Chapter 1430 - 775: Sister (Two-in-One)

When it truly came time to leave, instead of feeling much emotion, there wasn't really any sentimentality to speak of.

The travel attire had long been prepared, neatly arranged in the green-canopied carriage waiting outside the side gate of the Prince Mansion.

Most of it was arranged by Zhu E herself, the true mistress of the Prince Mansion, meticulous down to the last detail, considering every aspect thoroughly.

All clothing, shoes and socks, inside and out, were made of the finest materials, with tight stitching and elegant styles, befitting both status and long journeys. Preparations for spring, summer, autumn, winter in various thicknesses were made, wrapped separately in moisture-resistant oilcloth, stacked neatly, with a few sets of better quality and more refined patterns separately packed in a camphorwood box for meeting important people if necessary during the journey.

The medicine supplies were most comprehensive, filling an entire box, sealed with wax balls, clearly labeled, with ample supplies of golden sore medicine, hemostatic powder, adhesive plaster for external injuries, and other common medicines for calming the spirit, aiding digestion, and dispelling summer heat, all placed in the compartments of the carriage.

As for rations and snacks, there was no need to mention them, all wrapped tightly in oil paper, and some wine was also prepared, most of which Chen Yi packed into the Square Land.

Chen Yi put away the map given by Zhu E, which was crafted from sheepskin steeped in medicinal liquid, resistant to fire and knives, marked with extreme detail, showing the route from here to the Central Pass's stations, towns, and official roads clearly. Moreover, Zhu E handed him a small notebook detailing customs to be noted when entering Sichuan and Jin Province, with elegant handwriting and meticulous details.

"The book chest Zhu E also prepared, some are Taoist books and Alchemy Notes for Miss Yin, some are storybooks and travelogues for you to pass the time."

Chen Yi was surprised, not expecting Zhu E to be this thorough in her preparations.

Not to mention himself, even the usually picky Yin Weiyin couldn't help but nod, silently praising the Princess for her efficiency, not neglecting her role as the First Lady.

Everything was so meticulously arranged and comprehensive, that there was no need to linger, nor was there any grand farewell scene, Qin Qingluo didn't show up; only Zhu E saw them off.

As for Qin Yue, she was lulled to sleep before the farewell.

"Thank you for your effort, Aunt Zhu."

"Just my duty." Zhu E smiled, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment, as if there were endless words, but she simply said, "Go early, come back early."

Chen Yi responded and boarded the carriage, Yin Weiyin summoned a paper man to drive the horses, while Miss Donggong was already in the carriage sound asleep.

The carriage slowly moved, leaving the Annan Royal Mansion, leaving Dragon Tail City, the gate guards checked the road pass, respectfully letting them pass, without stopping.

Chen Yi sat by the window, occasionally glancing back, not being his first trip, neither very sentimental nor having Hero Min's enthusiasm of "the sword is ready, where is Jianghu."

Just some lingering thoughts.

Just out of the city gates, the road gradually widened, flanked by fields that had not completely turned green in early spring, distant mountain ranges undulating, appearing as blue-gray silhouettes in the thin mist.

By dusk, the official road narrowed, the fields disappeared, trees lush on both sides, mostly ancient and towering, with distant mountains now beneath them, as they followed the carriage into the blue-gray hue.

Due to the recent start of the New Year, the road had no idle people, the ghostly forest appearing more serene.

In the ears was Miss Donggong's snoring, the carriage was long, she lay sprawled, sleeping poorly.

In the past, when inconvenient, Chen Yi used to share a bed with Miss Donggong, being kicked off multiple times in one night, so later, even when being kicked off, he just turned around and slept again, no longer wanting to return.

Having nothing to do, and not wanting to rest like this, Chen Yi turned to look at Yin Weiyin, the female crown had unknowingly lit a Wind Lamp, its flame dimly bright, she adjusted it for a while and placed it aside after achieving suitable brightness, then spread out a scroll, resting her cheek with one hand, glancing sideways at it.

His grand Great Yin had, beyond serenity while reading, a sense of carefree freedom.

Chen Yi intently watched her reading for a while.

After a good while, he finally asked, "Will there be ghosts or spirits along the way?"

"Sichuan is full of Wild Gods, nobody knows," she didn't lift her eyes.

The mountains are high, the forest dense, the road long and obstructed; this first leg onward is heading north along the official road between Southern Border and Sichuan, traversing the area known as "land without three feet flat", entering Shu, and since ancient times Shu has been a land full of ghosts and gods, and legend has it even the Ancestor Heavenly Master Zhang Daoling from Dragon and Tiger Mountain was buried here, although one story states Zhang Daoling ascended riding a dragon in Shu.

Traveling accompanied by a female crown, all the way slaying demons, Chen Yi momentarily recalled days of the past with his senior sister going around subduing demons, those days were so bland, bland enough to gradually develop feelings.

Yet not long after developing feelings, his senior sister began a three-year long journey under the guidance of sect elders, and by the time she returned to the mountain, Chen Yi had gotten Zhou Yitang, he had a woman, no longer repressed, and it was a beloved woman, so no longer did he want to harm his senior sister.

However, using the notion of harming his senior sister to threaten Zhou Yitang was not just present, but abundant.

The journey was lengthy for the moment, and it was dusk, the swaying carriage making him drowsy, Chen Yi closed his eyes for a brief rest.

When he opened his eyes again, daylight had broken.

Chen Yi awoke to find the Wind Lamp already extinguished, the female crown meditating to one side, fingers forming the Meridian Seal, eyes tightly shut, resembling the Bodhisattva with lowered eyes in a painting, while Miss Donggong had changed her posture, from sprawling to side-sleeping, perhaps sleeping a second round.