"Madam, when you and the master leave the house together, what about us? Aren't you taking us with you? How will Madam manage her meals?" Ruyu asked.
"You can't ride horses, can you? How could we bring you along? Don't worry, the master and I are used to doing things by ourselves; we don't need your help for such small matters. Just prepare some dry food for me, and that's all you need to worry about. Stay at home and wait for us to return; that's enough," Jinghan waved her hand dismissively. She wasn't incapable; the last thing she wanted on her journey was to be encumbered by her maidservants—it was too cumbersome.
Jinghan was of an energetic disposition, and Zixuan, though steady, was keen on pleasing her. Thus, in his endeavor to appease her, he arranged their departure speedily, and the next day they both rode out. This time, they took An Fu, Changshun, and a constable from the government office; surely they needed someone familiar with the road, right?
