Marrying the Crown Prince

[Five days later]

Xi Qiu took a painting scroll toward the study in the general's mansion, but was stopped at the second gate.

"What's wrong?" Xi Qiu looked at the old woman blocking the way, puzzled.

The old woman remained obsequious. "Miss, the general said an important letter has been lost; I'm afraid there's a spy in the household..."

"What? You suspect I'm a spy?" Xi Qiu seemed angry, raising her voice to interrupt the old woman.

"How could this be?" The apprentice Qiu was displeased, but the old woman revealed a fawning smile. "The young lady's heart is beyond question, not only among the servants in the mansion, but throughout the entire city."

Upon hearing this, Xi Qiu gave a satisfied hum and lifted his foot to step over the threshold, but the old woman was still standing there, bowing her back obediently, without moving an inch.

"Aren't you going to move aside?" She frowned, her mood extremely bad.

The old woman said with a pained expression, "Young lady, please don't make things difficult for us servants."

Xi Qiu pursed her lips, turned around and left.

Returning to his bedroom, Xi Qiu casually tossed the scroll onto the table, sat on the couch, and reached out to take out the defense map that was placed on his chest.

She entered the study yesterday under the pretense of delivering soup, and then told Chen Muchuan that she wanted to select some classic books, which allowed her to wander around the study.

A short while later, some soldiers came. He went up to Chen Muchuan and whispered something in his ear, then stood beside him, waiting for orders.

Chen Muchuan put down his pen, stood up, and looked at Xi Qiu. "I'm going out for a bit. Don't wait for me for lunch. Just take whichever book you've chosen."

“Okay,” Xi Qiu said with a sweet smile, her eyes shining. “Then come back soon.”

"Ah."

After Chen Muchuan left, Xi Qiu quickly began searching.

It was all luck; everything went so smoothly that she successfully obtained the defense map.

Then she grabbed a book, tucked it under a defense map, and left.

As soon as he returned to his room, Xi Qiu quickly drew a complete defense map and sent it out.

In order to do it secretly, she planned to put the defense map back today, but she was still discovered.

Xi Qiu stared intently at the defense map, then gritted her teeth, folded it up again, and put it back on her chest—she planned to send it to Changchun Tower.

Chen Muchuan knew that the deployment map was missing, which was one thing; finding out that she was the one who stole it was another.

This time, when she reached the main gate, she was also stopped by the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper looked embarrassed, "Miss..."

“Okay,” Xi Qiu said with a regretful expression, “I know, but…”

Seeing that the doorman had no intention of responding, Xi Qiu resumed speaking after a pause, "However, I've run out of a few things and wanted to go to Changchun Tower to buy them. Since I can't leave, I wonder if you could help me buy them back?"

The doorman hesitated and did not dare to take the shopping list handed to him by Xi Qiu.

"Fine, I won't make things difficult for you." Xi Qiu sighed resentfully and put the things away.

Seeing this, the gatekeeper couldn't bear it and called out to Xi Qiu, "Miss, please wait a moment. I'll go ask the manager and come right away."

After saying that, he ran off in a flash.

A little while later, he returned, panting heavily.

"Miss, young lady..." the gatekeeper said breathlessly, unable to utter a complete sentence.

The person next to him laughed and slapped him on the back to pat him on the back and soothe him, "What's the rush? The girl isn't going to disappear."

"No rush, take your time," Xi Qiu said.

He took a couple of deep breaths to steady himself before continuing, "Miss, the steward said that it was already rude of him to stop you from leaving, and if he doesn't send you anything out, he's simply inhuman."

Upon hearing this, Xi Qiu's eyes flashed with joy. "That's wonderful."

She handed the shopping list and a purse to the doorman, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."

The shopping list was sent to Hongmei at Changchunlou, and the purse was given to the doorman, containing a piece of silver.

Three days later, Xi Qiu brought a bowl of soup to the door of the study.

When the gatekeeper saw her arrive, unlike the first day when he stopped her directly, he also didn't let her come and go as she pleased. Instead, he bowed respectfully and said, "Miss, please allow me to go in and announce your arrival."

"I know what I mean, go ahead."

The servant hurried away, but returned shortly after, saying, "Miss, the general requests your presence."

Li Changyuan was also in the study. When he saw Xi Qiu come over, he stood up to show respect.

Chen Muchuan watched as she placed the soup in front of him, a faint smile appearing on his haggard face. "These rough tasks can be done by the servants."

Xi Qiu retorted playfully, "General, I'm not one of those delicate young ladies."

"It's my fault, it's my fault," Chen Muchuan replied good-naturedly.

Seeing this, Li Changyuan knew that nothing important could be discussed today, and not wanting to be a third wheel, he got up to take his leave.

Chen Muchuan stood up and saw him out.

As he reached the study door, Li Changyuan smiled and teased, "My lady is waiting, sir, please don't see me off any further."

Chen Muchuan nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

Returning to his desk, he looked at the bowl of soup in front of him, then turned to Xi Qiu, "Have you had lunch?"

"Don't worry, I've already eaten." Xi Qiu smiled gently. "But you, you're always so busy, have you been eating properly?"

“Indeed, I’ve been very busy lately,” Chen Muchuan sighed. “I haven’t been able to have a proper chat with you, and I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

"What are you saying? In this mansion, who would dare to wrong me?" Xi Qiu said coquettishly, then pushed the soup toward Chen Muchuan. "General, please try it quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

The aroma of the soup wafted around my nose.

Chen Muchuan reached for a spoon, scooped it around without tasting it, and watched Xi Qiu with trepidation.

Finally, he scooped up some soup and brought it to his lips, but then stopped, looking up at Xi Qiu, "Is this soup good?"

Chen Muchuan's gaze was fiery, as if it could pierce through layers of fog and scorch people's hearts.

Xi Qiu forced a smile, "It's certainly good."

"is it?"

"Ah."

Chen Muchuan stared intently at her.

Xi Qiu forced herself to remain calm as she looked back at him.

Finally, he put the spoon into his mouth.

Upon seeing this, Xi Qiu did not breathe a sigh of relief as he had imagined; instead, his expression became even more unpleasant.

"What's wrong?" Chen Muchuan asked softly. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"There are some."

"Should we call the imperial physician?"

"General, there's no need to worry. I'm probably just too tired. I'll rest for a bit."

Hearing this, Chen Muchuan didn't press the matter, "Alright."

After saying that, he called over the servant waiting at the door, "Take Miss Xi Qiu back."

"Yes."

Xi Qiu looked at him, then at the bowl of soup, but didn't touch it.

"Hmm?" Chen Muchuan raised an eyebrow.

"General, this soup must be cold by now, and it probably won't taste good. Shall I take it away?"

Although it was a question, she didn't intend to wait for Chen Muchuan's answer and directly took the food away.

The curtain was lifted and then lowered again, and the person walked further and further away until finally disappearing from sight.

Chen Muchuan reached out and pressed an acupoint on the throat, and the soup he had just swallowed came out completely.