eurekapd Chapter 291 Departure from Xingcheng
Chapter 291 Departure from Xingcheng
Lan Zhi smiled and shook her head.
"No, I will support you no matter what you do."
"I really didn't act on impulse. I feel so tired of being the Crown Prince, not being understood by people, and having to be wary of others harming me. Sometimes I think, if we hadn't come to the capital, and were still living in Kangzhuang Village, farming and raising chickens and ducks in our spare time, wouldn't we be happier than we are now?"
"There are no ifs. Actually, I don't think it's a bad thing that we went back to the capital. At least you got your revenge. Otherwise, even if we continued to live in the countryside, you would still have a lot of resentment and wouldn't feel at ease staying there."
Wei Jianning tightened his grip on his arm and nodded in agreement.
"You're right. You only know how to cherish something after you've experienced it. I think we'll have a very happy time back home this time."
"Do we really want to go back to Kangzhuang Village?"
Wei Jianning shook his head.
"We won't go back, but we'll settle down in Xingcheng, the closest city to us. That's where our home is."
Hearing this, Lan Zhi looked at him with great surprise.
"You bought property there? How come I didn't know?"
"I had a feeling this day would come, so I'm preparing for it! Don't worry, even if we don't take anything with us, I won't let you and your child go hungry."
Lan Zhi smiled mysteriously at this moment, then whispered something in his ear.
“I have already sent people out of the city to deliver things. I was worried that the little bit of stuff I had was not enough to buy a house. If we had a house, the money I prepared would be enough to eat and drink.”
At this point, the two looked at each other and smiled.
While they were relieved that they had been able to think of things in advance, they were also worried about the future of the Northern Wei state.
Early the next morning
Each of them carried a simple bundle and stood at the entrance of the Crown Prince's residence to be inspected by these people. Although it was the Emperor's decree, Wei Jianning still felt extremely humiliated.
Yuan Tianxiong, seeing the guards inspecting the bundles too intently, immediately rebuked them:
"You little brat, are your eyesight bad or your fingers clumsy? Why are you rummaging through everything? Can't you see there are just some children's clothes and daily necessities inside?"
The guard quickly stopped and looked at Wei Jianning apologetically.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I was ordered by the Emperor to investigate, and I dared not be careless."
Wei Jianning shook his head indifferently, then stepped forward to pack his bundle and called everyone to get on the carriage.
Madam Lin held Zhuangzhuang and Lanzhi in one carriage, Wei Jianning and Yuan Tianxiong rode horses, Xiangxiu, Aqi and Nana sat in another carriage, and Tang Jun and Nie Yuan were in charge of driving.
Just as they were about to set off, Lin Xingliang arrived in a hurry on horseback.
"Your Highness, you can't leave!"
Upon hearing his voice, Madam Lin looked at Lan Zhi nervously.
"I don't want him to know I'm here."
Lan Zhi understood her thoughts and gently comforted her:
"Lord Lin wouldn't be so rash, you can rest assured."
As she spoke, Lan Zhi lifted the sedan curtain and looked out. She saw Lin Xingliang staring angrily at Wei Jianning, saying indignantly:
"Zhu Kui and I went to the palace to see the Emperor early this morning, but we didn't even get to see him. If you leave, what will happen to this vast Northern Wei Kingdom?"
Seeing Lin Xingliang sweating profusely with anxiety, Wei Jianning paused for a moment, then replied with a serious expression:
"The sky won't fall down no matter who leaves. I'm sure Lord Lin can guess why I'm leaving. The Emperor's decree has been issued, so please don't try to persuade me anymore. Let's take care of ourselves!"
His words were utterly unwavering, leaving Lin Xingliang speechless.
After Wei Jianning bowed to him with clasped hands, he mounted his horse, and from there spoke to him again:
"Lord Lin, we'll meet again someday."
"Can……"
Lin Xingliang swallowed back the words he was about to say.
The lady has left. He heard that she is at the Crown Prince's residence and originally planned to bring her back in a couple of days.
But now the people from the Crown Prince's residence are leaving too. In such a short time, the Madam must still be angry. Even if he wants to take her back, she probably won't agree.
Rather than being embarrassed in the street, it's better to swallow the bitter fruit you've sown alone!
Thinking of this, he sighed sadly, climbed onto his horse, glanced back at the sedan chair where Lan Zhi was, and then rode away.
Watching his departing figure, Lan Zhi lowered the sedan curtain and whispered:
"Lord Lin must have come to see you. Are you really sure you want to leave like this?"
Mrs. Lin nodded without hesitation.
"He has already given me a divorce agreement; we are no longer husband and wife."
"But you still have a son in the Censorate, are you really willing to leave?"
“The children are all grown up and have their own things to do. Whether I leave or not will not affect them. Just as the Crown Prince said, he is tired of being the Crown Prince, and I am tired of sitting in the position of Lady Lin.”
Seeing a tear well up in her eyes, Lan Zhi quickly changed the subject.
“I think Zhuangzhuang really likes being with you. Look how soundly he’s sleeping.”
Madam Lin glanced down at Zhuangzhuang, then gave him a gentle smile.
"He's really cute. By the way, you haven't even finished your postpartum confinement yet, and you're already going on a long journey. It must be really tough on you."
At this point, she couldn't care less about her postpartum period; she only wanted to get to Xingcheng as soon as possible and settle down.
After they left the city, an old man from the manor gave her the things she had prepared in advance. She gave him a few pieces of jewelry and then continued on her way.
Seeing that she was well-prepared, Madam Lin looked at her with great admiration.
"You're so thoughtful, otherwise we would have gone hungry on the road."
Lan Zhi smiled helplessly.
"The emperor is fickle and capable of anything; he was forced into this situation."
At this point, Madam Lin also let out a long sigh.
"I really hope the Emperor can take back control of the government, otherwise, that stubborn Lin Xingliang will be driven to his death sooner or later."
Even Lin Fu, this woman, knew what the court would become after Wei Jianning left, but no one could change it.
Yangxindian
The Emperor was very pleased to learn that Wei Jianning had left with his family and hadn't taken a single item.
"Very well, in less than three days, he will come running back to me on an empty stomach to beg for mercy. At that time, I will make him understand that I, the emperor, am not someone he can threaten so easily."
Qin Shun frowned slightly and bowed slightly, saying:
"This old servant thinks that His Highness the Crown Prince is stubborn and doesn't like to admit defeat, so he may not be back in a short time."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately turned cold.
"If he doesn't return, who will attend court in my place? Do you expect me to attend court in person?"
"Your Majesty, the court session cannot be delayed!"
The Emperor waved his hand impatiently.
"By my decree, attend court once every five days. Report urgent matters promptly, but there's no need to report minor matters to me; I don't have the energy for that."
Qin Shun sighed secretly, shook his head in disappointment, and lowered his head.