Chapter 49 Sun Rong

If there is anyone who is more nervous than Sima Jun, it must be the crown prince.

Like Sima Jun, the Crown Prince was well aware of the importance of the Northern Court. However, having long dealt with Wang Hao, he was well aware of his ambitions and capabilities, and therefore preferred a more cautious approach. He believed that with his current strength, it was premature to confront Wang Hao.

So even though Sima Jun repeatedly mentioned the Northern Palace, the prince still thought the time was not right.

But Sima Jun had taken action without authorization, and the Crown Prince was furious. Today in the Eastern Palace, the two even had a quarrel.

Sima Jun said, "If anything goes wrong, Your Highness will insist on claiming ignorance, and I will bear all the consequences."

"How many heads do you think you have!" the prince shouted angrily. "If something goes wrong this impulsively, not only you, but tens of thousands of people will be implicated!"

"If I'm always hesitant and indecisive, why don't I resign my official position and retire to the mountains? Or become an idle prince, devoting myself to the study of the mysteries?" Sima Jun said with a blazing gaze, "I am confident of success on this journey. I beg your favor, Prince."

He took a lot of effort to convince the prince, but the prince wanted him to promise that if anything unexpected happened, he must put all the blame on Chu Yue.

"Ziheng, you must understand my predicament. If I allow you to take risks, I must protect you. If I lose you, who will protect the Sima family's kingdom?"

Sima Jun didn't say anything.

How could he let Chu Yue bear the blame alone?

Things must never come to that.

He is just like Chu Yue and can't afford to lose.

——

The day of departure for the East China Sea is approaching soon.

Sun Wei was responsible for praying for the empress dowager, so the Shaofu specially made ceremonial clothes and sent them to the mansion.

In addition to Aju and a group of servants, Sun Wei was accompanied by guards including Deng Lian.

Ah Ru complained, "Why let Deng Lian, that cold-faced and unpredictable guy, come along? It ruins the fun."

Although she was a maid who had just arrived at the palace, she was lively and had become one of the best in the palace these days. Everyone greeted her with a smile when they saw her.

The only thing he encountered was Deng Lian, the Sima of the palace.

"Sima Deng's personality is just like that. He's always cautious and reserved with everyone except the Crown Prince. If not, the Crown Prince wouldn't trust him so much," Sun Wei said. "Sima Deng's martial arts are second to none in the palace. Sending him along is a great favor from the Crown Prince."

A'ru asked curiously, "Deng Lian has always been the Crown Prince's personal bodyguard. Isn't the Crown Prince going this time?"

"Wouldn't it be better if he didn't go?" Sun Wei said, "So he wouldn't have to cause me that trouble again."

Aju also knew Sima Jun's suspicion of Sun Wei, and the two of them always felt awkward when they were together.

"That's right." A'ru thought for a moment and whispered, "After the princess cried that day, the prince never showed up again. I wonder if he felt guilty and was too embarrassed to see the princess?"

Guilt?

Sun smiled but said nothing.

If her guess was correct, Sima Jun had already set off.

He had resigned his official position due to mourning, and without a mission from the Empress Dowager or His Majesty, it would be inappropriate for him to travel with the Crown Prince. Furthermore, this trip was aimed at Wang Han, and his presence would undoubtedly alert Wang Han.

There is no benefit in alerting the enemy. Acting in the dark is the best way to catch the enemy off guard.

On the day of departure, just as the sky was getting light, Guo Shun, the right eunuch of the Eastern Palace, came to visit.

When Sun Wei went to the Zen temple to see the prince that day, he had met Guo Shun before, and the two knew each other.

After meeting, Guo Shun stepped forward with a smile and saluted: "The Crown Prince has already gone outside the city to board the ship. I am here on the Crown Prince's orders to respectfully welcome the Princess' carriage."

"Why did the attendant come here in person?" Sun Wei asked, "The Crown Prince is being too polite."

"Your Highness, you don't know." Guo Shun replied respectfully, "The Queen has entrusted the arrangements for your Highness's prayer to the Imperial Household Department. Your Highness has just arrived, and the people at the Imperial Household Department are all unfamiliar faces. The Crown Prince was worried that it would be inconvenient for your Highness, so he specially sent me down to serve you."

After he said that, he introduced the people he was traveling with to Sun Wei.

"This is Sun Zhubu, the Minister of Rites."

Sun Wei had already seen Sun Rong behind him.

Her second uncle from the eldest house.

At this time, Sun Rong did not recognize Sun Wei.

Since being exiled to An Ning, my grandfather had never visited the eldest son's family, so the eldest son's family had never seen Sun Wei's family.

However, Sun Wei remembered that in his previous life, his family came from Anning City to Jiankang to seek refuge with the eldest branch of the family. Apart from his great uncle Sun Kuo, Sun Rong was the most vocal person in the family.

Compared to that time, Sun Rong was now a bit plump and dressed in official uniform. He no longer had the condescending air he had back then, but instead appeared extremely respectful, which made Sun Wei a little uncomfortable.

As Guo Shun finished speaking, he stepped forward and bowed to Sun Wei, "Sun Rong, the Chief Clerk of the Imperial Household, greets the princess."

Guo Shun smiled and said, "Master Sun is from the Wujun Sun family. He is a descendant of the Marquis of Huai'an County, a founding hero. He is a kind and honest person. If the princess has any instructions, please let him know."

After hearing this, Sun Rong looked at Sun Rong and smiled faintly: "In this case, I will trouble you, Chief Registrar."

"This is my humble duty, how dare I complain about the hardship. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me, Princess." Sun Rong said quickly.

Sun nodded slightly and said to Guo Shun, "It's getting late, let's set off."

Guo Shun agreed and led the way personally.

Deng Lian was already waiting beside the carriage.

The most convenient way to get from Jiankang to Jingkou was by water. Sun Wei was still in mourning, and although he had a ceremonial procession, he did not intend to display it ostentatiously. He sent a group of servants and maids with various valuables and supplies aboard the boat, while he himself, accompanied by A Ru, Deng Lian, and a few other guards, traveled lightly in a carriage.

Seeing Sun Wei coming, Deng Lian saluted.

"Thank you, Sima Deng." Sun Wei said.

Deng Lian still had no expression on his face and asked Sun Wei to get in the car.

The carriage curtains were lifted, and Sun Wei was about to board when he suddenly noticed the thoughtful furnishings inside. There were brand new pillows and cushions, with sachets dangling from them, and a fragrant medicinal aroma filled his nostrils.

"The items on this carriage were all prepared by Sun Zhubu for the princess." Guo Shun stepped forward and said.

"Oh?" Sun Wei looked at Sun Rong.

Sun Rong also hurried forward and said with a smile, "It just rained, and the road out of the city is muddy and bumpy. It's also a long boat ride. I'm afraid your sensitive body might be unwell, so I've prepared the carriage in advance. That sachet was made by my daughter herself, using a family recipe. It's best for warding off evil spirits, refreshing the mind, and brightening the eyes. It does have a medicinal aroma, though, so I'm not sure if your princess will like it."

Sun Wei said: "So that's how it is. The ladies in this mansion have great skills."

Sun Rong said, "To be honest, Your Highness. My daughter is the same age as you. Besides making incense, she loves the study of esoteric philosophy. When she heard that you were from the Lu family, she admired you greatly. When she heard that I was going to the East China Sea to serve you, she made this incense overnight and asked me to present it to you."

Sun Wei looked at Sun Rong for a moment and smiled.

"Thank you for your trouble, Chief Registrar." After saying this, she looked at Guo Shun and said, "It's getting late. We should not keep the Crown Prince waiting for too long."

After saying that, she took Aju's hand and got into the carriage.

The group left the palace and headed out of the city.

Sun Rong rode a horse instead of a carriage and followed behind Sun Wei's carriage, traveling with Guo Shun.

"Eunuch Guo," he said, looking at the carriage in front of him, lowering his voice, "This princess seems to have a rather cold temperament. I wonder..."