If Huang Wanâerâs old friends saw her current state, they would find it hard to believe this is the same crazy woman from the past.
Chen Jie kept talking to Huang Wanâer, comforting her, all the way until dusk.
Huang Wanâer looked at Chen Jie and said, "Alright, you should go now, youâve spent the whole afternoon here. If I take up your evening too, your main wife might scold me for being greedy."
Hearing this, Chen Jie wanted to say something, but she saw him off, saying, "Alright, I will wait with the child for your return. Du Juan, see the Old Master out."
Huang Wanâer got along well with Su Yunjin, both held restraint; although they both wanted Chen Jie to always accompany them, they knew to be moderate and fair in sharing his attention.
This was actually a compromise, a mutual compromise.
Su Yunjin did not rely on favor to act arrogantly, and Huang Wanâer didnât use her child to seek favor. The harmonious inner house was very reassuring for Chen Jie.
After sending off Chen Jie, Du Juan returned and looked at Huang Wanâer lying in bed, saying, "The Old Master is really something, youâre almost due, and he just leaves because you said so."
Huang Wanâer glanced at Du Juan and said, "Du Juan, I want to eat grapes."
Du Juan laughed immediately upon hearing this: "Sure, grapes are good. Sour for boys, spicy for girls, madam loves grapes so much, it might be a young master."
Huang Wanâer said nothing, just touched her belly.
On the other hand, Chen Jie went to Su Yunjinâs room. Su Yunjin was sewing a small garment, and Chen Jie came over, gently hugging her waist from behind.
Su Yunjin said, "Husband, stop it, why not spend more time with Sister Huang."
Chen Jie replied, "The thought of my lady being alone makes me restless. Iâm going to Chongshan Prefecture tomorrow, and it might be another month or two on the road; weâre destined to be apart often."
Su Yunjin said, "A great man should have the world in his heart, do not have these petty thoughts. Rest assured, I will look after things at home; there wonât be any trouble."
Chen Jie said, "Thank you, my lady."
Then Chen Jie took a small token from his waist and said, "After I leave, the major and minor matters in the mansion can be decided by Bai Mosheng, Jin Yanzi, Chen Heng, and Chen Wang. Take this Tiger Token, and should there be any situations, you can use it to convey my orders and act as needed."
"Additionally, White Tiger will remain in the mansion, itâs intelligent, and if thereâs a crisis, you can turn to it. Furthermore, Brother Ni has gone to Xiangyang, although I feel nothing major will happen there. If you encounter problems that canât be resolved, you may send someone to Qianjiang Prefecture to find Brother Ni for assistance."
"If the situation becomes dire and unsolvable, you must prioritize the familyâs safety. Abandon what needs abandoning, and remember, even if we lose Huangzhou Prefecture, I donât want anything to happen to you."
Hearing this, Su Yunjin nodded gently and said, "I understand, husband."
At this moment, Chen Jie looked at the small garment in her hand and said, "Is this for our child?"
Su Yunjin replied, "I still have a few months to go; this is prepared for Sister Huang, for when her child is born. As a fellow mother, I canât not prepare anything."
Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "These tasks can be done by the maidservants."
"Itâs different; this is my token of goodwill."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "Enough for today. Letâs not sew, for I am departing tomorrow; spend some time with your husband."
"Ah~ husband, donât, be careful of the child."
"Itâs alright, I wonât hurt you..."
...
A night without words, the next morning, Su Yunjin got up and found the bed empty.
Chen Jie had risen early and left. Disliking farewell scenes, he did not let his lady escort him, quietly dressed, and departed.
Su Yunjin looked at the empty bed, feeling a sense of loss. Husband, come back soon.
...
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up...
Outside Huangzhou Prefecture City, three horses galloped by; leading was an impressive steed with a bluish coat, clearly top military; it was one of the war horses Chen Jie prepared from battlefield seizures, named Curly Blue Lion.
Next to it were two red warhorses; mounted on one was a burly young man, on the other a slightly slender young man.
The burly youth was Chen Jieâs right-hand man, Chen Xiaohu; the slender young man was his close guard captain, Yu Chun.
The three rode towards Chongshan Prefecture.
Chongshan Prefecture is located in what is now Zhangjiajie, Hunan, Northwest.
Chen Jieâs party passed through Xianning, taking a day and night to reach Chongshan Prefecture.
Upon entering Hunan, getting close to Chongshan, the group observed numerous Jianghu people heading for Chongshan Prefecture.
Chen Jieâs group was not particularly conspicuous.
Hunan is partially under court jurisdiction, while other parts, especially in western Hunan, are governed by local indigenous.
Therefore, many ethnic minorities, including the Miao and Tujia, reside here.
Upon reaching Chongshan, Chen Jie told Xiao Hu and Yu Chun, "Xiao Hu, Yu Chun, now weâre here, avoid casual conversation with locals and donât consume anything given by others, be cautious. This is the Five Poison Sectâs territory."
Both Chen Xiaohu and Yu Chun agreed wholeheartedly.
With Chen Jie, they arrived in Chongshan Prefecture; once in, they found it desolate, with towering trees everywhere, and the deep forest brought miasma, making their journey difficult.
The Commandery Princess scheduled their meeting at the Silver Snake Inn in Chongshan Prefecture City.
Upon entering Chongshan, the three of them lost their way a bit, and unknowingly darkness fell.
Traveling at night was dangerous; Chen Jie said, "See if thereâs an inn nearby, otherwise weâll have to find a place to stay the night."