Xiao Jingcheng nodded slightly. "Not bad."
Cao Rui lowered his eyes and pondered. When he looked up again, his gaze was firm. "If this can help Your Highness, I'm willing to cooperate to the best of my ability!"
Xiao Jingcheng knew he would agree. He said in a low voice, "First, tell me your younger brother's name, his hobbies, and his characteristics. Also, tell me how you two were separated back then. I need to make preparations."
"I haven't seen him for twenty years. My memory is a bit fuzzy. I'm afraid I don't remember very clearly. Your Highness, just listen..." Cao Rui then detailed to Xiao Jingcheng how their family got separated from his younger brother back then.
Cao Rui was three years older than his younger brother, Cao Meng. Therefore, Xiao Jingcheng's age was similar to that of his younger brother. This identity was indeed quite suitable. Except for...
The two looked very different.
"We'll leave Chenzhou tomorrow or the day after and continue our journey to the capital. You should also pack your things quickly and head for the capital. Once you arrive in the capital, go and stay here... Wait for my message, and then we'll do as we've planned..."
The two whispered their plans. Cao Rui listened attentively and nodded from time to time.
Xiao Jingcheng's ears twitched slightly. He said to Cao Rui, "The person who shares the room with me will be back soon. You should leave first. We'll meet again in the capital."
Cao Rui firmly grasped Xiao Jingcheng's hand. With a bit of reluctance, he said seriously, "Your Highness, you must take good care of yourself!"
When the Taoist priest Yuanzheng pushed open the door and walked in from outside, Cao Rui was no longer in the room. Only Xiao Jingcheng was there, and the window was also closed.
The Taoist priest Yuanzheng didn't notice anything strange at all. He was holding two newly - bought wine jars and said with a smile, "I've sent the letter. I'm sure it will reach His Highness the Prince of Ning before long. Your Highness the Crown Prince can rest assured."
Xiao Jingcheng's expression remained normal as he gently nodded. "Thank you, Taoist priest."
...
Chenzhou is not adjacent to the West River. Moreover, it is located in the north, so the climate is relatively drier.
At first, the dark clouds in the sky made Jiang Mian a bit frightened. She was afraid that it would rain for several days like in Cangzhou, causing the river to rise. It did rain in the evening, but the rain stopped after only an hour.
After the rain, the weather in Chenzhou became a bit cooler and more humid. People on the street came out again.
In the inn, Jiang Mian and the others sat around the table for dinner. Everyone was present except Xiao Jingcheng, who was too weak to move.
They had been on the road in a hurry to reach Chenzhou quickly. They hadn't had a real full meal on the way, so the dishes on the table were quite sumptuous.
"Mu Jin, eat more so that you'll have the strength to continue our journey." Jiang Zhiqing picked up a big drumstick for Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian also happily picked up some food for Jiang Zhiqing and Li Zhao. "Father and Mother, you should also eat more."
They had a very satisfying meal. Li Zhao asked, "How much silver do we have in total?"
Jiang Mian quickly replied, "Previously, I got a lot of silver from Xiao Yixuan. Plus the one hundred taels of silver that Master gave me for helping to treat Emperor Guiyuan, I have two hundred taels in total, and I haven't spent any of it yet. Father, don't worry. With this silver, it's enough for our family to live in the capital."
Two hundred taels of silver was indeed enough for them to live the rest of their lives in the capital. In Dongli Town, an ordinary family didn't even spend two taels of silver in a year. Although the cost of living in the capital was more expensive than in Dongli Town, six taels would be enough.
"When we meet Master," Jiang Mian said with a beaming smile, "I can also receive patients and treat illnesses."
Jiang Zhiqing smiled. "How can it be only you who earns a living? I can also take on some embroidery work. Back then in the Li Mansion, I had the best embroidery skills among all the maids."
Jiang Mian said excitedly, "Father, let's set off tomorrow. I can't wait to return to the capital."
Seeing his wife and daughter imagining their life in the capital, Li Zhao also showed a smile on his face.
Even without great wealth, as long as they lived a down - to - earth life, their family would live well. However, how could he, Li Bingjun, let his wife and daughter live such a poor life? He naturally wanted to give them the best.
Mo Zhizhang seemed to sense something and looked at him. Then he heard Li Zhao say:
"Of course, we'll set off tomorrow. But now that I've found my wife and daughter, I'd like to make a detour to Luozhou first to offer incense to the ancestors of the Li family and retrieve some of the Li family's former belongings. Then we'll continue our journey north."
Jiang Mian naturally had no objections.
Luozhou was the place where her father was born and grew up, and it was also the place where her parents met. She actually wanted to go and have a look.
Jiang Zhiqing looked at Li Zhao. Coincidentally, Li Zhao was also looking at her. They remembered the years they had spent together in Luozhou and firmly grasped each other's hands.
Luozhou...
Mo Zhizhang said, "If that's the case, I won't go with you."
Everyone had supported each other on this journey, and Jiang Mian had deep feelings for everyone. As soon as she heard that Mo Zhizhang planned to separate from them, she quickly put down the bowl in her hand.
"Uncle, why? Isn't it good to go and have a look at Luozhou with us?"
The Taoist priest Yuanzheng didn't say a word. For him, whether Mo Zhizhang went with them or not didn't matter.
At the table, only Li Zhao and Jiang Zhiqing knew why Mo Zhizhang didn't want to go.
This man was the descendant of the King of Chu who had wiped out the entire Li family. If he appeared in Luozhou and at the former site of the Li family, it was likely that the ancestors of the Li family would climb out of the ground angrily and scold him for being an unworthy descendant!
"Is little sister reluctant to part with me?" Mo Zhizhang laughed. He patted Jiang Mian's head and said, "I still have some private matters to attend to. But don't worry. I'll meet up with you when you leave Luozhou."
"But..." Jiang Mian wanted to say something more. Li Zhao said, "Well, everyone has their own fate. Since Doctor Mo has no fate with Luozhou, let him go."
Jiang Mian had no choice but to give up.
...
A little later, Jiang Mian carried the cooked porridge to the room where Xiao Jingcheng and the Taoist priest Yuanzheng were staying.
While feeding Xiao Jingcheng the porridge, Jiang Mian told him about their plan to make a detour to Luozhou first.
"Father wants to take Mother and me back to Luozhou to offer incense to the ancestors of the Li family. I think it's a good thing. We can tell the ancestors that there are still descendants of the Li family alive. It can also be regarded as continuing the Li family's lineage."
Xiao Jingcheng swallowed the porridge and said, "You should go and pay a visit."
It was the best that he didn't object. After all, the purpose of their decision to go to the capital this time was originally for him.
Jiang Mian said, "By the way, Uncle said that he won't go to Luozhou with us. He'll separate from us tomorrow."
"Pfft, cough, cough, cough!" Xiao Jingcheng choked. Jiang Mian quickly found a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth.
Grasping her wrist, he said, "Mo Zhizhang doesn't want to go to Luozhou?"