Chapter 196 Preparing to Set Off Again

"You guys are all heartless, you've all left!"

That means I'm the only one left in the capital.

First Xiao Huaijin, then Shen Yunchuan, and then Wei Yanli left, but I didn't really feel anything at the time.

It's normal for them to go out on business!

Anyway, we've been hanging out together for so many years, so let them go wherever they want. I think they're getting a little tired of it.

It's good that they're out, and it's quiet now. I'm too lazy to hang out with those grown men.

At the time, I thought, even though they're gone, at least I still have you guys. There are so many fun things to do with you guys.

It doesn't matter whether they're there or not.

But later, the newly acquainted Lianqiao went to the north and didn't plan to come back.

Xiao Ruanruan also went to the North. I heard she's doing very well in the reclaimed Tianji City and Tianju City, and she's so happy she doesn't want to leave.

She wrote to me last time, saying that she probably wouldn't be back for two or three years, and asked me to take care of the Marquis of Anyang's residence.

She said that if anything happened to her parents, I would help take care of them.

Fine, I admit it. What can I do when they have duties to perform?

Even if they've both left and are no longer in the capital, at least you're still here!

But now things have gotten even worse; even you are going to the southwest!

Song Zhimian, can't you stay and keep me company?

"Hey, Song Zhimian, I'm talking to you!" Princess Yongxin glared angrily at Song Zhimian, who was busy running around.

Song Zhimian smiled at Princess Yongxin, then glanced at the new clothes the Imperial Household Department had made for the young prince, which the eunuch had brought over.

"Alright, take them over! Wrap the clothes for different seasons in different cloths and put them in different boxes."

"Put the shoes and socks away separately!" Song Zhimian whispered to the eunuch.

After the eunuchs carrying the clothes had all left, Song Zhimian walked up to Princess Yongxin and poured her another cup of tea.

"Then will you come with me?" Song Zhimian asked with a smile.

Princess Yongxin immediately shook her head.

"No! I'd rather stay in the capital. You're here to deliver things to the young prince and that guy Xiao Huaijin."

What would I do there?!

Upon hearing this, Song Zhimian immediately sat down opposite Princess Yongxin.

"See, don't you know everything?"

I'm going out on business, not for leisure!

If I could, I'd love to stay in the capital all day!

With food and drink to eat and you by my side, even if the sky falls, someone will hold it up.

"It's good that you don't go. At least our cosmetics shop is being watched over, so no one will dare to cause trouble!" Song Zhimian said with a grin.

Princess Yongxin thought it made sense.

They've all gone out on errands, so the shops in the capital will have to be looked after by me.

"Hmph! I'm the one who has to do it in the most crucial moments!" Princess Yongxin snorted.

Song Zhimian quickly brought her another plate of snacks.

"Yes! Our princess is the most capable and competent. We feel much more at ease with her looking after the shop!"

Princess Yongxin smiled smugly and picked up a pastry.

"It's good that you know!"

Actually, I'm not complaining, I just feel pretty depressed being alone in Beijing.

"Didn't Ye Mingmin come back? I heard you invited her to the Spring Festival Gala last time!"

"Didn't you say you had a very pleasant conversation?" Song Zhimian began peeling oranges for Princess Yongxin.

Princess Yongxin's expression immediately changed.

"I dare not approach her! That girl is not only incredibly learned now, I feel like her ears, eyes, and eyebrows are full of knowledge."

To talk to her again, I'd have to bring up everything I've known since elementary school.

She is suited to discussing things with a group of students and scholars.

As for me... I enjoy discussing food, drinks, and entertainment with everyone.

"I'm terrified of seeing Ye Mingmin now," Princess Yongxin muttered to herself.

Song Zhimian thought about it and realized that it seemed like the academically weak and academically strong students couldn't really talk to each other, but they weren't necessarily unable to have fun together.

"If you don't want to go to Ye Mingmin, you can go to Lord Ye Yunshu!"

She should be quite happy to see you.

Furthermore, Lord Ye will neither test your studies nor show you the account books.

"I feel that Lord Ye likes you quite a bit." Song Zhimian said, handing the peeled orange to Princess Yongxin.

Princess Yongxin took the orange and popped a segment into her mouth.

Then he quickly waved his hand.

"I dare not see her anymore!"

In terms of status, which woman in the Great Yu could compare to her? Even the Crown Prince would address her as "elder sister."

Besides, she's busy checking the accounts every day, so how could I dare to bother her!

Without thinking, she blurted out, "Mu Xiao, come help me with something..."

"Wouldn't I just be making myself miserable?"

Song Zhimian said "oh," which seemed to make sense. Although Lord Ye now had an additional identity, it seemed that she needed to make more decisions.

She hasn't dared to go to the Censorate these past two days.

"It's alright. I'm just going to the southwest to deliver something. Maybe when I get there, His Highness will be doing well."

"Then I delivered everything and came back!" Song Zhimian whispered, trying to persuade her.

Princess Yongxin nodded immediately.

"Yes, you were there to deliver things, and then you came back."

Once you return, if there's nothing else to do, we'll go find Lord Ye and tell him we'd like to visit Jiangnan.

"I'll take you to see the real Jiangnan region in the rain and mist back then!" Princess Yongxin said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, several lines of poetry immediately came to mind for Song Zhimian.

In the third month of spring, amidst the fireworks, I went down to Yangzhou.

Boats from Eastern Wu moored at the gate.

And there's Hanshan Temple outside Suzhou...

The Jiangnan region must be really beautiful now!

"Okay, this round trip should take at most two months."

When I return to the capital, it will be cold. We'll go to Jiangnan then, which is very comfortable! Song Zhimian also thought this arrangement was quite good.

Princess Yongxin chuckled.

It would be great to go to Jiangnan together; we wouldn't have to be stuck in such a small place as the capital...

“Hey, Song Zhimian, let me tell you, I went to Jiangnan once with my maternal grandmother, and everything there was wonderful.”

There, both young ladies and gentlemen speak in a soft, gentle voice.

Especially when the young ladies talk... even when they're cursing, it sounds like they're being affectionate! Princess Yongxin reminisced about her first trip to Jiangnan with her maternal grandmother.

The two young ladies were clearly arguing, but she thought they were just chatting...

Song Zhimian hummed in agreement.

Arguing is not like acting cute; the soft, gentle Wu dialect is not something that can be easily said.

“Song Zhimian, is there anything else…”

Princess Yongxin wanted to say something more, but a eunuch rushed over.

"Master of Ceremonies Song, Lord Ye from the Censorate requests your presence!"

Song Zhimian, Princess Yongxin...

Ye Yunshu calling Song Zhimian over at this time, could it be something serious?

Song Zhimian dared not delay and had to get up quickly.

"Okay! I'll go right away!"