She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 486 - 484: Seeing Off

Chapter 486: Chapter 484: Seeing Off

Madam Yin’s traveling entourage naturally differed from Ye Xinyan’s. Half of her usual personal maidservants and old woman servants followed her, along with her daily clothes, utensils, and goods, which filled two carriages.

In addition to the guards sent by Duke An’s Mansion, a few people from Anshun’s Household accompanied Ye Xinyan. They were the same ones who had returned with her. The guards Duke An had arranged to escort them would not return to the capital but instead remain in Clear Water Village, later to be assigned to Ye Xinyan as her direct bodyguards.

For the first time in her life, Madam Yin set out on a long journey. Marquis Zhongyong and his wife, along with Yin Xiaocheng, naturally worried for her safety and assigned additional guards led by Zhao Gang. He commanded twenty seasoned warriors from the military to escort Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan’s party northward.

On the second day of February, during the early hours of the Mao Hour, while it was still dark, Madam Yin, Ye Xinyan, and the others were ready and briskly bid farewell to Duke An and his wife. Their procession, along with the attending maidservants and old woman servants, headed to the Second Gate, boarded the carriages, and set out.

That very morning, Jinrong had also left the city early and was waiting on the official road outside the city, anticipating Duke An’s Mansion’s convoy.

Since he and Ye Xinyan had started their journey from Qingyuan County at the end of last year, nearly two and a half months had passed. Though not a long period, they had traveled together, and after arriving in the capital, Ye Xinyan often went out for business, during which Jinrong met and discussed affairs with her numerous times, seemingly more than the total encounters over two years in Yuyuan Prefecture.

Now facing separation, Ye Xinyan was about to travel a thousand miles away while he could only stay in the capital. The earliest they could meet again would be after a year.

Jinrong sat atop a tall black horse, watching the official road extending from the direction of the capital, filled with unspeakable thoughts.

Behind Jinrong, Hongzhi and Hong Wu, along with two personal bodyguards holding horses, looked at the desolate figure of the Sixth Master with sighs stirring within them. Two years ago, when the Sixth Master pleaded with His Majesty to visit his fief, he simply wished to leave the capital, and it coincided with Lord Jiang’s assignment to Qingyuan County, leading the Sixth Master to choose his fief as the destination.

Yet, this journey to Yuyuan Prefecture turned out to be unexpectedly remarkable, and all these remarkable events were accompanied by Miss Ye. Now, Miss Ye was returning to Yuyuan Prefecture, while the Sixth Master had no choice but to stay in the capital... It really wasn’t easy for the Sixth Master.

In the dim dawn, sounds of horses’ hooves tapping and carriage wheels rolling approached. Jinrong subconsciously loosened the reins, letting the black horse advance a few steps before stopping again.

The sparse starlight cast upon the official road gradually revealed a procession of carriages. Jinrong silently waited for them, knowing he could only glance at Ye Zi and wish her a safe journey, as he could do no more.

Indeed, as Jinrong had estimated, he indeed had no opportunity to speak privately with Ye Xinyan.

Seeing several figures waiting by the side of the official road from afar, Zhao Gang ordered the convoy to stop, and he rode ahead, dismounting to pay his respects to Jinrong.

Jinrong, already dismounted, motioned for Zhao Gang to dispense with the formalities, then spoke to Zhao Gang, "His Highness is here to see off the wife of the heir apparent and Ye Zi. If possible, may I come forward to pay respects?"

Zhao Gang promptly extended his hand, gesturing toward the carriage where Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan sat for Jinrong to approach, "This way, Your Highness."

The carriage curtains were already drawn. Madam Yin, intending to alight and pay respects to Jinrong, was stopped by a gesture from him, "The wife of the heir apparent need not be overly courteous. Being en route, the journey is what matters. By the order of seniority, it is Jinrong who should pay respects to the wife of the heir apparent."

Hearing these words, Zhao Gang frowned slightly. His Highness Prince Yu’s statement seemed a bit excessive; it was fortunate that Miss Cousin had already left the capital, or else who knew what might happen next.

Madam Yin was also taken aback by Jinrong’s words; the royal family and their subjects could not discuss matters of seniority. Prince Yu’s remarks were clearly overstepping the bounds.

Ye Xinyan, noticing the change on Madam Yin’s face, hurriedly smoothed things over, "His Highness just mentioned that we are on the road, and formalities should not be entertained. Your Highness’s status is noble, and we are grateful that you have personally come to bid us farewell. This humble woman cherishes the honor deeply. Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness." As she spoke, she bowed slightly from inside the carriage as a gesture of thanks.

Earlier, when Ye Xinyan went to Prince Yu’s Mansion to bring Qi Jiaer’s children back, Jinrong had already endlessly advised her to be cautious on the road, to bring necessary items, and that if anything urgent arose during the journey, she could use his name to seek help from the local government office, and so on. He had even reiterated several times what to carry, and the precautions to take with lodging and dining.

Seeing Jinrong looking as if he had more to say, Ye Xinyan felt somewhat helpless. She had already thanked him for the personal send-off, now it was time to say goodbye, wasn’t it? With so many people watching, this behavior, unlike in Clear Water Village and the construction site, would lead to undue speculation if he persisted.

Jinrong, discerning the wariness in Madam Yin’s eyes and aware of the many guards and attendants surrounding them, only deepened his thoughts, took a step back, and, bowing his hands toward Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan, said, "The wife of the heir apparent and Miss Ye, take good care on your journey. As the weather grows warmer and there is no rush, you needn’t hurry on your way. Should you feel weary, rest for a few days before continuing, to avoid overexerting yourselves."

Ye Xinyan, seeing Jinrong showing signs of becoming talkative again, promptly responded, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Though one may escort a traveler for a thousand miles, there comes a day for parting. Having His Highness accompany us this far, my mother and I are already immensely thankful. The hour is late, and you have come out early, Your Highness; please return and rest."

Jinrong watched the procession of carriages and guards move away before mounting his horse, loosening the reins, and heading back to the capital.