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Next day.
The banquet ended.
Tang Yi and Tang Wen left the Jie Valley and returned to the palace. Of course, the palace entourage would always attract attention everywhere because of the banners and big guards with golden shining armor and majestic carriages that went hand in hand.
Tang Yi wanted to take Hong Er with him, but he would get hit by Fei Er if he did that. Fei is so clingy to his little brother. Nobody dares to ask him even his uncle Emperor himself. Fei Er would always grumble and call the old man as a senile emperor.
"That senile emperor"
Tang Yi could only sigh.
"Heh"
.....
Another new day.
Fei Er had a mission today. Bai Hu will be so busy with the Martial Arts Yearly Tournament, which will be held in the capital in a few weeks. Fei Er had to replace his Father in escorting the new group's expedition.
They had just inaugurated another group of ten who's gonna leave for Xi'an this afternoon. Because Fei Er is still an inexperienced and green-growth young man, of course, he would certainly be accompanied by Lu Yan, the eldest son of LuWang as his advisor. The total number of the group along with Fei Er and Lu Yan was fifteen people.
The group was ready by the gate. Tang Yuan was busy preparing supplies for Fei Er's journey for approximately ten days. It was regular speed to go to Xi'an to meet the Expedition branch headed by Old Man Chang and back again.
"Em, Fei Er, don't forget to give this powder to Aunt Lei, she has asked for it since we went there last year. It needs lots of effort and patience to find this face powder," said Tang Yuan putting a small beautiful cloth pouch into Fei's big bag which was still held by San Tu.
***Aunt Lei, the younger sister of old man Chang, who became an iron hand in the expedition business. She is not married and quite old, according to Fei Er.
Fei was busy equipping Xiao Er, his horse, and turned his head.
"Mother, isn't Aunt Lei old already? Why still need to order powder like that? Is she still flirting with another man?"
Tang Yuan patted Fei Er's shoulder rather hard, her son's mouth was indeed sharp.
"This rotten kid. Watch your mouth. Don't ask too much just give it to her. Aunt Lei is still young, she has to beautify herself for her business, why are you bothered?"
Fei Er was still muttering to himself, Lu Yan stifled a laugh. Young Master and Madam are like cats and dogs, they never get along.
While everyone was busy getting ready, a sound of fast footsteps came from the main house hallway.
Hong stopped his run and breathed heavily. He pushed his red cloth bag on his shoulder and lowered his body for a moment to take a breath before running to Fei.
"Brother! Why did you leave me behind? My class has just finished, you said you'll wait for me!" Hong Er exclaimed while holding Fei's sleeve.
Fei Er glanced at his Mother.
"Don't blame me, Mother said you can't go"
Tang Yuan waved her hand asking the maid to approach the boy.
"Please bring Young Master Hong's bag back"
"Yes, Madam"
The young maid nodded, and took the bag hung on Hong Er's shoulder. But the kid held it tight, approached his mother, and started sulking.
"Mother, you promised me. You said if brother goes out for work next time then I can join him. Have you forgotten your own words?" Hong Er clung to his mother who was trying to be cold and avoid her son's eyes. She could melt if she saw his adorable face.
"No, I said no, another time"
"Ahh, Mother" Hong Er retorted.
Tang Yuan tried to ignore Hong Er and went inside the house. Er Niang tried to persuade Hong Er who put on a disappointed face.
"Young Master"
"Mother" Hong Er kept sulking and following his Mother, but Er Niang stopped him from coming forward.
"Young Master, please listen to Madam and stay at home. Madam is left alone. Big Master and Young Master Fei are out, be a good boy and accompany Madam this time"
Hong Er folded his arms in front of his chest, his forehead furrowed deeply. He never so upset like this before.
"Ant Er Niang, Mother is grown up, why still need Hong Er to accompany her?"
Lu Yan patted Fei Er's hand, glancing at Hong Er who was still standing in his position annoyed.
"Young Master, is it okay to leave Little Master Hong Er like that? I'm afraid that he will be reckless"
Fei Er wanted to take Hong Er along. Ten days, he would miss his dear brother a lot. But their mother was right, Hong Er is still too young. Although he often goes back and forth out the valley to enjoy the crowd, but the expedition trip was not as he expected. There could be problems and dangers on the way, and not to mention Hong Er who don't have any fighting skills to protect himself, it would be very worrying. Mother is so right to forbid him from going with him.
"Mother" Hong Er follows her into the house.
"I don't want to hear anything, you can't go out. Period, no compromise" Tang Yuan shouted away.
Fei Er turns his face to his servant San Tu.
"Stay and watch on that naughty boy" the young servant nodded.
"Yes, Young Master. Young Master, please take good care of yourself. I wish I could come along to serve you anywhere," said San Tu lowering his head sadly.
Fei Er patted his horse's neck.
"No need, Tu, just watch that boy. Don't fall for his cute face, you know he's such a menace"
"Yes, Young Master"
Fei Er looks around the big yard of Jie's Mansion. Lots of servants and guards there, all but one person.
"Where is that busy man, Da Huang? Why didn't I see him since this morning? That lazy worm"
.....
The sound of horseshoes striding slowly along the main muddy road. The rain just stopped and left some small pool of muddy water on the big wide road, where the huge wheels just passed. The expedition group had already far left the Jie mansion and now passing through the main road in the middle of the city.
The Jie family was known for its generosity and respectful acts. That's why every time they passed, the citizens would greet them warmly.
"Good afternoon, Young Master"
Fei Er waved his hand with a big smile. They were just a few kilometers from the house but Fei Er already felt homesick. He kept looking at his back while taking a deep breath. Lu Yan knew his Young Master was reluctant to leave the house, this was his first long journey alone without his father.
"Young Master, you are so restless, still reluctant to go?"
Fei Er exhaled. Even though he doesn't want it he can't refuse, this group needs a companion from the family. His father also thinks this is a very good opportunity for Fei to spread his wings. Fei doesn't like going out of the house for adventure or looking for life experiences. He has everything already there in the valley, and so does Hong Er. That kid, already misses him so much, days without his baby brother will be so boring.
Lu Yan smiled. He knew what made his first Young Master so hard to leave even if he didn't even ask, the thirty-three-year-old young man just shook his head.
"Hehe"
Not long after. The group arrives outside the city gates of WaiYi. A big city bustling with merchants and immigrants who come to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery. The big peaceful city lies far between the deep forest and vast Jie Valley. The horse carriage accelerates faster when the coachman stomps the whip. The black and burly, full of muscles of the three horses sped up their pace.
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