Setting off on the second day, because Su Li couldn't ride a horse and fearing she would be bored alone in the carriage, Jun Mo accompanied her.
The two played chess, drank tea, or napped, so it wasn't boring.
After another two days of travel, Su Li couldn't stand it anymore.
She had just learned to ride a horse, and after enduring two days of pain from her injuries, they had healed. Naturally, she couldn't sit still.
"Ziyan, I'm really fine. I'll just ride for one hour, and after that, I'll ride in the carriage, okay?" Su Li looked eagerly at the person opposite her.
Jun Mo looked at her eyes and almost agreed.
Thinking of that patch of crimson, he steeled his heart and said, "Ride again tomorrow. Rest one more day."
"Ziyan, this carriage is too stuffy."
"You can pull back the curtain."
Su Li looked at the person who was looking down at a book, unmoved, gritted her teeth, and sat beside him.
Before Jun Mo could react, she held his head and, to Jun Mo's surprised gaze, offered her red lips.
A smile flashed in Jun Mo's eyes, and he took the initiative.
Su Li wanted to retreat but found it was too late.
He only released her after kissing her until she was dizzy.
"I want to ride a horse!"
Jun Mo chuckled. She still hadn't forgotten about this.
"Li'er has learned to use a honey trap. This prince happens to fall for that."
Then, under Su Li's glare, he had Mo Yang stop the carriage.
Seeing Su Li sit motionless, he chuckled, "Li'er doesn't want to ride a horse anymore?"
Su Li got out of the carriage. She felt a surge of familiarity seeing the little black horse she hadn't seen in a long time.
Just then, Wei Yuanling rode over and said, "Cousin, want to have a race?"
Su Li smiled, "Okay."
Jun Mo also rode his horse and said, "This section of the road is flat; going a bit faster is fine."
Wei Yuanling looked at Lan Yan, who was walking beside Lan Canghai, and shouted, "Lan Yan, want to race your horse against my Little Red? See who's faster?"
Lan Yan turned her head and glanced at her father.
Lan Canghai chuckled, "Go ahead. You young people can enjoy yourselves."
Duke Weiguo smiled, "Indeed, how dull for a young lady to be with us old men."
Lan Yan nodded, spurred her horse, and rode towards Wei Yuanling and the others.
Ji Kui stepped forward and said, "I think you two could become in-laws."
Duke Weiguo and Lan Canghai exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
The few of them watched the young people flash past, sighing, "Youth is truly wonderful!"
Unlike the lively and harmonious scene here, Dai Wuya carried a large bundle on his back and a roasted duck, packed from a restaurant, in his hand.
Looking at the relaxed True Master Mingyang ahead, he said, "Master, aren't you going to teach me about poisons? Why are you always running west?"
True Master Mingyang didn't even turn his head. He took a sip of wine, then bit into a chicken leg, and said, "Tell me, where in this world are the most skilled poison users?"
Dai Wuya asked confusedly, "Where?"
True Master Mingyang stopped, slapped Dai Wuya's head with one hand, and said, "Fool! It's naturally Xichen!"
Dai Wuya rubbed his head and muttered, "I think you want to help Prince Jing and Junior Sister find the Thousand-Layer Frost."
Mingyang turned back and said, "What did you say?"
"Nothing, nothing. Disciple says Master is right."
True Master Mingyang snorted coldly, turned back, and continued on his way.
If he could, he truly wished he would never set foot in Xichen.
He hadn't lied to his disciple. Xichen was indeed full of poison masters, and Xichen's royal family was even the best among masters.
He wondered if that madwoman had changed after all these years? Had Xichen become even worse under her rule?
Although he didn't want to, he had to go. His little disciple knew nothing about Xichen. Without him, his little disciple would probably be eaten until nothing was left.
"Master?" Seeing his master preoccupied, Dai Wuya asked worriedly.
Mingyang's thoughts were interrupted. He glared and roared, "Why are you getting so close all of a sudden?"
Dai Wuya said aggrievedly, "I saw Master seemed to recall something sad and wanted to comfort Master."
Mingyang chuckled, "This old man is almost in his grave. What sad things could there be? You've treated Prince Jing for many years and haven't cured him. Tell me, shouldn't you do your part?"
Dai Wuya nodded and said, "Naturally, I should."
"Then that's fine. Why so much nonsense? Aren't you going to follow?"
"Oh."
Mingyang then said, "Oh, right, when we reach Xichen, you're not allowed to run around. You have to stay close to your master, understood?"
"Master, you're always the one running around..."
Every time he woke up, his master would be gone. Just as he was frantic looking for him, his master would appear out of nowhere.
After it happened many times, he no longer panicked as much as he did at first.
True Master Mingyang said, "Let's go!"
He truly doted on this disciple, yet he also genuinely disliked him.
The master and disciple continued their bickering journey forward.
Ji Huaiyan, escorting the grain, was eager to return home.
It had been two full months. He wondered if Rou'er's wedding dress was finished.
He hadn't broken his promise. He had returned safely, and much earlier than expected.
After days of travel, looking at the capital's city gates, Ji Huaiyan said to the logistics officer beside him, "You all return to the Ministry of Revenue first. I will enter the palace to report."
"Yes!"
Ji Huaiyan spurred his horse towards the Imperial Palace. The Emperor naturally praised him greatly, stating that when the main army returned, they would celebrate their achievements together.
Ji Huaiyan thanked him and, after leaving the palace, did not go directly to the Qu mansion but returned to his own residence.
Upon learning of his elder brother's return, Ji Huaizhou happily stepped forward and gave him a big hug.
Before Ji Huaiyan could speak, Ji Huaizhou suddenly jumped far away.
Covering his nose, he said, "Big Brother, how many days has it been since you bathed?"
Ji Huaiyan sniffed himself and said, "With your appearance, how can you be considered a married man? Not stable at all."
Ji Huaizhou said, "You're certainly mature, with that scraggly beard. If your future sister-in-law sees you, she'll probably dislike you."
Lady Ji entered from the courtyard gate, patted her youngest son, and said, "No manners."
Then, looking at her dusty eldest son, she said, "It's good that you returned safely. Go quickly and wash up. I'll prepare a welcome feast for you at noon."
Ji Huaiyan said, "Mother, I won't be eating lunch at home. Let's have the welcome feast in the evening."
Lady Ji paused, then smiled understandingly and said, "Alright. It is indeed time to inform your Aunt Qu that you're safe."
Ji Huaiyan cupped his hands and said, "Then your son will return to his room first."
Lady Ji nodded and said, "Go."
Ji Huaiyan returned to his room. Servants had already prepared clean clothes and warm water.
After a comfortable wash, he shaved his beard and fastened his hair with a coronet.
Looking at his reflection in the bronze mirror, and feeling presentable, he quickly left the mansion.
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