On the official road from the capital to Jiangnan, the two groups of people maintained a subtle distance as they traveled.
Leading the procession was Shen Wensong's convoy, carrying the congratulatory gifts from the Shen family. The guards, all dressed in black, moved with impeccable order, their discipline evident in the military. Shen Wensong rode a jet-black steed at the head of the procession, his back ramrod straight, his dark attire emphasizing the cold, hard lines of his profile. He stared straight ahead, as if the dazzlingly opulent princess's retinue behind him, adorned with bright yellow tassels, didn't exist at all.
Following behind was the carriage of the Second Princess, Xiao Mingyu. Ignoring her elder sister's advice to "travel light and simply," she insisted on displaying the full princess's entourage. Eight guards in brocade robes led the way, four palace maids accompanied her, and a large carriage with bright yellow curtains, plus two chest-shaped carts full of "gifts," creating a grand procession that attracted the attention of the people along the way.
Xiao Mingyu was currently leaning against the car window, lifting a corner of the curtain, gazing longingly at the tall, straight back of the man in front of her, her little mouth pouting so much it could hang an oil bottle.
"Stop the car! Take a break!" she suddenly commanded.
The large caravan slowly came to a stop. Supported by palace maids, Xiao Mingyu gracefully alighted from the carriage. Today, she had specially donned a delicate pale yellow riding outfit, her hair tied in a neat high ponytail, adorned with a kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin; the tassels swayed gently with her movements, adding to her lively and charming appearance. She took a deep breath, carrying a carefully prepared gilded food box containing several exquisite pastries, and walked with elegant steps towards Shen Wensong's procession ahead.
Seeing that it was a princess, the guards dared not stop her. Xiao Mingyu walked straight to Shen Wensong's horse, raised her bright little face, and said in a sweet and crisp voice, "General Shen! The journey has been long and tiring! I have some snacks brought from the capital. Please have some, General and the guards, to have a little something to tide you over?" She handed the food box forward, her big eyes blinking expectantly.
Shen Wensong reined in his horse, looking down at her. His brow furrowed slightly, and he clasped his hands in a salute, his voice flat and emotionless: "This humble general thanks Your Highness for your kindness. However, I am bound by military duties, and escorting the gifts requires constant vigilance; I dare not slacken my efforts. I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but please retain the refreshments." His refusal was crisp and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation. Having said that, he looked away from her and turned to the guard commander, saying in a deep voice: "Rest here for a moment! Check the carriages and horses; do not delay the journey!"
"Yes!" the guards responded in unison, dismounting to inspect the carriage shafts and horses, drinking water and eating dry rations. Their movements were swift and their eyes were fixed straight ahead, as if the princess and the exquisite food box were nothing more than roadside weeds.
Xiao Mingyu's hand, holding the food box, froze in mid-air. Her smile vanished, her bright face gradually slumped, and her eyes quickly reddened. The guards' deliberately averted gazes felt like countless tiny needles pricking her face. She bit her lower lip, abruptly pulled her hand back, glared fiercely at the cold, hard back that wouldn't even spare her a glance, turned and ran back to her carriage, slamming the door shut with a "bang."
"Princess..." the personal maid called out worriedly.
"Go! Keep up! Don't fall behind!" came Xiao Mingyu's command, his voice thick with a nasal tone but his demeanor strained.
For the rest of the journey, Xiao Mingyu, as if in a fit of pique, never got out of the carriage again. Only at each post station to rest would she send a palace maid "coincidentally" to deliver something to Shen Wensong—sometimes a pot of freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea, sometimes a few refreshing dried fruits, sometimes even a newly published military treatise. But the gifts disappeared without a trace, not even a thank you. Shen Wensong, on the other hand, remained perpetually businesslike and unyielding.
Sitting in the swaying carriage, Xiao Mingyu watched the scenery rushing past the window, her heart a jumble of emotions. Resentment, frustration, and unwillingness... all intertwined and churned within her. She recalled her elder sister's analogy of "boiling a frog in lukewarm water," and felt as if the water hadn't even heated up before the frog was already leaping out! This Shen Wensong! Was he even a man?!
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After a long and arduous journey, they finally arrived at the Prince Jing's residence in Jiangnan. Shen Wensong led the convoy to deliver the congratulatory gifts and arrange for guards to be stationed there. Xiao Mingyu, on the other hand, roused herself and first went to pay her respects to her elder brother and sister-in-law, as well as her sister Yuewei, who had just given birth.
The main courtyard of Prince Jing's residence was warm and inviting. Shen Yuewei leaned against a soft couch, her complexion much better than in recent days, smiling as she watched Kang Kang babbling in his wet nurse's arms. Xiao Chengjing sat to the side, playing with his son using a rattle drum, his usually stern features softened by the warm sunlight.
"Royal brother! Sister Yuewei!" Xiao Mingyu composed herself, put on a smile, and walked in. "Congratulations to Royal brother and sister-in-law on the birth of your son! Kang Kang is so cute!" She leaned over to look at the little guy in the swaddling clothes and praised him sincerely.
"Mingyu's here, please have a seat." Shen Yuewei greeted her with a smile, "You must be tired from your journey, have some hot tea."
Xiao Mingyu sat down and accepted the tea Chunxing offered, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the door. Shen Wensong should be coming to report back after handing over his duties, right?
Sure enough, a moment later, Shen Wensong's clear and steady voice came from outside the door: "This humble general, Shen Wensong, has counted and stored the congratulatory gifts. I have come to report to Your Highness and Your Highness."
"Come in." Xiao Chengjing put down the rattle drum.
Shen Wensong walked in, looking travel-worn, and knelt on one knee to greet the guests: "Your Highness, Your Highness, His Majesty, and my brother and sister-in-law's congratulatory gifts have all been properly arranged. The gift list is here." He presented a list with both hands.
Xiao Chengjing took the document, glanced at it, and nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Wensong. You must be tired from your journey. Go and rest."
"Yes! This subordinate takes his leave!" Shen Wensong stood up decisively, clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around and was about to leave. His eyes were respectful the whole time, and he didn't even glance at Xiao Mingyu sitting to the side.
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