Chapter 423 Setting Off Home
Three days later, at the west gate of the city.
Three days ago, Shengsheng had already told Xie Yunyang the whole story of Niu Qingru. Although Shengsheng knew that Xie Yunyang already knew a thing or two, bringing Niu Qingru back to the capital meant that he himself was also going to personally announce to the world everything that his mother had done.
Sheng Sheng was worried that he wouldn't be able to get over it in his heart. She had thought of several ways, such as handing Niu Qingru over to the Shen family and asking the Shen family to send someone to escort Niu Qingru alone.
But Xie Yunyang shook his head and said, "Let's take them back to the capital ourselves."
Xie Yun looked relaxed, not at all somber or sad, but rather as if she had breathed a sigh of relief.
This left Sheng Sheng, who had prepared a long list of comforting words, confused.
She knew that Xie Yun-yang would definitely support her in doing what she should do, including exposing Empress Zheng's evil deeds.
Because Xie Yun-yang is a very, very good person. Her Crown Prince brother knows what is evil and what is good, and he would never protect anyone because of blood relations.
However, she thought Xie Yun-yang would at least be sad for a few days.
Until this morning, when she woke up, she was awakened by the fighting between the stone and the little fox next to her. She saw the two little guys fighting from outside to inside, and the sunlight was also chasing into the house from outside. Suddenly, she thought of it.
Perhaps it's because the Crown Prince felt he owed something, and now that he can finally make up for it, he feels relieved.
Or perhaps, he had long since lost all expectations of Empress Zheng.
All that remains is the unchangeable bloodline.
The Shen family knew that the brother and sister were setting off today and originally came to see them off, but they also wanted to leave discreetly.
He did not agree to let anyone see him off.
The group paused briefly at the city gate, simply to wait for Niu Qingru.
Fortunately, Niu Qingru didn't keep them waiting too long and came to meet them with a small package.
Since Sheng Sheng had told Niu Qingru that Xie Yun-yang would also be on the trip that day, Niu Qingru was not surprised to see Xie Yun-yang.
It was fortunate that Sheng Sheng had told her that Xie Yun and Empress Zheng were separated; otherwise, if Niu Qingru had seen the son of the enemy who had killed her family, she would have glared at Xie Yun with eyes that could have pierced a hole.
"Greetings, young master and young lady."
"Hmm." Xie Yun looked at her, hesitated, and finally just told her, "Don't worry, your family will take care of you. Once things in the capital are settled, we'll send someone to bring you back."
Niu Qingru quickly replied, "Thank you!"
After everything was explained, Zijuan led Niu Qingru to the carriage behind, and the group officially embarked on their return journey.
As the last crimson hue of the sunset faded, twilight, like a soft veil, drifted over the distant mountains, casting hazy silhouettes of the vegetation along the way.
The wind, carrying the scent of homecoming, swept across the shimmering lake surface, swirling up the fallen leaves on the shore, and gently drifting along the path they had come from.
Only the soft rustling of the wind through the treetops, accompanied by the night, brings the daylight back.
Since the biggest problem of this trip—the Rejuvenating Grass—had been fully resolved with Shen Jiaqing's full support, the group was quite pleased.
Sheng Sheng also specifically consulted Shen Jiaqing about tuberculosis.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jiaqing immediately knew that Sheng Sheng was asking about Old Master Mo's tuberculosis. He waved his hand and said, "You don't need to worry about that. I will personally go to Song to see Old Master Mo in a while. Old Master Mo and our Jin Kingdom share the same goal: to quell the internal strife in Song as soon as possible and prevent those villains in Song from having any more inappropriate thoughts. Therefore, Old Master Mo is also our ally. How can I ignore the illness of my ally?"
Upon reflection, Sheng Sheng realized that it made a lot of sense.
Since Shen Jiaqing had said he would treat Old Master Mo Wen, he would definitely go. Sheng Sheng was relieved and stopped worrying.
Then came the daily grind of traveling.
Adhering to the principle of "since we're already here," the group thought that since they had come all this way to Jin, it would be a waste not to visit more places.
So, on this part of the journey through the State of Jin, the group deliberately avoided the route they had taken and instead took a new one, visiting several new cities along the way.
They ate, drank, and had fun, and life seemed to have returned to the carefree days when they first set off from the capital.
It wasn't until early spring that they once again set foot on the territory of the State of Song.
I don’t know if it was because of the New Year, but when I came to the border between the Song and Jin states again, I could clearly feel an unusual restlessness.
Because of a last-minute change of route, they did not take the familiar official road they had come from, but instead traveled along a secluded river valley.
After bypassing the valley, you will reach the checkpoint leading into the Song Kingdom.
The reeds on both banks still bore the withered yellow of late winter, rustling in the wind and making the surroundings even quieter. Yet, within this quiet, there was a subtle tension.
The soldiers who were supposed to be on duty at the ferry crossing were nowhere to be seen. Instead, several horseshoes covered in fresh soil were scattered beside the abandoned thatched huts on the shore, their style clearly not belonging to ordinary merchants.
Zhui Feng and Ta Ying both reined in their horses, their fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendants at their waists, their brows furrowing slightly: "Something feels off."
Upon hearing this, Zijuan leaned out and asked Zhuifeng, "Lord Zhuifeng, what's wrong?"
Zhui Feng shook his head: "I don't know if it's just my imagination, but it's too quiet here. But we don't know much about this place either, so we're not sure if it's just our imagination."
“It’s not an illusion.” Niu Qingru lifted the carriage curtain and muttered softly, “Although the situation in the Song Kingdom has become increasingly unstable in recent years, this place is a major trade route between the Song and Jin Kingdoms. Even if the soldiers are rotated, it will never be deserted. At this time of year, the ferry crossing should already be bustling with peddlers and travelers. Why is there not a single person in sight today?”
Ahead, Ta Ying had just finished discussing a plan with Xie Yunyang.
They were unfamiliar with this place, and the current situation was clearly not right. They didn't know what they would encounter if they went any further.
Xie Yun-yang decided to send Lan Yun forward to scout ahead, while the others waited in place.
Just as Lan Yun took his orders and left, Zi Juan's gaze swept over the dense forest at the end of the valley, and her voice deepened: "Look at that forest, the way the treetops are swaying is not right, it doesn't look like the wind is blowing."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a short hoofbeat came from the depths of the dense forest, followed by the crisp sound of metal clashing, breaking the silence of the valley.
Xie Yunyang's heart tightened, and he immediately signaled Zhuifeng and Zhuyue to stay where they were and protect Shengsheng and the others, while he led Taying toward the place where the sound came from.
Xie Yunyang and Ta Ying found a secluded spot to hide. They vaguely glimpsed several figures in black robes flashing through the woods on the other side. The patterns embroidered on the cuffs were the unique insignia of the Song Dynasty's Imperial Guard.
Judging from their posture, they didn't seem to be on patrol; rather, they seemed to be tracking something.
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