A clap of thunder on a clear sky.

  It was as if a bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, covering Cui Ying's head and face. In an instant, dark clouds filled the air, with flashes of lightning and thunderclaps.

  After a suffocating few seconds, ten thousand wild horses galloped past her chest.

  What's going on here?

  Isn't it Empress Jiang's birthday?

  Isn't it for collecting cotton-padded jackets and fur coats for northwest soldiers?

  Why did it drag her into this!

  Although she has now decided to develop a peaceful and friendly relationship with Yuan Wulang, she has no desire to go to the cold and war-torn northwest to reunite with him.

  She also doesn't have such grand ambitions like learning from the old lady's past of wearing elegant clothes and riding horses to sweep across the battlefield.

  She will silently pray for the Northwest Army officers and soldiers who fought bloody battles for their country.

  Yuan Wulang, she also wishes him peace and good health.

  As for her, she really didn't want to leave the warm and cozy Town General's Mansion at all!

  Her serenity, her leisure, her cuisine, her chili peppers!

  Choi Yong wanted to cry but had no tears.

  She knew she had no right to refuse.

  Jiang Huang Hou didn't even need Old Lady's opinion and happily made her own decision.

  In this matter, even the imperial noblewoman, Lady Lian, a first-rank national wife, did not have the qualifications to interrupt, could she still say no?

  She bowed her head and remained silent, almost trembling, and swallowed the fish ball in front of her spoon heavily and entirely.

  Empress Jiang ordered Cui Ying to represent the noblewomen of Shengjing to send cotton-padded jackets to the northwest soldiers, and this matter was like a thunderbolt.

  She gently put it into the pond, and a huge splash of water was stirred up.

  This sudden task left the old lady at a loss.

  She couldn't see through Empress Jiang's intentions.

  When the banquet ended, Yining Junzhu's face was solemn as she supported the old lady and said, "Just now during the interval of the feast, I took some time to go see Yue'er. She hasn't lost weight, nor is she lacking in spirit, she's fine."

  She hesitated for a moment. "Originally she said she would find time to come and pay her respects to Grandmother, but after the fifth brother's affair, I replied on your behalf."

  The old lady didn't have the heart to chat with her beloved great-granddaughter at this time.

  She nodded heavily, "Mm, you have a lot of connections in the palace, ask someone to take good care of Yue'er."

  The mistress of Yining County let out a barely perceptible sigh, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't open her mouth.

  She thought for a moment and lowered her voice. "Let's discuss this further when we get back to the mansion."

  The banquet has dispersed, and Empress Jiang had already left her seat early.

  The old lady held Cui Rong's hand tightly and wouldn't let go for a moment. "Come on, let's go home!"

  As soon as they returned to the General's mansion, the old lady called her five daughters-in-law into the house.

  The gate of the Tai'an Court was locked by a trustworthy servant, and the maidservants who attended to her personal needs were also dismissed.

  The princess of Yining's face was as calm as water, her tone carrying an unprecedented dignity and solemnity.

  "She asked, 'Grandma, what does this "Jiang Huanghou" mean?'"

  Although the Northwest Army was led by the Yuan family, more than half of these one million soldiers were under the command of General Quan Guo.

  Empress Jiang raised clothes for the soldiers of the northwest army. In fact, the Yuan family also benefited from it.

  But this battle is for defending our home and country. Even if we need to reward the army, it shouldn't be done by someone from the Yuan family.

  Moreover, my fifth younger sister is after all just a weak and gentle newlywed woman.

  Let's not mention that she followed Shi Xiu Jian on a long trip, and whether or not they would be the subject of gossip and rumors.

  Just talking about the dangers of this road makes one's heart worried and anxious.

  From Shengjing City to Muzhou City is a distance of thousands of miles, even the famous swift horse that can travel a thousand li in one day will take fifteen days to cover the journey.

  In the northwest land of bitter cold, there was once a prosperous scene in the state city.

  Now that there is war, it will certainly not be as bustling and lively as before, and there may still be displaced refugees. Along the way, one cannot help but encounter shocks.

  This is really too dangerous!

  The old lady's eyes drooped, silent and speechless.

  Lian couldn't help but say, "There's no need to fear idle chatter. This trip was ordered by Empress Jiang after all. So many noble ladies heard it with their own ears in the palace today. If anyone dares to speak half a word against my fifth brother and sister, they would be questioning Empress Jiang's authority."

  She paused, "It's better to think positively, maybe Empress Jiang really felt that the fifth brother and sister-in-law had just gotten married and were separated, and couldn't bear it. She took this opportunity to call them together, who knows."

  These words are just deceiving oneself.

  Everyone in this house except Cui Ying has some understanding of Empress Jiang's style.

  That's definitely not a kind-hearted charitable person.

  Empress Jiang never did anything without a reason.

  Will Yuan Wulang reunite with his wife? She wouldn't have such a kind heart.

  There must be some other profound meaning that can't be guessed or thought of.

  The old lady was silent for a while, then suddenly opened her eyes.

  She said in a low voice, "Empress Jiang has issued an edict, and Xiao Wu's wife cannot disobey the edict. So this trip is inevitable."

  Choi Yong has been shocked all the way, annoyed all the way, and also wronged all the way.

  She had already come back to her senses by now.

  Empress Jiang did not like her.

  This was her feeling when she and Empress Jiang had a brief visual encounter in Kun Ning Palace.

  But she didn't know why.

  At this moment, she didn't have time and didn't want to bother guessing what Empress Jiang was thinking.

  She thought that the northwest trip seemed inevitable.

  Since it's an unresistible fate, I might as well try to accept it.

  She thought, let's just consider it as traveling northwest!

  All the way can see different customs and practices, may also be able to eat local delicacies.

  She could only comfort herself like this.

  From the conversation between you and those sisters just now, Cui Ying quickly filtered out the information.

  First of all, it's a long way.

  Secondly, it may be unsafe.

  She is almost a weak woman who rarely goes out, to cope with the harsh environment encountered on the way, perhaps she can still rely on strong endurance.

  But once something dangerous appears, she has no power to even truss a chicken, and there is basically no hope of survival.

  At this time, the leader who escorted her and the supplies to the northwest was crucial.

  Choi Yong thought to herself, then gently grasped the old lady's hand. "Grandmother, don't worry. The daughter-in-law is willing to go to the northwest. It's just that, as several sisters have said, we may encounter some difficulties along the way. So..."

  She looked serious. "I want to know what kind of person Shi Si Gongzi of the Mu Yang Bo Fu is, can he be trusted?"

  If Shi Xiu Jian was a bad person, he would have abandoned her halfway or sold her off.

  When she came back, just say that she encountered robbers or refugees on the road, and they scattered her or took her away.

  Then her life is over.

  She must be absolutely sure whether Shi Xiu Jian's character is reliable or not.

  On this point, the old lady was quite certain.

  "She hastily said, 'Shi Xiaosi is a bit impulsive and has soft ears, easily deceived by others. But this child has one good point, that is, he values loyalty and keeps his promises.'"

  Yuan Wulang mentioned casually before leaving that if they encountered any trouble on the side of Guozi Lane, they should go find Shi Xiuren and ask him to take care of it.

  Shi Xiu Jin was so angry that he beat up the Fifth Master of the Anning Bo Fu for the sake of Song Ziyue.

  He is not a lecherous person. Absolutely not because of Song Ziyue's beauty.

  But because of his promise to Yuan Wulang.

  The old lady patted Cui Ying's hand gently and said, "This time it is Shi Xiao Si who will escort you, so Grandma can rest assured."

  Shi Xiao Si and Yuan Wu Lang were extremely close friends, their relationship was even closer than that of ordinary brothers.

  This child is heavy on his promises and emphasizes righteousness. He will definitely be very respectful and courteous to Cui Ying.

  The old lady was not afraid of rumors spreading between them.

  Cui Ying's heart slightly relaxed.

  As long as she can ensure that those who travel with her will neither betray nor harm her, the danger along the way is reduced by half.

  According to Empress Jiang's intention, at most in ten days, those donated cotton-padded clothes and fur coats will be ready, and she will also set out on her journey.

  So, the time left for her to prepare was actually not much anymore.

  Fortunately, she often traveled abroad in her previous life.

  And before traveling, she is used to making all sorts of plans.

  She has been lacking in affection since she was a child, and later suffered heavy blows in her emotions, so she has always been a person with very little sense of security.

  So no matter where she is, as long as she's going to an unfamiliar place, she always has to make thorough preparations before setting out.

  Cui Ying decided to make good use of this short period of time to conduct a thorough investigation.

  From Shengjing City to Xibei Muzhou City, which towns will be passed through and roughly how many routes are there.

  What are the characteristics of each city and town along the way, what are the strange customs, and what problems need to be paid attention to.

  It would be even better if you could find a way to understand the local food and different cuisines in various towns along the way.

  As for the issue of bringing bodyguards and attendants, she had thought about it and left it all up to her grandmother and older brother to decide.

  Her grandmother doted on her, and her elder brother still craved the spicy dishes she made. They would definitely arrange for a highly skilled guard to ensure her safety, and this was something she didn't worry about at all.

  Cui Ying thought so, and the worries on her face suddenly disappeared.

  Li's sister exclaimed in surprise and asked, "Your fifth brother and sister still had tears in the corners of their eyes just now, how did they suddenly become so cheerful?"

  She thought for a moment and suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, "Is it because you think of reuniting with your fifth brother, even if the journey is long, you don't feel afraid?"

  Cui Ling's eyes sparkled as she said with a straight face, "Since we have to go northwest anyway, it's pointless to cry and become a tearful person."

  She nodded firmly, "Since we've come, let's make the best of it. Crying now won't help, and instead, let's think of ways to make the journey more comfortable. After all, we must arrive safely at Muzhou Prefecture!"

  Choi Yong really thought so in his heart.

  It's better to take it as a trial and an outing, rather than crying all the way, worrying grandma, making sisters-in-law concerned, and feeling uncomfortable in one's own heart.

  From a good perspective, the noble ladies of Shengjing City, where have they had such an opportunity to go out on an imperial order?

  Most women probably won't have a chance to leave Shengjing in their lifetime, will they?

  Yining Junzhu, Liang Shi, Lian Shi and Su Zihua were all shocked by these words.

  Only Old Lady's face showed a relieved smile.

  This kid really didn't disappoint her!

  ps：

  I recently met a great girl, she is the positive energy for my hard work of writing. To be honest, I'm not very patient and my updates are quite slow. But this classmate is an update maniac, she can write 2 chapters in one day!!! I'm so envious! Let me recommend her new book to you, if you're suffering from a lack of good books to read, go check it out. Tong Xiao Wu's "Hou Men Fu Qi" Book number: 3112859. Synopsis: She never thought that she would spend her whole life being good to only two people, but in the end, she was betrayed by both of them. With a blink of an eye, she thought she would return to the afterlife, but unexpectedly, she had been reborn...