The Emperor's journey to Rehe was scheduled for the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which happened to be Li Chenjiao's birthday.
The time was a bit rushed. Three days was enough for Li Chenjiao to pack, but it was quite rushed for the six ministries and the ministers who would be accompanying her.
Not to mention the ministers who were accompanying him, even the Fourth Prince was extremely busy these past two days. He couldn't even go back to the front courtyard until late at night, let alone the back courtyard.
Because of its connection with the Rehe Imperial Palace, the Ministry of Revenue was particularly worried about any issues at the palace. However, given the long distance, they could only conduct repeated inspections.
The day before his departure, the Fourth Prince went to the main courtyard once to give some instructions, and then fell asleep exhausted.
The next morning, the Fourth Prince went to the palace first. Li Chenjiao had already packed her luggage and got up before dawn without disturbing the Second Princess.
The Second Princess and the Fourth Prince both stayed this time.
After Li Chenjiao had eaten some milk cakes and biscuits to fill her stomach, she was also given some dried fruit and her water pouch was filled with clean water.
When it was almost time, she went to check on the Second Princess and the Fourth Prince. The two little ones were sleeping very well. She tiptoed out, but couldn't help but sigh.
Madam Chen also withdrew, still holding the little pony that the Second Princess loved most: "The Second Princess said she was afraid you would miss her, so she told you to take this little pony with you, and if you miss her, you can play with it..."
Li Chenjiao sighed and took it, but couldn't help but tear up: "This child... I've always trusted her. Don't let Aman bring the cricket into the room, and don't let her bully Dongli... It's hot, so don't let the children get too hot. Please also take care of the girls."
She held the little horse, which was sewn into an adorable shape, and Li Chenjiao burst into laughter through her tears.
When the time came, they still had to set off. This time, Li Chenjiao only brought Qiuhu, Lvmei, Lvzhu, and a small path.
Li Chenjiao had her own carriage, which was just the right size for her and her three maids. Xiao Luzi sat with the coachman outside.
Bai Jia and Niu Hulu rode in the same carriage. Each of them brought a maid, Danqing and Huiyun, and a eunuch, who acted as the coachmen.
The Fujin (Prince Consort) didn't show up at all today. The necessary advice had already been given, and she was too lazy to reprimand Li Shi again. The real reason was that the Second Prince had a severe cough last night, and the Fujin stayed up all night to keep watch over him. She only fell asleep a little while later when everyone was preparing to set off.
This was naturally the best thing for Li Chenjiao and the others. However, Wu Shi, Song Shi and others still came to see them off. After exchanging some pleasantries, Li Chenjiao took the lead and walked outside to prepare to leave.
Li Chenjiao's carriage was larger, and it wasn't too hot yet as the sun hadn't come out.
An ice basin had been placed in the carriage beforehand, and Li Chenjiao sighed as soon as she got in, feeling refreshed all over.
This is the only time we can use ice. Once we set off, whether we can use ice or not will depend on fate.
Before the sun had even risen, the princes and the civil and military officials who would be accompanying them outside the Forbidden City were already prepared. Guards from the Upper Three Banners escorted them on tall horses, followed by an endless line of carriages with embroidered wheels belonging to the concubines and their families.
Li Chenjiao's carriage was among them. Their carriages were marked so that if the Fourth Master wanted to return halfway, it would be easy to find them. The Fourth Master's carriage was in front, but it was empty at the moment.
Li Chenjiao didn't even have the energy to lift the carriage curtain; it was too hot.
Before noon, the sun shone through the carriage curtain. Li Chenjiao didn't let the maid fan her; she held a round fan herself, her palms trembling from the heat, and she could barely hold the handle. She sighed and didn't even ask when they would set off.
It must be noon by now.
"Do Bai Jia and the others have ice?"
Qiu Hu shook his head: "The ice here was specially ordered by the master. It was taken from the master's place. Eunuch Su said that if you don't have enough, he will send the coachman to get some more."
If the Fourth Prince truly cares about something, he won't treat it harshly; but if something isn't on his mind, he naturally won't think about it at all.
Li Chenjiao wiped her sweat with a handkerchief and used her other hand to fan herself: "Let's send some ice over, this ice is only so-so..."
Qiu Hu accepted the order without hesitation and went straight to the destination.
For Li Chenjiao, placing an ice basin in the carriage would indeed make it cooler, but the sun outside was too strong, and she just hoped to set off as soon as possible.
Qiu Hu returned quickly, saying that Princess Niohuru had asked her to bring back some mint water, which she had prepared in advance.
Li Chenjiao straightened up, quite pleased; drinking some mint water was indeed very comforting.
To be fair, Princess Niohuru does have some... culinary skills, judging from her loquat syrup last time and her mint water this time.
Li Chenjiao had indeed forgotten to ask for some mint water. After taking a sip, she realized that it had been brewed in Jingli Town beforehand, and it tasted refreshingly cool.
Li Chenjiao left some for the maids to drink as well. She had already told him to find a shady spot to rest on the path outside, and he was probably talking to someone else right now.
Before noon, the imperial procession finally set off. The Fourth Prince returned to the carriage, as the day was unbearably hot, and even the guards in blue robes outside looked hot.
Xiao Luzi quickly ran back: "At this moment, Consort Li Jia from Yuqing Palace is also accompanying us. There are two princesses from the Prince Zhi's residence, but they are both unfamiliar faces. I heard that they were selected to enter the residence this year."
The thirteenth and fourteenth princes were not yet married, so naturally no female relatives accompanied them.
Since Third Master and Fifth Master weren't around this time, and neither were Lady Zhaojia, Lady Cao, or Lady Guarjia, Li Chenjiao and Lady Lijia probably wouldn't have many opportunities to talk. She should be careful.
Li Chenjiao waved her fan, feeling the bumps of the carriage, before asking when they would arrive.
"If we leave from Dongzhimen now, it will take four days on horseback. But if we take the separate official road from Beijing to the Rehe Imperial Palace, it will take about half a month by carriage, with rest stops along the way, making it about twenty days..."
There were still some small palaces along the way for resting. Li Chenjiao knew what to do. She waved her fan and said, "Alright, I'll take a nap. I had a good breakfast. You can eat whatever you want for lunch. Save what you can."
She planned to just sleep through the rest of the journey.
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