Chapter 176 Encountering Robbers?
The Eastern Palace.
Outside the hall, a cold wind swirled up fallen leaves, which rustled against the window paper.
Today is the day Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing are going to pick up Jiang Ling to come to the capital for a visit.
Crown Prince Qin Zhao looked up at the sky several times, his gaze still fixed on the direction outside the palace gate.
"They should have picked up Miss Jiang by now, right?"
Jiang Yi, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed:
"Your Highness, they set off at Chenshi (7-9 AM). Judging from the distance, they should have already picked up Miss Jiang and are on their way back to the capital."
Qin Zhao nodded, looked away, and subconsciously reached up to touch his left arm.
The wound that Jiang Ling had stitched up has healed and seems to be growing new flesh recently, occasionally causing a slight itch.
The itch reminded him of that night in the general store, when Jiang Ling focused intently on stitching up his wound.
Qin Zhao asked again, as if afraid of missing something.
"Is the accommodation prepared for Miss Jiang all arranged properly? It's getting colder every day, so charcoal and quilts are absolutely essential. She's used to living in the southern villages, and it's colder in the capital than in Jishui Village, so we can't neglect to keep her warm."
"Everything is ready." Jiang Yi answered crisply, "I went to check it myself. There are two charcoal braziers in the side room, the cotton quilts are newly fluffed, and there are also hand warmers and foot warmers. Even the window cracks have been stuffed with cotton."
Qin Zhao then thought of the recent refugees in the city: "Have the Prefect of the Capital add two more people to guard the perimeter of the residences. Don't get too close and disturb them. Just keep an eye on the strangers."
"We already dispatched more people two days ago. My subordinates followed your instructions and sent additional personnel, all of whom are alert and reliable."
Qin Zhao nodded, then sighed. A complex mix of emotions flashed across his handsome face, including expectation, gratitude, and, more profoundly, restrained worry.
Jiang Yi had served the Crown Prince for many years and rarely saw him with such a hesitant and conflicted expression, so he couldn't help but whisper a word of advice:
"Since Your Highness is so concerned about Miss Jiang, why not have Prince Cheng arrange a meeting once she has settled down? Miss Jiang has donated precious medicines to alleviate the army's worries about the epidemic; now that there are refugees everywhere, she has generously donated such a huge amount of grain and cloth, saving countless lives. If Miss Jiang were not indifferent to fame and fortune and unwilling to be ostentatious, these achievements alone would be enough to warrant public commendation and rewards in the court."
From the moment Jiang Ling selflessly donated the medicine, she became a sacred and noble figure in Jiang Yi's heart.
Although they had been suppressing the rumors about the goddess for some time, they all knew that these things were not something an ordinary person could do.
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhao seemed to see again that seemingly ordinary general store, which contained hidden secrets.
He had only been hiding in the grocery store for half an hour that day.
But when she pushed open the door, it was already broad daylight outside!
He returned and analyzed the situation carefully, concluding that time would pass by ten times or even faster once the grocery store was closed.
He knew better than anyone that Miss Jiang was no ordinary person.
He feared that once they met, he would be unable to resist exploring the secrets behind her and asking where those magical medicines and foods came from.
He desperately wanted to know, desperately wanted to seize this "opportunity".
But he was even more afraid that if he showed any interest in probing, Miss Jiang would be unhappy.
If this were to cut off the supply of food and cloth, it would undoubtedly be a fatal blow to the already precarious Great Yu Dynasty.
He wasn't confident that Jiang Ling would reveal all her secrets to him; their relationship was still too superficial...
"It's not the right time yet." Qin Zhao turned around, his gaze falling on the small mooncake box on the table.
“Miss Jiang is insightful and indifferent to vanity. She has her reasons for choosing to live in seclusion in the countryside. It would be unwise for us to disturb her. For now, maintaining the status quo is the best course of action.”
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Make sure Miss Jiang has everything she needs and is safe while she's in the capital. As for the rest... let's hold off for now. Let her have some fun."
Seeing this, Jiang Yi knew that the Crown Prince had made up his mind, so he said no more and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your subordinate understands."
Qin Zhao walked to the desk, where reports of disasters and petitions from displaced people from various places were spread out.
He picked up a copy and began to work diligently on it.
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With wheels rolling and horses' hooves clattering, the group left Jishui Village and embarked on the official road leading to the capital.
Cheng Fang found the carriage ride boring, so he rode on horseback instead.
He followed Jiang Ling's sedan chair slowly, occasionally introducing the scenery along the way to Jiang Ling.
His dark cloak fluttered in the autumn wind, and paired with his brand-new leather gloves, he looked even more dashing.
"Miss Jiang, look, over there on that hill is the famous Sunset Slope. If you pass by at dusk, the setting sun will cast a golden-red glow on it, that's truly a beautiful sight!"
"We're almost at the fork in the road. Going south leads to Huainan Road, but if we keep going north, we'll see the Rainbow River in two more hours!"
His presentation was vibrant, imbued with a familiarity and pride in his own territory.
Jiang Ling lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, listening with a smile as she watched the ever-changing scenery outside the window.
The fields in late autumn have mostly been harvested, appearing somewhat empty and desolate, but the distant mountains are like dark eyebrows and the sky is high and vast, creating a unique and expansive scene.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi were even more excited, their little faces almost pressed against the car window, their eyes taking in everything outside.
Zhao Jingxing rode his horse to the side and behind the carriage, his posture calm and composed.
He didn't say much, but his eyes were always on the surrounding movements and the smoothness of the carriage.
If they see a large pothole on the road, they will signal to the driver to be careful and avoid it.
Halfway through the journey, the group took a short rest at a clean thatched pavilion by the roadside.
Jiang Ling took out the prepared food box, which contained sandwiches she had prepared that morning, along with some milk.
"You must all be hungry after walking for half a day, right? Try these." Jiang Ling distributed the snacks to everyone.
Cheng Fang picked up a sandwich without hesitation, took a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up:
"Mmm! What is this? The meat filling inside is fragrant and tender, and the outer pancake is soft and delicious! It tastes much better than dry rations!"
Zhao Jingxing also picked up a chicken-flavored sandwich, tasted it carefully, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he nodded in praise: "The texture is smooth and the meat juice is rich, it's very delicious."
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi also ate with great relish, especially Xiao Yi, who ate both sandwiches despite taking small bites.
Just as everyone was relaxing, they heard a "rustling" sound from the bushes on the east side of the pavilion.
Before they could react, five refugees emerged from the bushes.
They were all carrying sticks, there were six of them, men and women, and some teenagers. They surrounded the group.
"Be on guard!" Zhao Jingxing was the first to stand up, his hand instantly resting on the sword at his waist, his cold shout carrying the chilling aura of a battlefield.
The guards' hands were already on the hilts of their swords, fanned out to protect them behind them.
They each brought four guards, precisely to prevent such incidents from occurring.
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