The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 3)

Chapter 444 - Nothing Out of the Ordinary

Perhaps because of the summer heat, everyone seemed too drained to cause any trouble, making the journey quite peaceful so far.

Moreover, Ning Chen intended to make haste, since the departure day was only 23 days before the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th. Spending such a major holiday on the road wouldn't be ideal, so the plan was to travel quickly and arrive at Zasake in time for the celebration. As a result, they would only rest overnight at temporary palaces along the way, and during other stops, they would rise early at dawn to continue their journey.

While the masters could comfortably travel in carriages, the servants suffered the most, especially in the sweltering summer heat. When they passed through Bianzhou, where her maternal family resided, Ye Yun had her uncle prepare a good amount of peppermint powder, which she mixed into chilled tea every day to help cool off. This remedy proved to be very effective in relieving the heat. For this, many of the accompanying soldiers and servants praised Ming Guifei for her wisdom and kindness.

This kind of thoughtfulness was innate and couldn't easily be imitated. Those who secretly resented Ye Yun for supposedly currying favor, like Yi Fei, could only glare in frustration.

By traveling at a fast pace, they soon reached Yuzhou, a major province. The imperial palace there was well-built, and they arrived in the afternoon. Ning Chen calculated that they had enough time left to complete the journey, so he ordered a proper rest, allowing them to take the next day off before resuming their travels the following morning.

No one was happier than Rong Xian Fei, who had been separated from her family for over ten years and was finally able to see them again. Ning Chen immediately granted her permission to have her family visit and accompany her for half a day the following day.

That evening, Rong Xian Fei, full of excitement, held her daughter's hand and eagerly recounted stories of her youth. The joy on her face was unmistakable. The Eldest Princess listened patiently before offering her thoughts.

"Mother, it's only natural that you're happy to see Grandfather and the others, but in your joy, please don't forget protocol. Although Ming Guifei isn't one to nitpick, we must remain cautious when we're outside the palace. When the ladies of our family visit tomorrow, have Aunt Xiangluo go and greet them first. She should lead them to pay their respects to Guifei before coming to us. Grandmother and the others have never been to the palace before, and if they miss any formalities, it could cause problems."

"Yes, yes, you're always so considerate. I nearly forgot in my excitement," Rong Xian Fei replied with a smile.

The Eldest Princess smiled softly and leaned on her mother's shoulder like a little girl. "I'm just as happy as you are, Mother. Though I've never met them, there's something magical about blood ties—just thinking about it makes me feel close to them."

Rong Xian Fei gently stroked her daughter's head and sighed, "You're so clever. If you were a prince, I'm sure you'd be just as capable as any of them."

However, the Eldest Princess didn't quite agree. "I don't think being a princess is bad at all. There's less scheming, and I don't have to worry about so many things."

She sat up and changed the topic, chatting idly, "These past few days, I've spent time with my second sister and the young lady from the Ye family. It's been much more fun than in the palace. They may be younger, but they're both very clever and lively."

Hearing this, Rong Xian Fei began to ponder. "That young lady from the Ye family is Guifei's niece. If you think well of her, then she must be something special. I've seen her appearance—she's quite outstanding. Do you think she might become the Fourth Prince's future wife?"