Carriages and horses rolled on in gleaming ranks, banners fluttered in the wind, valiant cavalry galloped ahead, and the procession traveled west.
Wang Chen looked back at the road they had just passed and saw the imperial capital in the distance, nearly vanishing from sight.
For some reason—perhaps influenced by Sun Zhengheng—he too had a rather bad premonition!
"Lord Wang..."
Just then, a female rider quickly approached Wang Chen and said in a low voice, "Her Highness requests your presence."
The rider's voice was crisp and pleasant, and with her fair skin and lovely features, her gender was obvious at a glance.
Among the three thousand Imperial Forest Guards escorting the marriage alliance procession were fifty female riders, responsible for accompanying Princess Qingyun's carriage.
Wang Chen nodded. "Understood."
He tugged on the reins and guided the Yellow Dappled Horse toward the luxurious carriage drawn by eight fine steeds.
This carriage was built to royal specifications. Its compartment was extraordinarily spacious, like a house on wheels, furnished with every conceivable amenity and easily able to accommodate more than a dozen passengers.
As for its passengers, they were naturally Princess Qingyun and the maids accompanying her as part of her dowry.
"Master!"
No sooner had Wang Chen drawn near than Princess Qingyun poked her head out through the open carriage window. "Can you come up? I have many questions I wish to ask you."
The guards nearby watched their noses and minded their hearts, all pretending they had seen and heard nothing.
Wang Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Your Highness, that would not be very convenient."
Although he now bore the title of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and was, in practical terms, Princess Qingyun's master, climbing into her carriage under everyone's watchful eyes was truly improper!