Chapter 1317 - 993: Farewell

In truth, they didn’t really need three days to prepare, but Shang Ruyi agreed to it anyway. During those three days, what she did most was to stay in Qianqiu Palace, constantly accompany Little Yuan Qian. This child usually spent most of his time in the nanny’s arms, and was closer to her, but after a few days of closeness, he had now become a sticky little bundle in Shang Ruyi’s arms.

Because of this, he was difficult to leave behind on the day of departure.

A child over nine months old understands nothing, not even the words of grown-ups. Yet with the sensitivity of a small animal, he seemed to have sensed the anxiety in the air since waking up in the morning, and the reluctance in Shang Ruyi. So he stayed in her arms, clenching onto her clothes when it was time to leave, refusing to let go.

At this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes turned red.

She looked down at Yuan Qian, trying to pry open his small hands while gently stroking his back, speaking softly, "Be good, let go."

Yuan Qian turned his head, burying his little face directly into her chest.

Shang Ruyi was both unwilling and amused, whispering, "You’ll suffocate like that."

"..."

"Good baby, mommy is going to bring your daddy back."

"..."

"Only when daddy comes back can we be together as a family. Be good, let go, okay?"

The child couldn’t understand her words and sensing the impending separation, he refused to obey, clinging tightly to her clothes, even nibbling at her collar with his teeth. Seeing him like this, Shang Ruyi sighed and signaled with her eyes to Tushere and Chang Wan, who approached. Softly coaxing this precious little master, they slowly pried open his fingers one by one.

Finally, once the last finger let go, Nanny Feng stepped forward, quickly scooping up Little Yuan Qian from behind, allowing Shang Ruyi to free herself and turn to leave.

She had just taken a few steps when a loud cry pierced the air behind her.

"Waa-aa——"

Instantly, the cry was like an invisible rope tying tightly around her heart, making every step forward feel as if her heart was being torn apart, so much so that it felt like her soul was shattering. Shang Ruyi immediately halted, struggling with the urge to turn back.

She turned slightly and saw Little Yuan Qian in Nanny Feng’s arms, reaching his arms towards her, his face stained with tears and flushed red.

"Waa-waa, waa-aa——"

The heart-wrenching cries tore at Shang Ruyi’s heart, nearly paralyzing her with pain, filling her with a longing to turn back right then, to hold him close forever.

Beside her, Wo Xue watched the scene with a growing sadness, whispering, "Princess..."

"...!"

The instant she heard these words, Shang Ruyi felt like a sudden chill swept over her, clearing her mind. Though her pain remained, she regained some composure, turning to take a deep breath, she said, "Take good care of him. I’ll be back soon."

Saying this, without looking back, she walked away.

In Qianqiu Palace, the cries gradually faded as her heavy steps echoed away.

Yet, the tears of parting did not cease.

As Shang Ruyi left the city, the sky, initially clear, unexpectedly turned overcast, and then it started to rain heavily.

Officially, her trip was to go to the Qin King’s army. Though she had fought before in Fufeng, such matters were not meant to be widely known. Moreover, her true purpose was to resolve the crisis in Xiazhou, hence Yu Wenquan hadn’t issued a decree announcing it. Only a few people knew of the Princess Qin’s departure, and consequently, no one came to see her off.

The only ones who came to say goodbye were Shen Shiyan and his wife, who escorted Lu Xiao to the city gate.

Having bid goodbye to Yuan Qian’s cries and tears, here she met with Yu’s red eyes, she dared not cry aloud but kept dabbing her tears with a handkerchief until it was soaking wet. Shang Ruyi could only reassure her repeatedly, "Aunt, don’t worry, I won’t be gone long."

Yu pursed her lips, about to speak, but was interrupted by Shen Shiyan’s slight, warning cough, reminding her not to say anything distressing. Suppressing her sorrow, she said, "Princess, you must take care and flee if danger arises. Also, Miss Wo Xue..."

She wasn’t familiar with Wo Xue, even unaware of her background, only knowing this palace maid had faced life-and-death situations alongside Shang Ruyi multiple times, treating her as more reliable than Tushere. Hence, she instructed earnestly, "Take good care of the Princess."

Wo Xue replied, "Don’t worry, Madam."

Finally, Shen Shiyan said, "Enough, don’t fuss anymore, or the sun will set, and you’ll have the Princess journeying through rain by night?"

Upon this, Yu finally released Shang Ruyi’s hand, though her tears surged even more, burying her face in Shen Shiyan’s arm to stifle her sobs. Shang Ruyi’s eyes were red too, but she remained composed, nodding to Shen Shiyan before boarding the carriage.

Soon, guarded by a contingent of protectors, the group rode through rain out of Chang An City.

Once they were far from the city, Shang Ruyi released the curtain she’d been holding, as by then, she could no longer see Shen Shiyan and his wife standing at the gate, gazing at them.

She sighed deeply.

Upon hearing her sigh, a soft breath followed in the quiet carriage.

Looking up, she saw it was Lu Xiao.

This journey was simple and light, with only one carriage. Wo Xue rode a horse alongside it, leaving Shang Ruyi and Lu Xiao in the not-too-spacious carriage, each by a window, not hindering each other. Yet Shang Ruyi noticed a hint of annoyance on Lu Xiao’s face.

What was wrong with her?

Shang Ruyi remembered she was excited about joining the trip. She was happy when picked up at the city gate; now, something seemed off.

As if sensing Shang Ruyi’s gaze, Lu Xiao turned, her expression even more discontented.

After a while, she said, "They are merely your aunt and uncle, right?"

Shang Ruyi replied, "Yes."

"Is it worth being so emotional?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling irked that her affection for family was belittled, but instead of immediate anger, she just raised her chin at Lu Xiao.

Eventually, Lu Xiao gritted her teeth and turned to the other window.

"I was sold by them at the age of six."