Old Madam Song was indeed frightened at first. People grew old and their reactions became increasingly slow. It was only later that she realized this trip would likely be very difficult. For several days in a row she couldn’t eat, and even when Princess Duanhui and Yu Shi came to visit, she was listless and couldn’t muster any energy.
It wasn’t until Old Madam Cui came over to the manor that she seemed to fully react. Pulling at Old Madam Cui, who was saying she wanted to request an audience at the palace, she sighed heavily after a long while. “Forget it.”
Old Madam Cui was very puzzled and very disapproving. She only had one daughter, Cui Tingting. Since her daughter married until her death, she never saw her daughter again. Song Chuyi and Song Yan were both no different from her lifeblood in her heart.
Having her lifeblood go take such risks—she truly couldn’t agree.
Old Madam Song understood Old Madam Cui’s worries and held Old Madam Cui’s hand, shaking her head. “I know Xiaoyi’s temperament best. Back then at Yangquan…” Seeing Old Madam Cui was also stunned, she continued, “Back then Yangquan was equally dangerous, wasn’t it? At that time she hadn’t gotten together with His Highness yet, but she was still willing to go take risks—how much more so now? For her to let His Highness go alone is absolutely impossible. But if she blocked His Highness, she herself knows she’d be criticized, so she might as well accompany His Highness and go together.”
Old Madam Cui was still somewhat worried. “But this isn’t a good place to go…”
“No place is good to go.” Zhang Tianshi was speaking with Zhou Weizhao, the very image of an immortal sage. His wide Taoist robe was blown loudly by the wind. He stood with his feet planted on the mountain, gazing into the distance where he could see clusters of houses the size of tofu blocks. “But no matter how difficult to go, someone must still go. This is a good thing. If you succeed, are you still afraid there won’t be time for the investiture ceremony? Go.”
The Heavenly Master’s wife, however, didn’t just urge them to go with her mouth. She took out many bottles and jars from a bundle and gave them all to Qingbai and Han Feng at once, warning them repeatedly, “On this journey, you must take good care of your Highness.”
Turning back, she held Song Chuyi’s hand. “Although I’m somewhat worried for you, if my husband had to go, I would also have to go with him. I can only say some useless words here. Return safely, and then I’ll say some nice things.”
Song Chuyi smiled and nodded. Together with Zhou Weizhao, they bid farewell to the Heavenly Master couple and first went to Chongyin Workshop. Both Ye Jingchuan and Lu Chonghua were there, looking as if they’d been waiting for them for quite a while. When they saw them, they both came forward.
“I’m going with you.” Ye Jingchuan had not a word of nonsense, getting straight to the point. “Otherwise I won’t feel at ease.”
Lu Chonghua also frowned. “I know you’re both very capable, but it’s better to be prepared. It’s just a pity I don’t know anything and can’t go along to cause you trouble—otherwise I would definitely go.”
Qingbai and Han Feng served tea then withdrew, greeting the shopkeeper before heading out. They’d been so busy they’d nearly forgotten—it wasn’t until now when they were about to leave that Song Chuyi remembered Han Yan from before and instructed them to take Han Yan to the Heavenly Master’s wife to deal with.
The Heavenly Master had originally planned to return after the investiture ceremony on February twenty-first passed, but now Zhou Weizhao’s investiture ceremony—no matter how you looked at it—couldn’t possibly become reality anytime soon. He decided to return to Longhu Mountain first. The matter of Zheng Baihu and Yan Ning had to be dealt with, to see if there were any small fish or shrimp that had slipped through the net, lest something happen later on this account and implicate the Zhou Weizhao couple.
Ye Jingchuan didn’t know about this matter. When they were talking, Qingbai and Han Feng often withdrew as well. He still looked at Zhou Weizhao. “There must be some place I can help.”
Song Chuyi turned her head to glance at Zhou Weizhao, then saw Zhou Weizhao nod.
“Then you should go back first to pack your things and speak properly with the Princess Consort.” Zhou Weizhao patted his shoulder. “Only your and your cousin’s marriage will have to be postponed again.”
Bringing up the marriage, both of them were somewhat embarrassed. They exchanged a glance then immediately looked away. After a long while, he grunted sullenly, “Originally, since my father hasn’t returned, I didn’t plan to get married anyway.”
Having agreed, Ye Jingchuan returned to discuss going to Yangzhou with the Princess Consort of Zhennan.
With great difficulty using the marriage to tie him down, who would have thought that in the blink of an eye he was saying he had to go to Yangzhou? The Princess Consort of Zhennan frowned tightly. Seeing that Ye Yunxiu and Ye Yunyi were also sighing, she said, “You just can’t sit still! This…”
Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Ye Jingkuan. “It’s also a good thing that he wants to make progress. Originally I should have gone along, but unfortunately I had a part in the Yangzhou matter last time—the Yangzhou official circles probably won’t think too highly of me. That Jingchuan can go along now is also a good thing. He could be considered to have abandoned his post in Fujian. Although there were reasons for it, he still made a mistake. Having made a mistake, he must atone for it—only then can we discuss his future prospects.”
Seeing the Princess Consort of Zhennan was somewhat moved, Ye Jingkuan continued, “Besides, going to Yangzhou is always much safer than going to the Northwest. Between two evils, choose the lesser. Mother, just let him go. If he goes, I can feel more at ease.”
The Princess Consort of Zhennan had always listened to her eldest son’s words. Since her eldest son had said this much, she had nothing more to say. She immediately gave some warnings about being careful and such, then went to pack her son’s luggage.
Old Madam Song was reasonable and understanding. Old Madam Cui had also been persuaded by Old Madam Song, so Song Chuyi didn’t encounter any more resistance—actually there was some. In the court there was quite a bit of controversy over the fact that the Grand Sun was going on assignment and actually had to bring his wife along. Quite a few people felt that bringing along a woman was really too troublesome and nothing but a burden.
In the end it was Emperor Jianzhang who made the final decision. “The Grand Sun’s health is not very good—he must have someone accompanying him. The Grand Sun’s consort has always been thorough and meticulous in her work. I and the Empress are both very reassured. Whether she’s there or not, they’ll travel the same way. Besides, she just wants to do her best.”
Everyone then remembered that previously when Song Chuyi was donating silver, she had donated the most aside from Empress Lu. She was indeed very dedicated, so they couldn’t say more. The matter of Song Chuyi accompanying them was thus settled.
Crown Princess Lu had originally planned to see how her daughter-in-law had packed her son’s luggage, but unexpectedly her daughter-in-law had to go along as well. This time she was truly somewhat worried.
On one hand, she had Nanny Liang inspect everything down to the smallest detail to make sure they would have convenience on the road. On the other hand, she held Song Chuyi’s hand. “If Weizhao went alone I wouldn’t be so worried, but now you’re also going together—I’m somewhat afraid.”
Although she knew this girl wasn’t an ordinary girl and was very formidable, in the end she was still just flesh and blood, wasn’t she? And the situation was special… Although she knew Song Chuyi certainly knew everything she was instructing her about, she still couldn’t help it. She carefully gave instructions for half the day before finally letting them go.