From Shengjing to the north, commoners and merchants would choose to take the official road because it was spacious. There were teahouses and courier stations along the way, passing by many strategic towns and cities. It was extremely convenient for doing business or resting.

However, Chu Lian and the rest were rushing to the north this time and had no time to waste on the road.

Moreover, they were traveling light. There were only a few carts of clothes and quilts on the way, so there was no need to consider the problem of goods.

Therefore, after discussing with Matriarch He, He Changqi, and the family warriors, they chose a small path to Liangzhou.

The small path went from the outskirts of Shengjing to the hinterland of the north. There were no small towns or villages along the way, and sometimes they wouldn't see a water source for a few days. Most of the way was through mountains and forests, so they had to be well-prepared or have strong hands that could hunt in the mountains. Otherwise, it would be difficult to reach the north.

However, such a small path could save a lot of time. As long as they had a fast horse, it would only take about ten days to travel from Shengjing to Liangzhou. It saved two-thirds of the time compared to taking the official road.

As the day of departure approached, Chu Lian didn't dare to waste any time. These days, she woke up early in the morning to train. She was also familiar with the defensive techniques taught by Wenqing and Wenlan.

She also went to Miracle Doctor Miao to ask for some medicine for self-defense and various injuries.

Miracle Doctor Miao was the most generous to Chu Lian. He packed a small bag for her. There was even a bottle of anti-poison, anti-insect, and frostbite ointment.

Chu Lian made another list and handed it to Steward Qin. She told him to prepare everything according to the list she gave him.

The day before Chu Lian's departure, the Prince of Wei's Mansion actually sent two guards, saying that they were sent by Princess Wei to protect Chu Lian.

It was a man and a woman, a pair of brother and sister. The man was called Li Xing, and the woman was called Li Yue.

The siblings looked ordinary and wore the guard uniform of the Wei Wangfu. Their heads were slightly lowered. It was Chu Lian's first time seeing them and she didn't know what kind of characters they had.

Since they were specially sent by Princess Wei, Chu Lian couldn't refuse. She could only ask Xiyan to bring the two to rest first.

On the day of departure, all of Chu Lian's luggage was packed. Jin Wangfu sent a small team of people, about 20 people. The leader was a young man called Tang Yan.

Tang Yan had seen Chu Lian before, but it was Chu Lian's first time seeing him.

Tang Yan led his men to Chu Lian. When he saw that the carriage was filled with supplies, he was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped …

He first bowed to Chu Lian and introduced himself. Then, he opened his mouth and asked dryly, "This … This is all your luggage?"

Chu Lian stood at the side and nodded with a calm expression. "Yes!

What does Lord Tang think is wrong? "

Tang Yan opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't help but remind: "In fact, you don't have to go through so much trouble. Because the mansion has already informed Prince Jin that they will take the small road. This official has ordered people to prepare enough food and brought doctors and special cooks."

Chu Lian looked at him, tilted her head and said, "Then can Lord Tang tell us how many carriages are transporting supplies along the way?"

"At least nine to ten of them."

Chu Lian nodded. "If that's the case, then I don't have too many. Besides, I'm used to these things, so most of them are just bits and pieces. They're not worth mentioning."

Tang Yan choked. He glanced at the full carriage beside him and saw that there was a small iron pot in the corner!

Tang Yan blushed with shame and grumbled in his heart, 'It's not worth mentioning!

They even brought pots and pans … The conditions along the way are tough and the ingredients are scarce. Would they really be able to make something delicious with a pot? '

When Chu Lian left, other than Madam Zou, who was still grounded, and Countess Jing 'an, who was bedridden, everyone in Count Jing' an's estate came to see her off.

Chu Lian only brought Wenqing and Wenlan with her on this trip to the northern border. There was also Steward Qin. The rest of the people were arranged by Matriarch He. According to Matriarch He, she also sent two secret guards. However, they were hidden in the shadows and wouldn't show themselves unless it was an important moment.

Other than them, there were also Princess Wei's two siblings, Li Xing and Li Yue.

In front of the estate, He Dalang was talking to Tang Yan. Matriarch He held Chu Lian's hand, unwilling to let go.

"Lian 'er, the journey to the northern border will be tough. You must take care of yourself first."

"Grandmother, don't worry. I will take good care of myself. Moreover, Wenqing and Wenlan are here!

You, on the other hand, must take care of yourself. When I return to the capital with my husband, I want to see Grandmother in good health! "

Matriarch He nodded, her eyes slightly wet. She patted Chu Lian's small hand and combed a strand of hair that had fallen by her ear before urging her to quickly enter the carriage.

Beside her, Granny Gui's eyes were red. She was the one who brought Chu Lian up. Even if she was married, she still followed her to Count Jing 'an's estate. This was the first time she was separated from Chu Lian. If she was a few years younger, she would have followed her even if Chu Lian didn't allow it.

Chu Lian stepped onto the footstool and looked back again. She saw Granny Gui chasing after her with Xiyan. The corners of her eyes were also a little moist. Chu Lian said loudly, "Granny and Xiyan, quickly go back!"

Granny Gui covered her mouth with a handkerchief and nodded vigorously. "Third Young Mistress, don't worry. This old servant will help you take good care of Songtao Court."

Chu Lian turned back and didn't linger any longer. She stomped her foot hard and entered the carriage. Immediately after, the curtains of the carriage fell down, blocking everyone's view.

The family warriors of Count Jing 'an's estate and Tang Yan followed the procession and quickly disappeared in front of Count Jing' an's estate.

He Changqi only personally supported Matriarch He back to the estate when they couldn't be seen.

Chu Lian walked for half a day. It was currently afternoon when a crazy woman with disheveled hair suddenly stumbled into the usually quiet entrance of Count Jing 'an's estate. Her hair was a mess and her face was covered in dirt. It was impossible to tell how she originally looked.

She staggered to the entrance of Count Jing 'an's estate and was about to barge in. How could the manservant guarding the door let her in? He kicked the crazy woman to the ground. "Where did this crazy woman come from? Don't you have any eyes to see where you are? How dare you barge in!

Do you want to die?! "

The woman with disheveled hair lay on the ground moaning in pain. A moment later, she shouted, "Quick … quick, go in and report that I'm the head maidservant of your estate's Third Young Mistress. That's right, I'm the head maidservant of your estate's Third Young Mistress's dowry. Hurry and report this to Third Young Mistress!"

The manservant guarding the door looked at her with disdain. "Ptui, you swindling slut. You still want to pretend to be our Third Young Mistress's maidservant? Why don't you look at yourself in the mirror? Let me tell you, I've seen all the older sisters of our Third Young Mistress, but none of them are like you!"

When the woman heard the manservant's words, her eyes almost popped out of her sockets. She crawled up from the ground and tried to pull the corner of the manservant's robe. She even pushed aside the disheveled hair that covered her face, revealing her face. Unfortunately, her face was covered in soot, and the hand she used to grab the manservant was full of ulcers. "Look at my face, look at my face. I'm indeed the head maidservant of Third Young Mistress, Jinyi Xiangjun. My name was even given by Third Young Mistress. My name is Ming Yan, Ming Yan!

I beg you, please go in and help me inform Third Young Mistress, okay? "

The manservant had long since been disgusted by her blurry face and abscessed hands. How could he possibly distinguish her appearance? He kicked Ming Yan away in disgust. "Stinky beggar, stop pretending. If you keep acting like this, I'll have the people from the Five Cities Warden's Office come and arrest you and throw you into prison!"

The manservant snorted coldly in his heart. The head maidservants of Third Young Mistress were only Xiyan, Fuyan, and Jing Yan. The remaining one was Wenqing. Since when did she have a Ming Yan?!

Don't think that you can sneak into Count Jing 'an's estate just because you have the name Yan!

How could Ming Yan give up on this last opportunity? Her body was clearly in such a terrible condition, but she somehow mustered up the strength to stagger forward a few steps and hug the manservant's calf. "I beg you, let me see Third Young Mistress. As long as you help me inform her, I'll give you whatever you want. That's right, I know Third Young Mistress's secret recipe. If you help me inform her, I'll tell you the recipe!

I'll tell you everything! "

The manservant was disgusted by this crazy woman. This time, he didn't show any mercy. He called over two servants and forcefully pulled the crazy woman away from his leg, then threw her down the steps in front of the estate. The manservant said sarcastically, "Let me tell you, even if you really know Third Young Mistress, you're still too late. Our Third Young Mistress has already gone to the northern territory under the empress's decree!"

After he finished speaking, he no longer cared about this crazy woman. He only ordered the two servants to beat this woman into a pulp if she dared to approach the gates of the estate!

Ming Yan's lifeless eyes suddenly widened in disbelief. She shook her head frantically. How could this be? How could this be? Third Young Mistress had gone to the northern territory? How could this be? If Third Young Mistress wasn't in the estate, who would care about her life or death?!

No matter how much Ming Yan made a fuss, she couldn't enter Count Jing 'an's estate. In the end, she was thrown into a corner of the courtyard by the guards. She hugged her knees and curled up in the corner.

She was numb from the cold. She couldn't help but think back to the days she spent with Chu Lian in Count Jing 'an's estate's Songtao Court.

Third Young Mistress was amiable and never treated her servants harshly. Although Third Young Master wasn't in the estate, the most upright people in Count Jing 'an's estate were the servants in Songtao Court.

The golden hairpin and ring that Third Young Mistress had bestowed upon their head maidservant had beautiful patterns. This was the first time she had seen something like that!

Unfortunately, it was gone now. It had been snatched from her hands.

Third Young Mistress never hid her secret recipes from her head maidservants. When she was happy, she would even give them a few pointers. She had even boldly asked Third Young Mistress for the secret recipe for a dessert. Not only did Third Young Mistress not get angry, she even patiently told her the secret recipe. After she finished, she asked Ming Yan if she remembered it clearly.

The secret recipe that she learned from Third Young Mistress belonged to her. Those people couldn't steal it even if they wanted to. Even if her hands were to rot, she would never reveal Third Young Mistress' secret recipe!

As Ming Yan thought about this, she looked towards the tall courtyard walls.

How she wished that she hadn't been possessed and made that choice!