RPAGF Chapter 204 Departure from Xinglong County
Chapter 204 Departure from Xinglong County
Lin Xingliang nodded with a serious expression.
"Yes, His Majesty has sent my wife to accompany the Crown Princess so that they can look after each other on the road."
Mrs. Lin?
Lan Zhi was even more surprised to hear this news.
Because of Lin Yuwei, she didn't have much affection for Madam Lin. Now, the Emperor actually wanted her to accompany him on a long trip. The Emperor was really... really going to great lengths, leaving her completely baffled!
Fortunately, the emperor agreed to let her carry the tiger tally and travel with the army, which could be considered a preferential treatment for her.
The next day, the snow was still falling heavily outside, and it seemed like it wouldn't stop.
She instructed Aqi and Xiangxiu to pack their things. Wrapped in her cloak, she went to Nie Yuan's room and told him that she was going to rescue the Crown Prince. She also asked Ling Jiawei to take good care of Nie Yuan.
After leaving Nie Yuan's room, she went to the Jingxiangyuan study. Wei Ming was not there, but Mao Mao and Nana were having a class. Tang Jun was teaching quite well. Since she hadn't found a suitable tutor, she decided to let Tang Jun teach for the time being.
Tang Jun saw her standing at the door, so he stopped teaching and went over to ask her what was wrong.
"Crown Princess, is there something you need?"
Lan Zhi stepped forward a few paces and nodded in response.
"Well, I'm going on a long trip, just wanted to say hello to you all."
Upon hearing this, Mao Mao and Nana ran over together and asked with concern.
"Sister, where are you going? Are you going to rescue Brother Crown Prince?"
Lan Zhi nodded.
"Yes, you all stay home and listen to Mr. Tang. Your sister will be back with the Crown Prince soon."
Although she wasn't sure how long she would be gone, she still needed to reassure the two children.
Mao Mao took the token hanging around her neck off and handed it to Lan Zhi.
“Sister, I gave you this token when you went to the palace last time. You wore it for two days and then returned it to me. I’m giving it to you again this time. If you wear it, you will surely bring my brother, the Crown Prince, back safely.”
Looking at the small token that Mao Mao held high above his head, Lan Zhi felt an indescribable excitement.
This child thought his token, engraved with the words "auspiciousness," could offer some protection, so she couldn't refuse his kindness!
She reached out and took it, smiling gently at him.
"Don't worry, Mao Mao, your sister will definitely bring your brother back safely."
Nana was so anxious that she kept rubbing her hands together, as if she wanted to find something to give to Lan Zhi, but she didn't have anything she could offer.
Seeing this, Lan Zhi quickly stroked her little petals and gently comforted her:
“Nana, you’re a girl, so you’re very thoughtful. While your sister is away, you need to take care of Mao Mao for her. When you come back tomorrow, tell him that your sister will be back soon and that he doesn’t need to worry.”
Lan Zhi had assigned her a task, and Nana seemed to find a sense of purpose, nodding happily.
"Don't worry, sister, I will take good care of Mao Mao and Ming'er. We are all looking forward to your early return."
After nodding slightly, Lan Zhi put the token that Ming'er had given her around her neck, said goodbye to the two children again, gave Tang Jun a few more instructions, and then left Jingxiang Garden.
The snow kept falling. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, her feet crunching on the white snowflakes, listening to the crunching sound of her footsteps, and felt an indescribable tranquility in her heart.
At this moment, Ah Qi, wearing a plain cotton cloak, came over, stepped forward to brush the snowflakes off her head and body, and said with concern:
"Master, Lord Lin and Lord Zhu are waiting outside the city. Madam Lin has arrived, and the carriage is ready. We should set off now."
Lan Zhi nodded, "Have you packed everything?"
"It's all packed. There are three stoves in the carriage. Madam Lin said that Lord Lin instructed her to ride in the same carriage as you. If you find it inconvenient, I'll ride with you. I don't take up much space, so I'll squeeze in."
"Need not."
Lan Zhi blew on her hands and shook her head.
"Madam Lin is taking care of me by imperial decree, which is already hard work for her. We can't treat her like a thief. She's not a lion or a tiger, so what's there to be afraid of? Besides, there are already three stoves in the carriage. Where would there be room for another person? You and Xiangxiu can ride in the same carriage!"
As Ah Qi followed her forward, he brushed the snowflakes off her clothes. "Okay, we'll be right behind the carriage. Call me anytime if you need anything."
When they arrived at the front yard, Ling Jiawei was waiting at the gate with some of the servants. He braved the wind and snow to approach Lan Zhi, letting out a slight sigh of relief with a troubled expression.
"Take care of yourself. I'll take care of things at home, so you can go without worry!"
Lan Zhi nodded, forcing a smile.
"Big brother, I'm fine. Take good care of Nie Yuan and the three children. This family is in your hands."
Ling Jiawei nodded heavily.
"Don't worry, as long as my older brother is here, this family will stay together."
Lan Zhi smiled slightly and walked towards the door.
Madam Lin, wearing a maroon brocade fox fur cloak, stood at the doorway, facing her directly.
Upon seeing her approach, Madam Lin slightly bowed and said:
"May the Crown Princess enjoy boundless blessings."
Lan Zhi hurriedly and politely returned the greeting.
"You're too kind, Madam Lin. It would be great if you could accompany me on this trip, Madam Lin."
Although Madam Lin's face showed displeasure, she still smiled magnanimously.
"It's alright. There's nothing to do at home anyway. Going out for a walk might improve your mood."
"Then Mrs. Laurin will be the one."
Madam Lin raised her hand to signal, and Ah Qi stepped forward to help her into the carriage. Madam Lin also got into the carriage with the help of the maid.
The carriage was very warm. In addition to the three stoves bearing the Crown Prince's Mansion logo, there were two more stoves from the Lin Mansion, presumably prepared by Madam Lin.
She leaned closer to the center, trying to stay as far away from the stove as possible. Sitting opposite her, Madam Lin adjusted her cloak.
'Jingle bells...'
As she adjusted her cloak, besides the rustling of her clothes, a faint tinkling of bells could be heard, causing Lan Zhi's brow to furrow instantly.
This...this is the sound of her pair of silver bells. Could they be on Madam Lin?
Lan Zhi recalled that on the day the silver bells were lost, someone did see Madam Lin go to her room, and Madam Lin seemed to have previously shown that she really liked her pair of little silver bells and even wanted someone to make a pair of them.
Did she steal the pair of silver bells when no one was looking?
No no no...
Given her status, she wouldn't stoop to stealing.
Did she misunderstand her?
Or perhaps she found it?
After searching around her waist, she didn't see the pair of silver bells, and since she didn't want to ask directly, she gave up.
Anyway, she'd be spending some time with her, and sooner or later she'd see the true face of those silver bells.
"Does the Crown Princess not have any ailments?"
Madam Lin's words broke Lan Zhi's thoughts, and she shook her head awkwardly.
"Not yet, maybe it's still early in the pregnancy!"
Mrs. Lin's eyes suddenly reddened.
"Not necessarily. It's possible that it won't cause any problems. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was just like usual. I could eat and sleep well, but I was lazy and didn't like to move around."
"A daughter is a parent's little angel, perhaps Miss Lin knew how to cherish you even before she was in her mother's womb!"
Lan Zhi didn't want to mention Lin Yuwei's name, but since Madam Lin brought it up, she couldn't refuse to speak, so she could only say something against her will.
Mrs. Lin paused for a moment, then gave an awkward laugh.
“My daughter, of course she loves me.”