Chapter 104
Because An Yi was very young at that time, she didn’t remember it clearly, but her sister had been telling her all this since she was a child… She was the only one left in An Yi’s family who survived. Without her sister’s protection, An Yi had a very hard time. In fact, An Yi didn’t know whose child she was in. But even so, after she found out she was pregnant, An Yi wanted to keep the child, so she ran away…
An Yi prepared everything before she started to escape, and she really ran away. Before her sister died, An Yi told An Yi to escape to the border town if she had the chance, as that was the only place that dared to take her in. An Yi successfully escaped to the border town, but the journey was bumpy. Even with the doctor's treatment in the border town, the baby was barely kept alive for seven months. After the baby was born, it was too weak and didn't even have the strength to cry. Before An Yi could even say a word to the child, the child was gone.
And it also hurts the body. When they were in the music school, they drank medicine, which was used to prevent women from getting pregnant and was very harmful to the body. It could be said that An Yi was lucky to get pregnant. It would be difficult to have such luck a second time, so An Yi cherished it so much.
Shen Jin didn't know how to comfort An Yi, but An Yi had already let it go and smiled, "So Madam, don't feel burdened. We are all carefree."
"It's different." Shen Jin smiled but said nothing more.
In fact, An Yi often heard people talk about the lady, but she had never really gotten along with Shen Jin. Now she understood why so many people were loyal to Shen Jin.
Without Chu Xiuming, the journey was much faster, and Shen Jin seemed to be conserving his energy, hiding in the carriage all day, eating and sleeping. Although it looked comfortable, after walking for half a month, An Ning discovered that Shen Jin's clothes had become looser, or to be more precise, Shen Jin had lost weight.
It's just that Shen Jin ate a lot, and An Yi also took Shen Jin's pulse, and there was nothing wrong with her body. Although she suspected that Shen Jin was pregnant, it didn't show in her pulse. However, An Yi didn't hide it from Shen Jin, and asked Shen Jin carefully if there was anything wrong with her body. Shen Jin didn't feel anything, and she had just had her first child some time ago.
An Yi was actually unsure. It might be that Shen Jin was in a bad mood because of leaving the border town, or because he had stayed in the carriage for too long, so she just advised, "Madam, if you have nothing to do, why not take a walk more."
Shen Jin said, "I don't really want to move."
An Yi hesitated and said, "In fact, sometimes if the pregnancy is early, the period will still come."
Shen Jin thought about the time when she was pregnant with Dongdong, frowned and sat up straight, her hand involuntarily touching her belly. In fact, she paid special attention to her body and listened to people's advice. She frowned and said, "When can we be sure?"
An Yi was not like An Ning and the others who had never experienced sex. She knew a lot about sex and had even received special training in this area. Naturally, she knew about the intimate moments between Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin on the way there. Could it be that the child was conceived at that time? It was possible. After all, Shen Jin had taken her pulse before leaving the border town. If there was any sign of pregnancy when she was in the border town, they would not have let Shen Jin go. Thinking of this, An Yi didn't know whether to say that the child came at a good time or at a bad time.
In fact, An Yi had previously gone to Madam Zhao to ask about Shen Jin's health, and even asked about Shen Jin's reaction when he had the child. After thinking for a while, she said, "We have to wait at least another half a month."
Wait another half a month... Shen Jin bit her lip. By then, they had already arrived in the capital. An Yi said, "Actually, I am not sure. Madam may be worrying too much, which is why she is so listless and has lost a lot of weight."
Shen Jin understood what An Yi meant, thought for a moment and said, "In that case..." Before Shen Jin finished his words, An Ning's voice was heard outside.
Because she was unsure of Shen Jin's attitude and the situation was a bit special, there was no third party present when An Yi replied. An Yi glanced at Shen Jin, who nodded. Then An Yi asked, "An Ning, what's wrong?"
"Madam, please sit tight, the carriage is about to stop." An Ning said from outside.
Shen Jin frowned and opened the window. Outside was the official road. Logically, they shouldn't stop now. Soon the carriage was stable. An Ning opened the door and came in and said, "Madam, there is a group of people coming up ahead."
"Do you know who it is?" Shen Jin asked.
An Ning said, "Yue Wen said that there were about dozens of people on horseback, but some of them were too far to see clearly."
"Let the driver pull over and make way." Shen Jin said.
An Ning agreed and quickly passed on Shen Jin's order. The carriage stopped to the side. Yue Wen directed the guards to protect Shen Jin's carriage in the middle. Because they didn't know whether it was an enemy or a friend, they were particularly alert.
Shen Jin and An Yi didn't know what had just happened. They didn't expect that this group of people were really coming for Shen Jin and his group. They were the people sent by Emperor Cheng to pick up Shen Jin. Even if Shen Jin wanted to turn around and leave, it was impossible. This team of cavalry said they were escorting Shen Jin to Beijing, but it seemed more like they were monitoring Shen Jin and even wanted to take over Zheng Liang's supervision.
Because he was carrying the imperial edict from Emperor Cheng, Shen Jin could not refuse. However, with the presence of guards like Yue Wen, these people could not get close to him. When they arrived at the post station for rest in the evening, the captain of the cavalry team asked to see Shen Jin. Unfortunately, Shen Jin had no intention of meeting him. He only asked An Ning to tell him that Marquis Yongning was not around and it was not appropriate to meet men outside of his family at night.
The captain only said that he had not thought it through. He came to ask for an audience early the next morning, but he was stopped outside before he could even enter the courtyard. The reason was very simple. Shen Jin had not gotten up yet. This time, the captain's face turned dark. It was already late, and the order given to them by Emperor Cheng was to bring people to Beijing as soon as possible. At this time, he suppressed his anger and said, "I wonder when you are going to set off?"
Yue Wen was not in a hurry, and before the carriage even started to pack up, he said, "We'll make a decision after the Madam wakes up."
"I wonder when Madam will be able to get up?" asked the captain.
Yue Wen shook his head and said he didn't know, "What's your name?"
"My name is Sun Peng." Sun Peng said, and then looked at Yue Wen. Most people would introduce themselves in this situation, but Yue Wen just responded and stopped looking at him, which made Sun Peng choke. However, he didn't want to leave, so he stood guard at the gate of the courtyard. Yue Wen didn't chase him away, pretending he didn't see him.
Actually, Shen Jin couldn't fall asleep yesterday because of An Yi's words, so he woke up a little late. It wasn't like this some time ago. After Shen Jin woke up, An Ning and the others helped him get up. Shen Jin drank a few sips of honey water and then said, "An Yi, forget what you said yesterday."
An Yi suggested to Shen Jin yesterday that he write a letter to Chu Xiuming. Originally, Shen Jin had considered it, but seeing that proclaiming himself emperor would easily lead to more twists and turns, it would be better to wait until he arrived in the capital before making plans.
"Yes." An Yi understood in her heart that this was the only way the situation could be. If those cavalrymen had not come, An Yi would definitely have persuaded Shen Jin to leave.
Although the post station had a cook, An Tao had borrowed the kitchen to make the food that Shen Jin used. After knowing that An Tao followed Shen Jin, Aunt Zhao specially brought An Tao to cook for her. Shen Jin naturally liked the taste of the food. After Shen Jin finished his meal, An Ning told him about Sun Peng. Shen Jin said, "Then bring him in."
"Yes." An Ning responded respectfully and went out to invite the person in.
An Ning brought the person over quickly, and Yue Wen also stood guard at the door of the house. In fact, no matter how capable this Sun Peng was, he looked pretty good. As soon as he came in, he saluted and said, "Greetings to the wife of the Yongning Marquis."
"Get up." Shen Jin said.
Sun Peng then stood up and stood in the middle. Shen Jin asked, "Do you have something to talk to me about?"
"To answer Madam Hou's question," Sun Peng said with his head down, "When will Madam Hou set off?"
"Oh." Shen Jin thought for a moment and said, "An Ning, have you packed your things?"
"It's all ready, but the soup dumplings that Madam wants to use will have to wait a while." An Ning said.
Shen Jin nodded and looked at Sun Peng and said, "It's almost done. Are you in a hurry?"
Sun Peng said respectfully, "Your Majesty is worried that the road will be unsafe and the rebels may disturb the Marquis' wife, so he has asked me to bring people to escort the Marquis to the capital as soon as possible." He deliberately pointed out the word "as soon as possible".
Shen Jin said, "You can leave after the dumplings are made. Don't worry."
Sun Peng couldn't figure out for a moment whether he was being too tactful and Shen Jin didn't understand him. "Then why don't you let me arrange the rest of the trip?"
Yue Wen, who was standing at the door, frowned. Sun Peng's words seemed nothing at first, but in reality he was going to take over the entire team. Shen Jin said, "Oh, no need."
"But is there any inconvenience?" Sun Peng was unwilling to give up and asked again.
Shen Jin shook his head and said, "It's not inconvenient at all."
Sun Peng's eyes flickered as he said, "I will discuss the itinerary with Madam Hou."
"No need." Shen Jin said, "My husband said that Yue Wen will take care of the trip and safety." This sentence blocked what Sun Peng wanted to say next. Shen Jin looked at Sun Peng and said, "How about I write a letter to ask my husband?"
Sun Peng said respectfully, "I dare not trouble the Yongning Marquis with such a small matter."
Shen Jin said, "Do you have anything else to do?"
"I wonder when Madam is going to set off tomorrow? I can also ask the soldiers to prepare in advance." Sun Peng asked again.
Shen Jin thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry, when I wake up, I will arrange for someone to notify you, and then you can just get ready."
Sun Peng's mouth twitched and he said, "Will this delay too much time?"
"It's okay." Shen Jin comforted, "I can wait a little longer."
Sun Peng gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty is worried that the Crown Prince of England has other plans, and wants to meet the envoy sent by the Crown Prince of England to the border town as soon as possible."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Shen Jin frowned and said, "If that's the case, then let's leave a little earlier tomorrow."
Sun Peng finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "May I see Zheng Liang, the envoy of the Prince of England?"
"No." Shen Jin said without hesitation.
Sun Peng frowned, and Shen Jin said, "Zheng Liang is an important witness. No one can contact him before he meets the emperor's uncle."
"It would be better to let my men be under the supervision of Zheng Liang, so that the guards of Yongning Marquis' Mansion can protect the Marquis' wife wholeheartedly." Sun Peng said respectfully.
Shen Jin suddenly asked, "Are you really sent by the Emperor's uncle?"
Sun Peng was stunned for a moment and said, "This humble official was indeed sent by His Majesty. Does Madam Hou have any questions?"
Shen Jin, however, was full of suspicion and said directly, "Take down Yue Wen."
Yue Wen, who had been standing at the door, moved as Shen Jin finished speaking. Before Sun Peng could react, he had already unsheathed the knife in his hand. At the same time, he kicked Sun Peng, making him kneel on the ground with the knife pressed on his neck. Sun Peng was startled and looked at Shen Jin with horror, "Madam Hou, are you going to kill me? Your Majesty..."
Shen Jin said, "I suspect you are a spy for the Prince of England."
"I have already given the emperor's edict to the marquis's wife yesterday." Sun Peng broke out in a cold sweat and said calmly.
Shen Jin asked back, "Could it be that you killed someone and robbed him?"
Just as Sun Peng was about to retort, he heard Shen Jin say, "So what if I killed the wrong person? Do you think the Emperor's uncle will punish me for you?"
It's impossible. If Shen Jin was just a princess, it might be possible. But Shen Jin was the wife of the Marquis of Yongning. Even if Emperor Cheng was furious, he would not touch Shen Jin before the Marquis of Yongning died or before Shen Jin was still useful. Instead, he would keep her well. Sun Peng understood his situation in an instant. He no longer had the arrogance he had when he first arrived. He knelt down on both knees and saluted, saying, "I was rude just now. Please forgive me, Madam Marquis, for any offense."
Shen Jin asked, "Who sent you?"
Sun Peng said respectfully, "I was really sent by His Majesty to protect Madam Hou."
Shen Jin looked puzzled and asked, "Then why do you keep saying you want Zheng Liang? Uncle Emperor's edict did not mention this."
"It is my fault." Emperor Cheng's edict naturally did not mention this, but before Sun Peng left the capital, Emperor Cheng gave Sun Peng a special meeting, which naturally contained other instructions, especially about Zheng Liang. However, this was similar to a secret edict, and Sun Peng naturally could not tell Shen Jin, so he could only admit his mistake at this time.
Shen Jin looked Sun Peng up and down, then looked at Yue Wen and asked, "Do you think he can be trusted?"
Yue Wen said respectfully, "Madam, I don't know either."
Shen Jin seemed to have thought for a while and said, "In that case, I will trust you for now, but you are still a big suspect. Remember to control your soldiers and don't get too close to us, let alone Zheng Liang's carriage." In fact, Shen Jin was a little unreasonable because of his status, but Sun Peng could do nothing about it. It was just a simple meeting, and the advantages and disadvantages of Emperor Cheng's people and Shen Jin's people were reversed.
Regardless of Shen Jin's identity or the knife on his neck, Sun Peng could not refuse. He responded respectfully. Shen Jin nodded. Yue Wen put away the knife. Before Sun Peng could stand up, Shen Jin said, "If you get close, you are sent by the Prince of England."
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