After two days of preparation, Prince Hyatt and his party finally set off in a hurry. Anlong sent someone back to Yidong in advance to report the news, and the Northern Fortress sent a fleet, including one large, four small, and five boats, and nearly a hundred soldiers. He planned to let Prince Hyatt take the water route first, from Lake Maiton. The mouth went south along the Babi River, arriving at the port of Harbor Town halfway, and then turned overland to Ito.
This route would give Hyatt more time to recover from his injuries, and the water route was faster and safer than the land route.
Hyatt originally planned to travel by carriage, but Lourdes from the Northern Intelligence Department personally came to persuade him for a long time. Anlong also said that the waterway was more convenient, and he agreed to the plan.
Anlong took people to Hukou to say goodbye in person, and also brought a guard of honor. The scene was very loud. Everyone in Merton knew that His Royal Highness the Prince was returning to Yidong after recuperating in the city for more than half a month. Thousands of people came to the pier to watch the excitement, including many out-of-towners who came to the market. They were buzzing with private discussions and pointing at the largest boat.
Hyatt was not used to this kind of scene. When he was in Ito, people would never watch him openly and make comments like this. An Long whispered next to him: "Your Highness, please try your best to walk outside the cabin, smile and greet the people, and let everyone know that your injury is not serious and that you are walking this way."
Hyatt was stunned, and Herbie spoke first: "Your Majesty the Viscount! This does not mean that telling those who have evil intentions that His Highness is fine and the return route will give you more reason to be disadvantageous to His Highness!"
An Long glanced at him: "Even if they don't know, it will be detrimental to His Highness, and the so-called people with evil intentions can only plan attacks in secret. If His Highness is under the eyes of the people along the way, how can they find the person who plotted the plot? Opportunity? More importantly, we want the public to know that His Highness is not lame or disfigured!"
Herbie choked. Hyatt thanked Anlong with some joy, then threw away his crutches, reluctantly moved to the cabin door, smiled and waved to the people on the shore. The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous shouts, and saluted Hyatt one after another. Hyatt paused and said loudly: "Thank you all for coming to see me off. Mayton is really a wonderful place. I will remember the beauty of this place for the rest of my life. The simple enthusiasm of the people, thank you for taking care of me, thank you!" "
The cheers of the people became louder. They kept shouting Hyatt's name, picked wild flowers or green grass from the shore and threw them into the water. Some with strong strength even threw a garland on the deck of the ship. It was less than two meters away from Hyatt. Herbie was about to step forward to stop him, but was pulled back by Anlong: "Don't go. That's the custom here." Herbie was stunned for a moment. Before he could understand what he meant, Hyatt had already stepped forward to pick up the garland and kissed it. He kissed the only red flower on it, smiled and waved the garland to the crowd. Now the people were even more excited, and the shouts were deafening. The soldiers finally stopped the people who wanted to rush forward, and called the sailors to sail the boat. Paddling slowly away from the dock, but moving forward. People chased him all the way, and more and more people gathered on the pier. Anlong had to loudly order the soldiers on the patrol to maintain order to avoid accidents, and he repeatedly scolded those who wanted to follow the boat. He was very prestigious in Mayton. It didn't take long for people to gradually calm down, but when they looked at the fleet in the distance, their eyes still had a blazing light.
Anlong turned around and found his wife, who was watching the fleet go away in a daze. He gently supported her: "The child will take good care of himself, and Winnie is here. Don't worry." Dora smiled and nodded, leaning gently on her husband's shoulder, silently praying for her daughter in her heart.
Anlong looked at the boat's shadow in the distance. But there was another thing on his mind: I had already done this for the eldest prince, I hope he could seize the opportunity. As the king's preferred heir, it was time for him to show his due courage.
On a small boat. Ming Na looked at the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait who had not yet dispersed. Sticking out his tongue. He turned back and smiled at Alex: "I didn't expect His Highness to be so popular. Everyone in Mayton came to see him off."
Alex smiled. Some people asked curiously: "Those people just threw garlands to him. What did that mean? Why did people get even more excited when they saw him kissing the garland? Offer fresh flowers and plants to the respected people. If the other person accepts it, it means that he accepts it." If he kisses the red flowers on the wreath, it means that he is the same as the person who sent the flowers." Ming Na tilted her head. "Strange. How did His Highness know this? In the whole of Mayton, only my father received a gift once every May Day. Just kissing the flowers made me almost faint. For that whole month, he didn't allow me to be with you. Mom placed flowers at home. She said she felt dizzy when she smelled the fragrance."
Alex raised his eyebrows: "Maybe it was your father who taught me. Then His Highness is really a caring person. He only needs a little help. He will know what to do.
It turns out. Hyatt not only knew what to do. And it's done very well. He took a boat all the way to the northern fortress. I repeated what I did in Mayton again. And gained the support of local people. Even the residents of Qidun came to see him off. There are still many people talking to each other in private: "His Highness's injuries have healed. Who said he became a lame?" "I think His Highness is quite handsome. His face is just a bit pale. He is not disfigured." .”
I heard the faint words coming from the shore. Hyatt sighed deeply in his heart. I always thought that I was being taught by my father. He also handled political affairs for several years. It’s already very outstanding. Didn't think about politics. I still have a lot to learn. Maybe. He shouldn't just focus on meeting his father's expectations. As well as winning the support of the Noble Council on these matters. in this country. Can be his true backing. There are many others…
The ship sailed away from the northern fortress. Turn onto the main channel of the Babi River. Just turned a corner. Prince Hyatt was already in Herbie and the others in another boat. The two guards disguised themselves as themselves and remained in the ship.
Minna ran to the ship early to check it out, changed Hyatt's medicine, and then planned to return to the ship where she lived. Hebie was a little stunned: "Miss Minna, if you don't live here, how are you going to take care of His Highness's injuries? Although there are doctors here, His Highness has been drinking medicine made by you!"
Minna glanced at him strangely: "Is there something wrong? How can this small boat accommodate so many people? I'm fine there. When it's time to drink and change the medicine, I can just come over again, okay?"
Herbie wanted to say something more, but saw Minna easily jump to the deck of another ship three meters away. Just stay
Hyatt coughed lightly and called to him in a lowered voice: "Come in with me!" Then he turned around and entered the cabin with a cane. Herbie followed. When he came out, his head hung lower, and he never looked at Minna again. question.
The spring of April is coming to an end. Although the cool breeze is still blowing on the river, the breath of summer is gradually getting stronger on the land on both sides. There are green trees and lush grass on the mountainside. The wild flowers are gradually blooming and fading, but the fruits are gradually taking shape. People were coming and going in the villages and towns on the shore, and the atmosphere of May Day was getting stronger. The laughter and laughter spread to the ship from time to time.
Hyatt put down the book in his hand again and again to look at the situation on the shore. If he was not in a hurry, he really wanted to go and see. In previous May festivals in these places, he always stayed in the palace. . I have participated in celebrations and commemorative ceremonies held by the royal family, but I have never seen celebrations held by ordinary people. He suddenly remembered that his younger brother once described to him the situation when Manda took him to the outskirts of Ito City to watch the villagers' May Day parade. I wonder what Selig saw was different from this
The closer he got to Ito, the more scared he felt. How far have things come to this? Will his father give up on him? Will his brother turn against him? And Beryl, what would she do for him? Will those nobles who originally supported him believe that rumor and stop supporting him
He sincerely expected it. There is still time for everything.
"Oops! It's too late!" There was an exclamation from the boat next to him. His heart tightened, and he turned around and saw that it was Mingna.
I saw her hurriedly moving the crucible away from the stove (why is there no fire in the stove?), pulling out a slender stirring rod, carefully stirring the contents of the pot, and saying to the person opposite with a frustrated face: "Failed...this is the third time
Alex's head was exposed on the right side of the window. He glanced into the crucible, smelled it again, and sighed: "Your idea is good. But the magic furnace is not a potion furnace after all, and the magic circle is very delicate. You should study the subject for a few years first. Then consider the issue of innovation."
Ming Na glared at him: "I want you to teach me, not to attack me!"
"Okay, okay." The teaching tone was not very sincere, "Then you should memorize these twenty ancient characters first." Let me teach you the simplest grammar again. "
Minna pouted and hurriedly cleaned the cauldron. After putting away the cooking table, he sat on a chair by the window, picked up a book, and read through it with a troubled expression. Alex sat leisurely opposite her reading a book. After a while, he came closer to her and whispered how to read a few words and explained common combinations. Ming Na gradually relaxed, and the two sat closely together and began to study seriously.
Hyatt saw this scene from across the boat and felt envious for some reason. Herbie found it nearby, he hesitated to speak, scratched his head, and seemed to be very hesitant.
Hyatt glanced at him: "If you have anything to say, just say it."
Hebie giggled twice and asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, do you like Miss Minna?"
"Ah?!" Hyatt was surprised
Hebie said with some reluctance: "Your Highness, although Miss Minna is quite beautiful, there are many girls who are prettier than her. You... well, don't you think she is too fierce?" How could such a gentle Highness? Being ruined by such a vicious woman? !
Only then did Hyatt understand and couldn't help but feel funny: "No such thing, I don't mean that to Ming Na, I just think..." After a pause, there was a hint of bitterness in his smile, "It's really cool that they are so close. Okay. A strong girl like Miss Minna also sometimes acts coquettishly. And I like to show this expression in front of him.
Hebie straightened his expression: "Your Highness, one day, you will meet a woman who is truly worthy of you, really!" As for Beryl, and this fierce Miss Minna, even if
Hyatt smiled and looked at the book in his hand silently, suddenly feeling a little lonely.
Minna and Alex were unaware of the conversation taking place on the opposite boat. They just took advantage of their free time on the journey to learn useful knowledge from each other. Mingna taught Alex how to prepare more complex potions, while Alex taught Mingna the basics of ancient writing and magic circles. Time passed quickly, and three days later, they arrived at Harbor Town and officially switched to the overland route.
After passing Harbor Town, it is the central area. The fleet and soldiers of the Northern Fortress cannot leave the jurisdiction due to regulations, so they must return. The Central Intelligence Department almost immediately sent a team of sixty knights to greet them, and also brought a huge carriage with them.
The carriage is like a small mobile room, pulled by eight horses. There are beds, tables and chairs, and a stove for heating. The cabinets are full of all kinds of daily necessities, from tableware to Paper and pen, everything from chessboards to drinks. The bottom of the carriage is covered with a thick carpet, and the carriage panels are made of fine steel. Even the glass on the windows is a reinforced type produced by the dwarves. Special curtains are hung on them. From inside, you can clearly see the outside world. But it was impossible to see the carriage clearly from outside. It was a carriage sent from Ito overnight. Hyatt recognized it at a glance as one of his father's favorite cars, and couldn't help but feel a little moved.
Minna checked the carriage as usual, even the bearings on the wheels and the horses pulling the carriage. The knights were puzzled, but Herbie was blushing with shame. He quickly negotiated with the knights and temporarily gained command. It was getting late and they had to reach the next town before dark. Herbie asked his subordinates to display the bright prince's flag, and asked the knights to disperse around the carriage on horseback to escort Hyatt.
The group of people ran on the road in a mighty manner. The pedestrians were so shocked that they ran away and talked about which noble person was traveling. Someone recognized the flag, remembered the rumors in recent days, and rushed around to tell them. In less than half a day, countless people knew the news that the eldest prince had disembarked from Harbor Town and took a huge carriage to Ito. .
Ming Na sat in an ordinary carriage. She finally calmed down the excited Winnie and used a small amount of medicinal powder to let her rest. Then she smiled at Alex opposite: "Did you notice?"
Alex raised his eyebrows: "You mean those guys following behind
"They have been monitoring the area since we disembarked, and now they are following us closely. It is really suspicious!"
"Especially when they are dressed in pauper clothes and have boots worth ten gold coins a pair."
Mingna lay down by the window and lifted a corner of the curtain for a few glances, then turned back and smiled at Alex: "Are you interested in accompanying me to be a thief tonight?"
(Last canvassing this month