Thirty miles ahead lay the border of the Great Yan Dynasty. Ji Pingxi carried his clingy wife steadily on his back, his eyes slightly stinging as he gazed into the distance.
After three years away from my homeland, I finally see hope of returning home.
The two entered Tuotuo Prefecture in tattered clothes. The people of Tuotuo Prefecture were warm and hospitable. Yuzhi woke up to find herself in the arms of the princess.
"woke up?"
Yu Zhi stared at her blankly. She was used to seeing Xi Xi dressed in tattered clothes on the arduous journey of eight thousand miles. But when she saw her in new clothes, she looked like a fairy descended to earth. Her heart pounded, and she felt as if she had returned to the night of her wedding.
She stared in disbelief, and Ji Pingxi felt sorry for her perseverance in sticking to her side all the way, enduring all the pain and suffering. He looked closely at her thin and pretty face—her skin was a little darker than when she got married, her lips were chapped, but her eyes were surprisingly bright.
Her heartstrings fluttered, and she gently put her arm around the beautiful woman's smooth shoulders: "We've entered Tuotuo Prefecture. I sold the beautiful jade that the King of Mo gave me before he left. Now we can take a donkey cart back."
"Donkey cart?"
"Hmm, a donkey cart." Ji Pingxi awkwardly touched his nose: "The jade is good jade, but unfortunately the people of Tuotuo Prefecture don't know its value. I went to several pawnshops and exchanged it for eighteen taels of silver."
“I’ve bought us two sets of clothes, and after factoring in all the expenses for the journey back to the capital, the remaining 2 taels of silver are enough to buy a donkey cart.”
The trials and tribulations of eight thousand miles were meant to wear away all of the princess's faults.
You don't have to walk on two legs; a donkey cart is fine too, it's just not respectable.
Therefore, Ji Pingxi planned to return to the capital wearing a veil all the way.
She was in such a sorry state; it wouldn't be good if she ran into someone she knew. Even if she wasn't Princess Changyang, she was still considered the most powerful woman in the land; she couldn't afford to lose face like this.
After listening to her explain the whole story, Yu Zhi nestled in her arms and sighed, "The Prince of Mo looks honest, but he's actually cunning and wicked."
"Who can argue with that?"
Wouldn't it be more direct to give him gold and silver as a parting gift? Why give him beautiful jade? Ji Pingxi absolutely did not believe that he did not know that jade was worthless in Tuotuo Prefecture.
She felt it was worth the three years it took to subdue this ferocious beast.
"Do you want to sleep a little longer?"
"I'm not going to sleep." Yu Zhi tugged at her sleeve shyly and said, "I'm so hungry, is there... is there anything to eat?"
It's been more than three years, and I only had enough to eat for the first six months.
Even when she arrived at the Xuanmo Royal Court and the Mo King hosted a banquet for her, she remained exceptionally reserved in order to project the composed demeanor of a princess consort, and only ate until she was half full.
The longing for food in her eyes pierced Ji Pingxi's heart, and the princess forced back her tears: "Yes."
After drinking two bowls of millet porridge, Yu Zhi regained some of her depleted energy and spirit, and lazily said, "I miss home so much."
"We're heading back now."
Leaving Kaituo and Tuozhou, Ji Pingxi, with his face covered by a veil, personally drove a donkey cart towards the capital, while Yu Zhi sat in the carriage, drowsy.
"Oh, who is it?"
The donkey cart stopped, and Ji Pingxi squinted at the person blocking the way.
The woman had bells wrapped around her ankles and was covered only by a few pieces of white gauze—one of the four protectors of the Hehuan Sect, who had been defeated by Ji Pingxi a few years ago.
During the fight, Ji Pingxi accidentally touched the woman's chest, which made Yu Zhi jealous for three days. For those three days, the princess slept on the floor unwillingly, and Yu Zhi would cry whenever she saw her. She cried for three days before she finally calmed down.
He was a bit of a crybaby, but he treated her well, cherished her like a treasure, and was willing to give up wealth and glory without hesitation. This delicate and frail person suffered with him for more than three years without uttering a single complaint. Having her by his side, Ji Pingxi was unwilling to have any involvement with other women.
She glanced at the carriage curtain and reassured her, "It's alright, you can go to sleep."
Yu Zhi hummed in agreement and continued to close her eyes for a light sleep.
The wind blew and the bells jingled. One of the four guardians, the Guardian of Beauty, struck a pose and said, "Isn't this Her Highness the Princess? You've returned from over there?"
This woman is very handsy when she talks. During the last martial arts competition, she offered her heaving breasts to Ji Pingxi's palms. Ji Pingxi's bad impression of the Hehuan Sect came from her.
She naturally didn't give a kind look to the person who made her sleep on the floor for three days, and wondered how she could be recognized even though she was wearing a veil.
With a flick of his sleeve, the woman's expression changed, and she fled in a flash.
After three years of honing her skills, the world's number one martial arts master was even stronger. Women were no match for her. She failed to seduce the prince into a wild affair with her. Instead, she turned around and spread the story of Princess Changyang's glorious return in a donkey cart to everyone.
Ji Pingxi deeply regretted that he hadn't gone easy on him.
"A donkey cart?!" Ji Qingyou's eyes nearly popped out of her head in shock. "You mean, my elder sister is driving a donkey cart back?"
The messenger, a man from the martial world, nodded, bewildered: "Yes, that's what everyone outside is saying. It's said that Protector Miaorong of the Hehuan Sect saw it with her own eyes, saying that His Highness was having a great time driving the donkey cart!"
His Highness the Crown Prince was overcome with grief, and a few tears fell: "My elder sister has suffered for the sake of our Great Yan Dynasty."
On the way back, there wasn't even a decent horse... How difficult must life have been?
He tried hard to imagine it, but he couldn't picture his precious imperial sister happily driving a donkey cart. He quickly went to the palace, intending to hug his father and mother and cry together.
Ji Ying received the news earlier than him, and now she was sighing in Gan Ning Palace: "Everyone said not to let her go, but this child, when she gets stubborn, I don't know who she took after."
She looked at Yan Xiu, her expression practically saying, "Xi Xi took after you."
Three years have passed, and the Empress is still breathtakingly beautiful. Although she felt sorry for her daughter's suffering, she was relieved that she was coming back. She suppressed her tears and said, "This is the responsibility of a royal princess."
She felt proud, and Ji Ying smiled and said, "Who says otherwise?"
Their daughter, who can enjoy wealth and endure poverty, and travel thousands of miles: "This time when she returns, I will bestow upon her the title of Princess Zhenguo!"
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Crown Prince is requesting an audience outside the gate."
"Announce."
Ji Qingyou put on his clothes and entered the palace.
He had lost a lot of weight in the past three years. His elder sister had traveled eight thousand miles for the country, and he could not enjoy the fine clothes and delicacies in the palace. When he thought of how his elder sister had to make her own pancakes, how could he swallow the dishes that the imperial chefs had carefully prepared?
Out of a desire for the siblings to share joys and sorrows, he became a vegetarian for three years, almost turning himself into a monk.
The news that Her Highness the Princess was returning to the capital in a donkey cart spread like wildfire throughout the city.
At the Princess's residence, Liu Boyan clutched a handkerchief and wept: "Where have Xixi and Zhizhi gone? Quickly send someone to fetch them, these two children have suffered so much..."
Ji Rong hugged her and comforted her gently, "Her Majesty sent someone to pick her up early this morning."
"I wonder what my Zhizhi will look like when she returns... What if the people Her Majesty sent missed her? We should send people to fetch her..."
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you." Ji Rong wiped away her tears: "Don't cry. They're counting on you to cook for them when they get back. Zhizhi and Xixi love your cooking the most."
These words successfully stopped Liu Boyan's tears. She sighed deeply, "You're right. I need to go to the kitchen to hone my skills and prepare a medicinal meal. I need to recuperate after more than three years of wind and sandstorms..."
In an instant, the royal family dispatched four groups of people to receive the emperor: Ji Ying's people, Yan Xiu's people, the Crown Prince's people, and the Eldest Princess's people.
The Grand Tutor's Mansion dispatched the Yan family's twin sons to welcome their granddaughter, who was devoted to the country and its people, back to the city.
A few years ago, Yan Qing was imprisoned in a water dungeon. On one side was her own daughter, and on the other side was her own granddaughter. Grand Tutor Yan was fine, but Old Madam Yan didn't know how to face Ji Pingxi, this junior.
Now that Ji Pingxi has made great contributions, spending three years and a few months working tirelessly for the people and the emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, the old lady is finally able to let go of her resentment and is willing to accept her sensible granddaughter with the greatest kindness and love.
Moreover, the people spontaneously organized teams to welcome Princess Changyang's return, and some even kept watch over the city gates every day, waiting for her to return on her donkey.
The imperial edict bestowing the title of Princess Zhenguo was placed in the Imperial Study, and wave after wave of people came to welcome her.
On the other hand, just as he feared, Ji Pingxi ran into many acquaintances. Feeling embarrassed, he decisively sold his donkey cart and bought an oxcart instead.
Yu Zhi sat in the carriage eating soft rice cakes, her voice reaching Ji Pingxi's ears through the curtain: "Xi Xi, would you like to have a couple more bites?"
Her voice was sweet and soft, like a cat's claws scratching at one's heart. The princess turned her head, just as the curtain was lifted and Yuzhi held a millet cake that had been bitten a few times and fed it to her.
After taking two bites of the millet cake, Ji Pingxi was still not satisfied. Yu Zhi noticed the soft, sticky rice grains remaining on the corners of her mouth and leaned over to hug her neck.
Riding the wind in an oxcart, the two embraced and kissed passionately under the sun.
After the kiss, Yuzhi was so embarrassed that she quickly crawled back into the carriage.
Seeing her go inside, Ji Pingxi sat up straight and continued driving. Finally, he touched his lips and pressed his tongue against his palate: "Tsk, you're really clinging to me."
Once you're gone, you'll be 8,000 miles away. Even the most lustful person has to give up sex. After all, who has the mood to do it while facing a face full of sand in the desert?
But things are different when we return to the Great Yan Dynasty.
As the sun set in the west, Ji Pingxi calculated with his fingers—it would be appropriate to stay in the mountains tonight.
As dusk fell, the princess lit a bonfire, with a roast chicken skewered on a stick. The firelight illuminated faces as Yuzhi sat to the side, her chin resting on her hand, watching her roast the delicious food.
Are you hungry?
"A little."
I'll feed you in a bit.
Yu Zhi nodded slightly. She didn't know if it was the kiss during the day that aroused her lust, or if it was because Xi Xi's profile was too beautiful at night. She felt that Xi Xi was even more delicious than a roast chicken that was oozing with oil.
They are quite eager to make a move.
She rubbed her face; her neck was burning red.
Ji Pingxi glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, a smile spreading across her face—with their stomachs full, they would have a wonderful night.
The moonlight was enchanting, and the oxcart swayed gently.
The beautiful woman was leaning against the car wall, moaning and groaning. It took a while for the man, lost in pleasure, to understand what she was saying.
"Don't break the car... don't break the car."
Ji Pingxi blushed, recalling the ivory bed that had died peacefully a few years ago.
It doesn't matter that the ivory bed collapsed, but the oxcart collapsed, so they have to walk back to the capital.
The princess, bursting with energy, had to rein in her overflowing enthusiasm. On a whim, she carried the beauty out of the carriage.
Yu Zhi, feeling dizzy, was pinned against the thick trunk of the century-old tree, where they played happily under the moonlight and starlight.
The old ox lowered its head to graze. At dawn, the two of them, exhausted and weary from the long drought, set off.
Several groups of people from the royal family, the Grand Tutor's mansion, and the common people perfectly missed Princess Changyang's carriage. Ji Pingxi drove the oxcart into the city gate as the sun rose.
The princess's four maids, who had been guarding the city gates every day, burst into tears upon seeing the person sitting comfortably on the oxcart: "Your Highness! It's Your Highness who has returned!"
One person's shout caused the entire capital city to erupt in excitement.
Chapter 99 Where is the whitest part of the body?
On the day Princess Changyang returned to the capital with her wife, the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince personally welcomed them.
Ji Pingxi held up the letter of state from Xuanmo, expressing its eternal submission, in front of countless eyes. Before he could even speak to his family, he was thrown into the air by the enthusiastic crowd.