Gu Bei Chen could not possibly find us, let alone rescue you."
Baili Xi's tone was filled with mockery and disdain for Gu Bei Chen, calling him a good-for-nothing dandy who could achieve nothing, merely a useless individual.
"I'm hungry. Let's stop and eat something before we go. You wouldn't want to watch this princess starve to death on the road, would you?"
All she could do now was stall for time, waiting for Gu Bei Chen to bring people to rescue her.
Baili Xi's eyes darted around. After some thought, he ordered everyone to stop and rest for a while.
"I won't eat this. These dry biscuits are no different from stones. I can't eat them. Get someone to make some softer food."
Murong Jin Yun threw a tantrum, tossing the dry biscuit in her hand onto the ground, stubbornly refusing to eat.
"Princess, this is a desolate place, and this is all we have to eat. There's truly no other food to be found. Princess, please make do with it."
"You dog slave, you want me to make do? I think you don't want your head anymore!"
Murong Jin Yun became even more enraged, slapping the maidservant hard across the face and throwing all the remaining dry rations on the ground, even stomping on them fiercely.
With a series of smooth moves, all the dry rations were rendered inedible.
Baili Xi and his group had left in such a hurry that they had no time to prepare any other food. What Murong Jin Yun had just destroyed was all the food they had.
There was still a day and a night's journey to the town ahead. During this time, everyone would go hungry.
"Baili Xi, have your men find something to eat. This princess is starving and cannot travel."
All these actions were done to delay for a little while longer.
"Princess, in the wilderness, there is simply no..."
"Shut up, Baili Xi, do you want me to travel with you on an empty stomach!"
Baili Xi still dared not offend Murong Jin Yun. He could only endure the scolding in silence.
After a moment of silence, he decided to go along with Murong Jin Yun's wishes. "Princess, please bear with it for now. Our journey is important. Once we reach the town ahead, I will..."
"No, this princess is so hungry I'm dizzy. I can't wait any longer."
Murong Jin Yun continued to act spoiled and unreasonable. After a pause, she added, "Fine... I won't make it difficult for you. I see a forest ahead. Go and find some fruit to satisfy your hunger for now."
Baili Xi hesitated. They were already far from the capital, and with other carriages heading in different directions to confuse their pursuers, the forces of Dong Chu could not catch up for a while.
"Yes, Princess."
Agreeing to Murong Jin Yun's request, Baili Xi arranged for two men to go into the forest to find fruit, while he stayed close to Murong Jin Yun.
Murong Jin Yun sat somewhat nervously to the side. She had initially intended to get rid of Baili Xi, but she didn't expect him to be so vigilant, guarding her side motionlessly. She still needed to find another way to get rid of Baili Xi, which was the most important thing.
"Oh... oh..."
With a startled cry, Murong Jin Yun clutched her stomach and bent over in pain, her brow furrowed as if in great discomfort.
"Princess..." Baili Xi anxiously helped Murong Jin Yun, quickly asking, "Princess, where do you feel unwell?"
"I... my stomach hurts terribly..."
Clutching her abdomen tightly, Murong Jin Yun acted very convincingly, and Baili Xi believed her to some extent.
"Then... then..."
Baili Xi was suddenly at a loss. They were in the wilderness, and not a single person among them knew medicine, nor could they find a doctor to treat Murong Jin Yun.
"I... I might have eaten something bad. I need to... to relieve myself. Please step aside... for a moment."
She didn't care about modesty anymore. Murong Jin Yun even came up with such an excuse, as she was truly cornered.
Who knew Baili Xi would watch her so closely? This was the only reason she could think of to make Baili Xi not stare at her like a thief.
"Then I... I will step aside."
Baili Xi's face instantly turned red. He turned his head away awkwardly, not daring to look at Murong Jin Yun. This was indeed a bit embarrassing.
Hearing Baili Xi relent, Murong Jin Yun suppressed her excitement as much as possible. However, to avoid causing Baili Xi any worry, she still asked a maidservant to accompany her.
After walking a short distance, she confirmed that she had put some distance between herself and Baili Xi.
"You stay here and guard. Do not let anyone approach, understand?"
"Yes, Princess."
The maidservant dared not follow Murong Jin Yun further and obediently stood guard.
Murong Jin Yun walked a few more steps, choosing a suitably hidden spot to squat down.
She had been surveying the terrain since earlier. The fastest route back to the capital was from her current position, heading back.
There was a manor ahead. If she could reach the manor, she might have a slim chance of survival.
With a decision made in her heart, Murong Jin Yun decided to flee. If she didn't leave now, she would never have such a good opportunity again. Opportunity waits for no one.
"This princess has severe abdominal pain and needs more time. Stay here and absolutely do not let anyone come near."
"Princess, please don't worry. Your servant will definitely not move."
Completely believing Murong Jin Yun's words, the maidservant stood motionless in place, unaware that Murong Jin Yun had already vanished behind her.
Baili Xi's gaze occasionally drifted to the area where Murong Jin Yun had gone. Seeing the maidservant still standing there, he assumed Murong Jin Yun had not finished and continued to wait.
Murong Jin Yun ran with all her might, finding her long dress cumbersome. She tore it off directly, not daring to waste a single second.
After running for a while, she heard the sound of horse hooves. Fearing it was Baili Xi coming after her with more men, she hid in the nearby tall grass.
"Are you sure Baili Xi is heading this way? We've been chasing for so long, and I haven't seen a single person."
Gu Bei Chen was becoming anxious. They had been chasing for so long, yet hadn't seen anyone. Could Lu Shi's intelligence be wrong, and they weren't running in this direction at all?
"My Lord, you've only been chasing for a short while. Are you already tired? Perhaps they are still further ahead."
Lu Shi looked up at the sky. He hadn't seen any carrier pigeons fly by, meaning Baili Xi's group hadn't reached the checkpoint ahead yet.