Du Tieshan never expected her sister-in-law to go to the capital...
Was that a place for ordinary country folk like them?
Besides, Du Tieshan had never been to such a big place before. What if she lost her sister-in-law?
"Sweet... Sweet Baby, are you really going to the capital?" Du Tieshan confirmed again.
Little Xi Tian climbed onto the carriage clumsily, her face resolute, "Yes, I must go to the capital!~"
Only by finding that brat or seeing the old emperor could she save her second brother.
Chen Xian Ling and Qin Zhi Fu were not enough. Moreover, their authority did not extend to matters of border warfare...
"But, but I don't know the way to the capital!~" Du Tieshan's heart pounded.
On one hand, she worried about Yun Erman's safety, and on the other, she feared Sweet Baby would get lost.
"We can ask!" Little Xi Tian finally climbed onto the carriage, wiping the sweat from her face. "As long as we're fast enough, we can save second brother earlier. Otherwise, once he goes to the battlefield, things will be difficult..."
New recruits like Yun Erman had to undergo a period of training before going to the battlefield, staying in the military camp for about a week.
Including travel time and the time the one-eyed man spent recruiting elsewhere, it would take about a month.
Therefore, Little Xi Tian had to save her second brother during this period...
Du Tieshan was still a little uneasy, standing by the carriage in silence.
"Oh, Sister Shan, don't hesitate. Going back to the village won't save second brother now!~" Little Xi Tian was so anxious she stomped her leg.
If they delayed any longer, it would be too late.
Du Tieshan looked at Little Xi Tian, then turned to look at the vast wilderness. The official road meandered through the fields like a long dragon, stretching as far as the eye could see...
"Forget it, whatever happens, happens!~" Du Tieshan muttered, covered Little Xi Tian with a blanket, lowered the carriage curtain, then jumped onto the shafts, flicked the whip, "Giddy up, giddy up!"
The fine horse neighed and charged forward fiercely.
She thought that after sacrificing to the ancestors, she would happily spend the New Year back in Dashui Village. Who knew such a thing would happen halfway?
If Yun Erman wasn't rescued, what was the point of Du Tieshan returning to Dashui Village?
Fortunately, the dried food and pickles on the carriage were enough, and there was also an iron pot.
Whenever Little Xi Tian was hungry, Du Tieshan would stop the carriage and cook her a couple of eggs, or heat up the sticky bean buns...
Little Xi Tian also occasionally took out various wild game from her space. The sisters-in-law gathered ingredients, either roasting them directly or boiling them in the pot, adding a little salt and seasoning, and drinking it as hot soup.
Meanwhile, in the capital, within the imperial palace.
Emperor Cheng and his entourage, after traveling for more than half a month, finally arrived home, dusty and weary...
The carriage drove in through the back gate of the imperial palace. Eunuch Zhao dismissed the palace servants and led the Emperor, the little prince, and the princess directly to the outside of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
This was where Emperor Cheng usually rested. Places like the Imperial Study, the Hall of Diligent Governance, and the Golden Throne Hall were places for work and discussing state affairs...
Eunuch Zhao and Nanny Jin helped Emperor Cheng and Xiao Jin Heng down respectively. They stepped onto the stairs and slowly walked into the hall.
Xiao Jin Heng wore a mask to prevent any ill-intentioned people from seeing the little prince's return and causing unnecessary trouble.
Nanny Gao stood by the carriage and said softly, "Princess, we've arrived. Why aren't you getting off?"
Alas, the princess had been dispirited throughout the journey and no longer enjoyed playing. It was all because of love...
If Yun Lao Si had followed directly, it would have been great. The Emperor could have directly recruited him as a consort and married him to the princess, saving future trouble.
Xiao Xin Ling dejectedly lifted the curtain and glanced outside, "Hmph, what a boring place!~"
Dashui Village was much livelier. She could eat all sorts of delicacies every day, play games like "Gala Ha" and "Kicking Pocket" with the Yun family wife, and when bored, she could go to the ditch lake for a walk or fishing. Wasn't it a hundred times better than this imperial palace?
"Oh dear, Princess, you mustn't say that. If the Emperor hears it, he'll punish you again..." Nanny Gao exclaimed in alarm.
Xiao Xin Ling rolled her eyes and was helped down by Nanny Gao.
As the mistress and servant took two steps forward, a burst of laughter suddenly came from behind, "Xin Ling, haha, when did you get back?"
Xiao Xin Ling stopped in her tracks, looked back, and saw Xiao Jinfeng walking towards her with a smile...
He held a carved folding fan, wore a brocade robe, and his jade crown was dazzling. He walked swaggeringly, like a big white goose.
This person was Emperor Cheng's second son, who had been enfeoffed as Prince Ming long ago and was currently a Zhongshu Shilang of the third rank.
It was he who had taken a fancy to Princess Fang'er of the Chen Kingdom and sent Eunuch Zhao as an envoy to propose marriage.
Originally, the matter had been agreed upon, the betrothal gifts had been sent, the procedures had been completed, and even the wedding date had been set...
But who could have expected the Chen Kingdom to suddenly perish?
It was one thing for the country to be broken and the family destroyed, but Princess Fang'er's whereabouts were unknown, and she had not been heard from since.
"Imperial Brother?" Xiao Xin Ling frowned. She disliked this person.
Although Xiao Jinfeng appeared gentle and always smiling on the surface, his methods were actually very ruthless...
Perhaps it was because they were half-siblings, but Xiao Xin Ling just couldn't like him.
"Xin Ling, how was your trip outside?" Xiao Jinfeng asked with a smile.
Xiao Xin Ling shrugged, "Just so-so. What else could I do?"
Xiao Jinfeng: "..."
You can't expect good things from a dog's mouth.
"I heard that Xin Ling returned with Father Emperor this time. Why didn't you notify me in advance so that Imperial Brother could host a welcoming banquet for you and Father Emperor!~" Xiao Jinfeng continued to smile.
Xiao Xin Ling pouted, secretly cursing, welcoming banquet, what a joke. Her mood was terrible now, how could she attend any welcoming banquet?
"No need to trouble Imperial Brother. I'm going to chat with Father Emperor..." Xiao Xin Ling gave a perfunctory bow, then turned and ascended the jade steps, heading towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Xiao Jinfeng curved his lips into a shallow smile, lifted the hem of his robe, and quickened his pace, "I was also going to pay my respects to Father Emperor. Let's go together!~"
Xiao Xin Ling: "..."
Doesn't he know I'm disgusted by him?
Why does he keep getting close!
Annoying fellow!
Xiao Jinfeng was the son of Consort Xian. Perhaps because Consort Xian had always disciplined him too strictly, Xiao Jinfeng's personality was also very strange...
"By the way!" Xiao Jinfeng asked as they walked, "Did Xin Ling see Heng'er during her trip outside this time?"
Xiao Xin Ling: "???"