As the New Year was approaching, the relief work in the northwest was also nearing its end. The displaced people outside the capital city of Kyoto were gradually returning to their hometowns with the donated supplies.
Looking out of the window at the gloomy sky, Yun Xi couldn't help but frown.
There were still more than ten days until Chinese New Year's Eve. Every household was busy preparing for the New Year, creating a lively atmosphere.
However, at this time every year, she couldn't muster up any enthusiasm because the anniversary of her mother's death was coming.
"Miss, judging from the current situation, it should snow in the next few days. How about you go to pay respects to the late mistress during the Tomb - Sweeping Festival next year?" Seeing Yun Xi looking so worried, Yu Zhu knew what was on her mind and couldn't help but persuade her.
This year in the Liuguo, it was not only a year of disaster but also a once - in - a - decade cold winter.
Even though there was a kang heater burning in the room and two large stoves were placed, one could still feel the approaching cold.
The Yun family's ancestral tombs were located in the suburbs more than two hundred miles away from Kyoto. Traveling in such weather would be a great challenge for Yun Xi, who had a weak constitution.
That was why Yun Sheng would stop her from going every year.
"No, I must go." Yun Xi's gaze was firm and unshakable.
After being reborn, she had so many things to say to her mother that she could hardly contain herself.
Fortunately, the Yun family's ancestral tombs were only more than two hundred miles away. It would take a day's journey by carriage to get there, and there was a manor nearby where they could rest.
"However, the master came early this morning and strictly forbade you from going." Seeing Yun Xi's determination, Yu Zhu said worriedly, "The master said that although the relief work has ended, as the New Year is approaching and the displaced people are gradually returning home, the roads are very unsafe."
In previous years, bandits would become even more rampant as the New Year approached. Coupled with the special situation this year, the probability of danger would increase greatly.
This was the reason why no matter how much the young lady pleaded this time, the master still refused to let her go!
"It's okay. We'll just follow secretly as long as we don't get caught by father." Yun Xi was determined to go to pay respects to her mother's tomb. Although Yu Zhu was worried, she had no choice but to compromise and resignedly hurried to pack the things they would need on the way.
Early one morning, Yun Sheng came to his daughter's courtyard. After seriously exhorting her a few words, he set off.
As soon as Yun Sheng left, Xiao Anzi was sent to guard the gate of Yun Xi's courtyard. It was obvious that he was there to prevent Yun Xi from sneaking out.
Yun Xi tried many ways to get rid of Xiao Anzi, but Xiao Anzi seemed determined not to leave even a single step. He even had his meals quickly while squatting at the courtyard gate.
Seeing this situation, Yun Xi felt a bit headache. It was obvious that Xiao Anzi had been instructed by her father and was on guard against her.
Even when Hong Luo "accidentally" splashed water on him and told him to go and change, he stood like a wooden stake at the courtyard gate without moving. Yun Xi felt quite guilty and sent him a cotton - padded jacket and ginger soup.
Just when Yun Xi was worrying, Madam Jiang suddenly came. She claimed that she was just coming to check on Yun Xi, but when she saw Xiao Anzi at the courtyard gate, her face immediately darkened.
Xiao Anzi tried to explain, but Madam Jiang scolded him without distinguishing right from wrong and ordered him to go to the palace gate immediately to pick up Yun Qi back to the mansion.
The servant who was in charge of taking care of Yun Qi was ill, and others were not as familiar with the palace rules as Xiao Anzi, who always accompanied Yun Sheng.
The reason sounded quite reasonable. Thinking that the master had been away for more than two hours, Xiao Anzi followed Madam Jiang's arrangement and went to the palace.
Seeing that Madam Jiang had unexpectedly helped her, Yun Xi immediately thought of a proverb: The weasel pays New Year calls to the chicken - with ill intentions!
Looking at Madam Jiang, who still hadn't left, Yun Xi gently curled the corner of her lips into a smile.
"Thank you, auntie, for helping me out. Do you have anything else?"
Compared with Yun Xi's half - smiling expression, Madam Jiang seemed much more sincere.
"Yun Xi, auntie knows that you've had many misunderstandings about me on weekdays. But tomorrow is your mother's anniversary. As her only child, you must be eager to pay tribute to her. All auntie can do is just a little favor. The journey is long, so you should take care of yourself."
Saying this, Madam Jiang looked at Yu Zhu and said in the tone of the mistress of the house, "Yu Zhu, take good care of the young lady on the way. The young lady is in poor health. You should prepare a few more quilts. Keep your eyes and ears open when you're out. Make sure the young lady doesn't get hurt."
Madam Jiang spoke so sincerely that Yun Xi almost dozed off.
Knowing that Madam Jiang was being hypocritical, Yu Zhu still nodded patiently, "Don't worry, auntie. This servant will take good care of the young lady."
With Madam Jiang's help, the young lady and her maid smoothly left the mansion.
However, not long after the carriage set off, Yun Xi ordered it to change direction and head towards the embroidery workshop.
"Miss, it's getting late. If we don't hurry up, what are we going to the embroidery workshop for?" Yu Zhu was puzzled, but Yun Xi made a hushing gesture to her.
Then she leaned over to Yu Zhu's ear, pointed to the back of the carriage, and whispered, "Yu Zhu, quietly lift the curtain and look behind. Is there someone secretly following us?"
Hearing Yun Xi's words, Yu Zhu's face suddenly changed, and she exclaimed, "It can't be?"
Saying so, Yu Zhu followed Yun Xi's instructions and quietly lifted a corner of the curtain, looking warily behind the carriage.
In no time, she really saw a sneaky figure following them!
The man was hunched over and wearing a felt hat, making it hard to see his features. His steps were sometimes fast and sometimes slow. When the carriage stopped, he would also stop in place and pretend to look at things at a nearby stall.
"Miss, there really is someone following us!" Yu Zhu was extremely panicked. Suddenly, she remembered the incident when she and the young lady were robbed in the alley in Kyoto. It was the cousin of Madam Jiang, Jiang Da, who had arranged it. If it hadn't been for the help of the King of Xian, the young lady might have been in great danger!
"Shall we go back to the mansion immediately?" Yu Zhu asked anxiously.
No wonder Madam Jiang had helped them get out. It turned out that she had ill intentions!
They were still safe for now as they hadn't left the city yet, but they couldn't be sure about the future!
Yun Xi patted Yu Zhu's hand and gave her a calm - down look.
"It's okay. I've made preparations."
No matter what, she was going to pay tribute to her mother this time.
Yun Xi's carriage entered the largest embroidery workshop in Kyoto, Su's Embroidery Workshop. The manager, Aunt Qin, was an old acquaintance of her mother and the only person she could confide in among the shops in Kyoto.
Seeing Yun Xi's carriage come in, Aunt Qin quickly ordered the gate of the embroidery workshop to be closed. She stepped forward with a smile and said to Yun Xi, "Miss, everything has been prepared. I've also arranged a team of bodyguards for you. You can set off right away."
"Thank you, Aunt Qin."
Yun Xi got out of the carriage with a smile and immediately changed to another carriage. She didn't forget to instruct, "Let the other carriage leave half an hour after we're gone."
"Yes, miss."
Yu Zhu stared blankly at the two completely different carriages and the two coachmen sitting in front of the carriages, looking confused, "Miss, what about the things we prepared before?"
Yun Xi lifted the curtain and called Yu Zhu in, saying, "Aunt Qin has prepared everything."
Then, Yun Xi glanced at the coachman who had followed them out of the prime minister's mansion. Pretending not to notice the fleeting panic on his face, she sneered with pursed lips, "Moreover, both carriages will go to the cemetery, just at different times."