flstandardbreds Chapter 304 Departing Overnight
Chapter 304 Departing Overnight
After returning to the city, Xiao Han did not go back to the Prince's Mansion first, but went straight to the Imperial Palace.
He stayed in the military camp for about ten days, and there were many things he needed to report to Emperor Sukang.
Emperor Sukang looked at Xiao Han standing below, his brows furrowing noticeably, a hint of disdain on his face.
"What kind of behavior is this?" Emperor Sukang said lightly, "Look at your appearance, you don't look like a prince at all. It's not an urgent matter, can't you tidy yourself up before coming to see me?"
These past two days, Xiao Han has only been thinking about finishing up his work as quickly as possible. He hasn't had time to deal with the stubble that has grown out. In addition, he has been riding back at high speed, and his hair has been blown loose by the wind. He looks travel-worn and has a bit of a weathered look.
He was only thinking about reporting what was happening in the military camp to his father as soon as possible so he could return home, and for a moment he didn't pay attention to his appearance.
Xiao Han quickly apologized: "Your subject knows his mistake and will not be so impolite next time. Please forgive me, Father Emperor."
Emperor Sukang only muttered a few words, but he still felt a little sorry for his son when he saw him like this.
She looks a bit thinner and more haggard.
"Alright, let's get down to business first."
It was past 5 PM when they returned to the Prince's Mansion.
Xiao Han originally wanted to go to Qiushui Pavilion to see Long Chuqing as soon as possible, but when he thought that even his father disliked him, he decided it was better not to let Chuqing see him like this. So he went back to Qinli Courtyard to wash up and change into clean clothes before going.
He knew that Long Chuqing would feel unwell today, and he had been worried about her, which was why he rushed back.
Moreover, he hadn't seen her for quite some time and really wanted to see her.
When Xiao Han arrived at Qiushui Pavilion, it was already completely dark.
Upon entering Qiushui Pavilion, they found no one there. The living room was dark, and looking up at the pavilion, they saw through the windows that there was no light inside either.
strange?
Could it be that Chu Qing has already gone to sleep?
Candlelight was lit in the small kitchen.
"I'll go take a look."
Qingying walked towards the small kitchen.
Xiao Han then walked towards the pavilion.
"Dong dong dong."
He gently knocked on the door. "Chu Qing, it's me. Are you asleep?"
There was no response from them.
"Knock knock..." After knocking twice, I found that the door was only slightly ajar.
"Chu Qing..."
Xiao Han gently pushed open the door and went inside, only to find that no one was in the room.
Could it be in the small kitchen or while washing up?
Back downstairs, Qingying and Granny Lin had already come over.
Granny Lin bowed and greeted the Prince: "This servant greets Your Highness."
"No need for formalities," Xiao Han asked. "Where is Chu Qing?"
Well... the girl just left in the afternoon, and the prince only returned to the manor shortly after. The two of them happened to leave at different times. What an unfortunate coincidence!
"Your Highness," Lin Mama replied, "Miss went out this afternoon and is not at home now. She said she would be back in two days."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Han's expression immediately turned serious. Why did Chu Qing choose to leave today?
Could it be that he went to the mountains again, just like last time?
But why go to the mountains? He couldn't understand it.
Even if Chu Qing felt cold all over, shouldn't she stay in the manor instead?
Did she say where she was going?
"The girl said that the daughter of General Yang had invited her on an outing, but she didn't say anything else."
Yang Yi invited Chu Qing?
Absolutely impossible. This must be an excuse Chu Qing came up with to fob off Granny Lin.
Chu Qing probably didn't want others to know that she felt cold, otherwise she wouldn't have gone to the mountains that time.
The three left Qiushui Pavilion.
"Qingying, go and ask Chu Qing if he went out on horseback today."
"Yes..." Qingying replied and quickly left.
“No, that’s not right,” Xiao Han suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Why did she mention Yang Yi?
He suddenly remembered the figure he had seen on the road that afternoon, and felt that it looked somewhat familiar.
Could that person be Chu Qing?
That road leads to the hot spring resort.
Hot spring resort... Chu Qing feels extremely cold at night, could it be that she wants to use the hot spring water to dispel the cold?
He turned and quickly returned to Qiushui Pavilion.
Xiao Han continued to ask Granny Lin, "Tell me, what color were Chu Qing's clothes when she left today?"
Lin Mama blurted out, "The young lady is wearing a begonia-white and pink dress today, with a white hooded cloak over it."
Lin Mama didn't need to recall; she had a deep impression of the clothes Long Chuqing wore today. Usually, Long Chuqing wore dresses in cool colors such as white, light blue, and cyan, and rarely wore particularly bright red.
In the morning, she praised Long Chuqing for looking good in pink, saying that young ladies should wear bright colors to make them look more radiant.
Xiao Han recalled the figure he had seen earlier that day; the white cloak and the glimpse of pink skirt peeking out from under her feet matched perfectly.
After leaving Qiushui Pavilion again, Qingying returned. "Your Highness, Miss Long did indeed leave on horseback."
Xiao Han ordered, "Prepare horses immediately and leave the city for the hot spring resort."
"Yes," Qingying hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Your Highness, shall I prepare a carriage for you? You can rest in the carriage on the way."
Although riding a horse is fast, it's nighttime now, and the speed is about the same as that of a carriage.
Lanterns can be hung at the front and back of the carriage, eliminating the need to hold torches for lighting, which is more convenient.
Xiao Han nodded: "Then go and make the arrangements!"
Qingying quickly left first to make preparations.
"Your Highness, would you like to have dinner before setting off?" Bronze asked.
He knew that the prince wanted to see Miss Long as soon as possible, otherwise he wouldn't have rushed back, but the prince's health was also important.
They had their dinner while the prince was washing up, but the prince hasn't eaten yet!
The prince must have been thinking of returning to have dinner with Miss Long, but Miss Long had actually gone out.
I don't know if she's at the hot spring resort. If she isn't, then it's been a wasted trip.
You can't survive without eating.
Xiao Han said, "No need."
There is also food available inside the resort.
The carriages move slowly at night, and it will take quite a while to get from the Prince's Palace to the Hot Spring Resort, so let's set off as early as possible!
Besides, he was so worried about Chu Qing that he really couldn't eat.
"Then I'll go and prepare some pastries to take with me."
After a short while, the group left the palace.
Considering that traveling at night was not very safe, in addition to Qing Tong Qingying, Qing Yang, Qing Song, Qing Zhou, and Qing Shan also accompanied them.
If you go to sleep at the hour of You (5-7 PM), you will be awakened by the cold at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).
She touched her body and felt many dragon scales floating up.
After listening carefully for a while, it was very quiet outside, with only a few people walking and talking. I remember it was quite lively downstairs when I came in the afternoon.
The temperature is low in the mountains at night during winter, so most people go back to their rooms to rest after soaking in the hot springs.
"Qingqing, you're awake?" Feifeng asked with concern, "How are you feeling?"
“It’s definitely not good,” Feng Yu chimed in. “It’s obvious she was woken up by the cold, and more and more dragon scales are appearing on Qingqing’s body.”
"I was indeed woken up by the cold." Long Chuqing propped herself up and sat up.
I don't know what time it is now.
"Feifeng, Fengyu, do you know what time it is now?"
Fei Feng replied, "The hour of Xu has passed."