Chapter 35 On the Road
"Da da da"
Along the official road surrounded by mountains, a tall white horse galloped freely, like a streak of light across the wide road, returning in the blink of an eye from the other end.
Immediately, Song Jin, dressed in a crimson robe, her thick, black hair tied high, swayed with the galloping horse, exuding a flamboyant and unrestrained air. As she drew nearer, her striking features and radiant smile became even more apparent. With a shout, she pulled on the reins, bringing her and her horse to a steady stop at the front of the procession.
She sat on horseback and said to Li Qingshan, who was fully armed, "Go with peace of mind, the journey will be safe."
Li Qingshan nodded, gestured to the others, and the group then prepared their carriages and horses and set off again. Their trust stemmed not only from Song Jin's own exceptional abilities but also from the golden figure flitting through the nearby woods.
Huang Huang had been confined to the carriage for the past few days, and now, finally free, it roamed freely through the woods, occasionally letting out joyful cries.
"Roar~ Ha~ Roar~ Meow"
Just by listening to that voice, you can tell it's not some serious tiger.
Song Jin leisurely rode his horse back to the middle of the group, tapped the six carriages, stretched lazily, and said, "Aren't you tired of sitting in the carriage every day? Why don't you get off and stretch your muscles a bit?"
As she finished speaking, the car window rolled down, and Qi Zheng, holding a brush, glanced at her. His gaze then fell on the white horse beneath her, and he said expressionlessly, "No, riding a horse is tiring."
Horseback riding may seem cool, but if someone rides for ten days or half a month straight, their butt will become as hard as a wooden stump.
Qi Zheng had suffered enough hardships in his past life of wandering the martial world, and now that he was finally living a good life, he was definitely not going to endure hardship without trying.
Song Jin sat steadily on the horse's back, stretching her muscles, and pouted, "Riding for a long time is naturally tiring, but sitting in a carriage for a long time is even more tiring. My mother and I are so tired from sitting like this these past few days, our bones are about to fall apart. How much longer until we arrive?"
Qi Zheng glanced at the mountains and forests to his left and right, his expression complicated: "...Soon, once we cross Weilong Mountain, we'll be out of Qingjun Prefecture."
This time, he was accompanied by well-trained guards and fine horses. With frequent changes in formation, what would normally take a caravan half a month, they covered in about ten days – a speed rarely seen in ordinary caravans. However, they had only just departed from Si'an County two days prior, and the road conditions there were complex and difficult to traverse.
Their speed was already quite good, considering it was a carriage, not a horse race.
Song Jin couldn't help but clutch her head and wail, "Why is it taking so long? I might as well just ride off on horseback with my mother; that would save at least half the time!"
Qi Zheng: "...Can your mother's body take it?"
Moreover, while horseback riding sounds fast, when you factor in the rest stops, it's nowhere near as fast as their caravans working day and night.
Song Jin's face fell, and she said dejectedly, "I can't stand it, but a short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one. She's in terrible pain right now too."
It's currently the hottest time of the year, and the carriage is enclosed, making it hot and stuffy. The road out of Si'an County is steep and winding, and the carriage shakes and jolts along the steep slope.
Niu Tielan was already in poor health, and the bumpy journey had exacerbated her condition. She had been able to endure the initial discomfort of the first two days, but as the journey lengthened, even with Song Jin's occasional channeling of internal energy, her face turned deathly pale, and she lay there barely breathing. Her condition was very serious.
Song Jin was extremely worried, which is why she took the initiative to lead Huang Huang to explore the route, hoping to reach the capital as quickly as possible, but it seems that this has not been very effective.
She rubbed her head, feeling a headache coming on. "How about we wait until we reach the next village or town, then you guys go first, and my mother and I will follow later?"
Although traveling alone would certainly be less convenient and safer than traveling with Qi Zheng and the others, her mother's health was ultimately more important. She was genuinely worried that the bumpy journey might lead to her mother's health being compromised, and by the time they reached the capital, the red thread gu might not only be removed but could also affect her very health, which would be truly troublesome.
As for making Prince Qi Zheng and his entourage stop and wait as well, she wasn't that presumptuous.
Although this man is down-to-earth in daily life, he is still the emperor's own son. The emperor is waiting to see him in the palace, and if they keep delaying, the old man might hold a grudge and cause them trouble later.
Qi Zheng didn't think that far ahead as she did; he simply frowned and asked, "Have you seen Physician Yuan yet?"
To ensure Qi Zheng's safety, their entourage was quite grand, with a hundred personal guards escorting him and an imperial physician accompanying him, just in case he felt unwell.
Song Jin was even more frustrated: "I looked at it, but it was no use. My mother's health wasn't good to begin with, and the carriage ride was so bumpy. She couldn't get enough rest, so there was nothing I could do."
Resting in a rural town sounds good, but safety can't be guaranteed, and the doctors certainly can't compare to Physician Yuan.
Qi Zheng hesitated.
Song Jin assumed he was worried about the Song family, so he patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, I'll take care of my mother. This matter has nothing to do with you anyway. I'll leave you a message later so we can explain things to the Song family."
Hearing this, Qi Zheng sighed helplessly and said, "What I meant was, if your mother is really unwell, why not have her come to my place? This carriage was built with great effort by the Ministry of Works; it's much smoother than ordinary carriages. I'm just afraid..."
Song Jin: "What are you afraid of?"
Qi Zheng tactfully replied, "It's not convenient for a lone man and woman to be alone together."
Song Jin was shocked: "A lone man and a lone woman?"
She subconsciously recalled that not long ago, this man had gone up the mountain with her late at night. They were a man and a woman alone together, but she hadn't heard him say anything.
Could it be...?
Thinking of her mother's beautiful face and figure, Song Jin's eyelids twitched wildly.
No, her mother is so old! They're from different generations, it's really a huge difference!
Song Jin's face flushed and paled in turns, but she finally gritted her teeth and said, "My mother and I came together, so we're not alone anymore. You wait here, I'll go pack my things."
Special measures for special times
The most important thing right now is her mother's health.
As for the rest, Song Jin rubbed her head, trying to calm herself down. It's alright, it's alright. Even if this person wanted to be her father, they'd have to see if they had the ability.
For her mother's sake, she endured
Qi Zheng: ...
I feel a bit cold on my back.
**
Qi Zheng's carriage was specially made by the Ministry of Works. It was entirely made of precious wood, with many intricate details constructed in layers to maximize the resistance to the Ark's vibrations. Moreover, it was padded with the finest soft mats and fragrant incense.
Sitting inside, you won't feel stuffy at all; in fact, it might even make you feel a bit more clear-headed.
Song Jin, who had been living as a landlord's child in the countryside ever since she transmigrated, was surprised as soon as she got into the car: "How come it's so cool? Is there ice in here?"
If there wasn't ice, how could it be so much cooler inside than outside? But as for ice, Song Jin looked around the car for ages and couldn't see a single piece.
Qi Zheng sat cross-legged to one side and calmly said, "There's a layer of millennia-old ice sandwiched inside the frame; it dissipates the cold."
Song Jin's eyes widened: "There's such a thing? Ice can't just melt?"
Qi Zheng nodded: "It's more like cold stone than ice. Cold stone only exists in the Northern Desert, is extremely rare, and is very difficult to mine. Its value is comparable to gold. If properly preserved, it can last for three years."
Song Jin exclaimed in amazement, "That's amazing! Besides the cold stone, what else was used in the carriage? The person was strangely clear-headed as soon as they entered!"
Qi Zheng: "It's a type of herb called 'Songcao' (颂草), which can refresh the mind. That's what's burning in the incense box."
Song Jin had to admit she was a complete country bumpkin. She'd never even heard of these things, let alone used them. This was truly a wondrous world.
She asked, "Do you have any extra of these?"
Niu Tielan interrupted Song Jin's question, saying irritably, "Prince Qi is being kind by letting us onto the carriage; don't push your luck."
These are obviously high-quality things that ordinary people can't afford. How can you ask such a question? This unrefined girl!
Song Jin muttered, "I'm not taking it for free, I'll exchange it."
Qi Zheng replied tactfully, "My father gave me a few gifts before he left, but nothing more."
He hadn't used it the whole way; he only lit one because he was worried about Niu Tielan's health. This stuff was worth as much as a hundred-year-old ginseng.
The money he had saved before has been lost many times over.
Song Jin firmly believed that this person was stingy and miserly. She pursed her lips, wanting to haggle a bit more, when suddenly a sharp pain shot through her waist, and she hissed.
Niu Tielan gave her a warning look: "If you're bored inside, go out and ride your horse."
Song Jin immediately quieted down. It was midday, and it was stuffy and hot outside. She would be crazy to leave the air-conditioned room and run out to sunbathe.
No wonder Qi Zheng spent the rest of the journey in the carriage except for eating and using the restroom; she wouldn't have bothered to get out either.
Having a good father is really great, Song Jin thought enviously to Qi Zheng.
Qi Zheng: "...As far as I know, my father also bestowed a similar carriage upon Chief Minister Song in his younger days."
However, carriages and horses are easy to obtain, but cold stones are rare.
The amount sent from the Northern Desert each year is only a few, not enough for the palace, let alone for those outside.
Song Jin's eyes lit up: "That treacherous minister has quite a few good things!"
Qi Zheng nodded, then reminded them, "You also have quite a few political enemies. The capital is not as peaceful as the town. You must be careful in the future."
Song Jin raised her chin and scoffed, "I'd like to see which reckless fool dares to scheme against me."
She kicks one when one comes, and kicks two when two come.
Qi Zheng shook his head: "No matter how skilled you are, it's always better to be cautious."
After speaking, he leaned back and closed his eyes, clearly indicating that he wanted to rest.
When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
Song Jin turned around and touched Niu Tielan's forehead, then channeled her inner energy into her chest to suppress the Gu worms. She whispered in her ear, "Mother, once you're better, we'll take that treacherous minister's carriage away. Then we can go wherever we want. Just bear with it for now."
Niu Tielan was speechless: "You think you can just take it like that?"
Song Jin shook her head: "I don't care, I want that car anyway."
Niu Tielan sighed and tapped Song Jin's head to calm her down, then leaned back and closed her eyes to rest.
This carriage, though called a carriage, is actually a mobile house. The distance between the left and right sides is a full three meters. Lying on the couch, as long as you don't roll around randomly, you won't overstep any boundaries.
However, their relationship wasn't that close, and they were alone together, so Qi Zheng hadn't mentioned sending someone over beforehand. Now that Niu Tielan was unwell, it was an emergency, so things were naturally different.
Qi Zheng leaned against the corner, quietly calming his chaotic dantian. Only when the carriage was completely quiet did he slowly open his eyes, his gaze falling on Song Jin lying on the step.
Even with the replenishment of rare medicines, his internal energy was still significantly depleted during his last trip to Panlong Mountain, and he hasn't fully recovered yet. He's been focusing on recovering these past few days to avoid being unable to cope if he encounters another situation.
In contrast to him, who merely guarded the valley after ascending the mountain, Song Jin not only rushed down the mountain but also explored the tunnels to find the explosives. During this time, she also supplied Niu Tielan with a large amount of internal energy every day, and her energy expenditure was far greater than his.
However, she was still full of energy and looked no different from before.
Are they just putting on a brave face and trying to fool people?
She doesn't have that kind of cunning, nor does she need to.
His inner strength is unfathomable?
Qi Zheng admitted this: Song Jin's internal strength was definitely greater than his, but the weariness on her face that day when they went up the mountain was undeniable.
Therefore, there's only one possibility for her being so energetic now: her cultivation method is special, allowing her to recover much faster than his.
Qi Zheng's gaze darkened.
This person is truly extraordinary. I wonder if her return to the Song family is a good thing or a bad thing, and what kind of storm she will stir up in the capital.
I just hope she can stay true to herself once she gets to the capital, otherwise she might be bought off by his brothers...
It really makes people feel very insecure.
In response, Qi Zheng couldn't help but consider the feasibility of bribing someone first.
Just then, Song Jin, who was tightly surrounding Niu Tielan like a railing, suddenly rolled over and tumbled around.
In a daze, she first lay down, pressing her left arm down. After a while, perhaps due to neck discomfort, she twisted her waist, placed both hands under her neck, and lay there like a frog on its back, belly up.
Just when Qi Zheng thought she was finally alright, she rolled over again, curling up like an earthworm, and lay face down in the middle of the bed, her arms and legs spread wide, taking up most of the bed.
Having not had much rest due to traveling these past few days, she began to snore softly: "Hoo, hoo..."
Qi Zheng pulled himself out of his thoughts, expressionless, and moved the foot that had hit him away, slowly inching his way to the farthest corner.
Pitiful, weak, and helpless.
If this doesn't count as bribery, then what does?
**
In this day and age, traveling far from home is not an easy thing.
Ruthless bandits, wild and venomous snakes that are hard to guard against, ever-changing road conditions, and unpredictable weather.
Song Jin and his group set off from Qingjun Prefecture, passed through Mingyuan Prefecture and Jinhuai Prefecture, and finally set foot on the territory of the capital, only to be caught off guard by a storm.
The low-flying swallows and the suddenly gathering clouds were harbingers of a downpour; the empty plains all around were the prelude to their misfortune. Even as they hurried towards the nearest village or town, they couldn't escape the drizzling rain.
The downpour came suddenly, lasting only half an hour from its initiation to its full intensity. Large raindrops fell in quick succession, soaking clothes almost instantly. Fortunately, the group consisted entirely of well-trained soldiers; donning their straw hats and raincoats, they quickened their pace.
Song Jin lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the increasingly heavy rain outside, and frowned slightly: "With so many of us, will we be able to rest in Shangyang Village?"
Qi Zheng sat on the couch, looking at the leather map. He gently tapped on Shangyang Village and said, "This village is a large one, with more than two thousand people. It shouldn't be a problem to accommodate a mere one hundred people."
In an emergency, they have no choice; they're lucky if they can just find a place to rest and shelter from the rain, and a few people can squeeze in together.
Looking at the wind and rain outside, Song Jin sighed, "It's a good thing I'm traveling with you guys, otherwise my mother and I would have been in real trouble."
The rain came so suddenly; they were about the same distance to advance or retreat, so they might as well take a small risk and move forward.
Qi Zheng simply said, "You might not encounter this rain if you go out on your own."
That's hard to say; summer storms come so suddenly.
Song Jin herself didn't care about getting wet, but her mother couldn't. She was certain that if she were taking care of her mother alone in this kind of weather, her mother wouldn't be able to calmly face the wind and rain while wrapped in a warm cloak, sipping hot tea and enjoying some snacks.
This life is no worse than back home; it really feels like a picnic.
Song Jin suddenly became curious and turned to look at Qi Zheng: "When Prince Qi traveled the martial world before, what would he do if he encountered this kind of weather?"
During the time Qi Zheng spent in the carriage, he was either meditating to recover his internal energy or memorizing maps; keeping that information in his head was the most useful thing. Hearing Song Jin's question, he looked up, his gaze sweeping past her curious eyes before falling on the misty rain outside.
A bolt of lightning flashed, followed by a deafening roar that echoed across the earth.
His thoughts drifted away, and it took him a while to regain his composure before he said, "When I'm lucky, I can find caves and abandoned thatched huts; when I'm not so lucky, I wear a straw raincoat and hat and slowly search for villages and towns; when I'm really unlucky..."
Song Jin enthusiastically asked, "What about when things were bad?"
Qi Zheng closed his eyes: "Hidden under a tree, a bolt of lightning struck; entering a cave, I encountered a bear with cubs; entering a thatched hut, I ran into a bamboo viper; even while wearing a straw hat and braving the rain, I still encountered people taking advantage of my misfortune."
Everyone: ...
This world of martial arts sounds so bitter.
Song Jin chuckled dryly: "You're quite something."
Anyone with slightly less skill shouldn't be sitting here.
Thinking of those unbearable past events, Qi Zheng found it really hard to laugh.
If the martial arts world were truly that comfortable, so many people wouldn't retire. These people either couldn't make it and went back to living a quiet life, or they were too successful and went home to be pampered masters. Those who truly spend their entire lives in the martial arts world are the wealthy ones, unlike ordinary people who simply wander the land.
Song Jin didn't quite understand this, since she had never seriously been involved in the martial arts world. Li Qingshan, however, who had been called in to take shelter from the rain, empathized deeply. Before becoming a military officer, he had also been involved in the martial arts world and had even collaborated with Qi Zheng, who was also a martial arts practitioner at the time.
He couldn't help but sigh, "The martial world... I remember the first time I met the prince, he was only fourteen years old. Although he possessed superb martial arts skills, he was still young and didn't even realize that his captain had swindled half of his silver."
Qi Zheng suddenly looked up, his face turning grim: "Half?"
He was overjoyed to have earned two hundred taels of silver in half a month. Now he's being told that he could have earned four hundred taels.
After reminiscing, Li Qingshan realized he had let something slip and awkwardly said, "...You know, people in the martial arts world are often rough and unruly, even after all this time..."
Qi Zheng, expressionless, repeated: "Two hundred taels."
Li Qingshan chuckled dryly, "You know, I was just a nobody back then, with no real influence."
He didn't embezzle a single penny; he's utterly innocent.
Qi Zheng didn't speak, but his tense jaw betrayed his turbulent inner turmoil.
Song Jin could totally empathize with this. In her past life, she had also been cheated out of mission rewards while doing missions. She was initially thrilled and excited about making a fortune, but then someone told her she had been scammed, which almost made her furious.
She was filled with righteous indignation: "This matter cannot be let go so easily!!"
Qi Zheng turned to look at her and said, "Then what do you suggest?"
Song Jin slammed her hand on the table: "Those who cheat children are utterly despicable and should pay tenfold!"
Qi Zheng pondered for a moment, then nodded and praised, "You're right."
Song Jin continued, "We still need to beat him up."
Qi Zheng nodded.
Song Jin: "Hang him on a tree and write words on his face."
Qi Zheng continued to nod.
...
Li Qingshan's eyelids twitched as he listened. He figured he should at least show some respect, considering they had worked together before; the man hadn't treated him badly, if not exceptionally well. Besides, if things really turned out this way, Qi Zheng's image as a prince would be severely damaged.
He quickly interrupted the two, intending to offer some advice, but before one of the princes could even speak...
Qi Zheng looked at him quietly: "Back then..."
Li Qingshan immediately replied, "I still have contact with that boy. When I return to the capital, I will write him a letter and ask him to apologize and return the silver."
...
The martial arts world is indeed very much a martial arts world.
Song Jin shook her head, temporarily losing interest in venturing into the martial world. She lifted the carriage curtain again and saw a small path clearly visible through the misty rain.
She exclaimed happily, "It seems we've arrived!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the procession slowed down, and the head guard came over to report, "Your Highness, Shangyang Village is just ahead."
Qi Zheng temporarily set aside the past, resuming his cold and stern demeanor, and nodded: "Go into the village, but do not disturb the people. We are just passing through and temporarily resting; treat the villagers as you would like to be, and remember to give them enough money."
Guard: "Yes."
Li Qingshan responded in response, bowed to Qi Zheng, and then left the carriage to arrange for their rest.
Soon, the carriages left the official road and gradually approached Shangyang Village along the side road.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com