Chapter 2830 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 35

The next morning, just before dawn, the village was already bustling with activity.

Chen Xiaoshan stayed behind to guard Black Mountain Village, while Gu Fanghe, along with Liu Mianfeng, Yan Qi, Shi Meng, and Jin Chen, a group of five, prepared to head to Nanzhou City.

The road down the mountain was rugged and steep, making it difficult for a carriage to pass. Gu Fanghe had the most spacious and comfortable carriage prepared in advance at the foot of the mountain, and he personally inspected the horses, the driver, and the backup personnel at several dangerous sections along the way to ensure everything went smoothly.

After he finished dealing with these trivial matters and returned to the village gate, the others had been waiting for a while.

As dawn broke and the thin mist lingered, Jin Chen stood on the blue stone steps by the village gate, dressed in a plain white robe with a moon-white cloak over it, her long hair loosely tied up with a jade hairpin.

Gu Fanghe stopped in his tracks. Not only him, but even Liu Mianfeng next to him was in a daze. He paused in his fanning and murmured, "Brother Jin wearing this white robe... it really makes people feel dizzy."

Gu Fanghe stepped forward, his gaze tracing the man's face closely, and asked in a lower voice, "Why are you dressed like this?"

Jin Chen looked up at him, a sly smile curving her lips, and said in a light voice, "I have my own plans."

Gu Fanghe frowned but didn't say anything. Even if he was uneasy and disliked the outfit that resembled Ruan Shutong's, he believed that Jin Chen had his own sense of propriety and plans.

The mountain roads were difficult to traverse, but for this group of ruthless bandits who were used to roaming the mountains and forests year-round, it was nothing.

Some sections were so steep that one had to hold onto the mountainside to get through, and they were very slippery. Gu Fanghe always walked beside Jin Chen, while Jin Chen walked steadily.

After about half an hour, we finally reached the foot of the mountain.

The carriage was already waiting there. Gu Fanghe helped Jin Chen into the carriage first, and then followed him up. Liu Mianfeng and the other two rode their horses alongside the carriage.

The carriage was lined with soft cushions, and a small charcoal stove sat in the corner, making the interior warm and cozy. Jin Chen took off his cloak and leaned against the cushions. He saw Gu Fanghe take out a mask from his bosom. It was a half-face mask that could just cover the red mark under his eye.

Gu Fanghe picked up the mask, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly put it on his face.

Jin Chen watched as he put on the mask, and his face, which always carried a murderous aura, suddenly became more mysterious and cold.

"We used to have to wear them when entering the city?" Jin Chen suddenly asked, her voice soft, carrying a kind of inexplicable heartache.

Gu Fanghe paused, then looked up at him.

Jin Chen leaned over, took off her mask, and kissed his eyes.

"Hmm." Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice a little hoarse. "I don't wear it often, but when I need to conceal my identity... I will wear it."

After all, General Hefeng was dead, and the leader of Black Mountain Stronghold was a wanted criminal by the imperial court. This silver mask was a disguise he often used when he entered certain situations where he needed to show his face but could not reveal his true identity.

Gu Fanghe tilted his head slightly, letting Jin Chen's fingertips linger on his scars, gently rubbing them.

He liked that Jin Chen cared so much.

Jin Chen didn't speak, but lowered his head and kissed his lips. Gu Fanghe's body went weak from the kiss, and his arms unconsciously wrapped around Jin Chen's waist, pulling him into his arms.

When his breathing became erratic, Jin Chen stepped back slightly, half-embracing his shoulder, and helped him put the mask back on.

After putting on the mask, Jin Chen lowered her head and kissed the tip of his nose.

Gu Fanghe thought to himself, how could his young master be so good?

In every aspect, when he's spoiled, he's happy to indulge; when he's gentle, he's incredibly soft-hearted; and when he's assertive, he's willing to be controlled.

He seemed to be buried by all this love.

-

On the second floor of the tavern opposite Zuixianlou at the intersection of Dongshi Street in Nanzhou City.

There was already someone waiting in the private room. He was a man in his thirties, dressed in ordinary cloth clothes. He was a spy planted in the city by the Black Mountain Village. His surname was Zhao. He usually did some small business and secretly gathered information for the village.

"Boss," Zhao Antan clasped his hands in greeting, then nodded to Jin Chen and the others, "The Third Prince will be hosting a banquet at Zuixianlou at noon today for the Governor of Nanzhou, the County Magistrate, and several other officials. Zuixianlou is closed to the public today and is heavily guarded. Trying to sneak in... will probably be very difficult."

Liu Mianfeng fanned himself and pondered, "Forced entry is definitely out of the question. Is there any other way, such as... disguising ourselves as a food deliveryman? Or a waiter in a restaurant?"

Yan Qi's eyes lit up. "I'll go and pretend to be a waiter. I'm agile, I definitely won't be discovered!"

Shi Meng: "I can also disguise myself as a firewood deliveryman."

Zhao, the spies, shook his head: "Today, everyone entering and leaving Zuixianlou will be strictly checked. Even those delivering vegetables and firewood will have their origins registered. The Third Prince is being very cautious this time."

The group fell silent for a moment.

Gu Fanghe frowned, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

Forcing their way in is the worst possible option. Assassinating a prince is no small matter; if it fails, the consequences could be dire, and we might not even be able to hear their specific plans.

Jin Chen replied, "I have a way."

Several people looked at him.

Jin Chen put down her teacup, took out a jade pendant from her sleeve and placed it on the table. "This is the Third Prince's token. He has mistaken me for Ruan Shutong, so he will definitely be willing to meet me."

Gu Fanghe frowned even more deeply. "That's not appropriate."

“That’s fine.” Jin Chen reached out and squeezed his fingertips casually. “Don’t worry, I won’t let him know. I’m just gathering information and acting according to the situation. I feel more at ease with you by my side.”

After saying that, Jin Chen stood up, his shoulders and back straight, and the usual smile between his brows and eyes disappeared, leaving only a distant and cold expression. Even his eyes had changed.

He just stood there, silent, yet he looked exactly like...

Shi Meng opened his mouth wide, and after a long while he murmured, "My mother... she really looks like her."

Liu Mianfeng narrowed his eyes, a hint of admiration flashing in them. This was more than just a resemblance; it was a complete transformation.

Gu Fanghe stared at Jin Chen, his fingers unconsciously tightening.

His unease resurfaced. Jin Chen was too good at disguising himself; he was so convincing that he could easily pass for the real thing. But the more convincing and successful he was, the more dangerous it meant...

"...Okay, but no matter what you hear or see, you must not act on your own, and you must not... let him touch you in the slightest. If anything changes, signal him immediately, and I will take you away."

"Okay." Jin Chen nodded slowly.

The plan was finally decided: Jin Chen would disguise himself as Ruan Shutong and go to Zuixianlou with the jade pendant.

Gu Fanghe and Liu Mianfeng put on human skin masks and disguised themselves as attendants to follow them inside, while Yan Qi and Shi Meng provided cover from the shadows and also scouted out the area around the restaurant.