The night passed peacefully, but early the next morning, Li Zhaole saw Wan'er and caused another scene, making veiled accusations. I just stood by and watched with a smile, speaking when I could and keeping quiet when I couldn't. After she vented her anger, she went elsewhere, allowing me to escape and leave with the two girls they had "given" to me.
As soon as I stepped out of the palace gates, I remembered something: my riding skills are terrible! Most men in ancient times traveled on horseback. I haven't been here long, and I've mostly just coasted around at the manor. I'm really not good at riding. What if the horse goes crazy on the way? I'd be in trouble...
I deliberately slowed my pace. Wan'er, after all, was on the side of her young master, so she came over and asked, "Prince Consort, are you feeling unwell?"
I took the opportunity to rub my forehead and said, "I felt a little dizzy when I woke up this morning, and now I feel even dizzier." Before Xiren could catch up, I gave her a wink. Wan'er was clever and quickly understood my intention.
Wan'er hurriedly supported me: "Your Highness, you are not feeling well. Let me help you walk."
Xiren walked beside me, and I could see the worry on her face. But because of her status, she only walked to the side, which was exactly what I wanted. What if she got too close and accidentally touched me? Wouldn't that give her away?
Since I wasn't considered a member of the royal family, but rather a relative of the imperial family, I didn't go out through the main gate, but instead went through the side gate. After taking a short detour, Xie Yuancheng had already arrived when we got there.
Although he was a marquis, his entourage was quite impressive. A group of dashing guards were fully equipped and ready to go; at first glance, it was definitely the most eye-catching team I had seen here so far.
Xie Yuancheng walked a few steps to me and said, "The Prince Consort has arrived. We shall set off immediately." His subordinates brought over a white horse, which looked really handsome. However, the more I looked at it, the more my head throbbed. I pretended to be dizzy and leaned directly on Wan'er's shoulder.
Xie Yuancheng helped me up and asked with concern, "Is the Prince Consort feeling unwell?" I closed my eyes slightly and nodded vigorously in my heart.
Wan'er, looking displeased, said, "My lord, the prince consort has been feeling dizzy since he woke up this morning, and I'm afraid he can't ride a horse now."
Xie Yuancheng spoke a few words to the guards beside him, and then the horse was led away. I finally felt relieved; I figured I could hide for as long as possible.
Xie Yuancheng: "Don't worry, Prince Consort, I've prepared a carriage. Please make do with the carriage for now." I wasn't upset at all; in fact, I wanted to give you a thumbs up.
After getting into the carriage, I leaned against the soft cushions that Wan'er had arranged, covered myself with a brocade quilt, and closed my eyes to rest.
Xi Ren was still young and not a bad person. I heard her whisper to Wan'er, "I saw that the Prince Consort was fine this morning. How could he suddenly fall ill?"
Wan'er said softly, "She probably couldn't sleep well because of what happened last night. This morning, the princess made a fuss for a while again. I heard from Her Majesty that the consort was not in good health when he was in the mansion. I guess all this back and forth made him sick."
It's still very hot. Wan'er is closest to me and is fanning me with a silk fan. I originally intended to lie down for a bit and then get up, but I ended up falling asleep.
When I woke up, it was almost noon, and the convoy had already stopped. Wan'er handed me a cup of tea, and after drinking it, I felt much more awake.
Seeing that Xiren wasn't in the carriage, I was about to thank Wan'er when she pressed my wrist and shook her head. After I sat up straight, Marquis Anle lifted the curtain and came in.
His face was illuminated by the sunlight, making his fair skin appear even more fair and highlighting his striking features.
Xie Yuancheng sat to the side and said, "It was my bad choice of date that caused the prince consort to have to lie in the carriage. I apologize to you here."
The people here are all so good at talking. I could only go along with him and say, "Your Excellency is too kind. It's just that my body is too weak."
Xie Yuancheng: "The weather is fine today. Would you like to ride a horse? The scenery along the way is beautiful."
I shook my head: "My lord, I am still feeling a little unwell and I am afraid of disturbing everyone's enjoyment, so I will not ride forward for the time being."
Fortunately, Xie Yuancheng wasn't a rigid person. He said a few words of greeting and then left. I breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Wan'er, it's a good thing you were here today."
Wan'er: "Young master, don't worry, I will do my best to help you on the way." I nodded with a smile, but I hoped that you and Xiren could stay away from each other. It would be best if a group of robbers came, and I could take advantage of the chaos to escape.
However, the journey was exceptionally smooth. Xiren took some food, and as expected of someone who followed the princess, the dried food she brought was exquisite and delicious.
In the evening, we stopped at a post station. The two girls and I got off the car and took a look. It looked like a small manor. Although it wasn't big, it looked very wealthy.
I was planning to go out for a stroll, but Wan'er stopped me: "My lord, things are different today. Marquis Anle's official rank is far above yours. It would be better to wait and see." This time, Xiren, unusually, was on her side and nodded in agreement with Wan'er's words.
I had no choice but to follow Xie Yuancheng at a distance. After he finished giving instructions to his subordinates, he turned around and said, "Your Highness, this way please."
I mimicked his gestures and walked beside him with a smile. He was half a head taller than me and walked with a swagger, like a gentleman. To keep up, I secretly straightened my back.
This post station was converted from an abandoned old house and was used exclusively by the royal family for rest. When I opened the door to my room, the layout was simple but had everything one could need, like a room in a wealthy family's home.
Xiren loved to cook, so she volunteered to go to the kitchen to prepare some food, and Wan'er and I both agreed.
I had just sat down when Xie Yuancheng arrived again!
Xie Yuancheng said he had something to discuss with me and asked her to leave. Wan'er bowed and waited outside the door.
I saw tea on the table, so I poured two cups. Xie Yuancheng sat opposite me, and I waited to hear what he wanted to discuss. Although I might not understand it, I would try to guess if I could, and if I couldn't, I would wait and see.
Xie Yuancheng took a sip of tea: "Your Highness, how are you feeling these days?"
So that's what it was about: "Lord Lao was worried, but he's fine now."
His eyes were shrewd, and every time I spoke to him, I felt like he might expose me the next second, so I had to pretend to be calm.
Xie Yuancheng: "That's good. I've prepared a gentle and swift horse for the prince consort. Tomorrow we'll be passing through many beautiful places, and riding a horse to enjoy the scenery will be the most pleasant thing." These ancient people didn't have many forms of entertainment, yet they loved riding horses so much. I, on the other hand, don't like it at all.
With a troubled expression, I steeled my resolve. At worst, I'd be ridiculed; after all, it would be Ji Ying who laughed. I called myself Ji Shuang: "My lord, to be honest, my riding skills are not good enough. I'm afraid I'll have failed your kind intentions."
Xie Yuancheng was taken aback: "But I heard that you ride horses and shoot arrows every day at your residence, and you also learn swordsmanship from Guard Lin of Heqing Palace."
I scratched the back of my head: "I just didn't learn my skills well enough at home, so I asked Guard Lin to be my master and learn swordsmanship from him."
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