The envoys from the Kingdom of Buda soon arrived.
The Kingdom of Buda attached great importance to Princess Caixue. The entourage and carriages were all well - prepared.
The grand occasion was quite spectacular.
Due to her noble status, Caixue was surrounded by the people brought by the envoys. Wherever she went, a group of people would follow closely behind.
Even Zhao Luoning had to go through multiple levels of announcements if she wanted to see Caixue.
There was only one day left before Caixue's departure. Since she was “not very mobile” at the moment, all the gifts people gave her were to be sorted out by Zhao Luoning.
After all, Caixue had been with her for so many years. It would be a lie to say there was no affection.
On the table, there were packages of all sizes, which were the result of Caixue's good “popularity”.
Knowing that Caixue was leaving, many soldiers who usually played well with her were secretly wiping away their tears.
How could Zhao Luoning not feel sad?
Zhao Luoning sat in front of the table, staring blankly at these things, her thoughts drifting back to a few years ago.
When she first picked up Caixue, the girl was so small and thin, curled up in the snow.
At that time, how could she have known that the little girl who almost froze to death in the snow would turn out to be a princess?
“Miss, miss...”
Caixue's voice came from afar.
Zhao Luoning pulled herself together and stood up. She saw Caixue bending over and pushing the door open by herself.
“How did you get out?”
The soldiers from the Kingdom of Buda guarded her closely. It was already difficult to see her now. How did she manage to come here alone?
“Oops, there's no time to explain. They're chasing me. Miss, take this.”
Caixue took out a letter from her sleeve.
“A letter of guarantee?!”
When Zhao Luoning opened the envelope Caixue handed over, she found that it was actually a letter of guarantee.
It was a letter of guarantee in the name of Princess Nuobu, promising that Buda would not interfere in this battle!
“Feixing reminded me. I know nothing about the situation in Buda. If I go back and they renege on their promise, we'll be at a great loss. Miss, I don't know how much this thing will help, but you keep it just in case.”
Zhao Luoning was not worried about Buda reneging on its promise. She was worried about Caixue.
She was being “partial to outsiders”.
However, looking at Caixue, Zhao Luoning felt somewhat relieved.
A year ago, Caixue would never have thought so comprehensively.
People really do grow up after experiencing some things.
“Caixue...”
“Miss, I can't talk anymore. They'll find me soon. Miss, don't worry. I'm fine.”
Caixue couldn't wait to interrupt Zhao Luoning's words, as if the envoys from the Kingdom of Buda had already found her.
But in fact, no one was chasing her at all.
She just didn't want to face the scene of parting.
They both knew in their hearts that this farewell might mean they would never see each other again in this lifetime.
Once she walked out of this door, she would no longer be Caixue, and Zhao Luoning would no longer be her miss.
Zhao Luoning walked up to Caixue and sighed.
Forget it. Although Caixue had hurt her in the past, she herself had also made Caixue suffer stubbornly.
At this moment, it was time to let bygones be bygones.
Zhao Luoning took out a purple cloth - wrapped package from her sleeve and spread it out in her palm. It was a pair of purple jade bracelets.
They were the broken treasure bracelets of Nuanyu Zhai.
The traces of repair on the bracelets were carefully hidden with red threads.
The ends of the red threads were tied into a small bow. Although they were not as magnificent and delicate as before, the thoughtfulness shown by the winding red threads made people fall in love with them at first sight.
“A pair of dragon - and - phoenix bracelets? Aren't these...”
“These were left on my pillow by Ji Shisu when he broke into my room a year ago. You're leaving, and I don't have much to give you. I'll give you this pair of bracelets. I wish you could find your true love.”
They were currently at the border, and Zhao Luoning didn't have anything really valuable on hand. With Ji Shisu's permission, she took out the dragon - and - phoenix bracelets.
Anyway, Ji Shisu could give Zhao Luoning as many bracelets as she wanted in the future.
These bracelets were mended by another woman. Although their significance was indeed extraordinary, there was still a bit of a knot in her heart.
It was good to give them away.
“It is said that those who own this pair of bracelets will end up together. Caixue wants to be superstitious just this once. Miss, please help me give the other one to him.”
Caixue was a princess going on a marriage alliance. Her marriage to the virtuous king was still hanging over her head. This could only be a wishful thought.
Zhao Luoning nodded and put one of the purple jade bracelets on Caixue's wrist. The bracelet was neither too big nor too small, just fitting Caixue's wrist perfectly.
It was as if this bracelet was meant for her.
...
The city gate of Shiguan creaked open in the morning mist. A line of carriages stepped on the cold mist and gradually disappeared into the fog.
From a hazy and blurred shadow to the sound of horses' hooves disappearing in the thick fog.
Only then did Zhao Luoning have to admit that Caixue had really left this time.
A red sun peeked out from the thick fog. Zhao Luoning climbed up the city tower to watch the sunrise.
“Jingxiu and Guixiu have volunteered to be your personal maids. You can make your own decision.”
A black cloak was draped over her shoulders. The man's voice was as clear as the morning mist.
Jingxiu and Guixiu were punished by Ji Shisu to stay in the mountains for self - reflection because they had lost Zhao Luoning a few years ago. If it weren't for Zhao Luoning's plea, they wouldn't be back yet.
After seeing Zhao Luoning risking her life to protect the princess, these two maids sincerely admired this seemingly delicate but righteous second young mistress. So the first thing they did after coming back was to volunteer to be Zhao Luoning's personal maids.
It was also to make up for the hardship they had caused Zhao Luoning in the past.
“I'm getting two for one. Am I making a profit?”
She smiled self - deprecatingly. Shouldn't she be happy to get such a good deal?
“Whether it's Caixue, Jingxiu, or Guixiu, they will always be by your side and will never leave. You're not getting two for one. You're getting three maids who are loyal to you.”
Sure enough, he came from a business family. He was quite clear - headed about this account.
Zhao Luoning smiled and looked into his deep eyes with tear - filled eyes.
“Does what you just said mean that your people are my people?”
Was she still trying to calculate at this moment?!
This was his wife. If she were always so sentimental, Ji Shisu really wouldn't be used to it.
He was still used to her quickly calculating in her mind and “haggling” with him like a shrewd merchant.
He laughed heartily and pulled her into his arms. As usual, he whispered an ambiguous love word in her ear.
“When we become real husband and wife, all I have will be yours. Of course, including my people.”
In the past, Zhao Luoning would blush when she heard such words.
After he said such things in her ear more frequently than he ate, she got used to it. Her face didn't turn red, and her breathing didn't change.
If she just had a sly smile, they would be a real “couple”.