Chapter 474: Expedition
Three days later, outside the imperial city gate.
Two teams ready to go were lined up on both sides of the official road, one wearing black armor and the other wearing silver armor.
In the silver-armored team, the commander who led the troops was riding majestically on a tall horse, holding a long spear. He looked back with murderous intent in his eyes.
The two generals on his left and right, one strong and powerful, the other brave and upright, their momentum is full of strength.
Ye Jingzhen turned his head and glanced back. Behind him was a large group of soldiers lined up in neat rows. He glanced around but didn't see the person he wanted to see.
"Where is Ranran?" he asked Yun Chenglu who was behind him.
That’s right, after the four of them had a night talk that day, Ye Jingzhen and Ye Jinghua began to “recruit soldiers” for their own teams.
Ye Jingzhen recruited Yun Chenglu as his deputy general, while Ye Jinghua recruited Ma, a proud and arrogant deputy general from Zhao Jing's side.
Yun Chenglu glanced back but didn't see Yun Ran. He wiped his nose and said, "I guess he's saying goodbye to his uncle and aunt. After all, we're going to war. Even if we bring more soldiers and guards, they're still worried."
That’s right, Ye Jingzhen nodded.
It should not just be Yun Sanlang and his family of three, Rong Bing and Yin Qiu should have come as well.
Thinking of this, he glanced across.
In the opposite black-armored team, Ye Jinghua brought with him the recruited deputy general Ma. The snake witch should be the military advisor. What surprised Ye Jingzhen was that Ye Jinghua actually brought a maid with him. The maid rode a horse alone and followed him.
At this time, Queen Chu brought several maids and eunuchs to surround Ye Jinghua's horse, giving him cotton clothes, fox furs, amulets, and heart-protecting jade, chattering as she gave him thousands of instructions.
On his side, it was deserted. There was nothing there except the fox cloak that Ye Cangling had taken off from An Ji at the beginning.
But even this fox cloak, Ye Jinghua also has one, which was given to them by Ye Cangling in order not to show favoritism.
"Jingzhen," a gentle voice sounded in my ears.
Ye Jingzhen withdrew his gaze and saw Ye Jingtian and Han Tao standing in front of his horse.
Ye Jingzhen dismounted and asked, "Why is my royal brother here?"
Ye Jingtian patted his shoulder and said, "You are about to go to war, and I have to come and see you off."
As he spoke, he turned around, took a small package from Han Tao's hand and opened it.
Inside were one or two amulets that were sewn somewhat crookedly.
Ye Jingtian's fair face flushed, and he stuffed two amulets into Ye Jingzhen's hands: "The journey is long and dangerous, and the mountains are high. You and Miss Yun... take care of yourselves."
After saying that, he didn't stay any longer and turned around and left.
Han Tao, who was following behind him, paused slightly and said, "The amulet was made by His Highness himself. If it's not well made, please don't despise it, young prince."
Ye Jingzhen's lips curled up: "My royal brother is thoughtful."
Han Tao nodded slightly and then followed Ye Jingtian.
Ye Jinghua, who was surrounded by Queen Chu, looked over and gave Ye Jingzhen a mocking look.
Ye Jingzhen didn't bother to pay attention to him. He just glanced at him and looked away.
Then, he saw his little girl leading a chestnut pony and walking towards him while talking to Yun Sanlang and Yin Qianlan.
Yin Qianlan was holding the little boy Yun Chengxi in her hand, and a white furry "big dog" followed at Yun Ran's feet. It was the lonely king.
He wanted to jump onto the horse, but when he saw a few people coming over, he stopped and stood still. Yun Chenglu saw this and also jumped off the horse.
At this time, Yun Ran and the others just walked up to them.
"Your Highness Prince Jing'an, General... Yun."
Yin Qianlan and Yun Sanlang saluted the two men, but were stopped by Yun Chenglu.
"Uncle and Aunt, what are you doing?" The weather was cold and the tip of Yun Chenglu's nose was a little red.
Yin Qianlan helped him stand up by supporting his arm and smiled at him: "Now that you are a general, your status is different."
"Third Aunt..." Yun Chenglu was about to say something else but was stopped by Yin Qianlan.
"You guys are about to leave, right? We won't waste your time. We're really worried about you, so we came to check on you."
As Yin Qianlan spoke, she looked at Yun Ran, Ye Jingzhen, and Yun Chenglu. These three children had been raised by her, and yet, in the blink of an eye, they were all...
Her eyes were red, and Yun Sanlang hugged her shoulders: "Don't worry, they are all grown-up children. We will wait for news of their triumphant return in Kuizhou."
Yin Qianlan nodded, but couldn't say anything else. She felt like as soon as she opened her mouth, she would cry and tears would flow.
Yun Ran knew that she was worried about her. Inside the city gate, Yin Qianlan had been talking to her for a long time.
She walked forward and hugged Yin Qianlan again, rubbing Yun Chengxi's little head: "Take good care of your parents and wait for your sister to come back."
"Yeah!" The little boy was very obedient. He looked up at Yun Ran, and there was a mist in his bright eyes.
Suddenly, he stretched out his little finger and hooked it with Yun Ran's: "Pink pinky, sister, my patience is limited, you and brother-in-law have to come back soon! Otherwise... otherwise I can't wait any longer and will go to Nanlin to find you!"
"Pfft," Yun Ran was amused by him, "Okay, we'll write back after we capture Nanlin."
"Yes! We make a promise that nothing will change for a hundred years!" Yun Chengxi's little face was full of seriousness.
On the other side, Yun Sanlang was talking to Yun Chenglu while Yin Qianlan was rummaging in his sleeves, and took out a heart-protecting jade and stuffed it into Ye Jingzhen's palm.
Ye Jingzhen held the jade in his palm, and it felt slightly cool.
"Your Highness, the jade pendant is made of good material chosen by Sanlang. It has good water content and he polished it bit by bit. I heard that only the heart-protecting jade polished by oneself will be effective." Yin Qianlan said.
Ye Jingzhen pursed his lips: "I'll hand it over to Ranran later."
Yin Qianlan was startled for a moment, then said, "This is for Her Highness. I've already given Ranran the piece."
Slender, clean fingers caressed the warm jade. Ye Jingzhen paused and said, "For... mine?"
Yin Qianlan nodded. She looked at Ye Jingzhen's somewhat surprised expression, and as a mother, her intuition keenly sensed something.
She took a deep breath, mustered up the courage to hold Ye Jingzhen's hand: "This may be a little offensive, but Your Highness is now engaged to Ranran. If Your Highness doesn't mind... I can barely be considered half a mother to Your Highness."
"Be careful on your way there. Sanlang and I are waiting for your triumphant return!"
The thin lips that were tightly pursed into a straight line loosened slightly, and Ye Jingzhen nodded: "I will protect Ranran, mother...don't worry."
Yin Qianlan's eyes warmed up, and she held his hand tightly: "Your Highness, please take care of yourself as well."
Without saying anything else, Yun Sanlang had almost finished his instructions, and the two of them left with Yun Chengxi in their arms.
Little Yun Chengxi lay on Yun Sanlang's shoulder, wiping his tears and staring at Yun Ran and Ye Jingzhen.
Yun Ran felt sad when he looked at her, but also wanted to laugh.
"Let's go, it's time to set off." Ye Jingzhen glanced at Yun Ran, his eyes full of tenderness.
Yun Ran's eyes sparkled and he nodded: "Yeah!"
The marching order was issued, and the army set out, leaving the capital quickly and steadily and heading towards Nanlin.
Yun Chenglu looked at the red pony his sister was riding and shook his head, "Ranran, has your horse grown up yet? Don't let it get too slow and hold us back!"
His words made Gao Ziyang, who was standing beside him, laugh.
Yun Ran looked up at him, with a hint of pride in his eyes.
She raised the whip in her hand and whipped the horse's butt. The little red horse rushed out and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The lonely king who was following beside her had not yet reacted and was squatting there in a daze.
It looked in the direction where Yun Ran and the pony disappeared, then looked up at Yun Chenglu who was riding on the horse, as if it didn't understand why its little master suddenly ran away by himself.
Yun Chenglu: ...
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