Chapter 244: Will Anyone Still Come?

"His Majesty's decree specially bestows the Princess (Commandery) the authority to transmit messages on this trip and to safeguard her completely."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up in an instant.

She lifted the cage and peered inside: "Wow! They're the most beautiful little birds I've ever seen!"

Suddenly, a chill rose behind her; Third Brother was right behind!

"Of course! It's still a bit inferior to the snow‑cloak Third Brother gave me."

The cold behind her vanished.

Tuan Tuan let out a secret sigh, "Phew, that was close!"

She looked at the garden overseer: "Young master, what are they called?"

The overseer was startled: "Princess (Commandery), they… have no name yet."

Tuan Tuan shook her head: "That won't do! From now on they'll be my birds, and they must have a good name!"

Xiao Ningxun looked at the two snow‑white, lively birds: "Their feather color is almost like the sugar cakes my mother makes."

Tuan Tuan stared at their plump bellies, then had a flash of inspiration: "Got it!"

"You two, from now on, one shall be called Meiwei, the other Jiayao!"

Everyone: "…"

"Hahaha…" Xiao Ran burst into laughter, clutching his belly and tumbling back onto the carriage.

The overseer and the servants kept their mouths tightly shut, their shoulders shaking wildly.

Tuan Tuan wore a puzzled expression, looked up at her brother: "What's wrong, Third Brother, are those two names unpleasant?"

Xiao Ningxun forced back a burst of laughter and shook her head at her: "No, the names Tuan Tuan gave are fine."

The overseer presented a red silk rope, its end tied to a hollow little golden bell whose core held a tiny pearl—exquisitely delicate.

"Princess (Commandery), please tie this to your wrist; as long as you keep shaking the golden bell vigorously, these two Lingxiao Sparrows… ahem, Meiwei and Jiayao will come looking for you."

Tuan Tuan took it, and Xiao Ningxun helped her fasten it.

She happily opened the cage door, her small hand reaching in to gently pat them: "Meiwei! Jiayao! I'm Tuan Tuan! Come out quickly."

She withdrew her hand; Meiwei and Jiayao bobbed their little heads, then rushed out of the cage one after another, circling above Tuan Tuan's head a few times before soaring away.

The few of them returned to the carriage; not far from Wanlingyuan, the sound of horse hooves and shouts came from behind: "Princess—please stay, Princess!"

Xiao Er raised a hand, and the carriage came to a halt.

Tuan Tuan stuck her little head out of the carriage window: "Second Uncle! What's wrong?"

Xiao Er looked toward the two fast horses drawing nearer behind: "Miss, it's Lord Song."

"Teacher?" Tuan Tuan grabbed Xiao Ningxun's hand and hurriedly got off the carriage.

Song Jingxian flipped off the horse: "Good, I've caught up."

Xiao Ran, not daring to be lax, concealed his nonchalance and, together with Xiao Ningxun, bowed: "Lord Song."

Song Jingxian nodded.

Tuan Tuan leapt up happily: "Teacher! How did you come? I never knew you could ride a horse."

Song Jingxian embraced her, pulled several letters from his chest and handed them to Xiao Ningxun: "These are a few tribute letters I personally wrote; take them with you."

"I have no other talents but teaching and nurturing students; these few tribute letters might, in a pinch, lend you a helping hand."

He lowered his head, looked at Tuan Tuan, and stroked her hair: "Disciple, I, your master, recommend you on this journey; for the public, it is for country and people, and I hope you can resolve the Imperial Court's troubles."

"Privately," he paused, "I only hope you return safely. If you can uncover the truth, that's best; if not, consider it a round trip, eat well and roll back to me!"

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ran exchanged a stunned glance, gaping; the Imperial Teacher, who values ceremony above all, had never spoken so recklessly!

Is this still Lord Song? Could he have been displaced?

Tuan Tuan was delighted: "Got it! Don't worry, Teacher! I'll be back soon!"

Song Jingxian looked at the two youths: "Let's go, protect my disciple and return early!"

The two bowed: "Yes!"

After Song Jingxian left, Tuan Tuan grabbed the two's hands and just got back onto the carriage.

From afar, shouts rang again: "Princess, stay! Princess!"

This time Tuan Tuan darted straight out of the carriage, perched on the pole, swinging her little leg and asking: "Second Uncle, who came this time?"

Xiao Er, from the horse, gazed into the distance: "A lot of people came, can't tell who they are, and there's even a big carriage!"

Moments later, several guards on horseback escorted an apparently ordinary carriage that stopped before Tuan Tuan.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Xiao Ze sprang down smoothly.

"Third Elder Brother!" Tuan Tuan shouted excitedly, stretching out her little hand to rush over.

Xiao Ze took a few quick steps, scooped her off the pole, and, smiling, weighed it: "Good we caught you in time! You say you're leaving on a whim, almost didn't make it."

Xiao Ningxun stepped down from the carriage, approached and bowed: "Seventh Prince."

Xiao Ran lifted the curtain and peered: "Seventh Brother!"

Xiao Ze nodded at them, then carried Tuan Tuan to the big carriage he had brought: "Look, see what Third Elder Brother sent you."

The carriage appeared plain, but on closer inspection its body was a ring larger than a typical carriage, its wheels had denser spokes, and the rim was wrapped in some material.

Xiao Ze personally lifted her inside.

"Wow! This carriage is really huge!"

The interior was spacious, with fine materials.

The cleverest part was that where seats should be, a soft brocade cushion lay, like a comfortable little bed.

"This carriage was custom‑made for my future patrols; it was just finished a few days ago," Xiao Ze said, pointing at the little bed. "I heard you were going on a long trip, so I had them remodel it overnight, and luckily it was ready in time."

He bent down, lifted the soft padding on the little bed, and with a finger pressed and pulled at a spot; a wooden plank silently slid aside, revealing beneath a hidden compartment lined with thick carpet.

"This is for you to hide in. When we left Da Xia, you were hidden in a box. At that time I already thought, if you ever go out again, you must never suffer such humiliation again."

After speaking, he gently lowered a side panel, fitting it flush; the small bed instantly reverted to a standard chair, with no trace of change.

"With this little couch, you won't have to stay seated all the time; when tired, you can lie down and sleep. On the road it'll save you plenty of rest stops, so you can finish early and return to the capital."

Tuan Tuan happily climbed onto the small bed and rolled around, her face flushed with excitement: "Thank you, Third Elder Brother! This bed is simply wonderful!"

Xiao Ran watched from the side, eyes burning, clutching the carriage door and shouting: "Seventh Brother! You're playing favorites! I'm still your younger brother! Why didn't you make one for me too? Aren't you worried I'll get tired from sitting and have nowhere to sleep?"

Tuan Tuan made a face at him: "This is my bed! Who let you grow so big!"

"You little heartless wretch!" Xiao Ran flared up, reaching to pinch her cheek, but Xiao Ze laughed and blocked him.

After joking for a while, Xiao Ze's tone turned serious: "When you're out and about, it's not like in Jingcheng; you must be careful in everything."

He looked at Xiao Ran: "Father Emperor sent you on this trip to gain more experience. You should observe and learn more, avoid trouble, and never act rashly when something happens. Keep Tuan Tuan safe—did you hear me?"

Xiao Ran composed himself, clasped his fists, and said: "Seventh Brother, rest assured; I know what's important."

Only then did Xiao Ze nod, and he rubbed Tuan Tuan's cheeks: "Third Elder Brother is waiting for you in Jingcheng. Let's go—be careful on the road."

After Xiao Ze left, Tuan Tuan looked around at the several adults and asked: "Is anyone else coming?"