Chapter 114 The Expedition
Outside the capital, banners fluttered and the military stood in solemn formation. The army was about to set off, and the air was filled with the sorrow of parting and the heroic spirit of embarking on a journey.
The emperor was seriously ill and unable to attend in person, but he sent all his princes and princesses to see him off. This extraordinary level of attention made many important officials begin to speculate about the emperor's thoughts. Prince Jing, who was the least favored prince in the past, left the capital for the expedition with great fanfare and drums.
Crown Prince Mu Chen stood at the very front of the group of princes and princesses, maintaining a polite but slightly stiff smile on his face, while his eyes were fixed on Mu Cenlin, who was surrounded by the crowd and enjoying immense prestige. His hands, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, were clenched tightly, his nails almost digging into his flesh.
What a shrewd Mu Cenlin! This grand scene is nothing short of a slap in the face to him.
The Third Prince, Mu Yuan, stood a little further back, his expression complex. He looked at Li Bao'er, who stood side by side with Mu Cenlin, looking dashing and spirited, and at the undisguised trust and affection in her eyes as she looked at Mu Cenlin.
In the end... we missed our chance.
Mu Cenlin sat upright on the magnificent black steed, Treading Snow, clad in heavy armor. The armor was dark and cold, with beast heads on the shoulders and cloud patterns on the chest, reflecting a chilling light in the autumn sun, making his tall and sturdy figure appear even more sharp and imposing.
His ink-black hair was tied up with a jade crown, a few stray strands brushing against his sharply defined profile, adding a touch of untamed fierceness. Beneath his sword-like eyebrows, his deep eyes swept over the orderly military formation, exuding an aura of supreme authority.
This is His Highness Prince Jing, a man of great military achievements in the Great Lin Dynasty.
A little behind him was a large, seemingly simple carriage. The curtain was lifted, revealing Li Bao'er's figure. Today, she was dressed in a purplish-red outfit suitable for riding, with a matching silver-embroidered fox fur cloak over it. Her dark hair was tied high in a ponytail and secured with a jade hairpin, making her look capable and neat, yet still exuding nobility.
Beside the carriage, the young Li Yu, clad in gleaming silver armor, rode a pure white steed, his posture upright and spirited. A bright red headband adorned his forehead, further emphasizing his handsome features and bright, expressive eyes.
Wang Zheng, Wang Qingzhi, and Zhang Shi reluctantly stood by, giving each other words of advice.
Facing her daughter, who had rarely traveled far from home since childhood, Wang Qingzhi was already in tears. Wang Zheng had asked Mu Cenlin to go to the border with him, but Mu Cenlin had seriously dissuaded him.
Mu Cenlin said, "Uncle, the capital is a crucial place, and it needs you to be there. What I'm most worried about when I go to the border is my mother and mother-in-law back home. With you in the capital to take care of them, Bao'er and I can be without any worries."
Wang Zheng knew this made perfect sense. The political situation in the court was turbulent and unpredictable, with the Crown Prince's faction eyeing them covetously. If he left the capital, the women in his household would truly be left without protection. He remembered patting Mu Cenlin's shoulder heavily, his eyes filled with authority: "Go with peace of mind! Your uncle is in the capital; he will surely protect them! You, Bao'er, and Ayu, must return safely!"
"must!"
By this time, the city gate was already packed with people. Upon learning that King Jing was leading his army on a campaign, countless people spontaneously came to see him off, bringing food and drink, and their cheers shook the heavens.
Among the people seeing them off, Li Bao'er and Li Yu also saw their familiar figures.
Mingyu, accompanied by several key figures from the black market and the manager of Juxiang Pavilion, waved vigorously to Li Bao'er from afar, her eyes filled with trust and encouragement. Li Qing, as always, was cheerful and loudly proclaimed, "Sister Bao'er! Brother Yu! When you return victorious, I'll treat you to drinks!"
Ye Yun was already sobbing uncontrollably, supported by her maid. Her eyes were swollen like walnuts. When she saw Li Yu looking over, she didn't know where she got the courage, but she broke free from the maid and stumbled to Li Yu's horse. She looked up at him with her tear-streaked face and said in a choked but clear voice, "Brother Yu! You...you must come back safely! I...I like you! I've liked you for a long time! I will wait for you in the capital!"
These words were like a thunderclap, completely stunning Li Yu on horseback! His eyes widened as he stared at the little girl in front of him, whom he had grown up with and who always followed him around calling him "Brother Yu" this and "Brother Yu" that. His cheeks instantly turned bright red, and he was at a loss for what to do. His mind went blank, and he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
The surrounding soldiers and those seeing them off looked over and let out good-natured chuckles. Li Yu was so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear into the ground.
Seeing that the army was about to set off, Li Yu steeled his heart, bent down, and looked at Ye Yun, who was crying her eyes out. After holding back for a long time, he finally managed to say, "You...you stay in the capital obediently! Don't run around! We'll talk in detail when I get back!"
After saying that, he dared not look at Ye Yun's reaction any longer. He spurred his horse and rushed to the front of the group as if fleeing, leaving only a panicked back view.
Ye Yun was stunned when she saw him running away. Then she burst into laughter through her tears and nodded vigorously, firmly engraving the words "waiting for you to come back" in her heart.
Bao'er was overjoyed to see Ye Yun finally bravely express her feelings: "Yun'er, you must take good care of yourself. Next time we meet, I'll have to call you sister-in-law."
Ye Yun was dazed by Bao'er's words, feeling both shy and happy: "Sister, please don't tease me. Have a safe journey."
Xiao Han walked through the crowd to Li Bao'er's carriage. He was thinner than before, and a deep melancholy lingered between his brows. The Xiao family supported the Crown Prince, and since Li Bao'er's marriage, he had been strictly forbidden by his family from having any further contact with her. This farewell was an opportunity he had pleaded for.
He gazed at the face behind the carriage curtain, the face he had longed for but which now belonged to another. A thousand words choked in his chest, but in the end, they could only be uttered as a strained blessing: "Baby... take care on your journey and return safely."
Looking at the complex emotions in his eyes, Li Bao'er was also moved and nodded slightly: "Thank you, Brother Xiao. Take care of yourself too."
Xiao Han took out an exquisitely embroidered amulet from his pocket and handed it over, his voice low: "This was embroidered by my mother stitch by stitch. She also hopes you will be safe."
Looking at the amulet filled with heartfelt wishes, Li Bao'er did not refuse. She reached out and took it, sincerely thanking the lady, "Please thank you on my behalf, Madam."
Xiao Han looked at her intently, as if trying to etch her image into his heart, then resolutely turned and disappeared into the crowd.
He knew that from then on, they would be separated by mountains and rivers, each at the ends of the earth.
The auspicious hour has arrived, and the bugle sounds.
Mu Cen sat upright on his horse, taking one last look back at the capital. His gaze swept over the relatives and friends who had come to see him off, and finally met Li Bao'er's eyes in the carriage.
The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.
"Set off!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com