To be honest, looking closely at Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan's makeup skills, it was truly exceptional. Not only did their appearances match, but their clothing did too, making them look exactly like middle-aged village women.
Prince Xiao Jingyun looked at the two women with surprise, then cast a searching gaze at Chen Xiaobei.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei hurried forward to introduce them, "Your Highness, these two are my good friends, accompanying us up the mountain."
Ma Biao, standing nearby, quickly waved his hands, "That's not appropriate, not appropriate. How can women go up the mountain? It's also inconvenient."
Prince Xiao Jingyun, however, smiled and waved his hand, "Alright, Ma Biao, don't speak too much. Everything is to be arranged according to Chen Xiaobei's plan."
He then cupped his fist towards Huang Ying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, elder sister-in-law, to do my makeup."
The address of "elder sister-in-law" made Cui Hongyu, Shen Ziyan, and Huang Ying all laugh.
Xiao Jingyun seemed rather bewildered and awkwardly raised his hand to touch his head.
"Wh-what? Did I say something wrong?"
Huang Ying said with a giggle, "Who is the elder sister-in-law? We're all still unmarried!"
Just as Huang Ying was about to continue, Shen Ziyan quickly stopped her and bowed to Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, please forgive my sister. She's always been a bit unrefined. I hope Your Highness will pardon her."
Xiao Jingyun looked at Shen Ziyan, then turned to Chen Xiaobei.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward again to explain, "Your Highness, they are both unmarried girls, merely disguised as village girls."
Xiao Jingyun finally realized and tapped his forehead, "It was my mistake. Please don't be offended, young ladies."
Xiao Jingyun's humility surprised Chen Xiaobei. He didn't carry himself with any arrogant airs.
Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan reapplied makeup to Prince Xiao Jingyun, also loosening his hair.
After they finished, Cui Hongyu held up a bronze mirror for Xiao Jingyun to see himself.
Xiao Jingyun examined his reflection and couldn't help but laugh.
"Marvelous, marvelous! Now I look like a farmer."
He then turned to see Ma Biao, Ma Xiaoyi, and the others, tilted his head, and said to Huang Ying, "Do their makeup too. Otherwise, it'll look rather out of place."
Since the Prince had done it, Ma Biao and the others naturally had nothing to say.
After everything was done, looking at the large group behind him, they appeared much more coordinated.
Chen Xiaobei walked at the very front, followed by Huang Ying and Du Juan, then Ma Biao and the Prince.
Behind them was Ma Xiaoyi.
Further back were Shen Ziyan and Xiao Hua.
This was already the strongest lineup Chen Xiaobei could conceive of, doing his utmost to protect the Prince's safety.
When they first entered the mountain, Chen Xiaobei controlled their pace, walking very slowly.
He was afraid of tiring Xiao Jingyun, but by nearly noon, Xiao Jingyun still looked calm and showed no signs of fatigue.
This surprised Chen Xiaobei; he hadn't expected a Prince to have such good stamina.
In the blink of an eye, it was noon.
During the break for lunch, Prince Xiao Jingyun proactively discussed with Chen Xiaobei.
"Minister Chen, can we reach the Mountain God Temple this afternoon? Are we walking too slowly?"
His words surprised Chen Xiaobei; it seemed the Prince was rather impatient.
But impatience wouldn't do. They wouldn't reach the mountaintop in a single day.
"Your Highness, we still have a long way to go. It will take until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest to reach the summit. Therefore, we cannot go too fast initially; we must conserve our energy."
He then glanced at Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying, who were not far away.
Xiao Jingyun understood from Chen Xiaobei's gaze that it was filled with concern.
He immediately smiled. So, the concern wasn't for him, but for these two girls. Well, why shouldn't he help them?
"Very well, everything will be arranged according to your plan, Minister."
Just then, Liu Rumei also entered the mountain with Zhou Quan and others.
Liu Ce led the way, with Liu Rumei and Zhou Quan flanking a young man. This man wore embroidered robes and a hat with a low brim, obscuring his face.
Five li into the mountain, in the nearby woods.
A group of black-clad figures had already ambushed them. Their leader was none other than the Lotus Cult Leader.
Seeing Liu Rumei and her group approaching, the Lotus Cult Leader looked at a young man beside her with a smile.
"Chu Han, wasn't I right? They won't change their plans."
This Chu Han was the person Liu Rumei had pursued last night.
He stared at Liu Rumei in the distance and let out an exclamation, "It is said that Liu Xiangnan's daughter possesses both exceptional beauty and talent. I couldn't see clearly last night, but seeing her today, it is indeed true."
A complex expression flickered across the Lotus Cult Leader's lips. She lowered her voice and said, "When your Chu family helps me complete this important task, I will report to the Princess and bestow Liu Rumei upon you. How about it?"
Her words made Chu Han's face light up with longing, as if he were already envisioning the future.
Only after Liu Rumei and her group had walked a considerable distance did the Lotus Cult Leader take out a map and begin to examine it carefully.
After a while, she turned to Zhang Yu beside her.
"They only entered the mountain at this time. It will take until the day after tomorrow at the earliest to reach the summit."
Zhang Yu quickly nodded, "Yes, Cult Leader. It will be the earliest tomorrow morning at the latest. Now, I'm worried, what if Xiao Jingyun doesn't make it to the summit?"
The Lotus Cult Leader smiled faintly, "The Princess stated that the Prince always sees things through to the end. He will likely reach the summit. Of course, we must also prepare for the worst. You take a group to guard this steep slope, and I will continue to track them. Once they cross the iron chain bridge, even divine intervention cannot save them."
In the early autumn season, it got dark very early. As the sun set, the temperature on the mountain dropped sharply.
According to Chen Xiaobei's plan, they had to reach the steep slope tonight, as he had his own considerations. The steep slope had a small grove of trees nearby where they could hide.
Of course, the most important point was that he understood the significance of the steep slope. If anything went wrong and someone else seized it, he would be at a severe disadvantage.
Therefore, this steep slope had to be under his control.
During a break for water, Chen Xiaobei explained the importance of the steep slope and his plan to Xiao Jingyun.
Xiao Jingyun listened and nodded repeatedly, his impression of Chen Xiaobei improving significantly.
Chen Xiaobei had his own ideas and judgments.
"Alright, everything is according to your plan. Let's put in some effort and reach the steep slope before dinner."
Meanwhile, Liu Rumei and her group had just reached the Mountain God Temple when they stopped. The Prince would certainly not travel at night.
Moreover, the Mountain God Temple offered a building for shelter from wind and rain, making it more convenient.
A bonfire was lit, and wild game was placed over the fire, emitting an enticing aroma. However, Zhou Quan had no appetite, staring blankly at the fire.
Liu Rumei understood his thoughts, "Guard Zhou, you don't need to worry. Ma Biao and the others will surely protect the Prince's safety."
Zhou Quan looked up at the starry sky and sighed softly, "If anything were to happen, even our shattered bodies wouldn't be enough to atone for it."