Chapter 1442: The Last Stop in Great Qin
Editor: Henyee Translations
Twenty days later, they finally reached Huning City, the largest city in the northwest.
It was still early April, and spring had arrived unusually late in this highland region. The trees and flowers had just begun to bloom, and the fresh, tender greenery was exceptionally striking.
The temperature fluctuated significantly between morning and evening. In the dayti, the sky stretched out vast and azure, occasionally graced by the elegant flight of a hawk. When one gazed upward, the bird appeared as a tiny, distant speck.
Huning City boasted a substantial station, where welcoming personnel awaited their arrival to make arrangents. As Qiao Xuan and her entourage approached, local officials erged from the city to extend their greetings and escort them to the station.
After Qiao Xuan acknowledged the officials’ greetings, she proceeded to her lodgings.
Princess Shuangfu suddenly wore a smile. “Mada Shao, join in the garden. The rest of you, please don’t follow.”
“Yes, Princess!”
Auntie Si and the others bowed and withdrew.
The courtyard within the courier station occupied a significant expanse, but the scenery was unremarkable during this ti of the year. It was impractical to cultivate delicate flowers here, given the harsh conditions, and there was a lack of ti, energy, and resources to tend to it.
Hence, most of the plants in this garden were hardy and adapted to withstand cold and drought.
At present, fresh shoots were sprouting, and new leaves were unfurling, providing a sowhat pleasant sight, albeit a bit monotonous.
Princess Shuangfu took slow, asured steps with her head lowered, and Qiao Xuan followed in her wake. No words were exchanged between them.
Upon their arrival in Huning City, Princess Shuangfu, Auntie Si, Biyun, and the other dowry attendants couldn’t help but feel a noticeable sense of despondency.
Such sentints were to be expected.
Huning City marked the westernmost point of the Great Qin Empire. Beyond it, after departing the Western Pass, the land would cease to be part of the Great Qin Empire.
Should they continue northward, it would likely take them another month and a half to reach the Qingdi Royal Court.
The path beyond the pass was treacherous, causing inevitable delays in their daily journey. Unpredictable extre weather conditions might necessitate midday stops for shelter and rest, further elongating their journey.
They were on the brink of departing from their holand. Despite any dissatisfaction she felt within the palace’s confines, it remained a place of familiarity and comfort, a true hotown.
As for Qingdi… what lay ahead was uncertain.
How could her heart remain untroubled?
In the presence of others, Princess Shuangfu maintained her composure, concealing any inappropriate emotions. She had already displayed remarkable self-control.
Princess Shuangfu paused and fixed her gaze on the young, tender leaves before her, lost in contemplation.
The trees at the northwest border differed from those in the capital. Their trunks bore rough, wrinkled bark, and their leaves were diminutive.
With a soft sigh, Princess Shuangfu spoke with a self-deprecating smile, “At this ti of year, the ladies and young ladies in the capital are busy organizing various flower-viewing banquets, aren’t they? I recall that Honored Princess i in the palace hosts a splendid peony flower banquet each year, and it’s a source of pride for all the capital’s ladies and young ladies to attend. I suspect this year’s peony flower banquet will be a beauty competition.”
Qiao Xuan smiled, “At this ti of year? Peonies haven’t blood yet, have they? Even in the capital, it’s still quite chilly during this season.”
Princess Shuangfu chuckled, “I forgot how knowledgeable you are about flowers and trees! But, Mada Shao, you might not be aware that although the peonies haven’t blood yet, the palace’s gardeners are already preparing the peonies for Honored Princess i.”
After all, how could Honored Princess i outshine the rest without an early start?
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