The wooden door of the study in Taiyuan Prefecture Yamen was kicked open. Cheng Beiyu, who was engrossed in accounting books, was startled. When he looked up, he saw Mo Sang standing against the light, her radiant features paired with a pouting expression, exuding a vibrant energy.
However, Cheng Beiyu was in no mood to admire beauty, as the colorful snake coiled on her left shoulder was hissing and flicking its tongue.
If he hadn't been sitting on his armchair, he would have surely collapsed on the ground by now.
The gatekeeper peeked his head out from outside the door and reported tremblingly, "Sir, sir, it's not that I didn't stop her, it's just that... I didn't dare to."
The enormous snake was frightening enough, and it was rumored to be a Gu snake. If it were him, he wouldn't dare either. Cheng Beiyu did not scold his subordinate, but wisely said, "Miss Mo, she's one of us. No need to stop her."
He waved his hand slightly, and the gatekeeper, greatly relieved, turned and fled without a trace. Mo Sang let out a "tch": "Coward."
She stroked Wanwan's curved head and asked, "Where is Situ Yan?"
"There's been a change in the army. The Prince has returned to the capital."
"Liar! He promised to take me with him. Did he go back on his word?"
"How could he? The Prince ordered that once I returned to the capital, he would definitely bring Miss Mo back."
"Then why didn't he bring her himself?"
"Army matters cannot be delayed. The Prince rushed all the way here, and the journey would have been quite arduous. Miss Mo is not in a hurry, so there's no need for that." Being rigid did not mean being unaware of the situation. Cheng Beiyu glanced at Wanwan's raised snake head, fearing that if they disagreed, she would release the snake to bite him.
Mo Sang thought about it. She indeed disliked riding horses. After riding for a while, her inner thighs would become sore, and riding in a carriage was more comfortable.
Besides, Situ Yan had given her a lot of money, so she wasn't in a hurry to be supported by her husband.
Thus, she nodded in agreement: "That's true. But when we enter the capital, you must prepare a good carriage for me."
Before she had money, she had to travel with Situ Yan, relying on the carriage of a merchant caravan for five taels of silver. The journey had been incredibly bumpy.
Cheng Beiyu readily agreed, and at the end, he bracingly said, "Miss Mo, your little pet is rather frightening. Perhaps you could keep it put away on weekdays?"
"The weather has been very good these past few days, and Wanwan likes to wander around. But don't worry, it won't bite anyone without my command."
Cheng Beiyu: ...
What is this Prince doing? This is too unreliable.
The unreliable Situ Yan had already reached the post station to change horses. Song Ming and Xiao Wuzi were fine, but Ouyang Wen, who had been running with them all along, was a bit overwhelmed. In a small compartment, he complained to Situ Yan, "Even an eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch wouldn't be this fast, would it? Anyone who didn't know would think you were rushing to be reborn."
Situ Yan took a bite of a steamed bun, "Speed is of the essence in war."
"Oh, come off it. The last batch of weapons bound for the Northern Territory was dispatched before the New Year. What's the point of rushing now? You're just finding an excuse to return to the capital early. You don't need to hide anything from your brothers."
" My wife is about to give birth, so of course I have to rush back. But why are you tagging along? His Majesty will definitely agree to allocate funds. There are a lot of matters in Shanxi waiting for you to oversee."
"Aren't there Governor Ke and Cheng Beiyu? They are more suitable than I am."
"Speaking of Cheng Beiyu, I remember there was an imperial decree to escort him back to the capital for punishment..."
"I already explained that in a memorial to the Emperor, so nothing will happen." Ouyang Wen, jolted by the horse, had lost his appetite. Seeing Situ Yan still had the energy to talk to him while wolfing down noodles and steamed buns, he couldn't help but tap the table, "Are you a hungry ghost reborn? You're a Prince, can you have some table manners?"
Situ Yan didn't look up, "With your disposition, you'd definitely die of starvation on the battlefield, not in battle."
Ouyang Wen sighed, "I'm afraid I'll never have that chance in this lifetime."
"Not necessarily. War is about to break out in the Northern Territory, and the peace there was exchanged for the lives of the heroes of your Zhenguo Mansion. The old madam would never want to see it fall."
Ouyang Wen didn't agree, but he still asked curiously, "Are you so sure the Northern Territory will make a comeback?"
"Otherwise, why would they dispatch so many weapons? What is the Crown Prince doing? People have already reached Shanxi, and yet such a large batch of weapons can be transported to the Northern Territory. When I first returned to the capital, I thought he was at least a ruler capable of maintaining order. Now that I look at him, it doesn't seem to be the case."
Ouyang Wen said, "With Fu Lingyun's support, as long as he behaves obediently, he will surely be able to hold onto his position."
"The empress's relatives becoming too powerful is not a good thing either."
"Hmm, I'm afraid the Crown Prince thinks the same way. With his intellect, if it weren't for his powerful maternal family, he would be far behind the Third Prince and Prince Yong."
Situ Yan finished the last sip of noodle soup, "Never mind them, the journey is important. Song Ming, Xiao Wuzi, get some rest, we'll depart in half an hour."
"Yes."
Ouyang Wen cried out, "No way, are you still human?"
Situ Yan glanced at him, pushed several stools together, and lay down to sleep.