Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard Chapter 109.4: Parting Pact (4)

Du Xiaoli linked fingers with Han Mingxiang, then raised her voice, “Prince Ding, let’s continue on our way.”
“Let’s go,” Leng Yi commanded.
“Xiaoli, for the final journey at the border, can you walk with me?” Han Mingxiang held Du Xiaoxiao's hand and asked.
“Okay,” Du Xiaoli agreed without hesitation.
“I've heard that the borderline between Northern Yuan and our country here is a river, with us on this side of the river, and the land of Northern Yuan on the other side. There is only one bridge that connects the two sides, and there are sentries on this side of the bridge and sentries on the other side of the bridge. Accompany me across that bridge,” Han Mingxiang explained.
“Okay.”
“Xiaoli, return immediately after you send me off, don't watch me leave, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I won't be there for your wedding with Fifth Brother, but remember you must be happy.”
“Okay.”
“Liufeng– he's not very good at taking care of himself. You're quite a bit younger than him but you seem more assured. If you have the energy, try to take care of him a little bit.”
“Okay.”
“When choosing a wife, you can't just let him find one casually. Even if she’s not as powerful as you, she can’t be too much worse than me. You and Fifth Brother must be gatekeepers for him.”
“Okay.”
“Xiaoli, I'll wait for you to fulfill our promise...”
“Okay...”
The carriage stopped in front of the Dadu River, and Ji Liufeng turned his horse around and said, “We've arrived at the Dadu River. After we cross this river is the land of Northern Yuan.”
Han Mingxiang's hand tightened, her grip on Du Xiaoli's hand deathly. She was silent for nearly a minute before finally speaking, “Let's go down.”
Ji Liufeng felt the silence in the carriage and didn't know what to say, so he acquiesced himself to the silence.
“Clack–”
The door of the carriage opened, and Du Xiaoli emerged first, letting the carriage driver place the stepstool down. She stepped on it and went down before turning to help Han Mingxiang.
“Princess, you guys...” Ji Liufeng looked at Du Xiaoli and Han Mingxiang in disbelief, could it be that they weren't planning to go?
Unfortunately, Du Xiaoli's words shattered his subconscious hope.
“The Princess said that for the last leg of the journey, she's going to walk there.”
Han Mingxiang got down from the carriage and used Du Xiaoli's arm as support, saying faintly, “Let's go.”
“Okay.”
It had snowed heavily all through last night, so everywhere was blanketed in a layer of snow. The people of Feng Ming watched Han Mingxiang, dressed in a fiery wedding dress, supported by a woman who was even smaller than her. The two of them slowly walked the last segment of their journey, making their way to the gate of the bridge, and then walking onto the bridge.
Their two petite figures left everyone with an image of their resolute silhouettes. Step by step, without fear, following an unfamiliar road.
This marriage alliance Princess who was on her way to the border got off the carriage and walked over by herself– this scene was unprecedented, and nobody knew how to react for a while. At last, Ji Liufeng gave the word, “Other than the driver, everyone aboard the carriages come down, let's walk over.”
And so, all of the people who were seeing off the bride came down– regardless of if they were grandmothers or young maids or boys– all of them got down from their carriages and walked, following the footsteps of Du Xiaoli and Han Mingxiang.
Geng Shouxin of Northern Yuan was at the end of the bridge, looking at the two women walking towards him. One with red clothes and shoes and a red veil, and one with white clothes, hair like ink, good-looking but not yet grown up.
This was the girl who had caught his attention? She was really just a girl!
Du Xiaoli had once heard that Zhao Zhen wouldn't come to welcome the bride, but she was still a little disappointed not to see him. If he had come, she could still talk to him and see if the marriage alliance could be canceled.
“Geng Shouxin of Northern Yuan greets Princess Changle of Feng Ming, and Princess Anle.” Geng Shouxin waited until the two were in front of him before cupping his fists in salute towards them.
Du Xiaoli glanced at Geng Shouxin, who was about the same age as Zhao Zhen. Seeing the light in his eyes identical to Zhao Zhen's, she had no favorable impression of this person, and responded indifferently, “General Geng is too polite.”
“Princess Anle knows of me?” Geng Shouxin asked.
He had just said his name, not his official position, and he had come to welcome the bride impromptu, so the other party shouldn't have known about him. Yet she had accurately stated his position, General of Northern Yuan.
“I do not.” Du Xiaoli saw his smug satisfaction, and responded with the truth.
“Then how does Princess know my identity?” Geng Shouxin asked curiously.
Originally expecting to hear some brilliant inference, he didn't expect Du Xiaoli to simply respond with, “I guessed.”
The people who were sending off the bride came one after another– even the carriages came one after another. except for Leng Yi, Leng Er, Xia Yuan, and Ying Ge, everyone else could only stand in the middle of the bridge.
“Princess, this place is quite a distance from where we're staying tonight, we'd best get moving early,” Geng Shouxin said.
Han Mingxiang hadn't said anything since they walked over. When she heard Geng Shouxin's words, she said to Du Xiaoli, “Xiaoli, you should go back.”
“I'll send you to your carriage.” Du Xiaoli said.
“Okay.”
Du Xiaoli sent Han Mingxiang to her carriage and reminded Bi'er, who was about to board the side, “Remember to take good care of the Princess.”
“This servant knows. Even if it takes this servant’s life, I will take care of the Princess.” Bi'er vowed.
“It shouldn’t cost you your life; you have to take care of yourself as well. Only when you take care of yourself can you take better care of the Princess. Go on.” Du Xiaoli patted Bi'er's shoulder and instructed.
“This servant understands.”
After Bi'er stepped onto the carriage, the driver put the stepstool back on the carriage and prepared to depart.
Du Xiaoli walked to Geng Shouxin and said, “I still hope General Geng will take care of the Princess along the way. Even though she’s on your land now, Feng Ming will not stand by and watch the Princess be bullied.”
Geng Shouxin saw the aura that Du Xiaoli emitted in an instant, and was a bit shocked that this girl– who had just looked like a well-behaved lamb– had so rapidly become a cat with teeth and claws.
“I will fulfill my duty.”
“Xiaoli, go on, don't forget our agreement,” Han Mingxiang nudged.
“Yes, Princess.”
Geng Shouxin watched Du Xiaoli leave without looking back. After arriving at the bridge to meet up with Leng Yi and the others, she simply said a few words before walking off the bridge and riding away.
“So coldhearted.” Geng Shouxin said, “She actually left so coolly.”
“Let's depart as well.” Ji Liufeng said.
“Young General Ji, I'm glad to be accompanying you on this journey.” Geng Shouxin said with a smile.
“Honored.” Ji Liufeng's attitude was somewhat similar to Du Xiaoli's, his facial expression hinting that he was in a bad mood right now.
Geng Shouxin didn't mind, getting on his own horse and saying to the people who came to welcome the bride, “Men, open the road......”MoonWhisperer, skyrise's Thoughts

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