Waves crashed against the ship's gunwale one after another, making the wooden planks of the main warship rattle loudly.
In the lower deck, three copper wall lamps hung on the bulkhead, their flames flickering wildly in the wind blowing through the gaps, casting long shadows of the people inside.
Pu Yunshan and Xue Huan exchanged a glance, but neither of them said a word.
Gu Moran glanced at the two of them, then spoke without further ado.
"The main force of the central army will proceed down the river along the original route, raising numerous battle flags and beating drums day and night, making it appear as if I, the king, am personally overseeing the battle."
Pu Yunshan frowned.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by this...?"
"Upon reaching Jiangling, I will lead three hundred elite troops, lightly armed and swiftly, to Luoyang ahead of you."
Gu Moran pointed heavily at the location of Luoyang on the map.
"I will be waiting for you in Luoyang."
Xue Huan's face tightened, and he opened his mouth to try to persuade her, but then hesitated.
Pu Yunshan was direct, though.
"Your Highness, Luoyang isn't far from the capital, what if..."
"I know what I know."
Gu Moran interrupted him.
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask, just do as I say."
The two exchanged a glance, and then clasped their hands in a fist salute.
"Yes, sir."
Gu Moran nodded and turned to walk towards the rear cabin.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the narrow wooden corridor, sounding particularly oppressive.
Rear cabin.
The women sat in their respective seats, and none of them uttered a sound.
Shen Ling'er was organizing the medicine box, checking each ingredient one by one.
Lin Qingdai wiped her sword, her movements neither hurried nor slow.
Murong Xue leaned against the cabin wall, closed her eyes to rest, and the scarlet whip at her waist was tucked into her wrist.
Zhen Meili squatted in the corner, holding a wooden box and fiddling with the mechanical parts inside, muttering to herself as if calculating something.
Yun Shuyue stood by the door, holding a short crossbow in her hand, her eyes fixed on the corridor outside.
Meng Jiuning sat upright, her hands folded on her knees, her face calm, but her fingertips kept twisting and turning inside her sleeves.
The door was pushed open.
Gu Moran walked in, glanced around, and spoke calmly.
"Three days later, we will disembark at Jiangling, and you will follow me in a light carriage and on horseback to Luoyang."
The words are simple, but they carry great weight.
Shen Ling'er almost dropped the medicine bottle in her hand, Lin Qingdai paused in wiping her sword, and Murong Xue's eyes widened.
Luoyang?
"Yes, we'll go first."
Gu Moran didn't explain the reason, she just looked at them.
Pack your personal belongings, and don't bring anything unnecessary.
Meng Jiuning bit her lower lip, wanting to ask something, but swallowed her words back.
Zhen Meili was quite direct.
"Your Highness, what has happened? Wasn't the army's original route supposed to reach my hometown of Luoyang first?"
Don't ask, you'll know when you get there.
Gu Moran turned and left, her footsteps quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.
A few breaths passed in the cabin.
Shen Ling'er was the first to move. She closed the medicine box and began picking out the medicines she could take with her.
Lin Qingdai got up, not even bothering to clean her sword, and went straight to pack her belongings.
Murong Xue clicked her tongue and started moving as well.
Meng Jiuning looked towards the door, tapped her fingers lightly on her knee twice, then stood up and went back to her cabin to pack her things.
Gu Moran returned to her cabin and closed the door.
Leaning against the door, I closed my eyes briefly.
My sister gets a reward for intercepting the chosen one and the white moonlight, so I can't just sit idly by.
He raised his hand and made a gesture in front of his eyes, and a semi-transparent panel appeared.
[List of Beauties' Favorability:]
Su Yao: Favorability rating 99
Shen Ling'er: Favorability 100
Liu Ruyan: Favorability rating 90
Xie Wanqing: Favorability rating 96
Lin Qingdai: Favorability rating 92
Murong Xue: Favorability 90
Yun Shuyue: Favorability 88
Meng Jiuning: Favorability 66
Zhen Meili: Favorability 60]
Gu Moran stared at the three values at the bottom for a long time.
Yun Shuyue is just a little kid who doesn't understand anything, yet her favorability rating is so incredibly high?
As for Meng Jiuning, ever since that day, her eyes have been completely different. Every few days, she would pretend to be unsteady and fall onto him.
Zhen Meili, on the other hand, was simple-minded. She spent all her time holding those blueprints and wooden blocks, and even when the boat was rocking violently, she would squat on the ground and tinker with them.
And this level of favorability is already 60?
Gu Moran rubbed his temples and pushed open the door to go out.
The night was so dark it seemed impossible to see through.
Gu Moran stood on the deck, the river wind making the hem of his robe rustle.
Footsteps came from behind.
Meng Jiuning, wrapped in a cloak, slowly walked to his side.
"Your Highness."
Why don't you go and rest?
"I can't sleep."
Meng Jiuning stood beside him, holding onto the railing, looking at the dark river in the distance.
"I've been traveling too fast, and I always feel... uneasy."
Gu Moran his head to look at her.
Moonlight peeked through the gaps in the clouds, shining on her face and making her already delicate features appear even whiter.
What are you afraid of?
"I'm not afraid."
Meng Jiuning shook her head.
"But... doesn't Your Highness owe me an explanation?"
Gu Moran smiled.
"Statement? What statement?"
Meng Jiuning blushed, biting her lower lip without saying a word.
Gu Moran out and tightened the straps of her cloak.
"Alright, silly girl, it's windy on the river, don't catch a cold."
Meng Jiuning looked up, her eyes misty with tears.
"Your Highness..."
"Um?"
"That is..."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Moran suddenly lowered his head.
The moment their lips touched, Meng Jiuning froze, then went limp as a puddle.
Gu Moran his arms around her waist, ran his fingers through her long hair, and pulled her into his embrace.
The moonlight was obscured by clouds, and only the sound of the wind and the river water lapping against the hull could be heard on the deck.
After a long while, Gu Moran released her.
"You are not allowed to mention this topic again. To do so would be to demean yourself. I promise you, you will receive everything you are entitled to."
Meng Jiuning's face was burning hot, and she could barely stand while leaning against his chest.
"Go back and rest."
Gu Moran patted her on the back.
Meng Jiuning nodded, turned to leave, but after taking two steps, she turned back to look at him.
"Your Highness... tonight..."
Gu Moran looked at her and suddenly smiled.
What about tonight?
Meng Jiuning bit her lip, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"I... I'll be waiting for you in the cabin."
After saying that, he turned and ran, his cloak belt not even tied tightly, and it almost got blown open by the wind.
Gu Moran watched her run away and shook his head with a wry smile.
This girl... is so easily charmed.
Half an hour later.
Meng Jiuning's cabin.
The candlelight was flickered on, and the room was bathed in soft light.
Meng Jiuning sat on the edge of the bed, twisting the hem of her skirt with her fingers, her heart pounding as if it would burst out of her chest.
The door was pushed open.
Gu Moran walked in, closed the door behind her, and bolted it.
Meng Jiuning stood up, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.
Gu Moran walked up to her and pinched her cheek.
"Nervous?"
No... no.
"Stubborn."
Gu Moran smiled and pulled her into his arms.
"This isn't the first time, Princess of Dali, how can you be so timid?"
Meng Jiuning buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled.
"No way..."
"Okay, okay."
Gu Moran his fingers through her long hair and gently pressed the back of her neck.
"Don't worry, we'll take it slow this time."
The candlelight flickered twice, casting the shadows of the two people onto the bed curtains.