When the agreed time came, before dawn, Tian An and Zhao Yiming got up and prepared.
The clothes and other things needed were packed the day before, only the cakes and pastries were made by Chunxi in the middle of the night.
After baking, let it cool down. When the time is almost up, pack it up and put it on the carriage.
When Tian An and Zhao Yiming were ready to go out, everything was ready, and Deng Xue and Mangzhong were waiting by the carriage.
Because there were so many things to bring, one carriage could not accommodate all the people. Tian An thought about asking Chen Qiang to rent another carriage, but after asking the price, he decided it was more cost-effective to just buy another one.
Anyway, the business at home is gradually increasing, and it is indeed not enough to have only one carriage on weekdays. Sooner or later, I have to buy a new one, so why waste the rent.
There were two carriages, Zhao Yiming drove one carrying people in front to lead the way, and Chen Feng drove the other carrying things behind.
They had to go to Qin's house to pick up Qin Yalan before leaving the city together.
Qin Yalan brought her maid Shaoyao and a carriage boy. Her carriage was also loaded with a lot of things, and it was just enough for two people to sit, but it was not comfortable, so Tian An invited her to ride in his carriage.
Deng Xue also took the initiative to go to the back carriage and make room for the masters. Mangzhong had to be taken care of personally in the carriage.
Qin Yalan initially felt a bit uncomfortable when she saw Zhao Yiming driving the car. He was escorting his fiancée, so why would she get on board? But after Tian An's repeated invitation, she finally agreed.
As soon as he got on the carriage, he started teasing Tian An, "You are so lucky to have a distinguished scholar like you personally drive the carriage for you."
Tian An was not ashamed but proud of it. "That's right, I have a very good eye. I fell in love with this perfect man at first sight and decided to marry him a long time ago."
Qin Yalan immediately gave her a thumbs up and said, "Good vision and courage."
Zhao Yiming curled his lips outside the carriage. What a good vision! Such a big village took a fancy to his shabby thatched cottage at first sight. What a courage! What kind of woman would dare to rely on him like this?
But, An An, thank you for your good vision and courage.
When the group arrived at the city gate, it was just open. The weather was cold and few people were leaving the city, so they left the city smoothly without even lining up.
There is no need to wait for others. Everyone lives relatively scattered, so you can just agree on a time to meet at the destination.
After leaving the city, drive west and you will arrive in about two hours.
It was a forest next to the royal hunting grounds, with many good prey in it. Ordinary people were not allowed to go there, but an army under the command of the general's mansion was stationed nearby, so it was convenient for them to go there.
Tian Anzheng and Qin Yalan were chatting casually when Zhao Yiming reminded them outside the carriage: "An'an, the journey will take quite some time. We left early today. If you feel sleepy, take a nap in the carriage. I'll call you when we're almost there."
"Got it, Brother Yiming."
Tian Ancai responded to Zhao Yiming, and when she turned around, she saw Qin Yalan looking at her with an ambiguous look, as if smiling.
Tian An's face turned slightly red. She turned away embarrassedly and said, "I got up early this morning and need to take a nap. Sister Yalan should also take a break! Otherwise, we won't have the energy to play when we get there."
"Okay, okay, let's all take a nap."
They got up early in the morning and were bored in the carriage, so they chatted quietly for a while and actually fell asleep leaning against the carriage.
When the two maids saw that their mistress had fallen asleep, they hurriedly covered them with blankets to prevent them from catching a cold.
For fear of disturbing them, the two of them remained silent. As the carriage swayed along, their eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and they slowly fell asleep.
Two hours later, the camp ahead could be seen. Zhao Yiming slowly parked the carriage by the roadside.
Mangzhong felt that the carriage was slowing down, so he woke up first. Just when he wanted to see if they had arrived, he heard Zhao Yiming's voice coming from outside the carriage, "Is An An awake? We're here."
He quickly replied, "Sir, I'll wake the girl up right away."
After Qin Yalan and Tian An woke up, Mangzhong imitated Shaoyao and hurriedly tidied up Tian An's hair and slightly messy dress.
After both of them had sorted themselves out, Zhao Yiming drove the carriage back towards the camp.
At this time, the tents were already set up in the camp, and the invited guests had almost all arrived. A group of people were chattering and chatting, making the camp very lively.
Seeing another carriage coming, Wu Hongkun, the eldest son of the host general's mansion, personally led people to greet him.
"Master Zhao, I'm sorry for not coming to meet you."
Zhao Yiming jumped off the carriage and bowed, "Young General Wu, you're welcome."
Seeing the carriage stop, Shaoyao and Mangzhong got off first, then carried a footstool and put it away.
Shaoyao opened the carriage curtain and held Qin Yalan, who came out first, until she got out. Tian An followed closely behind. Mangzhong was about to step forward, but was beaten to the punch by Zhao Yiming.
After Tian An exited the carriage, she let Zhao Yiming help her get down. Actually, she preferred to jump down in one step; being supported by someone was too awkward. But in such an occasion, she still had to pay attention to her image.
Seeing the visitor get off the carriage, others also came forward to greet him.
"I was wondering why Brother Yiming was driving the carriage himself! It turns out that he brought two lovely sisters with him!" A young man wearing a white fur-trimmed jacket with dark green patterns, with a smile on his face, spoke first.
Zhao Yiming nodded at him and turned to introduce him to Tian An and Qin Yalan, "The legitimate son of Minister Zuo, the Minister of Rites, Zuo Qing."
The two of them saluted him together, "Master Zuo."
Zuo Qing returned the greeting and introduced them to a dignified and quiet woman beside him, "My sister, Zuo Yunshu."
The two greeted each other again, "Miss Zuo."
Zuo Yunshu responded: "Just call me Yunshu."
Afterwards, Zhao Yiming introduced the two of them to several other people present.
"Wei Bo, the eldest son of Lord Wei, the Left Censor-in-Chief"
Wei Bo politely bowed and introduced the lovely woman behind him to them: "My sister, Wei Lingran."
Wei Lingran playfully winked at the two and saluted, "Hello, sisters."
The two returned the greeting: "Hello, Sister Wei."
After they exchanged greetings, Zhao Yiming looked at a man in a dark fox fur coat and said,
"Song Qian, the second son of Lord Song, the Imperial College's chief academic officer."
Song Qian bowed and introduced his sister Song Zhiyun to them.
After them came the three sons of the general's mansion, the eldest son Wu Hongkun, the second son Wu Hongyi, the third son Wu Hongjing, and their only sister Wu Yufei.
After Tian An and Qin Yalan had recognized everyone, Wu Yufei, the general's daughter, finally couldn't help but remind them, "Mr. Zhao, you haven't introduced your two sisters to everyone yet!"
Zhao Yiming immediately bowed his hands and apologized, "I was negligent."
Then he introduced Tian An and Qin Yalan to everyone. "My fiancée, Tian An. And her close friend, Miss Qin, the granddaughter of Imperial Physician Qin of Changming Lane."
Everyone was surprised when this was said, especially the man, who asked in astonishment, "Fiancée? Are you engaged?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
