The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

The Ministry of Official Affairs Shangshu Mansion.

In the study, Yang Liuming and a secret guard were investigating the counties where the diplomatic mission was taking a routine rest when they heard a servant report that Zhao Xiaoman had arrived. Yang Liuming immediately stood up to greet her.

After the two of them exchanged greetings and sat down, Zhao Xiaoman got straight to the point: "Master Yang, I've come to visit you so late this night because I have two matters, one public and one private, to discuss with you!"

Yang Liuming hurriedly leaned towards Zhao Xiaoman and said, "Please speak!"

"Let's discuss official business first. If we verify the secret reports in Vietnam and that Yue does indeed intend to attack our Xia Kingdom, I hope Lord Yang will consider that the people of both countries have finally enjoyed a few years of peace and not rashly threaten Your Majesty with war! I hope to further communicate with Yue and find a peaceful solution acceptable to both countries!"

Yang Liuming frowned and pondered, "Miss Zhao is truly kindhearted, but the Kingdom of Yue will not be easily moved by your kindness. For many years, the Kingdom of Yue has repeatedly invaded the areas around Fengcheng, Fucheng, and Jinyangcheng. Now that Jinyangcheng is still in the hands of the Kingdom of Yue, what peaceful means can be used to avoid war between the two countries and recapture Jinyangcheng?"

"That's why I implore Lord Yang not to talk about war so easily, rather than avoid it!"

"That's not a problem. State affairs have always been discussed by all ministers, and the final decision is made by Your Majesty. Miss Zhao has entrusted you with such sincerity that I will certainly act with caution."

"I feel relieved now."

"What about the other personal matter?"

Zhao Xiaoman sighed softly and said, "General Qin has an impatient temper. Lord Yang and General Qin are close friends. If General Qin makes any rash moves in the future, I hope Lord Yang can persuade him."

Yang Liuming smiled and said, "That's easy. Since Brother Qin returned to the capital, I haven't had a chance to speak to him properly. I'll invite him to my house for a gathering in a couple of days. I'll gently remind him of your intention."

Seeing that the map on Yang Liuming's desk was exactly the itinerary of the diplomatic corps, Zhao Xiaoman confirmed the resting place with Yang Liuming. After confirming that it was correct, she stood up and said goodbye.

After returning to Qingfeng Courtyard, Zhao Xiaoman first went to see the two sleeping children and covered them with a quilt. Only then could she finally have a good sleep.

But shortly after Zhao Xiaoman left the bedroom, Zhao Xuan quietly got up.

She quietly opened the wardrobe, stuffed all the steamed buns she had secretly saved over the past few days into her small schoolbag, filled a large pot of water, screwed on the lid, then tiptoed out of the room and came to the gift boxes piled up in the backyard. She opened one of the boxes containing medicinal herbs, put the small schoolbag and the kettle in it, and then tiptoed back to the room.

Gu Zhanghua had already sat up and was yawning. Seeing Zhao Xuan come back, he asked, "Sister Xuan, why didn't you go to bed?"

Zhao Xuan climbed onto the bed and whispered, "I'm going to go store some food and water for us."

“Why store food and water?”

"Idiot! Of course we have to go to Yue Kingdom with my master and your brother, the Crown Prince, but we can't let them know! So we have to hide in a big box of medicinal herbs for a few days. How can we survive without food or water?!"

Gu Zhanghua stared at Zhao Xuan in a daze, his eyes half sleepy. Suddenly, he woke up and almost cried out in surprise. He quickly covered his mouth and put his hand down for a long time before asking, "Do I need to bring a change of clothes, too?"

Zhao Xuan clapped her hands and said, "Oh, that's right! I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it! Xiaowu is awesome!"

Zhao Xuan hurriedly jumped out of bed, took out two sets of clean clothes from the closet, put them in Gu Zhanghua's small schoolbag, and ran out of the room quietly again.

Gu Zhanghua was overjoyed. The game he and Sister Xuan played together was truly fascinating. He could actually help Sister Xuan, and she would definitely never call him a fool again! But then he started to worry. Could the large box of herbs really hold two of them?

The next day, Zhao Xiaoman got up before dawn and ordered ten boxes of goods to be loaded onto the truck. She also carefully checked the equipment of the escort agency's guards. After everything was in order, she called Yulan over and instructed:

"I just went to see Xuan'er and Xiaowu, they were both snoring. It seems they were really tired from playing yesterday. Let's just skip classes today. Don't disturb them. Let them sleep until they wake up naturally, eat something, and then send someone to send Xiaowu back to the palace."

Yulan nodded in agreement.

Before Zhao Xiaoman got on the carriage, she saw Yulan was reluctant to leave and about to cry, so she pinched Yulan's face hard and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I will hold a wedding for you and Huang Shuo when I come back!"

"Miss! I'm not in a hurry!"

Zhao Xiaoman got on the carriage and saw Yulan still stomping her feet and pouting at the gate of Qingfengyuan. She found it interesting and couldn't help laughing. She thought that after Yulan and Huang Shuo got married, they would return to Xiangzhou together and no longer care about the disputes in the world. As long as the years were peaceful, she would be able to spend time with her father and Xuan'er.

When Zhao Xiaoman rushed to the palace gate to meet Crown Prince Gu Deming, Gu Li was already waiting in front of the palace gate with the ministers. The ministers said auspicious words one after another. Zhao Xiaoman could only patiently stay beside the crown prince and return the greetings one by one.

Just as the prince was bidding farewell to Gu Li for the last time, a carriage came galloping from afar. The driver was Qin Shao. He pulled the reins in front of everyone, jumped off the carriage, and smiled at Zhao Xiaoman awkwardly.

Zhao Xiaoman was confused when she saw the curtain of the carriage opened. A beautiful woman who looked to be in her late thirties got off the carriage with a girl about four years old in her arms. She walked up to Zhao Xiaoman leisurely and bowed to her.

Qin Shao coughed and introduced Zhao Xiaoman, "My wife Zheng Fanghua said she wanted to see you off, and I couldn't refuse..."

"Miss Zhao, I've long heard of your name, but never had the chance to meet you," Zheng Fanghua took over the conversation, her voice soft and pleasant. "Today, I have finally begged the General to give me this opportunity to meet Miss Zhao. Firstly, to see you off, and secondly, I hope Miss Zhao can understand my true feelings. I hope to call you sister in the near future. This is my daughter with the General, Qin Chuyun, just four years old. Chuyun, call me Auntie! Hurry up!"

Qin Chuyun opened her mouth, looked at Zhao Xiaoman timidly, and called out in a thin voice, "Auntie...Auntie..."

Zhao Xiaoman said loudly, "I don't deserve it! I appreciate Madam's kindness, and I'll say goodbye now!"

After saying that, he walked towards the carriage.

"Wait, Miss Zhao!"

Zheng Fanghua waved and called Zhao Xiaoman over, took a food box from the maid, walked up to Zhao Xiaoman, and said with a gentle smile: "Miss Zhao, this is a little gift from me. I got up early and made it right away. It's still hot. You can take it with you on the road. Don't be disgusted."

Qin Chuyun also said in a baby voice: "Auntie, Auntie, eat!"

Zhao Xiaoman didn't want to take it at first, but when she saw the ministers around her eating the food, all of them were afraid that the melon was not big enough, and all of their eyes were fixed on her. Qin Shao had a helpless expression on his face, and Gu Li held his forehead with his hand. Even the prince was looking at him curiously, so she didn't want to cause any more trouble and delay her journey. She reached out to take the food box, said thank you, and got on the carriage.

Until the carriage went a long way, Zhao Xiaoman opened the curtains and could still see Qin Shao's family of three looking in the direction of the carriage. She couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that her decision to take her family back to her hometown after she was done with her work was the right one. That way, Qin Shao would completely give up the idea!