In the evening, I was trying to figure out how to explain things to Xie Yuancheng. Li Zhaole already knew that we had gotten along well, so I told her directly that I needed to see Xie Yuancheng. Before, she would always give me the cold shoulder, but now she even assured me that she would keep watch for me.
"Yuan Cheng." He really wasn't paying attention to me anymore. I had only one last resort: sacrificing my virtue. Father instructed General Yan to prepare, and he would accompany the escort, leaving at 11:45 AM. He took Li Zhaole by a side path, and by the time the Crown Prince discovered them in the afternoon, they were already some distance away.
I took off all my clothes and put my bare hands inside his clothes.
Xie Yuancheng finally turned around and pulled me into his arms fiercely. I tried my best to please him, keeping my voice down, afraid of reopening his wounds or letting the news leak out. After the storm, he finally gave me a kind look.
"Ying'er, you're now both a father and a mother to me. How can I go back to Linyang in peace?"
I leaned close to him and whispered in his ear what we had said by the river that afternoon, as well as what Li Zhaole had told me.
Even Xie Yuancheng was at a loss for words, and he even asked, like an idiot, "Is all of this real?"
"Of course it's true, otherwise why would you think I have an extra 'child'? The Crown Prince really set a trap. This time I've finally made amends for my guilt towards Li Zhaole. When Father told me about it, I was so worried about my sister. It's good that she's back."
"Then you're not worried about me and Yu'er anymore? He's still waiting for you to come back."
Xie Yuancheng got angry again, so I kissed his eyebrows and eyes gently.
“My dear Chengcheng, don’t be angry. I miss Yu’er too. When you get back, give him a big hug, as if I hugged him too.”
"Ying'er, you don't know anything, it's no use going back."
He actually looks down on me! Don't forget, I gave birth to your son!
"Hmph, I'm leaving with Father in an hour, and you still can't say a nice thing to me. I was just thinking of you, and you don't care about me at all. Honestly, you change after getting married. You used to be so... um."
He kissed her carefully a few times before speaking: "Then be careful on your journey, don't get kidnapped. I'll have Anshi go back with you. General Yan will be on the way. He's brave but not resourceful, though loyal. But my wife's journey is dangerous, and without someone close by her side, I don't even want to sleep."
I panicked at his first sentence, but then I was moved by his next words: "No."
"Then you're not leaving. We're just the way we are now, and I don't mind if everyone comes to watch."
"Okay, I promise you, don't overthink it."
"She hit you really hard back then, I never thought she was really your mother-in-law."
“What real mother-in-law? She, she.”
"I'll discuss this with you when I get back to the capital. Don't go to the East Palace or the Empress unless you have to. Write to the Prime Minister's residence every five days, and they'll know how to deliver it to me. Or, let Anshi be your bodyguard. Zhang Mama and Anxiang are, after all, young women, and Lin Chao isn't here. Your martial arts are also weak, so how can you withstand all the demons in the palace?"
"Don't look down on me. I'm perfectly capable."
"He doesn't even know the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Empress, but he's very capable when he's with me."
"You." Xie Yuancheng stopped my hand and hugged me tightly: "If I could, I wouldn't let you go, but many innocent people have died because of me, and I have to."
"I know, you go do your work, I'll watch over you, uh, watch over my sister."
"Forget it, it's more like your older sister is the one protecting you."
I started to feel frustrated too. What was wrong with me that made him so worried?
While I wasn't paying attention, he started groping me again. By the time I woke up, I was already in the car.
"father!"
"It's good that you're awake. The princess is already asleep. I'll take you to her carriage in a bit."
"There are two carriages?"
"The Crown Prince has many informants, more than just two."
"Don't worry, Madam. The Marquis has his tutor and Commander Ji by his side. He will be very safe."
I nodded. Xie Yuancheng doesn't know how to restrain himself, and I was worried about his wound.
"Ying'er, this is the black iron sword I always carry with me. Although it is small, it will not hurt you if anyone gets close."
"Father, how can I accept this? Please put it away."
He is going to war. Although Dongqin has withdrawn its troops, they might provoke him again someday.
"When I was little, I told you to practice swordsmanship properly, but all you did was play. Now there are dangers everywhere. How can I feel at ease if you don't have it with you?"
Okay, I'll take it.
"Dad, I brought it with me, so don't worry."
I was still very sleepy, but the carriage stopped at that moment.
"General, there are people on the mountain."
My father and Meng Anshi hurriedly drew their swords, and I gripped my short sword tightly as well.
After a commotion outside, a girl's voice rang out.
"General Ji."
"General, it is Miss Lingwu."
Why would she come?
"Please come in."
After Ling Wu entered, the carriage became crowded.
"This humble woman, Lingwu, greets General Ji!"
"No need for such formalities, young lady."
“The road ahead is blocked. I’ll have the princess’s carriage wait at the back of the mountain. We’ll go around to avoid those people, and then leave the carriage behind.”
"Thank you for saving me, young lady."
"I'm only doing this because of my senior brother. It's a good thing I didn't go back, otherwise you probably wouldn't be able to get out tonight."
Meng Anshi blushed when he saw Lingwu. I sighed inwardly, thinking that Brother Anshi actually had someone he liked, and someone he was engaged to.
"You seem to be in good spirits, but the journey will be dangerous. However, I will stay hidden until you arrive in the capital safely, and then I will leave once someone is there to meet me."
"Thanks."
I can't think of any other topics, only this one.
"We've met a few times already, so don't be so polite."
The horse was suddenly startled, and Ling Wu's expression changed; she looked like a demon.
"General Ji, you and your sister-in-law stay in the car and don't go out. I'll go and distract them."
There were many footsteps outside, and after Lingwu jumped out of the window, the sound of weapons clashing rang out.
Meng Anshi gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. I wanted to ask him to go out and help, but Xie Yuancheng should have already made arrangements. I'll wait and see.
The carriage curtain was ripped open, and the soldier driving the carriage whispered something in his father's ear, which made him furious: "That beast!"
"Father, what's wrong?"
"He set fire to the Princess's residence and, moreover, humiliated her."
I covered my mouth. The princess was his aunt, and she had done so much for him. How could he do this?
“Madam, this has always been the way of the royal family. For the throne, there are those who would kill their fathers and mothers. The Marquis is the legitimate son of the Ninth Prince, and the Crown Prince sees him as a thorn in his side.”
"He is truly unworthy of being the crown prince."
"Drive quickly and take another detour."
Ling Wu jumped in, and the soldiers hurriedly went out to continue driving the carriage.
"General, the Crown Prince has already laid an ambush. You and the soldiers in front should disembark at the ferry. There are people waiting there. Follow them onto the boat, and then detour back to camp via Lijia Village."
"Thank you so much, young lady."
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