The cheerful tone, as if preparing for a trip, made the old lady squint her eyes. She opened her arms to embrace the child who rushed towards her, patting her back as if nothing had happened, and then helped straighten out the bundle in her arms.
Zhu Changle obediently allowed her grandmother to tidy her up, her voice soft and spoiled, "That horse probably won't come back, so big brother will still have to ride in the same carriage as you."
"When we're out, grandmother will do whatever you say."
"Hehe, grandmother is the best."
The old lady fixed her messy hair and held her hand as they walked towards the carriage. She didn't even spare a glance for Madam Xu standing not far away. Once they reached Yunbei, the proper rules would need to be established. Not everyone could withstand being pampered like Changle and her mother.
As for Changning, Changle's method was quite good. Following the rules too strictly could be restrictive. It might be better to mix things up a bit. Sometimes, talking about unrelated things could lead to the heart of the matter, and sometimes a good scuffle could bring people closer. Given Changning's personality, the latter approach would be more effective.
After helping her grandmother into the carriage and coaxing her with a few more sweet words, Zhu Changle ran to her parents and eldest brother. "Let's stop at the next relay station to get a horse. Dad, can we manage that?"
Zhu Maonian nodded, "We'll find a way."
Zhu Changle didn't ask what method he had in mind. It would likely involve paying extra money to buy one discreetly. Since it wasn't wartime, replacing it promptly wouldn't be noticed.
She brought up another issue, "We'll need to push ourselves a bit these next few days. Apart from giving the horses some rest time, let's try to cover as much distance as we can."
Zhu Maonian nodded, "This small hardship is nothing."
"We can't stay at the relay stations anymore," Zhu Changwang looked at his youngest sister. "It's dangerous."
"Right, I'll have Aunt Feng scout ahead to find suitable inns for us to stay at. If we can't find any, I'm sure I can at least find places that provide shelter from wind and rain."
Zhu Changwang nodded with a smile, "You can make your own decisions about what comes next. Be flexible, and we'll all follow your lead."
"Big brother is always so good to me." After praising her eldest brother, Zhu Changle didn't forget to give her second brother a glare to express her dissatisfaction. However, she didn't reveal a word to her family about the dangers they would face ahead.
The cart was hitched to the back of one of the carriages, and the group continued on their journey.
Inside the carriage, Zhu Changning tried several positions but still found it painfully uncomfortable. Finally, he found some relief by lying on his side.
Madam Xu rummaged through their belongings for medicine while speaking in a low voice, "You're the elder brother, and she's the youngest sister. Where in the world is it right for the younger to beat the elder? If her parents couldn't stop her, couldn't we?"
"It does hurt quite a bit."
"How could it not hurt when she hit you with such a thick cane! Even if she grew up outside, shouldn't she still know the proper rules? How can she act like some uncouth country girl..."
"I'm in pain from a few strikes, but what about when she was bleeding?" Zhu Changning interrupted her, his gaze lowered, not looking at her. "She fought off enemies to protect us. You said she had too much killing energy and wouldn't let her hold the child. At the time, I thought I could understand you. You've suffered hardships with me and experienced shock that led to early labor. I thought she should give way to you."
Madam Xu's heart skipped a beat, sensing that she wouldn't like what was coming next.
"So she did give way, and even persuaded grandmother and mother not to blame you. Otherwise, do you think that matter would have been resolved so easily? During those years when grandmother and father were bullied, grandmother not only stood firm on her own but also raised a top scholar. Mother took over household management as soon as she married in and hasn't made a single mistake in decades. Our family doesn't even have a single concubine. Hanmei, have you ever tried to understand the Zhu family?"
"Husband..."
"You've never put your heart into it. You don't even know that when you became pregnant, mother specifically warned me not to take any concubines during your pregnancy. You'd be hard-pressed to find a mother-in-law in the entire capital who troubles her daughter-in-law less than my mother. I can't understand where your dissatisfaction with my parents and Changle comes from."
"Husband, you know me. I don't have any ill intentions." Madam Xu shook her head repeatedly, tears almost falling. It wasn't an act; she was truly on the verge of crying now.
Zhu Changning looked at the medicine bottle in Madam Xu's hand. It had the same pattern and style as the one Changle had given him earlier. Just as she had said, the medicines in the family storehouse had been replaced without anyone noticing.
"Changle may not be bound by those rules and sometimes acts unconventionally, but can you find fault with her in any other aspect? She protects everyone in the family, including you." Zhu Changning's expression suddenly turned into a slight smile. "Are you wondering why I've suddenly changed my attitude?"
Madam Xu was indeed curious, but she remained silent, biting her lip, not daring to nod.
"I saw her hurt. When you wouldn't let her hold the child, I didn't stand up for her. When you wouldn't let the child use the medicine, I agreed and even spoke up for you. I only remembered the hardships you endured while traveling with me, but I failed to see that she has always been looking out for me, her brother."
Zhu Changning looked at Madam Xu, "From childhood until now, Changle has never been wronged at home. I let her be wronged."
"I... I'll apologize to her, I'll go comfort her..."
Zhu Changning didn't respond to her, instead saying, "Mother has never been troubled by the intrigues of the inner courtyard, and she never will be. Changle has never been saddened by family members, and she never will be again. Hanmei, you should understand my meaning."
The warning in his words was too obvious. Madam Xu stammered her agreement. In their two years of marriage, this man, whom she had thought easy to manipulate and not as outstanding as his father or brothers, now clearly showed their influence.
"There's no need for you to apologize. I was the one who was wrong. From now on, just conduct yourself as a proper sister-in-law should. Although Changle is mischievous, she has an extremely good nature and would never do anything to hurt you. If you fulfill your duties, these conflicts will gradually dissipate."
Madam Xu was frightened into silence, only able to nod in agreement. Looking down at the medicine in her hand, she hurriedly tried to pass it to him, only to find that her husband had already closed his eyes. She withdrew her hand, her mind in turmoil, not knowing what to do. At this moment, she couldn't for the life of her understand how things had come to this.
Zhu Changle was unaware that her beating had brought her second brother to his senses. Sitting on her horse, she was dragging a bamboo pole to make arrows. Although she was very confident in herself, she never confused confidence with arrogance, always keeping the two distinct.
Lan Ping took the bamboo pole onto her own horse, using her sword to slice it into the lengths and sizes Changle needed. She was very self-aware about her limitations with detailed work, avoiding it to prevent a drastic reduction in the final number of usable pieces.
Everyone was on edge, but even as night approached, there was no sign of enemies.
Zhu Changle wasn't naive enough to think their pursuers had given up, but still, "Not even a single tail?"
Aunt Feng shook her head, her expression grave. "Nothing in front or behind. I've scouted ten miles ahead."
Patting Little Tail, who thought it had been called, Zhu Changle felt even more uneasy. She muttered to herself, "I wonder what big trap they've set up ahead for us."
Dingding asked, "Should we go ahead and scout it out first?"
"What if it's a ploy to lure us away?" Zhu Changle scratched her head, feeling truly perplexed. "Their target is my father. Wouldn't us leaving play right into their hands?"
That possibility couldn't be ruled out. Dingding shrugged, acting as if he hadn't said anything.
