Time Is Slow - Chapter 11

The boat sailed through misty waters, the wind brushing against the faces of the travelers. Boats came and went on the river like shuttles weaving through fabric. Chi Can and his two companions leaned against the railing, chatting idly as the sky gradually darkened, the evening clouds painting the heavens in warm hues. A passenger boat drifted past in the distance, momentarily silencing their conversation.

Chi Can’s gaze locked onto a black-clad man standing by the railing of the neighboring boat. Sensing his stare, the man turned to look back and gave him a slight nod.

The man was young, barely in his early twenties. His form-fitting black robe accentuated his tall and lean physique. A smile played on his handsome face, though it failed to reach his eyes.

If Chi Can’s beauty was the kind that bordered on eerie perfection, his smiles carrying a bewitching allure, then this man’s smile was like a gentle spring breeze—warming those around him, yet leaving no trace of warmth behind for himself.

As the two boats passed each other, Yang Houcheng, noticing the furrow in Chi Can’s brow, asked, “Shi Xi, who was that? Do you know him?”

“Not exactly,” Chi Can replied lazily after a brief pause, finally looking away. “But he’s not a good person.”

“Oh?” Zhu Yan’s curiosity was piqued.

The man was unfamiliar to them. If their well-informed friend recognized him while they did not, that in itself was rather odd.

Chi Can let out a cold snort before saying, “Have you heard of Jiang Tang?”

“Don’t joke around. Who hasn’t heard of Jiang Tang?” Yang Houcheng’s expression grew serious.

Jiang Tang was the Grand Commander of the Jin Lin Guards—an elite force that answered directly to the Emperor, serving as his eyes and ears. All under heaven gave them a wide berth out of both fear and respect. Jiang Tang himself held an even more exalted status; he was not only the commander of the Jinlin Guards but also the milk brother of the Emperor.

It was no wonder that Jiang Tang was a man of immense power. Whether noble or official, everyone showed him due reverence.

Seeing the shift in his friends’ expressions, Chi Can explained further, “Jiang Tang has thirteen trusted subordinates, known as the Thirteen Guardians. The man we just saw is his adopted son, Jiang Shisan. He was sent south several years ago, so people in the capital aren’t familiar with him. I only encountered him during my last visit to Jiafeng.”

Chi Can’s lips curled into a sneer. “He’s a smiling tiger—a dangerous one. Running into him like this is just bad luck!”

Zhu Yan and Yang Houcheng, who shared a natural aversion to the fearsome Jinlin Guards, refrained from asking further questions.

Yang Houcheng changed the subject. “It’s getting late. Let’s head back inside for dinner.”

They had chartered this boat exclusively for themselves, and their generous payment ensured excellent service. As soon as they sat down in the dining area, steaming dishes were immediately served.

Yang Houcheng glanced toward the doorway, puzzled. “Why hasn’t Miss Li come out yet?”

“Maybe she’s not hungry,” Chi Can remarked coolly.

“That’s not possible. She didn’t even eat lunch. Should we check on her?” Yang Houcheng suggested.

The three of them had chosen to travel without servants to avoid hassle. Given that this boat was filled entirely with men, it occurred to them rather belatedly that it might not have been ideal for a young noblewoman to travel unaccompanied.

Only now did they fully realize how remarkable it was that she had quietly managed everything on her own for so many days.

“What a hassle,” Chi Can muttered, standing up. “Let’s go check.”

The three of them approached Qiao Zhao’s cabin. Yang Houcheng called out, “Miss Li, it’s time for dinner.”

Silence.

The three men exchanged glances.

“Should we go in?” Yang Houcheng asked hesitantly.

Chi Can crossed his arms and said dryly, “What if she’s changing? Or bathing? If the three of us barge in and see something we shouldn’t, whose fault would that be?”

Damn it! Why did these things always seem to happen to him?

“I’ll go,” Zhu Yan said after giving Chi Can a deep look. “Miss Li isn’t that kind of person.”

He stepped forward, knocked on the door, and called out, “Miss Li, are you there?”

Still no response.

“Forgive me for intruding,” Zhu Yan said as he pushed the door open.

The cabin inside the boat was simply furnished, without any screens or other barriers. The three immediately saw Qiao Zhao lying on the bed. The girl’s black hair was loose, contrasting with her snow-white face, and her eyes were tightly shut.

Their expressions changed all at once, and without further hesitation, they strode in. As they approached, they saw that the young girl’s face was deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. It was clear she was ill.

“She… wasn’t she fine earlier?” Yang Houcheng exclaimed in shock.

Zhu Yan frowned. After a brief hesitation, he said, “Miss Li hasn’t been eating much these past few days.”

Being three grown men, they hadn’t paid much attention to a young girl’s daily habits. But now, with Zhu Yan’s reminder, they realized it had been obvious all along.

Yang Houcheng studied Qiao Zhao’s complexion, growing anxious. “She’s not starving, is she? Why wouldn’t she eat?”

Yeah, why wouldn’t she eat? This was the same girl who had eagerly challenged Chi Can to a game of chess just to get her meal earlier.

Zhu Yan silently pondered this and turned to Chi Can. “Shi Xi, what do you think we should do?”

“What else can we do? When we dock at the next port, we’ll find a doctor to check on her,” Chi Can glanced at Qiao Zhao and said indifferently. “We can’t have her dying on the boat.”

“Come on, don’t say things like that. She’ll be fine,” Yang Houcheng reassured them.

Their friend might sound cold, but deep down, he clearly cared.

Chi Can averted his gaze, feeling irritated.

What was with that tone? As if he actually cared!

The three of them stood in Qiao Zhao’s room, a brief silence settling over them.

Then, the girl stirred.

Softly, she murmured, “Father… Mother…”

The room grew even quieter.

After a long pause, Yang Houcheng chuckled. “She’s just homesick.”

Zhu Yan shook his head. “It’s more than that. She was taken and brought south against her will. Even if she makes it back home, things won’t be easy for her.”

“Enough. That’s none of our concern,” Chi Can said, turning to leave. But just as he reached the doorway, he hesitated, then walked back in and plopped down onto a chair.

His two friends looked at him in surprise.

With a snort, he said, “None of us can leave her alone. We’ll just have to stay here together. Women are really troublesome no matter how old they are.”

Zhu Yan chuckled softly, but his gaze lingered on Qiao Zhao, still filled with worry.

The girl didn’t seem to be in good shape.

“Miss Li…” he called gently.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, but she did not wake up.

The three of them were men, and none of them dared to touch her to check for a fever. All they could do was wait.

Finally, the boat docked.

Chi Can was about to send a deckhand to fetch a doctor, but Yang Houcheng stopped him. “Forget it. I’ll go myself—I’m faster.”

“I’ll come too,” Zhu Yan said. “I’ll find a maidservant in town. Someone needs to take care of her.” He glanced at Chi Can. “Shi Xi, you’ll have to watch over her in the meantime.”

With that, the two of them left, leaving Chi Can alone with Qiao Zhao.

He looked down at the unconscious girl, a smirk playing on his lips. “Not bad, little girl. You’ve got them running around for you.”

She didn’t respond, of course. But her face suddenly flushed—not the natural glow of warmth, but an unusual, feverish red.

Chi Can pursed his lips and glanced toward the door to make sure no one was around. Then, moving quickly, he reached out and placed his hand on her forehead.