Chapter 6: Arriving in Liangzhou

Seeing that Meng Changqing was indeed able to walk and move, Xi Bei felt slightly relieved.

"Master, how were things handled back home?"

"They’re handled." Xi Bei handed her parcel to Laicai. "Old Dai sent a letter telling me that once I caught up with you, I must protect you at all times. What is it? They weren't satisfied with beating you and still want your life?"

"There’s no point in talking about it if we can't catch the mastermind," Meng Changqing said. "Master, you should rest for a while. Once the people who went to buy supplies return, we have to continue our journey."

"It’s fine, I don't need to rest."

Doctor Hu interjected between the two of them, "If you don't need to rest, go do something else. She needs to rest."

With that, he hurried Meng Changqing toward the carriage. "Alright, alright, the weather is too cold, you’d better get back in the carriage."

Just as Meng Changqing was about to climb in like a duck, she heard someone call out to her, "Lord Meng."

Meng Changqing turned and cupped her hands in greeting. "Lord Bai, what is it?"

"I haven't seen Lord Meng for many days and have been worried about your injuries. Looking at you today, you seem much better."

Meng Changqing replied politely, "I am indeed much better. Thank you for your concern, Lord Bai."

Chu Mufeng pulled a stack of sealed letters from his sleeve. "It has been half a month since we left the capital with you, and our families are inevitably worried. My colleagues and I have written some letters home, and we plan to send them from the post station ahead. Does the Lord have any letters to send?"

"My family is right by my side, so there is no need to send letters. Lord Bai, please go ahead and return quickly."

Watching Chu Mufeng mount his horse and ride away, Xi Bei, who was leaning against the carriage, suddenly said, "Why do I feel like this person looks familiar?"

Meng Changqing, having entered the carriage, was about to speak when a coughing fit overcame her. As soon as she opened her mouth, she began to cough violently.

"Who don't you find familiar?" Doctor Hu shoved a rolled-up pill into the carriage. "Hold one in your mouth."

Meng Changqing quickly unwrapped the oil paper and popped one into her mouth.

A bitter taste spread instantly, but it was immediately followed by a cooling sensation sliding down her throat. Sure enough, she stopped coughing.

Doctor Hu said, "Your external wounds are visibly healing, but you haven't recovered internally. You must not get cold; don't go out and choke on the cold wind, understand?"

Meng Changqing nodded and put the pills into her candied fruit box.

After that, Meng Changqing was indeed well-behaved. She only got out of the carriage to walk a few steps during the noon break; the rest of the time, she wouldn't even lift the carriage curtain.

Ten days after leaving Fengxia Town, they finally arrived in Liangzhou.

At the same time, the secret letter Chu Mufeng sent to the Imperial City reached the hands of the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

"Eunuch, this is the seventh one."

Eunuch Qian took it with both hands. "Thank you, Lord Wei."

Eunuch Qian took the secret letter and delivered it to the Emperor.

Inside the Imperial Study.

The Emperor opened the letter in front of the old Grand Tutor.

The Grand Tutor lowered his head, eyes fixed on his nose and heart, entering a state of meditation on the spot.

"Calculating the time, Changqing should have arrived in Liangzhou by now." The Emperor stood up, placed the letter into a wooden box nearby, and asked as if casually, "How is the Crown Prince’s progress with his studies?"

The Grand Tutor replied, "His Highness has always been diligent in his studies. A few days ago, I had him write a policy essay, and it showed more improvement than before."

The Emperor sat back on the dragon throne. "He is certainly at ease."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is still young; you shouldn't be too harsh on him," the Grand Tutor advised.

The Emperor took a deep breath. "Sir, do you know that on the very night Changqing returned to his manor, assassins snuck in? On this journey to Liangzhou, he has faced no fewer than eight assassination attempts. I shouldn't be harsh on the Crown Prince, but some people’s ambitions are too grand."

"I fear there is more than one mastermind behind these many assassination attempts. The more Your Majesty suppresses the Crown Prince, the more difficult things become for Changqing," the Grand Tutor said. "Moreover, the Crown Prince himself has committed no major faults. If Your Majesty punishes him too severely, it will inevitably damage the bond between father and son."

"How does Sir think I should handle this to be appropriate?"

The Grand Tutor bowed. "I dare not say. Your Majesty has your own judgment regarding matters of the inner palace. However, in this old minister's view, the Crown Prince has the talent and virtue of a successor; he should not be burdened by the greed of his mother's family."

The Emperor’s gaze was complex. "As you said, the Crown Prince is my eldest son. Although occasionally mischievous, he is diligent, studious, and gentle in nature, far more insightful than the other princes.

But my other sons may not necessarily be content with being idle princes.

If I liquidate the Crown Prince’s mother’s family now, I fear the Crown Prince will not be able to suppress the other princes in the future."

"Your Majesty speaks the truth." The Grand Tutor suddenly changed the subject. "The Third Prince is growing older, and he has been increasingly diligent in his studies lately."

Though the topics seemed unrelated, the Emperor understood the Grand Tutor’s meaning.

He wanted the Noble Consort and her family to shift their focus from Changqing to the Third Prince.

No matter what Meng Changqing is, he is merely a subject. But the Third Prince is different; like the Crown Prince, he possesses the right to inherit the throne.

Comparing the two, the Third Prince is naturally more dangerous.

But doing this would push his own son into the line of fire.

The Emperor said, "He is only ten years old."

"Indeed, the Third Prince is only ten, yet he has already memorized the policy on governance you wrote when you ascended the throne." The Grand Tutor bowed to the Emperor. "I presume the Third Prince is also waiting for Your Majesty to check his lessons. This old minister will take his leave."

Outside Liangzhou City.

Little Dai walked to the guards at the gate with Meng Changqing’s name card. "My master is the newly appointed Magistrate of Beishan County, passing through here on his way to take up his post."

The guard took the name card. "Wait a moment, I have to show it to the sergeant for verification."

Before long, the guard returned with the sergeant. "That’s him."

The sergeant walked over and returned the name card to Little Dai. "The seal is correct. Please enter, the post station is in the east of the city." The sergeant patted the guard beside him. "I’ll have him lead you there."

Little Dai thanked him hurriedly.

As the carriage entered the city gate, hearing the noisy sounds outside, Meng Changqing lifted the curtain of the small window to look out.

This place couldn't compare to the capital.

On both sides of the main road, there were actually earthen huts, and the air was perpetually filled with dust; everything looked gray and dingy.

The small stalls along the street mostly sold rough wickerwork, with an occasional one selling furs.

Meng Changqing was choked by the rising dust and quickly lowered the curtain, closing the small window tightly.

Not long after, the carriage stopped. Bafang moved a stool and placed it beside the carriage. "Young Master, we have arrived at the post station."

Meng Changqing climbed out of the carriage door, and the dry, biting cold wind, carrying dust, plastered her face.

The post official greeted them at the gate and said to Chu Mufeng, "Magistrate, the food and hot water have already been prepared..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Chu Mufeng. "Lord Meng is behind you."

The post official’s smile froze on his face. He turned to Meng Changqing and apologized repeatedly, "This humble official has eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai; I beg the Lord’s forgiveness." He said "forgive me" several times, effectively blocking Meng Changqing, who wanted to go inside to escape the wind, at the door.

"I already said it’s fine, let me in first!"

The post official hurriedly stepped aside, bowing and accompanying her to the side. "Please, Lord. The hot water and food are ready. Would you like to eat first, or bathe first?"

"Bathe first. Boil more hot water; my mother needs to use it as well."

"Yes." The post official pushed open the door to the room prepared for Meng Changqing. "This is your room. I will go down and have them continue boiling the water."