After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Chapter 360 Sun Haining Saves People

The order came very urgently.

Lu Jiangnian sat in the study of Lingshui Residence, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his brows furrowed.

Outside, Yuan Wanru was arranging his travel essentials, and the faint sounds of footsteps and whispers could be heard.

“Xuan Ying,” he called out in a deep voice.

Xuan Ying stood quietly in front of the desk.

"After I leave the capital, I entrust Madam's safety to you." Lu Jiangnian took out a jade token from his robes. "With this token, you can mobilize all my men in the capital to ensure her safety."

Xuan Ying accepted the token with both hands and solemnly said, "I swear on my life that I will never let Madam lose a single hair."

Lu Jiangnian nodded, then quickly wrote another letter: "Give this to Sun Huanzhi."

The sound of horses neighing came from outside the window; the time had come.

Yuan Wanru stood at the door and stuffed a sachet embroidered with pine trees into his hand. "There are some medicinal herbs inside. If you feel unwell on the way, take it out and smell it."

Traveling in the summer can easily lead to heatstroke, so these were all the preparations she had time to make.

Lu Jiangnian gripped the sachet tightly and whispered, "Okay."

Since they got married, they had never been separated for so long. Lu Jiangnian felt empty and uneasy.

Seeing his worried expression, Yuan Wanru laughed and said, "Don't worry, just focus on your work and try to return to the capital as soon as possible. I will definitely take good care of myself."

Lu Jiangnian wanted to say something more, but in the end he only sighed softly and pulled her into his arms: "Okay, wait for me to come back."

As the sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, Yuan Wanru stood in front of the mansion gate until that figure completely disappeared at the end of the street.

-

When Liang Yusong learned that Lu Jiangnian had left Beijing, she was getting ready.

In the bronze mirror, her beautiful face was slightly flushed with excitement.

Because she couldn't be exposed to the wind all day, her face became even whiter.

"Really?" She paused, her hand holding the jade hairpin still. "Are you sure he's already left the city?"

Lamei nodded repeatedly: "It's absolutely true. Our people saw Lu Jiangnian's convoy leave the city gate with their own eyes, and the person on horseback at the head of the procession was Lu Jiangnian."

Indeed, no matter how capable Lu Jiangnian is, he can only obediently obey the Emperor's decree.

This is supreme power; how could anyone not yearn for it?

Liang Yusong suddenly stood up, her sleeve sweeping across the dressing table, knocking over several bottles of rouge.

She disregarded all that and quickly walked to the window, gazing in the direction of the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence, her eyes flashing with resentment.

"Yuan Wanru..." she gritted her teeth, muttering the name, "This time I'll make sure you die a horrible death!"

She turned to Lü'e and ordered, "Go tell my grandfather to prepare the most poisonous medicine for me, immediately!"

-

Murong Xiao also received the message.

In the underground chamber, candlelight flickered.

Murong Xiao sat in the main seat with a gloomy expression, with more than a dozen men in black kneeling below him.

"Commander Zhao, this time, with you personally leading the operation, can you guarantee that Yuan Wanru will be killed?"

Commander Zhao bowed his head and said, "Your Highness, I swear to complete the mission, even at the cost of my life."

Murong Xiao slammed the teacup he was holding onto the ground, shards of porcelain scattering everywhere: "Fine, if you can't kill Yuan Wanru, then this is the cup you'll have!"

He stood up, his eyes burning with a frenzied rage: "Since they've made me wish I were dead, then I'll make Lu Jiangnian taste the agony of losing his loved one!"

"Commander Zhao," he said, emphasizing each word, "I'm entrusting everyone to you; don't let me down!"

-

After Lu Jiangnian left the capital, Yuan Wanru continued to live a secluded life.

She has also received several invitations to visit her online, but she has declined them all.

In any case, she would absolutely not go out for social engagements at this time.

To be on the safe side, Wang Min did not go out.

To stop these banquets, Wang Min came up with a good idea: she told outsiders that the master had instructed her family to stay home and chant scriptures to pray for the soldiers on the border.

That finally calmed things down at the gatehouse.

Yuan Wanru thought she could wait until Lu Jiangnian returned.

But things are never that simple.

The Lu family members were all kept under control by Wang Min and were not allowed to leave the house easily. However, Yuan Wanru still had one relative or friend in the capital.

That's Sun Haining.

That day, just as dawn was breaking, lights were lit in the backyard of the Duke of Xin's mansion.

Sun Haining got up early and dressed up with the help of her personal maid, Qing Shuang.

Tomorrow is Sun's mother's birthday, and Sun Haining is wearing a brand new lotus-colored embroidered butterfly-patterned ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a moon-white gauze overlay, and a gilded butterfly hairpin in her hair.

A bright and beautiful face was reflected in the bronze mirror, with almond-shaped eyes, cherry lips, and skin as smooth as cream.

As Qing Shuang straightened her clothes, she smiled and said, "Young lady, wearing these clothes, you are no less beautiful than any young lady in the capital. You look so beautiful today; Madam will be very pleased to see you."

Sun Haining frowned, but remembering what her brother had said—that after their mother's birthday, her brother would mention her going to the border—she decided to try her best to make her mother happy this time.

"These clothes are so cumbersome, I really can't get used to wearing them."

She turned to look at the brightening sky outside the window. "It's getting late. Let's go pay our respects to Mother first, have breakfast, and then head out early."

Qing Shuang quickly tied the silk sash around her waist and then took out a purse embroidered with lotus blossoms: "Miss, it's done."

When Madam Sun saw this outfit, she was indeed very pleased and ate half a bowl more of rice.

After having breakfast, Sun Haining took Qing Shuang out.

Sun Haining knew martial arts, and so did Qing Shuang, so the master and servant did not bring many guards.

Besides, they went out onto the main street, so nothing should happen to them.

-

As the sun rose higher, the main streets of the capital gradually became lively.

There are shops on both sides of the street, and the sounds of hawking can be heard one after another.

Sun Haining first went to the most famous silk shop and carefully selected several pieces of fine Yun brocade.

"Young lady, you have excellent taste," the shopkeeper said solicitously. "This lake-blue one is perfect for wearing; it's silky smooth, refreshing, and makes one's skin look as white as jade. This apricot-yellow one would be most vibrant for a dress."

Sun Haining carefully stroked the fabric: "Not bad, the colors are all very nice, and the material is also good. These are the few bolts we need."

She didn't know how to make clothes, but choosing some good materials to give to Madam Sun was her way of showing her love as a daughter.

After leaving the silk shop, they went to the Treasure Pavilion.

Among the dazzling array of jewelry, Sun Haining picked out a gold-inlaid jade hairpin with the character "寿" (longevity). The hairpin head was decorated with the four small characters "福寿安康" (blessings, longevity, peace, and health) made of gold thread as fine as hair, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.

"Young lady, Fushouzhai is just ahead."

Qing Shuang pointed to a shop not far away, wafting a sweet aroma, "I heard their new longevity peach pastries are quite good; Madam even mentioned them yesterday."

Sun Haining looked up and saw a snack shop with a good number of customers: "Since Mother likes them, I'll buy some for her to take back."

Sun Haining's belongings were all in the carriage, and she and Qing Shuang walked slowly down the street.

Just as they were about to reach Fushouzhai, a noisy commotion came from the alleyway next door.

Four or five burly men were seen punching and kicking an old woman with white hair. The old woman was curled up on the ground, clutching a tattered blue cloth bundle tightly in her arms.

"Stop!" Sun Haining rushed forward without hesitation. "How dare you commit violence in broad daylight?"