Sensing Murong Jinyun's intention, Baili Xi sneered, "Princess, there's no need to fantasize that Gu Beichen will come to save you. With his abilities, he probably won't even find us, let alone rescue you."
Baili Xi's tone was filled with mockery and disdain for Gu Beichen. What could that good-for-nothing dandy achieve? He was merely useless.
"I'm hungry. Let's stop to eat something before we go. You don't want to watch this princess starve to death on the road, do you?"
All she could do now was to stall for time, waiting for Gu Beichen to bring people to save her.
Baili Xi's eyes darted around. After some thought, he ordered everyone to stop and rest for a moment.
"I won't eat this. These dry biscuits are no different from stones. I can't eat them. Have someone make some softer food."
Murong Jinyun threw a royal 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. We can't find any other food. 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 Jinyun became even angrier, slapping the maidservant across the face and throwing all the remaining dry rations on the ground. She even stomped on them fiercely.
With a series of flawless actions, all the dry rations were ruined beyond recognition.
Baili Xi and his group had left in a hurry and had no time to prepare other food. What Murong Jinyun had just destroyed was all the food they had.
It would take another day and night to reach the nearest town. During this time, everyone would go hungry.
"Baili Xi, have someone find food. This princess is so hungry I can't travel anymore."
All these actions were done to delay them for a while.
"Princess, in this wilderness, there's simply..."
"Shut up! Baili Xi, are you going to let this princess travel with you on an empty stomach?"
Baili Xi still did not dare to offend Murong Jinyun. He could only silently endure the scolding.
After a moment of silence, he still followed Murong Jinyun's wishes, "Princess, please bear with it for now. Traveling is important. When we reach the town ahead, I will give you..."
"No, I'm so dizzy from hunger, I can't wait any longer."
Murong Jinyun continued her unreasonable tantrum. After a pause, she said, "Forget it... I won't make it difficult for you. I see a forest ahead. Go find some fruit to appease my hunger for now."
Baili Xi hesitated. They had already left the capital, and other carriages were heading in different directions to confuse any pursuers. The forces of Eastern Chu would not be able to catch up for a while.
"Yes, Princess."
Responding to Murong Jinyun's request, Baili Xi assigned two people to go into the forest to find fruit, while he stayed close to Murong Jinyun.
Murong Jinyun sat on the side, looking slightly uneasy. She had originally planned to get rid of Baili Xi, but she didn't expect him to be so vigilant, guarding her side without moving an inch. She still needed to find other ways to get rid of Baili Xi; that was the most important thing.
"Oh... oh..."
With a cry of alarm, Murong Jinyun clutched her stomach and painfully bent over, her brows furrowed tightly, appearing to be in great pain.
"Princess..." Baili Xi worriedly supported Murong Jinyun and hurriedly asked, "Princess, where do you feel unwell?"
"I... my stomach hurts terribly..."
Clutching her abdomen tightly, Murong Jinyun acted very realistically, and Baili Xi believed her to some extent.
"Then... then..."
Baili Xi was suddenly at a loss. This was, after all, the wilderness. None of them knew medicine, nor could they find a doctor to diagnose Murong Jinyun.
"I... I might have eaten something bad. I need to... to relieve myself. Please step aside... step aside for a moment."
Regardless of her shame, Murong Jinyun even came up with such an excuse. She was truly desperate.
Who could have thought that Baili Xi would be watching her so closely? This was the only reason that could make Baili Xi stop staring at her like a thief.
"Then... I'll step aside."
Baili Xi's face instantly turned red. He looked away awkwardly, not daring to look at Murong Jinyun. This matter was truly a bit embarrassing.
Hearing Baili Xi agree, Murong Jinyun suppressed her excitement. However, to avoid causing Baili Xi any worry, she still took a maidservant with her.
After walking forward for a while, ensuring she had put some distance between herself and Baili Xi.
"You stay here and don't let anyone approach, understand?"
"Yes, Princess."
The maidservant dared not follow Murong Jinyun further and stood guard obediently.
Murong Jinyun walked forward a few more steps and chose a suitable, hidden spot to crouch down.
She had been surveying the terrain since earlier. Walking back from her current position was the fastest route back to the capital.
There was still a manor ahead. If she could reach the manor, she might have a chance to survive.
With a firm decision in her heart, Murong Jinyun decided to escape immediately. If she didn't leave now, she would never have such a good opportunity again. Opportunity knocks but once.
"This princess's stomach ache is severe. I'll need some more time. You stay there and absolutely do not let anyone else come over."
"Princess, don't worry, your servant will not move."
Completely believing Murong Jinyun's words, the maidservant stood still in her spot. Little did she know that Murong Jinyun had already disappeared.
Baili Xi's gaze occasionally shifted towards where Murong Jinyun had gone. Seeing the maidservant still standing there, he assumed Murong Jinyun hadn't finished and continued to wait.
Murong Jinyun ran forward with all her might. Finding her long skirt to be a hindrance, she tore it off, not daring to waste a single second.
After running for a while, she heard the sound of horses' hooves. Thinking that Baili Xi had brought people to chase her again, she hid in the nearby tall grass.
"Are you sure Baili Xi came this way? Why are we chasing for so long, and we haven't seen a single person?"
Gu Beichen was becoming anxious. After chasing for so long, he hadn't seen a single figure. Could Lu Shi's intelligence be wrong, and they weren't running this way at all?
"Young Master, you've only been chasing for a short while. Don't you get tired? Perhaps they are still ahead."
Lu Shi looked up at the sky. He hadn't seen any carrier pigeons flying by, meaning Baili Xi's group hadn't reached the checkpoint ahead yet.