Chapter 429: Departure for the Capital
Chapter 429: Departure for the Capital
Suixui had just finished drinking silver ear soup with Lu Yinxiao and was chatting about family matters when she began packing her belongings, preparing for the journey back to the capital.
The situation in the northwest frontier had become extremely stable.
Most of the nations that once enjoyed causing trouble through alliances had been crushed by Prince Xing's cavalry.
Any nation attempting to stir up trouble now would face the threat of annihilation.
With no battles at the frontier, Suixui had enjoyed several carefree and leisurely years. It was time for her to return to the capital.
After all, her beloved father and mother, the Emperor and Empress, as well as her brothers, were waiting for her there.
Feng You Tan had selected gifts for two days and finally decided to bring back two sheep.
When Suixui saw the gifts Feng You Tan had prepared, she couldn't help but laugh, "Oh my, isn't this a bit over the top?"
The capital wasn't lacking in sheep.
Aside from those raised in the Imperial Botanical Garden, each manor also had their own sheep, all of which were well-fed and plump.
There was no need for them to bring two sheep all the way from the frontier city.
Moreover, they would have to take care of the sheep's food, water, and waste during the entire journey.
Feng You Tan didn't get upset by Suixui's teasing. Instead, she puffed out her cheeks and said, "How can they be the same? The sheep from our frontier city have a unique flavor that you won't find in the capital. They taste like real mutton."
Suixui: ...
Although she didn't understand, she respected Feng You Tan's decision.
Suixui didn't have many belongings, and Lu Yinxiao's luggage was also simple, mostly packed for Suixui's convenience during the journey.
With three people returning to the capital, Prince Xing still had to guard the frontier, ensuring the stability of the northwest region. The Emperor had been lenient and didn't require him to obtain a decree before returning to the capital.
However, if Prince Xing wanted to leave the northwest, he had to apply to the Emperor in advance and make proper arrangements before his departure.
Although Prince Xing was reluctant to part with Suixui, he had planned to return to the capital by the end of the year.
By then, after the autumn harvest, the frontier should be truly peaceful, and the younger generation of generals would have risen to take over. He could then return to the capital with peace of mind.
Therefore, Prince Xing would not be accompanying them on this trip.
Prince Xing, with a few more strands of white hair at his temples, still exuded the same dashing aura as before, only now with added maturity and sternness.
As he watched Suixui and Lu Yinxiao preparing their belongings, Prince Xing couldn't help but give them more instructions and helped pack additional items.
He made sure they packed some unique dried meats, dried fruits, and fruit wines.
When instructing Suixui to pack the wine, Prince Xing reminded her, "Don't overdrink, these are gifts for your friends."
Suixui had practically grown up in the frontier city, and her alcohol tolerance had been trained from an early age.
Although Prince Xing knew Suixui was responsible, he still worried about her. He didn't want her to get drunk and embarrass herself in front of her friends.
Even with Lu Yinxiao by her side, Prince Xing couldn't truly rest easy.
Suixui didn't show any impatience and listened attentively, "Yes, I'll listen to Father."
"Don't worry, Father, I have Seventh Brother accompanying me."
"Just trust me, Father. I might return soon."
...
Hearing Suixui mention Lu Yinxiao from time to time, Prince Xing couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. However, he had to admit that Lu Yinxiao...
was excellent.
Lu Yinxiao had excelled in his studies, earning praise from many teachers.
But for Suixui's sake, he had resolutely chosen the martial path, and his performance over the years had been outstanding.
Perhaps this was the reason why top students excelled in whatever field they pursued, and others couldn't compare.
Prince Xing wanted to be a challenging father-in-law, but he couldn't find any faults with Lu Yinxiao.
Thinking of this, Prince Xing patted Lu Yinxiao's shoulder and said, "Take good care of her."
Lu Yinxiao respectfully cupped his hands, "Your Highness, rest assured, I understand."
Of course, he would protect his own wife.
Feng You Tan chattered and picked out many items, even wanting to bring a donkey back to slaughter for meat, claiming that the donkeys in the frontier city had a richer flavor.
Suixui thought to herself: Could it be that Feng You Tan likes that strong mutton flavor?
The three of them packed up and set off discreetly.
It wasn't that they were worried about problems on the road, but if they weren't discreet...
Many commoners would send them off all the way out of the city.
Over the past ten years, Suixui had returned to the capital several times.
Each time, she kept a low profile, but the perceptive commoners would always discover her and see her off.
There was no choice; before Suixui arrived, the frontier city was still a harsh and sandy place with pitifully low grain yields.
However, during the ten years that Suixui had been there, she had implemented sand control and land cultivation, seed selection, and composting, carefully researching cold-resistant and drought-tolerant crops, which increased grain production.
Even if each mu of land produced just half a stone more grain, it was a significant improvement for the commoners.
Moreover, Suixui's efforts had increased yields by more than half a stone for many.
Thus, Suixui held great prestige in the frontier city.
The commoners deeply respected this princess from the capital.
When they heard she was returning, countless commoners came to see her off, each bringing items for her to take back to the capital.
Life was not easy for these people, and Suixui didn't want to burden them further.
So, each time, she tried to leave discreetly, choosing the most inconspicuous times.
Like this time, Suixui and her group set off in the dark before dawn.
If they hadn't informed the city guards beforehand, the city gates wouldn't have been opened for them.
Even so, some perceptive commoners had deduced from Feng You Tan's recent shopping spree that the princess would be returning to the capital soon.
Unsure of the exact departure date, they didn't want to disturb the princess, so they got up early every day to watch.
And they did indeed witness her departure.
"Princess, princess, these are the new shoes I embroidered. Try them on, and if they don't fit, I'll adjust them and send them back to you."
"Princess, princess, this is from my family..."
...
Four households of commoners came to see her off, and they were all women with older children, perhaps to avoid putting too much pressure on Suixui.
They were enthusiastic but not overly emotional, trying to keep a low profile to avoid attracting more attention and causing the princess trouble.
They knew the princess wouldn't bear to see them giving her gifts and making their lives harder, and even if she accepted them, she would later have someone return the items.
But they couldn't help but want to give her something.
They hadn't forgotten who had brought them their good days.
They couldn't forget their roots!
Suixui smiled helplessly as she was surrounded by the enthusiastic aunties, accepted their gifts, and sent them off.
A few seemingly ordinary but emotionally significant gifts were added to their luggage.
Looking at these items, Suixui couldn't help but boast to the system, "Lelu, am I doing great?"
The Growth Happiness System was still there.
But soon, it would be gone.
Originally, it was supposed to leave after Suixui's birthday this year.
However, they had been together for so many years.
The system had accompanied Suixui from her days as a village girl to her current status as a beloved princess. How could they easily sever the bond and friendship formed over the years?
So, the system applied for an extension.
But a farewell that was destined to happen would eventually come, even if postponed.
The second half of the chapter.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
