Jiang Zhizhou drove the carriage swiftly onward, the horses' hooves rising and falling, kicking up clouds of snowy mist.
Inside the carriage, Yang Qing's face was somewhat pale, but he still sat steadily. Dai Sheng, by contrast, was plump enough, yet every ounce of flesh on him was quivering.
Yang Qing said beside him, "Lord Dai, set your mind at ease. Adviser Jiang knows what he is doing."
"M-my lord, I understand. I understand," Dai Sheng said in a trembling voice.
His mouth insisted that he understood, but his body would not stop shaking.
Fortunately, Jiang Zhizhou's voice came through the thick curtain just then. "My lord, our brothers are guarding you outside. Rest in here for a while. I will go over there and take a look."
"Very well," Yang Qing said.
As they spoke, an almost imperceptible tremor passed through the carriage, followed by the rustle of clothing.
Jiang Zhizhou had left the carriage.
"My lord, will Adviser Jiang and Guard Bu Er be all right?"
Earlier, Dai Sheng had not quite understood what was at stake, but on their way here, Yang Qing had briefly mentioned the danger Bu Er might face.
That had turned all Dai Sheng's thoughts toward Bu Er, leaving him rather less mindful of his own situation.
"Hard to say. It depends on just how determined the other side is to kill Bu Er."
"If they mean to ensure his death, Adviser Jiang will certainly face even greater danger by going there."
"But if the old drunkard's heart is set on something other than the wine," Yang Qing said, "then they should be fine."
For some reason, Dai Sheng's heart clenched at Yang Qing's words.
Suddenly, he understood the meaning hidden within them.
Dai Sheng's eyes flew wide. "My lord, you mean these