As the carriage gradually traveled north, the scenery outside changed accordingly. Many continuous mountain ranges could be seen, and the temperature gradually became much cooler.
Song Yihuan thought that with all the fatigue from the long - journey, Song Yixuan's health might suffer. But perhaps because they were on this long trip and he was seeing scenery he had never seen before, Song Yixuan hardly had any heart - disease attacks on the way. He had managed to hold on until now, looking quite energetic, which greatly surprised Song Yihuan.
She wrapped a cloak around her younger brother. The siblings snuggled up on the coachman's seat, observing the surrounding scenery.
"Fourth sister, why are there so many mountains here?" Song Yixuan looked at the towering mountains in the distance, his face showing admiration.
Song Yihuan looked at the continuous snow - capped mountains not far away and recalled what Ji Lingchuan had told her that night.
"That's called the Yangjing Mountain Range. Xingzhou borders Liaocheng. The place where we're going to hold the autumn hunt this time is at the end of the Yangjing Mountain Range. The snow on the mountains melts and flows into the Fenglun River at the foot of the mountains. The scenery is truly breathtaking. The autumn - hunt hunting ground of the Yu State is set there."
Song Yixuan's face was full of yearning. He sighed, "Fourth sister, you really know a lot. Did you learn all this from books?"
Song Yihuan smiled and pulled the cloak on him tighter. "Of course. I wrote all about it in 'Miscellaneous Notes on Yangshan'."
Just then, the sound of clattering horse hooves reached her ears. She looked up and saw Ji Lingchuan riding a fine horse passing by their carriage. As the horse brushed past the carriage, she clearly saw him turn his head and look in her direction.
She instinctively clutched her sleeve.
When did he come? Did he hear what she had just said? That was something he had told "Song Nanxin" at night. Logically, it should never have come out of her mouth.
Fortunately, Ji Lingchuan just glanced at her and then rode on with the soldiers behind him.
She felt a bit more at ease, guessing that he probably hadn't heard her words.
"Fourth sister, look! There's a city up ahead."
Song Yixuan tugged at her sleeve and pointed forward, shouting in surprise. Song Yihuan looked up and saw a rather magnificent city not far away. She guessed it should be Tianxiang City, the main city of Xingzhou.
Tianxiang City was only half the size of the capital, but it was well - connected inside. There were restaurants, teahouses, medical clinics, and academies. Since Xingzhou bordered the frontier city of Liaocheng, Tianxiang City was also a trading city between the two. Therefore, it was extremely bustling.
The emperor's visit was an unparalleled honor for Tianxiang City. Early in the morning, the King of You, who was in charge of Xingzhou, along with all the officials of Tianxiang City, waited outside the city to receive the emperor.
After traveling a bit further, the convoy finally arrived outside the gates of Tianxiang City.
"Your humble subject welcomes Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long, long, and ever longer!"
Song Yihuan and Song Yixuan were sitting inside the carriage, hearing the sound of the salutation from outside. They guessed that the emperor was receiving the greetings from the officials of Tianxiang City. After a short pause, the carriage started moving again. They were about to enter the city.
The King of You was the uncle of Ji Zihuan and Ji Lingchuan. After paying the proper courtesy to Ji Zihuan, the King of You earnestly invited Ji Zihuan and Ji Lingchuan to stay in his You Prince's Mansion.
However, Ji Zihuan didn't accept his kindness. He decided to stay in an inn in Tianxiang City with the other officials.
The inn arranged by the Xingzhou officials had a total of 180 rooms, which was more than enough to accommodate everyone in the convoy with some rooms to spare.
They would rest in Tianxiang City for three days. After that, they would set off for the hunting ground and camp on the outskirts to start this autumn - hunt ceremony to worship the heavens.
Since Song Yihuan needed to take care of her younger brother with a heart disease, she still chose to share a room with Song Yixuan. The siblings, along with their maids Fuling and Chunxing, entered the inn. After putting down their things, Song Yixuan excitedly walked to the window and waved to Song Yihuan.
"Fourth sister, carry me. I want to see the scenery outside."
Seeing her brother so active, Song Yihuan also smiled. Putting down the luggage in her hand, she walked over and picked up her brother. The siblings looked out at the streets of Tianxiang City together.
The people in Tianxiang City were different from those in the capital. Most of their clothes were made of animal skins. They were tall and strong, but their skin was rather fair, probably because the sunlight in Xingzhou was not as abundant as that in the capital.
"Fourth sister, can we go out and take a look around the streets?" Just looking from the window couldn't satisfy Song Yixuan's curiosity. He turned around pitifully and asked Song Yihuan.
Song Yihuan's heart skipped a beat.
Although her mother had regained her innocence, the people in the Marquis's Mansion had bullied their mother, sister, and brother for many years. Even so, she didn't want to stay in the Marquis's Mansion for long.
She would surely take Xuan'er away from the capital. Now that they were in Xingzhou, it wouldn't hurt to go out and take a look, learn the accents of people from different places. This would make it easier for them to blend in with the crowd and avoid pursuers in the future.
Moreover, she could take Xuan'er to a medical clinic in Xingzhou to check his heart disease and inquire about the whereabouts of the divine doctor who could cure him.
After sitting in the room for a while, Song Yihuan took her brother and knocked on the door of the Princess of Ningqin.
The Princess of Ningqin had started to feel unaccustomed to the local environment as soon as they entered Xingzhou. She looked listless. As her daughter - in - law, Song Nanxin had been taking care of her all the way.
Hearing that Song Yihuan planned to take her brother out for a stroll in the city, Song Nanxin instinctively became vigilant.
This little bitch wouldn't try to run away with this short - lived brat, would she?
"You've never been to Tianxiang City before. You're not familiar with the roads here and can't understand the local language. If you get lost, it'll only worry us. Moreover, the princess is not feeling well. It's better for you to stay in the inn and not wander around." Song Nanxin squinted her eyes and said.
On the contrary, the Princess of Ningqin said, "The Princess of the Heir Apparent doesn't need to worry so much. His Majesty is in the city now, and Tianxiang City is heavily guarded. There should be no problem. If not, go and talk to your brother - in - law and ask him to send someone to protect you two."
Song Nanxin tightened her grip on the medicine bowl. After thinking for a while, she smiled again. "Mother is right. It's just that I'm too worried. In that case, you can go and have a look. Remember to come back before it gets dark."
After saying that, she secretly glanced at Fuling, hinting for her to keep a close eye on Song Yihuan and Song Yixuan.
Having received permission, Song Yihuan curtsied and took her leave. Then she took Song Yixuan out of the room.
There were quite a few people who had the same idea as Song Yihuan to go out for a stroll, so Song Yihuan and Song Yixuan weren't very noticeable.
Wearing a veil hat to cover her face, she led her brother down the wooden stairs. Just as they reached the inn's lobby, they bumped into Gu Yunzheng, who had also followed the emperor's entourage to Xingzhou to participate in the autumn - hunt ceremony.
"Yi... Miss Song Si, what a coincidence." Gu Yunzheng had wanted to call her Yi Huan but quickly changed his words. Then he stared intently at her and Song Yixuan.