan Zhao was speechless and helpless in the face of her way of treating him, using him when she needed something and then discarding him. It seemed that if she didn't intentionally do so, she wouldn't be too distant from him, but instead would have a kind of unconscious intimacy, and would be more casual in interacting with people and things, just like when she was with Xiao He, it was natural and without any worries.

  He likes her for being unpretentious, yet he can't help but feel puzzled by her occasional intentional aloofness. What is the point of such a contradictory her?

  "Should I ask the girl downstairs to bring food into the house?"

  "Alright." She didn't bother being polite with him either. He had forced her to return and be "Miss Pong" again, something she didn't want to do at all.

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