Before leaving the capital, Xi Liang came to the palace to express his gratitude, and the two good friends embraced.
Hai Ling was still somewhat worried about Xi Liang's future, but she knew that he was the man she loved, and no matter what, she should let him give it a try.
"It's chilly here, take care."
"Yes, you too. If there's anything you need me to do, just send someone to tell me. We're good friends, so there's no need to be polite."
"I will."
Hai Ling laughed. From her past life to this life, she and Xi Liang were like family, so their relationship would never be severed.
"Xi Liang, I wish you happiness, just in case, just in case?"
She didn't finish her sentence, just in case something unpleasant happened, so Hailing added, "I'm here. I'll help you if you need anything."
"Thank you, Ling'er."
Xi Liang choked up, feeling very sad at the thought that she wouldn't be able to see Ling'er so easily in the future. She was living a good life here with her parents, family, and Ling'er, but now she had left her hometown for a man she loved, traveling thousands of miles away. She hoped that hope Yin could understand her good intentions and that their future would be smoother.
"Alright, don't be sad. We need to get going soon. I won't see you off."
She and Ye Lingfeng are also setting off for Songzhou in the next couple of days.
“Alright,” Xi Liang formally bid farewell to Hai Ling, then left Liuyue Palace, boarded the carriage, and drove out of the palace. A large number of people were waiting for her outside the palace. She boarded the carriage, and the wedding procession set off one after another, heading outwards to the distant Nanling Kingdom, thousands of miles away.
In Liuyue Palace, Hailing had smiled as she saw Xiliang off, but seeing her truly leave still made her sad. She didn't know why, but she always worried that Xiliang was not doing well. Was it because she loved her deeply and longed for her, or was she having a bad premonition in her subconscious? In any case, her mind was in turmoil, and she had no energy.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
“Everyone has their own path ahead, and I feel reluctant to let them go,” Hai Ling said sadly, thinking of Feng Qian, Mingzhu and Xi Liang. Everyone has their own destiny, and she hoped that they would all have a better life and not suffer too many setbacks.
She had sent the head of the Southern Hall to the Great Zhou Dynasty to inquire about the burial place of her mother, the Nie family. The head of the Southern Hall had already sent word that the Nie family was buried there. In addition, the head of the Southern Hall's message also included information about the Prince of Jing and Princess Chang Le. It was said that after they left the capital that day, the emperor ordered the stripping of the Prince of Jing's military power and made him reflect on his actions in his residence. As for Princess Chang Le, it was said that she had run away from the palace.
Hai Ling knew that Feng Qian must have gone to Yunjiang with Helian Qianxun. She never expected that after Feng Zixiao ascended the throne, he would treat his own brother and sister like this. Hai Ling was speechless about this person. Disappointment was not enough to express her feelings; she found it utterly despicable.
"Your Majesty, friends always come together and part ways. Today's separation is for the sake of future reunions, and that reunion will be precious."
Feeling moved, Shi Mei thought of Shen Ruoxuan. Shen Ruoxuan had returned to Medicine King Valley, and she hadn't seen him for some time. In the past, when she saw him, she would bicker with him fiercely, and she would miss him terribly when they were apart. Now she realized her own feelings. She liked Shen Ruoxuan. The two of them were a perfect example of the old saying, "It is not enemies who are destined to meet."
Hai Ling smiled and nodded after hearing Shi Mei's words, then looked up at Shi Mei.
“Mei’er did say something very philosophical.”
Shi Mei smiled shyly. She wasn't trying to say anything philosophical; she was just expressing her feelings. Hearing Hai Ling's teasing, she couldn't help but smile.
"Your Majesty, are you tired? Come into your bedchamber and rest."
Two days later, the Emperor and Empress will travel south to Songzhou, which will be quite tiring. Fortunately, the Empress has changed the two-wheeled carriage to a four-wheeled one, which is quite an innovation. If the carriage is stable and reliable, four-wheeled carriages will probably be used more often than two-wheeled carriages in the future.
"Okay, let's go in and rest for a while."
Hailing let go of her sadness, got up, and went to the bedroom with Shimei to rest.
Two days later, Ye Lingfeng and Hai Ling, along with several court officials and dozens of guards, left the capital for Songzhou. This time, in addition to bringing several officials skilled in water conservancy, Ye Lingfeng also brought along Prince Zhaoyang, Ye Ranyi, which Hai Ling never dreamed of. It seems that Ye's scheming is becoming more and more mature and strategic.
Outside the city gate, members of the Ji family and officials from the court came to see them off.
Hailing got off the carriage, bid farewell to her father and brother Mingzhu, and entrusted the affairs of the court to her brother, instructing him to inform the emperor as quickly as possible if anything happened.
Ji Shaocheng nodded steadily. After his marriage, he became even more composed and dignified, and clasped his hands in a deep voice.
"Don't worry, Ling'er, your brother knows what to do. He will notify you as soon as possible if anything happens."
"Thank you, brother."
After Hai Ling finished speaking, she playfully moved closer to Ji Shaocheng and whispered, "I hope to hear good news from you when I come back."
Ji Shaocheng was taken aback, not knowing what Ling'er meant. But when his eyes fell on her belly, he realized what good news it was. The stern man's face flushed red, and he quickly pulled his horse aside to greet the emperor.
Over here, Hailing is holding Nalan Mingzhu's hand. Mingzhu is now her sister-in-law, and the two are getting closer and closer.
Mingzhu held Hailing's hand with a worried expression: "Ling'er, you must be careful. You will give birth in just over two months. Logically, you shouldn't go to Songzhou at this time, but if you don't go, the Emperor will probably be worried. So be careful in everything you do."
"I know."
Hai Ling nodded, then looked at Mingzhu: "Mingzhu, you are a princess of the Southern Ling Kingdom, and also the Lady of Benevolence bestowed upon you by me. Now you are also the wife of the young general of the Ji family. With so many titles piled up on you, no matter who you are in the future, don't be timid. Stand tall, understand?"
Hailing knew that Mingzhu used to be her maid, and that she was always cautious and prudent. She hoped that Mingzhu would relax a bit and understand that she was now the benevolent lady of the Northern Lu Kingdom and the general's wife of the Ji family, so no matter who she was, there was no need for her to back down.
"I know."
Mingzhu nodded vigorously. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of Hailing leaving the capital. Now she could not go with Ling'er as before. Thinking of this, she choked out, "Ling'er, you must come back safely. You must be well."
"I will. But you, don't forget to make me proud. You're one of my people. When you come back, I hope to hear good news from you, so my son will have a playmate."
As soon as she spoke, Mingzhu blushed deeply and fell silent, forgetting her sadness. Shimei and Shilan came over and respectfully invited Hailing to board the carriage.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor says it's time to set off."
"Okay, I understand." Hailing hugged Mingzhu again, then turned around and led her two maids, Shimei and Shilan, onto the four-wheeled carriage, leaving the capital and heading towards Songzhou.
The ministers clasped their hands and said loudly, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty, and wishing Your Majesty a safe journey."
The convoy gradually disappeared from everyone's sight, heading south.
In the palace, no sooner had the Emperor and Empress left than the west family members entered the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace to pay their respects.
At the head of Cixi Palace, the Empress Dowager's expression was somewhat unfriendly. Looking at her younger brother who had come to pay his respects, she began to reprimand him in an annoyed manner.