Chapter 993 Separation
In reality, it wouldn't take more than three days to prepare, but Shang Ruyi still agreed. During those three days, she spent most of her time staying in Qianqiu Palace, accompanying Yuan Gan at all times. This child usually spends more time in his wet nurse's arms and is more attached to her, but after a few days of closeness, he has now become a sticky little dumpling in Shang Ruyi's arms.
Therefore, on the day of departure, it was hard to shake off some of the people.
The nine-month-old baby didn't understand anything, and couldn't even understand what adults were saying, but he had a keen sense like a small animal. He seemed to have sensed the uneasy atmosphere in the air and the reluctance on Shang Ruyi's face as soon as he woke up in the morning, so he stayed in her arms and when it was time to leave, he grabbed her clothes with his two little hands and refused to let go.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi's eyes also turned red.
She looked down at Yuan Gan, trying to pry his little hands apart while gently stroking his back, and said softly, "Be good, let go."
Yuan Gan turned his head and buried his face in her arms.
Shang Ruyi was both reluctant and amused, and said softly, "You'll get bored if you keep this up."
"..."
"My sweet baby, Mommy will go and bring your father back."
"..."
"Now that we've brought your dad back, we can all be reunited as a family. Okay, okay, let go?"
The child couldn't understand her words to begin with, and sensing the impending separation, he became even more disobedient, clutching her clothes tightly with his little hands and even biting at Shang Ruyi's bodice with his teeth. Seeing him like this, Shang Ruyi sighed and could only give a wink to Tu She'er and Chang Wan. The two stepped forward, gently coaxing the precious little prince while reaching out to gently take his hand and pry his fingers apart one by one.
Finally, at the very moment the last finger loosened, Nurse Feng stepped forward and scooped Xiao Yuangan away from behind, allowing Shang Ruyi to escape. She then turned and walked out.
I had only taken two steps when I heard a loud cry behind me.
"Waaah—"
In an instant, the crying seemed to be an invisible rope that suddenly appeared out of nowhere, tightly binding her heart. Taking just one step forward felt like her heart was being pulled so hard that it felt like it was about to shatter. Shang Ruyi immediately stopped and struggled to turn back.
Just by turning her head to the side, she saw that the little Yuangan in Feng's arms was leaning forward with all his might, stretching out his hands towards her, crying with tears streaming down his face, his little face flushed red.
"Waaah, woo-wah—"
The heart-wrenching cry tore Shang Ruyi's heart apart. For a moment, she was in so much pain that she could hardly take a step. She wished she could turn around and go back to her child's side immediately, hold him tightly in her arms, and never be separated from him for the rest of her life.
Seeing this, Wo Xue, who was standing to the side, also felt somewhat saddened: "Your Highness..."
"...!"
Upon hearing those two words, Shang Ruyi suddenly felt a jolt, as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water and instantly sobered up. The pain in her eyes was still there, but she was now even calmer. She turned around, took a deep breath, and said, "Take good care of him. I will be back soon."
After saying that, he walked out without looking back.
The cries within the Thousand Autumns Palace finally faded away with each heavy step she took as she walked away.
However, the tears of parting did not disappear.
Just as Shang Ruyi was leaving the city, the previously clear sky suddenly became overcast, and then a light rain began to fall.
Originally, her official itinerary for leaving the palace this time was to go to the Qin King's army. Although she had a precedent of fighting in Fufeng, it was naturally not advisable to make a big fuss about it. Moreover, her real purpose was to go to Xiazhou to relieve the crisis. Therefore, Yuwen Yuan did not issue an imperial decree to make it public. Only a few people knew about the Qin King's Princess's trip, and therefore no one came to see her off.
The only ones who came to see her off were Shen Shiyan and his wife, who had escorted Lüxiao to the city gate.
After bidding farewell to Yuan Gan amidst cries and tears, they met again here. Yu Shi's eyes were red, and although she dared not cry out loud, she kept wiping away her tears with her handkerchief. Soon, the handkerchief was completely soaked. Shang Ruyi could only keep comforting her and repeatedly assured her, "Don't worry, Aunt, I will be back soon."
Yu Shi pouted, about to say something, but was interrupted by Shen Shiyan, who coughed lightly, covering his mouth. She knew he was reminding her not to talk nonsense, lest she hurt others even more. So, she suppressed the bitterness in her heart and said in a wronged tone, "Your Highness, please take good care of yourself on the journey. If you encounter danger, run away first. Also, Miss Wo Xue..."
She was not familiar with Wo Xue, and did not even know Wo Xue's background. She only knew that this palace maid had followed Shang Ruyi through life and death several times, so she naturally regarded her as a confidante who was even more reliable than Tu She'er. Therefore, she earnestly instructed her: "You must take good care of the princess."
Wo Xue said, "Don't worry, Madam."
Shen Shiyan finally said, "Alright, stop nagging. If you keep going, the sun will be setting. Do you want the princess to travel in the rain at night?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Yu finally released Shang Ruyi's hand, but tears streamed down her face. She could only bury her head in Shen Shiyan's arm to barely suppress her sobs. Shang Ruyi's eyes were red, but she could only force herself to hold back. She nodded to Shen Shiyan and then turned to get into the carriage.
Soon, escorted by a group of guards leading the way, the group left Chang'an City in the rain.
The carriage had gone quite a distance before Shang Ruyi finally let go of the curtain, because by then she could no longer see Shen Shiyan and his wife standing at the city gate, craning their necks to look at them.
She let out a long sigh.
Upon hearing this sigh, another heavy sigh echoed in the quiet carriage.
Looking up, I saw green silk.
This trip was lightly traveled, so there was only one carriage. Even Wo Xue followed on horseback. The two of them each had a window in the not-so-spacious carriage, so neither of them bothered the other. However, Shang Ruyi clearly saw the displeasure on Lü Xiao's face.
What's wrong with her?
Shang Ruyi remembered that she was very happy to be on this trip. She was also very happy when she was picked up at the city gate. Why did her face look so bad now?
Seemingly sensing Shang Ruyi's gaze, Lüxian turned her head and looked over. When the two met, her expression became even more unpleasant.
After a long pause, she said, "Aren't they the princess's maternal uncle and aunt?"
Shang Ruyi said, "Mm."
Is it really necessary to be so reluctant to part?
"..."
Shang Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly. The feeling that her relationship with her family was being disregarded immediately angered her, but she did not get angry right away. She just raised her chin slightly and looked at Lüxiao.
After a long while, Lüxiao gritted her teeth and turned to look at the window on the other side.
“I was sold when I was six years old.”
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