210 Heading Out 2

Surprisingly, the Duchess had been supportive, when he told her what he intended to do. She approved too, of Li Changhai intent to bring what troopers he had already recruited into that half-company of his. The Prince did get the impression that the second part was the one that set her at ease. Well, a little.

"You are not a coward, and I have always thought that you were too cautious previously," she confided in him with a smile, as she patted him on the shoulder, the moment that he had shared his plans.

"Besides, this is someone that you value. So if you were to do nothing while he is in danger ... That would seriously affect how you see yourself. And I would not wish you to go through something like that. So naturally I would support you in this."

The way that she squeezed his shoulder, on the other hand, was enough to convey just how concerned she was, regarding his own safety. Something that Li Sanlang promised, himself as well as his mother, that he would be paying a great deal of attention to.

"However, you shall have to take better care of yourself this time. You are heading into the Capital, and not to my parent's fief. So there are definitely going to be more dangers, and more enemies, for you to meet."

The Duchess' tone went a little lower, and her voice a little softer, as she said the last. And from the way that she was looking at him, she was making it rather clear that she was more worried about his safety than she was letting on. Li Changhai was not a stranger to his mother's moods, so he could see that immediately.

For a moment, he was torn. Between what he had promised his friends, his Brothers, and the sort of pain that he knew that he was putting his mother through. But it was something that he had to do, so he simply nodded back at her. And patted the back of the hand that she had placed on his shoulder.

"Do not worry, Mother. I shall be bringing my personal Bodyguard with me. It may not be at full strength, but a half-troop should be sufficient to deter all but the most determined assassins. And I shall have Du Yan, Qin Feng and Lin Liushui at my side. They should be enough to keep me safe from harm."

Along the way to the Capital at least. But the Second Ducal Prince did not add that to the rest of his words. There was no point. His mother probably knew it better than he did, since she had lived there, in the Capital City, herself.

And true enough, she simply gave his shoulder another squeeze, as her voice took on a harder, slightly chiding tone:

"Remember that you are a scion of the Feng Lineage, as well as member of the Li Family. Neither of those lines have ever stepped away from a fight! And we are not afraid of confronting what enemies that dare to hinder you. Whoever they may be! So do as you see fit!"

Li Changhai bowed again, as soon as he heard that. And promised his mother that he would do just that:

"I will make sure that I do not disgrace either family, when I arrive at the Du Family estates. I shall support my Brother to the best of my abilities and do you proud, mother. I promise you that!"

*

Qin Feng wondered how he had gotten himself involved in something so idiotic again, as he rode out of Yanyun City on one of the powerful horses that Li Changhai provided.

They were not taking a carriage or wagon this time, since they were going to need to rush. And the Second Ducal Prince had pretended that it was all to test his new Bodyguard as well, to see how they would handle themselves on a long ride like this, with the bare minimum of support.

Well, to be frank, it was more like they would not be getting any support at all!

Although Qin Feng was rather clear that except for Acting Captain [whatshisname], none of the other soldiers knew a thing about the whole journey and Li Changhai's actual intentions. And he was certain that Lin Liushui and the somewhat distracted Du Yan were not going to enlighten them.

Indeed, the debonair Lin Liushui, the Eldest among the Three Sworn Brothers, had lost his suave, devil-may-care attitude during the first two days of the journey. And he had even ridden out of Yanyun City with a scowl on his handsome face. Which was something that surprised not only Qin Feng but his Brothers as well.

"What is the matter? Why do you look as though you have torn a hole in all your riding robes? Or as if you have discovered that the birds overhead have been pooping on your hats the whole day?" Li Changhai asked the handsome fellow, as soon as they stopped for the first night.

Which was enough to draw a weak laugh from Du Yan. Qin Feng had also offered up a rather insipid smile as soon as that happened. But he had been far more interested in Lin Liushui's reply. For some reason, he had the feeling that it would not spell anything good.

Nor had Lin Liushui disappoint him.

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"Have you noticed that we have passed more merchants' wagon trains along the way than what is usual for this time of the year? From what I have observed over the years, most traders would still be resting from their sale of goods during the new year, and we should hardly see any of them on the roads at this time.

"And yet, we have crossed paths with six of them. All in one day. That is not the sort of behavior that I had expected to see, as we are departing Yanyun City."

Li Changhai had been quick to react to Lin Liushui's warning too. He had summoned Acting Captain Wen Xuanran and given him orders to set a double watch over the night. As well as to warn the soldiers to sleep with one eye open.

Qin Feng had grinned when he heard the last, to tell the truth. And had been surprised when the Captain simply nodded his head and saluted the Second Ducal Prince. And true enough, all the soldiers were on high alert that night.

As to whether they were really sleeping with one eye open or not, he certainly didn't bother to check. Indeed, he never had the chance to do so; all of the troopers greeted him the moment that he stepped out of his tent, for all that they were still lying down.

All of them did have their weapons close at hand though. And they were sprawled on their sleeping mats still with their armor on!

* * *