The Emperor's heart is won, she sits on the Phoenix Throne! The Divine Physician's Eldest

At Song Siyao's command, Tinghan led his men to quickly dig open the grave.

They carried Princess Qingyan out, placed a body of similar size inside, and then restored the tomb to its original state.

The body belonged to a death row inmate.

When Princess Qingyan woke up, she was already dozens of miles away from her grave.

"Princess Youfeng, where is this?" Princess Qingyan lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.

They were on a road, a road with few travelers, surrounded by dense forests, with no signs of human habitation.

“This is within the territory of Water City,” Song Siyao asked. “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

"No, I'm fine, it feels like I've slept for a long time." Princess Qingyan looked radiant.

That night, taking advantage of the fire at Huayang Palace, Song Siyao gave Princess Qingyan a fake death drug, instructing her to take it after returning to her residence.

That night, everyone's attention was focused on the fire at Huayang Palace, and no one paid any attention to Princess Qingyan.

By the time everyone discovered it, Princess Qingyan had already stopped breathing.

The imperial physicians couldn't detect the ailment in the medicine developed by Song Siyao; they could only conclude that she had died from poisoning.

Later, Song Siyao sent people to spread rumors that Princess Qingyan was an unlucky person, and that the Yan Emperor disliked Princess Qingyan even more, and even her funeral was held very perfunctorily.

Moreover, Princess Qingyan was not allowed to be buried in the imperial mausoleum, which made it easier for Song Siyao to dig up the grave later.

"I'm sorry, but in order to make it easier for you to get out of this mess, I've damaged your reputation."

Song Siyao recounted the entire incident to Princess Qingyan in detail.

Princess Qingyan smiled and said, "You don't need to apologize to me. On the contrary, I am very grateful to you. Princess Qingyan is long dead. What happened to her, whether good or bad, is all in the past and has been buried with her in that grave. From now on, I will start my new life."

"Okay, then I wish you joy and peace throughout your life."

Song Siyao said, "I have prepared clothes, silver, carriages, and a new identity for you. You can choose a place you want to go. From now on, only you and your partner will know where you are."

"Thank you." Princess Qingyan hugged Song Siyao. "Thank you, Princess, thank you."

"I wish you happiness," Song Siyao said with a smile.

"After we settle down, can I contact you?" Princess Qingyan asked.

“No,” Song Siyao said. “For safety’s sake, you can’t let any third person besides the two of you know where you are.”

"Okay." Princess Qingyan's eyes reddened; this farewell might be the last.

“Go, live the life you want,” Song Siyao said.

Princess Qingyan got off the carriage, turned around and looked at Song Siyao, saying, "Princess Youfeng, my life is like a joke. Apart from Han Xu, it's you. You made me feel that life is worthwhile, and allowed me to experience life like a human being. This journey has not been in vain."

After she finished speaking, she smiled, like flowers blooming all over the mountains in June, or like the warm sun on a cold winter day.

She turned and left, resolutely running to the carriage and speeding away.

She ran towards the place she had already arranged to meet Han Xu.

After Princess Qingyan died, Han Xu drank heavily day and night. In the end, he lost his footing while drunk and fell into the lake, where he drowned.

The death of a guard is nothing, especially for someone like Han Xu who has no background; nobody would care.

The palace officials ordered his men to drag him away and bury him.

Three months later, Han Xu and Princess Qingyan met at their agreed place.

From then on, another pair of lovers in the world finally became husband and wife.

This is something for later, let’s not mention it for now.

Let's now discuss Song Siyao.

After seeing Princess Qingyan off, Song Siyao hurried back to Da Zhou.

"Princess, at this rate, we should be able to return to the capital in about half a month." Hongshao smiled broadly. She missed the delicious food in the capital and her soft bed at home.

"We've been away for almost two months, and we don't know how things are in the capital." Song Siyao looked out the window, thinking about the letter Cang Yue had sent.

“Princess, Cang Yue only sent one letter, and then there was no news. No news is good news, so don’t worry too much,” Hong Shao comforted her.

"It's getting dark. Let's stay at the inn tonight and get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll make a final push and return to the capital as quickly as possible," Song Siyao ordered.

“Yes, Princess.” Hongshao lifted the curtain and instructed the coachman, “Find an inn in the town ahead to rest.”

"Yes." The driver quickened his pace.

Night falls.

The carriage stopped in front of an inn, and the waiter immediately came to greet it.

"Sir, please come inside."

Song Siyao stepped down from the carriage and saw the waiter's smiling face.

It's more accurate to call this a street than a small town.

As more and more people came and went, it gradually became a street, and the local county government named it a town for easier management.

"Miss, are you here for a room or a meal?" The waiter was observant and knew that Song Siyao was the one in charge when he saw her.

“We’ll eat and stay at a hotel,” Song Siyao said.

"Alright, esteemed guests, please come in." The waiter welcomed them into the shop and then sent someone to feed the horses.

Song Siyao entered the shop and looked around. It was empty; there wasn't a single customer.

She chose a seat by the window.

The waiter brought over the tea and asked with a smile, "What would you like to eat, sirs?"

"Bring one of each of your restaurant's signature dishes," Song Siyao said.

"Okay, please wait a moment." The waiter turned and left.

“Princess, this servant feels something is strange. At this time of year, in this location of the inn, there should be many guests. Why is there not a single guest here except for us?” Hong Shao said warily.

“You’re right. We should raise everyone’s vigilance and wait and see,” Song Siyao said.

Soon, the waiter brought up the steaming hot food.

"Waiter, how many inns are there in this town?" Song Siyao asked casually.

"There are two," the waiter replied. "Sir, do you feel that business isn't good at our shop?"

"Could it be that your store used to be very successful?" Song Siyao asked.

"Our business used to be really good. In previous years, around this time, the inn was full, the dining hall was packed, and there were even people queuing outside," the waiter said, his face beaming as he recalled those days.

"Why is business so bad this year?" Song Siyao asked.

The waiter lowered his voice, "I've only heard about it. Don't tell anyone I told you. It's all because of that princess. She wants to live a good life, so she makes us common folk suffer."

"Which princess?" Song Siyao asked.

"It's that Princess Youfeng. I heard the Emperor listens to everything she says. The floors in her house are paved with gold, and if she wanted the moon, the Emperor would have someone build a ladder to pluck it for her..."

"Nonsense!" Hong Shao interrupted angrily upon hearing this.

Song Siyao glanced at Hongshao, who realized she had spoken out of turn and quickly explained, "Who in the entire Great Zhou doesn't know that Princess Youfeng is devoted to the people and advocates frugality? How could she live such a luxurious life? Someone must be framing her."

"That's hard to say. You can know a person's face but not their heart. It's true that Princess Youfeng won battles before, but people can change. It's a pity that we common people are suffering." The waiter said indignantly.

"Who told you this information?" Song Siyao asked.

"Everyone's saying it. If you don't believe me, just ask anyone on the street. Princess Youfeng's reputation here is absolutely terrible," the waiter said bitterly.