Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

Upon hearing the news in the courtyard, Zhu Ling was stunned, while Nan Rao hesitated for a moment before immediately taking action.

As she packed her bags, Zhu Ling came to her senses and began to complain incessantly, "How could Master let Miss go? Miss is a young lady, it's so dangerous there. Even if the Ye family wants one person to go, there are so many male relatives from the collateral branches, why can't they go? It's too much."

"Besides, why should Miss go? There's also Second Miss and Third Young Master!" Zhu Ling grumbled. "Master hasn't cared about Miss for so many years, and now he suddenly remembers her."

"Zhu Ling!" Nan Rao sensed something was wrong and quickly scolded him.

“I didn’t say anything wrong,” Zhu Ling retorted.

Ye Xingchen put down the dagger he had just wiped and stood up.

"Zhu Ling, Nan Rao, come here." Ye Xingchen called them over.

"Nanrao, I know you're worried about things at home. Have you heard anything since you sent the letter home a couple of days ago?"

Nan Rao shook her head, unable to hide the worry in her eyes.

"Would you like to come with me? Although there is danger, it's better to go in person than to worry," Ye Xingchen asked.

“I will definitely go with Miss.” Nan Rao nodded.

"And what about me?" Zhu Ling hurriedly asked.

Ye Xingchen turned to Zhu Ling, "Zhu Ling, after we leave, you guard the courtyard gate and don't open it for anyone. I will leave you enough money to live on."

"Miss, aren't you taking me with you?" Zhu Ling asked anxiously. "I want to go with you. There'll be no one in the backyard if you leave."

Ye Xingchen sighed and advised, "Didn't you just say it was dangerous? The earth dragons are active there right now, it's extremely dangerous. The capital is safe."

"But I want to be with you. As long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid. Miss, please take me with you!" Zhu Ling emphasized, gripping Ye Xingchen's arm tightly, her face filled with unwavering determination.

"Okay, let's go together then." Ye Xingchen thought for a moment and patted Zhu Ling's arm as he spoke.

The three of them then got busy again.

Before embarking on his long journey, Ye Xingchen pondered how to avoid Gu Ruoxiao and her spies, and then proceed alone to Baiyao Valley. After much deliberation, he realized that his lack of familiarity with Linchuan prevented him from perfecting his plan.

By the time she came to her senses, Nan Rao and Zhu Ling had already packed all the bags and packages. Looking at the mountain of luggage in front of her, Ye Xingchen couldn't help but chuckle.

Zhu Ling kept explaining, "These are spring and winter quilts. It's only early spring, and it must be cold in the west. I brought all kinds of clothes. And this is what Miss uses every day, so I also need to bring these cosmetics. Oh, and I need to prepare some dry food. I'll go to the City God Pavilion to buy your favorite snacks." As she spoke, she saw Nan Rao carrying a basket of food boxes in, and Zhu Ling quickly snatched it and put it on the basket.

Ye Xingchen pondered for a moment, then decided to be direct. "Zhuling, we're going to provide support, not on a spring outing. Don't bring those clothes; change into something light and comfortable. Bring a blanket; the journey will be bumpy, and it'll be more comfortable. Forget about cosmetics. Bring enough dry rations; they don't need to be fancy, just something that will keep." Zhuling was stunned.

"Oh, and bring some medicine. Go to the pharmacy and buy some commonly used medicines. Also, bring some of the powder I prepared myself," Ye Xingchen added.

The current scene is that everyone in Qingfeng Courtyard is busy, while the rest of the Ye family is living a leisurely life.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, a carriage stopped outside the mansion. Ye Xingchen and his group needed to reach the west gate before dawn to rejoin the main force. Inside the mansion, everything was still quiet, with only Old Man Zhang, the gatekeeper, yawning as he opened the gate.

The scene was so desolate that it evoked a sense of melancholy.

Ye Xingchen climbed onto the carriage, and seeing that everything was ready, he gave the order, "We can set off now."

"Miss, the master is here," Nan Rao suddenly said.

Ye Xingchen hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain, "Father." His tone was filled with a surprise he himself hadn't even noticed.

Ye Shilang stood there on the steps, his expression obscured by the dim light of the night.

"Go, but don't embarrass the Ye family," he said.

Ye Xingchen looked at his father, Minister Ye, and finally lowered his eyes, replying, "Alright." He then signaled the coachman to set off.

Sitting in the carriage, Ye Xingchen closed her eyes and gave a self-deprecating laugh. What was she expecting?

She didn't know whether her father's appearance at this moment stemmed from a father's reluctance to part with his daughter, or from his guilt; or whether he, as the head of the Ye family, was there to warn Ye Xingchen not to bring shame to the family.

She just wanted to know if, in those long sixteen years, amidst his family's happiness, he had ever thought of his beloved wife and his daughter who had been abandoned in a separate house.

By the time the carriage arrived at the West Gate, it was already broad daylight. The city gate was crowded with people seeing them off, and several families were weeping and wailing around their giant babies, a truly comical scene. However, most families had sent male members, so it seemed that only Ye Xingchen was the daughter of a minister. Well, that was fine; she wouldn't have to pretend to be a sister and curry favor.

Not far away, a major general's attire stood out among the departing crowd. His mother, presumably his mother, clutched his clothes tightly, tears welling in her eyes. She repeatedly urged him, "Be careful on the road, stay safe. Mother will wait for you to come back. Wear warm clothes as it gets cold..." Her voice was full of love and concern, as if she wanted to encapsulate all her care in those few words. His father stood silently to the side, occasionally glancing into the distance, his gaze deep and complex, filled with worry and pride in his son's growth. In stark contrast, the major general looked embarrassed. "I volunteered to go with the prince, Mother. Please don't be like this. I've already cried at home. I'm a man; I should stand up for myself. My colleagues will laugh at me later."

It must be a loving family. Ye Xingchen smiled with relief and lowered the carriage curtain.

Nanrao instructed the coachman to find the leading soldier and have their carriages incorporated into the procession. The leading soldier glanced back at the carriages but saw no one coming to see them off, yet he said nothing.

With soldiers acting as coachmen, the coachmen of the Ye family were sent back.

After a sleepless night, drowsiness finally overwhelmed Ye Xingchen. He discussed with Nan Rao and Zhu Ling about taking turns to catch up on sleep and remain on guard before collapsing into the soft blankets.

Inside an ordinary-looking carriage by the city wall, Chiwu was reporting to Gu Ruoxiao.

"Two families of the minister's family members are still missing from arriving, but we have already sent people to invite them. The personnel from the Ministry of Works and the Medical Bureau have all arrived. We can depart on time."

"Yes." Gu Ruoxiao nodded. "Has she arrived?"

Chiwu looked up at Gu Ruoxiao and said, "Miss Ye has arrived, but I haven't seen any family members seeing her off."

Gu Ruoxiao, who was writing with her pen, remained unmoved. "Send someone to keep an eye on her and report back immediately."

At this moment, Gu Ruoxiao couldn't help but think that the Ye family, capable of pushing her daughter out, must be extraordinary. Ye Xingchen, what exactly are you going to Linchuan for?