Jiang Yimian was taken aback, only then remembering that Wang Fengqin and Jiang Dazhuang had said a few days ago that they were going back to Qingshi Village. At the time, she regretted that she couldn't go back, but now she realized that Liu'er hadn't gone either.
She asked curiously, "I remember my mother said you should go with them? Why didn't you leave the capital with them?"
It's almost November, and the Lunar New Year is just two months away. Wang Fengqin and the others originally planned to spend the New Year with her in the capital, but Aguzan suddenly pulled this stunt, and Jiang Qingyuan also went to the border, so they decided to go back to Qingshi Village for the New Year.
Going back now would allow us to return just a few days before the Lunar New Year.
It's been so long since I've been back; there must have been many changes in the village.
Liu'er looked at Jiang Yimian with a mournful expression, "I just wanted to keep you company in the capital, Miss. Who knew you would leave the capital without me?"
Once Jiang Yimian also left the capital, she was truly alone in the capital.
I'll be all alone during the New Year, it'll be so lonely and quiet.
Jiang Yimian choked for a moment, then smiled and said, "If you want to come with me, I will naturally agree. However, the journey to escort Aguzan is long and requires us to detour through the fiefdom of the King of Jin. I don't know what we might encounter."
Since Aliji wants Aguzan to die in Dajin, he certainly won't easily let them escort Aguzan back; who knows what might happen along the way.
Liu'er was taken aback and asked curiously, "Why do we have to take a detour through the Prince of Jin's fiefdom? Isn't that much farther?"
She remembered that the fiefdom of the Prince of Jin, Weizhou City, was close to the coast, although it was not too far from Tuyuhun by waterway.
However, going from the capital to Weizhou and then by water to Tuyuhun is indeed a roundabout route.
Jiang Yimian just smiled and didn't say anything more.
This route was specially chosen by Aguzan, who said it was safe, and that taking the waterway back to Tuyuhun would prevent Aliji from discovering his whereabouts.
She didn't believe that reason.
Not to mention that this person insisted on having her come along out of the blue; I have no idea what he was up to.
Very well, now that the internal troubles of the Great Jin have been resolved, the King of Chu can't even take care of himself, let alone anything else.
Aguzan needs their help to successfully control Tuyuhun, but she is not afraid of this person causing trouble.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Liu'er asked curiously, "This Prince Jin left the capital voluntarily, and he has been well-behaved in Weizhou for many years. Now that the news of Prince Chu's rebellion and being wanted will probably spread throughout the Great Jin soon, he certainly won't dare to do anything."
Recently, due to the rebellion of the King of Chu, some elderly people in the capital have inevitably brought up the Prince of Jin again.
That's how she heard quite a bit about what happened back then.
It is said that this Prince Jin was once a contender for the throne, and if he had not suddenly left the capital, no one would know what the final outcome would have been.
Jiang Yimian responded, but she wasn't worried about this Prince Jin.
Since the other party was able to leave the capital voluntarily and has been well-behaved for so many years, and has done a good job in collecting taxes and various etiquettes in his fiefdom, he must have given up vying for the throne long ago.
Having been in his fiefdom for so many years, he still has no understanding of the situation in the capital, let alone any thoughts about the throne.
She was actually a little worried about Lu Cijian. He had seemed a bit off lately, and she didn't know why.
He acted no differently than usual in front of her, except that he would occasionally drift off into thought. When she asked Wang San, he kept stammering, which made her a little worried.
Lu Cijian's condition did not improve even after he left the capital; in fact, it worsened as he got closer to Weizhou.
After traveling for nearly two months, the group finally arrived at a small town not far from Weizhou.
Jiang Yimian and her group casually found an inn, called the waiter to bring them a pot of hot tea, and ordered a few local specialties before finally relaxing after days of traveling.
Liu'er stretched and sat down next to Jiang Yimian, feeling as if she had been reborn. "We've finally arrived. Riding horses these past few days has left me feeling completely worn out."
Fortunately, it's not cold on Weizhou Island, otherwise we would have frozen to death.
Wang San chimed in, "That's right, Weizhou is just like the rumors say, it doesn't have winter. Young Master, should we wait here for the Southern Guards to rendezvous, or rest for a while and head straight to Weizhou City?"
Because of the large number of Southern Guards, their pace was inevitably slower.
After several more assassination attempts, the journey gradually quieted down, and they temporarily separated from the Southern Guards.
Lu Cijian stared at the scene outside the inn, seemingly lost in thought, completely oblivious to Wang San's words.
Jiang Yimian thought for a moment before saying, "This small town is only a little over an hour away from Weizhou City. Let's go directly to Weizhou in a bit."
As she spoke, she nudged the person next to her.
Lu Cijian then looked away and nodded, "I'll listen to Mianmian."
Seeing this, Aguzan rested his chin on his hand and said with a half-smile, "It seems that Lord Lu is very familiar with this place. He must be feeling sentimental about the scenery."
Or perhaps Lord Lu has seen some beautiful woman.
He spoke casually, but his words carried a hint of inquiry.
In the background he investigated, Lu Cijian had never been to Weizhou, let alone been familiar with it.
But this person has been rather strange ever since he came near Weizhou. He often stares blankly at a certain spot, clearly having experienced something here.
He was rather curious.
Lu Cijian glanced at him and said indifferently, "It's almost New Year's Eve, but this small town is deserted. It's suspicious. Something might have happened in Weizhou City. Let's eat and continue on our way."
Jiang Yimian nodded; she had noticed it too.
The town was so desolate that there were hardly any people on the streets.
Logically speaking, the Lunar New Year is just around the corner, which should be the most lively time, but every household has its doors and windows tightly closed.
Even the few restaurants and inns that are open occasionally have very few people inside.
Upon hearing this, Liu'er's expression changed drastically, and she frowned, saying, "What could possibly happen in Weizhou City out of the blue?"
This was her first time visiting Weizhou, and she was planning to take this opportunity to explore the area and bring back some interesting souvenirs for Xiao Nuan'er and the others. However, something unexpected happened in Weizhou.
Wang Sanzhi said, "Weizhou City is close to the sea, and this is the time when river bandits are rampant. I guess that's why this small city is like this."
Lu Cijian shook his head, "It has little to do with river bandits."
Those pirates have always liked to hijack and ambush various merchant ships at sea. Over the years, they have basically figured out how to avoid the passing merchant ships.
Even if they encounter river bandits, they will certainly have their own methods.
Moreover, there are garrison troops in Weizhou City, so the river bandits alone would not have such a great impact on this small city.
Something major must have happened in Weizhou City.
Upon hearing this, the expressions on everyone's faces darkened.
Aguzan smiled and said indifferently, "Maybe it's not just one thing."
Jiang Yimian glanced at him and felt that there was a hint of interest in his eyes, but no curiosity or doubt. It was as if he knew something.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
