290. Blocking the road

Qu Zijin sat to the side, looking at Xie Wenling's appearance, and couldn't help but frown, but didn't say much, only asking the doctor to apply medicine to Xie Wenling first.

After the doctor finished his work, Qin Fengsong came in, carrying a hot meal, and handed it to the three children.

Then he turned to Xie Wenling and Qu Zijin and said, "Lord Xie, Grand Tutor Qu, I just asked the people in the town, and the snow on the official road has been cleared. Most of it was cleared this morning. Now you can ride horses and carriages, and you don't need to rely on sleds anymore."

Upon hearing this, Qu Zijin first looked at the three children, then at Xie Wenling, whose face was pale, and then at his own heavy body.

He pondered for a moment and said, "It's good that we can take the official road now. We're both sick, and we have three children. Riding a horse is too bumpy, and we're likely to catch a cold. It would be better to take a carriage back to the capital. It's slower, but it's safer, and the children can get some rest. We can also recuperate in the carriage."

Qin Fengsong nodded: "That's what I think too, but I'm worried..."

As he spoke, he looked at Xie Wenling, his words unfinished but his meaning clear.

Qu Zijin also looked at Xie Wenling, his brows furrowed, his tone tentative: "Xie Wenling, I know you're anxious, but the situation is special right now. The children can't withstand any more hardship, and we both need to recover. So let's listen to everyone and go back by carriage, shall we?"

He thought Xie Wenling would object, or even refuse with a cold face, but Xie Wenling simply raised his eyes and looked at the three children who were sharing food not far away.

The little dumpling was intently munching on a steamed bun, oblivious to the red bean paste smearing onto her face, her little face full of seriousness.

Xie Wenling's gaze softened, and his tone was exceptionally amiable: "Alright, I'll listen to you, we'll take the carriage."

Upon hearing this, Qu Zijin and Qin Fengsong were both stunned, clearly not expecting him to be so agreeable.

Qu Zijin realized what was happening and couldn't help but be surprised: "It's rare for you to be so easygoing. I thought you were going to argue with me."

Xie Wenling picked up the cloak draped over his arm and slowly put it on, saying in a calm tone, "There's no need to argue. The most important thing right now is to stay safe. We can't let the children get cold, and we can't let this illness get worse."

-

The carriage was covered with thick woolen blankets, and a warm charcoal stove sat in the corner. Even the cracks in the windows were sealed tightly with cotton wadding, so not a single gust of cold wind could get in.

Everyone huddled in the car, not feeling cold at all, but rather warm and cozy, which was exceptionally comfortable.

Lin Fuman leaned against the car wall, her body wrapped in a sky-blue cotton dress and a gray squirrel fur cloak draped over her legs, her head nodding as she slept soundly.

Xie Wenling sat in the middle of the carriage, his complexion better than in the morning.

He held the little dumpling in his arms. She was wrapped in a red cloak, with only her round little head showing. Her chubby little hands were clutching Xie Wenling's clothes, and she was rubbing her little face against his arm. Her voice was soft and sweet: "Brother Xie, your clothes are so soft, even softer than Yue'er's."

Xie Wenling looked down at her with a smile, and gently scratched her chin with his fingers: "Do you want to lean closer to me again?"

"Yes!" The little dumpling nodded immediately, snuggling into Xie Wenling's arms like a kitten, and even reaching out to hug his neck. "Brother Xie, did you find food for the big cat yesterday? Is it hungry?"

"I found it and left it some dried meat." Xie Wenling opened his cloak and wrapped her inside.

The little dumpling was relieved and clapped its hands happily.

The little princess, who was watching the interaction, became jealous and immediately came over, tugging at the little dumpling's exposed skirt: "Little Moon, come here to me, my snow fox fur is the warmest and softest, let me hug you!"

As she spoke, she reached out to hug the little dumpling.

The two little ones started frolicking in Xie Wenling's arms. The little dumpling giggled and turned its head back and forth, almost bumping into Xie Wenling's chin.

Qu Zijin sat to the side, wrapped in a cotton robe, holding a book in his hand, but he had no interest in reading it.

He looked at the two noisy little ones, shook his head helplessly, reached out and pulled the little princess closer to him, a gentle smile on his face: "Your Highness, stop making a fuss, how about I hold you? I'll tell you a little story."

The little princess blinked, looked at Qu Zijin, then at the little dumpling in Xie Wenling's arms, and asked, "If the Grand Tutor holds me, can I still hold hands with Little Moon?"

"Yes, of course you can." Qu Zijin nodded with a smile, reached out and picked up the little princess, letting her sit on his lap. He then took the little dumpling's hand and placed it in the little princess's hand. "That way you can hold hands and won't disturb Miss Lin, okay?"

"Okay!" the two little ones answered in unison, their little hands tightly clasped together.

The little dumpling whispered to the little princess about interacting with the tiger yesterday, filling the car with warmth and coziness.

Until the carriage suddenly stopped.

Exclamations came from outside, followed by the rapid sound of horses' hooves and the guards' urgent shouts: "Something's wrong! Be on alert!"

Qu Zijin's expression immediately changed, and the book in his hand fell onto the carpet. He quickly pulled the little princess closer to his arms and whispered, "Don't make a sound, hide well!"

The little dumpling stopped talking in fright, her little hands tightly gripping the little princess's hand, her round eyes filled with tension.

Xie Wenling remained calm, simply handing the little dumpling to Qu Zijin and saying in a composed tone, "Keep an eye on them."

As he spoke, he stood up and straightened his clothes. Although his face was pale, he still exuded a calm aura and showed no sign of panic.

He walked to the car, then turned back and woke Lin Fuman: "Wake up, something's up."

Lin Fu opened her eyes, still a little groggy from just waking up, but the drowsiness dissipated after hearing the noise outside.

She quickly sat up, straightened her cloak, and looked at Xie Wenling: "Is it him?"

Xie Wenling nodded, saying nothing more, but reached out and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peek outside.

Qu Zijin, holding his two children, also leaned close to the carriage curtain and peeked out.

Upon seeing this, his face turned even paler.

A squad of armored soldiers stood outside, blocking their only way.

The leader was a man in a brocade robe, none other than the Prince of Zhennan.

Qu Zijin hurriedly hid the little princess and the little dumpling under the cotton blanket in the corner of the carriage, making sure they were well hidden. He lowered his voice and said, "Teacher, Your Highness, please don't make a sound. No matter what happens outside, don't come out, understand?"

The two little ones nodded vigorously, pressed tightly together, and dared not move.

Xie Wenling silently glanced back, intending to remind Qu Zijin that he also needed to hide, but then thought better of it.

Outside the carriage, Qin Fengsong, clad in armor and wielding a long sword, stood before the carriage and roared at the Prince of Zhennan, "Prince of Zhennan! You've brought your army to block our carriage; are you planning a rebellion?"

The Prince of Zhennan, however, remained completely calm, instead smiling broadly as if victory was assured.

He ignored Qin Fengsong, his gaze fixed on the carriage, and called out, "Xie Wenling, stop hiding in the carriage, come out and let's talk. I know you're in there, we're old acquaintances, no need to be so formal."

Xie Wenling then lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out.

A cold wind carrying snowflakes blew by, and his cloak swayed gently in the wind, making his skin appear even whiter and his figure more striking.

"Your Highness, what brings you to stop my carriage?" Xie Wenling's tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

When the Prince of Zhennan saw him come out, his smile widened: "Lord Xie, what do you mean by blocking me?"

"I heard that you came from the mountains and had a hard journey, so I specially brought people to pick you up."

"When the plague broke out in the south before, it wasn't that I didn't want to help, but I simply had no choice."

"You know, the roads are blocked by heavy snow, so I can't get here either, right?"

"This is a natural disaster. My southern troops here have no experience in dealing with snow disasters. I am willing but unable to do anything about it."

"Lord Xie, you mustn't blame me for this."

He rambled on and on, his tone sincere, as if he truly had something difficult to say.

Xie Wenling looked at him, not believing a single word.

However, he nodded and said, "I see. I misunderstood Your Highness. I understand Your Highness's difficulties."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Zhennan's eyes lit up immediately. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Lord Xie, you are so understanding!"

"Since you understand, that's perfect. I've prepared a banquet in the town ahead to welcome you back and make up for the regret of not being able to help you before."

"Why don't you stay and sit down? Let's have a few drinks and catch up, shall we?"