Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 218: Cheng Hao’s Predicament

After the two left, the door was immediately locked by the guards stationed at the entrance.

When everything quieted down, the man who was originally absorbed in his writing suddenly slammed the brush onto the desk with a snap, instantly smudging the white paper with black ink.

Just like his current mood, heavy as ink, black with a suffocating anger, unable to vent.

Thinking about the imminent event, the usually calm and elegant man shook his sleeves and stood up, his fists pressing firmly on the desk. As he slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes were cold as frost, the icy shards within seeming to transform into countless ice spikes piercing deep into one’s soul.

In the past month, he attempted escape three times, all ending in failure. Through this, he learned a lot: the one imprisoning him is Miss Ke, the beloved daughter of Ke Zhendong, the Governor of Dingzhou.

This woman is arrogant and domineering; whatever she set her eyes on since childhood was hers to obtain.

The Ke Family held immense power in Dingzhou, unshakable, with at least Ming Strength martial artists among their guards, let alone those hidden in the shadows. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

To escape alive from this fortified cage is harder than ascending to heaven.

Every possible way has been tried. If it doesn’t work...

Cheng Hao touched his face, thinking if it doesn’t work, then he will ruin it.

His tone was calm and composed, as if it were insignificant.

In truth, he pondered repeatedly without coming to a conclusion. Though his looks in the village might be above average, in the grand city of the State Mansion, he was far from outstanding. There were many more remarkable in appearance, not to mention talent or knowledge; he was merely mediocre, yet he couldn’t fathom Miss Ke’s persistence.

Even the initially strongly opposing Governor Ke somehow got persuaded by her.

The Governor visited once, without the condescending arrogance, his words filled with helplessness and care for his daughter, finally admonishing him sharply, repeatedly urging him to treat his daughter well, promising him a life of wealth and comfort without worries, then left gracefully, his silhouette filled with loneliness and melancholy.

Despite Cheng Hao’s meticulous thoughts and keen intellect, he couldn’t comprehend the intricacies.

It felt as though Mr. Ke knew everything yet acted like a bystander, contradictory indeed.

Not sure how Xiaoxiao is doing, whether she handled her affairs well and returned on time, knowing Yu County is truly a perilous place.

Are his family well?

Are villagers okay?

Will Xiaoxiao rescue them on time?

She was always capable, resourceful, hopefully, they can all turn danger into safety!

Unfortunately, he was powerless over everything; the deeply self-reproaching man was taught a harsh lesson by this cruel world, deeply experiencing what it meant that ants could not shake authority.

Before strength, any schemes were mere talks on paper, futile.

Soon, the servant responsible for his care brought in a verified birth date and eight-character profile, annotated with auspicious dates: the eighth of the eleventh month, the twenty-fifth of the twelfth month, and March sixteenth of the next year.

The servant spoke cautiously, "The young miss has chosen the wedding date to be the eighth of the eleventh month, which is just ten days away."

After speaking, seeing the other party’s prolonged silence, and unable to grasp this master’s intention, he continued speaking to himself, "Miss also said, also said to have you decide on measurements for making the wedding clothes..."

"Get out!"

Before the servant could finish, Cheng Hao’s sudden anger scared him into shivering.

Seeing no movement from him, an inkstone flew out and hit the servant’s head squarely, causing a stream of blood, painfully crying out.

Daring not to delay, he fled out the door as if to escape, behind him came the sound of something heavy falling, scaring him from lingering, swiftly rolling away.

His heart sunk halfway, failing the task, unsure how to explain to the young miss, truly life-threatening!

Cheng Hao in the room slumped onto the chair decadently, eyes dim, only ten days left?

What can be done in ten days? Nothing...

He smirked self-deprecatingly, if he couldn’t escape within ten days, then ruin his face, if necessary, it’s not impossible to go down fighting.

Cheng Xiaoxiao, unaware of her second brother’s impending forced marriage, upon seeing the unfavorable general situation in Dingzhou, led everyone to disguise; their look of exotic traders displayed vividly before everyone.

Everyone chuckled as they glanced at each other.

Because they never tried such disguise before, it was novel and amusing.

Qi Fei slipped inside, "Boss, we’re nearing the shore."

Entering the cabin, Qi Fei was also momentarily stunned by the group’s peculiar appearance.

"Don’t call me boss; this time you can call me young miss, haha!"

Cheng Xiaoxiao assigned everyone new identities; since only Grandpa Hu used to be a wealthy merchant, she’s now his granddaughter, and Hu Yixiu and Hu Eryang are respectively the second and third young masters. Others are servants, guards, cooks, maids, and housekeepers, among others.

This time, Cheng Xiaoxiao acted as a wealthy merchant’s daughter, mischievous by her own directive.

They can only dock at Lijiang County now; after restocking, they need local merchant trading proof and identity stamp from the guarantor to enter Dingzhou.

Currently, Dingzhou checks ships entering and leaving rigorously, interrogations meticulously; any mistake faces a daylightless prison sentence.

Hence, caution is paramount.

Speaking of, why not let her father and uncle be second grandpa and third grandpa?

Not that Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t want to, but those two truly weren’t suited for it, not cunning, lacking smoothness to deal with high-profile individuals, timid once appearing.

Only habits and upbringing ingrained from childhood could well portray wealthy masters.

Tong Xiaoyun, Diao Chan, Xiaoyuan, Ruolan, Yalan, and Zhiqing and Zhiyang, these sisters all became her maids.

Leading a group of guards and handymen in uniform attire remarkably played the part.

This was the special task Cheng Xiaoxiao entrusted Qi Fei with.

As the trade ship approached closer to the Lijiang Pier, Cheng Xiaoxiao reminded once more, "Is everyone clear on their roles and duties? Don’t mess up the act; our lives are on the line!"

Everyone together gave an OK gesture; satisfied, she turned towards the front pier, seeing simple quarantine measures on both sides of the dock, fishing nets spread over tall cross-stacked bamboo pillars.

Behind the dock lies a long wooden pier, supported by giant columns, extending three to four zhang outward, forming berths, with variously sized trade ships and quite a few fishing vessels docked.

Cheng Xiaoxiao sharply spotted a luxurious, elegant cruise on the far side, colorful ribbons fluttering in the wind, perhaps the legendary flower boat.