After leaving the palace, Yun Yichen rode his horse aimlessly on the street. He needed time to sort out his chaotic thoughts and calm himself down, so that his mother wouldn't find out after returning to the palace and make her sad.
When Yun Yichen thought of what his uncle said, his mood fluctuated. According to the news from the palace, his father's suppression of bandits in the northwest was not going very smoothly, and it would probably take a long time for him to come back. He hoped that his father would be safe and sound, and he prayed silently in his heart.
Only after Yun Yichen felt that his mood had completely calmed down did he ride his horse back to the palace.
The next day, after having dinner in advance, Qin took her two granddaughters and prepared to set off under the escort of Xiao Jingtai. In order to stagger the departure time with several nominal disciples, General Xiao did not even care about his little granddaughter who was still asleep.
"If you like it there, stay a few more days. If you want to go somewhere else, just let me know. Even if your father doesn't have time to accompany you, your second brother and sister-in-law will accompany and serve you." Tong Mingyu handed his daughter, who was not fully awake yet, to Chunye. Xiao Yuan, who was sleeping like a pig on the other side, was also carried to the carriage by Chunya.
"Just send someone to pass a message and your daughter-in-law will come. Even if you want to go to Northern Jin, your daughter-in-law will accompany you." This time, because General Xiao was accompanying her, Li Jiaoying had to stay. She also wanted to take her two beautifully dressed nieces to travel together, eat and sleep together, but because of the special circumstances this time, she could only watch her parents-in-law take the budding girls out to play.
"I'm sorry to trouble you." Qin knew that because of her, the whole family became cautious and even dared not openly mention any topic related to their youngest son, for fear of making her sad and upset.
"We are living well! Don't think too much. My second brother and his wife and I would like to thank you for helping take care of these two naughty little girls. Now that they are gone, the house is much quieter." Tong Mingyu said with a smile.
"Ahem." General Xiao was reluctant to blame his daughter-in-law, but he absolutely would not tolerate anyone slandering his granddaughter.
"Let's go. If we don't leave now, we, the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, will be looked down upon." Qin joked. Perhaps because she had her husband by her side, or perhaps because she was afraid that her son and daughter-in-law would worry, there was a little more smile on Qin's face today.
The convoy moved forward slowly. General Xiao calculated the time in his mind and felt that he should be able to avoid the other teams, so he asked the drivers to ensure speed while keeping the vehicle as stable as possible, because his precious granddaughter was sleeping soundly!
Such a difficult requirement was simply impossible for ordinary drivers to meet. The people driving the carriages were all subordinates who had followed General Xiao for many years. These people once again clearly realized that they could offend anyone in the Xiao family, but they must not offend the two young ladies.
The villa they were heading to this time boasted extensive flower gardens and medicinal herb fields. Not far from the villa lay a lake, its edges lush with trees and interspersed with paths. Several other official villas were scattered about in an orderly fashion. From afar, they could see the imperial villa, overseen by Xiao Jingkang. The complex, with its vermilion roofs and emerald tiles, was magnificent, and the emperor was said to be very pleased with it.
After about an hour, the carriage slowly stopped.
"Wake them up?" With General Xiao around, Qin didn't dare to make any decisions on her own regarding her granddaughter's affairs.
"Go ahead and call them. I heard that you can see the flower garden after entering the gate. Ping'an and Ruyi will definitely be very happy. Remember to ask the maid to wake them up gently and don't scare the two children." General Xiao carefully instructed the maids.
"Yes." Chun Ye and Chun Ya smiled at each other. Even if the general hadn't told them to, they wouldn't dare disturb the two young masters! Didn't they see that the madam had to ask for permission before taking any action? As maids, they didn't have the courage to disobey the general's orders.
Xiao Yao, who had slept all the way, opened her eyes and immediately regained her energy. She came here not only to improve her painting skills, but also to learn about the flower gardens and medicinal fields in the farm.
"Did I change rooms again? It doesn't seem like it. How can a house move?" Xiao Yuan, who didn't know where he was, scratched his head.
"We've arrived at the villa, let's get off the car." Xiao Yao rubbed her sister's face with both hands, hoping that she would wake up soon.
"Are we there yet? When did we set off? Why didn't I feel anything?" Xiao Yuan asked dizzily, surrounded by countless questions.
"If you have time to dwell on it, you might as well go and see the scenery!" Xiao Yao deftly opened the carriage curtain, squinted her eyes, and called out "Grandpa" with a smile as beautiful as a flower.
"Xiao Ping'an, wake up! Did you sleep well along the way? We've arrived at the villa. Once we enter the gate, we'll see a large flower garden. Do you want to see it?"
"If you want to, let's go now." Xiao Yuan, who could no longer wait, ran out of the carriage at almost the speed of a 100-meter sprint, almost pushing Xiao Yao out of the carriage.
"Slow down." General Xiao used his lightness skills to run over and held Xiao Yao in one hand and picked up Xiao Yuan in the other. Fortunately, he was a military general. If it were Old Tong, his two granddaughters would have fallen to the ground today.
"Why are you so irritable, kid? Are you trying to scare grandma to death?" Qin Shi lifted the car curtain and saw what had just happened. She was terrified. If her husband wasn't around, she would have scolded her granddaughter again. But now? Seeing that her husband seemed worried but not angry, Qin Shi chose to keep quiet.
"Don't do this next time, do you hear me?" General Xiao thought he had "scolded" his granddaughter seriously.
So this is how you lecture people. General Xiao's subordinates, who had followed him for years, felt they were increasingly unable to understand him. Rather than lecturing his granddaughter, it would be more accurate to say he was gently admonishing her. Was his expression serious? That was the expression he wore when he was at his most affable with his subordinates.
The villa's manager was a gentle-looking man in his thirties. Xiao Yao found it hard to associate him with land and forests. He looked more like a teacher, a pretentious scholar, and things like playing chess and the piano were more suitable for him.
"My humble self, Zhao Mian, greets all the masters." After saying this, the man took a few steps forward. Only then did Xiao Yao see clearly that he was a lame man. Perhaps this was the reason why he stayed in the villa.
"Are you used to it here? I haven't seen you for a year. How are you doing now?" General Xiao asked patiently.
"Thank you for your concern, General. I am living a very comfortable life now. I tend to the flowers and plants and look after the medicinal fields every day. It's very relaxing and comfortable." Zhao Mian replied respectfully.
"As long as you like it, that's all that matters. By the way, are you married? If not, how about picking one from the people who came with you today and getting married right away while I'm here?"
Xiao Yao turned her head to look at several maids of marriageable age. Some hung their heads in silence, some looked around secretly, and some quietly retreated, probably because they didn't want to marry a cripple! Xiao Yao believed that Zhao Mian must be a man with a story and ability, and he might not really look at ordinary people.
"Thank you for your concern, General. I already have a fiancée, and she has found her way here. We are also planning to choose a suitable time to get married." Zhao Mian's face was full of happiness, and his eyes sparkled brightly when he talked about his fiancée.
"I think now is the right time. How about we get married within half a month?" He could just stay here for half a month. If he didn't get married now, when would he wait? If he hadn't been completely unprepared today, he would have wanted his former subordinates to get married right now.
"Look at the bride!" Xiao Yuan jumped up and cheered.
Xiao Yao had never attended a wedding in ancient times. Back then, she was young and not in good health, so her mother never let her attend large and lively events like weddings. Because her fourth uncle hadn't gotten married, not only had he been delayed, but it had also blocked the paths of her eldest and second brothers to get married. As a result, she had never witnessed the worship of heaven and earth or the wedding night with her own eyes!
The granddaughter wanted to see, and General Xiao was even more determined to make this happen. You could say that he was abusing his power or being arbitrary, but General Xiao had already ordered that Zhao Mian must get married within the half month that they were staying here.
"I will follow the general's orders."
"Let's go see the bride." Now, no matter how beautiful the flower garden or how novel the medicinal field is, it is not as attractive to Xiao Yuan as the bride.
"I'm not married yet, so I can't be called the bride." Xiao Yao explained.
"Then marry me!" How can I let Miss Xiao wait? Hurry and marry me.
She is truly the general's granddaughter, just as domineering and quick-tempered as him.
"There are so many things to prepare for when you marry a bride. There are new clothes to make, new rooms to decorate, food to eat, and things to use. It's impossible to arrange all of this without a few days."
Zhao Mian looked at the little girl in front of him in surprise. He didn't expect that she was not only pretty, but also knowledgeable. This was the kind of girl that was described as smart as ice and snow.
"There are more delicious foods." Xiao Yuan didn't want to wait any longer.
"Wait a few days, let's see the scenery and have some fun first. How about I let you watch their wedding ceremony from beginning to end?" General Xiao promised his granddaughter. Real ladies of noble families were generally not allowed to watch the ceremony from the front hall, and General Xiao's behavior was undoubtedly unconventional. Qin wanted to give a few warnings, but since this was their own villa and it was a servant's wedding, she kept silent.
Another major reason why she didn't speak up was that her husband would never listen to her advice.
"Sister, let's go see the flowers now." Even if we can't see the bride, we can at least see the flowers!
"Let's go check our room first, wash up, and change clothes before going to the flower garden, okay?" Xiao Yao acted like an older sister. She was worried that her grandparents would feel tired and wanted to let them rest more. They had already arrived at the villa and could go see the flowers anytime.
"Father, Mother, all the things have been unloaded, and I have arranged the staff. You two elders can enjoy yourself here. I will take my leave and go back first. If there is anything, just ask Zhao Mian to send someone to pass on a message." Xiao Jingtai, who had arranged everything, came over to say goodbye to his family.
"Go back and be careful on the road." Qin warned.
"Son, I know. I'll go check on Ping An and Ru Yi and then leave."
"Let's go now." Don't think you don't know, this son must be trying to trick Ping An into kissing him again, huh, no way.
Xiao Jingtai, who failed to succeed, had to return home in disappointment.
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