Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The sweltering summer heat is unbearable.

Xiang He, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites and deputy envoy escorting the bride, jogged over to Jia Lian and suggested, "Lord Jia, the weather is too hot, and many people can't stand it."

If this continues, I'm afraid many people will be exhausted on the first day.

Moreover, a princess of noble birth would likely suffer damage if she continued traveling.

In my humble opinion, we should find a place to rest and recuperate until sunset before continuing our journey.

Because Jia Lian was riding a horse, Xiang He had to look up to speak to him.

The midday sun was so scorching that he quickly raised his sleeves to shield himself.

Jia Lian didn't look down on him. It was perfectly normal for the noble civil officials of the Six Ministries in the capital, who were used to a life of luxury, to find the heat unbearable.

I glanced around and saw that the accompanying guards were alright, and their formation was still intact.

The other staff, especially the palace maids and eunuchs carrying the ceremonial guards, had become quite lax, and judging from the expressions on many of their faces, they had reached their limit.

This is actually why the team is moving so slowly.

As the leader of this mission, Jia Lian naturally has an overall command of the situation. The journey is three or four thousand miles long, and if these people are truly exhausted, he won't have anywhere to replenish their supplies.

Besides, it's not worth it to travel such a short distance under such scorching sun and expend so much physical energy for such a meager distance.

So he nodded, "Then let's find a place to rest for an hour."

Xiang He immediately smiled and said, "I have already sent people to scout ahead. There is a mountainous area about two or three miles ahead. With the mountains providing cover, we can set up camp and rest there."

"Let's do as Lord Xiang wishes."

"Thank you, sir."

Having received Jia Lian's approval, Xiang He immediately led his men down to relay the order.

Watching Xiang He's figure disappear quickly, Jia Lian shook his head, surprised that the old man was quite capable of carrying out his orders.

No wonder the imperial court chose this person as its deputy envoy.

I heard that He was previously a junior official in the Ministry of Rites, and had no hope of promotion.

His sudden promotion to physician and subsequent mission as deputy envoy to the Oirat Mongols is likely a result of an exchange of favors.

The facts were pretty much what Jia Lian had expected.

This marriage alliance is a matter of great importance to the court. Although the emperor personally appointed Jia Lian as the chief envoy, the court officials were still worried that Jia Lian was too young. He might be good at fighting, but as for diplomatic affairs, he might fall short.

Given this consideration, it is natural to assign an experienced official as a deputy to be in charge of the specific regulations.

But everyone knows that the Oirat royal court is thousands of miles away from the capital, and it's the height of summer, so who would be willing to take on such a difficult task? Since the bigwigs are unwilling to go, the only option is to choose from the middle ranks!

As an envoy sent to the Oirat Mongols, one's rank naturally couldn't be too low. Moreover, as the saying goes, an emperor doesn't need starving soldiers, so how could one get a suitable candidate to willingly take on this mission?

Promotion!

Leveled up several times!

As long as the task is completed well, the position will be secure upon return.

Of course, if you don't do the job well, then you'll be embarrassed.

Not only will they lose the official rank they've already secured, they might even have to pay extra...

Having figured this out, Jia Lian felt that he should try to win over Xiang He.

In any case, this trip will definitely take a long time, and having someone to share the workload will greatly reduce his stress.

Therefore, after setting up camp, he wanted to go and "have a heart-to-heart talk" with Xiang He, but the soldiers in charge of guarding the area came back and said that an old nun had come and was entrusted by someone to deliver something to him.

"Deceiving Emperor Kangxi"

Upon hearing the word "nun," Jia Lian immediately thought of Miaoyu.

After inquiring, it was indeed from the Muni Monastery, so Jia Lian had someone bring the items in.

Although Miaoyu did not sign her name, Jia Lian naturally recognized her handwriting.

Seeing Miaoyu's impressive painting skills and reading the young girl's subtle and cryptic love poems, Jia Lian felt a surge of joy, and even the sweltering heat dissipated considerably.

Having abandoned his plan to visit Xiang He, Jia Lian sat alone before his desk, pondering how best to reply.

He could choose not to reply.

However, he thought that Miaoyu knew he had an important mission, yet she still sent him a painting without any regard for the consequences.

Clearly, it wasn't just boredom.

Based on Jia Lian's years of experience, he guessed it probably meant giving him a riddle. Hmm, a charades game?

But to be honest, based solely on this painting, Jia Lian could only conclude that the girl must have gone to see him off when he left the city that morning.

That's about it. As for any other major secrets, Jia Lian couldn't see them.

Although it wasn't obvious, Jia Lian knew what to do.

A seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, as innocent as a blank sheet of paper, secretly sends a handwritten drawing to her beloved without even daring to sign her name. What she wants to express is nothing more than that.

I miss you.

Do you miss me?

Once you understand this, things will be much easier.

……

Just as Jia Lian was immersed in the quagmire of exchanging affections with the young nun from afar, and was overjoyed...

In the shady, coolest spot on the mountainside, the Fourth Prince had also prepared a special gift to visit his elder sister.

After the formal announcement, he entered Princess Zhaoyang's private chambers.

"Royal sister, look what I brought you."

Even the makeshift boudoir was spacious and bright.

The basic furnishings, such as tables and tea sets, are also quite complete.

The fourth prince went directly to Princess Zhaoyang's desk, put down the box, and was about to open it.

She looked up at her elder sister without warning, and couldn't help but gasp, exclaiming, "Elder sister, you look so beautiful today..."

Princess Zhaoyang used to prefer wearing fitted clothing. Except when she was in Weiyang Palace, she rarely even wore skirts.

At this moment, she was wearing a colorful phoenix dress, and because of the heat, she had removed all her extra ornaments.

Amidst the shimmering gold, it reveals the most beautiful aspect of a young woman.

Princess Zhaoyang was surprised that her silly younger brother blurted out such a sentence, and couldn't help but smile. "It's rare to hear a kind word from you."

"No way... It's because you used to bully me all the time!"

The fourth prince wanted to deny it, but then felt it wasn't his style, so he simply stuck out his neck and said it out loud.

His words also brought smiles to the faces of the maids inside the tent.

Princess Zhaoyang waved her hand, dismissing the extra maids, then sat up straight, looked at the Fourth Prince, and asked with a smile, "Tell me, what did you bring me?"

Seeing the smile on his elder sister's face, the Fourth Prince's mood improved considerably.

"See for yourself."

The fourth prince lifted the thick wooden lid, and a gust of cold air swept in. Princess Zhaoyang was able to see what was inside the wooden box.

It turned out to be chilled fruit.

There were several kinds of things, such as grapes and watermelon chunks.

Princess Zhaoyang raised an eyebrow, glanced at the smug Fourth Prince, and calmly said, "You sent someone to bring this from the capital, didn't you?"

"Uh, Royal Sister, aren't you surprised? It's so hot today, isn't eating a chilled fruit the most refreshing thing?"

The fourth prince glared at Princess Zhaoyang, clearly displeased with her reaction.

Princess Zhaoyang paused for a moment, then her eyes darted around. Suddenly, she stood up, holding the edge of the wooden box in both hands. Looking at the fresh-looking fruit inside, she said, "It's chilled fruit! I really like it. Thank you, my good brother."

Uh……

The fourth prince watched his elder sister's clumsy performance and noticed the mocking look in her eyes when she occasionally glanced up at him.

The fourth prince shook his head helplessly: "Never mind, elder sister, you don't need to pretend anymore."

Eat quickly, or the ice will melt.

Sigh, when I first left the city, I saw how hot the weather was, so I sent someone back to the palace to get some ice.

But those people were really stupid; they told them to wrap themselves up more tightly, but when they came back, there was still only this much left.

So, it's only useful today. Once we're far from the capital tomorrow, I'm afraid it won't be able to be delivered.

As a representative of those who indulge in pleasure, the Fourth Prince had a cellar built in the inner palace to store a lot of ice when his palace was first built.

However, ice can maintain its shape deep underground, but once it is taken out, it will melt very quickly in the current weather.

"But don't worry, Your Majesty, even if we're far from the capital, I have a way."

We'll be passing through several prefectures and counties along the way, and the local landlords and gentry might have ice stored up. I'll send someone to buy some then. As long as I'm here, you, my elder sister, won't have to worry about the scorching heat on this journey..."

Princess Zhaoyang, due to her state of mind, had no interest in enjoying herself.

But seeing her younger brother, who usually doesn't like to think, going to such lengths to make her journey less arduous in the sweltering heat, she couldn't help but feel moved.

After carefully examining his younger brother, Zhao Yang said seriously, "As a prince of the Great Wei, it is not advisable for you to stay away from the capital for too long."

"Let's leave it at that for today. You should set off back first thing tomorrow morning."

The fourth prince was taken aback, then his brows furrowed, and he said, seemingly somewhat angry, "I've already said I'm not going back."

Even my father has permitted me to escort you, as long as we don't leave Yanmen Pass. Therefore, I will not return until we reach Yanmen Pass.

The fourth prince bargained with Emperor Ningkang for a long time to secure the right to escort his sister.

His initial intention was to replace Jia Lian and personally escort Princess Zhaoyang to the Oirat royal court.

Clearly, Emperor Ningkang did not allow it. However, seeing the deep affection between him and his second daughter, he made a special exception and allowed him to leave the capital, but sternly instructed him that he was absolutely not allowed to leave Yanmen Pass.

Emperor Ningkang's bottom line was his starting line.

He had already made up his mind that he would at least deliver it to Yanmen Pass!

Seeing his elder sister looking at him with a deep frown, the pressure he had accumulated since childhood made his stiff neck immediately relax. He reached out and tugged at Princess Zhaoyang's sleeve, pleading, "Elder sister, please let me see you off a little longer."

You have no idea how heartbroken I am at the thought of you marrying into the Oirat tribe and perhaps never seeing you again.

Just let me take you.

I promise, once we reach Yanmen Pass, I'll go back, okay...?

Princess Zhaoyang originally didn't want the Fourth Prince to suffer, but the concern he showed her this time made her feel heavy-hearted.

That's why they wanted to get the Fourth Prince back as soon as possible.

But seeing his genuine emotional expression and his cautious words, and thinking that my brother and I would be separated forever and that I would no longer be able to help him, I couldn't bear it.

"Alright. But it's agreed that you'll turn back once we reach Yanmen Pass."

Princess Zhaoyang spoke solemnly, her words already making her decision.

"Okay, okay, Your Highness, eat quickly, it really won't get cold later..."

The fourth prince readily agreed and urged Princess Zhaoyang to enjoy the chilled fruit once again.

Princess Zhaoyang nodded, picked up a ripe grape, put it to her lips, broke the skin, and the flesh popped into her mouth.

With a slightly sweet and tart flavor, coupled with a refreshing coolness, it is truly a delight to behold in the sweltering summer.

The fourth prince quickly moved a plate over so his elder sister could put the fruit peel on it, then asked expectantly, "How is it? Is it sweet?"

"Good."

Princess Zhaoyang nodded in affirmation.

He picked up another one, then suddenly thought of something and fell silent.

When the fourth prince saw his elder sister pick up a grape again and hold it in her hand for a long time without eating it, he thought to himself, "Could it be that my elder sister is trying to feed me?"

It's been a long time since my elder sister fed me.

Hmm, should I reject it with a look of disdain...?

The fourth prince, his mouth slightly open, waited for his elder sister to feed him, but saw his sister suddenly throw the fruit into her mouth. She then called in a maid and ordered, "Take this plate of grapes to General Jia Lian of Zhenyuan."

As he spoke, he picked up the whole plate of grapes and handed it to the maid to take away.

Turning around to try the other two dishes, Princess Zhaoyang noticed her younger brother's pained expression and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

As if remembering something, she casually explained, "Jia Lian's trip to the Oirat was also due to my influence. That's why I had someone send him a plate of fruit as a small token of my appreciation."

What, you don't want to?"

"No, I'd love to!"

The fourth prince angrily grabbed a piece of watermelon, threw it into his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and swallowed it all by himself.

Seeing his face etched with jealousy, Princess Zhaoyang couldn't help but laugh.

Using the bamboo skewer prepared by the Fourth Prince, he re-skewered a slice of watermelon and handed it to the Fourth Prince.

The fourth prince then felt somewhat at peace, took the bamboo skewer, and slowly began to savor it.

After finishing the melon, seeing that no one was in the tent, the Fourth Prince leaned close to Princess Zhaoyang and whispered, "Elder sister, tell me honestly, did you really marry that Oirat prince willingly?"

Princess Zhaoyang frowned but remained silent.

The fourth prince immediately said with certainty, "Sister, please don't lie to me."

I don't know you yet.

You clearly really like Jia Lian!

The fourth prince then spoke in an even lower, enticing voice: "Elder sister, how about this, once we're a little further away from the capital, I'll tie Jia Lian up."

Then my soldiers, disguised as grassland bandits, raided the camp in the middle of the night, pretending that you and Jia Lian had been captured by the bandits.

Then, the two of you can roam the world and disappear from the martial arts world, how about it?" The Fourth Prince disliked that Oirat prince very much; he looked like a furry ball, dark and strong.

Jia Lian was already taller than him, but that damned Third Prince was not only taller than Jia Lian, but also as strong as a bear.

She is not worthy of her own royal sister.

My elder sister would never like such a barbarian.

This was the best way he could come up with to make his elder sister happy.

That's right, he would rather his elder sister elope with Jia Lian than see her marry into the Oirat tribe.

If they elope, firstly, it will fulfill the princess's wish. Secondly, if he misses the princess in the future, they can secretly meet!

As for whether Jia Lian is willing or not...

Whether you want to or not, you have to agree.

Anyway, once his elder sister takes a liking to him, he has to belong to her.