Chapter 63063 Inspection of the Fiefdom
Chapter 63
Soon, Eunuch Song came over, following Mu Feng. He stepped forward and saluted, "This old servant greets His Highness, Young Highness, and Miss Meng."
Qi Jingyan raised his hand slightly: "Eunuch Song, please stand up."
Yi'er also raised her little hand, "Please stand up."
Eunuch Song thanked him and stood up. Meng Yuning smiled at him in response.
Qi Jingyan: "I heard that Eunuch Song is leaving today?"
Eunuch Song bowed and replied, "Your Highness, I had originally wanted to stay a few days longer, but Eunuch Ma suddenly fell seriously ill and urgently needed to return to the capital for treatment. Lingnan is far from the capital, with its high mountains and vast waters, and I was truly concerned about him traveling alone while ill, so we decided to leave together today."
This was a very high-sounding statement. If everyone didn't know what Eunuch Song's position was, they would probably believe that he was genuinely thinking about Eunuch Ma.
Qi Jingyan nodded slightly and asked, "I wonder what illness Eunuch Ma is suffering from?"
Eunuch Song was about to speak when he suddenly saw the young prince blinking his big, clear eyes and looking at him curiously. Miss Meng beside him was also listening to him with a slight smile. The words that were on the tip of his tongue turned around and he swallowed them back.
He considered it carefully before saying, "Eunuch Ma had just arrived in Canghai County, and after finishing his work, he wanted to travel around. A few days ago, he accidentally stumbled into Zuihualou and met a few girls. Since then, he has often gone there to drink and listen to music."
"For some unknown reason, he suddenly developed a festering wound on his body, and even several doctors were unable to treat him. Eunuch Ma was extremely anxious, and he only hoped to return to the capital for treatment as soon as possible."
Meng Yuning understood immediately after hearing this. Eunuch Ma must have contracted some illness at Zuihualou. She just didn't know what a eunuch like him could do there.
Everyone present was smart. They understood what was going on as soon as they heard it, and they also guessed that Eunuch Song must have done something behind this.
Qi Jingyan didn't ask any more questions: "Since Eunuch Ma is seriously ill, Eunuch Song should take care of himself and stay away from him."
Eunuch Song bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I understand what is going on."
Qi Jingyan nodded and told Mu Yun, "Go and get the letter."
Mu Yun agreed, left quickly, and soon came back with a letter, which he handed to Qi Jingyan.
Qi Jingyan held the letter in his hand for a moment in silence before handing it to Eunuch Song: "Please give it to the Empress Dowager for me."
Eunuch Song hurried forward, took it with both hands, and then carefully put it in his arms, saying seriously: "Your Highness, don't worry. This old servant will definitely hand it over to the Empress Dowager personally."
Qi Jingyan nodded and said, "There's nothing wrong with showing this letter. If His Majesty asks, just present it."
Eunuch Song responded respectfully, his lips moving slightly as if he wanted to say something, but he hesitated and swallowed it back, glancing inconspicuously in Meng Yuning's direction.
Meng Yuning was quick to notice. Seeing this, she took Yi'er's hand and smiled calmly, "Your Highness, please chat slowly. I'll go get some dry food and snacks for Eunuch Song for the journey."
Qi Jingyan nodded slightly, with a hint of warmth in his eyes: "Thank you, An Ning."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Song bowed quickly and was about to decline, but then he realized that Miss Meng was giving them room to speak, so he changed his tone and said, "Thank you, Miss Meng, for your consideration."
Meng Yuning smiled faintly and walked towards the kitchen with the bouncing Yi'er. Seeing this, Mu Ying, Mu Li and Mu Jiang, who were waiting not far away, immediately followed quietly.
Eunuch Song watched the figures disappear at the end of the corridor, then took two steps forward and knelt solemnly on the ground: "This old servant dares to say a few presumptuous words..."
Qi Jingyan raised his hand and said, "Stand up and talk."
Eunuch Song did not stand up, but instead crouched even lower: "Your Highness, please allow me to report that Minister Meng sent people to look for Miss Meng. I have heard that this old servant has heard that Minister Meng sent people to look for Miss Meng."
He paused briefly, lowering his voice slightly, "Minister Meng is now highly valued by the Third Prince. Having already betrayed his former master, he will certainly do everything in his power to embarrass Your Highness. I'm afraid he'll send people to harass you again and again in the future."
At this point, Eunuch Song raised his head slightly, his eyes showing a bit of worry: "I have been coming to your house these days, and I see that Miss Meng has a pure character and is indeed a good girl. But in the end..."
He sighed, "Blood ties are hard to break. I can be ruthless and refuse once or twice, but if it happens too often, I'm afraid..."
Qi Jingyan flicked his sleeves, stopping Eunuch Song from finishing his words: "Eunuch Song, you're worrying too much. An Ning won't do that."
The corners of his lips curled up slightly, revealing a determined smile. "Even if Minister Meng came personally, it wouldn't sway An Ning in the slightest."
Although he didn't know the reason, the daily interactions these days made him see clearly that Aning was not just alienated from the Meng family, but clearly felt disgust and rejection from the bottom of her heart.
Especially that night, Aning didn't know what she dreamed about, and she muttered and cursed "Meng Huaifu, that old bastard". Thinking of the gritted teeth when Aning said this, the corners of his lips unconsciously raised a curve.
Eunuch Song took in the smile on Prince Shen's face, lowered his head to hide the worry in his eyes, and said respectfully, "It is I who have spoken too much."
Qi Jingyan's eyes turned slightly, and he tapped his knuckles twice on the sandalwood table: "If the Empress Dowager asks..."
Before he could finish, Eunuch Song bowed and said, "I understand."
Qi Jingyan glanced at him, and Mu Yun immediately understood and stepped forward, steadily helping the kneeling Eunuch Song to his feet.
They talked about the recent situation in the capital. As they were talking, Meng Yuning came back with the jumping Yi'er. Behind them, Mu Ying and the other two were carrying various items, including food boxes and bamboo baskets.
When they got closer, Meng Yuning smiled slightly and said, "Eunuch Song, I didn't know you were leaving today, so I only prepared some snacks and fruits in a hurry."
He pointed to the jar in Mu Li's hand and said, "This jar of pickles was freshly pickled the day before yesterday. It's the perfect appetizer for a meal on the road."
Eunuch Song quickly stood up and bowed deeply: "Young lady, you are so thoughtful, it makes me... I am ashamed to accept it."
Meng Yuning took two steps forward, offering a slight support. "My lord, you have come a long way, and you must have been exhausted by the journey. A small token of your gratitude is truly not enough."
Eunuch Song looked at the graceful girl, sighed softly in his heart, and performed the full ceremony solemnly.
He turned around and walked to Qi Jingyan, lifted the corner of his robe, knelt upright, touched his forehead to the ground in a deep salute, then turned to Xiao Yier and kowtowed meticulously in the same way.
When he looked up again, his expression was moved and his voice was choked with sobs: "This old servant bids farewell. May Your Highness live long and healthy, and may Your Highness be safe and happy."
Having said everything that needed to be said and could be said, Qi Jingyan nodded slightly, his eyes far-reaching: "Go."
Little Yi'er suddenly ran to Eunuch Song with his short legs, his eyes red: "Eunuch Song, tell the Empress Dowager on Yi'er's behalf that Yi'er misses her every day. When Yi'er grows up to this height,
The little boy stood on tiptoe and gestured with his hand to indicate a height: "When Yi'er grows to this height, Yi'er will go back to see the Empress Dowager."
That day, Aning told him that the Empress Dowager was too old to travel and could not come to see him. So when he grew up, he would go back to see her.
Listening to the innocent words of the young prince, Eunuch Song wiped his face with his sleeve, not daring to look up. He just responded repeatedly, then stood up and walked away hurriedly.
Meng Yuning gave Mu Ying a wink, and the group of people carried various items and went to see Eunuch Song off. They accompanied him to the gate and did not turn back until the carriage had gone far away.
Eunuch Song left. Qi Jingyan looked in the direction he left and remained silent for a long time.
Yi'er hugged Aning's legs and looked in that direction without saying a word. His round little face rubbed against her skirt from time to time.
Seeing that the two looked depressed, Meng Yuning suggested, "How about we make something delicious?"
Upon hearing this, Yi'er immediately raised her little face, her previous melancholy swept away, her sparkling eyes filled with anticipation: "A Ning, what delicious food can you make?"
Before Meng Yuning could answer, Qi Jingyan turned around and walked over: "You've been cooking every day these days and you've been very tired. Take a break today and let's go out to eat."
Although Meng Yuning likes to eat her own cooking, it is a unique experience to go out and try some new flavors occasionally. She clapped her hands happily and said with a smile: "That would be great."
Suddenly remembering Qi Jingyan's demoted status, he hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, can we leave the palace at will?"
Qi Jingyan spread his sleeves and said, "No problem. Since Your Majesty has granted Canghai County to me as my fiefdom, it is only natural for me to inspect the fiefdom."
Hearing him say this, Meng Yuning felt relieved and walked back with Yi'er by her hand: "Your Highness, please wait a moment. Yi'er and I will go back to change clothes."
Qi Jingyan was puzzled. She was clearly dressed neatly, so why did she need to change clothes? However, he thought it was better not to ask about a girl's affairs, so he said, "I'll wait for you at the gate."
Meng Yuning replied "I understand" without turning her head, then took Yi'er's hand and walked quickly towards Yanfuju.
Qi Jingyan sat in front of the green-curtained carriage outside the mansion gate. Mu Yun led dozens of guards and stood on both sides, waiting in silence.
After about a cup of tea, two figures emerged from the gate.
Meng Yuning was wearing a light purple wide-sleeved Liuxian dress, with her sleeves fluttering in the wind, looking light and graceful.
Yi'er was wearing a light blue brocade robe with cloud patterns, and a blue headband on her head fluttered in the wind.
Aning walked lightly, Yier jumped up and down, and the two of them walked out of the door happily.
Meng Yuning smiled and said, "Your Highness, we are here."
The new clothes that the two people, one big and one small, were wearing were things he had never seen before. Qi Jingyan was about to say a few words of praise when he saw the two people, one big and one small, pass by him like a gust of wind and get straight into the carriage.
Qi Jingyan: “…”
After a moment's silence, he couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. Just going out, why were these two people so anxious?
"Your Highness?" Meng Yuning poked her pretty face out of the car window, the golden hairpins in her hair swaying gently as she waved. "Come up quickly!"
This was the first time he went out since he came to Canghai County, and he couldn't hide his joy in his eyes and eyebrows.
Yi'er also poked his head out and waved his hands: "Brother, come quickly!"
Qi Jingyan smiled and said yes, and glanced at Mu Yun. Mu Yun stepped forward and helped him onto the carriage. Mu Shan carried the wheelchair and put it on the carriage at the back, and the group set off.
Yi'er clapped her hands and said excitedly, "Let's go shopping."
---
On the official road twenty miles north of Canghai County.
Inside Yu Xiao's carriage, several food boxes and a bamboo basket were neatly placed on the ground.
He lifted the lid of a food box, sniffed the rich aroma of beef jerky, and raised an eyebrow at Cai Yuezhao across from him: "Strange, you're willing to give me so many of these snacks made by your sister An Ning?"
Cai Yuezhao's fingers tightened slightly under her wide sleeves, she lowered her eyes and nodded, her voice calm: "At the next fork in the road, let's say goodbye."
Yu Xiao's face darkened and he put the lid back on the lunch box. "What do you mean?"
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