The next day, Atuo Jianghua packed her bags and, accompanied by two maids, set off with Atuo Qingye.
On this sunny day, she was dressed in traditional Uyghur clothing, sitting on her horse with a charming and bright smile on her face. Suppressing the intense reluctance in her heart, she pretended to be relaxed and said, "Nongnong, there's no need to see me off. Go back now, otherwise Huaijin and Yaoyao will cry again if they don't see you."
Atuo Qingye, who was riding beside her, looked at the stunningly beautiful woman standing in front of her horse and gently advised, "Yes, go back quickly."
Suppressing her sorrow at parting, Wen Nongnong waved to the two of them and said sincerely, "Even after a thousand miles of seeing you off, we must eventually part ways. So I will see you off here. Have a safe journey!"
"Alright." The brother and sister nodded emphatically, and without further hesitation, they pulled on the reins, led their entourage, and rode away.
Amidst the rising dust, the two figures gradually disappeared until they were out of sight. Wen Nongnong sighed softly and prepared to mount her horse and return to the city, but at that moment, the sound of hooves rang out.
She turned her head and was stunned when she saw the person riding ahead on horseback. She reacted and exclaimed, "Uncle?"
"Didn't they say you were arrested? When did you get back?" Xiao Yan rode up to her, then dismounted, holding the reins, and looked at her suspiciously. Seeing her surprised expression, he said somewhat strangely, "Why are you so surprised to see me?"
Wen Nongnong opened her lips, about to say something, but was interrupted by a gentle voice, "Nongnong!"
She momentarily forgot what she was going to say, and looked happily at Wen Tingyun, who was a step behind Xiao Yan, "Big Brother!"
Wen Tingyun dismounted with a joyful expression, quickly stepped forward, took her shoulder, and looked her over. Seeing that she was unharmed, he finally felt relieved and said with a sigh of relief, "Nongnong, it's so good that you're back safely."
Wen Nongnong was also very happy to see her brother. "I've been back for many days now. Two days ago, Steward Wang sent a message to the capital by carrier pigeon. Didn't you receive it?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately realized that even if they traveled by fast horse from the capital to here, it would take at least six or seven days. It seemed that they had set off for Xiangzhou before the message arrived by carrier pigeon, and thus missed the opportunity.
However, Gu Linchao should have already received the message by carrier pigeon and know that she has returned, right?
Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, "Now Hengzhi doesn't need to worry. After he learned that you had been arrested, he originally wanted to return to Xiangzhou in person, but he had just ascended the throne and had too many government affairs to handle, plus the matter of my older sister's funeral..."
He paused here, his tone lowered, but after a moment he mustered his spirits again, "Anyway, it's all the better that you're back safe and sound. I came to Xiangzhou on his behalf, and now that you're back safely, everyone can rest assured."
After hearing what he said, Wen Nongnong finally remembered what she had just wanted to say, and looked at him with a strange expression, "Uncle..."
Xiao Yan was startled when he saw her strange expression. "Why are you making that face again?"
Wen Nongnong suddenly grabbed his sleeve and said urgently, "Uncle, you're too late. A-Tuo and Jiang Hua just left. Do you want to go after her?"
Xiao Yan paused for a moment, then said casually, "She's been eating and drinking for free at the Prince of Xiang's residence for so long, it's time for her to leave."
Wen Nongnong frowned. "Uncle, are you telling the truth? I heard from Jiang Hua that her father has already chosen a good husband for her, and they might get married after returning to Xinjiang..."
"Hehe, she's already been to the palace once, which is considered a second marriage. If someone wants her, she should definitely seize the opportunity." Xiao Yan said this with a smile on his face, but to Wen Nongnong, it was incredibly chilling.
Wen Nong Nong blinked. Could her uncle have been so angry that he lost his mind?
After thinking for a moment, she couldn't help but say, "Uncle, if you like her, hurry up and go after her. She hasn't gone far. Besides, before the Empress Dowager passed away, she asked you to give her a chance to ask for her hand in marriage. If you ask her properly, she will be willing to marry you."
Xiao Yan muttered, "My older sister is really something, making it seem like I can't find a wife. If I wanted to marry, there would be a line of girls waiting outside the city gates!"
Wen Nongnong's lips twitched slightly, and she deliberately said, "So that's how it is. The Empress Dowager really wasted her efforts. She was worried that you wouldn't be able to find a wife before she died. That's good. Atuo Jianghua won't have to feel pressured anymore. After returning to Xinjiang, she can happily marry the consort chosen for her by her father."
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Yan, who had been nonchalant just moments before, suddenly pulled Ma Jiang over and shot off like an arrow.
Zhou Jun was startled to see his Duke galloping away like a madman. He quickly spurred his horse to give chase, calling out, "Duke, wait for me!"
Wen Nongnong, who had a mouthful of dust: "..."
Realizing what she had done, she spat several times, "My uncle is really hypocritical. He's moving like this, as if he's afraid the other person will run away."
Wen Tingyun said with a laugh, "You said that the girl is going to happily marry someone else, how could he not be anxious?"
“That’s true. I hope he’s fast enough to catch up with her,” Wen Nongnong said sincerely. Then she took his arm and winked at him, saying, “Big brother has been gone for half a month. He must miss sister-in-law, right?”
Wen Tingyun tapped her head with his finger, "You're a mother of two now, and you're still so childish." He paused, then changed the subject, looking at her with a half-smile, and said, "The Prince is fine. He was just very worried about you after hearing the news that you had been arrested. But now he should have received the message by carrier pigeon and know that you have returned safely. He should be able to breathe a sigh of relief."
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