"I see," Xu Yuqing's beautiful face revealed a look of sudden realization.
She had previously believed the Jiang family was still in Bazhou, but she hadn't expected them to have moved north long ago.
"Old Madam, Eldest Miss, since we have arrived in Fumin County, please allow me to play the host and invite everyone to my humble abode... My family has some modest wealth, our residence is quite spacious, and we have some servants. I guarantee that all of you noble lords and ladies will find your stay comfortable," Jiang Shangyun said, approaching Concubine Dowager Zheng and Huangfu Yue, bowing and cupping his fists.
After exchanging glances, Concubine Dowager Zheng and Huangfu Yue both nodded. Concubine Dowager Zheng said, "Your hospitality is too kind to refuse. With such intentions, we naturally cannot decline. We shall trouble you and your family for a few days... Now that we have left the blockade, we are safe. I was hoping to find a comfortable place to rest for a few days. Since your home is in Fumin County, we will stay at your place for a few days to recuperate."
She hadn't expected Jiang Shangyun's family to live in Fumin County, let alone be invited to stay at his home. She was also eager to observe and understand Jiang Shangyun better. Therefore, when Jiang Shangyun invited them to his home, she was overjoyed and had no reason to refuse.
Huangfu Yue felt the same way as Concubine Dowager Zheng and was eager to accept Jiang Shangyun's invitation.
"Then please bring out the carriages we rode in earlier. Please board the carriages, and I will take you into the city to my home," Jiang Shangyun said. "My home is quite a distance from the city gates. After entering the city, we will have to travel some distance to reach my home. I fear that you noble lords and ladies might tire from walking, so I kindly request you to travel by carriage."
Huangfu Yue nodded and immediately instructed the spatial dimension to bring out all the carriages that had been stored within the space yesterday. She then had everyone board the carriages. Before everyone boarded, Huangfu Yue thoughtfully retrieved the veils and bamboo hats that everyone had left in the spatial dimension and handed them out, asking everyone to wear them. She also put on a bamboo hat herself.
Although they were five hundred li away from the blockaded capital, it was still best to be cautious. They were too conspicuous, and to avoid unforeseen circumstances and unnecessary trouble, they still needed to cover their faces.
When boarding the carriages, everyone instinctively sought out the carriages they had ridden in yesterday. The drivers from yesterday also went to their respective carriages, without needing any instruction from Huangfu Yue. Huangfu Yue was quite pleased with this.
Just like yesterday, Huangfu Yue drove the carriage for Yang Wanqian, who was pregnant. She wasn't at ease with anyone else driving for Yang Wanqian. Jiang Shangyun also continued to drive for Xu Yuqing and her daughter, while Feng Maoyuan and the others rode horses.
Since Jiang Shangyun was inviting people from the Dai Wang residence to stay at his home, he drove his carriage at the very front to lead the way for everyone.
"Who is in your family?" Xu Yuqing asked, sitting in the carriage and looking at the back of Jiang Shangyun, who was driving.
"My family is small; it's just my father and mother, and myself. Second Young Mistress need not worry about my family being too large, and you staying at my home being inconvenient," Jiang Shangyun replied, looking back at Xu Yuqing with a smile. "My father and mother, like me, have always been grateful for the care and support we received from the Marquis of Weining's estate back then. They will be very pleased to see you and know that you are the young lady from the Marquis of Weining's estate, and they will want to repay your kindness."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuqing smiled and became eager to visit the Jiang family, longing to arrive there sooner. A flicker of curiosity shone in her eyes. She wondered what the Jiang family's home was like and if the house was nice. Jiang Shangyun had previously mentioned that his family had some modest wealth, their residence was quite spacious, and they had some servants, guaranteeing a comfortable stay. Since he dared to say so, his home should be quite decent... However, no matter how decent, it would still be an ordinary wealthy family's home and could not be compared to a prince's residence, perhaps not even to an official's household. Thinking this, Xu Yuqing's anticipation lessened, and her interest in Jiang Shangyun's home also diminished.
Jiang Shangyun led the Wang residence's carriage procession quickly to the city gate. One of the soldiers guarding the gate recognized Jiang Shangyun and was somewhat surprised.
"Hey, isn't this Young Master Jiang!"
"Tang Bao." Jiang Shangyun smiled slightly as he looked at the soldier and greeted him.
"Young Master Jiang, aren't you serving in the capital? Why have you returned?" Tang Bao asked.
"I was summoned back due to some matters. I'm in a hurry to get home. We'll chat next time we meet," Jiang Shangyun replied.
Tang Bao nodded and told his comrades that Jiang Shangyun was his friend. The other guards did not trouble Jiang Shangyun and his group and let them enter the city without any inspection.
"Yue'er, why did you agree to stay at Jiang Shangyun's house with Grandmother earlier?" In the carriage driven by Huangfu Yue, Yang Wanqian stroked her pregnant belly, looked at Jiang Shangyun's carriage in front, her eyes flickered, and she suddenly whispered to her sister-in-law.
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Yue turned her head to look at her fourth sister-in-law in the carriage and softly asked, "You don't want to stay at Jiang Shangyun's house?"
Yang Wanqian hesitated for a moment and then truthfully nodded. "Although Jiang Shangyun seems like a decent person, he is not part of the Wang residence after all. His original identity was a subordinate escorting us. It feels somewhat inappropriate for us to stay at his home... As the saying goes, one should not harbor ill intentions, but one must guard against them. We know nothing about Jiang Shangyun, and going to stay at his home feels a bit dangerous."
Seeing a worried look appear on Yang Wanqian's face, Huangfu Yue was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected her fourth sister-in-law to say such things. She had always thought she lacked her own opinions and was easily trusting, but she hadn't expected her to also understand the need for caution and to fear danger and insecurity by staying at Jiang Shangyun's home.
"Don't worry, I'm here. There will be absolutely no danger... No matter the situation, I will definitely protect you and the child in your womb," Huangfu Yue said, giving her fourth sister-in-law a gentle smile to comfort her. The smile was gentle yet firm, filling her with a sense of security. Yang Wanqian was relieved. Thinking of her sister-in-law's capabilities, she completely put her mind at ease. She reached out and stroked her pregnant belly again. Yang Wanqian thanked Huangfu Yue and said, "Now that your fourth brother is gone, my child and I can only rely on you, Yue'er."
Huangfu Yue nodded. "You can both rely on me with peace of mind."
Zhu Jiayi, sitting in the carriage behind, also felt, like Yang Wanqian, that Concubine Dowager Zheng and Huangfu Yue agreeing to stay at Jiang Shangyun's home was inappropriate. Zhu Jiayi felt it was inappropriate for the same reasons as Yang Wanqian. She was currently discussing the matter with her close servants.
"I still feel we shouldn't stay at Jiang Shangyun's house... Although Jiang Shangyun appears very loyal to the Wang residence, he is ultimately not part of the Wang residence, and we cannot fully trust him... Moreover, he always gives me a bad feeling... I don't know if it's because he was too rough when he hit several servants from our branch when he argued with Xu Yuqing before... I always felt his actions then were too brutal; he's ruthless," Zhu Jiayi said, a look of worry appearing on her face.