228 · Welfare | Twin babies in Yongzhou 1
Snap!
Gu Zhizhu slapped a piece of silk paper onto the octagonal table, letting out a soft, ambiguous laugh.
"Don't be angry, don't be angry."
Xie Yingchen coaxed her patiently, taking her hand and gently rubbing it, his warm gaze falling on the silk paper.
There were two lines of large characters on the paper—
Father and Mother:
install.
My younger sister is going to join the army. My sister and I went to see our uncle.
Xie Yingchen looked at it again and again, and said with a smile, "Yaoyao's calligraphy is already showing signs of style."
Gu Zhizhuo glanced at him sideways, wondering how he could discern any spirit or integrity in those crooked, large characters.
"us……"
"You are not allowed to go looking for it."
Before Xie Yingchen could finish speaking, Gu Zhizhuo interrupted him, saying with a hum, "Let them go."
"Can Can went to the northern frontier with her father when she was six years old. They're both six now, what's wrong with them going?!"
Xie Yingchen added, "Five and a half years old."
The two siblings were twins, born in the spring of the fourth year of Jing'an, and are now five and a half years old.
They had recently heard a lot about Emperor Taizu's conquest of the country from the Duke of Wei, and they all clamored to go to the north.
Gu Zhizhuo initially suppressed the rumors, but then he heard that the two kids were plotting to run away from home.
If two five-and-a-half-year-old kids could easily sneak out of the palace, then the Imperial Guards should all commit suicide. However, the two of them weren't stupid. After plotting and scheming, they first "persuaded" Xiangyang and Qingmei, then found an excuse to go to the Gu family to visit their great-grandmother, and took the opportunity to sneak out of the Gu family.
They even brought all the New Year's money with them.
So, in the middle of the night, Gu Zhizhuo instructed the Gu family guards to pretend they hadn't seen anything. She sat on the wall and watched as the two of them sneaked out the back door.
Early in the morning, this "letter" was delivered to Xie Yingchen's desk.
Gu Zhizhuo wasn't in a hurry at all.
“They have at least a dozen bodyguards around them, plus Qingmei and Xiangyang. Nothing will happen to them.”
"You're six years old now! It's time you learned a lesson. You're not allowed to secretly chase after him."
Xie Yingchen: "Five and a half years old..."
Gu Zhizhu rolled up his sleeves, raised an eyebrow, and stared intently at Xie Yingchen.
Xie Yingchen: "With you here, what do I have to worry about?"
That's more like it! Gu Zhizhuo's lips curved into a smile, revealing a shallow dimple: "Young Master is so kind!"
Seeing her smile, Xie Yingchen picked up a strawberry and fed it to her.
These seeds were purchased by the imperial court from a traveling merchant a few years ago, and are currently only being tested on the imperial estates. —These novel fruits and vegetables were all obtained from Ji Nanke.
Xie Yingchen picked up the silk paper, folded it slowly, and casually remarked, "We haven't left the capital in a long time, how about we go for a trip to the north?"
"It's perfect timing to spend the New Year with Can Can."
Gu Zhizhuo's phoenix eyes suddenly lit up.
In the third year of Jing'an, Gu Yican led his troops on a northern expedition. The battle lasted for more than two years, and by the sixth year of Jing'an, he had captured the capital of the Northern Di Kingdom, completely incorporating this vast territory into the land of Daqi.
From then on, the Di region and the northern frontier were collectively referred to as the Northern Region.
However, the Di people are unruly, and only Gu Yican can make them behave.
Xie Yingchen then left Gu Yican in the north to oversee military and political affairs.
Gu Yican only came back once last year, so it's been a whole year and a half since she last saw Cancan.
"Shall we go together?" Xie Yingchen rubbed her palm with his fingertips, his slightly deep voice carrying a seductive tone, "How about it?"
Even knowing his intentions, Gu Zhizhuo was still tempted.
Just as I was about to say "good," the Double Ninth Festival arrived.
After discovering that the two little ones were going to run away from home, Xie Yingchen kept Chongjiu and Xiangyang with them.
The sun shines brightly, while the Double Ninth Festival is shrouded in darkness.
After exchanging greetings, Chongjiu first mentioned that the two of them had successfully left the capital and were having a great time along the way. Then, he suddenly said, "...The Crown Prince and the First Princess have taken the wrong road."
"Young master, Xiangyang is asking if you should give him a heads-up?"
Those who had followed Xie Yingchen since childhood were far closer than the so-called "ruler-subject relationship," and in private they still always addressed him as "Young Master."
Did we go to the wrong place?
Gu Zhizhuo was slightly surprised at first, then smiled with great interest.
In recent years, the imperial court has spent a lot of effort on road construction. After leaving the capital, official roads crisscross the area, allowing travel to all parts of Daqi.
Chongjiu's lips curved into a small smile, his voice carrying a faint hint of laughter: "The Crown Prince is absolutely certain that he did not take the wrong road."
Which direction did they go?
"West."
"Let me calculate."
Gu Zhizhuo took out her precious compass from her sleeve pocket, fiddled with it a few times, and then suddenly chuckled.
Xie Yingchen turned his head to look.
She tugged at his sleeve and said cheerfully to Xiangyang, "Don't tell them they've gone the wrong way, let them go."
"Let's go to the North to find Can Can."
This sentence was said to Xie Yingchen.
Faced with those expectant eyes, Xie Yingchen's heart softened completely.
"Okay." He paused, then asked again, "...What about the other two?"
“They should be heading to Yongzhou.” Gu Zhizhuo glanced at the compass again, then waved his hand confidently. “Don’t worry about it.”
Anyway, someone will "help" them manage it.
It won't get lost.
"Yaoyao must have led us the wrong way!"
Xie Yingchen nodded in agreement.
He gestured to Xiangyang to send some more secret guards, and also transferred a 500-man Imperial Guard to go with them. Then he summoned the cabinet.
Even if he travels light and travels incognito to the north, the round trip will take at least half a year, as he needs to settle things in the court.
Before we knew it, it was more than half a month later when we finally set off.
Every two days, a bodyguard would report back.
"Did they find out?"
Xie Yingchen asked another question, as always.
It was Chongjiu who returned this time. He said, "The Crown Prince and the First Princess are almost at Yongzhou."
Xie Yingchen chuckled softly, rubbing his forehead.
Chongjiu added, "The Crown Prince said that this direction is definitely correct."
Xie Yingchen: "..."
Yao Yao isn't good with directions, but he always likes to lead the way.
This is something that probably only the brother and sister themselves are unaware of.
One dares to lead.
One dares to follow.
very good.
"Go ahead, and while you're at it..."
Xie Yingchen gave him a few words of advice and handed him a letter before sending him away.
In November, the capital city was already quite cold, with howling winds.
It will only get colder in the north.
However, Yongzhou was still warm like autumn, with only a slight chill in the air.
Xie Yunxi lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside for a while. When she turned around, the gold necklace around her neck jingled.
The brother and sister were still young, their faces chubby, and dimples appeared on their cheeks when they smiled. Xie Yunyao was on the right, and Xie Yunxi on the left. They were twins, with strikingly similar features, and now even their height was the same. If they were to change their clothes, someone who didn't know them well would definitely mistake them for each other.
Xie Yunxi blinked her phoenix eyes: "Yaoyao, you didn't lead us the wrong way, did you?"
Xie Yunyao patted his chest confidently, "The northern lands definitely head this way, there's no mistake."
Xie Yunxi tilted her head, her chubby fingers tapping her lips absentmindedly.
My uncle clearly said that the north is barren and always filled with sandstorms, and the sky should be gray at this time of year.
They brought cloaks and capes with them when they left the capital, but now she doesn't even wear cotton-padded clothes anymore.
Xie Yunxi peered out of the carriage window.
Blue sky and white clouds.
She then looked at her twin brother, their two phoenix eyes remarkably similar, looking at each other.
"Don't worry, little sister."
Xie Yunyao said confidently, "I'll lead the way, you can't go wrong!"
"Mother said that the Great Qi Kingdom is peaceful and prosperous, blessed by Heaven, and the weather is good this year!"
Xie Yunxi thought about it and felt it made perfect sense: "Yaoyao can't be wrong!"
The two clapped their hands, leaned their heads together, and chuckled to themselves.
Hearing the laughter and chatter coming from inside the carriage, Xiangyang, sitting on the rafters, silently shed a tear for the brother and sister.
The North?
The carriage passed the state monument of Yongzhou early this morning, and the next stop should be Blackwater Fortress, the first of the thirteen cities of Yongzhou.
hehe.
It's...far from the North!
Qingmei, who was sitting on the carriage saddle, covered her mouth and chuckled, whispering, "The Empress said they'll make sure it all the way to Yongzhou."
Xiangyang gave a thumbs up: "It really works."
Chongjiu sent word that they should just follow along and not give any hints.
He had originally thought that even if he had gone the wrong way at the beginning, he should have found it by now.
But these two little devils always manage to convince themselves and are quite happy.
Xiangyang almost burst out laughing several times.
"Uncle Xiang, Uncle Xiang!"
Xie Yunxi's cheerful voice rang out in the carriage.
"Why."
"Yaoyao and I want to eat dumplings tonight."
Xiangyang cheerfully agreed, "Okay!"
He raised his whip, flicked it in mid-air, and drove the carriage forward with a "clattering" sound.
On the surface, only he and Qingmei were with them. By the time they arrived at Blackwater Fortress, it was not yet sunset.
A large crowd of people gathered in front of the city gate, forming a long queue.
"Huh?"
"Shouldn't there be more people leaving the city at this hour?"
Qingmei mentioned it casually, and the horse merchant in front of them must have heard it, because he said cheerfully, "We heard that the governor is coming, and everyone is eager to see him."
Mr. Zhou Mu?
Qingmei's face lit up with surprise, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.
The master is here too?!
She couldn't help but peek out towards the direction of the official road.
Seeing this, the horse merchant said with a knowing look, "You've also come here specifically to see the governor, haven't you?"
He said with anticipation, "Who could have imagined that in just a few years, our Yongzhou would have such a prosperous scene?"
"Are you from Yongzhou, brother?" Xiangyang asked.
"Our ancestors have made a living by trading horses." The horse merchant was particularly talkative. He said, "In the past, I would hire at least fifty bodyguards before I dared to set out. Now, look, the bandits have all retreated to the west of the Blackwater River. They have been beaten to a pulp and dare not show their faces again."
"As soon as I heard that the governor was coming, I made a special detour to come here, even if it was just to catch a glimpse from afar."
"Speaking of which, the last time I came to Blackwater Fortress was ten years ago. It was like a ghost town, with a chilling wind blowing. I originally wanted to stay in the city for one night, but I didn't dare to go in."
"Hey, you guys sound like you're from out of town, right?"
"...Your turn!"
The merchant was talking enthusiastically when someone urged him from the front. He quickly led his servants over and handed over his travel permit.
Xiang Yang said in a low voice, "Now..." He gestured with his chin towards the carriage, "You heard me, right?"
Why is there still no movement?
"Could it be..."
The two exchanged a glance, fearing that the two little devils would find out the "truth" and hide away to cry.
Qingmei carefully lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and peeked inside. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
"Asleep."
The two children were sleeping soundly, their heads close together.
Qingmei gestured for Xiangyang to be quiet.
Before long, the carriage smoothly entered the city. They had all the necessary permits and were allowed to pass after only a few questions.
The carriage was traveling down the wide street. Xiang Yang was asking passersby where to find dumplings when the carriage jolted slightly, and Xie Yunxi woke up.
She rubbed her eyes and mumbled, "Uncle Xiang, have we arrived yet?"
"arrive."
Wow!
Her dazed mind immediately cleared up, and Xie Yunxi nimbly rolled over, peering out while pulling her older brother along.
"Yaoyao, look!"
Xie Yunyao quickly moved closer to his sister.
Both little heads were squeezed against the carriage window, excitedly watching the bustling street outside.
Born and raised in Beijing, this was their first time traveling far from home. Previously, fearing their parents would "bring them back," they had avoided big cities, only stopping in small towns.
They've been running around for over half a month, enduring wind and rain and sleeping outdoors, looking pitiful.
They had never experienced such hardship since they were young.
However, the two of them adapted very well, and with the thought of seeing their uncle soon on their minds, they didn't feel tired at all.
Especially now, her delicate face is full of energy.
It's been a long time since I've seen such a bustling city with so many people.
"Yaoyao, look! There's a dough figurine over there!"
"Huh? What's that?! Why is she dancing with her belly exposed?"
"Oh no, it's falling! It's falling!"
The gold necklaces around their necks swayed back and forth.
"Meow?"
Just then, a pleasant meow rang out.
The brother and sister turned their heads at the same time, and upon seeing this, their dark, bright eyes seemed to light up like stars.
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