The day of departure came quickly.
To welcome Zhao Yi into the capital, the Royal Family dispatched an imposing ceremonial guard and escort army.
The vast procession stretched from Tong Huaqiong’s doorstep all the way to the village entrance.
Every three steps stood a guard.
Tong Huaqiong reflected on the intense security measures, so stringent that not even a fly could get in.
Early in the morning, all the villagers gathered to see them off.
Aunt Qin suddenly broke through the guards, taking Zhao Yi’s hand, stuffing him with two pairs of shoes and homemade buns, and tearfully said, "When you arrive in Shengjing, don’t forget the people of Qinghe Bay. If you rise to a high position someday, be kind to our folk like your father, so we can all have enough to eat."
Aunt Qin didn’t care if the former Crown Prince was a traitor; she only knew she had a full meal under the former Crown Prince’s regency.
Everyone said the Old Emperor took Zhao Yi back because the other sons were too useless and didn’t care for the people.
The series of policies enacted by the former Crown Prince back then brought relief to countless farmers.
The people of Qinghe Bay could eat their fill, thanks to the Crown Prince’s benevolent governance.
To have enough to eat was the people’s greatest and simplest wish.
The guards were shocked and broke into a cold sweat.
They were careless.
Seeing Su Chengmin didn’t blame them at all, their minds eased, and they were about to have Aunt Qin leave.
Zhao Yi shot the guard a glance, stopping them in their tracks.
Hearing Aunt Qin’s words, the villagers of Qinghe Bay all had red-rimmed eyes.
"Grand Prince, take good care in Shengjing."
"Don’t forget the people of Qinghe Bay."
"Become a wise ruler someday, and ensure the people under your jurisdiction have enough to eat."
The villagers, like Aunt Qin, expressed their simplest wishes.
The last line was spoken by the village head, as he feared some would whisper to the Emperor, suggesting the villagers were inciting the Grand Prince to rebel.
The Old Emperor was still alive, and he represented the people of Qinghe Bay in expressing hope that the Grand Prince would become a wise ruler without any hint of treason.
Zhao Yi picked up a bun and bit into it—it was stuffed with dried green beans and pork, a filling Aunt Qin knew he loved. She had specially made them for him.
After swallowing the bun, Zhao Yi looked at the people surrounding him and said word-for-word, "Thank you, Grandma Qin, for your teachings. Thank you all for your reminders. I will remember them in my heart."
Tears streamed down Aunt Qin’s face.
Tong Huaqiong couldn’t help but feel a pang of sourness in her heart at the scene.
After this little episode, Zhao Yi was ushered onto the carriage.
Su Chengmin rode a towering horse beside him.
Tong Huaqiong, together with Tong Pandi, Chen Sufen, Mrs. Zhao, Gu Baishuang, and others, were arranged in the carriage following behind.
Once seated, Tong Huaqiong marveled at the Royal Family’s arrangements—the carriage was spacious and soft, even the backrest conformed to ergonomic design.
Once everyone was settled, the procession began to move.
The villagers retreated to the sides of the road, leaving a path open.
"Safe travels, Grand Prince."
"Smooth journey, Dashi’s mother."
"East family, send us a message when you arrive in Shengjing."
"Mr. Su, us students will definitely study hard."
The villagers and children uttered words of farewell.
Tong Huaqiong lifted the sash of the sedan and waved goodbye to familiar faces.
This departure would mean uncertainty about when they’d return.
Qinghe Bay marked the beginning of Tong Huaqiong’s journey in this era, and over the years, she’d come to regard it as home.
Suddenly leaving for countless miles away filled her heart with reluctance.
The procession moved steadily yet unhurriedly, soon leaving Qinghe Bay behind.
Tong Huaqiong set aside her feelings of separation and became newly alert.
Despite the approval so loud by his other sons, Tong Huaqiong couldn’t trust the Emperor to remain neutral about welcoming Zhao Yi back with such fanfare.
Tong Huaqiong was just worried the Grand Prince’s uncles might plot against him along the way.
While resting, Hua Qiong privately shared her concerns with Su Chengmin.
"They wouldn’t be so foolish as to ambush along the way. If the Grand Prince were hurt en route, every prince would be under suspicion. Instead of ambush, they’d clear obstacles and ensure a smooth passage to Shengjing," Su Chengmin explained.
Tong Huaqiong realized the truth.
The Old Emperor was practicing Balancing Skill.
Observing his ambitious sons, he began to recall the Grand Prince from the common realm to see who reacts.
Whoever reacts would be ousted.
It seems the Grand Prince’s uncles are better off staying hidden while guarding against other princes stepping ahead with ulterior motives.
Given this, the journey posed no serious concerns.
Tong Huaqiong fully relaxed, enjoying her time on the carriage with food and drink.
With Chen Sufen, Tong Pandi, Mrs. Zhao, Man Er, and Yaozu alongside her, Tong Huaqiong felt not a bit of boredom.
Since the Emperor had issued a royal edict declaring the Crown Prince’s innocence and announced the Grand Prince’s return to the capital, the arrival was marked by fanfare at each stop.
The Grand Prince Zhao Yi became weary of it, eventually ordering Su Chengmin to refuse welcoming ceremonies from officials at each stop.
Zhao Yi sat alone in the carriage, feeling unbearably lonely and bored, ordering the convoy to stop so he could transfer to Tong Huaqiong’s carriage.
Initially, Tong Huaqiong wanted to urge the Grand Prince to his own carriage, craving some peace and quiet, but knowing this might be his last bit of freedom before ascending to the throne, she felt pity.
Having grown up amidst palace schemes and strategies, the Grand Prince naturally foresaw what awaited him in Shengjing, and as he moved further north, he clung more to Tong Huaqiong and Chen Sufen.
His little head rested against Tong Huaqiong’s side, sharing snacks with her, reading storybooks—appearing for all the world like any normal child.
Shengjing lay north of Ning City.
The journey by carriage led to water passage, then back to land for another carriage ride.
After traveling for a month, they finally arrived at Shengjing.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites and senior court ministers had long awaited at the city gate, making the entrance ceremony exceedingly grand.
With a composed expression, the Grand Prince Zhao Yi led Tong Huaqiong and Chen Sufen off the carriage.
Together, they entered the city.
According to the rules, Tong Huaqiong and Chen Sufen were not allowed inside the palace.
However, the Old Emperor wished to meet the family that raised the Grand Prince, thus Tong Huaqiong and Chen Sufen were invited into the palace.
Inside the Imperial Palace, arriving at Jinluan Palace, an imperial figure sat above—they dared not gaze directly, beginning the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows.
As she bowed, Tong Huaqiong silently cursed the Old Emperor, having completed a lifetime’s worth of kowtowing.
"Long live the Emperor."
Tong Huaqiong heard the tremor in the voices of Chen Sufen, Mrs. Zhao, and Tong Pandi, unsure if her own voice was similarly affected.
Who wouldn’t be nervous facing the Emperor, when a single mistake could mean losing one’s head?
"Yi Er, come here, let Grandpa Emperor have a look."
The Old Emperor’s voice quivered slightly, with a touch of emotion.
With her forehead pressed to the ground, Tong Huaqiong used the corner of her eye to observe the scene—seeing Zhao Yi, now in royal garb, walk towards the Old Emperor.
"Grandpa Emperor."
"My good grandson."
The two began a display of royal familial affection.
How genuine this emotion was, remained uncertain.
"Have these years been good to you?"
"Grandson has endured hardships."
Inwardly, Tong Huaqiong scoffed at the Emperor, wishing he’d let them stand before expressing concern for his grandson.
As if their lives mattered not.