Early spring of the fortieth year of Yong'an.
The snow on the road was still thick, and the horse-drawn cart wheels made a crunching sound as they rolled over it.
The two carriages had been traveling in circles for six or seven days.
Considering that Xiao Mantou is physically weak, everyone will choose to rest for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn every three hours.
During breaks, they would boil water, refill the hot water bottle, eat some dry food, and add more charcoal to ensure heating.
Perhaps it was because the government had done a good job in governing the area in recent years, but we did not encounter any robbers or bandits along the way, which made things much easier.
I forgot to mention that these two bodyguards are junior brothers of Han Shu and Xie Fang, and they recommended them.
The two of them retired from their profession and went on to run cosmetic shops with their wives.
When Jiang Yue passed through Taohua County, she made a special trip to visit the Ye He and Ye Hua sisters. Seeing how well they were doing, each holding their baby and looking happy, she didn't stop to disturb them, but quietly left...
"Reporting to the Lady, we will arrive in Yunshui County in half a day."
Qian Yong thought he would have to stay at the county lord's house in Wujia Village for half a year before he could persuade the county lord to return to Yunshui County. Unexpectedly, the county lord had come to a change of heart and was willing to take this old man back to Yunshui County ahead of schedule.
Needless to say, I was overjoyed and excited.
All he could do was lead the way for the princess and safely bring her back to her residence!
"Alright, you should rest well, we'll continue our journey later."
Jiang Yue nodded and handed the baked bun to the other person.
Show goodwill and win people's hearts.
"This old servant thanks the Lady for her kindness."
Qian Yong respectfully accepted the steamed bun and carefully began to eat it.
Although steamed buns are not a delicacy, they were a gift from the noble lady!
“Mother, Fangfang and I are not in a hurry to return to Jinling. We will accompany you to Yunshui County for a few days first. Once we are sure that Yunshui County is safe, we will then set off to return to Jinling.”
Qingsong handed the baked buns to his mother and then baked them again himself.
"what ever."
Jiang Yue nodded, saying it was no big deal.
Qingyao scooped up some boiling water, poured it into a cup, blew on it, and handed it to her mother, saying:
"Mom, drink some water, be careful it's hot!"
"Um."
Jiang Yue said she enjoys the filial piety of her children.
"Miss, please make do with this dry food. Once we reach the county seat, I will buy you some pastries."
Xia Hua did the same, toasting the bread slices and handing them to the young lady.
Aunt Ge used clean snow to scrub all the cups, then poured in hot water and handed them to everyone present, giving each person a cup of hot water to ward off the chill.
The bodyguards also received their share, and after thanking the guards, they began to rest.
However, since they were hired, their most important task, feeding the horses, was more important than feeding themselves.
The hay was placed on the roof of the wagon. After unloading some and feeding the horses, the rest was left on the roof.
As for water, snow will do; at this point, the horses aren't picky...
After drinking the milk, the little bun slept soundly, whimpering all the while.
Fangfang called out to her husband, asking him to take the baby's diapers outside to warm them by the fire.
If it's a soiled cloth, just throw it out of the carriage.
There was no other way; we couldn't just let it accumulate in the carriage and make people smell bad.
My mother-in-law gave me a box of this cotton cloth when I left, just in case...
Qingsong was happy to take care of his son. He picked up a wooden stick, put the diaper on it, and placed it next to the fire to dry.
After Jiang Yue finished eating, she led the women to a secluded spot not far away, pulled out a rag, and gestured for the women to relieve themselves.
Once we got on the carriage, it would be quite a while before I could satisfy my physical needs.
After everything was over, she returned to the campfire in the carriage, warmed her skirt for a while, and then went back into the warm carriage.
Hand warmers, hot water bottles, blankets, charcoal stoves—they have everything.
The men stomped out the fire and covered it with snow.
After checking that nothing was missed, we got back on the bus and continued our journey...
Qingyao was a little sleepy, so she lay down on her mother's lap, found a comfortable position, and started to doze off and fall asleep.
Sleepiness is contagious; as soon as Qingyao fell asleep, Jiang Yue also dozed off.
Aunt Ge dared not sleep, but leaned against the bumpy carriage and closed her eyes to rest.
Xia Hua was young, and although she wanted to stay alert and take good care of her young mistress, she couldn't resist her sleepiness and unconsciously leaned on Aunt Ge's shoulder and fell asleep.
Xia Hua was still quite young, and Aunt Ge took pity on her, so she didn't wake her and continued to rest with her eyes closed.
In the carriage behind, Qingsong and his wife held their sleeping son, who was still burping, and whispered to each other:
"My son is like a little pig, he eats and then sleeps, he sleeps and then eats again~"
"What kind of talk is that? If your son is a pig, then what are you?"
"Hehe, I misspoke, I deserve a beating, I deserve a beating~"
"Stop being silly. Are you really going to leave your mother and sister in this unfamiliar Yunshui County?"
"I'm worried, but once Mother has made up her mind, not even eight horses can bring her back."
"How about we hire some more bodyguards in Yunshui County to protect Mother's safety?"
"Great idea! You're so smart, honey!"
“You’re just being cheeky. A mother is still my mother. How could I not side with her? Wouldn’t that be heartless?”
Fangfang sighed. Her mother-in-law was an amazing woman, and she was so lucky to be her daughter-in-law!
"Eeya eeya~"
The little steamed bun seemed to have been woken up. It opened its eyes, saw the enlarged face in front of it, and swatted at it with its paw.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! You brat, if you hit your old man, I'll spank your little bottom!"
"Wow wow wow~"
The father and son's battle of wits was quite a spectacle.
The镖师 (bodyguard/escort) rushing to catch the carriage said, "I'd rather not eat this dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection)!"
"Giddy up!"
......
Before nightfall, the group finally arrived at Yunshui County.
A few soldiers were guarding the city gate outside the prefecture; they looked nonchalant and were even drinking...
"Whoa~"
"Everyone get out of the car for routine checks, and state your names."
"My lady has returned to the county; all of you, why are you not hurrying to welcome her?"
Upon seeing this, Qian Yong got off the carriage and, with a look of exasperation, took out the token from his sleeve.
The princess returned to her fiefdom for the first time and witnessed such a disgraceful scene; it was truly shameful!
"A princess? What princess?"
The soldier was drunk and hadn't realized what was happening yet.
An older colleague, upon seeing the token, quickly patted his colleague on the shoulder, stepped forward to verify its authenticity, and then immediately knelt down to apologize.
"I am Zhang Dadan. It has been bitterly cold these days, and my brothers are too cold, so I drank some strong liquor to ward off the chill. I was impolite and hope that you will forgive me, Your Highness!"
"This humble servant greets Your Highness."
The remaining soldiers had all sobered up and quickly offered their apologies!
Jiang Yue rolled down the car window and said lazily:
"Rise. I am the Lady of Yunshui County, personally appointed by the Emperor. This is not to be repeated."
This Zhang Dadan was indeed bold and meticulous, using the cold weather as an excuse to explain why he was drinking.
Oh well, they're just a bunch of gatekeepers. What good would it do her to argue with them?
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. We warmly welcome your return!"
......
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com