Gu Zhao marveled, "How did you make it look so good?"

The entire carriage was built from Red Suan Wood. Though the compartment was box-shaped, all its edges were gracefully curved, giving it an elegant and exquisite appearance.

The shafts stretched forward, and the two wheels were a meter and a half in diameter, studded with gleaming Copper Nails. The carriage itself was long and spacious, with a door at the front and carved windows on the sides and back.

"Why else do you think it took me several days?" Gu Qi said, mostly to himself. "You said you were filming a fictional period drama and needed to shoot interior scenes, right? It obviously had to look good!"

Gu Zhao nodded. He had just fabricated an excuse, claiming a classmate who was getting into filming short dramas needed a replica antique carriage. The exterior was to be plain, but the interior had to be comfortable and durable, suitable for long-distance travel and interior filming, and this classmate had asked for his help. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Gu Qi had then taken it all upon himself, promising to handle it and guaranteeing the "client" would be satisfied.

Gu Zhao hadn’t expected his old man to put so much effort into it.

"The wheels look like wood on the surface, but they’re actually supported by steel rims on the inside, with a layer of solid rubber on the outside to guarantee durability."

Gu Qi explained, "Plus, the two wheels aren’t connected by a single axle, so it can turn in place. It also has shock-absorbing springs. Even on a stone road, the ride will be smooth, so it won’t jiggle during interior shots."

"And about the space you requested." Gu Qi opened the carriage door and lifted the curtain. "The interior is huge. It’s taller than a typical carriage, and I’ve installed two overhead cabinets for storage.

From here, you open this, and there’s a hidden compartment below. You know how in those period detective movies they hide bodies in carriages? They all use this kind of space. So you can see it’s pretty big."

Gu Zhao followed his father’s gesture and saw the carriage interior was lined with a thick mat. You could roll the mat back to access the items in the hidden compartment.

There were windows below the overhead cabinets on either side. Against the back wall was a foldable, low table. There was also an inconspicuous cabinet toward the rear for storing everyday items.

"The foldable table opens up, and you can easily sit four people around it. You can put tea and snacks on it, or even eat a meal." Gu Qi demonstrated how to use the table, then turned to Gu Zhao. "So? What do you think?"

Gu Zhao gave him a thumbs-up. "Incredible!"

Perhaps because it was his first time building a carriage, Gu Qi couldn’t help himself and added some reliefs to the exterior. One side featured the Four Gentlemen—plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—while the other depicted flowers, birds, fish, and insects. Though simply etched, the carvings were remarkably lifelike.

Gu Zhao nodded. ’Thankfully, Dad knows a thing or two about subtlety.’ Although this carriage was a cut above the ordinary ones in Xiuyue County, it wasn’t so stunning as to draw unwanted attention at first glance. Only on closer inspection did its extraordinary quality become apparent.

And with that, everything was ready.

...

CLIPPITY-CLOP...

The cheerful clatter of hooves echoed as a carriage, a size larger than ordinary, made its way along the main road to Wuhe County.

The carriage was quite large, and the horse pulling it appeared to be a mere nag, yet it pulled the load without much effort. The old man perched outside only needed to call out a few times and crack his whip in the air for the horse to pick up its pace, trotting along and pulling the carriage steadily onward.

"I never would have guessed you knew how to drive a carriage, Uncle." Gu Zhao lifted the door curtain and handed Taoist Yan Song a cup of water.

Taoist Yan Song rolled his eyes. "I just had to open my big mouth!"

After Gu Zhao had brought the carriage back and hitched it to the horse he’d bought in Xiuyue County, he had been wondering who he could get to drive it.

To his surprise, Taoist Yan Song had enthusiastically volunteered. "I’ll do it! I’ll do it! I still remember the old days, driving carts and hauling goods. It’s been decades. Let me see if I’m out of practice!"

And so, the role of carriage driver naturally fell to Taoist Yan Song.

"To the capable, more responsibility. Our journey is bound to have its dangers, and bringing an ordinary person along would just be an inconvenience," Gu Zhao said with a grin.

Taoist Yan Song took the cup, had a sip, and seeing they were about to catch up to a group ahead, he handed the cup back to Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao returned to the carriage, and the Silk Embroideress took the cup from his hand, placing it on a side rack. She then offered him a small handful of freshly shelled melon seeds.

"Thanks!" Gu Zhao poured the seeds into his palm and started eating them one by one. "You guys have some too!"

"We already had some." The Silk Embroideress pointed to the shells in the small waste box.

Inside the carriage, the curtains were pulled back, letting the warm sunlight stream in and creating a comfortable atmosphere.

The folding table was open, laid out with tea and snacks. The Silk Embroideress and Zhuo Qingyan sat on one side, Gu Zhao on the other, while Bai Ke was curled up in a corner, letting out a lazy yawn.

"Young Master Gu, this carriage is so convenient! I feel like we could even sleep in here at night." The Silk Embroideress looked all around, overjoyed.

"You certainly can. There are blankets and quilts stored right below," Gu Zhao said, pointing down. He teased the Silk Embroideress, "How about this: tonight, we’ll sleep at an inn, and you can stay here and guard the carriage?"

The Silk Embroideress’s eyebrows shot up as she nodded. "Okay!"

Zhuo Qingyan, who had been sitting quietly to the side with her usual cool demeanor, couldn’t help but smile at this. She gently poked the Silk Embroideress’s forehead. "Young Master Gu is just teasing you."

"I know," the Silk Embroideress said with a nod. "But our carriage is so nice, and it’s filled with our things. What if someone tries to steal it while we’re away?"

The Silk Embroideress said earnestly, "I might as well just stay in the carriage. The mats are so soft, and we have blankets and quilts. It might even be more comfortable than a bed at an inn."

A flicker of warmth crossed Zhuo Qingyan’s eyes. She couldn’t help but glance at Gu Zhao, only to see him leaning back against a support, reclining on the mats. He tossed the rest of the melon seeds from his hand into his mouth. "Don’t worry," he said. "I’ll put a Talisman in here. No one will be able to touch our carriage."

From outside the carriage door, Taoist Yan Song asked curiously, "What kind of Talisman works on ordinary people and has an anti-theft effect?"

"A Peace Talisman," Gu Zhao said with a straight face. "We can pray to the Immortals and ask them to keep our carriage safe."

Taoist Yan Song was left speechless. The Silk Embroideress and Zhuo Qingyan both laughed.

By now, Taoist Yan Song had driven their carriage alongside the group ahead. This party consisted of four men in uniform attire, armed with sabers and spears. They were clearly guards, walking beside another carriage, which explained their slow pace.

The two women’s laughter carried out of the carriage, causing the already wary guards to turn their heads. Through the window, they caught a stunning, fleeting glimpse of the occupants’ faces.

As the two carriages passed each other, a young but rather frivolous voice called out, "Hold on a moment!"

The next moment, two guards, acting on the command, moved to block the path of the carriage.

Taoist Yan Song reined in the horse, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the men before him, particularly the young man who had just called out and emerged from the other carriage.

Seeing the young man’s burning stare, the Silk Embroideress frowned and decisively pulled the curtain shut.

But the man’s voice carried into the carriage. "Don’t be afraid, everyone. I mean no harm. Might I ask where you’re headed? Jiangzhou hasn’t been safe recently, and the roads are overrun with bandits. It’s quite dangerous for you to be traveling alone!"