Chapter 154
Two days before leaving the capital, Zhou Xianyang and Xiangmian went to the palace to pay their respects, and told the Empress Dowager that they shouldn’t go to check the farms.
The Empress Dowager was uneasy and said that they shouldn’t go in person, but Zhou Xian Yang laughed and said, “Your Highness has never been out of Jinling City before, so she has suffered a lot these days. We are going on an errand, and we want to take her for a walk to see the outside scenery and relax her mind.”
Rong Xiangshi also made a look forward to: “Empress Dowager, grandson-in-law since childhood in the palace grew up, every time to hear His Highness talk about walking up his experience in the south and north, it is envious of very much!”
The Empress Dowager saw their insistence, then no longer stop: “Young people have fun is common, but people must bring enough, don’t let anything happen!”
With the Empress Dowager’s permission, Zhou Xian Yang went to report this matter to the Emperor and the Imperial Consort.
The Emperor seemed to be particularly interested in the matter, and was puzzled as to what they were going to do when they left the capital.
Because it is a private visit to the farm, they did not make a fanfare, as usual, plain clothes riding to and from, with a team of guards and a team of feather forest guards. Among the three maids, only Feiyun can ride a horse, she volunteered to accompany Rong Xiangmei out of the capital to take care of.
Neither of them wore their hair in a bun, but tied it up and tied it at the top of their hair, making them look like men at first glance.
Zhou Xian Yang teased them, “Where did you get this handsome young man?”
“Your Highness, why don’t we pretend to be your attendants, just like Xiao Nan?”
“As long as you guys are capable of not getting dressed up.”
The accompanying guards waited outside the west gate and chatted, “Why is Master bringing us on an errand with the Princess? She’s raised in the mansion, where can she eat the hardships of the road.”
An older said: “This time to go to the manor, is the princess’s mother’s family of the dowry of the British House, naturally, we should bring the princess, so that she to take care of.”
“Since it’s a dowry, that is, something from Yu Wang Fu, do you still need to be so careful?”
“You guys, you haven’t started a family yet, naturally you don’t know what’s important here.”
“I’m not afraid that Your Highness won’t be able to handle the hard work on the road. If you can’t make it to Jixing Fort in time, you can only sleep in the wild at night.”
“Don’t worry about this, the British Duke has been on horseback for a long time, the Rong family’s girls play polo well, horseback riding is even more of a piece of cake, no better than those dainty thousand golds in the capital.”
“In fact, this matter is not a big deal, why bother your lordship to go personally?”
“This is another reason, according to our speed, the past there fast horse whip, night will be able to arrive. Why do we need to rest for a night on the road, it’s just to take Wangfei out of the capital for a good stroll.”
The crowd discussed, seeing Rong Xiangmian leaving behind his usual flashy attire and dressed similarly to them, they were dumbfounded.
The group arrived at the Xilin Gate, and because of the accident a few days ago the checks in and out of the gate were much stricter.
They all came down to hold their horses and wait. One of the head guards in charge recognized Rong Xiangshi, seeing their line in civilian clothes, he came up to them and only gave Zhou Xian Yang and Rong Xiangshi a bow.
“Fourth Miss …… Fourth Auntie? Such a coincidence!”
Rong Xiangxian met an acquaintance and asked in surprise, “Tian Lei, you’re back?”
The man smiled and said, “Nine gate patrol battalion is vacant deputy commander, the second aunt recommended, let me transfer back to Jinling. This is not, again with Xiangwang a place.”
Rong Xiangwang introduced Zhou Xianyang, “This is General Tian Yu’s son.”
Zhou Xian Yang’s heart sank, another name that was on his vermilion pen list, his heart gained more respect, he nodded and returned the salute, “Xilin Gate had an accident some days ago, you have a great responsibility on your shoulders nowadays.”
“Fourth Aunt said yes, I don’t dare to be slow.”
Rong Xiangxian laughed: “Nine gate patrol battalion is responsible for guarding the capital, it is a top priority, you and Xiangwang do a good job!”
“Definitely! By the way, all of you go through this side first.” Tian Lei made a way out.
Rong Xiangxian glanced at Zhou Xian Yang: “It’s just that, this trip is for personal reasons, and there’s no honorary ceremony for the Yulong Palace. If we leave like this, these people lining up won’t know what’s going on and will inevitably be unfair. You’re a new official, it won’t hinder your errand.”
Tian Lei laughed, “Fourth girl, haven’t seen you in a few years, not only does your appearance stand out, your actions are also more and more sophisticated ……”
He was unguarded in his words, and only after the words came out did he feel that it was wrong, and he was busy apologizing to Zhou Xian Yang: “Your Highness, please forgive me, when I was a child, I was taken in by the British House for a few years. When I was a child, I was taken in for a few years by the British Duke’s residence. I was like a sibling to the Fourth Maiden, so I was a bit rude in my speech.”
Zhou Xian Yang signaled that there was no need for him to be nervous, “General Tian and General Rong died one after another, leaving you as his only child. Luckily, the British Duke’s Office has taken care of you, which is a bit of a relief to General Tian’s spirit in heaven.”
Tian Lei was greatly touched: “My late father has been gone for more than ten years, many people don’t remember nowadays, it’s hard to believe that your highness has the heart.”
At this time, the front seemed to be checking out something and called out to Tian Lei to go over.
Zhou Xian Yang busily said, “You are still on duty, it is not convenient for you to talk more with us. When you’re free, call Xiangwang and second brother-in-law and have a drink together.”
Tian Lei didn’t expect King Yu to be so approachable, so he happily left. Zhou Xian Yang turned back to find Rong Xiangwang looking at himself with interest.
“What?”
“Those words of yours just now are very important to him.”
“Is that so?” Zhou Xian Yang didn’t think so. The only thing they could do for those who died fighting for their country was to remember. However, other than true loved ones, how many people would really remember for a long time?
After queuing for a quarter of an hour, they finally left the Xilin Gate, and Rong Xiangyang got on his horse and ran wildly in faith.
In half a day, they finally saw the scenery that they had never encountered in their lives. Although it was not much different from Jinling, even if it was just a wild road, she was excited.
She had never been to such a faraway place.
Because of the two days on the road, there was no hurry to rush, and from time to time, when she came across the beautiful scenery of mountain villages and water guos, she stopped her horse and admired it. Or see the harvest of wheat fields, a golden piece, and harvest farmers chat a few words, inquiring about this year’s harvest.
At noon, the group passed by an old stone bridge, and Zhou Xian Yang ordered a break. Everyone dismounted from their horses, leaned against the trees growing out of the water, and sat on the rocks by the river bank, eating dry food and resting.
With the fresh breeze to accompany the food and the stream as a companion. The dry food in their mouths, surprisingly, felt extraordinarily delicious.
All the people followed King Yu in the army, the days of marching in the wind, food and shelter have long been accustomed to. Out of the Jinling, leaving the royal residence, as if back in the military together, eating and living together days, not so many rules of honor and respect, walking and laughing together.
Rong Xiangmian look at him at ease, thinking that this is Zhou Xianyang like life, right.
Rong Xiangmian had never traveled before, but he was already a bit tired after marching for half a day. However, it was too late to say they didn’t want to go, and they didn’t want to spoil the fun. Facing Zhou Xianyang’s concern, they pretended to be relaxed and said it was fine.
Zhou Xian Yang thought, this is the freshness of the head, after tonight should not insist.
However, he knew that the princess could not be provoked and did not say anything.
Feiyun was even more afraid to cry out that she was tired. In fact, she is not like Rong Xiangmian often play polo, not often ride a horse, half a day down, her hands are strangled red, and do not dare to say. Afraid that people would think that she was useless, and had known that they shouldn’t have taken her, a little girl, out.
Even when handing water to Rong Xiangmian, she used a handkerchief clutched in her hand to cover her injury.
When they resumed their journey, a guard passed by her and rested something on the horse’s back, “Put these gloves on so your hands won’t be strangled.”
Before Feiyun could refuse, the guard ran away ahead of the horse.
At night, in a place called Jie Ming Fort landed. The inn was full of people who were preparing to enter the capital and those who had just left the capital.
As soon as the boss saw this group of people, all of them are strong and sturdy, he knew that there is a head, and respectfully guided them to the guest room.
Rong Xiangmian shared a room with Feiyun and Xiao Nan, while Zhou Xianyang and Xiao Bei were next to them, so that they could take care of each other.
The beds here were made of bricks, a large one through, enough for the three of them to sleep.
While resting, Xiang Xiang looked at Feiyun folding a black object under the lamp and asked, “What is this?”
Feiyun stammered as if he were a thief.
Xiao Nan climbed up and laughed, “This is Zhong Jin’s gauntlet, see Feiyun riding a horse strangled hand, give her to wear.”
“Oh ……” Rong Xiangmian looked like he found some big news, “This is a meticulous person, I didn’t even notice. When did you two meet?”
Feiyun was anxious: “Why have you ever known each other? Only, before the assassination in Jing Yi Yuan, he was injured and I bandaged his wounds, plus the occasional words in and out on weekdays, I don’t even know his last name!”
Xiao Nan hurriedly said, “You don’t know him, he did ask me about you.”
Rong Xiangxian hugged her, “Xiao Nan, not only do you worry about your brother, you also have to worry about so many guards in the royal residence, it’s really hard for you!”
Xiao Nan took it for granted, “Now that there are no fights, I have to find something for myself to do?”
Rong Xiangmian teased, “What about you? Why don’t you worry about yourself.”
Xiao Nan said bluntly, “I’m not interested in men.”
Rong Xiangmi remembered her childhood experience, understood, and did not tease her, continued to gossip with Feiyun: “Then Zhong Jin you slowly observe, do not because he is a little good to you, and then rush to fall. If he is really good, don’t stretch it too long. Just tell me, I’ll make up your mind.”
“Girl, you’ve been riding all day, aren’t you sleepy?” Feiyun blushed red with shame, blew out the lamp and went to sleep.
Downstairs was as noisy as it could be, with people talking at the top of their voices. Xiang Xiang didn’t even think it was noisy, he was tired from the day and slept through it, not caring about anything. Anyway, Zhou Xianyang said he would arrange for someone to be on night duty.
Outside the door, Zhou Xianyang and Xiao Bei scalded hot wine and sat on the porch drinking it, listening to the residents downstairs bragging about strange things.
Zhong Jin came up and said, “Master, we’ll just split up into three shifts and take turns on night duty, so get some rest.”
Zhou Xian Yang said, “What a waste of time, sit down and drink.”
Early the next morning, Rong Xiangyang felt like he was aching all over, like he had been beaten up. A quick look at Feiyun did the same, and it was a struggle to get dressed and lift her arms.
Xiao Nan giggled as she watched the two of them in distress.
“Didn’t you say that you would accompany Master to travel all over the world? This hasn’t even gotten out of the capital and you can’t lift your arms?”
“It’s hard not to get used to it at first!” Aizumi muttered, but had no choice but to struggle to get up and make it to Daqiuzhuang before nightfall.
On the way out, there was actually a carriage outside the inn.
Zhou Xian Yang smiled and said, “Xiao Bei asked the townspeople in this fort to buy it, and the inside is covered with thick mattresses, so you can catch up on your sleep in the car, and you’ll be there after a nap.”
Originally Rong Xiangmian was determined to share the pain and suffering together, but the pillows are handed to the head, there is no reason not to sleep?
She pulled Zhou Xian Yang’s hand with a smile, “Isn’t this bad? The carriage will slow down your journey.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll have Wu Feng bring a few people ahead, and when we arrive at the manor first vacate a few rooms, so you’ll have a ready-made place to go, hot water, and comfort.”
Only then did Rong Xiangxian feel comfortable enough to get into the car and go. Feiyun dilly-dallying to follow the car, still clutching the pair of gloves in his hand.
Rong Xiangmian took them and handed them to Xiao Nan outside the sedan chair curtains, “Take this to Zhong Jin, let him use it himself today.”
“And say thank you to him for me.” After saying that, Feiyun bit her lip and hid in the mattress.
Seeing her blushing look, Rong Xiangxian couldn’t stop smiling.
The two of them were shoulder to shoulder half lying in the soft carriage, although it was a bit bumpy, their spirits were completely relaxed.
Feiyun sniffed: ”Where did you get this mattress? Is the girl still used to lying on it?”
“Going out is inevitably more grueling, I’m not that picky, a bath at night is fine.”
Feiyun rubbed her sore arms, “Miss, I really overestimated my horse riding skills. If I have to ride all day today, I’m afraid my bones will be upside down.”
Rong Xiangmian laughed and said, “Who isn’t? I don’t feel this tired even when I play polo on weekdays.”
Feixue sighed again, “His Highness is really good to the girl. There’s no need to say anything, he thinks of everything for the girl.”
Rong Xiangmian thought to himself, “How did he know?
Perhaps it was because the first time he followed Old General Qi on a long journey, he was also turned upside down. It’s just that later on, slowly, they all got used to it.
She thought wildly and slept for another small half day.
Not long after they left, the Jixing Fort Inn was patronized by a military force, saying that they were searching for imperial court criminals.
The shopkeeper was startled, those bandits who killed and stole goods landed in his place as well as occasional occurrences, and immediately skillfully left all the rooms open for them to check.
They searched and searched unsuccessfully, not willing, and dragged that boss to ask many things about that team of guests who just stayed in the store.
The boss replied with trepidation: “This group of guests seems to be of great importance, and when they came, they didn’t talk to anyone, and each went to his own room. A few groups of people were divided to take turns on night duty, and they stayed until just after dawn when they left.”
This team had to go back and resume their orders, to see if the previous team could continue to follow and listen to the news.
After following King Yu and his wife for so many days, with no progress, and watching their young husband and wife in a honeymoon every day, there were already people in the Criminal Investigation Department who complained and complained to Xiao Gong.
Xiao Gong only let them work seriously, the rest do not say much.
Rong Xiangmian slept all the way to dark, and was pushed awake by Feiyun.
Zhou Xian Yang was outside the carriage, carrying a lantern, lifted the curtain and laughed: “How can you have a master down on the ground and still have his attendants sleeping?”
Rong Xiangshi rubbed his eyes, his head sinking like it was filled with lead. Either that or saying that you can’t really sleep around in the afternoon, if you don’t pay attention, you’ll pass out in the dark.
She struggled to get up and got off the ground.
In front of her eyes is an open yard, a few big houses. In the yard, several middle-aged men were bowing and waiting.
Rong Xiangmian stood behind Zhou Xian Yang, only to hear the group of men kneeling, “Greetings, Your Highness, King Yu.”
Zhou Xian Yang told them to be free of formalities, “I was out on an errand, and it was getting dark, so I was worried that I had no place to stay. Fortunately, I remembered that Your Highness mentioned that this manor is a dowry property of the Duke of State’s House, so I came to bother you.”
The head of the manor was busy saying, “Your Highness driving here, is our Daqiu Zhuang several lifetimes can not repair the blessing ah …….”
Zhou Xian Yang was too lazy to listen to the flattering words that followed, and Xiao Bei interrupted, “It’s getting dark, so you don’t need to be formal here, go back to your homes and take a rest.”
The banker then said, “Yes. We have prepared a banquet in the house, and a few little girls are waiting for His Highness and all the gentlemen to have a drink.”
Hearing this, Zhou Xian Yang busily glanced at Rong Xiang Xiang behind him. Her face looked very unfavorable, and Zhou Xian Yang was covered in cold sweat.