Chapter 43: Xin Feng Town (Part 2)

Being watched always makes one uncomfortable. The two little ones soon lost interest in playing. Tao Ming put away the toys and looked at the Seventh Prince, asking, “Back so soon?”

The Seventh Prince responded with clear annoyance, “Are you really that unwilling to see me?”

Tao Ming thought to herself, If it weren’t for wanting to break this restriction, who would willingly deal with you?

The Seventh Prince, noticing the look on her face, said dejectedly, “You don’t have to say it—I can already guess what you’re thinking.”

Tao Ming forced a smile. “I thought you’d be busy socializing with that Meng fellow.”

The Seventh Prince changed the subject. “Would you like to take a stroll through the town?”

Tao Ming glanced out the carriage window; dusk had already fallen. She asked, “Aren’t the shops closed at night?”

The Seventh Prince looked surprised. “Do shops in your world really all close at night?”

Tao Ming realized she’d misunderstood, and after a brief hesitation, she said, “I don’t have any money with me.”

The Seventh Prince chuckled softly. “I have money.”

With things said to this point, she decided she might as well go. She called to the two children to put on their shoes and get ready, but the Seventh Prince said, “I’ll sneak you all out.”

Tao Ming was taken aback. “Why is that?”

He gestured outside with his eyes. “If you walk out openly, all the guards will have to follow you.”

“Then forget it. Better not to go.”

Who knew what plan the Seventh Prince was hatching? For all she knew, she might end up dead outside.

The Seventh Prince’s gaze dimmed a little. “Are you afraid I might harm you?”

Tao Ming said nothing, but her expression gave her away.

He let out a quiet sigh, then looked at her earnestly and said, “I, Qiao Kongqing, swear here and now: if I ever intend harm toward the three of you, may the heavens strike me down with thunder and may I die a miserable death.”

Tao Ming stared, dumbfounded. Why make such a deadly oath out of nowhere? Though she didn’t believe in such things, hearing it for the first time was still rather startling. She didn’t quite know how to respond.

Nuonuo tugged her hand, pressed her mouth to Tao Ming’s ear, and whispered, “Mama, oaths here really work.”

Tao Ming blinked and whispered back, “Such nonsense—really works?”

Nuonuo quickly insisted, “There really are immortals here! Mama, you must be careful with your words from now on.”

Tao Ming replied, “Alright, alright, I’ll be careful.”

With a complicated feeling, Tao Ming turned to look at the Seventh Prince, only to find he had turned his back to them. She couldn’t tell what expression he wore.

Tao Ming cleared her throat, feigning nonchalance as she asked, “Weren’t we going out?”

The Seventh Prince turned to look at them, his expression rather subtle—tinged with embarrassment, a hint of secret delight, and a trace of anticipation.

Seeing he didn’t speak, Tao Ming urged, “Come on, let’s go.”

His gaze became evasive. “I have a treasure that can hide people inside. You can stay in there, and I’ll let you out once we reach the street.”

Tao Ming nodded.

He was surprised. “You’re not even shocked?”

Tao Ming thought, What’s so surprising about that? But on her face, she feigned delight. “How amazing!”

The Seventh Prince replied gloomily, “You’re not convincing at all.”

Tao Ming signaled to the two children, who immediately chimed in unison, “It’s really amazing!”

The Seventh Prince became even more annoyed.

Tao Ming felt a headache coming on—why were all these people so dramatic?

The Seventh Prince quickly composed himself. “I need to be in contact with you to hide you inside.”

Hearing this, Tao Ming picked up both children and said, “Can you just hold my arm?”

“Yes.” He reached out and gently took hold of her left arm, careful not to grasp too hard. Her arm felt cool to the touch. With a thought, the three of them disappeared before his eyes.

Tao Ming felt her vision blur, and in the next instant, she found herself inside a room. She looked around—it was about two hundred square meters, filled with cages of all sizes, each containing different animals, some familiar and some completely unknown.

Following the principle of “don’t approach unless the owner allows it,” Tao Ming held the children close and stood absolutely still.

Ruanruan squirmed a little, wanting to go see, but stopped when Tao Ming shot her a look.

After hiding the three of them, the Seventh Prince left the carriage and instructed, “I’m going to rest in my room. Guard the carriage well.”

The eight guards responded as one, “Understood!”

The Seventh Prince strode off, with Mu Zhong following closely behind.

Once inside the bedchamber, they disguised themselves, concealed their presence, and quietly slipped out of the governor’s residence.

Reaching a secluded alley, the Seventh Prince released Tao Ming and the two children.

As soon as she emerged, Tao Ming took a deep breath. “It didn’t smell very good in there.”

The Seventh Prince blushed a little. “It’s not usually used to hide people.”

He continued, “This is my attendant, Mu Zhong.”

Only now did Tao Ming notice a stranger standing nearby—utterly ordinary in appearance and height, the sort of person you’d pass by on the street without a second glance.

She greeted him politely. “Hello.”

Since Tao Ming had appeared, Mu Zhong had been in utter shock. How could his master have brought these three out? What if—no, there must not be any mishap!

When Tao Ming spoke to him, he was still so stunned that he didn’t respond. She assumed he was just that type and didn’t think much of it. Looking over at the Seventh Prince, she saw he had changed into a dark green outfit, had grown a beard, and his skin looked darker. She asked, “Do we need to change clothes too?”

“I’ve brought you veiled hats. Just put them on.”

Tao Ming accepted the hat and put it on. The white gauze veiled her face, making everything look a bit hazy.

The two children didn’t need any such disguise.

Once they were ready, the Seventh Prince said, “Walk beside me. Mu Zhong will follow behind to protect us.”

Tao Ming agreed, ready to set off, when the Seventh Prince held out his hands. “Let me carry one.”

She hesitated, looking at the children. Nuonuo quickly volunteered, “Uncle, you can carry me.”

The Seventh Prince picked up Nuonuo and strode ahead.

The sky was now darkening, and the alley was so dim it was hard to see. Emerging from the alley, they found themselves on a wide street. Tao Ming estimated it to be about as wide as a four-lane road back on Earth, paved with packed yellow earth.

Lanterns hung on both sides of the street, and people were going around lighting them one by one.

There were many shops lining the road, crowds of people coming and going, and the place buzzed with life.

Tao Ming felt a flutter of excitement. Though the gauze obscured her view, she still turned her head this way and that, eager to take in the sights.

Seeing her head swiveling about, the Seventh Prince’s mood lifted as well. “Would you like to eat something?”

Before Tao Ming could answer, the two children chimed in, “Yes!”

Automatically, Tao Ming asked, “What do you want to eat?”

Only after asking did she realize she was in unfamiliar territory, completely clueless.

The Seventh Prince glanced around, spotted a restaurant not far away, and pointed. “Let’s eat there—it looks decent.”

Tao Ming nodded, and the group made their way to the restaurant.

Standing before its entrance, Tao Ming, through the veil, vaguely saw that the establishment had three floors, built of brick, tile, and wood. Above the main doors hung a plaque with three characters she couldn’t quite make out.

A young attendant at the door welcomed them warmly. “Guests, please come in!” Then he called inside, “Customers!”

Once inside, another attendant hurried over. “Would you like to sit on the first floor, or in a private room?”