457 MOURNING

Cung brought them into the forest, seeking protection from the dense of the trees.

Senja suggested to go to the villages nearby, however it was too far for them. With their speed of the carriage they would be caught halfway there.

Cung came up with the idea to trick them, but it would risk his life and that was the last thing Senja wanted to do. She didn't want everyone die because of her.

"Young Miss Senja… what your decision?"

Senja shook his head vigorously. "No." She said assertively.

Cung plan was to drop the three of them there inside the forest while he brought the carriage elsewhere as he lured their pursuer away.

It would be a great idea if it didn't cost Cung's life. Senja didn't want blood of people on their side on her hand, but she couldn't think of a different way that could save them.

"Young Miss Senja, please…" Cung pleaded. "All of us will die if we don't do something."

Senja gritted her teeth. If she agreed than it was same like she gave him a final verdict upon his life.

"Young Miss Senja, please think about Mrs. Xiao, she has a new live with her…" Cung used his last resort. His voice almost faded out by the harsh wind.

Senja turned her head toward Qianru, her face has turned pale and she looked not in good shape, sweat started to form on her forehead.

In their haste the carriage was too bumpy for her.

Senja really wanted to cry. She wanted to shout out loud. However, the voice that she could muster was only a whisper.

"You could die…"

Cung definitely couldn't hear her, he was too focus to keep the carriage stable in the rocky rood.

"Young Miss Senja!" He called out at her again in exasperated.

Senja clenched her fist until her hand was hurt when she said her words. "Stop here!"

Upon hearing Senja's words, Cung tried to stop the carriage as smoothly as he could and jumped from the coachman seat to help Qianru got down.

When the three of them were out, Qianru approached Cung and with tears streaming down her pale cheeks, she talked.

"Thank you Cung, thank You so much for what you have done for use." Qianru of course knew the consequences of his action. "I can't do anything for you… " Qianru said with raspy voice.

"This is my job to protect you Mrs. Xiao. This is my honor…" He said with determination in his eyes.

Xiao Mugi hugged him. It seemed the kid was close with Cung.

And in the end, it was Senja, she couldn't say anything when Cung grinned at her and said. "It was a great time at the Roccaleaf Tea House Young Miss Senja." He said, reminiscing about their adventure time at L city when they stayed at the Roccaleaf Tea House. "I hope we meet again."

After Cung said those words he got on the carriage hastily, Senja even couldn't say anything toward him. All the words stuck in her throats as tears streaming down her cheeks.

Only when Xiao Mugi tugged her sleeves she finally snapped out.

"We need to go…" He said with his childish voice and pointed at Qianru, "Aunty Qianru look sick."

Senja looked at Qianru and hastily helped her to walk away from the main road and entered deeper into the forest, seeking refugee from the wild nature.

The three of them walked as fast as Qianru could, but she couldn't keep up any longer.

After one hour walked, Qianru finally dropped on her knees and shook her head.

"I can't…" She said sadly.

Senja knew Qianru has reached her limit, she couldn't force her further. She looked around her surroundings frantically and saw there was a cave nearby.

"We will go there… hang on …" Senja pointed the cave and helped Qianru stood up.

With the last strenght she had, Qianru dragged her tired body and achind feet to the cave that Senja pointed.

The moment they reached the cave, Senja took off her outer robe and put it on the ground, so Qianru could sit.

"Mugi… help to hide the entrance of the cave." Senja motioned at Xiao Mugi to follow her out of the cave.

There was a possibility, once they learned the carriage was empty, their pursuer would look for them inside the forest and if that was happening, it was impposible for them to survive.

The boy cooperately ran after her.

However, there was a shrill screamed from Qianru when they were about to go, Senja whipped her head and wildly scanned the cave, looking for something threatening, but nothing…

Then she approached Qianru who was crying.

"What happened?" Senja was very tensed to even think straight now. "Tell me what happened…"

Only then, Xiao Mugi pointed at Qianru lowered body as he froze. "There… there…" He said repeatedly.

Senja looked at the direction that Xiao Mugi had pointed and she felt hopeless while Qianru was mourning in her tears.

Senja saw blood on her outer robe, where Qianru was sitting now.