funbook-pk Chapter 14 The Mysterious Forest
Chapter 14 The Mysterious Forest
After traveling for about several hundred miles, the originally rugged mountain road gradually became smooth, and the ride inside the carriage was no longer bumpy.
Mu Yan lifted the curtain to check the road conditions, and all she could see were lush green trees, blue skies and white clouds, and fresh air. Indeed, the ancients knew how to enjoy life.
"Ayan, what are you looking at?" Xiao Ran asked, leaning closer.
"I'm looking at the road, does the princess want to look too?"
"want!"
Mu Yan moved over to make room for Xiao Ran, and the two of them leaned against the window, intently looking ahead.
"The trees here are so green!" Xiao Ran exclaimed excitedly, pointing to the trees in front of her.
"Hmm, it really does look a bit green." Mu Yan looked up and glanced at it.
You know, trees in the 20th century were all gray and gloomy, nowhere could you find such a pure, natural green.
"Wow, Ah Yan, look!" Xiao Ran exclaimed as if she had discovered a new continent.
"What's wrong?" Mu Yan followed her gaze.
On the hill in front of us, large numbers of trees had fallen, and mud and sand poured down like a mudslide, leaving a visible mess.
With just one glance, Mu Yan knew that the road ahead had been washed away, and judging from the situation, it had obviously been like this for several days in a row.
"Stop the carriage! There's no road ahead!" Mu Yan shouted towards the outside of the carriage.
With a "whoosh," the carriage came to a stop.
"Third Miss, what's wrong?" The coachman turned around and looked at Mu Yan.
"The road ahead has been destroyed; the carriage cannot pass."
"Destroyed?" The coachman looked at the person in front of him with disbelief. He had been traveling this road for more than ten years and had never heard of it being destroyed.
"Yes, look, the trees on that hill over there have fallen in large numbers, and there's mud and sand all over the side. Not to mention whether the road is passable, it would be dangerous for you to go there rashly."
"You see the road ahead and it seems safe and sound, but look down at the bottom of the road."
Mu Yan pointed to the location she mentioned, and the coachman looked over upon hearing her voice.
"Do you see that? Large areas of silt have accumulated there."
The coachman nodded repeatedly, while Xiao Ran, standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded.
Only Mu Yunqing remained aloof, keeping to himself and resting in a corner with his eyes closed.
“Look at that road. It used to be wide, but now the lower side has become a mud pit. Carriages can’t pass through. Even if they try to force their way through, they will inevitably get stuck in the mud before they’re even halfway across.”
"Besides, the terrain where mud pits form is usually low-lying, and there's no guarantee that the mud pits aren't quite deep. If you get stuck, it could be a real problem."
"Can I ask where all this silt and sand came from?" Xiao Ran asked.
"Perhaps it was caused by the floods in Wenzhou."
As Mu Yan spoke, she glanced at Xiao Ran, and her eyes held a clear sense of foolishness.
Thinking about this gave her a headache. Based on their current itinerary, they were still quite a distance from Wenzhou. But all this mud and sand…
"Wow, is the flood in Wenzhou really that serious?" Xiao Ran was genuinely surprised. Trees were being washed away; the flood must have been enormous.
"Based on preliminary analysis, this should be the case."
"Third Miss, what should we do now?"
"Do you know any other routes?" Mu Yan asked him in return.
"I know, but... the carriage can't get through."
"Trail?"
"Yes, but! Miss Third... that place..."
A flicker of fear crossed the driver's eyes, and he began to stammer as he spoke.
What happened to that place?
Mu Yan looked suspicious. What kind of place could make a coachman so afraid? Could it be haunted?
"That place used to be a mass grave. There are often eerie noises at night, and the forest is very dense. No one has been there for many years..."
"A strange sound? How strange?" Mu Yan asked curiously.
"Could it be a ghost?" Xiao Ran asked tentatively.
"I don't know the specifics, but... Miss, once you go in, you won't be able to come out!" The coachman's voice was choked with emotion.
"What's there to be afraid of? We'll find out soon enough by going in and out!" Mu Yan said, grabbing her bundle and jumping off the carriage.
"Ayan, wait for me!" Xiao Ran also jumped down clumsily.
"This... I hope Miss will reconsider! This is no joke!"
"How can you reconsider? The floods in Wenzhou are extremely serious right now, and the safety of the people is still unknown. Do you want me to turn back the way I came?" Mu Yan asked her coldly.
Looking at the cowardly person in front of her, Mu Yan felt a hint of disgust in her eyes, which reminded her of her previous mission.
And so it is, there are often some good-for-nothings in the team who not only overestimate their abilities but also delay the progress, which is extremely annoying.
"This... I didn't have so many concerns, I hope Miss will forgive me..." the coachman said humbly.
“If you’re afraid, then don’t come with me,” Mu Yan said in a deep voice.
If someone like that goes and hinders her, she might not be able to resist killing them.
"This……"
The driver looked troubled. There was a large sum of money on the way, enough for her to live out her old age in peace, but the road was really dangerous. He didn't want to have the money but not live to enjoy it.
The driver suddenly shook his head. "No, I won't go."
“Okay, you don’t have to go, but you have to make sure the person in the car gets back to the Prime Minister’s residence safely.” Mu Yan said, looking into the car.
Mu Yunqing shouldn't suffer with her.
"Yes, yes, Miss, don't worry, I will definitely get him back to the Prime Minister's residence safely!" The coachman agreed readily.
As if afraid that Mu Yan would change her mind, they hurriedly began to turn their horses around.
"Wait, I need to get off." Mu Yunqing said, about to jump off the carriage, her well-defined knuckles gripping her bundle.
"Mu Yunqing! What are you doing!" Mu Yan stepped forward to stop him.
Mu Yan was completely bewildered. Was this person an idiot? The car was still moving, and he was already trying to jump off. Did he really not understand the preciousness of life?
"Yun Qing wants to go to Wenzhou with you." His eyes looked very determined, not like he was joking.
"Mu Yunqing, it's very dangerous. We're not going on a trip. Wenzhou isn't even that nice, not even half as nice as the capital. Besides... if we encounter danger, I can't protect you immediately... you..."
"Yunqing will take good care of herself," Mu Yunqing said as she jumped out of the car.
He doesn't need Mu Yan to protect him.
The driver glanced at the three men below the cart. "Are they crazy?! They're really crazy! They're all rushing to their deaths!"
"Are you really going to come with me?" Mu Yan looked up and met his eyes.
"and."
"it is good."
After saying that, Mu Yan waved to the coachman, signaling him to go. Once he received permission, the coachman ran off in a flash.
Xiao Ran, inappropriately squatting on the ground, cupped her face in her hands and looked at the two people in front of her with a smile.
Ah, although... but, it's really so sweet to ship them, they're such a doomed couple!
Mu Yan suddenly turned around and glanced at Xiao Ran. Oh no, she had forgotten about him.
"Princess! I am guilty, I forgot about you!" Mu Yan quickly bowed and apologized.
"Oh? It's nothing, I was going to go with you anyway!" Xiao Ran said, standing up.
"People will die!" Mu Yan deliberately scared her.
Hmph, Xiao Ran looked arrogant. She wasn't afraid at all. According to the novels she had read before, she was the female lead of this world. How could the female lead die?
Hehe, while you're young, be brave and work hard. When you're old, you can save your energy for building a harem.
"It's okay, I'm not afraid!" Xiao Ran said confidently.
But she didn't know that she wasn't the only time traveler in this world.
"Alright, let's go then." Mu Yan said, walking forward.
"I'll do whatever Ayan says~" Xiao Ran said with a lovesick look on her face again.
She genuinely thought Mu Yan was amazing. Although women in this dynasty were generally more capable than men, Mu Yan was far braver than other women. Besides, she remembered that Mu Yan was from the Prime Minister's residence! That meant she was a civil official. If civil officials were this brave, how powerful must military officials be!
Mu Yan mentally complained that she should have put her in the carriage; letting her out was a mistake, and this person was too talkative.
"Haha~" Mu Yan just smiled and didn't say anything.
The path that Mu Yan and the other two took was quite strange.
There were only some weeds at the entrance, and the path was fairly wide enough for two people to walk together. But as you went further in, you would find that the path became narrower and narrower, allowing only one person to pass at a time. If you were not careful, you would fall.
As the trees on both sides gradually grew denser, the sky above gradually became gloomy, and birdsong could be heard from the jungle from time to time.
Xiao Ran was a little scared, and she subconsciously grabbed Mu Yan's sleeve.
"What's wrong?" Mu Yan turned to look at Xiao Ran.
"Ayan, I'm scared. Can I hold your hand?"
"If I say no, will you stop pooping?" Mu Yan asked her with a smile.
"Hehe, I'll still pull!" Xiao Ran then pulled even tighter.
The two walked one after the other, with Mu Yunqing following behind.
He wasn't afraid; in his view, people were far more terrifying than these ghosts and monsters.
Ghosts only take lives, but humans don't.
The weather made him feel cold; his hands and feet were icy, his lips were pale, and he walked with a blank expression, his eyes downcast.
"Mu Yunqing, are you afraid?" Mu Yan turned to look at him.
Mu Yunqing glanced at Xiao Ran, who was clutching Mu Yan's sleeve, and then nodded, saying, "I'm scared."
There was a hint of melancholy in her light blue eyes, making her look somewhat pitiful. In short... she was truly endearing!
Mu Yan sighed inwardly; she still felt he shouldn't have brought him along.
But now that she's here, she has to protect him.
After all, back then, Mu Yunqing had firmly chosen her.
"Give me your hand." Mu Yan turned to face him.
Sure enough, everything went as he wished.
Mu Yunqing pretended to hesitate and stood still. Mu Yan got anxious, grabbed his hand, and took a few steps forward with him.
Ouch, it's so cold. This guy is really a "cold storage room." Mu Yan thought to herself as she gripped his hand even tighter. Her hands were warm, so she thought they could warm him up.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Ran's fear vanished completely, and she wisely let go of his hand.
Hehehe, to hell with the weirdness, I only feel a sense of CP (couple) vibes!!!
Once the eeriness in her heart dissipated, Xiao Ran began to swagger around, looking left and right as if she were on vacation.
Oh dear, the weather has changed again!
Oh wow, I see a bird!
Oh wow, there's a big red flower on the tree!
Oh wow, her stunningly beautiful partner is holding hands tightly.
Xiao Ran walked ahead humming a song, while Mu Yan and Mu Yunqing walked one after the other.
"Is it still cold?" Mu Yan looked down at the hand she was holding. She had been holding it for a long time, but the temperature hadn't risen at all.
"Well, sort of."
Is this what you call a little bit? Mu Yan felt like she was holding an ice cube.
"Are you cold?" Mu Yunqing asked, trying to pull her hand away.
"No, don't move around, be careful not to fall." Mu Yan said, tightening her grip even more.
Mu Yunqing felt that Mu Yan's hands were warm and comfortable.
The three of them walked forward together, and the road gradually became wider, but a fork in the road appeared in front of them.
"Ayan, which way should we go?" Xiao Ran was dumbfounded as she looked at the two roads in front of her.
Why are things the same now when everything that happened before was different from what's in those novels and TV dramas?
"I'm so sad, I could cry!" Xiao Ran thought to herself, her mind filled with countless Barbie Q images.
"Let me take a look first."
Mu Yan looked up at the two roads in front of her. They seemed to be roughly the same, even the road signs were identical.
However, upon closer inspection, one can see that the trees on the left are very dense and roughly the same height, while the trees on the right vary in height and are uneven, with some areas being lush and others sparse.
By looking at it this way, the sun-facing area of the trees can be calculated. The road on the left must receive less sunlight, otherwise the trees could not have grown so neatly.
The road on the right is bathed in sunlight, but the light is uneven, so the trees are of varying heights.
Furthermore, the further you look into the road on the left, the darker it becomes, and the denser the trees grow.
However, on the right side, you can vaguely see a point of light at the end of the road.
"Go to the right."
"Okay!" Xiao Ran said excitedly and ran forward.
Ah, this is finally spacious! Walking along the narrow path had exhausted her. Now that the road is so wide, she can walk wherever she wants!
"Princess, it's best to be careful. There might be wild animals in this forest."
"Isn't it great that there are wild animals around? I was worried about not having any meat to eat tonight!" Xiao Ran said playfully.
"In any case, you should still be careful," Mu Yan said to her earnestly.
Judging from the current situation, these two people's combat strength is practically zero. Although she taught Mu Yunqing a few moves, they were just the basics and had no effect whatsoever. If something were to happen to them, she would have to take care of both sides.
However, as many netizens have pointed out, one person cannot hold an umbrella for two people at the same time.
So, it's destined to be a dilemma.
Thinking of this, another idea popped into Mu Yan's mind: in those novels, royal family members would use tricks to kill their own relatives.
Could this silly princess have some enemies? What if they take this opportunity to assassinate her? Mu Yan thought to herself and couldn't help but look at Xiao Ran.
"Hey? Ayan, why are you looking at me? Is there something on my face?" Xiao Ran said, reaching out to touch her face.
"Your Highness, may I ask you some questions?"
"Does Ayan want to ask me a question?"
"Well, is that okay?"
"Of course!" Xiao Ran looked at Mu Yan with a smile.
So it turns out there are things Ah Yan doesn't know, hehe.
"Is Your Highness and the First Prince on good terms?"
Mu Yan regretted asking the question as soon as she did; it seemed like she had pried into his privacy.
Xiao Ran patted her head. The Crown Prince? Hmm... I don't seem to remember him. Have I ever seen him before?
Oh my god, I really don't remember anything about it! But how am I supposed to tell Ayan? Waaah, do I have to lie? But I don't want to!
Forget it, I'll just make up a story.
"Well... I have a pretty good relationship with my elder sister, but we don't see each other often because she's quite busy."
"Oh, as long as we have a good relationship."
She was afraid that if the two sisters didn't get along, a bunch of people might suddenly appear and try to kill them, and then they would be doomed.
"Why did you suddenly ask that, Ayan?"
"It suddenly occurred to me, so I'm asking."
Xiao Ran: Could you be any more perfunctory? Your perfunctoriness isn't just written on your face, it's on your lips, kiss.
"I see. So, how is Ayan's relationship with her two older sisters?" Xiao Ran asked sincerely.
Fine, you're retaliating, aren't you?
"Uh, we don't get along very well," Mu Yan said directly, without any hesitation.
"It's not too bad."
Yes, that explanation makes sense. In Mu Yan's mind, anyone who doesn't endanger her life or cause trouble for her every day can be considered a friend.
Her two older sisters were fairly well-behaved and didn't cause trouble all the time, unlike the boring characters in novels.
However, she should not be underestimated, after all, she herself is a genuine time traveler.
Nine out of ten time-travel novels follow the same formula. Although many unexpected things happened to her, the usual plot points still apply.