"Father!"
"Second Imperial Brother!"
"Third Imperial Brother!"
"Father, you should go back inside quickly, it's cold outside!"
"Duoduo, your father is waiting for your letter!"
Yun Beiye, wearing a white fox fur cloak, stood on the snow and waved goodbye.
"Duoduo, be careful on your journey. Don't worry about things in the capital!"
Yun Yishu waved to Yun Duoduo, his words implying that she should rest assured about the shops in the capital, as he would take good care of them.
"I understand!" Yun Duoduo waved goodbye.
The Empress Dowager's carriage also came out, and after bidding farewell, the group set off.
Yun Duoduo and the Empress Dowager rode in the same carriage.
Ah Xiang, Sun Huohuo, and Jin Zhuangzhuang rode in a carriage, with Jin Jinzhi riding a horse at the front, followed by a delegation carrying special products from Nanyang.
From afar, the group appeared as a large procession walking along the snow-white official road.
When the carriage reached the city gate, they saw the eldest prince, Yun Yibo, and his wife, Shangguan Qin'er, standing in front of it.
"Eldest brother? Eldest sister-in-law?"
Yun Duoduo was somewhat surprised to see the two of them.
She had assumed that the two men would be too busy taking care of their two young nephews who were still in swaddling clothes to come out, but to her surprise, they came to see her and her grandmother off.
"Mother, Duoduo, here are some clothes and food for your journey."
Yun Yibo and Shangguan Qin'er paid their respects to the Empress Dowager. After exchanging a few words of farewell, Yun Yibo looked at Yun Duoduo with reluctance.
"What kind of looks are those?"
There was some sadness in Yun Yibo's eyes, and Shangguan Qin'er looked at Yun Duoduo with a touch of pity.
"Duoduo and I are not going to stay away forever!"
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she waved to the two of them, signaling them to go back.
Yun Yibo pulled Shangguan Qin'er aside, making way for the carriage to continue its journey.
[I've heard that Father Emperor sent Duoduo to the Shu Kingdom this time with the intention of arranging a marriage between her and the prince of Shu.]
I wonder what Father Emperor really thinks about this, and whether Duoduo is willing to accept it.
Yun Yibo watched the departing convoy and sighed heavily.
Even the royal family's offspring cannot escape the fate of arranged marriages.
...
Penglai Inn on Chang'an Street.
Grandma Xue's health gradually improved, and Zheng Ningxiang checked out of the inn and went to find the small courtyard that Yun Duoduo had prepared, according to the location on the map.
Along the way, Zheng Ningxiang instructed the coachman to drive smoothly. However, since it was early in the morning, there were hardly any pedestrians on the road, so the carriage traveled quite smoothly.
"Master, it's just ahead."
Zheng Ningxiang lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside.
Upon arriving in the courtyard, Granny Xue looked at everything in surprise.
"Sect Master, let's go in and take a look."
Zheng Ningxiang used the key that Yun Duoduo had given her to open the gate to the courtyard, and Grandma Xue, supported by Zheng Ningxiang, toured the small courtyard.
The courtyard was small and surrounded by a wooden fence. Going up the bluestone steps, you would find a spacious front hall. Next to the front hall were the kitchen and bedrooms. The kitchen was filled with commonly used cooking utensils, and fresh green vegetables and red pork were placed on the stone table.
"Young Master, you're really thoughtful. You've even prepared vegetables and pork for us."
Grandma Xue smiled and nodded.
"This girl, despite her young age, has the most delicate mind."
There were two geese, a few chickens, and a few ducklings in the backyard, quacking loudly.
Because of the cold weather, the chickens, ducks and geese were kept in several small, dedicated wooden houses.
Five racks were set up in the open space, with winnowing baskets and straw baskets on them. The baskets contained various medicinal herbs that had been dried and covered with lids.
Walking down the bluestone path in the backyard, there is a river that is neither too wide nor too narrow. Although the river is frozen, Grandma Xue can imagine that spring here must be very picturesque.
Zheng Ningxiang placed the bundle on the table and helped Granny Xue sit down.
The old man's eyes were filled with gratitude. "This young girl has decorated this place so well; she really put her heart into it."
"Master, I will go boil water right away."
...
Princess Nanyang and the Empress Dowager's entourage traversed mountains and valleys, with Jin Jinzhi holding a map and directing the entire procession along the smoothest route.
Moreover, food was provided at every rest stop along the way, so Yun Duoduo felt very comfortable throughout the journey.
Since we didn't travel by water, we didn't get seasick or go hungry.
It was already evening when they arrived in the capital of Shu.
Yun Duoduo had already changed into her spring and autumn clothes, and threw her fox fur cloak onto the carriage. She lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside, shocked by the bustling and prosperous scene before her.
Unlike Nanyang, Nanyang has a curfew except for important holidays such as the Spring Festival, which are celebrated nationwide.
The Shu Kingdom was more free, as it had no curfew, resulting in a very vibrant nightlife.
There were people performing martial arts, acrobatics, cooking, playing musical instruments, and singing—it was quite a lively scene.
Wow, this is exactly the kind of nightlife I've always wanted...
[Fried skewers, beer, karaoke, clubbing—it's all in one go...]
[Give me a set of Jianbing Guozi!]
[No sleeping tonight! Let's drink until we drop!]
Yun Duoduo excitedly stopped the carriage, jumped off, and ran quickly to Jin Jinzhi's side.
Because of the crowds in the capital, it was difficult to avoid them, so Jin Jinzhi's horse walked very slowly ahead.
"Brother Jinzhi, shall we stay here and play instead of going to the palace today, and go to the palace tomorrow?"
Yun Duoduo blinked her big eyes, hoping that Jin Jinzhi would grant her request.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
