Chapter 112112 It’s Cold and Windy

Chapter 112

Meng Yuning leaned against the car window and looked back. She saw the blue-gray city wall of Canghai County gradually blurred in her sight, and her heart was filled with emotion.

She recalled that when she first arrived in Canghai County, the mansion was in such a dilapidated state that there wasn't even a place to sleep. It took everyone many days to clean up before it was barely habitable.

After several years of care, it is now full of birdsong and flowers, just like a garden, but I have to leave.

The swing under the big banyan tree, the lychees and longans in the garden, the lotus pond outside the door, the bananas you can easily pick on the roadside, and the large vegetable patch...

There was also the private restaurant she had run for a long time, the owner and waiters, and the diners who came frequently and had become familiar with her...

Of course there is also Sister Bai.

To be honest, she was reluctant to leave, very reluctant.

But if she had to choose between these and Qi Jingyan and Yier, she would of course choose them without hesitation, so although she felt reluctant and melancholy, she would not be sad and cry.

Alas, I thought I would stay in Lingnan until I grow old, but I left after just over three years. I don’t know when I will come back next time.

She kept turning her head to look back, while Qi Jingyan looked at her quietly.

When she could no longer see Canghai County, Meng Yuning silently said goodbye to Canghai County in her heart and turned around to sit down.

I saw Yi'er still holding the queen's tablet tightly, curled up quietly in the corner.

Qi Jingyan sat quietly opposite, looking at Yi'er silently, not knowing what he was thinking.

Seeing that the two brothers were in a bad mood, Meng Yuning sat down next to Yi'er and put her arm around his shoulders: "Yier, you got up too early, are you tired? Do you want to rest on the couch for a while? I can hold you and sleep."

Yi'er shook her head: "A Ning, I don't want to sleep yet."

Meng Yuning patted his head: "Okay, let's sit down then."

The three of them didn't say anything, just sat there quietly.

After a while, Qi Jingyan held out his hand and said, "You don't have to hold it all the time. Put it back in the box first and take it out when you get to the capital."

Yi'er said yes obediently and handed the tablet over. Qi Jingyan took it with both hands, took out a red sandalwood box from the cabinet fixed in the carriage, carefully placed the tablet in it, put the box back into the cabinet, closed the door, and bolted it from the outside.

Then he sat there with his eyes lowered, his expression unclear.

Meng Yuning freed one hand and gently patted his arm, silently comforting him.

Qi Jingyan smiled at her, reached out to take Yi'er, carried him to the bed on the inside of the carriage, took off his shoes, and tucked him into the quilt: "You got up a little early today, sleep for a while first."

Yier reached out to Meng Yuning: "Aning got up early today, so sleep with Yier."

Meng Yuning glanced at the silent Qi Jingyan, then stood up and sat beside the bed. She held Yi'er's little hand and coaxed her softly, "A Ning, enjoy the scenery first. Yi'er, go to sleep first."

But Yi'er didn't let go: "Then An Ning fell asleep with Yi'er, can we watch it later?"

Meng Yuning agreed, reached out and patted Yi'er gently, humming her usual little tune, and kissed him on the little face.

After a while, Yier closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Meng Yuning wanted to take pictures for a while longer, but Qi Jingyan grabbed her waist and pulled her to sit on his lap. She subconsciously tried to break free, but felt her shoulder sink. He placed his chin on her shoulder and said in a low voice, feeling unhappy: "A Ning, stay with me."

Meng Yuning couldn't stand his pitiful look the most. Her heart softened instantly. She immediately put aside the idea of ​​taking a good look at the Lingnan scenery, put her arm around his waist, and gently stroked his back: "Yunzhou, I'm here."

---

The further north you go, the colder the weather becomes, and the grass and trees along the way gradually change color.

Fortunately, we were well prepared and had all the necessary supplies. We put on more clothes as we walked, had hot meals every morning and evening, and were guaranteed at least three hours of sleep every day. Doctor Tang and Master Qiulian also accompanied us along the way, always keeping an eye on everyone's health.

Therefore, although everyone looked dusty, no one fell ill and they were all in high spirits.

On the surface, Qi Jingyan only brought with him his old subordinates when he left Beijing, and dozens of personal followers he had added to his mansion over the years.

In fact, there were several other elite troops, roaming around the convoy in various identities such as merchants and rangers, eliminating hidden dangers along the way.

It happened that General Cai Weilin was leading his troops to travel around to "suppress bandits". The cavalry would pass through the official roads from time to time, and those who were lurking in the dark would often be wiped out by General Cai's thundering force before they could even make a move.

Occasionally, when soldiers openly blocked the road, General Cai would draw his sword and mount his horse, act unreasonably, find all kinds of trouble, and use all means to detain the soldiers.

Overall, although there were some minor setbacks along the way, none of them came to Qi Jingyan's attention. It was much safer and smoother than when he went south to Lingnan three years ago. Whenever he encountered beautiful wild flowers on the road, Qi Jingyan would pick them for Meng Yuning.

If everyone wasn't busy on their way, Meng Yuning would have had the illusion that they were out on a trip.

After several days, the convoy finally reached the border of Gyeonggi Province.

The guard sent out to scout the way quickly returned and whispered outside the carriage window, "Your Highness, all four gates of the capital are under martial law. All citizens entering and leaving must be strictly checked. The number of soldiers guarding the city is several times greater than usual."

Upon hearing this, Yi'er's face tensed up and she grabbed Qi Jingyan's sleeve: "Brother, what should we do?"

Qi Jingyan did not answer, but looked at Meng Yuning, who was holding the oil-paper bag and concentrating on eating pork jerky in small bites. His cheeks bulged and he was eating happily, without any sign of worry.

Seeing her so calm, Qi Jingyan asked her jokingly, "Aren't you worried, An Ning?"

Meng Yuning raised her head, sesame seeds still stained her lips. She blinked blankly, "Ah? What are you worried about?"

Qi Jingyan pointed out the window and said, "The city gates are under martial law. Aren't you afraid of being stopped outside the city?"

Meng Yuning shook her head without hesitation: "That's impossible."

"Oh?" Qi Jingyan raised his eyebrows slightly, leaned closer, wiped the sesame seeds from the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, and asked with a smile: "Why are you so sure, An Ning?"

Meng Yuning thought to himself, because in the original plot, he had entered the city gate very smoothly. But he couldn't tell the truth, so he placed the oil paper bag on the small table beside him, clasped his hands together and rested them on his chin, looking at him with feigned admiration: "Your Highness has a plan that is perfect. As long as Your Highness is here, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished."

Meng Yuning was just kidding, but Yi'er was genuinely in awe, nodding his head vigorously: "A Ning is right, brother is the best!"

Qi Jingyan was amused by this funny couple and chuckled. He reached out and rubbed each of their heads: "Flatterers."

Then he turned around and said loudly, "Change the route to the north gate."

Mu Yun clasped his fists and replied calmly, "Yes."

Then he waved his hand, and the convoy turned directly on the official road, made a big detour, and headed towards the north gate in the twilight.

When we arrived outside the city gate, it was already completely dark. The gate was tightly closed and the torches on the city wall flickered in the cold wind.

When the Imperial Guards guarding the north gate saw the convoy of over a hundred people appear outside the city gate, they immediately drew their bows and arrows and went on alert. The leader shouted, "The city gates are closed. It's curfew. Leave immediately. If you want to enter the city, please come early tomorrow!"

Mu Yun rode out alone, holding up a token, and shouted, "Your Highness Prince Shen has returned to the capital by secret order from the Queen Mother. Open the city gates immediately!"

The man changed color when he heard the sound, and whispered something to the person next to him. Then the person turned and ran away.

In just half a cup of tea, the clanging sound of armor could be heard from the top of the city walls. A general dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guards commander strode up to the battlement, leaned over to take a closer look, and suddenly laughed out loud, "Is that Brother Mu Yun down there?"

Mu Yun looked up and immediately responded with a fist clasp: "It's been three years since we last met. Brother He Ming, how are you?"

"Thanks to His Highness, I'm fine!" He Ming laughed loudly in a voice as loud as a bell, and then stretched his neck to look at the carriage behind him, "Is His Highness in the carriage?"

Mu Yun nodded: "His Highness is in the car."

He Ming immediately saluted solemnly in the direction of the carriage, then turned around and walked quickly into the shadow of the city wall.

A moment later, a rumbling sound was heard, and the heavy city gate slowly opened with the sound of the capstan turning.

He Ming took off the sword at his waist, threw it to the Yulin Guard beside him, and rushed out of the door in two steps.

He first hugged Mu Yun who came forward, and slapped each other on the back several times. Then he straightened his clothes and walked to the front of the car.

Mu Yun reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, He Ming is here."

With a thud, He Ming knelt on one knee, his voice trembling with excitement: "General He Ming, I respectfully welcome Your Highness, the young prince back to the capital!"

The door curtain was lifted from the inside, and Qi Jingyan, wearing a cloak, showed his face and smiled: "No need to be polite."

He Mingying stood up and looked at Qi Jingyan excitedly. Thousands of words were stuck in his throat and he couldn't speak for a while.

Qi Jingyan nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work."

He Ming suddenly came back to his senses, stepped aside to make way, clasped his fists and bowed, his tiger eyes slightly red: "Your humble servant is not tired, it is cold and windy, Your Highness, please enter the city quickly."

Qi Jingyan agreed and lowered the heavy curtain.

The guard whipped his horse and drove the carriage, leading the team into the city gate.

Mu Yun and He Ming stood side by side by the road. They waited until all the carriages and horses had entered the city gate before entering. Without saying much, Mu Yun patted He Ming's shoulder and said, "Brother, when the storm settles down a bit, I'll drink with you for three days."

After saying this, he quickly jumped on his horse, followed the team, and headed towards the palace.

But this time, Meng Yuning's previous leisurely mood disappeared, and her expression suddenly became nervous.

She carefully opened the car window curtain a narrow gap, and the biting cold wind immediately rushed into the car, making her shiver.

She wrapped her cloak tighter around herself and looked out through the gap in the curtains. She saw that on the long street, apart from their group of people walking forward, there was no one else.

Qi Jingyan reached out to close the curtain, then gently pulled her into his arms: "A Ning, what are you worried about?"