The carriage swayed as it rolled through the streets and markets.
Zhao Hong, the sixteen-year-old crown prince of Great Wei, lifted the window curtain and gazed in wonder at the bustling crowds outside. "So this is Road Pavilion? Why does it seem livelier than the Divine Capital?"
"That is a small matter. Your Highness will understand in time."
Seated diagonally ahead of him, Shen Fa kept rambling through his instructions. "We are almost at the Welcome Inn. Does Your Highness have any questions about the precautions I just explained? If anything remains unclear, please ask now, while I still have time to answer..."
Zhao Hong lowered the curtain and looked at Shen Fa with a smile. "Count of Kaifeng... are you nervous?"
Shen Fa fell silent for several breaths, then nodded. "Your Highness, I am indeed very nervous. You should be nervous as well."
Zhao Hong curled his lips and lifted the curtain again to admire the streets... This was his first time leaving the capital in his entire life.
The sight made Shen Fa's head ache with worry, but he could hardly do anything to this young lord. He could only patiently repeat himself. "The Welcome Inn is not the palace. Once you arrive, you must forget that you are the crown prince. Whatever the Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince says, you must listen. Whatever you do, do not argue with him..."
His earnest advice stopped just short of twisting the little brat's head around and shouting into his ear: Once we get to the Welcome Inn, put away your damned Eastern Palace airs. That teacher of yours won't stand for them!
But Zhao Hong did not appreciate his efforts in the slightest. He waved impatiently. "I know, I know. Even if I don't listen, would he really