Qin Zhichu successfully entered the medical school and started her journey of learning surgery. At first, she felt overwhelmed by the profound medical theories and complicated practical skills. However, whenever she thought of Song Yanshu, she gritted her teeth and persevered.

Every day, she was always the first to arrive at the medical school and the last to leave. She read medical books repeatedly, watched every surgical demonstration carefully, and never missed any opportunity to learn. She even had her hands rubbed raw from constantly practicing various suturing techniques.

At the same time, Song Yanshu, who was far away from home, was heading to the southwest. He hurried on his way during the day and would find an inn to rest at night. He opened the cotton-padded jacket that Qin Zhichu had prepared for him, and inside was a handkerchief embroidered with lifelike mandarin ducks. Song Yanshu gently stroked the delicate stitches, and a warm current surged in his heart. This girl, even her acting could be so realistic, but for some reason, there was a faint feeling of something else spreading in his heart.

Qin Zhichu's early departure and late return caused Princess Dunchun's dissatisfaction. She was already upset when her son was away, and now she saw Qin Zhichu was so busy that he didn't even have time to talk to her to relieve her boredom, which made her even more angry.

One day, Qin Zhichu returned to the mansion. Before she could shake off her fatigue, Princess Dunchun called her over and said gloomily, "Girl, do you still have eyes for me, your mother-in-law? You haven't been seen all day. Is there no room for you in this mansion?"

Qin Zhichu quickly bowed and explained softly, "Mother, please calm down. I just want to learn medicine well and achieve something in the future."

Princess Dunchun snorted coldly: "A woman should abide by her duty. Why learn those medical skills? Has the Duke's Mansion treated you unfairly and given you insufficient food and clothing?"

Qin Zhichu bit her lip and told her what she was thinking: "Mother, I am not studying medicine just for myself. I just hope that I can go to the northwest with my husband in the future and do my best for him."

Princess Dunchun was also shocked after hearing this. This woman was so affectionate to her son. Her expression eased a little, but she still said with some doubt: "You girl, the northwest is not a good place, are you really not afraid?"

Qin Zhichu raised her head, looked at Princess Dunchun firmly, and replied: "Mother, Zhichu is not afraid. As long as I can be with my husband, I can endure any hardship or difficulty."

Princess Dunchun was silent for a moment, as if she was thinking about something. After a while, she slowly said, "Forget it, since you have this intention, then go ahead."

Qin Zhichu showed a happy smile on his face and bowed again, saying: "Thank you mother for your help. Zhichu will definitely not let you down."

From then on, Princess Dunchun's attitude towards Qin Zhichu changed greatly. She often ordered her servants to stew some tonic for Qin Zhichu, looking forward to Yanshu's return from the southwest so that they could give the Song family a grandson as soon as possible.

Inside the Rui Palace, a guard was kneeling on the ground, reporting the situation to the Rui King: "Your Highness, the people we sent out just left the capital and there was no news. We have completely lost contact."

When King Rui heard this, his brows knitted tightly together, and a flash of anger flashed across his eyes. He lowered his voice and shouted solemnly, "What a bunch of useless people! You can't even handle such a small matter properly. Why don't you send someone to investigate carefully and make sure to find out for me what's going on!"

The guard quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will do it right away."

Prince Rui paced back and forth in the room in annoyance, thinking to himself: Could it be that Murong Xuanyi is behind this again? How abominable! We were all born in the royal family, and no one is stupid. Since the last operation failed, he has been more cautious now, and no one can get close to him.

Just when Prince Rui was upset, another guard came in a hurry, his face full of tension, and hurriedly reported: "Prince, it's bad! The spy we arranged in the Duke's Mansion was discovered by them, and has been dealt with."

When King Rui heard this, his face instantly turned gloomy and he shouted angrily, "Waste! You are all waste! If you can't even handle such a trivial matter, what's the point of keeping you here!"

The guard was so frightened that he trembled all over and begged for mercy: "Your Highness, please calm down. I have really tried my best. I just didn't expect the people in the Duke's Mansion to be so alert. That's why..."

King Rui took a deep breath, trying his best to calm himself down, and then asked in a deep voice: "What is the situation over there now?"

The guard quickly replied, "After the spy was dealt with, the Duke's Mansion has stepped up its security. It will be extremely difficult for our people to sneak in again."

King Rui stared at the front with sinister eyes, thinking for a long time, and then slowly said: "In this case, let's restrain our edge for the time being, and wait for me to find a suitable opportunity, and then make other plans. You go and tell the people below to be honest and obedient during this period of time, and don't cause any trouble for me."

The guard quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will convey your instructions right away."

After the guard left, King Rui fell into deep thought again. Previously, the spies had found out that Song Yanshu had left the capital. Song Yanshu was the son of Song Jinghuai. In order to control the Northwest Army, the emperor had killed his father. According to common sense, he would not let him leave the capital easily for safety reasons. Now that he has left the capital, there is only one possibility... Could it be that the emperor has noticed something, so he specially sent him to the southwest? Thinking of this, King Rui's expression suddenly tightened.

He did not dare to delay any longer, so he quickly changed his clothes and hurried into the palace to meet the Imperial Concubine.

In the Royal Concubine Jingkun Palace, Prince Rui anxiously expressed his guesses and concerns. After listening, the Royal Concubine frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and gently waved her hand, signaling Prince Rui to stay calm.

"Don't be so flustered," the Imperial Concubine snorted, "You will only lose your composure if you are so impatient. Besides, even if Song Yanshu really went to the southwest, he might not be able to do anything to your uncle."

Although Prince Rui was still nervous, he was relieved to see the Imperial Concubine so calm. He bowed and said, "Mother, you are right. I was too nervous. Then, according to mother, what should I do next?"

The Imperial Concubine gently stroked the exquisite tea set in her hand and said slowly, "For the next few days, you should keep your troops in place and observe the changes in the situation secretly. Meanwhile, continue to send messages to your uncle."

Her eyes sharpened, she snorted coldly, and continued, "The people you sent were probably killed. It was either Murong Xuanyi or your father who did it. Your father must have become suspicious. We don't have much time left. Regardless of whether your uncle takes any action or not, we must change the sky on New Year's Eve!" After she finished speaking, the corners of her mouth raised with a beautiful arc.

Prince Rui nodded repeatedly and said, "Mother, you are very thoughtful and far-sighted. I will follow your teachings."

After coming out of the Imperial Concubine's bedroom, Prince Rui's mood calmed down a little. He knew that in this palace, every step must be taken with caution. If he was not careful, he might be doomed.

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