On the only road leading to Nanjiang.
Madame Qian and her entourage had waited so long that the flowers had all withered.
Especially Madame Qian, who was so irritated, her mouth was full of ulcers.
No one else was faring much better, truly unable to eat or sleep, and they started to feel resentment towards Madame Qian.
If only they had known not to follow Madame Qian's plan to put Yun Jinnian in a difficult position, they wouldn't be in this situation now.
It was already mid-July, but they saw no one.
"Madame, do you really think Miss Yun the Fourth will pass by here?"
Madame Qian swallowed, "She should, I guess!"
Madame Qian wasn't the only one uncertain; everyone was.
And they regretted it deeply.
That night, it finally rained, bringing a slight coolness. Yun Jinnian leaned against the carriage wall, reading by the light of an oil lamp.
Shi Jiayu was sewing clothes on the side.
Hemei and Henuan were learning from her.
After spending time together, Hemei and Henuan had grown quite fond of Shi Jiayu, their smart, generous, and stable elder sister.
Yan Ruihe was truly impressed.
It shouldn't be said that the men of Shi County were blind, for not taking such a fine girl back home as their bride.
"Jiayu!"
"Miss!"
Yun Jinnian slightly curved her lips, "Sleep early, don't overwork yourself!"
"Just a few more stitches to go!" Jiayu murmured tenderly.
She enjoyed her days like these, being able to see many things she had never come across before. Most importantly, she was free to be herself, without constraints.
No one was there to remind her of etiquette, telling her not to laugh showing her teeth or to walk without showing her feet.
She could laugh heartily, as freely as she wished.
Yun Jinnian closed her book and placed it in a small drawer, "Then I'll go to sleep first. Hemei, Henuan, you should sleep early too!"
Because they were afraid of not reaching Nanjiang in time for the blooming of the Snow Lotus, they had been traveling by night these days, though much slower than during the day.
Having just rained and the weather being cool, Yun Jinnian, who had not had a proper sleep for days, soon drifted off.
Jiayu watched her, lips slightly pursed.
She admired Yun Jinnian greatly. Despite her young age, her medical skills were extraordinary, and she was steady, gentle, kind, and she had a good heart.
"Hemei, Henuan, let's sleep too!"
As maids, they were not supposed to sleep lying down, but Yun Jinnian, concerned for them, had allowed them to lie down. The spacious carriage was quite roomy even for four people.
In the latter half of the night, the carriage finally stopped to set up tents for a rest.
Most importantly, Chu Yu was concerned for Yun Jinnian, worrying she might need a bathroom break and, out of a desire to keep traveling, wouldn't speak up. It wouldn't be good if she suffered for it.
So when the carriage stopped, the men all walked far away.
Only then did Yun Jinnian and the other women get off the carriage to relieve themselves.
Yun Jinnian was moved by Chu Yu's thoughtfulness. After taking care of her needs and the carriage no longer jostling, she slept even more peacefully.
The other trivial matters were handled by Hemei, Henuan, and Jiayu.
Yun Jinnian's task was to read more books and then find other ways to cure the poison in Prince Yanjun's body.
What she feared most was still not being able to cultivate the Blood Lotus of Tian Mountain.
Because of this, Yun Jinnian was also under great pressure.
Sometimes, even as she read to the point of befuddlement, she persisted.
At dawn, Yun Jinnian, yawning, sat up, "Miss!"
Hemei and Henuan had already brought hot water into the carriage, attending to Yun Jinnian as she washed up, "Miss, did you sleep well last night?"
"Quite well. How about you?"
"We slept well too!"
Yun Jinnian smiled gently, "In a few more days, we'll arrive in Nanjiang, and then you can all get a good sleep!"
Hemei nodded.
After breakfast, they would continue their journey. Han Tianci and Chu Yu continued to run ahead, while Hemei, Henuan, and Jiayu stayed inside the carriage, learning needlework.
Yun Jinnian read a book.
Suddenly, the caravan came to a halt.