Chapter 47 How come it's you?
This happened so suddenly that all the guests knelt down in unison.
The three of them were also completely bewildered. Their first reaction was: How did the person delivering the imperial decree know we were together? Then they realized: Wait a minute! What decree did the Emperor give us?
The visitor was the same official from yesterday. He rattled off a long list of things, but in reality, he only said one thing.
I heard that the three of you are quite good, so I praised you a lot. Then I said, I'm assigning you a task, appointing you as special envoys. Tomorrow you will accompany the imperial envoy to the northern prefecture to escort disaster relief funds and investigate all related important matters.
After the imperial edict was read, the person who proclaimed it told them to gather at the North Gate at 7:00 AM the next day, and also handed them their official robes, waist tokens, and other documents.
The three of them looked at each other, completely baffled as to what was going on.
Lu Jinlan even asked Song Jingxiao, "Did you find this job for me?"
Song Jingxiao quickly replied, "How could I possibly find you such a thankless and arduous task?"
However, she was also a little worried. "Could it be that the Emperor is taking this opportunity to give me a warning? This is too unlucky. You and Cheng'er just got engaged, and now he's sending you to Beizhou."
Lu Jinlan thought for a moment, "It shouldn't be, after all, I have two friends with me."
She had a vague guess in her mind, but she couldn't be sure. She only said, "I'll ask the imperial envoy properly when I see him later."
"Yes, but Beizhou is a very dangerous place, so you have to be careful. Fortunately, Beizhou is not far from Lingzhou."
As she spoke, Song Jingxiao took out an object from her bosom. "This is my token. There's only one of its kind. All the generals and officers of the Song family army recognize it. If you encounter any difficulties, just have someone bring this token to Lingzhou to find me."
After Song Jingxiao left with Yang Shi, the three of them also had to prepare for their trip to Beizhou.
Lu Jinlan and Xiang Ruzhen were both a little apprehensive, but Yan Wuxin was very happy and said with a smile, "As long as there is no final exam, I'll even go farming."
Everyone went back to pack their things. When Lu Jinlan returned to her room, she saw Song Lincheng packing her things while complaining, "This imperial decree is a bit too hasty. We're leaving tomorrow, and it was only issued today. Beizhou is much colder than the capital. I didn't even have time to make you a few new cotton-padded clothes."
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "I haven't worn the old ones much, so bringing a couple of pieces will be enough. I figure I'll be wearing my official robes quite often. It's only September, so it won't get too cold."
Lin Cheng sighed, looking disappointed, "But your birthday is in a few days. It's the first time I'll be celebrating your birthday with you, and I was planning to do a good job for you."
Lu Jinlan smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, teasingly saying, "So virtuous? You're not even married yet, and you're already planning a banquet for me. My husband is in such a hurry, I guess I'll have to think of a way to move the wedding date forward a few days."
Song Lincheng's ears were almost completely red, but he stubbornly said, "I'm not in a hurry. If you are... you can figure something out yourself. By the way, should we bring the captain's uniform?"
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "You decide, I'm going out for a walk."
It would take at least ten days to travel from the capital to Beizhou, and who knows how long it would take to get there on business? It would be at least a month before I could return. Lu Jinlan calculated the days as she walked to the backyard of Jiu'an Hall.
Lou Yumin sat blankly by the window when a voice suddenly came from behind her: "What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought."
Lou Yumin turned around with delight, "Why are you here? Isn't today the engagement banquet?"
"Just finished, I'm exhausted."
"Lie down quickly, let me massage you."
Lu Jinlan glanced at him and said, "You're pregnant, don't overwork yourself."
"It's alright. These past few days, Manager Ping, the doctor, and Qing'er have been telling me what not to do and what not to do. They're giving me supplements like meals, three times a day. I'm going to gain weight before my belly even gets big, so please let me move around a bit."
Seeing his insistence, Lu Jinlan lay down on the bed and let him massage her shoulders and back.
She told Yu Mian about her trip to Beizhou, and added, "Mother will take you with her in a few days to return to Yunzhou."
Yu Mian said, "Manager Ping has already told me about this. Actually, I never dared to hope to enter the Lu family. It's fine that you're keeping me outside. Even if I never have a formal title for the rest of my life, I won't resent you."
“I know you have your difficulties, and I know my place in the world. It’s rare that you care about me and have gone to such lengths for me. It’s also rare that your mother dotes on you so much and is willing to accept me, and the Song family doesn’t mind. I must have done something very good in my past lives to be able to become your man in this life.”
Lu Jinlan sighed, "Why say all this? You're my person, so naturally I have to think about you and the child. When you get to Yunzhou, stay at my uncle's house for a while, and then you'll be my rightful son-in-law at the Lu residence. By the way, what rank do you want?"
Yu Mian said gently, "Yingzi is fine. As long as I can call you my wife, even if it's the lowest status, I will feel the greatest honor."
The hierarchy is: principal husband, secondary husband, constant companion, elegant attendant, and servant. The servant's status is the lowest.
Lu Jinlan thought for a moment, "Then let's make you a lady-in-waiting for now. After the baby is born, I'll talk to Mother and ask her to promote you a bit more."
“Okay, I’ll listen to my wife.” Yu Mian stopped what she was doing and gently leaned against her back. “I must give you a daughter to repay you for all the kindness you’ve shown me.”
Lu Jinlan was silent for a moment, then turned around and took his hand, saying with reluctance, "Don't feel pressured, it's okay to have a boy. Actually, for a moment, I asked myself, is it cruel to let you give birth to this child? I asked the doctor, and she said that during childbirth, they will make a long incision in your abdomen to take out the baby. Do you know how dangerous it is to have your abdomen cut open? Do you know what the risks and injuries of childbirth are?"
Yu Mian was stunned for a moment. “But every man gives birth like this. Every father has to go through this. I’m not afraid. I’m willing to give birth for you. If this baby isn’t a daughter, I’ll keep giving birth until I can’t anymore. Even if it costs me my life, I will definitely give you a daughter.”
Lu Jinlan rubbed her forehead; this scene almost made up for the shock she felt when she hadn't watched "The Legend of Motherhood" in modern times.
Helplessly, she pulled out two small porcelain bottles. "Let's give birth to this baby first. This is something I specially prepared for you. The white bottle is for pain relief, and the red bottle is for stopping bleeding. Be sure to keep it safe and don't lose it. It could save your life in a critical moment."
Lu Jinlan stayed at Yu Mian's place for a while, and then spent the night in Lin Cheng's room for the first time.
With parting imminent, the two of them lost all romantic thoughts and were simply deeply in love. They held hands under the covers and talked all night long.
They talked about everything from the moon outside the window to the cold winds of the frontier. Song Lincheng reminisced about his childhood, Lu Jinlan shared her future ambitions, and finally, they discussed their understanding of marriage. Even though they hadn't done anything, they felt an unprecedented intimacy.
Before parting, Lu Jinlan asked him, "Is there anything else you want to say to me?"
Song Lincheng straightened her official robes. "You've returned safely."
Lu Jinlan smiled, "I thought you would say, 'Don't get involved in romantic entanglements outside.'"
Song Lincheng gave her a speechless look, gritted his teeth and said resentfully, "Knowing you as I do, I would find it strange if you didn't have any romantic entanglements."
Lu Jinlan retorted, "Nonsense! I was there on official business, dealing only with women. How could I possibly have gotten involved in any romantic entanglements?"
Song Lincheng didn't argue anymore. He smiled and watched her leave, then sighed and muttered to himself, "I'm just waiting to see you get your comeuppance."
*
It was almost time for Chenshi (7-9 AM), and Lu Jinlan met up with Xiang Ruzhen and Yan Wuxin. The three of them, dressed in brand-new official robes and riding tall horses, looked imposing and majestic as they rode through the streets, heading straight for the North Gate.
Minister of Revenue Cui Mingfei had already counted the silver and manpower early in the morning. The 200,000 taels of disaster relief silver were sealed and put into boxes, loaded onto ten carriages, and escorted by two hundred elite soldiers.
As soon as the three arrived and announced their names, Cui Mingfei raised her hand and said coldly, "I know who you are. Without further ado, the three special envoys, mount your horses. We can talk on the way."
Hmm! Look at that attitude, it's as if they think the three of them are just causing trouble.
The three of them secretly glanced at her, then mounted their horses and whispered complaints at the back of the group.
Yan Wuxin: "We thought we wanted to come. We're all just following orders, yet she still looks down on us."
Xiang Ruzhen: "Since she thinks we're in the way, she should have told the Emperor beforehand. If the Emperor wants us to work for her, she has to be willing to use us first."
Lu Jinlan: "What I don't understand is, why would the Emperor issue this decree? Look at Minister Cui's disdainful expression, as if someone forced us in here. We didn't beg her to come."
The convoy sped along for a while, then suddenly stopped. The three curious people went around to the front of the convoy and found Cui Mingfei sitting in the Shili Pavilion, drinking tea.
Yan Wuxin chuckled and deliberately said loudly to Lu Jinlan, "Oh dear, we were rushed to leave before we could even get our footing. I thought it was an urgent matter, but it turns out we're just looking for a nice spot to drink tea and enjoy the scenery. What a refined hobby!"
Lu Jinlan, being young at heart, echoed Yin Yang's words: "Indeed, Minister Cui really knows how to find a place. The lush forests and tall bamboos here offer a superb view that makes one forget the mundane world. Not only forget the mundane world, but one might even forget about their duties."
Seeing that Cui Mingfei was ignoring her with her eyes closed, Xiang Ruzhen didn't bother with beating around the bush and said directly, "Lord Cui, if you are tired, you can rest here. We will escort the caravan and continue on our way, how about that?"
Cui Mingfei lifted her eyelids slightly, glanced at them, and said leisurely, "No rush, and you don't need to try to put me down. I had my reasons for being anxious before, and I have my reasons for stopping here now. Everyone isn't here yet, so let's wait patiently."
Yan Wuxin looked around. "So many people aren't here yet, who else wants to come?"
As they were talking, they suddenly heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats. Everyone looked over and saw a small group of people galloping towards them like a thunderstorm.
The group consisted of twenty-one riders, who charged forward like soldiers on the battlefield, their hooves kicking up clouds of yellow dust, as if they were walking on smoke.
The leading youth wore a veiled hat and a purple robe, and rode a white Akhal-Teke horse that gleamed and could travel a thousand miles a day. Behind her were twenty people, all dressed in red robes with yellow jackets over them, steel swords at their waists, and riding black steeds capable of traveling eight hundred miles a day.
The group galloped away on horseback, their shouts and neighing filling the air, their presence overwhelming and awe-inspiring.
Before the three of them could figure out what was going on, the people around Cui Mingfei cleared their throats and announced loudly, "The Crown Princess has arrived!"
Cui Mingfei skillfully performed a complex set of etiquette, kneeling and kowtowing twice, and respectfully said, "Your subject Cui Mingfei greets the Crown Princess."
The three were a beat too slow, and hurriedly knelt down, catching up with the others and saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
After a moment of silence, white boots embroidered with four-clawed gold-threaded python patterns stopped in front of the three.
The three of them bowed their heads, and then heard a familiar voice from above: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. When I left, the Queen Mother pulled me aside and said a few more words. There's no need for such formalities. Please rise."
The three looked up in surprise, only to see the newcomer remove his veil, revealing a fierce-looking face.
"Isn't this Yan Yu?" Xiang Ruzhen couldn't help but ask, "How come it's you?"
Cui Mingfei frowned and reminded her, "When speaking to the First Princess, you must address her as Your Highness."
The eldest princess waved her hand, "Alright, we are old acquaintances, no need for formalities. Lord Cui, please go first, the three special envoys and I will stay behind."
As she spoke, she instructed the imperial guards who had come with her: "You follow the convoy and keep an eye on the disaster relief funds."
Chief of the Guards, Turing, said with difficulty, "Your Highness, His Majesty has given us the task of protecting your safety."
The eldest princess glared at her. "My task for you is to escort the silver transport vehicle. I am with the three special envoys and do not need your protection."
"Yes." Turing had no choice but to lead his men to follow the convoy.
The eldest princess turned to the three and said, "Let's get to know each other again. My name is Zhao Zhiyu, and Yan Yu is my alias. I've been keeping it a secret from you all to avoid any inconvenience caused by my identity. You're not angry with me, are you?"
The three men, with forced smiles on their faces, replied in unison, "Your Majesty, we dare not."
Zhao Zhiyu gritted her teeth in anger, "If you keep being sarcastic, I'll kick you twice."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "You actually lied to us, saying that you could find someone who could reach the ears of the emperor. With your status, you can clearly reach the ears of the emperor directly."
Yan Wuxin also said, "If you think about it carefully, you've lied to us quite a lot."
Zhao Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. "Who doesn't have secrets? Don't you guys have anything you're hiding from me?"
The four of them chatted and laughed as they mounted their horses. After riding for a while, Lu Jinlan suddenly turned around and looked back.
Xiang Ruzhen hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Jinlan said with a serious expression, "I feel like someone is following us."
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Author's Note: Have those of you who followed the updates before the pay-to-play phase reached a subscription rate close to 30%? To prevent piracy, I'm planning to research anti-piracy features. Thank you again to all readers for supporting the official version; you are all my bread and butter. I bow to you all!
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