TCN: Mei Gongqing

Chapter 65: Ran Min and Chen Rong

Chapter 65: Ran Min and Chen Rong

The news that Wang Qilang had sent gifts along with the fact that he had stayed with Chen Rong through two days and nights at the prince's estate simultaneously traveled through the grapevines. Almost suddenly, Chen Rong discovered that carriages and young ladies were coming to visit her courtyard in streams.

It was the third day following Chen Rong's return to the estate.

With the laughter in the guest hall ringing in her ears, she gave Nurse Ping a wink and quietly made her exit. She was drained by these people's endless questions and insinuating words after a full hour of conversation with them.

Nurse Ping quietly nodded her head when she saw her retreating.

Chen Rong walked to the back door, made a turn, and then stepped into the bushes.

It was a warm and sunny day. She looked around, paused, and then thought of returning to her room to take the riding-whip out for some fun.

At this moment, a soft voice gave sound beyond the garden walls: "I heard there are now traces of the barbarians outside the city."

After a brief silence, it was Chen Shu's voice that answered: "General Ran is on his way. He says he'll be here by noon." Worries lurked in his voice.

Ran Min has come back? Chen Rong smirked and turned around to go.

After only two strides, however, she suddenly stiffened and couldn't make another movement.

Ran Min has come back? At this time?

That's not right; something's not right.

... She started. There was something, yes, she remembers it now. Something big should occur with his return this time.

Chen Rong rushed into her house like the wind. She then took the riding-whip from her bedchamber and ran back outside.

"Ah Rong, Ah Rong, where are you going?" Chen Qian called after her.

"Ah Rong, why are you holding a whip?" Chen Wei likewise exclaimed. "That's for boorish men."

Chen Rong didn't answer them. Her feet flew and carried her away like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, she had left the girls behind in a whirlwind of dust.

They stood dumbstruck. go to moc.824retsmah

Chen Rong hastened as fast as she could to the stable and shouted to a servant: "Take me to the north gate!"

It had been some time since the boy last saw his mistress panicking this badly. "Aye," he answered and picked out a good coach, jumping onto the driver's seat.

Chen Rong gazed out toward the sun in the sky, pressing: "Drive faster!"

"Aye."

"A little faster."

"Aye."

Under her repeated urging, Chen Rong's carriage gained speed and, with no heed for the gatekeeper's questioning, rushed out of the Chen estate.

Nan'yang was emptier than it had been two days prior. There were no pedestrians on the streets, and even the noblemen's outing carriages were nowhere to be seen.

Under these circumstances, her carriage smoothly arrived at the north gate.

The vehicle suddenly came to a stop. "Miss," the driver's uncertain voice said to her.

Chen Rong lifted her curtain. go to moc.824retsmah

She saw two rows of heavily armed soldiers stationed at the gate. As she gazed upward, some dozen middle-aged scholars in long robes and tall headpieces appeared at the top of the walls. She at once recognized them. There were Sir Yu, Zhang Gongqian, and even Chen Gongrang of the Chen estate – all were influential clan chiefs in the city of Nan'yang.