The question Song Yixuan asked was exactly what Song Yihuan and Song Nanxin were thinking.
The Princess of Ning didn't suspect anything and smiled. "No need to wait for him. He has important responsibilities. He left for the military camp at the Yin hour to deploy troops and prepare for guarding the emperor's carriage. We just need to get on the carriages on time and head to the outskirts to wait."
So that's how it was.
Ji Lingchuan was the General of Weiyuan. This time, he would lead the Tianji Camp, the Xuanjia Army, and the Jingji Army to guard the safety of the autumn hunting trip throughout. He was indeed extremely busy.
Song Nanxin asked again, "Why don't I see Father's figure?"
The Prince of Ning was also on the list of those accompanying the autumn hunting. However, there was no sign of the Prince of Ning in the courtyard.
"He, as a member of the royal family, entered the palace to pay respects to the emperor at the Mao hour and will set off with His Majesty," the Princess of Ning explained.
After leaving the Prince of Ning's Mansion, they saw several carriages parked outside.
Song Yihuan was about to step forward to take her younger brother back when the Princess of Ning said, "Let him accompany me on this journey. It's really boring to ride in the carriage alone. I'll feel more at ease with him around."
Song Nanxin was so annoyed that she couldn't help but say, "Children can be noisy. I'm afraid it'll trouble Your Highness."
Song Yixuan said with a beaming smile, "Don't worry, Big Sister. Xuan'er will be good and won't cause any trouble to the Goddess of Mercy."
This short - lived wretch! Song Nanxin gritted her teeth in hatred.
Song Yihuan stepped forward and handed the medicine that Song Yixuan usually took to Nanny Chen. She said seriously,
"Xuan'er needs to take medicine every day. These days, I specially found a pharmacy to make the medicine into pills. Take the pills twice a day. Xuan'er has already taken the medicine today, and the next time will be at the Xu hour."
The Princess of Ning gave her a surprised look and smiled. "You've really thought things through. This way, we can save the trouble of building a fire to boil the medicine."
Just as she was about to step onto the carriage, she heard a rapid sound of hooves in the distance.
Everyone was stunned and turned their heads together. They saw Ji Lingchuan, dressed in a suit of black armor, galloping towards them on a jet - black steed.
The armor on his body glinted with silver light, making his cold face look even more majestic. His long hair was tied up at the back of his head, and the strands fluttered in the wind. He looked handsome, imposing, and extremely valiant.
Song Yixuan exclaimed in surprise, "It's Brother - in - law!"
Song Yihuan stared blankly at the man galloping towards them.
"Whoa—"
Ji Lingchuan reined in his horse. The horse reared up its hooves and came to a smooth stop in front of the main gate of the Prince of Ning's Mansion.
The man leaped off the horse, and the armor on his body made a rattling sound. Coincidentally or not, when he landed, he happened to stand in front of Song Yihuan. The sun cast his shadow, covering Song Yihuan.
When Song Yihuan looked up, she met Ji Lingchuan's cold and handsome face. His dark, deep eyes made her heart flutter slightly.
But the next moment, the man brushed past her and walked towards the Princess of Ning.
"Your Highness is all set and about to set off?" Ji Lingchuan asked.
The Princess of Ning answered yes and stepped forward to adjust the armor on his shoulder. She smiled and said, "But why did you come back at this time?"
Ji Lingchuan met the Princess of Ning's eyes, which were very similar to his own. He said, "I happened to be nearby and came back to take a look so that I can feel at ease."
The Princess of Ning didn't say much but only said, "It's time. We should go. Have a few words with the Princess Consort."
Ji Lingchuan turned around. Song Nanxin, with her hair full of hairpins and ornaments, was looking at him with a surprised face.
His gaze skimmed past her and landed on the graceful figure in light green behind her. He said calmly, "On this trip, I need to guard the safety of His Majesty and everyone else. I won't be able to stay with you all the time. You take good care of Your Highness on the road. If you encounter any problems, just send someone to find me."
Song Nanxin curtsied and said, "Your servant remembers. Don't worry, Your Highness. Your servant will take care of everything."
Ji Lingchuan didn't say anything more. He lifted his foot and walked towards his horse. Inevitably, he passed by Song Yihuan again.
She watched as Ji Lingchuan mounted his horse. Nanny Chen picked up Song Yixuan, and the Princess of Ning got on the carriage with the support of Nanny Hu. Song Yihuan also turned around and walked towards the last carriage.
Since the journey was long, the carriages for this trip were different from before. They were not only much more spacious but also had bedding and pillows inside, making it convenient for the travelers to rest on the way.
Song Yihuan sat in the carriage and gently pushed open the window lattice. She happened to meet Ji Lingchuan's gaze looking over.
They only saw each other briefly, and there was no conversation between them the whole time. This look was the only communication between them today.
The man stared deeply at her, with no expression on his face. His eyebrows were as cold and indifferent as ever, but Song Yihuan could see a different meaning in his eyes.
"Set off—"
She heard the shout of a servant in her ear. Song Yihuan put down the window lattice, blocking Ji Lingchuan's gaze.
At the order of the Princess of Ning, the carriages rolled their wheels and headed towards the West City Gate. Besides the carriages of the noble people, there were also five carriages fully loaded with luggage trailing behind, looking quite spectacular.
Ji Lingchuan rode on his horse and watched the convoy gradually disappear into the distance. Then he pulled the reins and rode his horse away.
Today was the day to travel to Xingzhou. It was just the beginning of the Chen hour. Not only the carriages of the Prince of Ning's Mansion but also the convoys of various families were heading towards the West City Gate.
But everyone tacitly slowed down their steps and let the convoy of the Prince of Ning's Mansion go first.
For a moment, there was a magnificent sight of horses galloping in the capital city. This liveliness also infected the people in the city. They all walked out of their homes and stood on both sides of the road to watch.
It took half an hour for the convoy of the Prince of Ning's Mansion to drive out of the West City Gate and reach an open space on the outskirts of the west. There were already soldiers in black armor standing guard and waiting there.
The carriages of the Prince of Ning's Mansion led the way and stopped in the front. One after another, the carriages of the Duke of Jiang's Mansion, the Marquis of Ding'an's Mansion, the Earl of Changyang's Mansion, as well as the carriages of various noble families and officials also arrived here.
Everyone got off the carriages and stood beside them, waiting for the arrival of the emperor.
The sun gradually moved. At the beginning of the Si hour, a bright - yellow eight - treasure eave - roofed carriage pulled by nine horses appeared in the distance. There were beautiful tassels made of fine jade and gemstones hanging from each eave corner. Beside the carriage, there was a team of soldiers in black armor and silver masks. The tallest and most imposing one at the head was Ji Lingchuan, the Prince of Ning's Heir and the General of Weiyuan.
When the emperor arrived, led by the Princess of Ning, the people waiting on both sides of the carriages knelt down together and shouted in a loud voice,
"We welcome Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live forever and ever—"
The sound echoed through the sky and was extremely shocking.