r18novel Chapter 99 Arriving in Yingzhou, nurturing bandits for self-importance
Chapter 99 Arriving in Yingzhou, nurturing bandits for self-importance
Chapter 99 Arriving in Yingzhou, nurturing bandits for self-importance
Four days later.
The official boat had already reached the end of the Wei River, within the territory of Yingzhou.
This is the throat where the Wei River flows into the Yangtze River, where the river channel suddenly narrows and the current becomes rapid.
Looking out from the bow of the boat, the mountains on both sides gradually rise, with gray-brown cliffs flanking a line of somewhat turbid river water.
Continuing south from Yingzhou, you will completely leave the Wei River and enter the main channel of the Yangtze River.
Since departing from Kyoto, Li Yunrui has not disembarked from the ship once.
She passed through small towns and cities along the way, but she wasn't interested.
Now that she's been on the ship for seven days straight, even though she's naturally lazy, the initial excitement has worn off, and she's starting to feel a bit irritable.
Moreover, some people haven't arrived yet.
"Let's rest in Yingzhou for two days."
When Li Yunrui put down his silver chopsticks for breakfast, his voice was clearly tinged with weariness.
Chunmei immediately agreed and instructed the boatman to dock at Yingzhou today. She also sent someone off the boat to ride ahead into the city to report the news.
Yingzhou City.
When Wu Huai'an, the prefect of Yingzhou, received the news that the princess was going to stay overnight, he was very shocked.
But he dared not delay.
He rushed out of the government office, ordering his clerk to find a suitable place to stay, while straightening his clothes and leading the government officials to the dock.
When the official ship flying the flag of the eldest princess docked, Wu Huai'an had already led officials of all ranks to wait on the shore, kneeling in a large group.
Li Yunrui looked at the group of people and said calmly, "Get up, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Highness Princess." Everyone responded.
Then, Li Yunrui took Wu Feng's hand and disembarked from the boat, heading straight for the carriage that had been prepared beforehand.
The carriage curtains hung down, obscuring her voluptuous figure, leaving only a faint, cool fragrance wafting in the damp river breeze.
Wu Huai'an dared not ask any more questions and bowed to personally lead the way in front of the carriage.
About fifteen minutes later, Wu Huaian led Li Yunrui and his group to a secluded courtyard.
The accommodation was a riverside villa that had been temporarily vacated. It was quiet and elegant, but it had been uninhabited for a long time, and there was a sense of emptiness everywhere.
Chunmei and Meigu looked around inside and out. Although it wasn't the best, it was clean and tidy.
Li Yunrui was helped into the main room. The window was opened, and the river breeze, carrying moisture, rushed in.
She stood in the center of the room, looked around, and suddenly let out a soft sigh of relief.
"It's still more reassuring to be on the ground."
After days on the ship, my feet always felt unsteady, but now that I'm stepping on solid blue bricks, that faint dizziness has finally dissipated.
-
Once I calmed down, exhaustion washed over me.
Wu Feng stepped forward and took her arm: "Is Your Highness sleepy?"
"I'm tired." Li Yunrui leaned against him, her voice soft and gentle. "I want to sleep for a while."
Wu Feng and Chunmei helped her to the inner room, one on each side.
The bed was newly made, and the bedding was soft and fluffy from sunbathing, carrying the scent of sunshine.
Wu Feng removed Li Yunrui's outer garment, leaving her only in a plain white undergarment, and then pulled the brocade quilt up to her chest.
In a short while, his breathing became even and long.
Wu Feng stood by the bed for a while, tucked the blanket around her, and then quietly slipped out.
Outside, Chunmei was instructing her maid to boil water in preparation.
"Chunmei," Wu Feng lowered his voice, "I'm going for a walk outside. This section of the river near Yingzhou is narrow, with many hidden reefs and a rapid current. I'll go check on the situation."
Chunmei nodded: "I understand, be careful."
"Hmm," Wu Feng replied, then took his embroidered spring knife and left the courtyard.
Less than half an hour later, just as he reached the alley entrance, he encountered a group of people.
The leader was Wu Huai'an.
Upon seeing Wu Feng, he immediately put on a smile and quickly walked over to greet him.
"This humble official greets Your Excellency." Wu Huai'an bowed respectfully, his posture very humble.
Wu Feng stopped in his tracks: "Prefect Wu, is there something you need?"
"Not at all," Wu Huai'an said with a beaming smile. "I was just thinking that Your Highness has just arrived in Yingzhou, and if you need anything, I'm ready to serve you at any time. I wonder—is Your Highness satisfied with your lodgings?"
He noticed Wu Feng as soon as the official ship docked.
Although he wasn't dressed as a eunuch, he was able to serve the princess closely, and his demeanor showed no servility but rather a natural intimacy.
Having spent many years in officialdom, Wu Huai'an had already considered several ideas.
Could he be a scion of some prominent family in Kyoto? Or perhaps someone who enjoys great favor with His Highness?
He specifically assigned people to guard the vicinity of the villa. As soon as someone came out of the villa, he would receive a report and then rush over.
Wu Feng glanced at him, his tone calm: "Prefect Wu, there's no need for such formalities. My surname is Wu, and I'm merely a bodyguard to His Highness. His Highness is satisfied with your arrangements."
O
Guards?
A hint of surprise flashed in Wu Huai'an's eyes, but his smile only widened.
The fact that a guard could gain such trust from the princess further demonstrates that he is no ordinary person.
"That's good, that's good." Wu Huai'an seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, took out a few silver notes from his sleeve, and handed them over with a smile. "The preparations were made hastily this time. If there were any oversights, I would appreciate it if Lord Wu could put in a good word for me in front of His Highness."
Wu Feng's gaze fell on the stack of silver notes, all of them one hundred taels in denomination.
He reached out and took it, then put it in his pocket.
If they don't accept it, Prefect Wu probably won't be able to sleep tonight.
"Rest assured, Lord Wu," Wu Feng said, "His Highness is gentle and kind; even if something displeases him, he won't punish me easily. I'm new to Yingzhou; if you have the time, Lord Wu, could you show me around and let me see the scenery?"
Wu Huai'an was overjoyed, as he had been worried about not having a chance to chat more.
"It would be my great honor if Lord Wu were interested."
The two then walked out along the alley.
Yingzhou City is not very large, but because it is a place where water and land meet, the streets are quite lively.
Along the river, there were many warehouses and taverns. The shouts of vendors carrying their wares mingled with the work chants of dockworkers, and the air was filled with the smell of the river and food.
Wu Huai'an led Wu Feng, explaining as they walked.
He mentioned which restaurant had the freshest river fish, which section of the river had the best scenery, and that Yingzhou had a peach blossom season in March and a tide-watching festival in August. His words revealed his familiarity with the area and a touch of pride.
Wu Feng listened quietly, occasionally asking a question or two.
About half an hour later, a yamen runner hurried over and whispered a few words in Wu Huai'an's ear.
Wu Huai'an looked troubled and turned to Wu Feng: "Lord Wu, there are some urgent matters at the yamen—"
"Lord Wu, please go ahead with your business," Wu Feng said. "I'll just take a stroll."
Wu Huai'an apologized repeatedly before quickly leaving.
Wu Feng walked to the riverbank alone.
This section of the river was indeed narrow, with steep cliffs on both sides. The river made a sharp turn here, and the waves crashed against the rocks, splashing up turbid white foam.
Several cargo ships were cautiously passing by in the distance, their shouts of the boatmen punting were torn apart by the wind.
The river is narrow, with many hidden reefs and rapid currents.
He mentioned it during our casual chat earlier.
This waterway is not safe; pirates often appear, targeting times when it is dark and windy and difficult to navigate.
But at the same time, it was assured that these pirates would never dare to provoke the government's ships.
A prefectural governor actually made such a guarantee in front of one of the princess's guards—
Raising bandits —
This is probably standard practice.
However, he wasn't worried about these river pirates.
He squinted and looked towards the end of the river.
Li Yunrui was pregnant and could not withstand any jostling or fright.
The journey from Kyoto to Eiju was unusually peaceful.
Li Yunrui witnessed Emperor Qing's disgraceful behavior, and given Emperor Qing's personality, it was impossible for him to remain inactive.
The next stop is Luzhou, where the Jiangnan Navy is stationed in sections.
If Emperor Qing's people want to take action, then Yingzhou is their last chance.
Thinking of this, Wu Feng placed his hand on the cold hilt of the Embroidered Spring Blade.
Tonight, he has to explore this road.
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