“I…” Nan Feng glanced at Dragon Three, whose gaze was as gentle and indifferent as usual. Considering him trustworthy, she finally said, “I want to go to Capital City.”
“Capital City?” Dragon Three was evidently surprised. “Are you planning on finding him in Capital City?”
Nan Feng nodded.
“But the journey is fraught with danger and you are unfamiliar with Capital City. I’m afraid you’ll suffer a lot along the way. The guard Xia suggested that you should stay here, and perhaps it would be better for you to wait for him here,” Dragon Three advised Nan Feng.
“I’d like to stay here and quietly wait for him too, but I’ve been having nightmares lately, I’m afraid I can’t wait. I might not necessarily be going to Capital City to find him, I just need to get out and clear my head, to be closer to him,” Nan Feng added after a pause. “Mr. Dragon Three, I know you’re only looking out for me, but I’ve made up my mind. No matter who tries to persuade me, I’m determined to go.”
The wind gradually blew the corners of Dragon Three and Nan Feng’s clothes on the river surface, and there was a moment of silence between them.
After quite a while, Dragon Three spoke again, “If Lady Nan only wants to get out and clear her head, Dragon is willing to accompany you.”
“You?” Nan Feng asked in surprise.
Dragon Three gave a slight smile, “Miss Nan wouldn’t despise me because I’m old and sick, would she? And although I’m ill, I have been to Capital City several times. I also have my own boat and we can travel by water, saving at least a day’s time. If all goes well, we could reach Capital City by tomorrow night.”
It sounded like a great plan—with someone to guide her, a private boat, and a companion. However, Nan Feng was a little worried, “Mr. Dragon Three, I don’t mean to look down on you at all, I’m just worried that you won’t be able to stand the physical strain.”
“Aside from being unable to fight, I can manage a few days on a boat and accompanying you sightseeing. I still have that much energy,” Dragon Three reassured Nan Feng sincerely.
“Won’t you be returning to Ping County?” Nan Feng asked.
“There’s no need to. I can delegate the minor issues to another hall master.”
…
Dragon Three was a very straightforward person, when he decided to go, he simply went. His boat was well-stocked and accompanied by his butler and a few boatmen, so it wouldn’t be seen as an inappropriate trip alone with a young lady.
Being a man of Jianghu, Dragon Three was not burdened by social etiquette. Nan Feng, coming from the modern era, was confident and poised too.
After boarding the boat, the two enjoyed tea and chatted. Half an hour later, Dragon Three was exhausted and went below to rest, while Nan Feng stayed above alone to enjoy the view.
The ancient waterways were well-developed. They encountered many other boats along the way, and there were wharfs for boats to dock. Dragon Three owned his boat so they didn’t have to stop at each wharf, which saved them the trouble of changing boats. The boat was also well-stocked with food, so they quickly left Fu County and reached another county.
…
The provincial capital of the entire county was larger and more prosperous than Fu County. It was late when they arrived, so Dragon Three ordered the boatmen to dock, and he brought Nan Feng and his butler to find an inn in the provincial city for the night.
Though Dragon Three was slow-paced, his strides were long, and his speed matched Nan Feng’s. By the time they reached the Inn, he had begun to pant. Nan Feng asked him to sit and rest while she booked a room, beating the butler to pay the bill.
The boat fare was saved, so naturally, she would bear the cost of meals. Otherwise, Nan Feng wouldn’t feel quite right.