Chapter 102: Setting Out

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Setting Out The next day, Su Li instructed Si Qin to start packing their belongings. She herself went early to the main courtyard to accompany Mother Su. As she had never traveled far from home before, Mother Su held her hand, reminding her over and over again. "Mother, don’t worry. Your daughter will be back in half a month at most on this trip." Mother Su sighed, "Mother knows, it’s just that ’when a child travels a thousand li, the mother worries.’ Also, although Mother agreed to let you go with Prince Jing, you must promise me you won’t overstep any boundaries." "Mother! What are you thinking?" Mother Su whispered, "Mother is serious. Although you’ve been betrothed by imperial decree, you haven’t reached the hairpin age yet. If any scandal occurs, Mother won’t forgive you." Su Li felt helpless. Where was her mother’s mind wandering! "I understand. Daughter promises, however I leave is how I will return. Is that alright?" Mother Su nodded, then started listing all the things they should bring. Su Li agreed to everything. For this trip, Su Li only brought two maids, Si Qin and Zhi Shu, leaving Mo Hua in the capital to help look after Jin Zhao Zui. On the day of departure, to avoid the prying eyes of a crowd, they arranged to meet Jun Mo outside the city gates. Su Li’s party consisted of three carriages, and this was only after she had strongly insisted on downsizing. "Mother, hurry inside. It’s too cold out here." "Be careful on the road, stay safe," Mother Su repeated the phrase. At this moment, she regretted how her head had gotten hot and she had agreed to let her daughter go! "Mother, don’t worry. Sister Wang Xia, quickly help Mother inside." Wang Xia stepped forward, saying, "Madam, it’s cold outside, let’s go in. With His Highness around, Miss will be safe." Su Li knew that her mother would continue to stand out in the cold if she didn’t leave. "Let’s go." "Yes, Miss." The carriage slowly moved through the streets and alleys. The horses’ hooves beat urgently, a snort escaped from their nostrils puffing out white mist, followed by a long neigh. The accumulated snow let out soft creaks under the wheels. The clatter of hooves struck the ground, kicking up flurries of snow mist. An hour later, they passed through the city gates. Aside from the guarding soldiers, there was hardly anyone around. Once outside the city gates, Mo Yun appeared. Mounted on horseback, she rode at the very front. The snow on the official road was thick, but the carriages weren’t overly heavy, just slower than usual. "Miss, His Highness is ahead." Mo Yun’s voice came from outside the carriage. Su Li lifted the curtain and saw Jun Mo ahead, mounted on his horse, watching her from a distance. "You’ve arrived." Su Li nodded slightly. "Have you been waiting long?" Jun Mo hadn’t brought many people, only Mo Yang. "You only brought one person?" Jun Mo smiled. "The others set out ahead." Su Li nodded and lowered the curtain. "Let’s go. We need to hurry too, otherwise we’ll go hungry at noon," Jun Mo said, then turned his horse around and rode ahead. The group advanced through the icy, snowy landscape. Inside the carriage, there was a charcoal brazier, making it not cold at all. But outside, the frigid wind howled; one didn’t need to imagine it to feel a shiver. "Miss, perhaps we should invite His Highness Prince Jing into the carriage? Zhi Shu and I can go to the carriage behind," Si Qin suggested. This carriage was the most luxurious. The ones behind were just ordinary carriages; it would be too demeaning for His Highness Prince Jing to sit in one of those. Su Li thought for a moment, then lifted the curtain. "Your Highness, are you cold?" Jun Mo turned his head. "It’s alright." "Oh." Su Li lowered the curtain. Jun Mo raised an eyebrow. That’s it? Inside the carriage, Si Qin looked at her Miss, who was calmly sipping hot tea. "Miss, you... that’s it?" Su Li replied, "He’s not cold." She had heard that those who practiced martial arts were very resistant to cold. Zhi Shu looked at her Miss and said, "Miss, you really don’t know how to show concern for others." Su Li’s hand paused. How was she not considerate? Besides, did Jun Mo need her consideration? Seeing her Miss wasn’t getting the hint, Si Qin spoke earnestly, "Miss, even if His Highness isn’t cold, you should have finished your sentence! Whether he comes into the carriage or not is his decision." Su Li saw both maids looking at her. Had she done something wrong? She lifted the curtain again. "Your Highness, would you like to come in for a cup of hot tea?" She hadn’t expected him to agree, but surprisingly... "Very well." Si Qin and Zhi Shu tactfully moved to the rear carriage. When Jun Mo entered, it instantly felt like spring returning to the earth. "Li’er truly knows how to enjoy life." The interior of the carriage was spacious, made of pinewood, with Gold Thread Charcoal burning warmly. The seating area was wide, almost like a small couch, padded with a large tiger skin. A chessboard rested on the tiger skin, and books for passing the time were placed to the side. In the middle stood a small table holding delicate pastries and tea. Su Li poured him a cup of hot tea. "Your Highness, please try it." Because she was inside the carriage, Su Li was not wearing her veil. She possessed a refined and uncommon beauty, imbued with a light, ethereal air. Her skin was delicate, her expression relaxed, her beautiful eyes glanced around captivatingly, her peach-like cheeks held a smile, words unformed yet on her lips, her aura like a secluded orchid – endlessly gentle and lovely. This was the third time Jun Mo had seen her true face. The first was after her return from being kidnapped; the second was in a dream. He picked up the tea and took a sip, his eyes brightening. "The tea Li’er drinks is always excellent. Only the tribute tea in the palace can compare." Su Li smiled, and it was like ice melting and a hundred flowers blooming simultaneously. Jun Mo averted his gaze, looking down at the teacup in his hand. "Indeed. This is the finest tea from the Shu region, no worse than the tribute tea." This was tea that Wang Wei had sent back to the capital. Drinking tea, the atmosphere grew slightly awkward. "Would Your Highness like to play chess to pass the time?" "Very well." The carriage proceeded at a steady pace, while inside, the two were evenly matched in chess, the game locked in a fierce struggle. "From whom did Li’er learn her chess skills?" "A strange old man." Jun Mo looked at her inquisitively. Su Li gave a faint smile; even she didn’t know where her Master was now. They played several games in a row, with wins and losses on both sides. "Your Highness, Mo Feng and the others are in Li City. It’s nearly noon. Let’s stop in Li City first to rest and have lunch before setting out together." The carriage entered Li City and stopped in front of a restaurant. "Master, you’re finally here!" Si Qin helped Su Li down from the carriage. Su Li had put her veil back on before alighting. She saw three men dressed like Mo Yang standing by the entrance. These must also be Mo Wei. "This must be our Wangfei, right?" Su Li paused, looking up. The speaker was a youth of about seventeen or eighteen, looking at her with curiosity. Jun Mo glanced at him, and the youth immediately ducked behind a tall, thin man. Jun Mo said, "Mo Yu is young and speaks without thinking. Li’er, please don’t be angry." Su Li shook her head, indicating she wasn’t angry. The tall, thin man clasped his hands in salute. "Master, let’s go inside. A meal has already been prepared on the second floor." Jun Mo nodded and turned back. "Let’s go." Due to the falling snow, there weren’t many people in the restaurant. The moment Jun Mo’s group entered, they attracted everyone’s attention. It was truly because their bearing was exceptional, coupled with Jun Mo’s striking appearance. Su Li followed behind Jun Mo up to the second floor. As soon as they entered the private room, a surprised voice exclaimed: "You are Miss Su?" Su Li looked up. The speaker was an elderly man, perhaps around fifty years old. "I am." Elder Dai stepped forward excitedly. "You... where did you learn your medical skills11?" Su Li paused; this was already the second time today she had been asked this question. Seeing Su Li didn’t answer, Elder Dai perhaps realized he had startled the young lady before him. He explained, "The medicine you gave His Highness... your habit of preparing medicine is the same as my Master’s. Moreover, you mentioned you know the Golden Needle Blood Guiding technique, therefore..." "You must be Senior Brother Wu Ya, right?" Elder Dai exclaimed excitedly, "Are you truly my Junior Sister?" Su Li nodded. "Yes." She was in her previous life, and she would be in this life too. Elder Dai was incredibly excited and had no doubts. Someone who knew Golden Needle Blood Guiding, who could make medicine pills like that – who else could she be but Master’s disciple? "Junior Sister, is Master, that esteemed elder, doing well? Master hasn’t returned to the capital for several years. When did he accept you?" Su Li faltered. She had never left the capital, and Master had never returned. If Senior Brother looked into it closely, he would surely realize something was wrong. "Senior Brother, Master did return to the capital. Each time he came, he was always in a hurry. He would toss me some books and notes, give me pointers on difficult points, and then leave." Elder Dai’s eyes widened in surprise. Master returned to the capital? He had wanted to ask Master to examine His Highness’s cold affliction but hadn’t been able to find any trace of him. Fortunately, now he had his Junior Sister. "It’s shameful to admit, but Master personally taught me for many years, yet my medical skills are inferior to Junior Sister’s. Thankfully, Junior Sister is here. Otherwise, Master’s acupuncture techniques would have been lost." Jun Mo interrupted the two, saying, "Let’s talk while we eat." Elder Dai quickly agreed, "Right, right! Junior Sister must be hungry. Let’s eat." After the meal, the group began their journey once more. Note: If you want the continuity of this story consider to join Pãtreon/Flokixy to access advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update Pay one time and unlock the full story and Future Chapters from the Shop