It has been more than half a month since Lin Jiangnian left Linjiang City and headed north.
Lin Jiangnian's initial yearning and anticipation for the outside world was soon exhausted by the boring days.
I have to say that traveling is the most torturous thing.
The journey from Linjiang City to the capital was over a thousand miles long, and it would take at least two months, and at most, an unknown amount of time to arrive. The journey was difficult and bumpy. Although it was an official road, it was riddled with potholes and had been in disrepair for years. When it rained, the road became muddy, making it difficult for carriages to navigate, making it even more difficult.
The peaceful journey also wiped out Lin Jiangnian's last bit of excitement.
At this moment, a line of carriages slowly moved along the official road, heading north. In front and behind the convoy, numerous palace guards in plain clothes, swords drawn, stood guard, on full alert.
Lin Jiangnian was lying in the car bored.
After all, as the prince of Prince Lin, the carriage he rides is different. It is made of special materials, so it will not shake violently even on a muddy road.
The car was covered in soft cushions and filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance. Lin Jiangnian lay lazily on the couch, his head resting on... Xiaozhu's legs.
In the carriage, apart from Lin Jiangnian, there was only Xiaozhu, the personal maid who accompanied him all the way.
The journey to the capital was long, so Lin Jiangnian naturally brought along the only maidservant he was familiar with.
The pretext is to take care of His Highness's daily life along the way.
The little maid was obviously quite excited about her first trip away from home. Of course, the most important thing was that she could be with His Highness again.
When the maid learned that His Highness was traveling to the capital to marry the princess, she was visibly disappointed. She had few friends in the Lin Palace, her only acquaintances being Sister Zhiyuan and His Highness. Now that Sister Zhiyuan had left the palace for a long journey, and His Highness was also leaving, leaving her alone, she was naturally apprehensive and uneasy.
When she learned that His Highness was going to take her with him to the capital, the little maidservant was naturally overjoyed. She followed His Highness diligently along the way, taking care of His Highness's daily life, accompanying him in eating and sleeping, and was extremely dedicated.
At this time, there were only Lin Jiangnian and Xiao Zhu in the carriage.
Xiaozhu was wearing a emerald green skirt and sitting upright on the edge of the couch. Her face was slightly flushed, and her eyes were bright and seemed to glitter with a hint of shyness.
Looking down, he saw Lin Jiangnian lazily lying on a soft couch beside him, his head resting unceremoniously on Xiaozhu's legs. Xiaozhu's legs were slightly numb from being pressed, but he didn't make a sound.
He sat upright and obediently, letting His Highness lean on him and deal with his restless hands from time to time.
The carriage was moving slowly forward on the official road. Inside the carriage, there was a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
Until, not long before, the carriage slowly stopped.
Lin Qingqing's voice appeared outside the carriage.
"Your Highness, after we pass the checkpoint ahead, we will leave Linzhou and enter Yanzhou. The journey from Yanzhou to the capital will take at least a month. But from now on, we must proceed with caution!"
Lin Jiangnian's trip to the capital was quite a big one. After Lin Qingqing left as the kite, the generals in charge of Lin Jiangnian's safety naturally took on the responsibility of protecting His Royal Highness.
Since leaving Linjiang City, Lin Jiangnian had not encountered any assassination attempts. He had been safe and sound throughout the journey, and all of this was naturally related to Lin Qingqing.
Long before Lin Jiangnian set out, the prince's personal army had already cleared the way ahead and eliminated all possible safety hazards along the way.
Of course, it is also related to the fact that Lin Jiangnian is still in Linzhou.
Linzhou is the territory of King Lin. Once any accident occurs in Linzhou, troops from all over the place belonging to King Lin will come to rescue immediately.
Therefore, there is no need to worry too much in Linzhou.
But once they leave Linzhou and lose the protection of Linzhou, Lin Jiangnian and his group will face unknown challenges. And those who are hiding in the dark will also begin to stir.
"Let's stick to the plan."
Lin Jiangnian glanced outside the carriage and spoke lightly.
"yes."
Outside the carriage, Lin Qingqing, who was sitting on the horse, nodded slightly. Before leaving, she heard Lin Jiangnian say, "Wait."
"Your Highness, do you have any further instructions?"
"How far is this place from Xunyang County?"
Lin Qingqing thought for a moment: "It's about three or four days' journey, but..."
A hint of doubt quickly appeared on her face: "Your Highness is going to Xunyang County?"
Lin Jiangnian nodded.
"Although Xunyang County is the center of Yanzhou, it's not on our route this time. If we pass through Xunyang County, we'll have to take a detour and add several days to the journey. Your Highness, do you really want to change your route?"
Lin Qingqing was a little puzzled.
"That's right."
Lin Jiangnian said firmly: "Change the route and go to Xunyang County!"
Seeing His Highness's determination, Lin Qingqing didn't say anything more and immediately bowed her head: "I obey your command!"
…
Inside the carriage, after Lin Qingqing had left, Lin Jiangnian slowly sat up. Looking up, he saw an indescribable look of grievance on Xiaozhu's delicate and pretty face. She bit her lower lip, seemingly in pain, and with a hint of resentment.
"What’s wrong with you?"
Lin Jiangnian was stunned, and then he realized that something seemed to be wrong with the little maid.
"Numb, numb..."
Xiaozhu had a bitter face and looked pitiful.
Your Highness has been lying down for too long, your legs are almost numb!
Lin Jiangnian finally realized what was going on, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Xiao Zhu didn't say anything and looked pitiful.
"Come, let me rub it for you."
As he spoke, Lin Jiangnian extended his hand to the little maid's legs, rubbing them gently through her long gauze skirt.
Xiao Zhu's face flushed immediately. She lowered her head, not daring to look at His Highness, and bit her lower lip. She wanted to refuse, but she didn't dare to speak.
She could only let the Crown Prince's big hands gently knead her legs. Xiao Zhu's delicate body tensed up, and as she felt the warmth of the Crown Prince's hot hands, she unconsciously felt something strange in her body.
"Okay, okay..."
After a while, Xiao Zhu's low and trembling voice finally came.
Lin Jiangnian didn't let go: "Don't worry, I'll touch you again."
Xiao Zhu: “…”
Your Highness is so bad!
Xiao Zhu felt aggrieved, but did not dare to resist.
During this period of time, His Highness had bullied her a lot, and she had gradually gotten used to it.
After Lin Jiangnian let her go contentedly, Xiao Zhu hurriedly tidied up her messy skirt, pulled it down to cover her snow-white legs, took a few deep breaths, and let her red face gradually calm down.
Lin Jiangnian looked at the little maid in front of her with interest. The journey north was indeed a bit boring. Fortunately, she brought Xiaozhu with her, otherwise she didn't know how boring the journey would be.
"come over."
Lin Jiangnian waved at Xiaozhu, then pulled Xiaozhu into his arms.
As autumn approaches, the weather gradually becomes cooler, but despite the cold wind, the car is still warm.
Being embraced by His Highness, Xiao Zhu didn't dare to resist, nor did she want to resist.
It’s not the first time anyway.
She curled up in His Highness's arms with peace of mind, her breathing gradually calming down, as if she was thinking of something.
"Your Highness?"
"Um?"
Lin Jiangnian looked down at the delicate and tender face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Why are we going to Xunyang County?"
Xiao Zhu remembered what Sister Lin Qingqing had just said to His Highness, and couldn't help but ask.
She didn't know where Xunyang County was, but from what His Highness said just now, it seemed that he was planning to go to Xunyang County?
Where is that place?
"Go do something big!"
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes.
"event?"
Xiao Zhu was a little confused. Wasn't His Highness going to the capital to marry the princess this time?
What big thing are you going there to do?
Lin Jiangnian held the little maid in his arms, feeling the delicate and soft body, which was very comfortable. One hand was around the little maid's slender waist, and the other hand slowly fell on the girl's fair and tender hands, gently stroking them, and said with a smile: "Don't you want to see your sister Zhiyuan?"
Xiao Zhu's breathing had been a bit rapid, her face flushed, and her delicate body limp in his arms, letting him do whatever he wanted. But his words suddenly perked her up again.
"Sister Kite?"
When Xiao Zhu heard His Highness mention Sister Zhiyuan, her attention was immediately drawn to her. She even forgot that His Highness was taking advantage of her unscrupulously. She opened her eyes wide and asked, "Can Xiao Zhu see Sister Zhiyuan?"
"Of course, we're going to find her!"
Lin Jiangnian nodded slightly, and slowly moved along the soft arm of the girl in his arms, as if admiring a rare treasure.
"That……"
Xiao Zhu seemed to have thought of something and opened his eyes wide. "Your Highness, are you saying... Sister Zhiyuan is in Xunyang County?"
The little maidservant was obviously not too stupid.
Lin Jiangnian nodded.
Before leaving Linjiang City, Lin Jiangnian already knew Zhiyuan's life experience, and naturally also knew the reason why Zhiyuan left the palace.
revenge!
To avenge the Jiang family!
At that time, Jiang's father was the prefect of Xunyang County in Yanzhou. He was falsely accused of treason and his entire family was exterminated.
The culprit who slandered and murdered the Jiang family is still in Xunyang County. If Zhiyuan wants to take revenge, he naturally cannot avoid Xunyang County.
"She will definitely be there."
Lin Jiangnian spoke calmly. His plan to go to the capital this time was to find Zhiyuan. Yanzhou was adjacent to Linzhou, and Xunyang County was not far from where Lin Jiangnian was heading to the capital.
So, Lin Jiangnian’s first stop was naturally Xunyang County.
"Very good!"
Upon hearing the news that he could see Sister Zhiyuan again, Xiaozhu immediately clenched his fists excitedly, looking very energetic.
In Xiaozhu's eyes, Zhiyuan had always been her benefactor, the one who had saved her from suffering and the sister she trusted most. Zhiyuan's sudden departure from Prince Lin's residence had left the young maid feeling lost for a long time. Now, knowing she'd see Sister Zhiyuan again, she was clearly overjoyed.
But after a while of excitement, her delicate body suddenly trembled, and she subconsciously tensed up. Her pretty face turned hot and red in an instant, and her watery eyes were filled with an extremely shy expression.
"Your Highness...don't..."
"Be good, let go..."
Lin Jiangnian leaned close to the little maid's ear and spoke softly, as if coaxing a child.
Xiao Zhu's delicate body was tense, she bit her lower lip tightly, her blushing face full of shame and anger that she dared not face anyone. She did not dare to stop him, and buried her head in Lin Jiangnian's chest. Her voice was soft and a little aggrieved.
"Your Highness, you are bullying others..."
"Hey, how did this prince bully you? This prince is giving you a massage to help you grow up faster..."
"Be obedient, if you behave well, I will reward you with a treasure later!"
“…”
The convoy passed the Linzhou checkpoint and slowly entered the territory of Yanzhou.
Entering Yanzhou, the scenery began to change gradually, and people gradually appeared. Compared to the hot weather in Linzhou, the weather in Yanzhou was obviously much colder.
Occasionally, pedestrians met on the roadside also put on their coats and looked at the convoy on the official road with a little fear in their eyes.
Like a caravan, but not quite the same!
More than a dozen horse-drawn carriages were traveling on the official road, and in addition, these convoys were escorted by people on horseback on both sides.
Although those people were dressed in casual clothes, they still gave off a solemn aura. They were obviously not like ordinary escorts, but more like well-trained guards.
Along the way, very few people dared to approach.
The caravan traveled slowly along the official road until night fell, when it passed a small town and stopped.
"Rest here tonight."
"yes."
After Lin Qingqing arranged everything, she turned around and walked over to the carriage and got closer.
The curtain opened, and Lin Jiangnian appeared and jumped out of the carriage.
Lin Qingqing was about to speak when she suddenly smelled a strange smell in the air.
I can’t say.
Subconsciously she sniffed and looked up into the carriage. In the dim environment, when she saw the little maid with a flushed face who was hurriedly tidying up her clothes in the carriage, Lin Qingqing seemed to suddenly realize something. Her face immediately turned red and she quickly turned her head away.
"Your Highness, will you rest here tonight?!"
His tone was extremely unnatural and his face was slightly flushed.
Lin Jiangnian naturally noticed the reaction on Lin Qingqing's face, but he didn't take it seriously. He looked up at the town in front of him and nodded slightly.
This is a small town located on the edge of Yanzhou. The town is not very big, and it is quite peaceful under the cover of night.
There was only one inn in the town, which had long been booked by Lin Qingqing. Besides the innkeeper, there were only two waiters and the innkeeper's daughter.
Among their group, except for Lin Jiangnian, Xiaozhu, Lin Qingqing and others, as well as the guards responsible for protecting the safety of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, most of the rest were stationed outside the town.
Such a small town naturally cannot accommodate so many people.
After all this journey, Lin Jiangnian was exhausted, not physically, but mentally. Finally, he came across an inn, where he naturally took a comfortable hot bath, had a good meal, and rested.
In comparison, Lin Jiangnian was relatively well-off, after all, he had a solid foundation in martial arts. Xiao Zhu was the one who was exhausted. She didn't know any martial arts, and she had to follow Lin Jiangnian on the bumpy road and take care of him. The little maid was exhausted.
After returning to the inn, washing up and having a meal, the little maid could no longer hold on and went back to her room to sleep early.
Lin Jiangnian drank a pot of tea in the hall and explained the next plan to Lin Qingqing.
Now that we have officially entered Yanzhou, danger is imminent. Having left the protection of Linzhou, we must be extremely cautious.
"There are guards patrolling outside the town at night, and there are also people guarding outside the inn. Your Highness should rest assured tonight, and nothing will happen!" Lin Qingqing said.
"Okay, then I'll go take a rest."
Lin Jiangnian waved his hand, stood up, and glanced at her again: "Why don't you rest early too?"
Lin Qingqing has been very tired these days.
"Yes." Lin Qingqing bowed her head and spoke respectfully.
Lin Jiangnian got up and went upstairs. Just as he reached the door of Xiaozhu's room, he stopped again.
Thinking of how tired the little maid had been these days, Lin Jiangnian hesitated for a moment, then turned and went to the next room.
Let her go tonight!
Open the door and walk in.
After sitting in the room for a while, Lin Jiangnian felt sleepy, so he turned off the light, went to bed and rested.
All was silent.
In the dead of night, a silent figure slowly walked up the stairs and approached Lin Jiangnian's room.
…