Across Time And Space 93 A Different Route

Everyone prepared to return to the capital once the Spring Hunt was over. The Emperor and Empress carriage were scheduled to depart first, while Princess Lingchen carriage will leave later.

Princess Lingchen walked towards the Empress's carriage to send her off. The servants were loading up things into the carriage outside. The princess headed towards her mother's tent, and after a maidservant announced her arrival, Princess Lingchen was quickly ushered in. Once the Empress saw her daughter, her lips curved into a loving smile.

"Have you packed up everything?" Princess Lingchen asked after the usual greetings.

The Empress extended her hands and took the Crown Princess's hand into her. Then, the Empress led her daughter to sit next to her. "I heard from your father that you would take a different route to return to the capital."

Princess Lingchen nodded. "Mhmm… I will take the road along the mountain. There is a hot spring over there. Mingyue and Grandfather think it would be beneficial for me to soak for a while. I should arrive at the capital the next day."

"Hot spring," The Empress heaved a sigh. "I wish I could go with you. But your father is busy with the national affairs, and he wanted to discuss a few things with the princes."

"We will revisit the hot spring next time together once Emperor Father had settled with his affairs," Princess Lingchen said.

The Empress smiled before she spoke again. "Regarding the princes, have you made your decision?"

The Crown Princess took a deep breath before she answered. "I haven't."

The Empress heaved a long sigh. She lowered her gaze as she patted her daughter's hands. "It's fine if you did not choose among the princes as your husband. Marriage is a big thing for us, women. Moreover, you will ascend the throne after your father," the Empress paused. She looked up and smiled. "Just know that whatever your decision will be, I will support you."

The mother and daughter chatted a bit more until the Empress' maidservant walked in to announce that they are ready to depart. The two only separated after the Princess a.s.sured the Empress that she would be alright with General Jiang's arrangements.

Soon, Princess Lingchen watched the procession left towards the capital from her hiding place as most believed that she left for the capital city in her carriage. The princes of other countries and the minister's carriage followed closely behind the Emperor's. Once her parents' carriage dimmed under her sight, Princess Lingchen turned around to Yang Yun.

"Your Highness, everything is ready. We'll leave at your command," Yang Yun bowed as he spoke.

Princess Lingchen nodded and headed towards her horse. She stopped after a while, turned around and walked towards a no marked carriage. Vice General Fei Liu, and a few soldiers greeted the princess as she came closer.

"How is he?" the princess asked as she glanced towards the carriage.

Fei Liu followed the princess' gaze towards the carriage before he answered. "Physician Jiang had given treatment to Prince Lu Wei. His body is well enough to take this trip."

Princess Lingchen stared at the carriage for a while longer before she nodded.

Earlier on, it was decided that Prince Lu Wei would follow Princess Lingchen trip to the hot spring. Since the Emperor had promised to protect Prince Lu Wei as long as he was in Da Cheng, the Emperor had instructed the prince to return to the capital secretly with the princess.

The Emperor was worried that someone might take advantage of the prince as he was injured and weak. With Prince Lu Wei's state, he will need the physician's attention. However, because the Emperor had chosen to keep the prince's injury a secret, it was impossible to a.s.sign a physician to the prince without arousing suspicions.

Therefore, Prince Lu Wei was arranged to follow Princess's Lingchen's entourage. After all, the security around the Crown Princess was comparable as the Emperor's, and Mingyue will be around to monitor the prince's health.

"Princess Lingchen," a voice came from inside the carriage. The curtains that covered the window slowly moved, and Prince Lu Wei's pale face appeared. "I haven't got the chance to thank you for this arrangement."

"You're welcome," the Princess thought over it for a while and realized that they did not mention anything to the prince that they were going to a hot spring. "We will take a different route and detour to a hot spring."

Prince Lu Wei nodded weakly. "I will follow your arrangement."