pdf-ebookys Chapter 1892 Changed Direction
Chapter 1892 Changed Direction
Inside the carriage, Lu Zhaoling made a small paper crane, folded a strand of Madam Meng's hair inside, lifted the curtain, and tossed the paper crane out.
The driver was Aoki.
"Qingmu, keep a close eye on it. As long as Meng Si doesn't deviate from the official road, the paper crane will only move forward. Follow it when you see it change direction," Lu Zhaoling said to Qingmu.
"Yes, princess."
Qingyu, who was riding alongside, immediately slowed down a bit, waiting for Master Meng's carriage to catch up, and also gave them some instructions.
The person driving the carriage for the Meng family was Meng Rui, the son of Third Master Meng.
Qingyu was somewhat surprised when she first saw him. It was astonishing that a boy of only twelve years old could drive a carriage so well. Because they were in a hurry, Qingmu drove very fast, and Meng Rui was able to keep up, which showed that he was very skilled and calm.
"You need to keep up with the carriage in front, but don't follow too closely, because we might change direction at any time. Leave some distance so you can react in time," Qingyu told Mengrui.
Meng Rui nodded vigorously, "Okay!"
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Third Master Meng asked Qingyu, "Have you discovered something?"
"Not yet, but our Princess is here, she'll notice any changes immediately," Qingyu said.
"Do you want me to drive?" he asked Meng Rui again.
Meng Rui shook his head. "No need, I'll do it. You need to protect the prince and princess."
He wasn't someone who didn't know what was important. Qingyu was a guard in the Prince's mansion, and his most important task was to stay by the Prince and Princess's side. If any problems arose, he would be able to react immediately and protect the Prince and Princess. If he were to act as their coachman, that would be putting the cart before the horse.
"Don't worry, my son is quite good at driving," said Third Master Meng. "Because my second brother and I don't have much talent for studying, these children are learning in other areas, and they are all physically capable."
In fact, the two Meng brothers, Meng Er and Meng San, were also aware of the situation.
They were already very grateful to their parents for adopting them. Otherwise, they might have grown up relying on the charity of others in their old family, and wouldn't have learned much. They would have only been able to find odd jobs and manual labor, and their children would have only been able to work as assistants or run errands. Their parents had already changed the course of their lives.
Meng Si is the real prodigy, excelling in his studies. The two brothers taught their children that studying is very important, but they must never have the thought of competing with Meng Si in academics, nor should they have any thoughts of vying for power or profit at home.
Instead, they encourage children to focus on what they are better at.
Like Meng Rui, who was the strongest and most agile in the Meng family, so the father and son found a master to learn some martial arts. Meng Rui also learned how to ride horses and drive carriages from the coachman.
Whenever something like this happens at home, it's usually the father and son who step in.
Meng Rui also thought this was a good idea, as they could play a role at home.
Everyone has their own strengths, and they all work together as one, which is how the Meng family can go further.
"Alright, feel free to call me if you need anything. My name is Qingyu."
After Qingyu finished speaking, she nodded to Meng Rui and hurried forward to follow the prince and princess's carriage.
Master Meng patted his son on the shoulder, "If you have the chance, you can learn from them. The guards around the prince must be first-rate in martial arts and horsemanship."
“That’s what I think too.” Meng Rui raised his face and grinned at his father. “Actually, I think it would be great to be a guard in the Prince’s mansion in the future.”
He genuinely thought Aoki and Aoyu were very impressive!
"Okay, whatever you want to do, Dad will support you."
“But we still need to find Brother Si first; I’m worried about him.” Meng Rui’s smile faded again.
"Yes, after hearing what the Princess said, my heart was in my throat, and I still haven't calmed down. Your uncle, aunt, and grandfather probably won't be able to sleep tonight either."
"Father, we must bring Si-ge back safely!"
"scold!"
They had been traveling for half an hour when, as night deepened, Aoki suddenly saw the little paper crane flying ahead suddenly turn a corner.
It was at the moment the paper crane turned the corner that Aoki saw the three-way intersection ahead.
He knew the way to Ciyun Temple. He was supposed to go straight and continue along the widest main road in the middle, but now the little paper crane suddenly flew to the right fork in the road.
"Shoo!" Aoki immediately spurred the carriage to follow the road on the right.
When the carriage turned onto the right-hand path, he suddenly remembered and turned back to the carriage, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness, we've changed direction. If I remember correctly, this road only has one small village and one narrow path leading into the mountains. There's no other way to get out."
"After entering the mountains, the place we arrived at... was a mass grave!" Aoki said.
Therefore, there is no detour or shortcut in this direction; you cannot go to Ciyun Temple in this direction.
That leaves only two destinations: either that small village or the mass grave!
In that small village, the Meng family probably doesn't know anyone, right?
Qingyu glanced back and saw that the Meng family's carriage had caught up.
Lu Zhaoling lifted the carriage curtain and looked ahead.
But now it's deep into the night, and we're probably still far ahead, so we can't see anything but endless darkness.
The moonlight was dim tonight, with thick, dark clouds piling up in the sky. The moon's shadow could only peek out occasionally before being quickly obscured again.
The surroundings were silent, with only the sounds of their carriages and horses' hooves.
"Just follow the paper crane."
"Yes."
Lu Zhaoling lowered the carriage curtain, thought for a moment, took out the Golden Diamond Pen, and began drawing talismans again.
Upon hearing Aoki mention that the path ahead might lead to a mass grave, a guess suddenly popped into her head.
If that's really the case, then she needs to prepare the necessary talismans first.
Moreover, Aoki and his group also needed some talismans for protection.
While drawing the talisman, she glanced at Zhou Shiyue and found that he was indeed asleep.
Lu Zhaoling had initially thought Zhou Shiyue would pretend to be asleep with his eyes closed, but that was fine too; she had hoped he would just close his eyes and rest. Unexpectedly, he was actually asleep.
Zhou Shiyue didn't actually know that she would fall asleep.
He intended to pretend to be asleep from the beginning.
I don't know why I fell asleep.
Lu Zhaoling felt a little sorry for him and a little guilty, thinking that he must really be weak and his injuries hadn't healed yet, so he couldn't hold on.
But even under these circumstances, she still pulled him out.
"Your Highness, the village is just ahead. There are very few people in this village. The young and strong have all gone to the capital to make a living and earn money. Most of those left behind are the elderly, women and children." Aoki's voice came in again.
Lu Zhao lifted the carriage curtain, climbed out, and sat down next to him.