Chapter 653: Chapter 352: Lady Freed from Trouble, Rarely Shy, The More They Part, The More They Sink Deeper

Xiaotuan was well aware of the treachery of Jianghu, where many wicked bandits lurked. The lady’s skills were formidable, able to defend herself without worry. Living with her, as long as one does not defy her and acts obediently, is far better than struggling to survive outside.

After leaving the Jade Mist Pavilion, afraid of being tracked and bullied, she dressed in ordinary cloth, with a defensive dagger hidden beneath. Anxious, she recalled the Martial Arts she had learned: Jade Palm and Gauze Leg. This Palm Technique had been improved by Wen Caishang, filling its flaws, making it easier to learn.

The Jade Palm’s Qi Movement was meticulous, the martial principles self-derived from the "Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique." The methods of Qi Movement and exertion were commendable.

Xiaotuan had barely reached the beginner level. She had accumulated dozens of strands of Inner Qi, and though her stature was petite, her strength was considerable, surpassing ordinary village men. However, in real combat, her experience was still shallow. If someone were to obstruct her, the situation would be different.

Once safely out of the city, Xiaotuan took out a map drawn in ink, decided on a direction, and walked along the path, protected by Inner Qi, feeling no fatigue. She occasionally saw rural ox carts passing by. An idea suddenly came to her, she stopped one and rented it with money, sitting among the straw. She rode it for over ten miles, enduring its bumpy ride but, having suffered much as a farmer, she didn’t mind the dirt and smell of the ox cart or the jostling journey.

She compared the map and saw a small stream. It had the notation: "Upon seeing the stream, turn left and see a mountain monument. Southwest of the monument, there’s a small gravel bridge. Cross the bridge over the stream."

Xiaotuan did as instructed, and indeed saw a gravel bridge. Her petite stature and the rapid stream would not have allowed easy crossing without it. She smoothly crossed the stones. She dismissed the ox cart, needing to proceed on foot. The map had clear instructions; the mapper had planned carefully. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

She thought, "Even the most foolish person on earth, with this map, could reach the destination. I thought the lady’s test would be difficult; how could it be so easy? Could the real challenge lie ahead?"

By noon, she suddenly heard a rustling sound. Following it, she saw a white horse tied beneath a large tree. The horse was bowing its head to eat, well-fed and sturdy.

Xiaotuan exclaimed, "Little White!" She quickly ran over, jumped up, and patted the horse’s mane. The white horse snorted twice, shaking off the snow accumulated on its body, and nuzzled Xiaotuan with its head.

Xiaotuan asked, "How did you get here?" Then answered herself, "Xiaotuan, oh Xiaotuan, how silly you are. How could Little White answer you!" She opened the map to observe.

It marked: "Upon seeing the white horse, head west. The road is covered with snow and decaying leaves. If you know the Lightweight Skill, travel with it. If not, fashion wide-bottomed wooden shoes from twigs and leaves, and you can Snow Stepping."

Feeling somewhat puzzled but following the instructions, she picked up "twigs" and "large leaves," binding them with needle and thread, and tried stepping into the deep snow. Xiaotuan was light and indeed capable of Snow Stepping without sinking, although the journey felt strenuous.

After walking several miles, she was extremely fatigued, but being determined by nature, she referred to the map again, noting the numerous guides along the way, thinking, "The person who shot the arrow and sent the message fears I might go astray. There’s a hint every three steps, a guide every ten. More red ribbons are left in the forest. Even if I wanted to get lost, it would be difficult."

As dusk approached, Xiaotuan heard the cold wind blowing and the rustling in the forest, feeling greatly frightened. She gritted her teeth and forced herself onward. As darkness fell, she saw the path ahead wide open, many trees chopped down in the middle.

Xiaotuan felt extremely puzzled, unable to understand many things along the way. But looking from the direction of the cut wood, she saw a lake, with a thick layer of ice, surrounded by openness. She walked to the lake, her view expanded like a new world, breathing a sigh of relief, and soon spotted a carriage.

The carriage roof was covered in thick snow, blending into the snowy scenery.

Abandoned long ago, but still intact, quietly standing.

The map’s final notation: "Enter the carriage." Xiaotuan saw the bright moon rising, illuminating the sky, with the path behind dark and shadowy. No way to return tonight, staying here was best, and using the carriage for snow shelter, even without instructions, she would step inside. She neared the carriage, amazed, "Ah. I only saw Little White before but not the carriage. It turns out it was brought here. It’s the lady’s carriage. That day the lady went out, I sent people to prepare the horse and the carriage."

The door was tightly shut, concealing mechanisms. Xiaotuan, adept with such craft, gently unfastened the mechanism and slowly pushed the door open. She felt a warm breeze mixed with fragrance and the slight scent of sweat envelop her. Xiaotuan instantly felt warmth, relaxing her body and mind.

She seldom had the chance to enter Wen Caishang’s carriage. Curiously, she glanced around, noting the luxurious decorations and elegant setup, a incense burner gently emitting fragrance on the desk, warding off the chill. She sat on the carved Jade Stool, feeling comfortable and warm. She thought, "It turns out the lady lives so comfortably daily. Thinking about it . . . the lady is truly enviable. Traveling with a carriage, with a young lad beside. In this carriage, heh heh, can do whatever one desires. Joyful play, endless joy."

She noticed a white dress hanging on an apparel rack. The dress was beautifully crafted, typically worn by the lady. Her curiosity piqued, she lightly touched it. The fabric felt smooth and soft, like heavenly clothing. Skilled in embroidery since childhood, Xiaotuan examined the dress’s stitching and found it astonishingly exquisite.

Xiaotuan thought, "The lady’s clothing? Why is it hanging here?" Observing further, a white boot was horizontally placed on a shelf, its shaft extending beyond the bookshelf, hanging straight down.

It seemed carelessly discarded, conveniently falling on the shelf. Xiaotuan, ignorant of male and female matters, found it odd, wondering how the boots ended up scattered. Looking closely, a silk sock lay on the ground . . .

Xiaotuan found it strange: "Looking at all this, aside from the lady, everything seems scattered here. Could the opportunity the lady spoke of be to collect these garments?"