"Sister Liu, are you feeling unwell? You haven't looked well the whole way here," Xiaoxue asked with some concern.
"I'm fine, I was just too tired the past few days."
As Liu Yingying spoke, she lifted the curtain and looked at the troops in front of her, a thoughtful expression on her face…
She remembered that Jiang Rucheng had said that he and Shen Shangxu were classmates. That General Weiyuan didn't seem like a treacherous person. She wondered what his relationship with Lord Shen was really like.
Is there anything I can do to help with this?
However, Liu Yingying did not dare to rush forward to seek help, after all, what if the two had a grudge before, and now he knew about Lord Shen's predicament?
Wouldn't that become Lord Shen's death warrant?
Around noon, Jiang Rucheng ordered the army to stop for lunch on a grassy area nestled against the mountains and beside the water.
The military camp was full of rough men. Their lunch consisted of fish and crabs caught in the stream and pheasants and rabbits hunted in the mountains, all gathered from the wild.
After washing them clean, we roasted them over a fire on the spot, sprinkled some salt on top, and then ate them...
Jiang Rucheng personally brought over a roasted chicken and half a rabbit and handed them over, saying, "Your Highness, you must be tired from your journey. Please have something to eat!"
In fact, this kind of meat, cooked without any seasoning or additives using local ingredients in the wild, did not evoke in Liu Yingying the feeling that it was a pure, natural delicacy that surpassed any processed food.
She glanced down at the dry roasted chicken and rabbit, skillfully concealing the disgust in her eyes, and took the food from his hands.
"Thank you very much, General Weiyuan!"
"You're welcome. We should arrive in the capital around dusk. If you need any help, please let me know."
Jiang Rucheng rode his horse alongside their carriage, seemingly with no intention of leaving.
After much deliberation, Liu Yingying finally couldn't help but ask, "Are the General and Magistrate Shen Shangxu of Furong County classmates?"
"Yes, Ah Xu and I have known each other since we were little. In a way, we're childhood friends!"
To have known the heir of the Prince of Lin'an since childhood and later become classmates, the Shen family must have a good background. So why are their circumstances so different...?
As Liu Yingying was pondering this, she heard Jiang Rucheng continue, "Actually, not long ago, when I returned from the Northern Frontier, I happened to pass through Ningzhou County. However, at that time, I did not know that A Xu was also serving there, so I missed the opportunity to catch up with him."
To everyone's surprise, Liu Yingying retorted directly, "You have no chance, even if you knew, you still wouldn't have a chance!"
Jiang Rucheng looked at her, puzzled. "Oh, what do you mean?"
Liu Yingying then recounted the general process of how Shen Shangxu offended Prefect Lin and was imprisoned.
Jiang Rucheng was furious after hearing this.
"I never imagined that the mere illegitimate son of the Yongle Marquis's family, who had nothing to do in the capital, would be so lawless and reckless after being demoted to Ningzhou County through family connections!"
"General, you're right. You have no idea... how many families have been ruined and lives lost because of Lin Zhizhou's pursuit of pleasure..."
"Speaking of which, Lord Shen was truly a rare and kind official who cared deeply for the common people. What a pity..."
Liu Yingying sighed softly as she spoke, then looked at Jiang Rucheng's expression. Seeing that he looked serious and fell silent, she quietly shut her mouth as well.
Jiang Rucheng seemed lost in thought when he spoke again, abruptly changing the subject, "By the way, since you are searching for your missing husband, may I ask you for his name? Once we return to the capital, I can send someone to help you find out his whereabouts."
"My husband's surname is Zhu, his given name is Jianqiang, and he is the eldest son in his family... I thank you, General!"
Liu Yingying didn't object to his help, since no one had seen Zhu Jianqiang's body so far.
That means he still has at least a chance of surviving.
If Zhu Jianqiang is really alive, then I won't have to worry about his children anymore.
Then I can rest assured and divorce him.
No in-laws, no husband, no bratty kids—that's what a good life is all about!
However, Jiang Rucheng was startled when he heard the name.
Strong... He's a scholar, after all. How could he marry such a vulgar name?
I couldn't help but glance at Liu Yingying's beautiful face again, and a feeling of pity arose in my heart, like a wildflower stuck in pig manure...
Liu Yingying handed half a rabbit to Xue Ye, and shared the other half of the chicken with Xiao Xue.
However, it was really hard to swallow just like that, so he took out a bottle of Seven Star Wenchang Sauce from his bundle.
The moment the lid was unscrewed, a wonderful aroma filled the air…
Jiang Rucheng smelled the familiar scent and subconsciously looked into the car.
Liu Yingying took out a jar of sauce and handed it to him; "General, would you like to try this? I made it myself!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Rucheng looked surprised; "You mean... you made this yourself?"
Liu Yingying nodded, puzzled. "Yes, what's wrong...?"
She couldn't help but wonder if this General Weiyuan disliked her substandard products.
But looking at the rabbit in front of me, which looked completely unappetizing... it didn't seem like it at all...
Jiang Rucheng smiled and shook his head, then recounted how he had eaten this sauce in Furong County.
"To be honest, I mentioned to the manager of Tingxianglou that if I had the chance, I would like to meet the person who invented this sauce."
"I never expected that person to be you, Lady Ning'an. It seems we are truly destined to meet!"
Once the topic of the Seven Star Wenchang Sauce came up, the two seemed to have more to talk about.
Liu Yingying glanced at him; "This is merely a means for me to make a living. It is my honor to have gained the general's favor."
"If you like them, I'll have someone send some to the capital when I get back, okay?"
Jiang Rucheng didn't stand on ceremony with her and happily accepted her favor, saying, "Then thank you, County Lady!"
After the two chatted for a few more minutes, it seemed that there had been some kind of accident ahead, so Jiang Rucheng rode off to check it out.
After eating, Liu Yingying and Xiaoxue leaned against the carriage and drifted off to sleep.
When they woke up, the carriage had already reached the official road outside the capital.
General Weiyuan, the heir apparent of the Prince of Lin'an, Jiang Rucheng, has rendered meritorious service in this disaster relief effort, and a reward is naturally indispensable.
The people of the Prince of Lin'an's mansion also led their servants to the city gate early in the morning to welcome their eldest son.
Liu Yingying did not want to get involved with these nobles and officials, so she asked Jiang Rucheng to go their separate ways outside the city.
In fact, there is only one road into the capital. Their so-called splitting up is just that they stop the carriages first and wait for Jiang Rucheng and the others to enter the city before they enter.
Jiang Rucheng knew her concerns, so he did not insist that she come in and out with him.
And so, by the time the people from the Prince of Lin'an's mansion entered the city, it was already dark. Liu Yingying and her two companions managed to enter the capital just before the city gates closed.
Xiaoxue, puzzled, asked, "Sister Liu, you are also the Lady of Ning'an County, bestowed by the imperial court, and a great hero in this disaster relief effort. Why didn't anyone come out of the city to welcome you?"
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