Chapter Twenty-Two: The Hard Road Ahead

The first day of the ninth lunar month is an auspicious day for travel.

The First Prince, Prince Cheng, and the Second Prince, Prince Rong, arrived at the city gates with their respective Princesses, accompanied by the Fourth Prince, to see them off. Lin Menghua had sent invitations to all the friends and family of the Prince Ning estate, even thoughtfully extending them to the family of the secondary consort. Although they could return for major festivals or significant occasions concerning the Empress Dowager, they knew that frequent visits would be difficult.

As the group stood at the gate, the imperial guards took control of the entrance and exit, allowing them time to bid farewell. Fu Cen drank the wine offered by Prince Rong and Prince Cheng, feeling quite pleased. The two princes, happy to see a brother depart, smiled broadly.

"Third brother, rest assured! During the festivals, His Majesty will surely summon you back!" Prince Cheng said with the benevolence befitting an elder brother. Although he did not understand why the third prince was being sent to his fief so early when his mother, the Imperial Noble Consort, was still in favor, he understood that anyone who did not compete with him was a good brother. Prince Rong also made a great show of fraternal affection.

Only the Fourth Prince’s eyes grew red as he said, "Third brother, take care!"

"Fourth brother, don't worry!" Fu Cen patted him on the shoulder.

"Dear brothers, the hour is late, I must take my leave!" Having said this, he bowed slightly and stepped into the carriage.

Lin Menghua was bidding farewell to Lin Zheng. Lin Zheng spoke to her about the future arrangements for Lin Qi'an and mentioned that Lin Zhiyuan had come to apologize. Lin Menghua scoffed; Lin Zhiyuan was nothing but a hypocrite. He had been well aware of the actions of Madam Su and Lin Qingwan over the years, yet he had chosen to turn a blind eye, content to reap the benefits while others bore the infamy. He was a selfish and cold-blooded man who ought to be kept at a distance.

"What of the female physician, Wu? Her brother is a military doctor, and since she loves the medical arts, it is best to let her follow you," Lin Zheng suggested.

"That is excellent. Her arrival has already been a great help."

Just as Lin Menghua was thinking this, Nanny Cui reminded her that it was time to depart. After bidding Lin Zheng goodbye, she boarded the carriage.

"Princess, please be careful," Nanny Cui reached out to assist her.

"Hua’er..."

Just as she was about to enter the carriage, Lin Menghua looked back at the sound of the voice. It was Yang Yin, who had actually ridden over on horseback. She waved from atop a jujube-red horse. Though she wore no makeup, her face was as radiant as snow in the morning glow, her complexion like peach blossoms. Much like the sweet osmanthus in her hair, she was blossoming with a restrained yet uninhibited grace.

How wonderful, she thought. Lin Menghua waved back at her.

***

They traveled south, passing through Shannan Xidao and Jiannan Dao, moving through Liangzhou, Mianzhou, and Yizhou Prefecture, heading south until they reached Jiazhou, and finally, Rongzhou. As the Imperial Noble Consort had said, Rongzhou was indeed remote.

During the journey, they could not always reach a post station on schedule. Fortunately, Lin Menghua had made thorough preparations. On the first night of camping out, she instructed Green Willow, "Distribute the herbs and tell everyone to throw them into the fire when they sleep."

"Yes, Princess."

Fu Cen, finding the medicinal scent pungent and unpleasant, declined. The next morning, Lin Menghua found him covered in mosquito bites. His eyes were bruised with fatigue, and he radiated such explosive irritation that no one dared go near him. Pei Zhenzhen, who was beside her, burst into a giggle. Fu Cen glared fiercely, but upon seeing it was Pei Zhenzhen, he immediately deflated. Lin Menghua found it quite amusing.

Other than the flatbreads, their food on the road was prepared by each household. Pei Zhenzhen had her servants bring out some pastries to share with Lin Menghua, only to see Lin Menghua open her food box, take out a small, stacked steamer, and have the servant sent by the Lin family, Lin Quan, set up a stove and light a fire. Green Willow poured the soup from a canteen into the base, placed the steamer on top, and began heating the pastries and buns bought the day before. The entire process left everyone dumbfounded.

Fu Cen gritted his teeth and said, "How delicate!"

"If you have the ability, then don't eat," Lin Menghua raised an eyebrow.

"How insolent!" Fu Cen was stunned. Now that they had left the capital, she dared to speak to him like this—did she think that leaving the capital meant he was no longer a prince?

"Your Highness, if one can enjoy comfort, why suffer?" Lin Menghua said nonchalantly. Pei Zhenzhen laughed from the side.

Amidst the chatter, Green Willow lifted the steamer and poured a bowl of soup for each of the three. The hot soup dispelled the night's chill, leaving them feeling refreshed. Fu Cen’s expression softened. The buns in the steamer were heated through; as the lid was lifted, a fragrant steam wafted out, and through the thin dough, one could clearly see the savory juices and fresh meat inside.

"Are these the buns from the Treasure Pavilion we had yesterday?" Pei Zhenzhen asked in surprise.

Lin Menghua handed her one. "Try it."

Pei Zhenzhen took a bite, feeling the fragrant juices spread through her mouth. "Delicious!" Fu Cen could not help but eat one after another. The three of them finished the rest of the pastries as well.

***

"We should reach Liangzhou today, right?"

"The Chief Clerk says we can," Fu Cen replied, his attitude much improved after a good meal.

"Once we reach Liangzhou, we shall rest for a few days before moving on!" The long journey was becoming too much for him to bear as well.

"Perfect, we can look around!" Lin Menghua’s lips curved upward.

"Sister, I will go with you," Pei Zhenzhen said excitedly.

"I will accompany you both!" Fu Cen added with a light cough.

"That will not be necessary," Lin Menghua politely declined.

"Lin Menghua! What do you mean by that? Don't think that just because we've left the capital—"

"Your Highness, it is simply that your distinguished presence attracts attention wherever you go, which makes it difficult for us to stroll about freely," Lin Menghua said with a smile.

Fu Cen snorted. "I shall disguise myself then."

Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Lin Menghua said no more. After breakfast, Pei Zhenzhen climbed into Lin Menghua’s carriage.

"What is it?" Lin Menghua knew she had something on her mind. For several days, Pei Zhenzhen had been staring at her in a daze. Even if she hadn't come over, Lin Menghua had intended to talk to her.

"I saw Sister Yang outside the city last time. She looked in such high spirits, far better than when I first met her," Pei Zhenzhen remarked. When she had first met Yang Yin, although she was dressed in finery and carried herself with dignity, there was an unspeakable sorrow in her brows and exhaustion in her eyes.

"Yes, the last time I saw her, she even mentioned that when winter comes, she wants to take He'er to the villa to play in the snow." Ever since Zhou Shi's affair with his mistress was exposed and rumors began to fly, Yang Yin had rarely stepped outside.

Lin Menghua smiled faintly and pulled back the carriage curtain, letting the sunlight stream in.

"Is it really that good to be a widow?" Pei Zhenzhen murmured.

Lin Menghua paused for a moment, then replied, "Not necessarily. It is only good if you are a wealthy widow." Being a poor one was miserable.

"Sister, I know you were the one who helped her," Pei Zhenzhen said.

Lin Menghua’s gaze flickered. "Oh? Do you think I am heartless?"

"Is that Zhou Shi really dead?" Pei Zhenzhen countered.

"The Zhou Shi of the Zhou family is indeed dead," Lin Menghua replied.

"Sister, I just feel that a woman should always have some choices."

"She should be able to choose a way to live for herself." Instead of passively accepting, constantly compromising, and stepping step-by-step into the abyss.