Chapter 292

Jiang Yunchu waved her hand, smiling as she looked at Second Master Zhuang, "Second great-uncle, this shop will always be kept for you, but this year it's probably not easy to go to the capital."

A faint sharpness appeared on her face, "In three years, how about the Zhuang Clan's inn entering the capital?"

Over these three years, she has had many matters to handle, traveling back and forth between the two places; even if Second Master Zhuang went to the capital, she couldn't attend to him.

If she were schemed against by someone with ill intent, it would be even more troublesome.

Now the Regent Prince's Manor, the Kang Clan, and the Jiang Family are all amidst turmoil; they must seek a glimmer of life within this instability.

If we let Second Master Zhuang go to the capital now, it would not be for his benefit but would drag him into this vortex.

"Alright, then three years." Second Master Zhuang's eyes sank, then he looked at Jiang Yunchu and firmly agreed.

He could sense that his elder brother and sister-in-law had a secret; the recent demeanor of Zhuang Yan and Zhuang Wei clearly indicated they knew something as well.

Moreover, this secret is related to Kang Yun; although he doesn't know it, he is not a fool.

"One word, and it's set."

After Jiang Yunchu finished speaking, she lightly clasped her fists, "May mountains and rivers endure; we shall meet again."

When her words ended, she mounted her horse, the whole movement smooth and flowing.

Without hesitation, she urged her horse and left the small town.

Zhuang City!

Outside the city, on a tree, a blue-clad figure held something, waiting there silently.

"Hu——"

Jiang Yunchu tugged at Lie Yan, then looked in that direction.

Han Bing!

He leapt down from the tree, walked up to Jiang Yunchu, and said, "This time we part; when we meet again, I don't know when—I'll give you something."

Han Bing was far from her, then he threw an ice‑blue jade pendant over.

Jiang Yunchu reached out, caught it, and when she saw the jade pendant, she looked at Han Bing, "This… isn't this your identity jade pendant?"

This is Han Bing's identity jade pendant, the only clue he has to find his way home.

The pendant is shaped like an icicle, not large, but entirely pale blue—a shade she had never seen before; held in her palm, it faintly transmitted a coolness.

"After all these years of not finding it, naturally I don't care."

"Since you like it, I'll give it to you."

He smiled lightly, in the dappled sunlight, revealing a warm smile.

Before, he didn't know what a smile was, and even had no expression at all.

But…

In just over half a month, he seemed to have realized that when you meet someone, you unconsciously smile and feel happy.

He knew her identity, knew she was married, and had never even thought of gaining anything; he simply wanted to watch her, the person who taught him to smile, continue to laugh happily.

She got what she wished for; so did he.

"You…"

Jiang Yunchu looked at Han Bing, smiled helplessly; she had only said it jokingly, never expecting him to remember.

"In that case, Han Bing, I'll keep it for you."

Han Bing nodded, "Good."

Afterwards, she softly said, "Let's go."

Jiang Yunchu nodded, glanced at him, then gently squeezed Lie Yan's belly; without any verbal cue, Lie Yan bolted forward.

Outside the small town, a gaze followed her direction, growing ever more distant.

She whipped her horse to go faster; on the road, aside from eating, she was either rushing or rushing.

Even her speed was much faster than when they had gone to Zhuang City.

Lie Yan no longer needed to wait; its swift gallop was like riding clouds and mist, with the surroundings flashing past in an instant.

"Wait a moment."

Jiang Yunchu lightly patted Lie Yan's head, and Lie Yan immediately eased its speed and came to a smooth stop.

Its front hooves even kicked the ground, showing a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Let you eat some fodder; once you're full, we'll continue on the road."

Jiang Yunchu laughed and cried at once; she had let it run a long time this trip, yet she had never seen Lie Yan show fatigue—could it be because of Lie Yan's special nature?

Or perhaps it really isn't tired?

As soon as it starts running, Lie Yan fills with excitement; without Han Bing nearby, she doesn't need to deliberately conceal the existence of the space—after all, it's just her and the horse, and she isn't afraid others will find out.

"Little Er, give my horse good fodder, no need to tether it—it won't run away."

"Don't touch it; it has its own temperament and doesn't like anyone touching it."

After Jiang Yunchu finished giving her instructions, she then entered the inn.

"Give me fifty meat buns and fill the waterskins." Jiang Yunchu had already taken out ten waterskins beforehand, two of which were given by the Old Lady of the Feng Family.

All along the way, she traveled deserted backroads—let alone troublemakers, she didn't even see a single person.

Her dry rations were insufficient, and her waterskins were empty; otherwise she wouldn't have sought the inn to replenish.

"Sure thing."

Upon hearing this, the shop assistant hurried to the back kitchen to inform them, then quickly filled the waterskins.

For a customer who gives such orders, finishes eating and leaves right away, the needed items must be prepared quickly.

"Right, also prepare a bag of fodder for me."

Jiang Yunchu thought it over and decided it was best to be prepared.

"\"Fodder? Horse fodder? \" The shop assistant blinked, not reacting at once—feeding horses was routine, but someone asking for fodder was something he'd never seen before."

Let the horses carry their own fodder; would they really be happy?

"Yes."

Jiang Yunchu ate the served meal; three days had passed, and during this time she had not rested nor stayed anywhere.

She needs to get to Jingdu quickly.

Her heart is homeward bound like an arrow — that's her now; she misses the children at home, the relatives at Kang Fu, and her imperial uncle.

Even the Cao family, whom she usually disliked, she now feels a bit of longing for; people only know what longing is after leaving home.

"Sir, the buns, dry rations, and water skins you ordered are ready; the fodder is in the stable, you need to go to the stable to get it."

The shop assistant had never seen anyone needing to prepare so much before, but that's fifty buns — can they really eat them all?

I guess this young master is just here to deliver food; there are probably others nearby as well.

"Here."

Jiang Yunchu tossed over two silver ingots, then picked up the items and gestured for the assistant to follow.

Blazing Flame heard Jiang Yunchu's footsteps, kicked the ground with its forehooves, looking somewhat impatient.

Around it, not to mention horses, even donkeys and mules kept their distance.

Another horse had its reins tied up; the whole animal, with its legs half-bent, dropped to its knees.

At a glance, it's clear that Blazing Flame is behind this.

"How could this be? The fodder isn't a problem," the shop assistant thought, startled, and quickly checked the fodder — it was the same as usual, not damp or moldy, but aside from that young master's horse, the other horses were listless; if something happened, how could he afford to compensate?

The shop assistant's face was full of anxiety as he searched for the problem, even his legs felt weak.

"It should be fine; it'll be better after an hour."

Jiang Yunchu touched her nose, then gently patted Blazing Flame, "Can you rein in your kingly aura?"

"Sir, the fodder really isn't a problem, but if you're not reassured, you could buy fodder from another inn," the shop assistant said with a despairing face, then spread his hands.

"No need, this will do."

Jiang Yunchu didn't ask further, simply grabbed a sack of fodder, snapped her fingers at Blazing Flame, which immediately followed her; the person and horse quickly vanished from the inn.

Half an hour after Blazing Flame left, the listless horses and cattle also perked up; in that moment, the shop assistant's worried heart finally settled.