Lu was surprised for a moment and looked at Qingrong in disbelief, "Are you really going?"
Qingrong nodded calmly, "Seriously, I have already told my parents about this, and they both agreed."
Mrs. Lu was afraid that she was just hot-tempered, so she persuaded her: "Sanniang, do you know that the capital is more than 6,000 miles away from Xizhou? It will take several months just to get there, and you have never been in good health. How can you bear it?"
Why do you have to work so hard with this carriage? What's more, I heard that the climate in that place is harsh, with scorching heat in summer, severe cold in winter, and widespread desert... I know that you kid is a kind and righteous person, but Changxuan is because of your duty, so why do you have to go?
How about that hardship? Wouldn't it be better to wait for him to come back in the capital?"
Although Xue's father was also moved by Qingrong's thoughts, he also felt that it was inappropriate, "Yes, Sanniang, this matter is not a child's play. Xizhou is dangerous, so you should think about it again."
Of course, Qingrong was not just for Xue Shao. If so, she really didn’t have to go, but it was hard to talk about these things to the outside world. Qingrong had no choice but to explain: "I understand grandpa and grandma’s concerns, but at the moment he can’t
I don’t know how long it will take before I get back, and I’m not worried. It would be good if I could take care of him with him. He’s out there alone, and there’s no one around to take care of him. I guess I’m worried too, right?”
"This..." Mrs. Lu looked embarrassed. This was natural. There was no parent in the world who didn't worry about their children. She and Father Xue looked at each other and were a little shaken.
Qingrong had already thought of her words. She looked worried and said: "Every war involves a narrow escape from death. People on the outside seem to have a bright future, but who knows the danger behind it? It seems peaceful now. We are stationed in the Western Region.
But I still can’t help but worry about what to do if something unexpected happens..."
Seeing that Qingrong was determined and persuaded again and again, Father Xue and Mr. Lu no longer tried to dissuade him and agreed to the matter.
Qingrong briefly explained to the elders of the two parents, packed her bags, and set off on the road to Xizhou. Fortunately, Xue Shao deliberately left Xue Chang behind to take care of him before setting off for the expedition. This time, Xue Chang
Escort her to Xizhou.
Before leaving, Qingrong also thought about Songyue and the others, "Xizhou is no more dangerous than other places. Although you are my personal maids, if you don't want to follow me, I can agree and will make arrangements then.
You go back to the Lu family."
Azhen and Songyue both said they would follow her, "My maid and Azhen have been following Madam since they were children, and they will do the same this time. They are willing to join Madam."
Yun Niang is also willing to follow, "My maid is also willing to follow my wife. Ever since my wife took back my body deed for my maid, my maid will serve my lady wholeheartedly and will never have any second thoughts."
Qingrong said that she was unmoved, but that was false, but even so, she still tried to persuade her: "You must think clearly, Xizhou does not need other places, it is difficult to say whether it can be protected."
Yun Niang was suddenly at a loss. She smiled and said: "My maid knows your good intentions, but in this world, being as humble as mud, how can it be considered as not dangerous? Instead of doing this, it is better to stay with your lady. My maid is willing to do so."
.”
Azhen nodded and replied: "Yes, madam, we used to go to the Taoist temple to practice hard for three years. Is it possible that Xizhou can be more boring than the temple?"
Qingrong was amused and laughed, "Okay, in that case, let's do it together."
Ever since he knew that Qingrong was leaving for Xizhou, Xue Chang was extremely excited. "If the general knew that my wife was willing to go to Xizhou, he would be extremely happy."
Qingrong raised her eyebrows in surprise and smiled inexplicably, "Really?"
That's not necessarily the case. Qingrong couldn't help but think that based on her understanding of Xue Shao, if he were in the capital, there would be absolutely no way he would agree to let her go to this dangerous place in Xizhou. Otherwise, he wouldn't be the one who would rather reconcile than leave.
Xue Shao was unwilling to block her future of wealth. Thinking of this, Qingrong suddenly became curious about how Xue Shao would react when he saw her.
…
The sun was setting in the west, and it was not too early. The carriages and horses walking on the Silk Road in the Western Regions gradually began to become sparse, and it seemed a little deserted. However, the inn run by merchants not far away was lively, because in the spring and summer, Dunhuang
There are also more merchants visiting Xizhou.
The inn was also overcrowded.
The hall was bustling with laughter at first, and after they had had enough wine and food, everyone left and went back to their rooms to rest, so that they could recharge their batteries and leave early tomorrow.
At this time, there was a rumbling of horses outside the inn, and an older-looking Hu man, who looked like he was in charge, rushed in from the outside with a hurried look and shouted to the innkeeper: "Lao Ye!
"
Lao Ye came out after hearing the sound and saw a familiar face. He recognized the person and asked hurriedly: "What happened, so angry?"
The man shook his head hurriedly, speaking fluent Yongcheng Mandarin, and said anxiously: "Excuse me, brother, please borrow some carriages and horses from the store to meet our convoy at the front. When we passed the pass, we were unlucky, and two of them broke down.
The carriage, however, cannot transport this cargo. It is only delayed and unable to move. It looks like it is getting dark, and everyone is anxious to stay overnight!"
Hearing this, Lao Ye was also embarrassed and explained: "It's not that I want to help. I do have a car, but there are only a few clerks in the shop. Plus there are so many customers in the shop today, I really can't spare any time. I guess there will be more in the future."
There’s a convoy coming!”
"How can this be good? This road is hundreds of miles away, and if something like this happens again, we can't really delay our return to Xizhou!"
There were two women and a man sitting in an inconspicuous corner of the hall. One of the young women heard this and looked over. After looking at it for a moment, she whispered an order to the man.
Xue Chang was a little surprised when he heard this, and asked: "Madam?"
The woman nodded, "Go ahead."
Xue Chang responded and walked to the foreigner who had just asked for help to negotiate for a few words. The other person's eyes lit up and he thanked Xue Chang, "Thank you for your help! I'm very grateful!"
Xue Chang waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "If you want to thank me, then thank my wife."
Qin Liu followed Xue Chang's gaze and saw a tall, graceful woman wearing a curtain standing there. He quickly bowed and thanked her, "Thank you so much, madam, for sending someone to help!"
She noticed Qin Liu's gaze and nodded slightly, "You're welcome."
After Xue Chang ordered people to send Qingrong back to the inn, he took several guards of the Xue family to help the caravan transport the goods to the inn. After the matter was resolved, he returned to the inn before it became completely dark.
…
Yun Niang took the fire sticks sent by the people at the inn, lit the oil lamps in the room one by one, and the room became bright in an instant, "Madam, you have been on the road for a day, why don't you wash up early and rest early tonight?"
"
Qingrong nodded and said with a smile: "Okay."
Songyue came in from outside, "Madam, Guard Xue is back."
Xue Chang followed her and came in from the door, "Madam, what you just ordered has been completed. My subordinates have inquired about it according to your instructions and chatted a few words with the team leader.
Hu Shang, whose surname is An, is going to Xizhou to do some jewelry and spice business in Yongcheng and Xizhou."
Qingrong nodded, "I know, thank you for your hard work."
Xue Chang waved his hand in embarrassment and asked, "May I ask if Madam is acquainted with those Hu merchants?"
Qingrong shook his head, "I've never met him before."
Xue Chang was puzzled. Maybe he had been traveling with Qingrong for the past month. After getting along with him, he also knew that Qingrong was an extremely kind-hearted person, so he was a little less reserved at times, so he asked a few more questions, "But my subordinates
I don’t understand why the lady wants to help these strangers, Hu Shang. Although the lady is surrounded by Xue family guards, there are many people on the road. If someone notices her, she is afraid of causing trouble. "
His concerns were not unreasonable. There were many people traveling between the Western Region and Yongcheng, and the situation was now turbulent. There might be horse thieves. When he came, he wrote to Xue Shao. Although Xue Shao was surprised, he could
Qingrong was already on the road at that time, and Xue Shao gave him a lot of instructions. If his wife had any accident on the road, he didn't know how to explain it!
Qingrong smiled at him, "I think that person is a Hu merchant who went to the Western Regions. He also knows the innkeeper. He is probably a businessman who often travels between the Western Regions and the capital. Now he has gone to the Western Regions again. Now he can do business in the Western Regions.
The Hu businessman is naturally more familiar with Xizhou than us and has deep connections. I thought that we might be able to form a good relationship, which might be helpful in the future. However, what you said makes sense, but this time I was negligent and did not arrange it well.
"
Xue Chang understood and nodded, "I see, I understand. My wife had good intentions in this matter, but this subordinate is stupid. When I came, the general told me to protect my safety, so I had to say more."
, I hope your wife will not blame you."
When Xue Shao was mentioned, Qingrong just smiled faintly and said very calmly, "No."
Xue Chang felt a little resentful for a moment. Even if he was a fool, he should have been able to see something was wrong between his wife and A Lang these days. Although he didn't know what happened between the two people, what he knew very well was that,
The wife was very angry with A Lang, but she was still worried about him, otherwise she would not be willing to go to Xizhou. This was especially true for A Lang. From the beginning to the end, he had never seen A Lang care about anyone like this.
Xue Chang wanted to say good things for his husband, so he said after careful consideration: "Actually, the general did not say anything, but he still cared about my wife very much in his heart. When he knew that she was going, he gave me countless instructions and instructions, and he wrote them eloquently on the letter paper.
I took several pictures. I have never seen a mother-in-law like Alang before... uh... no, no, I am being cautious!"
Seeing that Qingrong just raised his eyebrows slightly and didn't care, he breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "Not only that, Alang also arranged for people to write to him every time he went to a post station, so that he could report his wife's safety in time!"
Azhen was listening and gave him a warning, "Don't say anything? What's the use of that? Who knows, it's still the same as nothing."
Qingrong had no choice but to say, "Azhen, don't be rude."
Azhen closed her mouth, took a step back, and whispered: "I know."
Later, she was finally willing to take the initiative to mention it, "Military situation is important, so let him focus on important things."
Xue Chang nodded and said with a smile: "Don't worry about this lady. The general naturally understands the importance and will put important things first."
Xue Chang was a talkative person, so he continued: "I received news from Xizhou today. Alang has already arranged his residence and servants, and everything has been taken care of."
Qingrong hummed indifferently, not forgetting the business he had to do, and asked: "By the way, I asked you to ask, is there any news about Lu Changshi, who is now the head of the Xizhou Protectorate?
"
"It's a coincidence that this Lu Changshi was demoted to Xizhou by the saint a few months ago. Lu Changshi and Mrs. Ling had just arrived there not long ago, less than a month ago. I heard that he was a humble man and good at everything.
Everything is done personally.”
At this point, Qingrong nodded thoughtfully, "I understand, it's hard work. You can go down and rest first."
"Yes." Xue Shao nodded in agreement and then left.