Chapter 17: The Pretty Boy

Ling Yuan approached her, his coarse linen robe unable to conceal the spirited aura that radiated from him.

Su Yunqing stood tall and proud, arms crossed, doing her best to appear every bit the genuine young man.

“Miss, our ship is full of rough hill folk and heaps of cargo. Traveling with us might prove quite inconvenient for you,” he said.

Su Yunqing’s eyes widened as she took a step back, then glanced down at herself, feeling somewhat uneasy. “How... how did you figure it out?”

Hearing her speak, Ling Yuan furrowed his brow. That voice sounded familiar. He recalled it silently while involuntarily scrutinizing her more closely.

Crossing her arms and turning around in displeasure, Su Yunqing demanded, “What are you looking at? Tell me, how exactly did you tell I’m a woman?”

Realizing his rudeness from her reaction, Ling Yuan quickly averted his gaze. “Apologies, miss. That was impolite of me. First, the scent you carry gave you away, then the holes in your earlobes, and... well, your chest—”

“Shut up!” she interrupted.

Shut... up? It was her! The maid from the Wu family who used the love potion.

No wonder she disguised herself in men’s clothes—she was running for her life.

A pitiable soul indeed. Since fate had brought them together, he might as well help her. If she were left alone, she might be caught by the authorities and dragged back—it would be tragic.

Ling Yuan stepped forward swiftly and glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention. Then he whispered, “What’s your purpose in going to Cenzhou?”

Su Yunqing lifted her eyelids to look at his chin and replied, “To seek refuge with relatives.”

“Alone? What about your family?”

“They’re all dead...”

Ling Yuan fell silent for a long moment. No wonder she turned hostile when he suggested she reunite with her family that night—it was because she had none left.

Biting his lip, he said, “Alright, then come with us. I’ll take you to Cenzhou. But you must be careful to conceal yourself well, or they’ll recognize you.”

Hearing his willingness to help, Su Yunqing’s face lit up. “Thank you, big brother.”

Ling Yuan smiled and reminded her, “No need to thank me. But speaking like that will easily give away that you’re a girl. For your safety, it’s best you speak as little as possible.”

Su Yunqing put away her smile and said seriously, “Understood. I’ll remember that.”

Such a beautiful young woman, serving as a maid in Wu Renpin’s household, must have been coveted by Wu Renpin himself and envied by other concubines. She must have suffered terribly, no wonder she was driven to attempt killing them.

---

The road ahead was filled with refugees and bandits. Even traveling by water didn’t guarantee safety from river pirates or foreign marauders. Bringing along one more person wouldn’t be a burden. Helping her within his means was a good deed.

“You can rest in my cabin. Try to speak as little as possible with the brothers inside—they have loose tongues and I’m afraid they might accidentally offend you.”

Su Yunqing nodded earnestly. “Thank you... may I ask your name?”

“Ling Yuan. And what should I call you?”

She paused, then her eyes flickered. “My surname is Cheng. Call me Cheng Jinyu.” Jinyu was the courtesy name of Cheng Ji.

Ling Yuan led her into the cabin. The scene inside made her gasp softly.

Several burly, bare-chested men sat around an Eight Immortals table in various postures, some holding wine, others chewing on chopsticks. When they saw the newcomers, several pairs of eyes turned sharply toward them.

Without looking at them, Ling Yuan said, “Carry on eating. Once finished, we’ll set off. I met a friend who’s headed the same way. His name is Cheng Jinyu. Young Master Cheng, please greet everyone.”

Su Yunqing quickly adjusted her mood and, in a rough voice, said, “Hello everyone, pleased to meet you.”

A big man with a full beard said, “Since you’re Ling Gongzi’s friend, we’ll treat you like family. Have you eaten? Care for a drink?”

Su Yunqing hastily waved her hand. “No, thank you. I’ve already eaten.”

She then cast a pleading look at Ling Yuan. She dared not drink with this group—they were frightening!

Ling Yuan took her into a small compartment with a narrow bed, a small Eight Immortals table, two stools, and a straw hat resting on the table.

He hung up the straw hat and gestured toward a stool. “Have a seat.”

Just as they sat down, a “meow” sounded and an orange tabby cat leapt onto the table, rubbing its head against Ling Yuan’s arm.

Su Yunqing liked cats too. When she was young, her grandmother had a snow-white lion cat, gentle and adorable. When it passed away from old age, the whole family grieved for a long time.

Since then, they never kept pets again.

This cat was just a simple local feline, plump and round, but docile and well-behaved. It stirred memories in Su Yunqing’s heart, bringing a sudden sadness.

She looked at the yellowish, rustic plump cat and asked, “Does it have a name?”

“It’s called Huangtu—‘Yellow Earth.’”

Su Yunqing reached out to stroke its head. “Truly a cat that lives up to its name.”

---

Huangtu didn’t shy away, instead closing its eyes and rubbing against her palm. Ling Yuan smiled. “It lets you pet it. It’s stingy, only plays with me. I guess it senses you’re a kind person.”

A kind person? One who had crushed a living soul into a pulp.

Su Yunqing’s eyes darkened instantly. She stopped her hand mid-air and let Huangtu rub on relentlessly.

Seeing her change in expression, Ling Yuan said, “We’re about to set sail. Do you need anything else? Or want me to buy you something to eat?”

She shook her head, pointing to her bundle. “I’ve brought what I need. Thank you.”

“Alright, rest inside then. I’ll go check outside.”

Su Yunqing nodded. With Huangtu there, she wasn’t lonely.

Ling Yuan counted the cargo on board, matching each item carefully. After following the ritual of burning incense, they lifted anchor and set sail.

At that moment, the middle-aged man from before approached. “Young master, did you take in that spoiled pretty boy?”

Ling Yuan was taken aback, then realized, “Uncle Kun, don’t speak like that. There are all kinds of people in the world, each living their own way. He’s just a bit gentler than us. Don’t say such things in front of him.”

Uncle Kun crooked his mouth awkwardly. “True enough, but our ship can’t stop at just any dock. What if he gets off and sees the wanted posters outside, then betrays us for the bounty?”

Ling Yuan hesitated. “He wouldn’t! She wouldn’t!”

She was a lone, helpless maid—no malicious intent. Besides, the posters were only up at places near Cenzhou, and they were over a thousand li away now.

Seeing his certainty, Uncle Kun said no more but warned, “You’ve always been soft-hearted and kind. This is your first time going far from home. The world is full of treachery; people are not what they seem. Better to be cautious than regretful.”

“Thanks for the warning, Uncle Kun. I’ll keep an eye on her. If anything happens to the cargo, I take full responsibility.”

Uncle Kun’s expression turned serious. “We can’t afford any problems with this cargo. The places near Cenzhou are all locked down by the authorities. We had no choice but to take this long sea route to resupply. Many people back home depend on us.”

Ling Yuan nodded without commenting.