Chapter 145: Northern Expedition

Chapter 145: Northern Expedition

On the day of departure, they rose before dawn.

But it was a coincidence that the weather turned bad, with light rain falling.

However, the scheduled departure time was a must.

Yunli first went to bid farewell to the Empress.

Jindefei led the way, followed by Yezhaoyi, Yunli, Jingcairen, Ye Baolin, and Xu Baolin, all bidding farewell to the Empress in unison.

After exchanging a few words of advice, the Empress bid them farewell.

The six of them then set off, with the Empress and others seeing them off a few steps.

Those who couldn't go were incredibly envious.

Jindefei and Yezhaoyi naturally had their own carriages, but they were surprised to see Yunli in her own carriage.

Since Yunli had her own carriage, Jingcairen couldn't accompany anyone. Each carriage could only accommodate two consorts.

Otherwise, it would be too crowded; after all, they needed to bring their own maids, didn't they?

Eventually, Jingcairen also had her own carriage, while Ye Baolin and Xu Baolin shared one.

The carriages left the palace but were stuck for a while outside the main gate until, after the ceremonial cannon fire, the Emperor's procession finally departed.

They waited until the Emperor's procession left the city before following.

Heading northward all the way.

Finally leaving the city's boundaries, everyone relaxed.

By this time, it was nearly noon, yes, a whole morning had passed.

It wasn't that the horses were slow; it was mainly due to protocol. They waited for over an hour just for the Emperor's procession.

Yunli had already woken up in the carriage, which continued without stopping until evening. However, some people had already gone ahead to set up camp.

This was the routine along the way, with the advance guards and imperial troops setting up accommodations beforehand.

Can't have the Emperor setting up his own tent, can we?

After a casual bite at noon, Yunli went back to sleep.

You call this scenery?

Oh, it's just too much dirt.

The imperial guards on horseback surrounded the carriage from all sides.

There are also relatives, not many close ones, but more distant ones, like the late Emperor's nephews.

Then there are courtiers. After all, it's a northern expedition, not a summer retreat, so there are quite a few people accompanying.

There's no rule against consorts showing themselves, but with all the horse hooves around, wouldn't there be dust flying on this dirt road?

The light rain from the morning had already stopped.

So, it's better to sleep. Yunli had prepared for this, waiting to see the scenery when they stopped.

Accompanying her in the carriage was Zhifu, while Zhuding sat at the front with the coachman. The others were in the carriage behind.

Finally arriving at the camp, it was already dusk.

They hadn't left the outskirts of the capital yet, but this area seemed uninhabited.

The area where the Emperor is stationed, for hundreds of miles around, wherever there are people, there will also be stationed troops to protect them.

The common people wouldn't be able to come over.

Yunli suddenly thought of the TV series she watched as a child, about the little swallow who bravely ventured into the encampment.

Hmm... Even if your mother were Xia Yuhe or He Xiangu, she'd definitely mistake you for an assassin.

Even if you don't die, you'll be skinned alive.

Besides, if you enter, thousands or hundreds of imperial guards around might die.

Thinking of this, she smiled faintly as she was helped out of the carriage, thinking, "It's just like a TV drama, just for entertainment."

As soon as she got down, she met a pair of eyes.

It was a boy of about ten, dressed in a luxurious light blue robe with a golden crown tied around his head.

His forehead still had stray hairs.

He looked very young, vaguely resembling He Jinli.

He stared blankly at Yunli until a woman behind him came over and knelt down: "Your Excellency, please don't be angry, this servant didn't watch over the young master properly."

"Your Excellency" isn't a specific title, it's just what some people use when they don't know the other person's identity but recognize their high status.

Yunli smiled and asked, "Whose child is this?"

The woman hurriedly said, "In response to Your Excellency, this is the youngest son of His Highness the Duke of Lu."

"Oh, the youngest son of Uncle Wang, that makes him my little nephew, right?" Yunli smiled.

The woman thanked her but still didn't know which concubine she was.

It wasn't until Jingcairen and a few others came over, "What's going on?"

Yunli smiled and didn't say.

The child suddenly came to his senses, "I have... seen the ladies."

"No need for formalities, go back now. Don't run around the campsite." Yunli smiled.

The child's face turned red instantly, "Okay."

He snapped out of it, grabbed his nanny, and walked away, then suddenly turned around as if remembering something, bowing, "I take my leave."

Yunli smiled again.

"Whose child was that? Quite interesting," Jingcairen asked.

"The youngest son of the Duke of Lu," Yunli said.

They slowly walked back to their own tents.

"The youngest son of the Duke of Lu? Is that him?" Yebao Lin suddenly asked.

"Hmm? Who?" Jingcairen was puzzled.

"Sisters, you may not know, but before I entered the palace, I visited my sister once," Yebao Lin smiled.

Her sister, naturally, was the favored concubine of the Prince of Qi.

"She mentioned that the Duke of Lu had a beloved concubine with a humble background. She was bought from that kind of place. But since the Duke became fond of this woman, he hasn't been close to anyone else for over a decade. The Duchess of Lu has been sick with anger because of it. None of the other concubines or maids can compare."

"I heard that the woman bore a son whom the Duke adores like nothing else, treating him even better than the crown prince. I reckon that's the child."

"The way you put it seems plausible. There are no other children in the Duke of Lu's mansion," Jingcairen remarked.

Yunli also recalled this incident and smiled, "The child does look quite handsome. Upon closer inspection, he even resembles His Majesty a bit."

Only she dared to say such words.

After all, the beloved concubine of the Duke of Lu had a lowly background, just a courtesan.

Who would dare to say that her child resembled His Majesty?

But with Yunli's accomplishments, even if she said so, the people present wouldn't dare to curry favor with the Emperor.

It was just a minor incident.

She had no idea what the ten-year-old child on the other side really thought of her.

---

The tent given to Yunli was not bad, clearly exceeding what a beauty like her would normally have.

However, with Jingcairen's comparison, nobody noticed anything amiss.

Yunli freshened up first, changed into a new outfit. This was the wilderness, so she dared not wear anything too thin.

The meals arrived promptly, and the people from the royal kitchen were leading the Emperor.

After Yunli finished eating, she called for Zhuding, "Have you inquired? Can I go out for a walk?"

"I've asked around. Although the camp may be chaotic, the area where you and a few others stay is relatively safe. But going too far might not be advisable, especially with night approaching," Zhuding replied.

"Hmm, I won't go far. I just want to stroll around a bit. It's been tiring sitting in the carriage all day," Yunli said.

Saying this, Yunli went out, draped in a thin cloak, accompanied by someone.

There wasn't much to see around here, indeed, it was a desolate area with mountains and a small grove of trees.

But even the rabbits in the woods probably knew every nook and cranny. Outside, there were stationed imperial guards.

Glancing at the area where the guards were not present, Yunli headed in that direction.

Along the way, the guards greeted her respectfully, most of them not recognizing her, addressing her as "Niangniang" (Madam).