Her words left Fu Lu a bit bewildered.
The Jie people never paid much attention to those tedious rituals. Won, like n, could ride horses, shoot arrows, and join in pasture hunting, naturally leading to a bold and uninhibited way of life, without extensive restrictions between n and won.
Not to ntion a slim and strong woman like Yan Shu, even Fu Lu could carry her easily.
However, besides being a Commandery Princess of the Jie Country, her identity as "Princess Yi" added another layer. While a Commandery Princess of the Jie Country could easily brush aside such matters without much taboo, being "Princess Yi" was a different case.
"How about you endure the hardship and let Fu Lu help you, or just walk down by yourself." Zhu Yu saw Fu Lu’s hesitation.
This matter is easier done than said; what if Lu Zhang or Zhao Bi later use this incident to claim that Prince Xiaoyao’s rule is lax, allowing his guard to behave improperly and take advantage of Princess Yi? That would be asking for trouble.
Yan Shu seed to understand their concern and mumbled, "Central Plains people are really troubleso," yet did not object, placing an arm over Fu Lu’s shoulder, like using him as a crutch, and hopped down the mountain.
"The servants at Prince Yi Mansion... don’t they discuss these things behind the bride’s back?" Zhu Yu chatted casually with Yan Shu as they walked alongside; she thought that under Zhao Bi’s control, Lu Zhang’s household servants would be rigidly disciplined and ticulous.
Yan Shu pursed her lips: "My maid and I never spoke a word in Central Plains dialect in front of them. In their minds, they think of us Jie people as wild, fundantally unable to speak or understand, so they just feign respect and decorum on the surface, without any reservations in private.
Originally, I wanted to hear if they would badmouth us Jie people behind our backs, but unexpectedly, all I heard was about you."
This ti Zhu Yu couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.
Down the mountain, Fu Lu found a veiled hat for Yan Shu and Zhu Yu brought out her own outer robe to drape over the maid outfit of Prince Yi Mansion that Yan Shu was wearing.
About how she ended up here and what her original intent was, these could be slowly inquired once settled in Prince Shuo Mansion.
Initially, it was thought that Yan Shu’s injured leg would make mounting a horse a big problem. Unexpectedly, this Jie Country woman was truly extraordinary, gracefully mounting the horse by supporting herself with one hand on Fu Lu’s shoulder and stepping into the stirrup with her uninjured leg.
Seeing Zhu Yu’s surprised expression, Yan Shu finally regained so pride from her earlier fall off the horse: "My father put on a horse to play when I was two years old.
If it weren’t for the terrible quality of your horses here, unstable even on ground, I wouldn’t have fallen and hurt myself."
Zhu Yu’s horse-riding skills weren’t outstanding but sufficient to carry an extra person. Originally concerned about Yan Shu’s leg injury, seeing her mount the horse so smoothly reassured her.
The group of four continued their journey on three horses and soon arrived at the capital.
Earlier, while accompanying Zhu Feng to Risun Ridge, Zhu Cheng had given Zhu Yu a Prince Shuo Mansion waist card. This ti, with that waist card, they made their way smoothly back to Prince Shuo Mansion, bringing the limping Yan Shu to Li Garden.
The servants in Prince Shuo Mansion indeed dared not co forward to inquire.
Zhu Yu settled Yan Shu in a vacant guest room in Li Garden, and hearing the commotion, Yan Daoxin hurried out from his room.
"Why are you back so soon?" He glanced at Lu Qing and Fu Lu in the courtyard, "Where’s Zhu Yu? Why is it just you two? Is she okay?"
"She’s fine, perfectly fine. But we picked soone up on our way back." Lu Qing pointed to the inside, "You might need your healing skills soon."
"Who did you pick up?" Yan Daoxin looked at Lu Qing suspiciously; he didn’t believe his junior would be so kind for no reason.
"Lu Zhang’s wife." Lu Qing replied.
"Who... whose wife???" Yan Daoxin’s previously calm expression beca animated, asking in disbelief, "Lu Zhang???"
"The person inside is not fatally injured; if necessary, treat your own ears first." Lu Qing sidestepped slightly with a hint of disdain.
When Zhu Yu ca out of the room, she saw Yan Daoxin standing in the courtyard, laughing and hitting his legs. Sowhat puzzled, she looked at Lu Qing, asking, "Is he so happy to see you back?"
"You’re overthinking. He doesn’t have that much face!" Yan Daoxin heard Zhu Yu’s words, straightened his back, caught his breath, and pointed at the guest room behind her, "Is Lu Zhang’s new bride in there? I heard she hurt her leg?
Let’s go, I’ll help her see and make sure she gets well, run even faster than before the injury, and continue the journey swiftly!"
Zhu Yu originally ca out to find Yan Daoxin, but didn’t expect his reaction as though eager to watch Lu Zhang’s new bride elope, feeling a bit helpless, couldn’t help but remind: "Anyway, she’s a Commandery Princess of Jie Country. Don’t say anything too out of line."
"Don’t worry!" Yan Daoxin nodded to her, "I may be unconventional, but I won’t disgrace my master’s reputation.
Rest assured, I have a sense of asure."
Saying so, he dusted off his robe and took on the deanor of the Divine Doctor as he walked in.
True to his word, Yan Daoxin behaved appropriately in front of Yan Shu.
After careful examination, he agreed that Zhu Yu’s initial treatnt was spot on, went back to fetch a jar of ointnt for Yan Shu, instructing her to apply it every morning and evening, and handed Fu Lu a prescription to help buy dicine.
After all arrangents, Yan Shu, probably tired from traveling alone for a long ti and not having slept in such a comfortable bed for ages, fell asleep with her head tilting to one side as soon as she sat down.
Zhu Yu repositioned her into a more comfortable posture, covered her with a blanket, and only then left the room.
Upon exiting, she saw Miao Family hurrying into the courtyard. Seeing Zhu Yu standing there safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mother, why are you here? Why are you in such a hurry? Is there sothing wrong?" Zhu Yu was sowhat surprised.
"I heard soone say you’ve returned, so I ca to check on you. Just as I arrived outside, I saw the guard with son-in-law rushing out, saying he’s off to get dicine. My heart skipped a beat, thinking sothing happened to you outside, which is why you returned so soon.
Now seeing you well and fine, with nothing amiss, my heart is at ease!" Miao Family patted her chest, showing a relieved expression.
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