The Youngest Daughter, Chang Le

Chapter 60

"My lady, the rain has lessened," Lady Li reported as she hurried in.

Lady Zhang immediately stood up. "Is the carriage ready?"

"Yes, it's been changed, but the straw padding from before can't be used again. It won't be as comfortable as before."

"It's not far, we'll make do. Go get some food to replace what we've used."

"Yes, my lady."

Lady Zhang helped the old madam to her feet, her eyes falling on her second son. "Your wife trusts Lady Qin, so let her hold the child. You carry her to the carriage, and don't let her get wet."

Though the person in question was right there, Lady Zhang spoke to her son, making her displeasure clear. Yet even in her dissatisfaction, she still considered Madam Xu's health, leaving no room for criticism.

With his mother as a contrast, Zhu Changning felt increasingly guilty. "I'm useless, son. I've caused you worry."

Lady Zhang didn't say much more outside. She called Changle over to help carry her grandmother on her back, gesturing for Granny Liang to hold an umbrella and escort them. When Aunt Feng crouched in front of her, she didn't stand on ceremony and climbed on, holding tight.

Just as when they entered, Changle and her friends made several trips to send family members back to the carriage, very petty in leaving her eldest brother for last.

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"Big brother, I'll carry you."

Zhu Changwang was also afraid of being carried by Miss Lan again. Although being carried by his little sister wasn't much better, at least she was family, and it wasn't as uncomfortable. He patted his youngest sister's head with amusement and climbed on. Changle's personality was really something: she didn't mind what others considered a loss, but if she felt she'd lost out on something, it was absolutely unacceptable. Clearly, she felt she'd missed out by not carrying him before, so she had to make up for it.

In the short distance from the room to the carriage, Zhu Changwang couldn't help but reflect. The child who used to push his wheelchair had grown up and become strong, while he had lived longer than expected.

Without further delay, after half a day's journey, the group arrived at Yunbei County town in light rain.

Looking at the low city walls, Zhu Changle muttered, "I could run up those."

Dingding, right beside her, egged her on: "Want to try?"

"Do you think I'm stupid? My father is the highest official here. Wouldn't I be embarrassing him if I ran up there?" In the carriage, Zhu Maonian heard this and felt quite pleased that she could at least think of this point.

"We could try at night."

"..."

Lady Zhang refrained from looking at her husband's changing expression, holding back her laughter as she turned her head away. After so many years, shouldn't he know not to listen to only half of what Changle says?

Outside, the conversation continued. Looking at the approaching city walls, Dingding was quite tempted by this suggestion. "Tonight then?"

"Not sure if it'll rain heavily, we'll see later. This drizzle isn't a problem," Zhu Changle asked Lan Ping on her other side, "The three of us?"

Lan Ping naturally had no objection.

"Then it's settled." Zhu Changle clapped her hands together, creating water splashes from her wet hands. She deliberately clapped a few more times, then went to pat her horse's head.

Qiuli nudged his horse quietly to move away a bit. His movement caught Zhu Changle's attention, and she urged her horse to catch up, saying, "Qiuli, why don't you join us?"

"Zhu Changle, aren't you overestimating yourself?" Dingding also caught up. "If he comes, what would we be doing? Clapping for him?"

"I didn't say he'd compete with us. Don't we need a judge for us three? Otherwise, what if you lose and don't admit it?"

"Zhu Changle, you really have no shame. I dare not speak for other things, but how many times have you won against me in this?"

"That was before. You think I've wasted these two years?"

"You think I've wasted these two years?"

Qiuli watched the back-and-forth between the two and thought: Did you even ask if I'm willing to come?

Inside the carriage, Zhu Maonian also felt that this matter should have been run by him, the head of the family. He lifted the curtain and asked, "Did you ask me?"

Zhu Changle blinked, looking at her father and then at her friends. Did they need to ask about this? You were all asleep by then! But since her father had brought it up, she should satisfy him. She immediately asked, "Father, do you want to join us?"

"Pfft!" Dingding laughed so hard he leaned on his horse. Qiuli silently turned his head and nudged his horse to the front. The others had various expressions, some holding back laughter, some covering their mouths. Zhu Maonian was caught between laughter and tears. He pointed at his innocent-looking youngest daughter and lowered the curtain.

Zhu Changle grinned, patting her horse as she chased after the front, "Qiuli, you haven't answered me yet!"

Qiuli urged his horse to go faster. At this, her horse didn't need any urging and started galloping, hooves flying. The two horses ended up racing, running straight to the city gate.

Zhu Changle was about to greet the guards with a smile when unexpectedly, the few guards turned and ran, shouting as they fled, "Quick, quick! The people from Gu'an are here again!"

Zhu Changle's smile froze on her face. Were these really Yunbei's guards? If Gu'an's people really came to attack, they could take the city gate without a single soldier!

"I want to hang them up and whip them," Zhu Changle muttered. Lan Ping, who had just caught up, glanced at her. Changle didn't used to have a habit of talking to herself, but she had seen it several times in the past few days. Had she stayed on the island for too long?

The carriage procession behind them also arrived. After hearing Zuo Qing's report, Zhu Changwang turned over a few thoughts in his mind and instructed, "Let's wait."

They didn't have to wait long. Soon there was a commotion from within the city, and a group of young men rushed out, none empty-handed. They wielded hoes, plows, adzes, and even wooden sticks. Some even had weapons in both hands, though these weapons were nothing more than farm tools. However, the resentment in their expressions made Zhu Changle unwilling to underestimate their determination to fight to the death. This actually made her feel a bit better: at least they weren't just running away.

Releasing her grip on her sword, Zhu Changle decided to go easy on them later.

"What are you Gu'an people here for again! Get lost, quick!" At the forefront were the few guards who had just run away. They held long spears in their hands which, although rusty, were the only things among these people that could truly be called weapons.

"Get lost! We're not envious of your horses, go back to Gu'an to show off!"

"Yeah, get lost! We're not envious!"

"If you don't leave, we'll kill your horses and eat the meat!"

Zhu Changle clearly saw that as soon as the words "eat meat" were spoken, many people started to salivate, their eyes becoming eager. Even those who hadn't had the idea before were now tempted. Horses: if they killed the horses, they'd have meat to eat!

Her horse seemed to sense the danger and neighed anxiously, stomping its hooves on the spot.

Patting its neck, Zhu Changle dismounted. "Who's in charge here?"

"What do you want? Don't think that because you took advantage last time, you can bully us again. We have more people this time!" The guard looked at the sword at her waist and took a step back. After stepping on someone's foot, he looked back and then straightened his back, taking a step forward.

"Having more people doesn't necessarily mean you can beat me." Zhu Changle said provocatively. The next moment, her hand shot out, grabbing a pair of scissors that was sneaking towards her horse. She held them up high, her expression challenging. "You can't beat me with this either."