Chapter 93 Departure
The news that the sixth daughter was going to participate in the autumn hunt quickly spread throughout the Yongqing Marquis's mansion.
Madam Zhao, the eldest wife, couldn't help but sigh to Master Qiu, "This sixth young lady is quite something; it's becoming increasingly difficult to gauge her true abilities."
Master Qiu agreed wholeheartedly and instructed, "Don't worry about it. Father values Sixth Sister highly. She is truly blessed, and it is a good thing for the Earl's family."
Father's only wish was to pass on the title, and he, the eldest son, was the only one who could inherit it. No matter which member of the Earl's family became successful, the eldest son would always be the one to truly benefit.
"Of course I know," Zhao said softly, inwardly grumbling about her youngest daughter, Qiu Fu.
She was the most beautiful among her sisters, the eldest daughter of the main branch, and the old lady's most beloved granddaughter, yet she was overshadowed by a maid brought back from the countryside.
Of course, Madam Zhao wouldn't say anything. Just as the master said, the sixth daughter's success is a blessing for the Earl's mansion, and the eldest branch of the family will continue to benefit from this blessing.
Thinking of this, Zhao curled the corners of her mouth.
Upon hearing this, the second wife, Madam Lan, instructed the steady and reliable nanny to prepare the things that the sixth young lady would need for her trip.
You don't need to worry about clothes, shoes, and socks. But bring some pills to prevent acute illnesses, herbal remedies to repel mosquitoes, and small items like needles and thread. These things may seem insignificant or even unexpected, but they might come in very handy when you're out and about.
Master Qiu's preparations were simple and straightforward: a bag of loose silver and a dagger.
"Use the dagger for self-defense, but don't hurt yourself."
On the day he left, Master Qiu wiped away his tears: "Heng'er, don't run around outside, and stay away from wild animals."
The Earl of Yongqing could not stand his son's behavior and scolded him, "You're a father and you're still crying in front of your children. Aren't you ashamed?"
Master Qiu retorted, "Anyone, no matter how old, will cry. If our Earl's Mansion went too, instead of Heng'er going alone, then we wouldn't have to worry."
Yongqingbo was so angry he almost fell over.
That damn thing, he's good for nothing but getting angry!
Before Yongqing Bo could scold Qiu Sanye, Qiu Heng spoke up: "Then next year, we'll try to bring you along too."
Master Qiu chuckled, "Then I'll be waiting."
Yongqing Earl: ?
He stared intently at Qiu Heng until his granddaughter disappeared through the car door, but he didn't get a chance to ask her to take him along.
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. The Earl of Yongqing kicked Master Qiu: "You unfilial son!"
Master Qiu looked at his father, who had turned and walked away, with disbelief on his face.
Why did my father suddenly go crazy?
At the Prince Kang's residence, preparations for the trip were in full swing.
"Your Highness, Miss Qiu has arrived."
"Let Jiayi take care of her." Princess Consort Kang felt uncomfortable whenever she thought about having to bring Qiuheng with her when they arrived in Dingbei, and letting that girl take advantage of the Prince's name.
Not only Princess Jiayi was there to greet Qiuheng, but also Lingyun.
"Heng hasn't been to Dingbei, has she? The grasslands there are vast and the trees are lush, making it a great place to relax."
"I'm really looking forward to it; I heard there will be a hunting competition too."
Lingyun asked with a smile, "Can Aheng ride a horse?"
He had intended to teach her later, but Qiu Heng said, "I know a little."
Ling Yun looked surprised: "I didn't see you ride it when we were in the south."
Ordinary families cannot afford to keep horses; at most, they can rent one when they urgently need it.
"I can ride a donkey, so I guess it's about the same."
Seeing Qiu Heng's confident demeanor, Ling Yun smiled and shook his head.
Ah Heng has never changed; she remains confident and brave.
The Lady of Jiayi County chuckled: "Riding a horse and riding a donkey should be quite different. Ah Heng, you should try it out first."
"good."
Soon after everything was ready, several carriages and servants from the Prince Kang's residence headed to the meeting point in a grand procession.
Qiu Heng's carriage followed behind the Jiayi County Princess's carriage, and Fang Zhou was also in the carriage besides her.
Qiu Heng lifted the car window curtain and looked ahead.
She was looking at Prince Kang.
Prince Kang was riding a horse, so only his back could be seen.
Strangely enough, there weren't many princes or dukes of the same generation as Emperor Jingping, so the Kang Prince's Mansion was quite a prominent place in the capital, yet there were only a few words about it in the books.
She tried her best to remember all the information about the Great Xia Dynasty at that time, but she didn't know the fate of the people in the Kang Prince's Mansion.
Did he die when the city fell? Did he die during his escape to the south? Or did something happen after the capital was established in Linzhou?
During the ten years she stayed there thirty years later, there was no trace of the Prince Kang's mansion.
Qiu Heng was puzzled and even more regretful.
If she had known back then that Brother Bai was Prince Ling, she would have searched the entire book for clues.
Could it be that besides saving Xue Han, Brother Ling also needs to be saved?
There's no need to consider it; if Brother Ling gets into trouble, she will definitely not stand idly by.
As the carriages and horses of the Prince Kang's mansion merged into the procession and moved further forward, Qiu Heng saw Xue Han.
The young man riding a jet-black horse was tall and straight. Under the sunlight, his dark outfit made his exposed skin look like white jade, making him look even more handsome than usual.
Whether by coincidence or sensitivity to being watched, Xue Han turned around at that moment and met the gaze of the girl sitting in the car looking out.
Qiu Heng clearly saw Xue Han's sudden surprise, which then turned into indifference.
This discovery made Qiu Heng smile, and she waved to the boy whose expression changed very quickly.
Xue Han unconsciously tightened his grip on the reins, feeling utterly embarrassed.
Did she notice his joy?
Although it was awkward, he was genuinely happy to find that she was also in the group.
The boy calmly nodded in response, and then a young man in a moon-white robe walked to the carriage and leaned down slightly to speak to the girl inside.
Lingyun, the heir apparent of Prince Kang.
Realizing the young man's identity, Xue Han pursed his thin lips, his gaze, which should have been looking away, fixed on that spot.
Lingyun came to deliver plums to Qiuheng.
The pickled plums are sweet and sour, making one's mouth water.
"The journey is long and some roads are bumpy. If you feel uncomfortable, suck on a plum and you will feel much better."
As Ling Yun spoke, Qiu Heng clearly felt countless gazes drawn to them, most of which came from the noble ladies in the carriage.
"Thank you, Brother Ling." Qiu Heng reached out and took the package of snacks, handing it to Brother Ling. "Have something to eat when you're hungry."
"It's been a long time since I've had any pastries made by Fangzhou. Jiayi told me that you brought back two boxes when you went there last time." Lingyun took the pastries.
He had eaten many of the pastries made by Fangzhou, all of which were from the south.
Sometimes, Lingyun felt that his secluded life in the south was a dream. But when he woke up, the girl from his dream was still there in front of him.
This always made him feel disoriented.
For example, right now.
Same people, same snacks.
"Brother Ling, what's wrong?" Qiu Heng asked.
Ling Yun's absent-mindedness was noticed not only by Qiu Heng, but also by Xue Han.
It turns out that Miss Qiu also sends snacks to Prince Kang's son.
Why did the Prince of Kang appear so absent-minded after receiving the snacks?
As an sworn brother, isn't this reaction a bit strange?
Xue Han frowned slightly, suddenly realizing that the Prince Kang's son, who was seen as an immortal and peerless figure by the world, was quite repulsive.
"Sir, what are you looking at?"
Hu Si's voice suddenly rang out, causing Xue Han to quickly look away.
"nothing."
He replied, but Hu Si's eyes lit up: "Red bean cake!"
"Um?"
Hu Si hurriedly said, "This humble servant meant that Miss Qiu Liu gave red bean cakes to someone else."
Wait a minute, why would Miss Qiu give snacks to another young man?
Oh, it's the heir of Prince Kang. Thank goodness.
"Since Miss Qiu Liu is going too, we won't have to worry about not having any snacks," Hu Si said happily.
Xue Han glanced at Hu Si and said indifferently, "With so many people in the Kang Prince's mansion, I'm afraid there aren't any extra snacks for you."
Hu Si twitched his nose.
Let him smell where the sour smell is coming from.
After Ling Yun left, Qiu Heng lowered the car curtains to block out all kinds of gazes.
"Young Master Ling is still as good to you as he was in Suiyun County. When it's convenient, I'll make some radish cakes that Young Master Ling likes to eat," Fangzhou said with a smile.
When you're out and about, it's much more reassuring to have someone who genuinely takes care of you.
Thinking of the black-clad youth whose eyes lit up with surprise, Qiu Heng smiled and reminded him, "Remember to make more."
After waiting for an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally started moving. Amidst the sound of bells and chimes, the long procession slowly left the city. Qiu Heng lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside and saw that the roadside was crowded with people watching the spectacle.
The people surged forward, not daring to overtake the soldiers who were blocking their way, nor daring to make a sound, for they were overwhelmed with excitement at the sight of the emperor.
Qiu Heng suddenly lost interest in watching and lowered the curtain to rest her eyes.
After leaving the city, they sped up. When they stopped for a rest, Ling Yun came to Qiu Heng's side again and brought her some news.
"Lady Qiu was also among the concubines accompanying the emperor."
(End of this chapter)
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