Spring arrives and the land smiles

Once ashore, Qingyan looked around for pharmacies and quickly found one that seemed quite popular. She asked the doctor on duty to lead her apprentice to the riverbank.

Even the doctor was taken aback when he saw the ship full of wounded people, and quickly put a life-saving medicine into the mouth of each of them.

This resident doctor was indeed highly skilled, fast and efficient. He not only quickly stitched up and professionally bandaged everyone's wounds, but also prescribed medicine, and even gave Lan Zhen an extra prescription.

Qingyan saw the doctor off the boat and gave him two ingots of official silver, threatening and enticing him not to reveal what happened today to anyone else. The old doctor nodded very sensibly, indicating that he would keep his mouth shut.

Back on the ship, Qingyan saw that everyone's complexion had improved, and she felt a little relieved.

Everyone was seriously injured and urgently needed to find a place to stay. In the current situation, going to the county government office in the inn was probably the best option. Since everyone was incapacitated, Qingyan felt safe only with government guards protecting them.

"Sicheng, take my warrant to the county government." Qingyan handed him the warrant bearing her private seal.

"Yes." Si Cheng took it.

"Be careful of your injuries."

Si Cheng's eyes lit up, and he nodded.

Qingyan knew that Sicheng was very capable, and sure enough, he arrived shortly afterward with the county magistrate.

The magistrate, seeing the ship full of wounded, nervously welcomed the princess and her entourage into the official post station. He even waited outside Qingyan's room to give instructions. Qingyan was helpless against this kind of flattery and could only ask him to send someone to fetch medicine and deliver it to everyone. Of course, there was also the matter of preparing meals, as she herself had not eaten for a day and a night.

The place is called Jiuyi because it is famous for producing the tribute wine Nianhuazui.

Legend has it that the distillery that brewed "Nianhua Zui" (a type of intoxicating liquor) had always been renowned far and wide. The distillery owner was a complete liquor fanatic, meticulously refining the recipes for each type of liquor in pursuit of the finest brew. However, when brewing "Nianhua Zui," while the aroma was rich and intense, the taste never quite achieved the lingering, mild finish and long-lasting aftertaste. The distillery owner spent his days and nights immersed in the brewery, eventually showing signs of mental instability. The owner's mother, a devout Buddhist, repeatedly tried to dissuade her son, but to no avail. So, she placed Buddhist scriptures in her son's distillery. One day, the distillery owner, struggling to find a recipe and on the verge of a breakdown, noticed the numerous Buddhist scriptures around him. He picked one up, flipped through a few pages, and suddenly had an epiphany, thus creating the perfect brew. The scripture he was reading was the "Great Brahma King's Questions to the Buddha on Resolving Doubts," and he came across the story of the "Nianhua Zui" (a type of intoxicating liquor) with a smile. Thus, the liquor came to be known as "Nianhua Zui."

At that time, the Great Brahma King, accompanied by a number of his retinue, offered the World-Honored One a golden lotus flower. Each of them bowed at the Buddha's feet and sat down to one side. Then the World-Honored One picked up the offered golden lotus flower, blinked, raised his eyebrows, and showed it to the assembly, remaining silent. Kasyapa smiled. The World-Honored One said, "I have the treasury of the true Dharma eye and the wondrous mind of Nirvana, which I entrust to you. You must protect it and ensure its unbroken continuity." Kasyapa, obeying the Buddha's command, bowed at the Buddha's feet and withdrew.

This was one of the few Buddhist scriptures Qingyan knew. Looking at the jar of Nianhua Zui in front of her, Qingyan ultimately did not open it. Nianhua Zui had an excellent taste and was very easy to overindulge in, but it was a strong liquor, so she couldn't overindulge. Qingyan pursed her lips, picked up her rice bowl, and then looked at Ning Yuan, who was staring at the jar, and said, "You are not allowed to drink it either, as your wound has not healed."

Ning Yuan looked at Qing Yan and nodded helplessly.

According to the original itinerary, they should have arrived in Suizhou today. However, due to the assassination attempt on the way and the fact that everyone was injured, Qingyan decided to go to Suizhou to meet Yunxuan early tomorrow morning. But tonight, she could ask the magistrate of the inn to contact Yunxuan for her.

The journey from Jiuyi to Suizhou takes only half a day, and if one rides at full speed, it might not even take half a day. Qingyan is thinking about the imperial letter and wants to set off the next morning.

"Yan'er, I can't let you go alone." Ning Yuan grabbed her hand, afraid that she would run away right now.

Qingyan shook her head: "Who said I was alone? There are so many soldiers and yamen runners in the county government, and Sicheng too. How could I have gone alone?" Qingyan gently stroked Ningyuan's face. After such a fierce battle, Ningyuan's face was clearly scarred, with a shallow sword wound.

"No, I'll go with you." After saying that, Ning Yuan struggled to get out of bed, but Qing Yan held him down firmly.

"Yan'er," Ning Yuan said sternly.

"Ning Yuan." Qing Yan's voice was even more stern.

"I promise you, I will never let anything happen to myself," Qingyan made her final promise.

After ten years of getting along, Ning Yuan knew that the princess had made up her mind and he had no choice but to compromise.

"Be very careful."

"Ah."

When Qingyan came out, Sicheng had been waiting outside the princess's room for a long time.

"Is your injury any better?" Qingyan noticed that Sicheng's figure was not as upright as before and was worried that he couldn't handle it, but right now, he was the only person she could trust who was in the best condition.

"I am unharmed," Si Cheng replied dutifully, his head bowed.

"Let's go." Qingyan sighed.

Qingyan had heard about the brutal training of the guards of Lingfeng Pavilion. Not to mention that their injuries after the attack were properly treated, Sicheng, as the sharpest sword of Lingfeng Pavilion, must have experienced even the harshest environments.

It's not that Qingyan is being pretentious; it's just that the kind-hearted mindset she was instilled with over thirty years of successful upbringing in her previous life is not easily changed. In addition, she doesn't like to be petty, so she's magnanimous towards servants who are ultimately her people.

Princess Qingyan's famously kind heart towards her servants is indeed true; Sicheng has experienced it firsthand. No wonder Siyou and Siwu were almost beside themselves with joy when they heard they were being assigned to Princess Qingyan. In Sicheng's eyes, there was more gratitude than loyalty.

Along the way, the county officials and soldiers and Sicheng followed Qingyan at full speed, and sure enough, they arrived in Suizhou in less than half a day. However, Qingyan rode at a speed that was just fast enough so that he wouldn't fall off the horse. Sicheng was terrified when he handed his princess over to the prince consort, and only then did his heart settle down.

"Yunxuan!" Qingyan wanted to run over, but she had been riding the horse too hard and her legs went weak as soon as they touched the ground. If Sicheng hadn't caught her in time, she probably would have embarrassed herself.

"Yan'er." Yunxuan was startled.

"It's nothing," Qingyan smiled nonchalantly. "Where is the nautical chart now?"

“At the Suizhou post station,” Yunxuan replied. “I have already discussed it with him. Half of the grain will first enter Qiu Rong territory. After the official letter is handed over, ten artisans from the Qiu Rong army camp will then enter Da Qi. The remaining grain will be divided into two batches and escorted to the royal court by the troops stationed in Qiu Rong by our Da Qi. In addition, General Ning sent someone to tell me that Princess Ina is weak and will not be able to arrive in Suizhou for ten days.”

"Okay." Yunxuan's execution was indeed very strong.

Upon learning of the Princess's arrival, the Prefect of Suizhou waited at the city gate early in the morning. However, the Princess's carriage was surprisingly a light cavalry unit, and she used a pass from the Jiuyi County government. Therefore, Prefect Tang failed to recognize her as Qingyan entered the city, barely missing her. Upon learning this, Prefect Tang was terrified and cautiously followed behind Qingyan. Qingyan had no time to argue with him and went straight into the Suizhou Imperial Palace.

Inside the Zidong Pavilion, Qingyan was sitting in the main seat, with Haitu, who had just arrived from the official post station, below him.

"The princess has traveled a thousand miles and arrived in just a few days. She truly is a woman who is just as capable as any man," Haitu said with a smile.

"Having made an appointment with the Crown Prince, I naturally dare not delay," Qingyan said in a friendly greeting.

Haitu smiled indifferently. So what if the date was delayed? The official letter still had to be delivered eventually. It was nothing to be proud of. Haitu thought the later the better, preferably until he could come up with a solution.

Qingyan couldn't see through his thoughts, but she just hoped that things wouldn't get complicated.

Just then, Yunxuan entered: "The preparations are complete in Chengtian Hall. Please, Princess and Prince, proceed to present the letter of state."

The delivery of the official letter must be carried out according to the procedures of state ceremony. After bathing and changing clothes, Qingyan led everyone to Chengtian Hall.

The ceremony was complicated, and Qingyan dared not show any signs of fatigue. She could only grit her teeth and persevere. Fortunately, she was not a sickly woman and could barely hold on.

Yunxuan saw it all and felt a pang of heartache. After receiving the official letter from the inn yesterday, Yunxuan had imagined the suffering Qingyan had endured along the way and wished he could suffer it for her. But when he saw Qingyan today, he realized that his imagination hadn't been enough. In just over ten days, Qingyan had managed to turn her oval face into a small melon seed.

After the official letter was delivered, Haitu inquired in detail about Princess Ina's situation from Qingyan. Learning that she was under heavy protection, he no longer held a grudge against Qingyan for not traveling with her. Haitu returned to the inn, where he waited for Ina to escort her back to the Qiurong royal court for their marriage.

Having completed her mission, Qingyan left the remaining tasks to be handled by the appropriate officials. She returned to the imperial palace, residing in the Liuli Palace where she had stayed as a child accompanying her father on his travels. She then instructed the prefect of Suizhou to send the best physician to the inn to treat Ningyuan and the others' injuries. Having given all her instructions, Qingyan collapsed onto the bed.

It's so tiring.

However, as soon as her head hit the pillow, Qingyan suddenly opened her eyes again, remembering that there was something else.

"Sicheng, go and treat your injuries, then get six hours of sleep before you come to see me."

Si Cheng, the guard in the shadows, was taken aback at first. He opened his mouth but didn't dare to make a sound. Finally, seeing that Qing Yan had indeed fallen asleep, he had no choice but to obey.

But isn't six hours too long?

As the sun set and the setting sun bleeds like blood, the chill of mid-spring, which had been following the warmth of the day, is gently swept away by the night. When Yunxuan entered, he was already covered in a cold aura.

He gestured for the servants to close the window, then told them to leave. Yunxuan walked to Qingyan's bedside and sat down, a slight smile playing on his lips as he gazed at the woman sleeping in her less-than-graceful posture. He gently stroked her pale face, then her lips, which were no longer as vibrant as before, chapped from exhaustion. Yunxuan tenderly dipped some tea in his water and applied it to her lips. Perhaps due to the tea's irritation, Qingyan licked them and let out a soft moan, finding it cool and comforting.

Yunxuan smiled slightly, took a sip of tea and fed it to Qingyan. Qingyan swallowed it all, but felt it wasn't enough. She opened her lips slightly, asking for more. Yunxuan smiled and shook his head, then fed her another sip, but this time he didn't want to leave.

From the refreshing coolness of the tea to the fiery passion of their lips, Qingyan was dazed and unaware of what was happening. Finally, she reluctantly opened her eyes and was startled to see Yunxuan's magnified handsome face.

"You want to drink water but can't, so this is the only way." Yunxuan smiled faintly.

"Thank you." Qingyan blushed and looked away.

"You believe me?" Yunxuan's smile widened, his eyes revealing a sly glint.

"Ah." Qingyan was stunned for a moment, then quickly came to her senses. "Yunxuan, you..."

"I was so lovesick that I couldn't help waking you up." Yunxuan felt no embarrassment at being caught stealing a kiss, only a little guilty for waking her up.

With such a frank admission, Qingyan didn't know what to say.

"It's just a kiss, Yan'er, you're not going to be stingy with even that, are you?" Yunxuan smiled.

Qingyan lowered her eyes, still unsure of what to say.

"Go to sleep." Yunxuan gently stroked Qingyan's forehead, his voice tender and enigmatic.

"You should rest too, it's getting late." The last rays of the setting sun shone through the window, and Qingyan stopped speaking.

"It's still early. If Yan'er is tired, go to sleep. I'll stay with you." Yunxuan began to undress.

Qingyan remembered someone saying that if something was meant for him, he would take the initiative to pursue it. She didn't expect him to be so proactive, which startled her so much that she sat up in bed.

"If Yunxuan is tired, he can rest in the side hall next door. This bed, this bed is too small." Qingyan grabbed the bed sheet, knowing that she was just talking nonsense. Qingyan had always liked big beds, and the bed in the Liuli Palace was specially made according to her preferences, no less than the two-meter bed in her previous life.

"It's alright, I sleep soundly and don't take up much space." Yunxuan continued to undress.

Qingyan quickly grabbed his hand to stop him.