Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 112 I Want to Be an Ordinary Person
Song Yi was somewhat taken aback, and after a long while said, "So, this small village is actually nestled between two mountains."

Jiang Lanye nodded.

No wonder they are so poor
The carriage moved forward, the roadside overgrown with weeds, a desolate wasteland.

The ground was exceptionally damp after the rain, and the carriage moved much slower, leaving two deep wheel tracks as it resolutely continued forward into the misty rain ahead.

Jiang Lanye lowered his eyes, looking at the pair of straw sandals Song Yi had taken onto the carriage, and asked, "Have you really learned how to do it?"

Song Yi immediately replied, "Of course. Don't you think I'm very smart? In the future, I might be able to help you a lot."

She looked radiant when she said those words.

Jiang Lanye lifted the curtain and said calmly, "I only hope that you can be safe."

Song Yi pursed her lips and suddenly threw herself into his arms.

Jiang Lanye was taken aback, and instinctively hugged her, asking in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

“Jiang Lanye, every time you say something like that, I feel extremely uneasy, afraid that something bad might happen.”

Jiang Lanye reached out and gently stroked her hair, saying softly, "I originally only thought that as long as I was a good emperor and protected this world, that would be enough, regardless of life or death."

"But every time I come into your sight, I can't help but think that I could spend more time with you, even if I weren't an emperor, but just an ordinary person."

Song Yi suddenly recalled the scene of their first meeting and couldn't help but say, "If you weren't the emperor, we probably wouldn't have met."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire carriage suddenly lurched violently.

Song Yi was taken aback, and immediately peered out. Upon seeing the scene before him, he exclaimed, "What a high mountain!"

They were still some distance from the mountain, but even from this distance, they could still feel its towering grandeur, its shadow blocking out the sun, and the dark, jagged rocks that seemed to reach into the clouds.

She couldn't help but ask, "Jiang Lanye, is there no other way but to take the mountain path? Is there no alternative route?"

Jiang Lanye shook his head and said succinctly, "It was already discussed yesterday."

Hearing him say that, Song Yi stopped talking.

Since Jiang Lanye has already discussed this with those people, it means that this choice is the optimal solution.

"This mountain is really high. Even though we're so far away, it feels like we're already at its foot."

She couldn't help but peek out, and several soldiers couldn't help but look up at her.

Song Yi turned her head, met their gaze, smiled casually, and then went back inside.

"We should be there soon. By then, we won't be able to take the carriage anymore."

Jiang Lanye comforted her in a low voice: "There are paths in the mountains, but they will be difficult to walk."

After a stick of incense.

The group finally reached the foot of the mountain.

Song Yi jumped out of the carriage, stretched, and then saw Zuo Sheng return, respectfully asking Jiang Lanye, "Your Majesty, would you like to rest for a while, or proceed directly?"

Jiang Lanye pondered for a moment, just about to speak, when Song Yi suddenly noticed the feet of several soldiers.

When did your shoes start to wear out?

Caught off guard by her question, the group took a few awkward steps back.

Their toes were exposed, covered in mud, and you could vaguely see blood seeping out.

The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse. If these soldiers did not rest and insisted on climbing the mountain, their feet would probably be worn out. Moreover, this was not an isolated incident.

"Let's rest here for a while," Song Yi suggested.

Upon hearing this, Zuo Sheng immediately frowned, but because Jiang Lanye was present, he didn't dare to make any strange expressions. He simply asked Jiang Lanye:

"Your Majesty, I urge you to make the decision on this matter."

Jiang Lanye glanced at Song Yi, who was winking at Zuo Sheng, and said calmly, "Listen to Consort Yun."

Zuo Sheng choked up and said in a strained voice, "Everyone, rest first, and prepare to go up the mountain in half an hour!"

Song Yi saw the group of people limping to a rock to sit on, then climb into the carriage and take out the straw sandals she had prepared.

She glanced at Jiang Lanye.

Jiang Lanye knew what she was going to do and nodded slightly, which was a form of affirmation.

Song Yi immediately seemed like an encouraged child, and quickly walked up to them, saying:
"I can weave straw sandals. I learned it from the women in the village. Although these straw sandals don't last long, they can be made anytime. They're much better than the shoes you wear that have no soles."

The group shrank their legs again, and Song Yi noticed that some of them were even trembling with pain.

Her feelings suddenly became complicated, and she said, "Actually, it's very simple."

Someone hesitated and said, "The Imperial Concubine is so skillful, let's just forget about it."

Seeing this, Song Yi didn't say anything more. She and Xi Chun went to fetch water, and then Eunuch Cao helped her cut some dry grass.

Seeing Song Yi doing such a thing, they looked at Jiang Lanye in fear and couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, please don't do this. We really can't accept it, and we dare not accept it."

Song Yi exclaimed and sat down in front of them, saying without any politeness, "What are you fussing about? Hurry up and wash away all that mud and dirt. You are the most important people on this journey. Calling me a concubine won't help."

Several people looked at each other.

Song Yi rolled up his sleeves, first showing the pair of straw sandals, then said, "You all pick them up and watch my movements. It's really simple. You'll see once you try it."

Xi Chun stood aside, watching the scene unfold with a complex expression.

She used to think that her concubine was still an innocent and naive girl, but after becoming a concubine, the pressure seemed to be even greater than before.

But looking at it now, I suddenly realize that Song Yi is a person with a strong core, who does not need anyone's protection or attention.

She shouldn't be a canary locked in a cage.

She is a sparrow, a sparrow that yearns for freedom and is full of vitality.

Zuo Sheng watched this scene with surprise and uncertainty, walked to Jiang Lanye's side, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is like this..."

Jiang Lanye glanced at him and said, "This is none of your business."

Zuo Sheng was taken aback, then slunk away to the side.

Jiang Lanye stood not far away, a smile in his eyes, watching Song Yi's serious back.

After a while, the group changed into straw sandals they had made themselves, stood up, took a few steps, and exclaimed in surprise:

"Although these are not as comfortable as cloth shoes, they are definitely much better than walking barefoot."

Song Yi clapped his hands and saw smiles on everyone's faces. He stood up and prepared to go to the stream to wash his hands.

Seeing this, Jiang Lanye followed her.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Song Yi turned around abruptly, looked at Jiang Lanye with a smile, and asked while walking backwards, "Why are you following me?"

As Jiang Lanye listened to her speak, he kept an eye on the stones under her feet to prevent her from tripping.

(End of this chapter)