BXBX NOVEL Chapter 309 - 309: To the Capital
During the rest of the journey, they would play cards whenever they had the time. They did not feel that the journey was difficult. Even the soldiers and officers who were traveling with them had learned this way of playing. They made several sets of bamboo cards, when they reached the inn or the rest time, they would take them out to play.
Jian Qingqing did not say anything when she found out. Playing cards was just a way of entertainment. However, she firmly opposed any gambling.
Because Jian Qingqing had explicitly forbade it, the soldiers did not have the courage to gamble. The usual bet was just a little food.
20 days finally passed in the long journey.
When Jian Qingqing heard that they were about to arrive at the Capital, she was excited early in the morning. She did not take the carriage anymore and excitedly rode her little horse in front.
The closer they got to the Capital city, the more houses there were by the roadside. There were also quite a number of pedestrians. It was not like the previous roads where there were no signs of people after walking for dozens of miles.
Around noon, they could faintly see the city gate.
The city gate of the Capital city was very lofty. The tall city was filled with countless soldiers. Every soldier stood there solemnly, like a guardian.
Outside the city gates, there was a long line of people who wanted to enter the city to be examined.
Jian Qingqing slowed down and asked, “Do we have to line up too?” Ming Zhiyan shook her head. “No need. We can just go in.”
“Alright, then I’ll go back to the carriage first.”
Jian Qingqing did not want anyone to see her face. By then, everyone would know her and it would be inconvenient for them to go anywhere. It was like this when they were in Shifeng County.
When they saw Ming Zhiyan’s face, the soldiers guarding the city gate immediately opened the main city gate and welcomed them into the city.
The people at the side asked in confusion, “Who is that? Why is there such a huge commotion? The main city gate has already been opened. Is it a general who came back to report?”
“It shouldn’t be. The general brought so few people? Furthermore, there was a carriage behind him.”
The person with some connections replied, “That person in front is Crown Prince Ming. Do you know Crown Prince Ming? Two years ago, his name was often heard in the streets and alleys. However, in these two years, he was sent out by the Emperor.”
The others were immediately shocked. “Crown Prince Ming!? It’s that Ming
Zhiyan who can stop a child from crying?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s him. He hasn’t been in the Capital for the past two years and his reputation isn’t that great anymore. If I used him to scare my grandson, he wouldn’t be afraid anymore.”
“Me too. Initially, my son didn’t dare to cry every time he heard the name
Crown Prince Ming. In the end, after he was sent out, no matter what I said, he still cried.”
The topic suddenly changed. Fortunately, there were still people who were curious about why Ming Zhiyan had returned at this time.
“So why did Crown Prince Ming come back? He even opened the main city gate. Didn’t the main city gate usually open only when the ministers who had made great contributions returned? Then what did Crown Prince Ming do? Could it be that just because he is the emperor’s nephew, he can enter through the main city gate?”
Those who knew the inside story immediately retorted, “How could the Emperor be such a person?! My Sister-in-law’s husband’s family has a relative of an aunt who is a servant in a Lord’s manor. I heard that the place where Crown Prince Ming sent out was the place where high-yield grain was discovered. Today is the day that Princess Ding’an will come to the Capital!”
“What!?”
The people who were waiting in line to enter the city immediately exploded. Everyone pricked up their ears, wanting to hear the inside story.
“Princess Ding’an, who discovered the high yield of grain? She’s actually in the county where Crown Prince Ming was sent to?!”