The Emperor looked gratified and said to Qiao Ci with a smile, "Fengming treats you with such sincerity. When you go to Fengming, you must properly tend to your husband and children, and maintain the friendship between the two countries, Tenglong and Fengming. Don't throw tantrums and worry your father, alright?"
Thinking of the ten thousand taels of gold that could resolve his urgent needs, the Emperor couldn't help but feel happy, and his words to Qiao Ci were full of admonishments.
It was as if he was saying, Fengming has already bought you with money, so you must behave yourself once you get there. Swallow any grievances, otherwise, if Fengming is dissatisfied, you will be a sinner.
Li Churán raised her eyebrows, looking extremely pleased. Indeed, money makes the world go 'round.
Li Su also understood the underlying meaning. She looked at Qiao Ci with guilt, secretly vowing that no matter where she was, she would always be his Princess!
Soon, Qiao Ci and Li Su departed for Fengming with Li Churán.
Perhaps feeling that his daughter was remarrying, the Emperor didn't make any special gestures. However, Qiao Yue secretly came to see her off.
"Mother says that the journey ahead is long and arduous. She hopes you can take good care of yourself in Fengming." Qiao Yue looked at Qiao Ci in her red wedding dress, and it was hard not to feel sentimental. Fearing she might be sad, she didn't relay her mother's exact words.
Mother said that a married daughter is like spilled water, and they might never see each other again.
Thinking that she would also get married someday, a wave of desolation washed over her. It was alright if she married within the imperial city, but if she married into another country, she would truly have no family home to return to.
"Mm, you too. Keep your eyes open when choosing a驸马. Smooth talkers are the worst. Your sister has experience, and she wouldn't lie to you," Qiao Ci hinted pointedly.
Qiao Yue said carelessly, "You worry about yourself. If you're wronged, you'll have no family to stand up for you."
Qiao Ci: ...
Fearing she wouldn't understand, she spoke plainly, "Jiang Lang is not a good man. He is a regular patron of Xia Yingying, the courtesan of the Red Pavilion. That's all I have to say. Go back."
Qiao Yue's eyes widened. After Qiao Ci got into the carriage and left, she angrily went back to investigate the 'truth'!
Cuizhu and Cuiliu were Qiao Ci's dowry maids. The three of them sat in one carriage.
Cuiliu, who was always straightforward, looked at the luxurious carriages ahead, even more so than her own princess, and couldn't help but complain, "Princess, what do they mean by this? Why does it feel like they don't value you very much?"
Cuizhu glared at her. "Speak and act cautiously. Don't cause trouble for the Eldest Princess, or even the Eldest Princess won't be able to protect you."
Cuiliu, frightened, quickly covered her mouth.
"It's fine, say whatever you want," Qiao Ci opened her slightly closed eyes, as if she didn't care about anything.
"Really?" Cuiliu's admiration for the Eldest Princess had grown recently. Upon hearing this, she continued, "Look, the Fengming Eldest Princess can share a carriage with Zhao Shimei, but you have to be separated from your male favorite Su... cough, the Second Prince. They're treating you so differently."
"Mm."
Seeing that the Eldest Princess agreed with Cuiliu, Cuizhu became anxious. "Eldest Princess, you can't indulge her like this. Fengming is not like our Tenglong Kingdom. One wrong step, and they might make things difficult for you."
"It's alright. It will be the same as before." Coincidentally, she was in a bad mood and wanted to stir up trouble.
Although Cuiliu was slow-witted, she knew what she should and shouldn't do. She grabbed Cuizhu and told her not to get agitated. "The guards escorting us outside the carriage are from our Tenglong Kingdom. I'm just saying this here, it's not a big deal. The Princess is already in low spirits after leaving home. Talking about gossip might cheer her up a bit."
Cuizhu thought about it and agreed. The two of them began recounting their experiences on the journey in front of Qiao Ci.
"Eldest Princess, our Eldest Princess requests your presence," someone came to deliver the message shortly after.
"This princess is not feeling..." Qiao Ci sat in the carriage, resting her eyes.
"Host, Zhao Shimei and Li Churán are doing... hehe... in the carriage," the little spoon's voice came over, sounding rather mischievous.
Qiao Ci immediately changed her mind.
"Alright, this princess will go immediately."
After speaking, Qiao Ci alighted from the carriage with Cuizhu's help.
The little spoon: ...
Seeing Qiao Ci being so compliant, the messenger's eyes were filled with disdain.
She's the Eldest Princess, yet she's summoned at will by the Fengming Eldest Princess.
Thinking of the humiliation Qiao Ci was about to face, the messenger couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation and quickly trotted to follow.
No wonder, this Tenglong Princess was walking so fast, as if she had a treasure ahead.
Li Su, who was listlessly looking out the window, saw Qiao Ci approaching and his eyes lit up. He thought she was coming to find him, but the smile on his face froze before it could fully form.
His Princess had walked past with her gaze fixed straight ahead...
Qiao Ci arrived at Li Churán's carriage and heard extremely indecent sounds from within.
"Ha~ Did you also serve Qiao Ci like this in the Princess's mansion before?"
"Churán, you think too much. I wouldn't even bother touching her. Qiao Ci isn't even a tenth as good as you."
Then, there were no more voices from inside, only occasional muffled groans.
Seeing that Qiao Ci didn't even dare to show dissatisfaction, the messenger felt even more smug. After waiting for a moment, he said to the people inside the carriage, "Eldest Princess, the person has been brought here."
The Eldest Princess was greatly favored by the Empress and Emperor, and enjoyed many privileges. She had a penchant for handsome men, and those who were close to her were already accustomed to it.
However, she didn't expect that on this journey...
The messenger thought the Eldest Princess was merely trying to annoy Qiao Ci, but listening to the sounds, it seemed she was taking the act seriously. Fortunately, her voice was somewhat restrained.
"Let her wait... outside... for a... moment~" the Eldest Princess said intermittently, and then paid no more attention to matters outside.
Qiao Ci didn't get angry. As they were reaching a climax, she glanced at the sky. A bolt of heavenly lightning struck the carriage, shattering it into pieces. The startled horses bolted, flinging the two people inside far to the right of the procession, onto a raised earth slope.
This scene bewildered the guards from both Fengming and Tenglong.
Especially the Tenglong escort guards. Seeing the Fengming Eldest Princess and the former驸马 Zhao Shimei completely undressed, their eyes widened, afraid they might miss anything.
"Ahhh, all of you, close your dog eyes! Turn around!!" Li Churán, who was dazed by the heavenly lightning, finally reacted. She quickly hugged herself and shouted furiously.
"What are you still waiting for? Hurry and bring this princess her clothes?"
The Tenglong guards were not afraid of her, but they also knew the separation between men and women. After having their fill of the sight, they slowly turned around, some even whistling with a teasing tone.
The Eldest Princess Li Churán's reputation was exposed!
Zhao Shimei was bewildered throughout. Seeing people looking at Li Churán completely exposed, he felt utterly shamed.
Adding to that the strange heavenly lightning, he felt extremely uneasy. He quickly put on the clothes handed to him by a servant and scurried back to the front of the procession.