Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 384: Journey Afar (Part 1)

On the day Doctor Sun and his son set off, it was late autumn, the autumn wind was chilly, and yellow leaves drifted in the wind. There was also a light drizzle. Such a departure carried a hint of heroic sadness.

Doctor Sun cupped his hands and bade farewell to Jiang Shaohua: "We have already left the city gates, Commandery Princess, there’s no need for you to see us off further. I will not return from Pingzhou unless I have developed a remedy to control the epidemic."

Jiang Shaohua listened with a bit of unease and said softly, "In my heart, your safety, father and son, is just as important. Consider it a year; no matter what, you must return after one year."

Doctor Sun smiled, did not argue with the Commandery Princess, and accepted the order with cupped hands.

Sun Guangbai was earnestly saying farewell to Sun Zelan. At this point, no matter how reluctant Sun Zelan was, there was nothing she could do, so she repeatedly instructed her brother to take good care of their father.

Sun Guangbai said softly, "Don’t worry, I will definitely take good care of father."

"You also must stay safe." Sun Zelan’s eyes reddened, she clutched Sun Guangbai’s hand tightly, her voice choked, "You must all come back safely."

Sun Guangbai felt a bitterness in his heart, but his smile was even more radiant: "Of course. Just wait! By then, your brother will also become a great man remembered in history."

Sun Zelan wanted to smile but couldn’t, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing his daughter crying uncontrollably, Doctor Sun sighed, walked over, and gently embraced her once. Then he turned and got on the carriage.

The winding, long convoy finally set off.

With teary eyes, Sun Zelan watched her father and brother leave, feeling empty inside as if a part of her had gone with them.

A slender white hand rested on her arm, and a familiar voice sounded in her ear: "Let’s go back!"

Sun Zelan turned her head and met the Commandery Princess’s gaze, choking up as she said, "I won’t return to the Prince Mansion. My brother has gone with my father, I must return early to the Personal Guard Camp."

Jiang Shaohua was uncharacteristically hesitant: "Can you hold on?"

Sun Zelan wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve and nodded: "Rest assured, Commandery Princess, I can manage."

Jiang Shaohua sighed and called Qin Hu over: "Miss Sun is going back to the Personal Guard Camp, take ten men and escort her along."

Qin Hu accepted the order with cupped hands and immediately went to assemble his men.

Taking advantage of the crowd’s inattention, Meng Sanbao winked at his good buddy, signaling with his eyes. With Doctor Sun and his son gone, Miss Sun is heartbroken and upset. This is an opportunity to... ahem, a great time to comfort Miss Sun, which should be grasped.

Qin Hu glared at Meng Sanbao.

Is he such a despicable and shameless person?

From the official road outside the city gate to the Personal Guard Camp, a fast horse takes only half a day. Sun Zelan grew up in the Prince Mansion, and aside from studying medicine, her greatest hobby was horseback riding, so she had excellent riding skills. Galloping all the way, her speed was no less than that of the trusted aides.

Qin Hu kept his guard up, following closely with an unreadable expression, fearing Sun Zelan might have an accident if she got too emotional.

Fortunately, the journey was smooth, only when they dismounted outside the Personal Guard Camp did Sun Zelan lose her footing slightly.

"Be careful, Miss Sun." Qin Hu was quick to react, swiftly reaching out to steady her.

Sun Zelan, caught off guard, almost fell but reflexively grabbed his arm as she was held, looking up with lingering shock: "Thank you, Guard Qin."

Qin Hu entered service at the Prince Mansion at fifteen, and has been there for five years. He also admired Sun Zelan for a full five years. Unfortunately, it was always one-sided; Sun Zelan didn’t want to marry and resolutely refused him. For the past two years, he no longer tried to approach her, keeping a respectful distance. Whenever they met, he maintained propriety.

This was the closest he had ever been to her. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Looking at the delicate face with rabbit-red eyes so near, Qin Hu’s heart felt as if it were gripped tightly, causing some pain and discomfort.

"Doctor Sun and military doctor Sun going to Pingzhou to treat the epidemic is a great act that benefits the country and the people," Qin Hu said softly, "Heaven will surely bless them, Miss Sun, you needn’t be too sad."

"I’m not sad," Sun Zelan stood straight and whispered, "I’m angry I couldn’t go with them."

Qin Hu: "..."

This is the Sun Zelan he was familiar with and admired; brave, resilient, and optimistic, always standing tall and moving forward.

Qin Hu’s heart rippled, but he showed nothing on his face: "Everyone has their strengths. Staying at the Personal Guard Camp and treating the guards is equally important for Miss Sun."

Sun Zelan found these words pleasant and couldn’t help but glance at Qin Hu: "Since when did you learn to flatter?"

Qin Hu replied seriously, "I’m always by the Commandery Princess’s side, pure of heart, and never speak falsehoods. What I say is always sincere."

Sun Zelan finally laughed, "What kind of pure heart is that? In my opinion, you’re a first-rate flatterer."

Watching Sun Zelan’s smile, Qin Hu felt a sweetness in his heart like drinking honey water.

He had already decided not to pester her. However, occasionally having a close conversation was a wonderful thing. He wanted to cherish this moment carefully in his heart to savor whenever he wished.

Sun Zelan waved goodbye to Qin Hu and the others and quickly entered the Personal Guard Camp. She left briskly, without a hint of hesitation or looking back.

Qin Hu watched her figure from where he stood.

Behind him, several trusted aides exchanged looks and snickered.

Qin Hu had never forgotten Miss Sun, he still longed for her!

"Since you like Miss Sun, don’t give up so easily." Sun An laughed quietly, "A girl so wonderful, what a pity if you miss out."

Reluctantly, Qin Hu withdrew his gaze and rolled his eyes at Sun An, "Do you think everyone has your kind of luck, spotting a wife and just asking the Commandery Princess to marry them?"

After Sun An married Huang Sanmei, the couple was loving and harmonious. Huang Sanmei was gentle, virtuous, and capable, weaving cloth in the embroidery room and earning a monthly wage, she also bore Sun An a chubby son and a beautiful daughter. It made others jealous until their eyes turned red.

Sun An originally didn’t talk much, but in the past three years, he has visibly become cheerful and lively, and talks more often: "Do you want to marry Miss Sun or not?"

Qin Hu sighed deeply, "Miss Sun doesn’t want to get married, and I promised her not to bother her again. What’s the use of talking about this?"

Sun An whispered, "That’s how it is now. Miss Sun wants to be a military doctor, she wants to serve, and doesn’t want to be confined to the inner quarters, nor does she have the time or energy to have children. But who knows, circumstances might change in the future, and Miss Sun might change her mind."

"If I were you, I would patiently wait. To marry such a good girl, you obviously have to put in more effort."

Qin Hu’s heart stirred quietly, but he didn’t speak.

Knowing Qin Hu had taken his words to heart, Sun An grinned, turned around, and called on the trusted aides to mount their horses. With the sound of horse hooves, the trusted aides galloped back amid the rising dust.