Chapter 535: Chapter 26 The Southward Tour Team

The winter snow melts away, marking the beginning of spring.

Soon, the vitality of spring sweeps across the entire land of Da Wei, bringing life wherever it goes.

The first to set off is the couple of Han King, along with several children.

They have been away from Yunzhou for over half a year, hence must return to preside over the affairs.

As for Wu Chuang, he naturally has his duties to attend to.

Thus, he departs with the Han King couple.

As they leave, Lin Xiruo feels quite sad, reluctant to part.

Lin Wanyi and the Third Princess observe this and feel somewhat excessive keeping Lin Xiruo back.

Yet, half an hour after Wu Chuang leaves, Lin Xiruo becomes as relaxed as she was before marriage.

Which surprises the Third Princess greatly.

"Second Brother once mentioned, Second Sister has skills for managing her husband, I thought he was joking. Unexpectedly... just now she was inseparable from Brother-in-law, and now she’s like this, truly impressive."

Lin Xiruo drinks bird’s nest jade soup as she explains with much insight.

"Apologies for making Third Sister laugh, but indeed I have some tricks to handle your Brother-in-law. Once you’re married, I will compile them into a book as a gift, ensuring you find a sweet-husband clinging to you every day."

As she said this, there was a hint of teasing.

Unlike her, the Third Princess is more reserved and quickly becomes outmatched.

Lin Wanyi can’t help but tap her shoulder in mock anger.

"Your sister is not married yet, why say such things?"

Lin Xiruo is best at winning people over, especially so with her mother the Imperial Consort.

Immediately, she smiles and surrenders.

"Alright, Mother speaks truth, your daughter has misspoken, I accept the penalty!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"How should you be punished?"

Lin Xiruo rolls her eyes and immediately says.

"Punish me by drinking another bowl of jade soup? Growing three parts fatter?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi and the Third Princess laugh uncontrollably.

With Lin Xiruo’s lively temperament, neither of the two felt bored or lonely, the laughter in Yihua Palace never ceased.

Thus, in the third month of the Crown Prince’s regency, the Emperor, along with the Imperial Consort, Prince Pei and his wife, and the Princess, commenced their grand southern tour.

The exact return date was uncertain, but the destination was clear.

The first point of call was Wutai Mountain, where the Empress Dowager resided.

The Royal Carriage is spacious and smooth.

Originally, the Emperor shared one carriage with Lin Wanyi, Prince Pei and his wife shared another, while Lin Xiruo and the Third Princess took the third.

But now, the Emperor has one by himself, Prince Pei another, Lin Xiruo and the Third Princess have invited Lin Wanyi and Princess Pei over.

The four women chatter and laugh.

With Lin Xiruo the lively one, even Princess Pei blends in well.

But alas, not two hours passed before the Emperor sent Dong Yuzhong over.

He said the Emperor’s head condition had flared up and requested Lin Wanyi return to care for him.

The Emperor with a head ailment?

Lin Wanyi has slept beside him for so long without hearing of this?

Being his daughters, Lin Xiruo and the Third Princess naturally know this too.

So, Lin Xiruo shakes her head and says rather critically.

"Father, if you miss Mother, just say so, these lame excuses are so dull."

Before long, Prince Pei also came over.

He was blunt, shouting at the carriage.

"Princess, I have matters to discuss alone with you, come down quickly."

Princess Pei’s face turned red instantly upon hearing that.

Another "troublesome man," Lin Xiruo immediately poked her head out, glaring at Prince Pei she spat fiercely.

"Fourth Brother, how long have you been married, and already you can’t bear to be apart?"

"Second Sister, look at Father and Mother, how come you only dare to scold me?"

"Hmph, you wait!"

Dong Yuzhong stood by, so even if Lin Xiruo wanted to flare up, she dared not vocalize it.

She stared at Prince Pei for quite a while.

He has spent much time with the Crown Prince, becoming as thick-skinned, Lin Xiruo’s glaring had no effect on him.

Eventually, Princess Pei deemed it inappropriate, softly saying.

"I’ll follow the Prince, maybe there are truly urgent matters to discuss."

She shyly dismounted the carriage, Prince Pei seeing her, immediately pulled her away without waiting for Dong Yuzhong’s salutations.

Leaving him somewhat helplessly amused.

Lin Wanyi saw this, barely maintaining her composure.

She said to Lin Xiruo and the Third Princess.

"Alright, I’ll go and check on your Father, while traveling, it’s best to be cautious."

"Mother..."

Lin Xiruo pouted softly, but Lin Wanyi still left with a smile.

Dong Yuzhong’s expression brightened upon Lin Wanyi’s descent.

Heaven knows how dark the Emperor’s face was just before, silently praying to thousands of Bodhisattvas for blessing.

Once they returned to their respective carriages, the procession continued on.

Lin Xiruo, betrayed by her father and fourth brother, was displeased.

But the Third Princess consoled her.

"Second Sister, enjoy while out, besides, it’s not as if we won’t see them, what’s there to fear?"

"Yeah, it’s not like they won’t see us, what’s there for them to fear?"

The Third Princess covered her mouth, chuckling, but felt genuinely pleased at how loving Father and Mother, Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law were.

Recently, Lin Xiruo has been experiencing mood swings for unknown reasons.

Even the smallest matters greatly annoy her.

The carriage traveled slowly, and after over half a month they arrived at Dengzhou’s dock.

The official boats moored by the shore, waiting for the arrival of the Emperor and party.

They rested half a day at the post station before boarding the ship toward Wutai Mountain.

The canal was only opened last year, thus this marked their first journey by boat.

River travel is indeed faster; what would take half a month on land now only needed three to five days.

Yet upon boarding, Lin Xiruo, initially exuberant, soon regretted deeply.

Since their departure by boat, she’s been constantly vomiting.

Unable to eat or sleep, feeling very unwell.

The most unexpected revelation was her being two months pregnant.

Upon Lin Wanyi’s discovery, she exclaims in disbelief!

This being her first pregnancy, requiring utmost care, lest it harms her and the child.

Little did she know, she was oblivious to this.

Not only tottered with everybody, but also traveled by waterway.

Pregnancy nausea paired with seasickness, exacerbating her discomfort.

The Emperor, informed of this, ordered a slower pace, fearing the boat’s rocking would worsen Lin Xiruo’s condition.

But the Third Princess suggested speeding up, rather than drifting on the river like this, better to reach Wutai Mountain soon.

Therefore, passersby once saw, for those few days, large official boats speeding swiftly down the wide river.

Some were puzzled, wondering why the boats traveled so fast with mild spring waves.