Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

"When did they leave?" Lin Ping's heart skipped a beat, as if something was suddenly missing.

Although he and Lu Hongling had no romantic feelings for each other, he couldn't help but feel a little reluctant to part with her because she was beautiful.

Of course, the main reason is that the other party has helped Lin Ping on many occasions.

Lin Ping had heard Lu Hongling mention going to Yingtian Prefecture before, but she hadn't given a specific time. Little did he know that it was already too late.

"We set off this morning, and we've probably already traveled thirty or fifty miles from Jiangcheng Prefecture," the girl from the brothel replied, a hint of regret in her eyes.

They had received kindness from Lu Hongling in the past and hoped that she could find a good home, and Lin Ping was the best choice.

Of course, they also have their own selfish motives. Once the two get married, they can take the opportunity to climb the social ladder and benefit all their relatives and friends.

Without saying a word, Lin Ping headed straight for the south of the city, snatching a fine horse along the way, disregarding his own poor riding skills.

Thinking of this, Lin Ping didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Not long ago, he had met Xia Linglong in a similarly embarrassing manner, but in the end, he couldn't stop her from leaving. Now, he had to say goodbye to Lu Hongling, and he didn't even know if he would meet her again.

In that instant, Lin Ping understood a principle: picking wildflowers is fun for a moment, and picking wildflowers all the time is even more fun...

A confidant is temporary, but a wife is eternal.

Rather than opening one's heart to a close friend, it's better to open one's heart to one's wife... or rather, to have one's heart opened to her.

Lin Ping had no ulterior motives or improper thoughts. He simply felt he should thank Lu Hongling and bring this chance encounter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Both of them have their own lives and their own paths to follow, making it difficult for their paths to cross again. There is no hope of seeing each other again, and this parting is a final farewell.

South of Jiangcheng, about ten miles away, a delicate pink carriage was slowly moving forward. The girl inside kept looking out the window, getting quite impatient. She asked softly, "Miss, when do you plan to go? If we don't get on the carriage soon, we won't reach the next post station before dark."

The girl inside the carriage was Xiao Nong, while the woman following behind the carriage with graceful steps was Lu Hongling.

"It's alright if we don't make it. It's not like I've never slept in the wild before." Lu Hongling, dressed in a white dress, continued walking at a leisurely pace, glancing occasionally at the pavilion not far from her.

In ancient times, people were very particular about farewells. A short pavilion was set up every five li on the official road outside the city, and a long pavilion was set up every ten li. When passing the previous short pavilion, Lu Hongling hesitated and did not go forward. Now that she was approaching the long pavilion, she got off the carriage directly.

A figure was waving from inside the pavilion, which immediately piqued Lu Hongling's interest.

However, this was a woman seeing off her husband, and she had already left before Lu Hongling could get close.

"Miss, don't wait anymore, Young Master Lin won't come." Xiao Nong pouted and pointed out the truth.

She naturally knew that Lu Hongling was waiting for Lin Ping, and she also knew that he would not show up.

It wasn't because Lin Ping was heartless, but because Lu Hongling hadn't told him she was leaving.

To be precise, Lu Hongling had just received her transfer order last night and hadn't even had time to say goodbye to Lin Ping.

She also considered going to the main city, but she was afraid of being mistaken for an enemy by the private army. After all, the city gates were closed after nightfall, and even in an emergency, she could only use the hanging basket.

Lu Hongling was, after all, a young woman, and dared not make a big fuss, so she chose to leave quietly.

As a woman of the night, she had no fixed city, let alone a fixed home.

Like a leaf falling in the wind and rain, it will fall wherever it is blown.

"Xiao Nong, do you think I'll have another chance to meet Young Master Lin?" Lu Hongling asked with the adoration of a young girl, revealing a girlish demeanor despite her long experience in the world.

"Young Master Lin is like a dog chained up with gold, while Miss is like a bird soaring freely. One day, the bird got tired and rested next to the dog's kennel, and that's how they had a brief encounter. Now, the bird flies away from the kennel while the dog is fast asleep, and even though the dog is reluctant to let it go, it can only bark a couple of times." Xiao Nong gave what she thought was a very apt analogy.

Lu Hongling was speechless, truly admiring Xiao Nong's imagination.

Although the analogy is inappropriate, it is quite vivid. Lin Ping is indeed a son-in-law who relies on the city lord's mansion and may never leave the city in his lifetime. As for Lu Hongling, the little bird that has already flown away, it is unlikely that she will have the opportunity to fly back.

"Miss, Miss, that dog is chasing you!" Xiao Nong suddenly exclaimed excitedly.

"Alright, stop teasing Young Master Lin, let's hurry up and go." Lu Hongling looked a little displeased, not wanting to hear Xiao Nong talking badly about Lin Ping behind his back.

Xiao Nong kept shaking her head, unsure how to explain, her face flushed with anxiety. She continued, "That dog really was behind us, and it was running incredibly fast."

"Miss Lu, wait for me!" Lin Ping shouted loudly from his horse's back, his stomach churning as he was about to vomit.

Lin Ping, who once boasted that he was immune to motion sickness, seasickness, and airsickness, actually gets sick from horses. In an era where people mostly travel by horseback, this seems rather embarrassing. This is even more fatal than not having a driver's license.

That familiar voice was like a spring breeze, warming the girl's heart.

"Young Master Lin!"

thump……

The moment Lu Hongling turned around, Lin Ping landed perfectly, a perfect and fitting moment.

Seeing Lin Ping's disheveled appearance, Lu Hongling chuckled, but didn't reveal a single tooth.

Lin Ping, who was lying on the ground, happened to look up and witnessed that stunning smile. He immediately widened his eyes and stared at her, feeling as if he were looking up at a goddess.

"This horse is too fierce!" Lin Ping staggered to his feet, dusted off his clothes, and said shamelessly.

The chestnut horse neighed twice, turning its head away and refusing to acknowledge Lin Ping. If it could speak, it would have certainly defended itself.

Lu Hongling glanced at the docile horse and smiled again, roughly understanding that Lin Ping couldn't ride a horse.

"I've heard that most intelligent and talented men don't know martial arts, and most brave generals lack talent. As the saying goes, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Young master, there's no need to hold a grudge over such things," Lu Hongling said, trying to smooth things over for Lin Ping.

"Miss Lu saw through me." Lin Ping scratched his head and continued shamelessly, "I am that clever and talented scholar who doesn't know martial arts."

"I've never seen such a cunning and ruthless scholar before," Xiao Nong said, pursing her lips. Naturally, she disliked shameless people.

Lin Ping glared at the other person, thinking to himself: If it weren't for your young age, good looks, and being Hong Ling's maid, I would definitely write your name in the booklet!

"Xiao Nong, shut up!" Lu Hongling's face showed a hint of anger, which startled Xiao Nong. She obediently pulled the carriage curtain shut and dared not say another word.

"It's alright, it's alright. Kids are always a bit naughty. Just discipline them with a whip." Lin Ping made a gesture as if he were holding a whip, almost telling Lu Hongling the proper way to hit someone.

"What brings Young Master Lin out of the city?" Lu Hongling asked knowingly, simply wanting to hear Lin Ping's answer.

"Naturally, I came here specifically to see Miss Lu off, and also to thank Miss Lu for her help these past few days," Lin Ping said earnestly, hurriedly pulling two treasures from his pocket.