"Miss Bai, the journey to Qinghe Commandery will be extremely bumpy. There are soft cushions in the carriage to spare you..." Mo Li's words trailed off as his eyes suddenly widened.
Miss Bai Zheng was dressed in her usual neat attire. She reached out and took the reins of a maroon horse from a man beside her. Gently patting the horse's back, she grabbed the mane with her left hand, supported herself on the saddle with her right, and stepped firmly on the stirrup. With practiced ease, she mounted the horse.
The fluidity of her movements left Mo Li completely stunned.
Before this year, Miss Bai had always been a homebody. Even though she had started going out more often this year for some unknown reason, she always traveled by carriage. He never knew she could ride a horse!
It wasn't Mo Li's fault for being uninformed. Horseback riding was a skill Bai Zheng had picked up on a whim during her overseas studies in her past life.
Since there was usually no need for horseback riding here, no one knew about it.
"I need to take a look at the terrain of Qinghe Commandery first. The earlier we arrive, the earlier we can start. We can't afford to delay for the Marquis," Bai Zheng said. She turned to look at Mo Li, who was still in a daze, and frowned slightly. "What's wrong?"
Mo Li snapped out of his reverie. Looking at the delicate and slender young girl in front of him, he shook his head repeatedly. "It's nothing. It's just... this journey will take four hours on horseback. Miss Bai is so frail. Can you endure it?"
Bai Zheng smiled faintly. Her eyes held a hint of sharpness and determination that was at odds with her delicate appearance. "Don't worry."
These simple three words reassured Mo Li like a magic pill.
He nodded, mounted his horse, and trotted in front of Bai Zheng. "Miss Bai, please follow behind me."
"Okay." Bai Zheng waved her hand. "Let's go!"
Countless carriage wheels slowly rolled over the muddy road, moving forward. Bai Zheng, on her maroon horse, galloped off with Mo Li.
At first, Mo Li was worried that Bai Zheng wouldn't be able to keep up, so he would turn back to check on her from time to time.
Later on, he became increasingly in awe of this woman who brandished her whip with such boldness.
In his memory, Bai Zheng had always been calm and elegant. But now, with the whip in her hand, her face showed a newfound boldness and free spirit. She seemed like a completely different person.
Bai Zheng rode skillfully behind Mo Li. They galloped out of the flatlands of Yongding, leaped over mountain streams and bamboo forests, and headed towards Qinghe Commandery.
Four hours wasn't a long time, but it wasn't short either. As time went on, Bai Zheng's legs were rubbed more and more painfully. The areas that had been repeatedly rubbed burned with pain.
But she gritted her teeth and said nothing. She just kept whipping the horse firmly and galloped forward.
Since they had set off close to sunset, as Yongding City faded into the distance, the sky grew darker and darker.
Fortunately, it was close to the full - moon night, and the moon in the sky shed a faint glow, illuminating the path ahead clearly.
Despite her increasing fatigue, Bai Zheng didn't forget to observe the terrain and landforms along the way by the moonlight while riding.
Feng Linyuan only had five days to live. After subtracting the time for the round - trip journey, there wasn't much time left.
At this moment, she had no intention of caring about her chafed legs. All she could think about was doing her best to find Zhou Yuanning as soon as possible.
Throughout the journey, although Mo Li didn't say a word, he became more and more respectful of Bai Zheng for her endurance and strength.
This woman who was doing her utmost for the Marquis was truly worthy of standing beside him.
It wasn't until the full moon rose to the center of the sky that Bai Zheng estimated it was almost midnight. Finally, the group of riders arrived in front of a mansion in Qinghe Commandery.
In front of the mansion, a young man in cyan clothes was eagerly waiting. When he saw them approaching, he quickly stepped forward and bowed to Mo Li. "Brother Mo."
"Lan Xun." Mo Li nodded.
While they were greeting each other, Bai Zheng dismounted. After such a long - distance ride, her legs were so weak that she could barely stand. She had to lean against the horse.
Her movement caught the attention of the young man named Lan Xun. He asked Mo Li, "Is this Miss Bai?"
Mo Li nodded.
Lan Xun immediately put on a respectful look. He stepped forward, bowed to Bai Zheng, and said gently, "Miss Bai, you've had a long and tiring journey. It's getting late now. Why don't you rest for the night and look for Doctor Zhou tomorrow?"
Bai Zheng waved her hand. "I'm fine. It's just that I'm not used to riding for such a long time. I'm just a bit exhausted."
"Lan Xun has prepared hot water and a private room for you..."
"Do you have a map of Qinghe Commandery?" Bai Zheng interrupted him directly.
Lan Xun was slightly taken aback. "Yes, I do."
Bai Zheng shook her legs. After a short rest, she finally regained some strength.
She lifted her feet and walked towards the gate. Lan Xun quickly followed behind.
Bai Zheng walked briskly and gave him instructions. "Please send a map of Qinghe Commandery to my room. It's best to be a water - conservancy map, showing the river distribution and mountain springs in the whole Qinghe Commandery. The more detailed the better."
Although Lan Xun didn't know what Bai Zheng needed these things for, he didn't object. He just agreed repeatedly.
"By the way, find someone who has lived in Qinghe Commandery since childhood and is very familiar with the local terrain and customs. It's best to be a middle - aged person in their thirties or forties. They have better physical strength than the elderly and know more than the young. Bring them to see me early tomorrow morning."
Lan Xun closely followed Bai Zheng's steps and nodded repeatedly. "Yes."
"One more thing." Bai Zheng suddenly stopped.
Lan Xun, who had been nodding behind her, couldn't stop in time and almost bumped into her. Mo Li, who was quick - eyed and quick - handed, grabbed him, and he barely managed to keep his balance.
His face turned pale with fright. He saw Bai Zheng turn around, frowning at him.
Lan Xun was a bit slow to react and said stupidly, "What else?"
Seeing that Lan Xun was obviously startled by her sudden action, Bai Zheng couldn't help but smile, showing a hint of childishness on her face, just like a fifteen - year - old girl should be.
Lan Xun was dazed by her smile. Then he heard the girl's clear voice. "One more thing. Where is my guest room again?"
"..."
Lan Xun rubbed his forehead. After barely controlling his facial expression, he took a step forward and reached out his hand. "Please follow me."
The mansion didn't look very big from the outside, but inside it was full of surprises.
After following Lan Xun through several turns in the corridor, Bai Zheng finally entered her temporary room.
Lan Xun was very efficient. Not long after Bai Zheng entered the room and had some snacks to replenish her energy, he brought all the materials she had requested before.
Bai Zheng studied them carefully, taking out a charcoal pencil made of graphite and scribbling on them.