The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Ji Lingfeng told Ma Hongtao about his previous speculations and the Emperor's decision.

Ma Hongtao nodded immediately, "This humble general will certainly live up to your mission and do his utmost to cooperate with you."

"Ah."

"This matter is known only to you, me, and His Majesty. For the sake of the Great Xia Kingdom, I implore General Ma to ensure that the border is well guarded."

Ma Hongtao knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and shouted in a loud voice, "This humble general will certainly not fail in his mission."

"Yes, we'll split up first thing tomorrow morning. By the time I arrive in Xin'an County, His Majesty's decree should have reached the military camp."

As Hefei emerged from General Ma's camp, he waited outside the tent.

"Master, everything is ready."

Ji Lingfeng followed him to his tent, where food was already laid out: a plate of beef, a bowl of rice, and a bowl of vegetable soup.

These days, on a march, this is considered very good food.

Ji Lingfeng took out the jar of meat sauce from his bag, scooped a large spoonful onto the rice, and the heat from the rice melted the solidified fat in the meat sauce, releasing its aroma immediately.

"It smells so good, it's the meat sauce that Master brought."

Ji Lingfeng didn't reply. Instead, he used a spoon to mix the meat sauce and quickly finished the bowl of rice with the beef.

Early the next morning, a group of people quietly left the marching column and headed in another direction.

In the Grand Tutor's mansion...

Shen Chen stood at the door of Zhou Zhou's room, wanting to raise his hand to knock, but several times he raised his hand and then for some reason lowered it.

He lingered at the door for a long time, but never mustered the courage.

When Zhou Zhou returned, she saw Shen Chen standing alone at her door, pacing back and forth.

"Why are you here?"

The sudden sound startled Shen Chen.

Upon hearing Zhou Zhou's voice, he hurriedly straightened his clothes before turning around to greet her.

"Miss Zhou Zhou, I was just looking for you."

In the back garden, the two walked side by side, looking exceptionally well-matched from a distance.

Both of them seemed a little nervous and unnatural.

"that……"

"that……"

"You go first," Zhou Zhou said softly, glancing up at him.

Shen Chen stopped and took out an exquisite box from his pocket, handing it to Zhou Zhou.

“Miss Zhou, this should have been given to you when you first arrived in the capital.”

"Thank you for your kindness. This is a New Year's gift that I, Shen, have prepared for you."

Zhou Zhou didn't open it, but held the box in his hand and nodded.

"Okay, I'll accept it."

"Is there anything else?"

"Ah!" Shen Chen didn't expect her to agree so readily, and his prepared explanations were now useless.

"Nothing."

Zhou Zhou nodded, and the two continued walking forward without saying a word.

"I'm almost there."

Shen Chen looked up and realized that the two of them had unknowingly walked almost to Zhou Zhou's courtyard again.

"Oh, then you should go back now. I should go back to my studies too."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

"Brother Shen!" Zhou Zhou called out to him.

“I heard from my grandfather that you should prepare for the imperial examination this year.”

"Then you better do your best!"

The girl's voice gently blew into Shen Chen's ears, dispelling the fog that had been weighing heavily on his chest.

He smiled brightly and nodded, "Ms. Zhou, don't worry, I will do my best."

When I am qualified to stand beside you, I will not be so timid.

After returning to her room, Zhou Zhou dismissed all her personal maids and sat alone in front of her dressing table, carefully opening the box that Shen Chen had given her.

Inside, there lay a pale purple jade hairpin shaped like a magnolia.

She held the jade hairpin in her hand and examined it carefully. She was surprised to find that Shen Chen had good taste; she liked the hairpin very much, and it suited her very well.

She gestured in front of the mirror as she inserted the jade hairpin into her hair.

The girl in the bronze mirror, wearing a jade hairpin, had delicate features, a shy smile, and a rosy complexion; she was extremely beautiful.

The back garden of the Shen family mansion...

On a rare sunny day, Shen Yu'an was sunbathing in the garden while studying chess scores.

The black jade chess piece was placed on the chessboard by his well-defined fingers. He glanced down at the newcomer and lazily asked, "Why are you here?"

Wei Siyu bent down and pulled the stool in front of her back, then sat down before speaking, "Look at what you're saying, of course I've come to wish Uncle Shen and the others a Happy New Year."

"But what about you? Why are you studying chess scores all by yourself at home?"

Shen Yu'an ignored him, his gaze shifting back and forth between the chess score and the chessboard.

After a long while, he put down the chess manual and pointed to the letter on the stone table, saying, "It's from Xin'an County."

“It was written by Shen Cao to Wan Yue.”

“I sent someone to the palace early this morning; she should be here soon.”

Upon hearing that Wanyue would be arriving soon, Wei Siyu immediately became nervous.

This was the first time he had met Wanyue since returning from Xin'an County. He had just told his mother a while ago that he liked Wanyue, and now that he was going to see her, he felt a little embarrassed.

Shen Yu'an was so engrossed in the chess manual that he didn't notice anything unusual about the person next to him.

Wei Siyu tapped the stone table repeatedly with her fingers, making a 'squeak' sound.

"You've almost scratched my stone table to pieces."

"Cousin!" Wanyue's voice came.

She appeared before the two of them very quickly.

Wei Siyu quickly stood up, somewhat afraid to look at her, and greeted Wanyue in an extremely serious voice.

"Princess Wanyue, hello!"

Wanyue's eyes darted up and down at him, then she looked at Shen Yu'an with some confusion, "Cousin, what's wrong with him?"

"Did his mother beat him so badly he went mad?"

Shen Yu'an chuckled lightly, "That's just how he is, don't mind him."

"Here! Your letter."

Wanyue quickly sat down, opened the letter, and began to read it.

"Zhan Xinyue..."

Shen Yu'an and Wei Siyu watched Wanyue intently reading the letter, and were very curious about its contents, which made her cry and laugh at the same time.

Wanyue spent a full incense stick's time reading the thick letters. After she finished, she took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Smiling, she said to Shen Yu'an and Wei Siyu, "Sister Cao'er said that our Hundred Herbs Garden has been renovated and she told me to choose a good day to open it."

"Sister Cao'er also asked me to ask you that things at the dock are almost settled, and one of you will need to be there in person."

Shen Yu'an seemed to be deep in thought. "I'm afraid I won't have time during this period." After saying that, he turned to look at Wei Siyu.

Wei Siyu nodded, "I'll go in a few days."

"That's perfect. I have something to give to Sister Cao'er. Could you take it to her for me?"

"it is good."

"Aunt Green Willow, bring it here."

Green Willow came over carrying a food box.

“I just went to my grandmother’s place. This is what’s left. I’ll let you all try my cooking.”