On the first day of the eighth month of the 43rd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Kangxi, accompanied by several adult princes, embarked on an inspection tour along the Yellow River. Their first stop was Shandong, the closest point to Beijing. They then traveled westward, reaching Henan as their second stop, before continuing northwest to Yulin in Shaanxi, and finally returning east to Beijing. This entire route consisted of dry land, and to conserve their strength, Kangxi had ordered local officials in various provinces to prepare fine horses for replacement as needed.
Lanqin got up early, and she had four boxes of various sizes with her, which she had packed several days ago. The Fourth Prince had sent someone to tell her that they would depart at 9:00 AM, and that she and Yanyu should get into the carriage waiting at the gate at that time and wait. The Fourth Prince himself got up at 3:00 AM and went to the palace.
"Nianxue, did you bring my big cushion and the special sauce that Master Niu gave me?" Lanqin got dressed early in the morning, just waiting to set off at 9:00 AM.
“I’ve brought everything, everything you asked me to bring. Princess, with all this stuff, plus the four of us and you, it will probably take three carriages to get here,” Nianxue said.
"You don't need to worry about that. Master should have prepared it for us." Lanqin looked at her four large trunks, which were filled with things she thought she needed to bring.
"I've never been this far before in my life," Xicha couldn't help but say. She had been excited for days ever since she learned that she was going out with Lanqin.
"Indeed, this servant has never been to such a far place. It is truly a blessing for this servant to be able to go out with the princess this time!" Li Shubao handed Fu Bao over to Niu Baoquan to take care of, and at this moment he had already changed his clothes and was waiting at the door of the main room.
Huanbi's initial anger upon learning that Lanqin wouldn't take her out this time has now turned into calmness. It's unclear whether she's truly no longer resentful, but Nianxue observes that she's indeed much more well-behaved than before.
The master and servants waited and watched the sun rise outside. Perhaps they had been confined in the inner quarters for too long, and they were all eager to get out. Even though they knew that the days to come would not be very comfortable, they were still full of hope. Moreover, they were going to travel with the emperor. The young maids were so excited that they could not sit still.
At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), a young eunuch from the front courtyard came to help move the boxes. Lanqin, supported by Nianxue, walked out. When she reached the courtyard, she saw Huanbi and Niu Baoquan standing at the gatehouse. Feeling a little guilty, she said to them, "This time, I'll leave you two here to watch over our courtyard."
Huanbi choked up as she said, "Princess, please take care of yourself on your journey. This servant will pray for you day and night in the manor!"
Old Niu wasn't good with words, but he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "If the princess doesn't eat well outside, she can have some of the dried meat and sauce that I gave her to eat with her. It tastes pretty good."
Granny Wang was more concise than the two of them, simply curtsying and saying, "This old servant wishes the Princess a safe return!"
After saying goodbye to the few people who stayed behind, Lanqin and her group walked in a grand procession toward the main gate of the front courtyard. Just as they stepped out of the east side path, they saw Yan Yu leading several maids and a few eunuchs carrying boxes also coming out from the west side path.
Wang Pangzi, standing at the main gate, saw both princesses arrive and was unsure which one to greet. Although Lady Niu seemed to be more favored at the moment, Princess Yanyu was the younger sister of the Fujin (the fourth prince's wife) and a new concubine of the fourth prince. He hadn't yet figured things out and dared not offend either of them. So, he stood at the main gate and said to both of them at the same time, "Princesses, the carriages are ready at the gate. Please get in and wait. His Majesty said that the imperial carriage may pass by at any time, so please be prepared."
Lanqin nodded and was about to speak when Yanyu spoke first, saying, "Thank you, Steward Wang." After saying that, she and Lanqin walked out of the gate first and saw about ten carriages waiting at the Fourth Prince's gate.
Lanqin walked past Steward Wang and said to him, "Thank you for your trouble. Is there anything else you need, Fourth Master?"
Steward Wang glanced at Yan Yu's retreating figure before whispering to Lan Qin, "The master specially prepared that chestnut horse for the princess, and he said that you should ride in that carriage."
Lanqin was only asking politely, but it turned out there was something to it. She wondered why Fourth Master hadn't told her beforehand and had just entrusted it to Steward Wang. If she hadn't asked, wouldn't she have never known? Actually, Lanqin was overthinking it. Even if she hadn't asked, Steward Wang would have found a way to tell her.
As the two exchanged pleasantries, Fatty Wang glanced at Yan Yu outside and noticed that she had chosen the chestnut horse without hesitation.
Wang Pangzi panicked and looked to Lanqin for help. If Fourth Master found out that he had specially arranged for Yan Yu to ride on Lanqin's horse, he would definitely blame him. Wang Pangzi had finally gotten the task from Fourth Master, but now he hadn't completed it and would be punished. His face immediately fell to his chin.
Because the Fourth Prince had hinted to him that it would be best not to let Princess Yan Yu know about this, but now Princess Yan Yu herself had chosen that horse first, what was he supposed to do?
Lanqin suddenly exclaimed, "Steward Wang, what kind of horse do you think is best? White, black, or chestnut?"
Wang Pangzi didn't understand what she meant. While he was thinking about the question Lanqin had raised, he suddenly realized that Lanqin was winking at him. In a flash, he understood Lanqin's intention.
"I've heard that this black steed is a gift from Mongolia. It can run sixty li a day and is the best horse. Princess, which one would you like to ride? I'll bring it to you," Fatty Wang said loudly.
Sure enough, Yan Yu, who was about to walk towards the chestnut horse, stopped in her tracks upon hearing these words.
Lanqin caught a glimpse of her movement out of the corner of her eye, and felt a surge of joy. She smiled and said to Fatty Wang, "Then I'll have to trouble Steward Wang."
As Fatty Wang descended the steps and approached one of the glossy black horses, Yan Yu spoke up, "I think this horse is quite nice; please help me up."
"This!" Fatty Wang hesitated deliberately, glancing at Lan Qin and then at Yan Yu, remaining noncommittal.
"Since Princess Yan Yu has taken a liking to it, you should help her upstairs. I can choose another one later," Lan Qin said, knowing when to stop.
"Thank you so much, sister. I'll accept your offer then." Yan Yu glanced triumphantly at Lan Qin, then took Wang Pangzi's arm and got into the carriage. Yun Yuan followed her inside. Chun Tao and Zhui'er got into a white carriage behind the black horse. Then there were Yan Yu's luggage, a total of six large suitcases, two more than Lan Qin's, which filled almost two carriages.
Fortunately, thanks to Fatty Wang's arrangement, Lanqin and Nianxue ended up riding in the maroon carriage, while the others boarded the carriage behind.
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