Shen Xiaoyan's words earlier were correct; after a long time, even adults couldn't endure it, let alone children.
The two wanted to say more, but the carriage stopped. Steward Jiang had already gotten out of the carriage and quickly walked to Sima Han's carriage.
"It's getting late today, so let's stay here for the night."
Sima Han heard this, lifted the curtain, and stepped down.
He glanced up at the sky and indeed, it was about to get dark. He nodded and said, "Then let's stay here."
As the two were talking, the young guard from noon ran over quickly. He bowed to Sima Han and then said, "The rooms are all arranged, we can go in and rest now."
Sima Han smiled and nodded upon hearing this. He turned and walked to the inside of the carriage, lifted the curtain, and said to Yue Qingxin inside, "Xinxin, come down."
Yue Qingxin had heard all the conversation inside. Hearing Sima Han's words now, she handed Sima Shuixuan, whom she was holding, to Sima Han and slowly walked out herself.
As everyone entered the inn, there wasn't a single guest, let alone any attendants or the owner.
Guards led Shen Xiaoyan and the others, guiding them upstairs to their respective rooms.
Not long after entering the room, Huo Fen came in with hot water.
"Master and Madam, wash your faces to relieve your fatigue. We've already asked someone to cook dinner; it should be ready soon."
Shen Xiaoyan smiled and nodded, asking Huo Fen to put the water down.
"You go and wash up too. Come and call us when it's time to eat."
Huo Fen agreed and withdrew.
Shen Xiaoyan wet a handkerchief with hot water and wiped the faces and hands of Sanshengzi. She and Zheng Wei also washed up.
After washing with hot water, they truly felt much more comfortable.
Now, Shen Xiaoyan had the leisure to examine the entire room.
She remembered that a few years ago, she, Zheng Wei, and Shen Xiaoming had visited Huangshan County together. That trip was mainly to buy saplings, so they arrived and left in a hurry.
Although they had also taken time to wander the streets, they hadn't truly seen much.
Years had passed since then.
They were here again, but unfortunately, this time it was even more pressing than before. They had to set off early the next morning, so they wouldn't be able to see anything.
She wondered if there would be another chance to return and explore thoroughly.
Dinner was made by the inn's cook. Although it wasn't as delicious as what Madam Qu and Madam Zhu made, it was still good.
After sitting in the carriage all day, everyone felt very tired.
After dinner, they each returned to their rooms, washed up, and quickly lay down on their beds to rest.
Even with the spatial cheat, Shen Xiaoyan was like this.
She didn't want herself to rely too much on the space, nor did she want Sanshengzi to over-rely on it, so when she didn't have to enter the space, she wouldn't.
Perhaps she was truly tired; Shen Xiaoyan slept very soundly that night. Even Sanshengzi slept through the entire night without any trouble.
The next day, Shen Xiaoyan woke up naturally.
By the time they finished breakfast and set off again, the sun in the east had only just risen.
It was still too early, so even in the county, there were few people on the streets. There was no talk of the county's prosperity that Shen Xiaoyan could see.
Disappointed, she lowered the carriage curtain and leaned back against the soft pillow.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan so dejected, Zheng Wei found it a little amusing.
"Mimi, what's wrong? If you want to see prosperity, when we reach the Imperial Capital, I guarantee you'll see enough. You're a bit too impatient right now."
Hearing Zheng Wei's words, Shen Xiaoyan smiled sheepishly.
"I'm just bored."
Zheng Wei smiled and said nothing, his mind seemingly deep in thought.
After lunch that day, Zheng Wei moved the wet nurses to the rear carriage.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at him with confusion, "What? We're not eating in the carriage today, why are you sending everyone away?"
When they left the inn in the morning, Jiang Yubao had asked the inn to prepare meals, which were packed in dozens of food boxes, filling up his carriage. He had to shamelessly squeeze into Yizixie's carriage.
However, in Shen Xiaoyan's opinion, he was quite willing to do so.
"You said you were bored. I'm finding something for you to do," Zheng Wei said seriously.
"What? Coaxing the children?" Shen Xiaoyan said, looking at Sanshengzi, who was happily playing by himself. He didn't need her coaxing.
Zheng Wei shook his head, "We're going to the Imperial Capital. I'll take this time to tell you about the court officials I remember in the Imperial Capital."
Shen Xiaoyan: ...
"Why are you telling me this?" Shen Xiaoyan was a little speechless. Did she need to know this?
Zheng Wei said solemnly, "When we return to the Imperial Capital, we will definitely see Zheng Xiang. At that time..."
Zheng Wei's words were not finished, but Shen Xiaoyan suddenly understood.
She slapped the back of her head hard and said with a groan, "Yes, how could I forget about this? Hurry up and tell me."
Zheng Wei did not wear a jade pendant, nor did he have any scars on his face. Because of the peaceful life over the years, his demeanor had become much gentler.
She wondered if Zheng Xiang would still recognize Zheng Wei when they met.
If he recognized him, then that would be that.
If not, in this lifetime, they would be in the light and Zheng Xiang in the dark. They would definitely make Zheng Xiang understand what retribution was.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan's eagerness, Zheng Wei smiled softly, "Don't rush, I'll tell you slowly."
Thus, they talked and listened, and it took Zheng Wei two full days to tell Shen Xiaoyan everything he knew.
In the blink of an eye, they had traveled for seven days and were finally close to their destination... the Imperial Capital.
These seven days had felt incredibly slow and uncomfortable while on the road, but looking back now, it felt like it had passed in the blink of an eye.
That evening, they rested in a small town on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
After eating at the inn, Jiang Yubao said to the guards, "We will reach the Imperial Capital tomorrow. Everyone has worked hard on this journey. Rest well tonight, and we will ride at full speed to the Imperial Capital tomorrow to report back."
After everyone went to rest, only Jiang Yubao and Shen Xiaoyan's group remained on the first floor of the inn.
Jiang Yubao smiled at Shen Xiaoyan and the others, saying, "We've been traveling quite fast these past few days. We even ate lunch in the carriage. Thank you for your hard work."
Sima Han chuckled, "It's not hard. When we reach the Imperial Capital tomorrow and see the Grand Empress Dowager, all the hardship will be worth it."
Hearing Sima Han say this, Jiang Yubao smiled even more happily.
He had been somewhat worried along the way, fearing that Sima Han might hold a grudge against the Grand Empress Dowager due to his demotion from the capital years ago.
Now, seeing Sima Han's face showing excitement mixed with a smile, he knew that he had no ill feelings, and he was naturally relieved.
He admitted that although he believed Sima Han had a great chance of future success, he was after all close to the Grand Tutor.
However, regardless of anything else, his master was only the Grand Empress Dowager.
Only when the Grand Empress Dowager was well would he be well; everyone else was secondary.
They chatted for a while longer and then returned to their rooms.
In the guest room, Sima Han sat at the round table holding a porcelain cup, his expression grave, lost in thought.
After coaxing Sima Shuixuan to sleep, Yue Qingxin came out and saw this scene.
With a sigh, Yue Qingxin walked behind Sima Han and placed her hands on his shoulders, gently massaging them.
Feeling the familiar pressure on his shoulders, Sima Han knew it was Yue Qingxin.
The somberness on his face vanished. He turned, took Yue Qingxin's hand, and sat her beside him.
"Ah Han, are you worried about His Majesty?"
Yue Qingxin looked at Sima Han for a long time before asking this question.
Sima Han was startled and nodded slightly, "There is this reason, but..."
"But what?" Yue Qingxin pressed.
"But, I don't know, after all these years, if my Imperial Father is still my Imperial Father."