Chapter 349 Welcoming Peace

Two days later, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.

Three carriages were already prepared in front of the Weiyang Palace.

Today, Jiang Huan changed into a lotus-root-colored soft silk dress, with a moon-white cloud-patterned gauze cloak over it. Her black hair was loosely tied up, with a jade hairpin inserted diagonally. She wore no makeup, which made her skin look even more radiant and her eyes as clear as autumn water.

Even in simple clothes, her demeanor made her shine like a pearl in the crowd, drawing everyone's attention.

He Ling followed behind her, her eyes practically glued to her, inwardly praising her.

[The Empress's beauty is truly timeless.]

She's so beautiful even while pregnant, it's unbelievable!

[A woman nourished by love is truly different; the Emperor is so fortunate.]

Princess Mingzhu, dressed in a pale yellow ruqun embroidered with butterflies and flowers, looked charming and lively. She excitedly held He Ling's hand and chattered about how she should behave when she saw her cousin later, seemingly having completely emerged from the shadow of the Lin Ergou incident.

Huo Lin personally escorted Jiang Huan to the carriage, his brows still furrowed, his eyes filled with unwavering worry and a hint of regret.

I shouldn't have agreed to her request.

[Waaaaah, can I change my mind at the last minute?]

He held Jiang Huan's arm and whispered instructions, paying attention to every detail: "There are soft cushions and light blankets in the carriage. If you get tired, lean against them and rest. Don't push yourself. The tea and snacks are warm, and they are all your favorites. When you arrive at the city gate, wait in the carriage. Don't get out of the carriage or look around. Come back immediately after you pick up the person, understand?"

His anxious demeanor made it seem as if Jiang Huan wasn't going to the city gate, but rather to face certain death.

Jiang Huan looked at the dark circles under his eyes and guessed that he had been worrying about the security arrangements for today for half the night, and her heart softened.

She tiptoed and quickly kissed him on the chin.

"I know! My husband, you can rest assured and wait for me to come back in the palace. I'll bring you the most famous osmanthus cake from the city gate."

Huo Lin was startled by her kiss, his ears burning slightly, but his eyes were full of doting affection.

Is that fragrant, soft osmanthus cake? I'll eat it all!

[Anyway, my arrangements should be thorough enough, so let her have a look around.]

After giving a few instructions, Huo Lin let Jiang Huan and the others leave.

Watching the carriage slowly drive away from the palace gate, Huo Lin stood still for a long time.

Only after the convoy disappeared at the end of the palace road did he turn around and say to Wang Degui behind him in a deep voice: "Send a message to check the route again. There must be no oversights."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As the carriage traveled along, the noise of the streets gradually drifted into the carriage.

Jiang Huan lifted a corner of the curtain in the car window and looked outside.

The bustling crowds, the street vendors hawking their wares, and the various shops brought back a long-lost sense of local life, making her feel exceptionally comfortable.

He Ling squeezed into the other car window, watching with great interest, constantly comparing the scene with the modern streetscape and marveling at it.

Mingzhu was much freer than the two of them, and often strolled around the streets with her maid.

She chattered on and on, "Your Majesty, look, that silk shop is a long-established brand in the capital. Oh, that pastry shop has the best almond cookies. And over there, the storyteller at that teahouse is very famous..."

The convoy moved at a slow but exceptionally smooth pace, and wherever it passed, the crowds seemed to be invisibly separated, maintaining perfect order.

Jiang Huan vaguely sensed that countless eyes were secretly watching everything from the teahouses and taverns on both sides of the street.

Thinking of the thoughts she had heard before, she couldn't help but facepalm.

Huo Lin's security measures are truly top-notch.

Finally, the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the majestic city gate.

This is not the main city gate, but it is one of the main roads leading to the capital, and there is usually a lot of traffic and people.

Today, however, it was unusually quiet. Although the people were not forcibly driven away, there were clearly plainclothes guards maintaining order and directing the flow of people to ensure that the area around the city gate was open and unobstructed.

A guard respectfully reported from outside the carriage window: "Your Highness, Princess, we have arrived. Princess Ping'an's entourage has not yet arrived. Please wait inside the carriage."

Jiang Huan responded, and the three of them ate snacks and chatted while waiting in the car.

After waiting for about half an hour, the sound of wheels approaching came from outside the city.

A guard rode up to report: "Your Majesty, Princess Ping'an's carriage has arrived outside the city gate."

Mingzhu immediately perked up and straightened her dress, saying, "They're here, they're here!"

Jiang Huan sat up straight and looked out the car window with curiosity.

A sizable caravan slowly entered the city gate. The lead carriage was elegantly decorated, though not as ornate as the royal carriages, it still exuded the refined and noble air unique to a prominent family in Jiangnan.

The caravan stopped not far from them, and a slender young woman in a light blue dress stepped down from the carriage with the help of her maid.

The girl was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with beautiful features and a gentle temperament; she was Princess Ping'an.

As soon as she got out of the car, she saw Mingzhu, and a smile immediately appeared on her face. Her voice was also soft.

“Mingzhu, you silly girl, how many times have I told you that a young lady should not sway her skirt when walking or show her teeth when laughing? Look at you, peeking around like that, what kind of behavior is that? You must be tired from the journey. I told you in my letter that you didn’t need to come to greet me, but you insisted on coming. What if you get sunburned or tired?”

As soon as Mingzhu saw her, she rushed over like a little bird and took her arm.

"Oh, cousin, you've finally come all the way to the capital, how could I not come to pick you up? Besides, it's so boring staying in the palace, it's good to get some fresh air. Look, I even invited the Empress and Sister He to come and pick you up."

Princess Ping'an paused slightly upon hearing the words "Your Majesty," and followed Mingzhu's gaze to the carriage surrounded by numerous plainclothes guards in the center.

At this moment, Jiang Huan also stepped down from the carriage.

Sunlight bathed her, making her simple and elegant dress seem to be coated with a soft glow, which made her look even more beautiful and otherworldly. The pampered radiance between her brows was something that ordinary noble ladies could not possess.

Princess Ping'an understood immediately upon seeing Jiang Huan.

She immediately stepped forward and was about to perform a grand salute to Jiang Huan.

"This humble woman was unaware that Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort was here. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Jiang Huan smiled slightly and gave a slight helping hand: "Princess, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise. I heard in the palace that you arrived in the capital today, so Mingzhu and I came out to greet you and also to take a walk. You must be tired from your journey."

Princess Ping'an then stood up, her smile gentle and graceful: "Your Majesty's concern is too much for me. I am unworthy of such kindness. It is my good fortune to be personally welcomed by Your Majesty."

She was poised and elegant, befitting a lady from a distinguished family, a stark contrast to the chattering Mingzhu beside her.