Chapter 80 The Road Is Hard

Chapter 80: The Difficult Journey

"I need to go to the palace."

Lu Feng was dressed in a heavy purple robe with golden embroidered pythons on the sleeves, a belt with beast-head motifs in copper around his waist. His brow slightly furrowed, exuding an aura of authority.

He was about to set off on a military campaign, and instead of comforting his wife and children, what was his father's intention? Though he was reluctant to part, he had never considered bringing Jiang Wanrou along. The conditions in the military camp were harsh, with scarce resources. Even a seven-foot-tall man would have to endure hardships upon entering the camp, making it unsuitable for a delicate woman like her.

Moreover, leading troops and being ready for battle at any moment, what would it mean to bring a woman along?

Lu Feng had always been clear about separating public from private matters. He was not a suicidal tyrant, nor did he need a beauty like Yu Ji to accompany him.

His face was dark, and the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict looked distressed, trotting to keep up with Lu Feng's pace. "This won't do, oh dear, Your Highness, this won't do."

The eunuch, panting heavily, said, "His Majesty reviewed military dispatches late into the night and only closed his eyes at dawn. He canceled the morning audience today, specifically to see you off."

"His Majesty's heart is full of paternal love, all for Your Highness! This servant dares to say, yesterday the other princes submitted memorials wanting to interfere with military supplies, and His Majesty was furious, rebuking them for your sake... Princess Consort of Qi, please also counsel His Highness."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Lu Feng, the eunuch had a sudden idea and turned to Jiang Wanrou, who had hurried over. Jiang Wanrou grabbed Lu Feng's sleeve and said, "Husband, don't be impulsive."

The last time the eunuch came to the Qi Prince's residence to deliver an edict, he had met Jiang Wanrou once and sighed, "Having a virtuous consort like you is a blessing for His Highness."

Now, it had indeed come true.

Jiang Wanrou spoke softly, calming the furious Lu Feng. She smiled and said, "It's just that we, husband and wife, are reluctant to part, and His Majesty is considerate, fulfilling our affection. But now the situation is urgent, let's wait until we return to thank His Majesty properly."

Her words not only praised the emperor but also dissuaded Lu Feng. The eunuch inwardly applauded Jiang Wanrou and quickly bowed in agreement, "Princess Consort is wise, Your Highness, please reconsider."

Jiang Wanrou was not "wise," nor did she understand court politics or warfare, but she was clever. From the eunuch's few words, she understood two things. First, the emperor had gone to great lengths to clear obstacles for Lu Feng and even canceled the morning audience to see him off. She knew Lu Feng's temper; if the two clashed, the emperor might feel his "paternal love" was unappreciated, and the emperor's wrath could have unpredictable consequences. She dared not gamble.

Second, Lu Feng's expedition was not only to repel foreign enemies but also because the home front was not secure. Those who wished him harm were powerful princes, and the only one who could protect him was the emperor on his high throne.

No matter how puzzled she was by the decree, she had to accept it, and accept it gladly. In matters of life and death, all emotions were futile.

She said to the eunuch, "Eunuch, this news is quite sudden. Could you allow me some time to prepare, perhaps half an hour?"

The fair-faced eunuch smiled and said, "Of course, it's still early in the day. Take your time, I'll wait outside, just summon me when you're ready."

There was still more than an hour before departure, and today was just leaving the capital, not the actual battle. Being a little late, would the emperor blame his son who was about to go into battle? Jiang Wanrou was not someone who overstepped her bounds; she wouldn't delay for too long.

The eunuch considerately withdrew, leaving Jiang Wanrou and Lu Feng alone, staring at each other.

...

Jiang Wanrou suddenly sighed and looked at Lu Feng, "Upon suddenly hearing this news, what about the children?"

Besides confusion, bewilderment, and helplessness, Jiang Wanrou wasn't particularly afraid. By Lu Feng's side, she always felt secure. As for the hardships Lu Feng worried about in the military camp, she wasn't a pampered young lady who had never done a day's work. No matter how hard, could it be worse than under Madame Qin's thumb?

Her only worry was her three children. Huai Yi was only six, and the two younger ones were still breastfeeding. She had never been away from them.

Lu Feng was silent for a long time before asking her, "Have you decided?"

If she hadn't stopped him earlier, he would have been on his way to the palace by now.

Jiang Wanrou gave a bitter smile, her voice soft but firm. "Yes."

This wasn't a casual oral edict sent by a minor eunuch; it was a bright yellow imperial edict, delivered by the emperor's personal eunuch. In ordinary official households, such an edict would be enshrined in the ancestral hall. If she caused a rift between Lu Feng and the emperor because of this, wouldn't she be seen as a "femme fatale"?

Most beauties have a tragic fate, and she wasn't ready to die yet. The cold winter wind brushed past, and Jiang Wanrou's mind was unprecedentedly calm. She had only one thought: she must not offend the emperor at this moment.

Upon hearing her reply, a hint of worry surfaced between Lu Feng's brows. He asked, "Do you not trust me?"

She was his wife. Was Lu Feng so incapable that he couldn't even protect his own wife and children?

Lu Feng's expression turned cold and stern, his dark eyes still carrying the remnants of anger. Jiang Wanrou approached him, tugging at his sleeve. He didn’t move, so Jiang Wanrou took it further by hooking her pinky with his finger.

She said, "My hands are cold."

Lu Feng glanced at her, then grasped her hand in return. The two walked together under the eaves.

Jiang Wanrou suddenly burst into a soft laugh, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "Alright, alright, I'm the one suffering this unjust calamity. Why are you the one getting angry? You even need someone to comfort you."

"Even Huaiyi doesn't need me to comfort him anymore."

Lu Feng, entangled by her, had no temper left. "Don't be mischievous."

Jiang Wanrou said, "Since things have come to this, instead of complaining and being upset, it's better to prepare early. Other things are manageable, but I'm only worried about the safety of the children."

Huaiyi was older now, especially since Lu Feng had been enfeoffed as the Prince of Qi. Wherever Lu Huaiyi went, people would call him "Young Master," and despite his young age, he was becoming more mature. As for the two younger ones, fortunately, Aunt Li had been brought back. Huailing and Mingzhu particularly loved their grandmother. With these two little troublemakers around, Aunt Li's face lit up with more smiles, and she seemed rejuvenated, glowing with vitality.

The wet nurses and nannies in the mansion had been selected by Jiang Wanrou before giving birth, and they were highly competent. As long as the children's safety could be ensured, Jiang Wanrou didn't have much else to worry about.

Lu Feng reassured her, "Don't worry, no one else's hands can reach the residence of the Prince of Qi."

The lesson from Youzhou was deeply ingrained. Lu Feng had divided his trusted aides into two groups: one half would accompany him on the expedition, and the other half would stay behind to guard the mansion. Both overtly and covertly, the residence of the Prince of Qi was as secure as a fortress. Moreover, the Emperor was still alive. As long as the other princes didn't plan to immediately don the yellow robe and storm the palace, they wouldn't dare to harm the imperial descendants.

Even back then, with Prince Gong, Lu Feng hadn't touched his children.

Jiang Wanrou felt a bit more at ease. Time was pressing, so she immediately had people pack her clothes and belongings. Fortunately, although the mansion was large, it only housed their family, unlike the Duke of Lu's mansion, which was crowded and complicated. Food, clothing, and daily necessities were all managed by the Imperial Household Department, so she didn't have much to do and didn't need to find someone to manage the household for her. Externally, Chang'an was in charge, and internally, Jiang Wanrou had arranged for four long-serving nannies, along with Cuizhu, to manage affairs. Jintao would stay by her side to take care of her personally.

After saying goodbye to Aunt Li and hugging the composed Lu Huaiyi, and taking turns kissing the round-eyed, drooling twins who were giggling foolishly, Cuizhu, her eyes red and swollen, finished packing Jiang Wanrou's belongings.

Fearing her mistress might suffer outside, Cuizhu had prepared meticulously: fur cloaks, leather clothes and hats, clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, blankets, soft items, hand warmers, her favorite pastries, and even remembered to stuff two storybooks into the gaps. Jiang Wanrou soothed her, "There, there, don't cry. If this battle goes well, we might be back by next year."

"You're complaining that I only brought Jintao and not you, crying over such a small matter. How could I dare to entrust you with important tasks?"

Cuizhu rubbed her red and swollen eyes, sniffling, "I... I won't cry."

"Even if you don't cry, the Princess Consort won't give you important tasks."

"Who said that? Leaving you in the mansion is actually entrusting you with a great responsibility."

Cuizhu's childlike demeanor dispelled Jiang Wanrou's sorrow of parting. She smiled gently, called her over, and whispered a few words to her. Gradually, Cuizhu's round little face tightened, and she nodded firmly.

She affirmed, "This servant will definitely not disappoint the Princess Consort's trust!"

After a delay of another half hour, under the reluctant gazes of everyone, Jiang Wanrou stepped onto the carriage without looking back. This carriage wasn't as spacious or luxurious as the one she usually rode in, lacking small tables, wide armrests, soft pillows, or tea. It was quite small, seating only Jiang Wanrou and Jintao, but it was sturdy and solid, with a steady chassis, capable of navigating muddy mountain roads and withstanding arrows and blades.

Jintao took out a soft pillow from her personal baggage and placed it behind Jiang Wanrou. As she looked around, everything seemed unfamiliar. Only then did Jiang Wanrou truly feel the pang of parting, as if a hole had been dug in her heart, leaving it empty.

At this time, Lu Feng's deep voice came from outside, "I'm outside."

Jiang Wanrou suddenly felt a pang in her nose and whispered, "Can you come in?"

She wanted him to hold her.

After a long silence outside the carriage, Jiang Wanrou felt as if she were dreaming. Lu Feng said, "Wait until we're out of the city gates."

On the high city tower, the emperor led the ministers to bid farewell to Lu Feng. Jiang Wanrou originally thought that as the "Lady of the Prince," she would at least have to make an appearance, but Lu Feng told her to stay put. As the carriage rolled forward, she finished three pieces of pastry inside and didn’t even get to see the emperor.

Curious, she lifted the carriage curtain, and the towering city walls were left far behind. The weather was fine today, with the faint sun casting a weak light, the sky a very light blue, dotted with a few sparse white clouds, and half of the sun faintly visible.

Jiang Wanrou raised her head, staring in a daze, unable to look away.

From the Marquis of Ning'an's residence, to the Duke of Lu's residence, and then to the Prince of Qi's residence, the courtyards she lived in grew larger and larger, and the walls grew higher and higher. The courtyards were deep, and even in the most spacious Prince of Qi's residence, when she looked up, she could only see the small, square patch of sky hemmed in by the high walls.

So, the sky was actually this vast.

Fascinated, Jiang Wanrou craned her neck to look around. After a while, her vision suddenly darkened as Lu Feng’s tall figure blocked her view, backlit by the sun.

With a "Halt—," Jintao tactfully got up to make room. Lu Feng lifted his long leg and, without using a footstool, smoothly stepped inside. He covered Jiang Wanrou's eyes and said lightly, "Close your eyes. Don't strain them."

Indeed, Jiang Wanrou realized belatedly that the sunlight hadn't been harsh earlier, and she had been so engrossed that now her eyes were stinging. Even with her eyes closed, her vision was still clouded with a blinding white haze. She couldn't see, but she could hear Lu Feng's deep voice, "Bring cold water and a towel."

Suddenly, a cold layer covered her eyelids. Startled, Jiang Wanrou kept trying to move back, but Lu Feng bound her hands and firmly pressed the back of her neck, leaving her unable to move.

"Husband, I'm cold."

"Just endure it."