Chapter 363: Returning with the Old Marquis’s Body

Chapter 363: Returning with the Old Marquis's Body

Qingfeng spoke so convincingly that Li Bihan was completely stunned.

What?

They weren't taking the Gansu-Qinghai direct route, passing through Jiayuguan to enter Tibet, but rather detouring through Sichuan, entering Xikang from there!

Even a sheltered woman like Li Bihan had heard of the treacherous Sichuan road. After traversing it, they would still have to climb snow-capped mountains. This journey would indeed require traveling on foot, with no room for carriages...

Moreover, this journey would take five, ten years...

They must be out of their minds!

Qingfeng's words left Cheng Yunshuo in silence.

Clearly, it also made him hesitate.

Seeing Cheng Yunshuo's hesitant expression, Li Bihan breathed a slight sigh of relief. Seizing the opportunity, she said, "Crown Prince, although Master Yuanqing's route avoids the dangers of warfare, the journey is fraught with perilous mountains and treacherous paths. There's the Sichuan road, the snow-capped mountains, and the long duration. Moreover, much of it is through uninhabited areas. How could your noble self endure such hardships!"

Cheng Yunshuo remained silent, saying nothing.

Li Bihan understood him, knowing that her persuasion was taking effect. She continued, "Crown Prince, we've been away for a long time. This trip, listening to Master Yuanqing's Buddhist teachings, has been immensely beneficial and worthwhile. Let's not hinder Master Yuanqing's departure any longer."

"You're right," Cheng Yunshuo nodded in agreement. Just as Li Bihan thought she had successfully persuaded him to return to the mansion, Cheng Yunshuo spoke up, "But since Master Yuanqing is about to leave, let's stay here until he does. After all, he'll be gone for five to ten years, and who knows when we'll meet again. Let's listen to a few more days of his teachings here."

Li Bihan: "..."

Just as Li Bihan was at her wit's end, completely at a loss with Cheng Yunshuo, Qingfeng hurriedly returned to the room.

"Crown Prince! The young mistress is here!"

While Li Bihan was still stunned, Lu Lingyun had already marched in boldly with her entourage.

"Crown Prince!"

"Lingyun? What brings you here?"

Upon seeing her, Cheng Yunshuo stood up to greet her, his tone naturally respectful.

Lu Lingyun scanned his room, "Have everyone leave."

She barely glanced at Li Bihan, showing no additional interest, and spoke.

Cheng Yunshuo, hearing this, immediately complied, "All of you, leave."

"Yes."

Qingfeng, upon receiving the order, obediently withdrew.

Li Bihan, however, glanced at Lu Lingyun, lowered her head, and left meekly and submissively.

She walked slowly, intentionally dragging her feet to overhear Lu Lingyun's words.

As she reached the doorway, she heard Cheng Yunshuo's anxious inquiry from within the room.

"Lingyun, your visit this time—has something major happened at the Marquis's Mansion?"

"Crown Prince, a new family letter has arrived from the border..."

"Auntie Li."

Li Bihan wanted to continue listening, but she heard Qingfeng urging her at the door, "What's taking you so long?"

His words caught the attention of Nanny Wan and some of Lu Lingyun's maids. Seeing Nanny Wan, Li Bihan didn't dare to breathe a word, silently cursing Qingfeng, and hurried away with quick, small steps.

Not long after, the door burst open.

Cheng Yunshuo walked out with a serious expression, striding out, and only said two words, "Back to the Marquis's Mansion!"

Despite Li Bihan's earlier efforts, Cheng Yunshuo hadn't mentioned returning to the mansion.

But as soon as Lu Lingyun arrived, after just a few words, he immediately decided to return.

Seeing this, Li Bihan didn't think much else; she only knew that something serious must have happened.

Her heart was in turmoil, wanting to ride with Cheng Yunshuo and ask him on the way back.

But as she was about to get into the carriage, Nanny Wan's voice came.

"And where does Concubine Li think she's going!"

Li Bihan's steps halted as she saw Lu Lingyun approaching from behind.

With the mistress here, a concubine couldn't possibly ride with the master!

She had no choice but to walk back with the others.

Li Bihan quickly stepped back, trying to appease, "Young mistress, I know I was wrong."

Lu Lingyun glanced at her, noticing her recently improved complexion, "You've been looking great lately. Are you using some kind of medicine?"

Hearing this, Li Bihan quickly replied, "Maybe it's from listening to the scriptures with the Crown Prince at the temple; it's calming, and my skin looks better."

Lu Lingyun gave her a meaningful look, "I see. It's good it's not some random potion. I still remember what happened with Nun Miaoyin in the capital a few years ago. Women using all sorts of drugs for eternal youth often ruin their faces. It's not worth it."

"You're right, young mistress," Li Bihan said, bowing her head even lower.

Lu Lingyun said no more and got into the carriage.

After she entered, Li Bihan's heart was seething with resentment.

She acted so kind, but how could she possibly understand their anxiety!

If Lu Lingyun was truly kind, she would return her son to her!

All her kind words were just to boost her virtuous image! Li Bihan felt no gratitude at all!

Soon, the carriage returned to the Marquis's Mansion.

As soon as Lu Lingyun and Cheng Yunshuo got off the carriage, they went back to Lu Lingyun's main courtyard.

After they returned, Cheng Yunshuo, as before going to the temple, spent his days in Ningxin Courtyard accompanying Lady Qin, and only stayed in the main courtyard at night, not seeing any of the concubines in the backyard.

Li Bihan saw that after all the twists and turns, she had achieved nothing, her son was not returned, and Cheng Yunshuo didn't come to her side. Her anxiety grew stronger.

Going on like this would only waste her life, and it was utterly pointless.

Moreover, she was using that kind of medicine to maintain her appearance.

Li Bihan looked at the wrinkles in the mirror that required increasing doses of medicine to conceal and her increasingly dull complexion, felt nothing but urgency.

Time was running out for her. She no longer sought to keep Cheng Yunshuo's heart forever; she aimed to secure resources and assurances from him before it was too late.

She even wanted him to feel lifelong regret and guilt towards her!

Li Bihan had made up her mind.

A few days after Cheng Yunshuo returned to the estate, news of a great victory at the border resounded throughout the Imperial City. The Northern Tribes had surrendered, and their king, along with the terms of surrender and reparations, were being escorted back.

The Ningyang Marquis's estate had achieved a great victory and was returning in triumph.

The joyous news filled the entire estate with happiness.

The happiest of all was Lady Qin.

"Praise Buddha, it’s truly a blessing from the heavens. The Lord Marquis has triumphed and is coming home!" Lady Qin chanted joyfully at home.

In her room, Cheng Yunshuo and Lu Lingyun, who were there to keep her company, stayed quiet.

"By the way, I heard that Cheng Qi will also be returning this time, right?" Lady Qin, after rambling on for a while, suddenly remembered this person.

"Yes," Lu Lingyun responded upon hearing Cheng Qi's name.

She felt a heavy weight in her heart.

The truth was, Cheng Qi was only returning by chance, as he was bringing back the old Marquis's body!