Chapter 312 - Heading to the Northwest!

After returning to the mansion, Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua did not waste their time. Shen Ninghua went to see the two children while listening to Bi Zhu and Bai Ruo report the situation.

“Miss, all the things have been sealed in the warehouse, and the shops in the capital and nearby are all closed.”

Bai Ruo added, “We’ve prepared everything that we need on the way to the northwest according to your list. We can set off at any time.”

With a nod, Shen Ninghua caressed the children’s plumpy cheeks gently. “His Highness will arrange the people he needs to bring. As for our side, the four of you, two wet nurses, Liu Yun, and Xia Rouqin should be enough. What about Xuanlin? Is he ready?”

“Yes, Miss. Liu Yun is watching over him, and he has already been prepared.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. When she heard the footsteps, she turned around, and there was a hint of warmth in her eyes when she saw Baili Junyi walking in. “Have you arranged everything on your side?”

“Yes, I have. I’ve written a letter and asked someone to send it to Father Emperor. Let’s go.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. After that, they carried the two children and walked out of Huajun Pavilion in large strides.

The doors and windows were closed, and the courtyard door was locked. Looking at this place that she had been living in for a long time, Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but feel tears welling up in her eyes. This was her home, but now she had no choice but to leave. That kind of discomfort was not strong, but there was an unspeakable torment.

Baili Junyi reached out and held her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We will be back soon.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and whimpered with emotion, “Yes, you personally designed everything here, even the grass and the trees. Of course, we can’t abandon them. When we come back, we will still live here.”

“Okay, don’t worry. If anyone dares to touch a single thing here, I will chop him up.”

Shen Ninghua chuckled in amusement. “You’re only a prefectural prince now. Why are you still so mighty?”

Seeing her laugh, Baili Junyi heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. “Yes, I may be a prefectural prince, but my wife is Noble Princess Zhaohua, which shares the same rank as a royal prince, and my son and daughter are Bei Zi and Prefectural Princess at such a young age. Who dares to look down on me?”

Shen Ninghua laughed even harder. She lowered her head to look at her son in her arms. “Son, you have to grow up quickly. You will need to protect your father when he is demoted again.”

Baili Junyi laughed, “Let’s go.”

Shen Ninghua’s identity as a Noble Princess was not a joke. Although she didn’t bring many maids, she had five hundred guards with her. In addition to Baili Junyi’s three hundred guards, their convoy was quite spectacular. Even if they traveled on the most remote road, it still attracted many people to come out and watch.

A eunuch frantically sprinted to Baili Qingcang’s bedchamber with a letter in his hand. The chief eunuch stopped him and reprimanded, “Slow down. Why are you so flustered?”

“Chief eunuch, Prefectural Prince Yi just sent someone to deliver a letter. He said that he would not come to bid farewell to His Majesty because he didn’t want to make His Majesty sad, and he had already packed up his things and left the capital city.”

The chief eunuch took the letter and looked at the words on the envelope. “His Majesty just fell asleep not long ago. He worked hard all night yesterday. I’ll personally send in the letter to His Majesty later. You can leave now.”

“But Prefectural Prince Yi and the Noble Princess are about to leave the city.”

“I got it. Leave.”

“…Yes.”

After the eunuch left, the chief eunuch sighed slightly. Thinking of Prefectural Prince Yi’s request, he kept the envelope in his sleeve. Estimating the time, he walked into the bedchamber and reported to Baili Qingcang.

Baili Qingcang was a little dazed and wobbly when the chief eunuch woke him up. When he saw the letter, he sighed deeply. “These kids. Okay, got it. You may leave.”

These two children were expressing their sincerity to him. That was good…

Shen Ninghua sat in the carriage. The inside of the carriage was extremely spacious. There were tea and deserts on the fixed table, and there was also a small stove burning hot water next to it. Bai Ruo took a soft cushion and placed it behind Shen Ninghua. “Miss, we have already been out of the city.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. Looking at the two little fellows sleeping soundly next to her, she massaged their clenched fists. “These two little fellows are quite relaxed. They can sleep soundly even in this situation.”

Chuckling at her banter, Bai Ruo pondered, “Miss, we left in too much of a hurry. Although we had prepared everything as completely as possible, the northwest cannot compare with the capital. Do you think two Little Masters can adapt to the new environment?”

Shen Ninghua smiled slightly, her tone carrying an imperceptible sigh. “You want to ask why we must leave the capital, right?”

Bai Ruo nodded with a sheepish smile. “Yes, I’ve thought hard for a long time, but I can’t understand Your Highness’ and your intentions.”

“It’s quite complicated, but also quite simple. We’ve offended the majority of the officials in the court. Firstly, we’re afraid of their retaliation, and secondly, we have exposed too many things in this matter.”

“Exposed too many things?” Bai Ruo was puzzled.

“Yes. How do you think we would know the secrets of those officials without careful investigation and accurately guide the Dragon Scale Army to find the places where the money is hidden?”

“Miss, are you saying that His Majesty will be wary if he knows this?” Bai Ruo suddenly came to her senses.

Shen Ninghua sighed slightly. “Right now, Father Emperor is too angry and shocked, so he doesn’t think of it. The officials are frightened temporarily, so they hadn’t thought of slandering us at this point. But when they all come back to their senses, it will not be easy for us to leave the capital.”

“You’re right. Why haven’t I thought of it?”

“There is nothing wrong with leaving.” Shen Ninghua smiled in relief. “We have been fighting and scheming in the capital for such a long time. It’s time to sit back and relax. Besides, Big Boy and Baby Girl are still so young. They can’t talk and have no strength to resist, and we can’t stay by their side all the time. If someone takes advantage of the loophole and approaches them, Junyi and I will regret it for the rest of our lives.”

Bai Ruo nodded knowingly. If such good Little Masters were to be hurt, they would not be able to forgive themselves, let alone Miss and His Highness, who loved their children dearly.

Once out of the city, Baili Junyi no longer rode on a horse. Instead, he entered the carriage. After Bai Ruo and the others packed up their things, they went to the smaller carriage at the back to give the two masters some privacy.

Glancing at the two sleeping children, Baili Junyi gently pulled Shen Ninghua into his arms. “Ninghua, I’m sorry for making you and our children suffer.”

Shen Ninghua closed her eyes with a smile on her lips. “What are you talking about? We didn’t suffer at all.”

“If I hadn’t had to suppress the black sheep in the court, you wouldn’t have to tread in dangerous water with me.”

Hearing this, Shen Ninghua opened her eyes slightly and snorted.

“What? Are you trying to snatch the credit from me? You are not the only one who wants to punish those officials. I have also contributed. I have been kneeling in Chengqian Hall for so long, and my knees still hurt. It is not your idea alone.”

“Yes, it is our idea. Are your knees still hurt? Let me see.” As he spoke, he wanted to check.

“Don’t touch me.” Shen Ninghua kicked his arm to the side.

“Darling, I am your husband. How can you be so guarded against me? Come on, don’t be shy. Let me check on you.”

Shen Ninghua rolled her eyes at him. “You are really thick-skinned. Aren’t you afraid of being a bad example for the children?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Big Boy and Baby Girl happened to wake up and opened their eyes in a daze. When they saw their parents beside them, they immediately struggled to look up, turn over, and stretch out their hands for a hug.

Baili Junyi froze, and then his face turned red. He was messing with his wife. If their children saw it, it would damage his image as a strict father.

Big Boy stretched out his hand to ask for a hug desperately, but after his mother picked Baby Girl up, he pouted and looked at his father, who was the second-best choice. But when he saw his father’s wandering appearance, he burped and fidgeted with his fingers instead.

Big Boy’s disdainful response irritated Baili Junyi a little. He picked him up and gently spanked his butt. “Bad boy. Do you dislike me?”

Big Boy bounced in his embrace like a little fat fish, waving his little arms and unceremoniously hitting his father in the face.

The tiny slaps did not hurt physically, but it was a great blow to Baili Junyi’s self-esteem. He lifted him up and sneered, “You little bad boy. How dare you slap me. I’ll teach you a lesson today!”

Big Boy frowned and puffed up his pink cheeks as he glared at Baili Junyi as if the latter was the most ruthless person in the world.

Seeing the amusing sight, Shen Ninghua laughed wholeheartedly at the side and looked at her daughter who was watching coldly from the sidelines in her arms. “Baby Girl, you have to be a good girl and don’t bully your father, or you’ll end up like your brother.”

Baby Girl, who was sitting quietly in her mother’s embrace, suddenly grinned delightfully, showing off her little teeth, and clapped her hands. She was either amused by her mother’s words or saw something funny. She was so happy that she almost danced.

Baili Junyi looked at his son’s serious expression in frustration. Then, he looked at his wife and daughter who were fanning the flames. Suddenly, he felt that he was becoming less and less dignified as a parent.

“Hmph, bad boy, I’ll spare you today. When you grow up, I’ll show you my true colors!”

After Baili Junyi put Big Boy down, he immediately turned over, crawled to his mother’s side, and leaned on her legs. Then, his eyes were shining as he saw the tea on the table, and he even began to drool, looking rather funny and pitiful.

Shen Ninghua smiled and wiped his face. She asked the wet nurse to bring over the warm milk and carefully fed the two children with a small spoon.

When they were full and fell asleep again, Baili Junyi’s mood eased a lot. He felt dejected as he was being “disliked” by his own children.

Shen Ninghua held a cup of tea and handed it over. “Old Master, have a cup of tea to calm down.”

Baili Junyi raised his eyebrows. “Old Master? Am I so old?”

“I’m just respecting you.” Shen Ninghua imitated his appearance and raised her eyebrows chicly. “Am I wrong?”

Baili Junyi drank a mouthful of tea and almost choked. Shen Ninghua’s mischievous banter was much more lethal than Big Boy’s dislike.