Because they had to take care of two pregnant women, the carriage moved very slowly, and they mostly used waterways whenever possible.
Provided you don't get seasick, traveling by water is much more comfortable than by horse-drawn carriage.
Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er about Song Jingyang's accident.
"Your face is really injured?" Xiu'er gripped Tang Zhuyun's hand so tightly it hurt.
Tang Zhuyun nodded. "Yes, I'm not lying to you."
"That's good." Xiu'er breathed a long sigh of relief. "I've been feeling quite uneasy lately, and it's all related to this matter. Thank goodness."
A man isn't judged by his looks. As long as the injuries aren't serious, what does a face matter?
She decided to write to Song Jingyang immediately, telling him that she didn't care about saving face; he was more precious than face.
I'll also curse that bastard for not telling her at all, waiting for the Empress to tell her.
Oh, and now this hot potato has been handed to her. Should she talk to Nanny Jing about it? If so, what should she say?
We can't frighten the elderly, but we can't keep it from them forever either...
Xiu'er could understand how distressed Tang Zhuyun had been for keeping this matter a secret for several days.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Don't worry too much. Don't go, I haven't finished talking..."
Xiu'er was startled. "Where else are you injured?"
"No," Tang Zhuyun said, "I already told you I wouldn't hide it from you."
Concern leads to confusion; it's rare to see Xiu'er lose her composure like this.
"Oh, that's good. It's alright, it's alright."
Her eyes showed panic, clearly an attempt to reassure herself.
Tang Zhuyun pulled her hand and made her sit down, saying, "Let me finish. I haven't seen the injury on Song Jingyang's face, but I think Yingying might be able to help..."
"The Crown Prince's wife?" Xiu'er asked in disbelief.
Why did she feel that Ren Yingying was even less reliable than her?
How unreliable is Ren Yingying? Even her own dog avoids her...
Tang Zhuyun said, "I might even give you an even more handsome husband. Then you could probably ask for something like... what kind of husband you'd like..."
Xiu'er: "Is the original look okay? If I change my face, I'll feel like I'm cheating on my husband."
Tang Zhuyun was amused.
As expected of you, your perspective is always so unique.
Xiu'er muttered to herself, "I might be okay with it, but how am I going to explain this to my mother-in-law?"
They might think that Song Jingyang had gotten into trouble and that someone else was trying to fool her.
Therefore, Xiu'er expressed that she wanted the original Song Jingyang.
"Actually, I don't really mind, I just feel sorry for him." She wrung out her handkerchief and whispered, "He's all alone there, I wonder if anyone will take care of him... Sigh, why am I thinking like that? Of course there is, he's a general, after all..."
Tang Zhuyun teased him deliberately, "Are you afraid that someone will take advantage of taking care of him and steal him away from you?"
"Song Jingyang is not that kind of person!"
"I know, I know, Song Jingyang is fine!" Tang Zhuyun said, "Don't worry."
"Then, Your Highness," Xiu'er said, "I still want to ask you, is it true that the Crown Prince's wife can cure facial ailments?"
Tang Zhuyun: "When have I ever lied to you?"
Xiu'er thought for a moment and said, "I must have been confused. A doctor cannot heal himself, so the birthmark on her face has never been removed?"
Tang Zhuyun: "... You mean that... I'll tell you a secret..."
Xiu'er actually came closer.
"Next time we go to the hot springs together, keep an eye on her," Tang Zhuyun said, suppressing a laugh. "Keep an eye on the birthmark on her face; it might just float to the surface."
Xiu'er stared in disbelief, and after a long while, said, "Fake, fake?"
Tang Zhuyun: "It was real at first, but after she removed it, she drew it back on every day, regretting it deeply."
This makeup needs to be worn every day.
She had agreed not to cause trouble, but her professional ethics prevented her from doing so.
Once you start, you have to "put on makeup" every day.
Tang Zhuyun even teased her, asking her to get a semi-permanent makeup look.
Ren Yingying glared at him. "Then why would I go through all that trouble to remove it?"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Dog Meat was surprised when he saw that she didn't have a birthmark, but he was even more surprised and... disgusted when he saw her drawing on her birthmark every day.
So, she's only showing herself off to herself and her dog after getting all all tidied up?
Qu Nian: So, it's because I'm not good enough?
Who else do you want to show this to?
Xiu'er: "Is it really that amazing?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "She's pretty useless at everything else, but when it comes to grooming her face, she's definitely much better than me."
Xiu'er: "Can you fix it for me?"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Is it true that no woman is satisfied with her appearance?
I always felt that my eyes were a bit small.
"Big eyes, vacant gaze," Tang Zhuyun said.
Xiu'er: "Never mind, my mother will beat me. But the young master's wife's cooking is really good! Oh no!"
"What's wrong?"
Xiu'er said with a mournful face, "Song Jingyang's face is ruined on one side. After it's fixed, one side of his face will be black and the other side will be white. Won't he have a two-toned face?"
Tang Zhuyun: "... That's the doctor's concern. Anyway, you don't need to worry. Go back quickly and write a letter to comfort the injured."
Xiu'er nodded.
Tang Zhuyun felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders.
Xiu'er was indeed as open-minded as she had imagined, but she was also worried. She would definitely have to remind Prince of Jin to send more people to help Song Jingyang.
I wonder what changes will occur in the current political landscape. The Emperor has always favored Prince of Yong for his filial piety; will he now lean even more towards him?
If that happens, the situation in Qingzhou will likely be even more unfavorable for Song Jingyang...
"The old man is here! The old man is here!"
Upon hearing Eighth Master's voice, Tang Zhuyun knew that Prince of Jin had returned.
She stood up. "Have you found a boat?"
Their group, including over a thousand guards, would need several days to prepare for traveling by water.
The Prince of Jin poured himself a cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp. "The boat has been found, but it needs to be inspected. We'll have to wait a few more days. The river is frozen, which isn't safe. I consulted experienced people, and they said waiting a few more days would be better."
"That's fine too."
They are currently in a town called Red River Town, where a large river called the Red River meanders through the town.
Just then, someone outside announced that the local prefect had come to deliver some gifts.
Tang Zhuyun glanced at the gift list and chuckled to herself, "As expected, there was another misunderstanding."
Along the way, more than one official misunderstood that Xiu'er was Prince of Jin's concubine, assuming that all of Prince of Jin's wives and concubines were pregnant and that he had prepared two sets of gifts, differing only in their thickness.
Prince of Jin: "They're all blind."
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Ignorance is no excuse. It's only human nature to be humbled and fearful when a deity passes by."
Perhaps because her words had an effect, the Prince of Jin got up and went out to see the prefect.
Tang Zhuyun was still a little puzzled.
Why is the Prince of Jin of Jin being so easy to talk to today?
She had tried to persuade him in the same way before, but Prince of Jin usually remained aloof for a while.
Something doesn't feel right today.
But she soon found out why.