Chapter 55: Everyone's Lucky Star
Chapter 55: Everyone's Lucky Star
Feng Xuanrui noticed his sister's fear and reached up to pat Su Su's little head.
As the two children prepared to climb into the carriage, King Qing strode over.
Doctor Liu made way, thinking the king intended to ride with them.
With a sigh of resignation, King Qing explained, "We'll have to take an alternate route."
Their original plan had been the most direct and convenient path.
There were other options, but those were merely backups.
Now, they had no choice but to take a longer route, as the recent landslide had left the official road impassable, with boulders piled high and compressing the space.
Detouring...
meant that many of their plans would need adjustments.
Moreover, they would need to inform their traveling companions about the change.
Most importantly, King Qing had to let everyone know that they had narrowly escaped disaster yesterday because Su Su's illness had conveniently slowed their journey.
Although it wasn't a pleasant thing to say, it was the truth. They had avoided the landslide because Su Su's illness had delayed their progress.
Thinking of this, King Qing sighed again, facing the curious gazes of the group, and briefly explained what had happened the previous day with the landslide.
Doctor Liu, of course, understood the implications of a landslide.
Hearing the explanation, his old face paled, and his legs felt weak.
He couldn't help but shudder at the thought of what might have become of them had they been traveling at their normal pace. Perhaps some of their company would have been lost!
The realization made Doctor Liu break into a cold sweat.
Instinctively, he turned his head to look at Su Su, who was hiding behind Feng Xuanrui.
Curiosity got the better of the little girl, and she poked out half of her head.
Meeting Doctor Liu's gaze, Su Su offered a gentle, obedient smile.
Although she had been ill the day before, her complexion today was not the best, a bit pale with a hint of sickness.
However, her eyes were bright and lively, and her smile was gentle and soft.
Looking at Su Su, Doctor Liu's initially terrified heart gradually calmed.
Feeling fortunate to have survived, he couldn't help but take a couple of steps forward and pick up Su Su, exclaiming, "Oh, his majesty's lucky grandchild, you truly are everyone's lucky star!"
While illness was not a good thing, Su Su's timely sickness yesterday had been a blessing in disguise!
It was as if heaven itself had been secretly protecting them.
Who wouldn't be grateful for such profound blessings?
The more Doctor Liu thought about it, the happier he felt, as if he had suddenly understood some profound truth.
He gently lifted Su Su, but mindful of the girl's past trauma and her fear of such actions, he quickly put her down again.
After setting her down, Doctor Liu patted Su Su's head again, repeating, "Good child, you are everyone's lucky star!"
Feng Xuanrui didn't understand what a landslide was, and he looked around curiously. He noticed King Qing's solemn expression and Doctor Liu's joyful demeanor, as if he were a child.
However, there was a hint of moisture in the corners of his eyes.
Had he been crying?
But why was he still smiling?
Feng Xuanrui was confused.
Nonetheless, he agreed with Doctor Liu, "Yes, my sister is a lucky star. Not everyone has such a lovely sister like I do!"
Thinking of his adorable sister, Feng Xuanrui paused for a moment, as if pondering something. Soon, he muttered, "Still, my sister is the most adorable. Compared to Princess Feng Youdan and Princess Feng Ruolang, they're so annoying, hmph!"
Doctor Liu: ...
Young Master Feng, you can say that, but we dare not agree!
Those two princesses are deeply favored by His Majesty!
Su Su didn't know who the two people her brother had mentioned were.
Su Su blushed with happiness as she was gently patted on the head by Grandpa Liu and proudly praised by her brother, Feng Xuanrui.
She pressed her lips together and gently leaned towards Feng Xuanrui, then obediently stood still.
Although they had changed their route, all the necessary preparations and supplies were ready.
Now, with a simple understanding of the situation, they could continue on their way.
With the help of Doctor Liu, Su Su and Feng Xuanrui climbed into the carriage.
With the doctor's presence, King Qing could finally feel a little relieved.
The new route they had chosen would take a bit longer.
With their original plan, they would have arrived in the next town by afternoon.
Now, with the new route, they probably wouldn't arrive until evening.
It would take half a day longer, but it would be relatively safer.
Moreover, along this new route, there were only a few small hills, so they didn't have to worry about landslides.
The roads were still damp in some places after the rain.
In addition, the path they had chosen was not an easy one to traverse.
Hence, they arrived at the next town half a hour later than expected.
The new town was called Shuiqiao Town.
Due to the town being crossed by several rivers, numerous arched bridges had been built, hence the name.
Perhaps because of the mountain collapse the day before, Shuiqiao Town was unusually bustling that day, and the streets were filled with activity.
Especially at the medical halls and pharmacies, one could occasionally hear people's painful cries or loud shouts.
The inns and restaurants also seemed extremely crowded.
King Qing and his entourage searched three or four inns but still couldn't find a single vacant room.
Helpless, they had no choice but to split their group in two.
King Qing took four of his attendants, plus Doctor Liu, Su Su, and the others with him.
The rest of the group went to another inn not far away.
Perhaps because Shuiqiao Town led to many different places, and the economy was also quite good.
Hence, the small town looked rather prosperous, and because of this, there were also more inns than in the previous towns.
Otherwise, given the mountain collapse the day before, King Qing thought they might not even find a place to stay for the night.
Shuiqiao Town was under the jurisdiction of Nanqiao County, and it was still some distance away from the county seat.
Even if they wanted to bother the magistrate and stay at the post house, they wouldn't make it in time.
By this time, the county gate would already be closed for the night.
After settling down, Doctor Liu took Qing Shan and Di Jiao to prepare dinner.
King Qing sent two attendants to accompany them.
Lunch had been simple, but dinner had to be a proper meal.
After all, they also had two children with them.
Su Su had been ill the day before, so she didn't have much energy that day.
She had only drunk porridge in the morning and eaten a few mouthfuls of flatbread at noon.
That stuff had been tasteless, and even Doctor Liu hadn't wanted to eat it.
Seeing that Su Su couldn't eat, Doctor Liu had felt terrible, so he definitely had to prepare something good for her now.
Fortunately, the town was unusually bustling that day, and all the restaurants were open for business.
Doctor Liu directly ordered some dishes and brought them back to the inn. King Qing asked the innkeeper for a larger table, and everyone sat together to eat.
Feng Xuanrui hadn't eaten his fill at noon, so he planned to eat more that evening.
If it weren't for Doctor Liu reminding him not to eat too much, he would have eaten another bowl of rice.
But then he thought that he shouldn't do that.
He was an older brother now, so he had to set a good example!
So, he persevered!
(End of Chapter)
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