Chapter 1218

First Volume, Chapter 1218: I'm Going to Beixi

Twenty-seven strongholds have already begun construction in full swing, and farmland is being cultivated in orderly fashion.

The three women sat in a carriage, accompanied by six Tianji Camp Guards, four Anwu Guards, ten Black Riders, and thirty Beixi Light Cavalry—forty in total.

This escort was armed to the teeth.

No one on the entire Front Line wanted any mishap to befall the Qin Family's women; the consequences would be unthinkable.

Since they could no longer wait for Qin Feng, and having heard Lingzhou was bustling with activity, the three women decided together to pay a visit.

After all, the Front Line camps were filled with rough men; it was truly inconvenient for three women to stay there.

The Princess of Qiyang gazed through the window at the strongholds now surrounded by walls, unable to help but sigh.

"Qin Feng's engineers work too fast—how long have they been in Lingzhou? Already, the strongholds look properly built."

Liu Hongyan and Xie Yun'er exchanged a glance, neither responding.

After all, they only knew Beixi County was incredibly prosperous, yet had never set foot there.

Still, they reasoned that since these engineers had turned Beixi County into the Northern Border's largest city, their craftsmanship was unquestionable.

Liu Hongyan gazed at the distant construction and softly sighed: "Such a grand undertaking—only Feng'er could accomplish it in so short a time."

"If anyone else tried, coordinating manpower, funds, and materials alone would take years."

"That's the one thing about Feng'er most enviable—he does what he wants, immediately, without needing to beg anyone's permission."

"Yun'er, marrying Feng'er has truly been your fortune."

Hearing this, Xie Yun'er's cheeks flushed red, revealing a hint of shyness—as if she were no longer the violent girl who once terrified Jingdu.

"Second Sister, we've come to Lingzhou for a short stay—what's next? Return to Jingdu, or go back to the Front Line camp?"

Liu Hongyan suddenly snorted: "I've finally managed to escape—why would I go back so easily?"

"I'm not the only Qin Family woman—why must all the burdens fall on me? I want to go out and have fun too!"

Xie Yun'er burst out laughing, immediately shifting closer to Liu Hongyan.

"Second Sister, what are you saying? Among the entire Qin Family, your husband respects you most—you're his greatest pillar."

"If you want to go out for a change of scenery, it's not just Lingzhou—you could choose Di Royal Capital, Gaoshan Country, or even Yuezhao Kingdom, whichever you like?"

This gave Liu Hongyan pause; after much hesitation, she whispered softly:

"What if… we went to Beixi County?"

Xie Yun'er, who had been smiling just moments ago, fell silent.

Beixi County was far too distant—even an urgent messenger on horseback needed days to make the journey.

Women traveling by carriage could never move quickly, and each stop required rest.

A round trip would take at least several months.

Moreover, Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying were both pregnant and would soon give birth.

Qin Feng bore heavy responsibilities on the Front Line—he likely couldn't return. As sisters, they naturally ought to stay by Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying's sides.

Seeing Xie Yun'er's distress, Liu Hongyan did not press further, only sighed lightly.

"All three of our sisters have already been to Beixi County—only you and I haven't. It leaves a strange emptiness inside."

"Every night, when all is quiet, I imagine what Beixi County must be like—is it truly as wonderful as everyone says?"

"How does it compare to Jingdu?"

Watching Liu Hongyan's longing gaze toward Beixi County, Xie Yun'er felt a pang of pity.

But to travel to Beixi County so recklessly was far too risky—if anything went wrong along the way, what then?

At that moment, Liu Hongyan added: "I truly envy Feng'er—he does whatever he wants."

Xie Yun'er couldn't bear to dampen Liu Hongyan's spirits; after weighing her options, she gritted her teeth: "Second Sister, you're right!"

"Why should Feng'er be allowed to do whatever he pleases while we're treated like his servants?"

"Beixi County… honestly, I've longed to see it too. Let's go!"

Liu Hongyan had left Jingdu with Beixi County as her goal, but she knew full well she could never go directly—so she took the long route, first arriving at the Front Line.

Seeing her Bitter-Meat Stratagem had worked, Liu Hongyan's face lit up.

"Let's make some Preparation—and head to Beixi County!"

The Princess of Qiyang, who had been eager all along, raised both hands in agreement: "Hehe, I'm coming too."

"Everyone always talks about how prosperous and powerful Beixi County is under Qin Feng's rule—if I don't see it with my own eyes, I'll never rest easy."

"Beixi County may be far, but the entire route is under Qin Feng's control, and we'll have Elite Soldiers guarding us—there's no danger. Let's treat it as a trip."

The three women instantly agreed. Liu Hongyan immediately halted the carriage and summoned the Tianji Camp Vice Commander.

"Go prepare—we're departing for Beixi County."

The Vice Commander's face froze—he thought he'd misheard.

"Second Miss, are you joking with your Shu Xi?"

"Such a major decision—you just made it on the spot?"

Liu Hongyan snapped: "Why can't I decide? Must everything be decided by Feng'er?"

"Today, I'm making this decision myself."

Realizing Liu Hongyan was serious, the Vice Commander panicked: "The journey is long—if anything goes wrong, I cannot bear the responsibility!"

"If Second Miss insists on going, you should first return to camp and wait for Qin Wang's approval before setting out."

As the Qin Family's "anchor," Liu Hongyan had always been mature and composed—but since Qin Feng's marriage, she'd grown increasingly capricious, as if she and Xie Yun'er had swapped personalities.

Liu Hongyan insisted: "Don't give me that! Feng'er would be glad to send me back to Jingdu—if he knew, he'd never allow it."

"Regardless, I'm going to Beixi County."

"I'll give you three choices."

"First, tie up this young lady and take her back to camp to lock her up."

The Vice Commander nearly cried: "Second Miss is only joking. Don't speak of Shu Xi—throughout the entire Shedynasty, who would dare to tie you up?"

Liu Hongyan crossed her arms, lifted her chin, looking quite pleased with herself: "Second, we part ways here. You all return to camp, the three of us go to Beixi County."

The Vice Commander shook his head like a rattle-drum: "That is even more unacceptable."

"The three of you are all worth ten thousand gold pieces in person. Without guards by your side, it's like a wolf entering a tiger's den. Setting aside the enemies both open and hidden, just the bandits and thieves along the road alone make it incomparably dangerous."

Liu Hongyan shrugged: "Then there's only one path left. Go make preparations, choose a day to set out."