A Time-Traveling Zombie Romance (GL) - Chapter 20

On the third morning, it was time for us to set out. We hadn’t brought too much—just one bundle per person containing a few sets of clothes and some food. I also brought my guitar since Zhang Fei said we were going on a covert visit, so there was no point in traveling in a luxurious carriage.

“Your Highness, the carriages are ready outside,” the steward Zhang Fu said respectfully, bowing slightly.

“Thank you,” I replied with a faint smile.

I walked to the door and saw Yun Xi and Si Qing already waiting by the carriage, while Xiao Yun and Zhang Ming looked reluctant to see us leave.

“Qi’er, Xi’er, Qing’er, it’s not as warm outside as at home. Take care of yourselves,” Xiao Yun said, her eyes reddening.

“Mother, Father, take care. I’ll look after Senior Sister and Qing’er,” I said, feeling reluctant.

“Godfather, Godmother, take care,” Yun Xi said, his eyes slightly red.

“Father, Mother, take care. Qing’er will miss you,” Si Qing said quietly, beginning to cry.

“Children, you must rise early for your morning assembly,” Zhang Ming reminded us.

“Yes,” the three of us replied, bowing slightly before boarding the carriages. There were two carriages in total: one for the women, one for the men, plus five elite imperial guards Zhang Ming had borrowed from Zhang Fei to protect me—Li Shaohua, Qiu Hetian, Lin Ji, Xu Rui, and Zhu Chao. Just the right number.

After we boarded, I spoke to Li Shaomin and Xu Rui, who were driving the horses. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, Young Master,” they replied.

At a steady pace, we disappeared from Xiao Yun and Zhang Ming’s view.

“We’re going to Zui Meng Ge,” I instructed the drivers.

“Yes, Young Master,” Li Shaomin and Xu Rui answered, hiding their doubts.

Soon, the two carriages stopped in front of Zui Meng Ge. Meng Hui and the others had packed their bags and were waiting downstairs.

I took a deep breath, stepped down, and smiled. “Meng Hui, Qi-ge, Qing Yang, let’s go.”

“Mm,” the three of them nodded slightly.

Afterwards, Qi Yichen and I rode in one carriage, while Meng Hui, Qing Yang, Yun Xi, and Si Qing rode in the other.

“Qi-ge, when did you and Meng Hui first meet?” I asked, staring at Qi Yichen.

“Four years ago,” he said with a faint smile. Yet, there was something cold and chilling about it… Four years ago? Hmph. At that time, I was still up in the mountains.

“Quite a while then. How did you meet?” I asked again.

“That’s private between Meng’er and me. Zhang-ge, you probably have no right to ask,” Qi Yichen said with a slight frown. He had first met Meng Hui during a mission four years ago; they went from acquaintances to friends, then lovers.

“Haha, of course. My apologies,” I said. Seeing the two of them so happy, I shouldn’t interfere—be the third wheel, right? Qi Yichen could give Meng Hui a happiness I never could. She liked him, not me.

Thinking this, I felt a sudden urge to step back. My chest felt tight, and I found a random excuse to step out of the carriage, sitting alongside Li Shaomin and Xu Rui.

Watching my back leave, Qi Yichen’s eyes darkened with cold fury: Zhang Xiaoqi, dare to covet my Meng’er… I’ll make sure you regret it on this journey.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the other carriage was… tense.

“Who are you?” Si Qing asked, noticing two women in the carriage.

“I’m Qing Yang of Zui Meng Ge, and she is the courtesan Meng Hui. Who are you?” Qing Yang raised her eyebrows.

“Zui Meng Ge? A brothel? Hmph! I’m Zhang Xiaoqi’s younger sister, Zhang Si Qing. She is my brother’s senior, my sworn sister, Yun Xi,” Si Qing replied coldly, her tone full of disdain upon realizing Qing Yang and Meng Hui were from a brothel.

“So you’re that little stingy girl’s sister? You don’t look alike at all,” Qing Yang said, puzzled, looking at Si Qing.

“Stingy girl? That’s my brother! How dare you speak to him disrespectfully? We’re not even bl00d-related, so of course we don’t look alike,” Si Qing said, folding her arms.

“Disrespectful? I’ve been far more disrespectful than this. No wonder I said you don’t look alike,” Qing Yang said.

“What? How dare you be disrespectful to my brother?” Si Qing shouted.

“Oh, such a shameful thing… How could I, a young lady, speak of it? Better let your brother tell you himself,” Qing Yang said shyly.

“You… Hmph! I bet a courtesan like you wouldn’t do anything good,” Si Qing scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“You… Hmph,” Qing Yang retorted. Both women turned away, ignoring each other.

Since their meeting, Meng Hui and Yun Xi had remained silent, staring coldly at each other. The tension was nearly unbearable, though Qing Yang and Si Qing occasionally bickered, keeping it from being completely frozen. With that, we set off for Yu County.

Yu County lay south of the capital, at the foot of two mountain peaks. The county magistrate, Jin Nuo, was reportedly aligned with the Third Prince, so we headed there first.

It took us the entire morning to cross a mountain. At noon, our carriages stopped on a clearing at the base, and we got out to rest briefly.

I pulled out some dry rations and water, sitting on a rock to eat.

Midway through, I noticed Qi Yichen and Meng Hui sitting together, slowly eating. Jealousy rose in me, yet seeing them so perfect for each other made me think to give up. Begrudgingly, I took a large bite of my rations, stuffing my mouth while staring blankly at them. Just as I was about to swallow, Qing Yang suddenly patted me hard on the back from behind, startling me. The bite got stuck in my throat.

“Hey, little stingy one, what are you staring at? Eh? Why is your face so red?” Qing Yang laughed beside me.

I lifted my head, trying to swallow, but it wouldn’t go down. Panicking, I ran to Yun Xi and Si Qing, grabbed Yun Xi’s water pouch, and drank heavily.

“Cough, cough,” I choked while drinking. Yun Xi jumped up, realizing I was choking, and patted my back until the bite finally went down.

“Phew… finally,” I said, collapsing to the ground, breathing heavily.

“Thanks, Senior Sister,” I said gratefully to Yun Xi.

“Brother, are you okay? What happened?” Si Qing asked, concerned.

“Nothing. Just choked on some food,” I explained.

“Eh, little stingy one, that’s why you looked so strange. Choking on food? Like a child,” Qing Yang teased.

I glared at Qing Yang, annoyed. “And it’s your fault! You scared me from behind, so of course I choked.”

Qing Yang pouted, shrugging. “Who told you not to chat with me?”

“Hey, why must my brother chat with you?” Si Qing complained. The two little troublemakers began bickering again. I shook my head, returning to my rock, staring at the sky.

Soon, we resumed our journey. By afternoon, we had crossed another mountain. That night, we camped outdoors.

At a river, we filled our water pouches. Suddenly, a cold wind blew, and I smelled something familiar.

I hurriedly scooped some water and tasted it, then shouted urgently, “Don’t drink this river water! It’s poisoned!”

Unfortunately, someone had already drunk it.

I rushed to Qiu Heyu and checked his pulse.

“Hehe, Zhang-ge, are you joking? How could such clear and sweet water be poisoned?” Qi Yichen asked with a smile.

“What? You drank it too?” I exclaimed.

“Yes,” Qi Yichen replied.

I rushed to check his pulse as well, but he pulled back his hand.

I opened his other hand and saw black qi slowly climbing toward his wrist.

“Poisoned for real?” Qi Yichen’s face changed, while Meng Hui hurried to his side to seal his meridians.

In total, three people were poisoned: Qiu Heyu, Qi Yichen, and Lin Ji.

I stared at the river, thinking, then said, “Something’s strange with this river. I’ll go check it out.”

“No! Brother, the river is poisoned. You’ll be poisoned too!” Si Qing protested, standing in front of me.

“It’s fine. I’m immune to poisons, Qing’er. Don’t worry.” Saying this, I leapt straight into the river, not waiting for any further objections…