Chapter 67 Letters
Cen Yan's transfer to another post seemed to happen in the blink of an eye, but from his return to Zhuang Dongqing counting down the days for news, almost half a month had passed. During this time, Zhuang Dongqing's waistline became increasingly noticeable.
Summer clothes are light and thin, and you can already see obvious differences when you walk around.
But since the fetus is small, it's not too strange.
If he were to meet the original owner's friends, they would probably only say that he was overweight.
He ate well, drank well, slept well, and practiced calligraphy diligently every day. Zhuang Dongqing also thought about some issues that needed to be considered.
for example,
"Is there anything I can learn that's useful?"
After saying that, he immediately rejected the idea, saying, "Learning martial arts is definitely out of the question; it's too late."
Cen Yan didn't try to coax him. "Liu Fu can learn some martial arts, but you're not really suited for it."
Seriously, Zhuang Dongqing's balance isn't very good, and he's getting old. He lacks both basic skills and talent, so Cen Yan thinks he shouldn't keep going down this unsuitable path.
"What else do you want to learn? What makes you think that?"
Cen Yan countered with a question.
Zhuang Dongqing didn't hide anything from him, saying frankly, "When you were locked up in the palace, I felt incredibly useless. Sometimes I wondered if it would be better if I learned something, had something of my own to do..."
"Even if it's not useful, at least it'll distract you?"
Cen Yan thought about it carefully for a moment, then slowly said, "I see you know some medical principles. After you give birth, would you like to learn some related skills from Master Zhao?"
Zhuang Dongqing hadn't thought of that.
"Is it okay? Will Mr. Zhao find me unsuitable? You know me, I learn slowly."
Cen Yan replied decisively, "No problem. If you learn slowly, take your time. Master Zhao's apprentices have also made some progress. They can be enough to guide you in the early stages. Besides, Master Zhao is obsessed with medicine. You can often offer some different opinions, which he will definitely appreciate."
Oh, his knowledge of modern medicine.
Zhuang Dongqing nodded.
I think it's okay.
Giving these common-sense tips to Master Zhao would be helpful if they could be of some assistance.
Zhuang Dongqing had also heard about Li Yang's request for imperial decree, and when he asked Cen Yan, Cen Yan did not hide anything from him and told him frankly.
"You've fallen for that chair, haven't you?"
"It's not his fault. His past experiences do...change people's perspectives."
“When we were in the palace, I noticed that he was much more composed. He originally wanted to ambush me, but when he saw the third brother coming, he secretly hid. He wouldn’t come out unless I called out. He’s quite good at keeping his composure now.”
Zhuang Dongqing: "What does he want with you?"
Cen Yan: "I forgot. I only remember that it was a rather outrageous thing to hear. I refused, but he was very suitable to accompany me on the salt inspection. Anyway, it just so happened that he wanted to make achievements and accomplish something. As for me, the Dingxi Prince's Mansion is so prestigious that I dare not take credit. If I were to go on the salt inspection, I would definitely have to find someone to take credit and take responsibility."
The only person in the entire court more valuable than Cen Yan must be of royal blood.
Therefore, Li Yang is just right.
"Anyway, when I asked him if he was willing, he only said he would think about it. Now it seems that he has thought it through quite clearly."
Zhuang Dongqing hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Cen Yan noticed his expression. "What's wrong?"
Zhuang Dongqing lowered his eyes for a moment, then whispered, "What do you think of Li Yang?"
In which aspect?
"Just... sit in that chair..."
Cen Yan remained silent.
After speaking, Zhuang Dongqing was also uneasy, "If it's hard to answer, just pretend..."
Will he?
Cen Yan countered with a question.
That's beyond the scope of the curriculum.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing avoided Cen Yan's gaze and cautiously said, "I think there's a high probability?"
With a blink, Cen Yan understood something.
He then answered Zhuang Dongqing's first question, saying, "I think I still need more experience."
"But if you're talking about personality, then it's quite suitable."
Cen Yan: "Although His Majesty may not be the founding emperor, he has almost unified the country from the chaos of those years. He is strict and has great skill in governing."
"From this perspective, the next monarch only needs to maintain the status quo. From this point of view, he is more suitable than the third and fourth princes."
"The third son resembles His Majesty, but he hasn't learned many of His Majesty's good qualities from his youth. Instead, he has learned all the bad qualities, and even surpassed them."
"The fourth prince is too stubborn, a bit like a deposed crown prince. As for how different they are, we'll have to wait and see."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Oh."
Cen Yan realized something, "What, was my analysis wrong?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "That's not what I meant. Actually... what I wanted to say was..."
Cen Yan gestured for Zhuang Dongqing to continue.
Zhuang Dongqing then whispered, "I don't think Li Yang is that lucky. When you're inspecting the salt, just let him handle his affairs. Leave everything you can to him, and you'll have an easier time."
Cen Yan paused for a moment, then looked at Zhuang Dongqing with a smile in his eyes.
Seeing that Zhuang Dongqing looked a little strange, he took Zhuang Dongqing's hand and held it.
"Oh, I misunderstood. Young Master was worried about me."
"It's my fault, I thought they were really talking about Li Yang."
"..."
Zhuang Dongqing and Cen Yan looked at each other for a moment, then nodded shamelessly, "Yes, we care about you!"
"So remember this: if Li Yang has any problems, you should let him handle them himself if he can. He's here to train with you, not just to train you."
Zhuang Dongqing had personally experienced Li Yang's luck, and even though she knew Cen Yan was joking, she still had to remind him again.
The genuine concern in his eyes made Cen Yan gaze at him quietly for a while before giving a faint smile.
"What's wrong?"
No sooner had she finished speaking than Zhuang Dongqing was embraced.
Cen Yan rubbed his chin against her forehead and said, "It's nothing, I just feel really good."
"That's great, I have our young master to worry about!"
"It's a blessing that others don't have."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
He thought to himself, what kind of blessing is this? He's... no one important person.
In action, she simply reached out and hugged Cen Yan back, shamelessly replying with a "Mmm".
*
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and on the day the imperial edict was issued, Zhuang Dongqing was already five and a half months pregnant.
If things proceed as planned, Cen Yan will have to stay in the capital for a while before taking up his post. Not to mention, all the personal guards from the Prince's residence that Cen Yan brought with him will have to go with them. It will also take some time to communicate with the military camp and integrate the personal guards.
After several discussions with his subordinates, Cen Yan finally decided to let Zhuang Dongqing go with the luggage first.
Traveling by water is fast and less strenuous.
Liu Cenyan stayed in the capital to handle the remaining matters according to regulations, and then he and Li Yang would take their time to get things done. This way, Zhuang Dongqing wouldn't suffer, and she would have time to adapt to the climate and water of Jiangnan before giving birth, so that everything wouldn't be rushed and she wouldn't be able to take care of everything at once.
Knowing it was the best decision, Zhuang Dongqing was still a little reluctant.
I can't bear to part with Cen Yan.
In reality, the two of them had only been together for about four months.
Perhaps it was because she ate too well at the Prince's mansion, or perhaps it was because she was living too comfortably, but thinking that she might not see him for a month or two, Zhuang Dongqing felt a little lost.
But he also knew that Cen Yan's transfer to another region was entirely due to his own actions, and he couldn't be ungrateful.
Is it really possible?
The night before departure, Dongxi Liuqi and Liufu had packed everything. Zhuang Dongqing only needed to go with them the next day. Before going to bed, Cen Yan asked Zhuang Dongqing again.
“Yes, it’s fine.” Zhuang Dongqing answered confidently. “Liu Qi will come with me, as will Master Zhao, and there are so many guards. Everything will be alright.”
Cen Yan: "What if we're halfway there..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "I know. If you feel unwell halfway through, don't push yourself. Let the boat dock and rest."
Cen Yan has said it many times.
Cen Yan touched Zhuang Dongqing's face, realizing that Zhuang Dongqing already knew these instructions by heart, so he stopped repeating them.
Suddenly, she asked, "Will the young master miss me after being separated for so long?"
"..."
Zhuang Dongqing said jokingly, "When I'm happy, I think of you."
Cen Yan laughed, pinched Zhuang Dongqing's cheek, and said with a smile, "Okay, it's good that you're carefree. Go to sleep."
Zhuang Dongqing actually wanted to say that wasn't the case, but she had someone with her on her side. She was still a bit emotional, but Cen Yan's interruption and coaxing made her sleepy all of a sudden.
When I opened my eyes again, it was already the morning of the next day.
When he got up, Cen Yan was nowhere to be seen. He said he was checking on the accompanying guards one by one, so that if any of them had any problems in the past few days, they could be replaced before departure.
Knowing it was all for his sake, Zhuang Dongqing couldn't bring herself to say she wanted to see Cen Yan again.
By enduring this, they reached the carriage.
Cen Yan did not use a carriage today, but rode a horse out of the capital. After confirming that the journey was safe and sound, he then rode with Zhuang Dongqing.
After talking for a while, they arrived at the riverbank.
The ship had already docked at the shore. It was a large ship for comfort, and to cover for Zhuang Dongqing, it carried a lot of things, from furniture and ornaments to clothing and accessories. More than twenty boxes of various sizes were taken out. Zhuang Dongqing didn't understand, but looking at them, she felt that the excuse of sending luggage first was already very convincing.
With people coming and going at the ferry, it wasn't appropriate to be too intimate. After holding hands and exchanging a few words, Cen Yan let Zhuang Dongqing board the boat.
Halfway there, he turned around and saw Cen Yan waving at him, telling him to hurry up.
Once they were actually on the ship, as Zhuang Dongqing watched Cen Yan and the others grow smaller and smaller and farther away on horseback, she suddenly rested her chin on the railing.
An indescribable sense of loss.
At once……
I guess I just can't bear to part with it.
Before leaving, Zhuang Dongqing ignored Cen Yan's teasing, but now that they were separated, she missed him.
I should have gone to bed later last night. Sigh, I had planned to talk to Cen Yan a little longer, but as soon as I told him to rest, my eyelids started drooping and wouldn't cooperate.
Zhuang Dongqing felt suffocated.
Liu Qi called from behind, saying that it was windy outside and that Zhuang Dongqing should come into the cabin.
The rooms on the ship had been prepared well in advance. Zhuang Dongqing had seen them and found them to be no different from those in the Prince's Mansion, all with great care.
"Wait a little longer, I need to get some fresh air."
As she said this, Zhuang Dongqing's eyes were still fixed on the direction of the port. Even though Cen Yan and his group had disappeared from sight, there was still a blurry little figure. It wouldn't be too late to get on the ship after they were completely out of sight.
Liu Qi sighed inwardly and called out again, "Young Master, please come back. The Prince has something for me to give you."
"?"
Zhuang Dongqing went back.
I received... a letter.
Judging from the ink marks, it wasn't written this morning, nor does it look like it was written yesterday; it must have been written a few days ago.
Liu Qi: "There are more than twenty letters in total. I should be able to finish reading them by the time I disembark."
Zhuang Dongqing looked on in surprise, craning her neck: "What about the others?"
Liu Qi: "My master instructed me to send the young master one letter a day, so I'll have to go tomorrow for tomorrow's."
"..."
"……oh."
Their eyes met, and after a long silence, Zhuang Dongqing couldn't help but say, "Well, Manager Liu, you must be busy, so I won't keep you any longer... I'll stay inside and not go out."
Liu Qi understood, smiled, bowed, and left.
As soon as the door closed, Zhuang Dongqing picked up the letter.
What is it now?
He muttered to himself, but his hands didn't hesitate; he immediately took it apart.
[To my beloved,]
First line.
He glanced at it; it was all in plain language, without any literary phrasing or obscure characters he couldn't understand. Zhuang Dongqing read the letter.
The sun is shining brightly today, and the young master has come to the study to practice calligraphy again. The documents have been completed, and with nothing else to do, this thought suddenly came to mind, so I picked up my pen.
Then came the date, and Zhuang Dongqing realized it was before the incident on the Emperor's birthday.
Did you write this letter so early?
[Feeling stifled in the capital, and seeing that the young master's pregnancy is becoming more apparent, he needs more space to move around. After much deliberation, it seems risky to give birth in the capital, so we have recently been planning to leave the capital.]
But it's not an easy task after all, and we don't want the young master to have his hopes dashed before it's all over.
If I receive this letter, it probably means things have worked out.
[But it's almost May now, and Master Zhao says we need to settle down by July. Even if things go smoothly, the young master and I will still be separated for a while, each on our own journeys.]
As I pick up my pen, I look up and see you not far from me, struggling with a character that's complicated and difficult to write. You're even having a mental battle with yourself.
Were you always like this? You seem a bit stubborn.
[Qingqing, do you know how seriously you practice your calligraphy, stroke by stroke? You look just like the little students in the academy, so serious, sitting upright, every stroke as if you're dealing with something important. It's so adorable!]
[You were very focused; Luk Fook just placed a plate of tea and snacks next to you, but you didn't even notice.]
Hmm, I won't remind you. Let's see when you figure it out.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
By the time you read this letter, you'll probably no longer be by my side.
Will the young master miss me?
I hope not.
They shouldn't be separated for long.
What was the young master doing when he saw this letter? Was he also writing?
What should I do?
[I was just thinking about parting ways.]
My love, I'm already missing you a little.
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