Now Feng Lingling's marriage has been settled. In early March next year, she, the concubine, will enter the prince's palace together with the prince's wife.
In this regard, Feng Lingling has written to Mingyue several times, each time urging her to ask when the plan would be implemented, as she can't wait any longer.
This time Mingyue specially invited Feng Lingling to go out for fun just for this matter.
Mingyue had already understood Feng Lingling's thoughts before. She said that the reason she wanted to be a female general was that she liked the feeling of protecting others and the feeling of taking others under her wings. In fact, Mingyue felt that she wanted to prove herself.
Feng Lingling is the daughter of a general. She has many brothers and sisters. It is clear that she is the strongest since she was young. She can squat in horse stance the longest and is the most praised by the martial arts master. However, her father's eyes are always on her brothers and sisters, so she has always been very dissatisfied.
She could also defeat the Japanese pirates, and she could also protect everyone, but with the words "You are a girl, and you will get married in the future" and "You are different from them, a girl should act like a girl", she was forced to give up her beloved martial arts, put down the spear in her hand, put on a bright dress, and became a lady of Huaijing.
From then on, the meaning of her existence was to get married and to form an alliance.
But this was not what she wanted. She did not want to be the prince's concubine, nor did she want to be the dignified and virtuous eldest daughter of the Feng family. She was not happy at all.
So she wanted more and more to prove that she was needed, cared for, and important.
Mingyue's suggestion was to set up a charity hall in Huaijing to adopt orphans and beggars and train them to become free-flying birds. Her life might be ruined in the Prince's Mansion, but the people in the charity hall would fulfill her wish for her. They would become thousands of her and see the mountains and rivers for her.
Moreover, to those orphans and beggars, her existence is like that of a savior. She is the one who saves them from danger, which also fulfills Feng Lingling's wish to protect others.
Mingyue even mentioned that if she really couldn't make ends meet in the future, she could still fake her death and get away.
Now Feng Lingling really has no way to get rid of this marriage. She cannot resist the pressure from her family and the royal family, and will only feel more powerless. Therefore, Mingyue's suggestions really touched her heart and were exactly what she wanted.
As for the fact that Feng Lingling might not have enough money, Mingyue generously said that she was willing to sponsor, which made Feng Lingling immediately forget all the past disagreements with Yun Mingyue. She just felt that Yun Mingyue was a very loyal person and was worth making friends with.
After receiving Mingyue's invitation, Feng Lingling immediately asked someone to respond, saying that she would definitely arrive on time.
Because today they were going to some remote places and meeting some people in need, Mingyue dressed very simply and brought a few strong followers with her.
When Madam Yun saw Mingyue dressed like this in the yard and about to go out, she immediately stopped her and said, "Yue'er, why are you dressed like this?"
Mingyue paused for a moment before she smiled and said, "Today I am going out with Feng Lingling. Mom, you know that she and I have never gotten along. Isn't it because I am wearing simple clothes to avoid her comparing herself with me?"
Madam Yun knew that the girl from the Feng family and her daughter did not get along well, but it was just a matter between two little girls, so she did not take it to heart. She thought it was just a few words, nothing serious.
"You have made progress. You now know to give in to her. Go ahead." Mrs. Yun tapped her daughter's nose and said with a smile.
Mingyue smiled calmly and nodded, and soon went to the agreed place.
Mingyue had already told Feng Lingling that the place they were going to today was very difficult, so she was asked to dress simply.
When the two met, they both frowned. Mingyue was wearing plain clothes and no accessories, except for two peach wood hairpins on her head.
Feng Lingling was wearing a plain linen dress that only common people wore, with yellow ash smeared on her face. Her exposed neck was porcelain white, which made her look a bit out of place. The maids following her were better dressed than her.
"Yun Mingyue, you are lying. Didn't you agree to wear simple clothes? How come you are dressed so beautifully? You make me look like an ugly country woman. Do you think I am a fool?" Feng Lingling pulled Mingyue's arm in dissatisfaction and complained.
Mingyue rubbed her brows and said helplessly, "Feng Lingling, look at your maid's outfit, and then look at yourself. You haven't even done a good job on the surface. Aren't you a fool?"
Feng Lingling turned her head to look at the maid who was dressed as usual, and the expression on her face froze. She was only paying attention to herself and didn't think about this at all.
She sighed, "What now?"
Mingyue rolled her eyes and said, "Go find a clothing store and change your clothes. Wash your face as well. The place we're going to is a bit poor, but I didn't ask you to pretend to be poor."
Feng Lingling coughed lightly. She was just out of breath and felt too embarrassed to say anything more.
This took some time before the two of them finally set off.
Huaijing is located at the foot of the emperor, and it can be said that the country is peaceful and the people are safe. Naturally, there are few orphans and beggars on the streets, so the place they are going to this time is a rural county town some distance away from Huaijing.
On the way, Feng Lingling was extremely excited and kept talking all the way. Mingyue's ears were filled with her chattering:
"Yun Mingyue, I haven't been so far away from home for a long time. The air outside is fresher."
"I am so happy. Leaving Huaijing is like leaving a caged bird. I really want to fly, to a very high and far place."
"It would be nice if we didn't have to go back. Yun Mingyue, do you think we are eloping now?"
"Hahaha, I was just kidding..."
At first Mingyue was still interested in replying to her, but later she realized that she could happily talk to herself without paying attention to her, so she simply closed her eyes and rested.
By the time they arrived at the first village, Feng Lingling's voice had become a little hoarse, and only then did she regret having been talking all the time.
This village is not far from Huaijing, so the economic conditions of the villagers should be okay. Every household has a large blue brick and tile house, and the clothes of the children coming and going are relatively clean, without any patches.
After Mingyue looked at the village carefully, she realized that she would have to go to the next village.
However, just as Mingyue and Feng Lingling were about to leave for the next village, someone suddenly called them.
(End of this chapter)