Chapter 116 A Story Too Long to Tell
"Da da da"
The convoy traveled along the road, flanked by vast reed marshes. From a distance, the convoy resembled a long dragon, appearing and disappearing amidst the greenery. As the convoy moved through the landscape, it startled flocks of birds into flight.
"It should be snowing in Yong'an City by now. The weather is colder than usual this year, and there should be snow disasters in many places to the north..."
Outside the carriage, Qi Zheng rode atop a black horse, dressed in black brocade robes, tall, handsome, and imposing.
Song Jin rode beside him, dressed in red and riding a brown horse, bright and beautiful, with a heroic and dashing appearance.
She held her head in her hands, listening to him talk about these national affairs, and then let out a big yawn.
Qi Zheng paused, glancing at her sideways: "Bored?"
Song Jin said lazily, "No, it's just that I feel the common people have a hard life. In the spring, there's no food to eat because of the drought; in the summer, the crops don't grow because of the drought; and in the autumn, they have to wait and see how spring and summer go. In the winter, they have to endure the snow and freezing temperatures."
This happens every year; there's no grain every year.
Every year is better than the last, which means we'll go hungry less often.
Qi Zheng's expression was solemn, his eyes filled with compassion: "In times of prosperity, the people suffer; in times of ruin, the people suffer."
Song Jin suddenly chuckled, her bright eyes and white teeth sparkling with life: "Alright, is it really that serious? I just spoke from the heart. You, on the other hand, think too much. Then do more! You're a prince, you should do more for the people."
Unlike her, she's destined to enjoy a life of luxury and can't do any work.
Looking into her bright eyes, Qi Zheng felt much of the somber mood that had arisen from the world's suffering dissipate: "You're right."
When he was a chivalrous knight-errant, no matter how high his martial arts skills, he was helpless in the face of the world's hardships. Even if he helped people along the way, in retrospect, only a very few of them actually escaped their predicaments.
And now, he can do many things.
Qi Zheng looked at Song Jin, his dark eyes etched with her image, yet gradually illuminated by her presence.
Song Jin raised the corners of her mouth, put her hand on his shoulder, and tugged at his hair: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Qi Zheng paused, then said in a low voice, "I'm leaving."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow: "So you're finally leaving. I thought you'd forgotten why you came here in the first place."
Qi Zheng chuckled: "I want to keep you company."
Song Jin scoffed, suppressing a smile. "I'm not a child. Do I need you to keep me company? Besides, my mother and that person are here. You go do your thing. A man looks his best when he's focused on his career."
Qi Zheng looked at her quietly. His features were deep and handsome, his eyes were dark, and his eyelashes were long and thick. He asked, "Am I handsome?"
Song Jin reached out and pinched his cheek, not forgetting to gently pluck his eyelashes: "You know perfectly well why."
If it weren't for the fact that he happened to resonate with her, she wouldn't have given him so much special attention from the very beginning.
Qi Zheng smiled as he watched her grin and furrow her brows, then gently held her hand that was pressed against his face. "Then go back and wait for me. When I get back, I'll ask Father to grant us a marriage."
Song Jin's eyes curved into a smile: "This isn't me forcing you to marry me."
Qi Zheng's lips curled up: "I forced you into marriage."
Song Jin couldn't help but laugh. Her eyes darted around, glancing at the surroundings before she caught him off guard, stood up from her horse, turned to pin his head down, and pressed a kiss to his lips.
warm and dry
A gentle touch, fleeting.
Before anyone could react, she had already retreated back onto her horse, laughing heartily, and galloped away on her brown horse.
She stood on the saddle, holding the reins, her wide skirt swaying like a rainbow, shimmering and dazzling.
Qi Zheng watched her carefree back for a long while, then gently traced his fingers across his lips before lowering the angle of his lips and pulling the reins.
Black and brown horses chased after the caravan and broke away.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Niu Tielan watched their retreating figures from afar, listening to that familiar laughter, and whispered, "Crazy girl."
Qu Maoze sat beside her, his arm around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder, his breath tickling her neck, his laughter soft and gentle: "Jinjin is so wonderful like this, lively and healthy."
Niu Tielan chuckled: "You didn't raise her when she was little."
Qu Maoze paused, tightened his grip on her, and said softly, "I'm sorry."
Niu Tielan pursed her lips: "That's not what I meant."
She genuinely felt that anyone who had seen or raised Song Jin as a child wouldn't have said such a thing.
Song Jin was indeed a good child, but the kind of good that's downright annoying. Wherever she went, chaos ensued, especially after they moved to town.
Niu Tielan often found rat, snake, and sparrow remains lined up in front of his door early in the morning.
Occasionally, it even leads to people having their fingers severed.
During those years, the townspeople treated them like a monstrous threat and even wanted them to leave. It was only after her business in the incense industry, which she partnered with Lin in town, took off that things improved somewhat.
Niu Tielan reflected that she had been quite magnanimous back then. She turned her head, looking at Qu Maoze's somewhat pale face, and said with a wistful expression, "This child, he was born with a wicked nature."
Qu Maoze remained silent.
He understood what she meant. If Song Jin's personality had gradually become more flamboyant over the years, then it could only be described as flamboyant and unrestrained.
But her current unbridled behavior is the result of suppressing it little by little over the past ten years; she is indeed born with an unusual nature, and it cannot be said to be normal.
but
"If it's not right, it's not right," Niu Tielan said, her expression a mixture of helplessness and affection, yet also a hint of coldness. "After all, it was someone else who provoked us first."
Qu Maoze had taken care of children before, five in total. Although he felt it was similar to walking a dog, nothing difficult, the thought of Song Jin taking care of them gave him a headache.
This is a stubborn child.
He sighed, "You've worked hard."
Niu Tielan: "She was born to me."
Qu Maoze chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist and gently pulling her into his embrace, holding her on his lap and resting his hand on her shoulder from behind. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted over him.
She could blend perfumes herself, always wore a sachet, and her clothes were scented with perfume. Different fragrances, in varying shades, blended together to create a scent that was absolutely impossible to detect outside.
He sniffed it and sighed softly, "You smell so good."
Niu Tielan's cheeks flushed slightly. She couldn't help but pinch his hand, then got up from him and sat opposite him: "Shameless!"
Qu Maoze chuckled softly, crossed his arms, and leaned against the carriage. Compared to his usual composed demeanor, he seemed more youthful and genuine.
Niu Tielan stared blankly, a smile slowly spreading across his face as he turned to look out of the carriage.
Andong County is rich in water, with rivers and streams, and marshes everywhere. Fish and birds leap about, and it remains lush and green even in winter. It is a place where water and people are beautiful.
She said softly, "I'd like to come back in the spring."
Qu Maoze looked at her and smiled, "I'll accompany you, to Andong, Yongfeng, Lingnan, Beibeiling, Mobei..."
Niu Tielan leaned against the car window, sunlight illuminating her face, making her fair skin glow. She listened serenely as he spoke of places she had never heard of before.
Until he added, "No gold."
Niu Tielan chuckled: "She'll cry."
Qu Maoze sighed, "The children are grown up and have their own paths to walk. We, as their parents, can't keep up with their pace."
Niu Tielan sighed, "That's true. I thought Prince Qi would stay with Father a little longer."
Ruan Donglin has been here for decades. Not to mention Andong County, no one in the surrounding counties knows it better than him.
Qi Zheng's trip was to gather information, so asking him was the most appropriate thing to do.
Qu Maoze also lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the young man riding ahead, his eyes darkening slightly: "A thousand words from others are not as valuable as one sentence you create yourself."
Favoritism and favoritism are the greatest taboos.
Fortunately, Qi Zheng did not disappoint him; he knew to go and explore, and he also knew to leave.
If they didn't leave soon, he really wouldn't be able to resist kicking them out.
The clueless brat
...
The carriage traveled on for about two hundred li outside Pingyang Prefecture when it unexpectedly encountered a dignified procession.
The troops were dressed in red robes, with cavalrymen lined up and imperial banners fluttering.
Having heard that the royal procession had been in Changdu Prefecture for the past few days, we encountered them on this road, and the guard in charge of leading the procession gave us instructions.
The convoy stopped on the side of the road to let the other side pass.
As Song Jin rode on horseback, watching the imposing caravan approach, her gaze fell on the armored and silver-helmeted figure at the head of the procession. She scoffed and looked at Qi Zheng: "You're going to go with them?"
Qi Zheng nodded: "There are still three prefectures we haven't left."
However, they will be able to speed up in the next three counties.
Song Jin blinked: "In what capacity should I follow?"
Qi Zheng looked into her curious eyes and suddenly moved closer to her.
Song Jin was startled and quickly stepped back, only to see him smiling, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Keep doing what you've always done, Miss."
She rolled her eyes, patted his shoulder irritably, and scoffed, "Then you'd better hurry up and catch up, Aqi."
Qi Zheng quietly watched her winking and making faces, then reached out and gently pinched her cheek before pulling his hand back: "Wait for them to come over, you two go first."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow: "Oh, ladies first?"
Qi Zheng smiled and said, "You go first."
Song Jin didn't say anything more, riding alongside him on horseback, a smile playing on her lips, her eyes sparkling.
One was tall and aloof, the other unrestrained and arrogant; dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, they stood out conspicuously at the front of the procession.
On the other side, Song Shenzhi, lightly armored and helmeted, looked imposingly at the two from afar, a hint of joy gradually welling up in his eyes as he glanced at the carriages and horses behind them.
Since his younger sister is here, his father and wife must be here too.
If he hadn't had to stay with the procession, he would definitely have gone with his father this time.
The journey has been so long, I wonder if his father has lost weight, if they have encountered any danger along the way, and if that old bastard, Marquis of Andong, has given him a hard time...
Thinking about all this, Song Shenzhi really wanted to break away from the group and fly there directly, but he suppressed that urge and simply increased his speed.
The two teams soon faced each other.
Song Shenzhi stopped, dismounted, and said with delight, "Little sister, Qi."
"Aqi," Song Jin interrupted him, saying, "This is Aqi, a chivalrous fellow we met on the road. He's got nothing else to do, so he'll just follow you around for a bit."
Song Shenzhi's lips twitched, and he glanced at Qi Zheng subtly.
Other princes go out on patrol with great fanfare and imposing presence, but he, as a prince, does it all in a furtive and furtive manner.
They're quite good at having fun.
Song Shenzhi inwardly complained, but his expression remained unchanged as he nodded: "A recommendation from my younger sister is definitely reliable. Did you have a smooth journey? How are Madam and Young Master Qu?"
Song Jin rolled her eyes at his eyes, which were practically glued to the other side of the carriage: "Go ask him yourself."
Song Shenzhi immediately replied, "What my younger sister says is true. Madam is an elder, and I should go and pay my respects."
As he spoke, he brushed the dust off his hands, straightened his clothes, and strode toward the carriage.
Very anxious
Daddy's baby
Song Jin, still on horseback, pursed her lips and looked away. One carriage after another stopped, and soon more people jumped down.
It was the Song brothers, Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi. They were the youngest and closest, dressed in orange-yellow clothes, looking like twins from a distance, as they hurried over.
"Little sister, Qi."
"Aqi, the chivalrous knight-errant I met on the road."
Song Jin repeated it again.
Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi looked at each other in dismay. The two brothers, who were used to living a life of luxury, were now walking with a limp and their energy was clearly much worse after this long journey.
He's leaving so hastily; it certainly wasn't for her.
Song Jin waved her hand dismissively, "The person is over there, go see for yourself."
A bunch of daddies
Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi were a little embarrassed, but they weren't actually in a hurry.
They need to be mindful of their appearance; they need to stand still, fix their hair and clothes, and it will take some time.
Song Jin rolled her eyes, looking at them with even more disdain, and muttered, "Cowards. By the way, where's Second Brother? Did he pick up his fiancée? Did things go smoothly?"
Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi exchanged glances, their expressions shifting rapidly.
Speaking of this, Song Anzhi's usually rosy face paled, and he sighed deeply, "It's a story too complicated to explain in a few words."
Song Qingzhi rubbed his face, looking lingering fear: "I almost fell for it again."
Song Anzhi lamented: "Stealing the dragon and switching it with a phoenix."
Song Qingzhi lamented, "People's hearts are no longer what they used to be."
Song Jin was completely confused, raising her eyebrows and saying only, "It sounds quite interesting."
The two brothers had a complicated story to tell.
What a joke! They were almost scared to death; they still break out in a cold sweat thinking about it. All I can say is, thankfully the second brother was reliable, otherwise they would have really suffered a great loss this time.
If it were that womanizer, their whole group would definitely be dead.
Seeing their expressions, Song Jin became even more curious, pulled on the reins, and rode her horse towards their group.
Over there, Li Qingshan had already gotten out of the carriage. He was dressed in brocade robes, a long sword at his waist, and stood there expressionless. He certainly looked quite like a prince—if he weren't standing with Qi Zheng.
Looking at his expressionless face, Song Jin sensed a hint of resentment and relief in his eyes.
It's a pity, he can't let go of it for now.
Song Jin and Qi Zheng rode forward, and she dismounted, smiling and bowing to him in a proper manner.
"Good morning, Your Highness"
Qi Zheng followed and gave a small bow: "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qi"
Upon seeing them, Li Qingshan, who had initially thought his mission was complete and could finally resign, now felt a burning sensation in his stomach from being forced to drink alcohol, and his knees suddenly started to ache. He quickly avoided their greetings.
He spoke with difficulty: "No need for formalities, gentlemen. It's been a long time. I hope your trip was successful."
Song Jin smiled and said, "Everything went smoothly. You ate, drank, had fun, and were very happy. How about you? Did you run into trouble? You don't look too good."
Li Qingshan said with deep sorrow, "It's a story too complicated to explain in a few words."
He was a fake prince, and he was already feeling insecure. He was also being pestered by a bunch of people he wouldn't even have the right to meet before, so he had no confidence to refuse them.
I definitely didn't agree to things I couldn't, but I was definitely forced to drink a lot of alcohol wherever we went.
Song Jin clicked his tongue twice, didn't ask any further questions, gave a greeting, and then waved to the people who had dismounted on the other side.
Of the five brothers in the Song family, she has only acknowledged Song Shunzhi as her current kin.
Calm and reliable, perceptive, articulate, and not annoying.
They say people are in high spirits when they have a happy occasion, and he had come to pick up his fiancée. He was dressed in a red brocade robe, but his complexion was, to put it mildly, not very good.
Song Jin clicked her tongue twice, looking very curious: "Second brother, what happened? Didn't you pick up your future sister-in-law?"
Song Shunzhi shook his head: "She's in the car, she took her medicine and fell asleep. Let's greet her when she wakes up."
Song Jin tilted her head: "What's wrong with her?"
When this topic came up, Song Shunzhi's face showed barely concealed anger, which was quite rare for someone who was the most emotionally stable person in the family.
He had been bullied by Prince Jin and others, beaten, crippled, and ostracized, yet he never showed any anger.
This time, his anger over his fiancée's matter is palpable; it seems more like a feud is brewing than a marriage proposal.
Song Shunzhi suppressed his anger and said in a low voice, "We'll talk about it later. From now on, Ah Xuan will only have us. When she goes back to the capital, she'll be all alone and helpless. I'm not married yet, so it's not appropriate for me to be too close to her. Please be understanding, little sister."
Song Jin wasn't a warm-hearted person, but she wasn't malicious either. Having roughly guessed the situation, she nodded in agreement, saying, "Okay, as long as she doesn't provoke me, I won't target her."
Song Shunzhi smiled gently, "She's gentle, open-minded, and kind; she definitely wouldn't do that."
Seeing his expression, Song Jin couldn't help but click her tongue twice and tease, "The person hasn't even entered the door yet, and Second Brother is already protecting her like this. Second Sister-in-law is truly blessed."
Song Shunzhi felt a little embarrassed and said, "She is my fiancée, so naturally I have to take good care of her. My little sister will also meet a husband like her in the future."
"Then I'll take your kind words, Second Brother." Song Jin raised an eyebrow, curled her lips, glanced at Qi Zheng beside her, and changed the subject, smiling, "My mother and the others are over there, shall we go over?"
Song Shunzhi straightened up: "That's how it should be."
Song Jin felt somewhat emotional about this.
Although her biological father was a terrible person, he actually had a knack for disciplining people.
In other families with many children, even brothers fight and try to steal all of their father's resources. But these five children wholeheartedly treat him like their own father, not wanting to neglect him in the slightest.
Just like her mother said, it's less like raising a child and more like training a dog.
That leader was as utterly despicable as could be.
She shook her head, led Song Shunzhi back, and as they walked, her hand brushed against Qi Zheng's large hand, slipping some medicinal powder into it. Then she waved goodbye silently.
I saw Yong'an City
Qi Zheng's dark eyes reflected her retreating figure until she completely disappeared and entered the carriage. He clutched the wrapped medicine packet in his hand, glanced at Li Qingshan standing to the side, and nodded slightly to him.
Let's go.
Thus, the two groups of vehicles gradually converged and then gradually diverged, heading in completely opposite directions.
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