Spring arrives and the land smiles

Sure enough, Qingyan woke up the next day with dark circles under her eyes.

After leaving the room, Qingyan went straight to Yunxuan's bedroom next door.

In his reply to Hai Tu a few days ago, he asked for people. Hai Tu actually rushed to send ten craftsmen skilled in blade tempering to Suizhou. Suizhou reported back and asked what to do with them. Qing Yan thought for a moment and sent a secret letter to Shen Ye, instructing him to take good care of these ten people and not to let them find out anything under any circumstances.

When I pushed the door open, Yunxuan was having breakfast.

"Have you eaten?" Although it was a question, Yunxuan served her a bowl of porridge.

"I can't eat." Qingyan rubbed her dark circles and pushed the porridge away.

"You should eat some too." Yunxuan insisted, and the porridge was returned to Qingyan, along with a small plate of crispy spring rolls.

“Okay.” Qingyan picked up her chopsticks.

After taking a sip of the porridge, which was soft, sticky, and delicious, Qingyan felt a little hungry.

"Haitu brought the person here, and I told Shen Ye to take good care of him."

"That young punk?" Yunxuan smiled. "You can't judge a book by its cover."

Prefect Song of Fancheng failed to pay his respects to Her Highness the Eldest Princess yesterday, and this morning, despite the hardships, he waited outside the courtyard where the princess was staying before dawn. However, he waited and waited but was not summoned. Upon inquiring, he learned that Her Highness the Eldest Princess did not allow anyone to disturb her at all, and his morning's efforts were in vain. Therefore, he remained trembling with fear.

“Song Wenbo is a good official. I’m indignant that you’re scaring him like this.”

After breakfast, Yunxuan gave some important instructions, and then pulled Qingyan to play chess, saying that practice makes perfect.

Qingyan curled her lip: It's best to politely decline activities like playing chess, which are high-IQ activities.

Qingyan, playing black, did not make the first move, placing a piece opposite the white piece to occupy a corner. Although she had studied Go for many years, Qingyan still adhered to the most basic principles of "gold corner, silver edge, and grass in the center," playing it by the book in a very conventional and methodical manner.

"Yan'er, you're playing black, why don't you want to go first?" Yunxuan smiled and placed a piece on the board. He had wanted to ask this question for a long time.

"The black stones are clear and translucent, more beautiful than the white stones." Qingyan held a black stone in her palm and rubbed it.

"Is it that simple?" Yunxuan, who was about to lower his head to make another move, was stunned.

"Yes, it's that simple." Qingyan raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Hahaha, Yan'er, how can you be so childish, really..." Yun Xuan laughed, but was interrupted by Qing Yan before he could finish speaking.

"Pretentious, right?"

"No, it's cute." Yunxuan pinched Qingyan's little face, his eyes filled with affection.

Cute? Qing Yan smiled. Yun Xuan really did spoil her as much as ever, without any limits or boundaries.

"Didn't you say you wanted to speak up for Song Wenbo? Tell me about it." Qingyan placed a piece on the board and changed the subject.

Yunxuan straightened his expression and said seriously, "Song Wenbo has a very good reputation, but he is just a smooth talker."

"I know," Qingyan replied casually.

"You know?" Yunxuan asked in surprise. "Then why don't you see him?"

Yunxuan grasped Qingyan's hand as she placed a piece, and Qingyan took the opportunity to throw the black piece into the chess basket, staring at him intently, and decided not to play anymore.

"Yan'er, Song Wenbo is a member of my Fu family. Is that your reason for not seeing him?" Yunxuan's expression changed slightly.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t see him,” Qingyan said, lowering her head and casually tidying up the chess pieces on the board. “I just wanted to know when you planned to tell me.”

Yunxuan loosened his grip, and Bai Zi fell into the spring like a stubborn stone.

Qingyan picked out a white piece from among the black pieces and held it between her fingers: "Yunxuan, what am I to you?"

Yunxuan didn't answer, but snatched the white piece from her finger and held it in his palm.

"That day, gazing at Cangyue Mountain, I asked you whether you were protecting or loyal to it. You told me about the life-saving passage in Cangyue Mountain, a secret known only to the Fu family, and I took that as your answer. Unexpectedly, later, in the matter of pacifying the people of Qiongzhou, your Fu family easily succeeded, and the Prince of Jin failed to interfere, yet you never mentioned a word to me about the reasons. Then, regarding the matter of procuring grain outside the capital, you so quietly assisted the Ministry of Revenue in procuring a large amount of grain in such a short time, yet you never intended to tell me the details. A few days ago, I mentioned that the general guarding the border between Daqi and Nanxia was the Zhong family, and without a second thought, you took it upon yourself to solve the problem for me, without even telling me how you would proceed. And today, with just Song Wenbo, you're dragging him along like this, simply wanting me to give him the position of Prefect of Suizhou. Suizhou is a crucial military town, and your Fu family wants to get involved too. Is there anything your Fu family wouldn't dare to do? Does disobeying your arrangements mean I'll lose my position as Crown Prince?!"

Qingyan stood up excitedly, placed her hands on the chessboard, and stared down at Yunxuan.

Yunxuan remained silent.

"Fu Yunxuan, do you really think that I, the crown prince, am already under the control of your Fu family?" Qingyan's face was filled with anger, but Yunxuan remained unmoved and as immovable as a mountain.

The room fell silent for a long while before any movement was heard.

Yunxuan placed the white chess piece in his palm into the chess basket and slowly said, "Yan'er still doesn't trust me as much as ever."

Yunxuan poured himself a cup of tea, glanced at Qingyan, but did not drink it.

"Did you tell Ning Yuan these words, Yan'er? During the Battle of Qingxia Pass, the Ning family army gave only one side of the story. Did you ever question them with anyone? General Ning spent ten years in the enemy camp. Did you ever think to ask him about it? A few months ago, Ning Yuan was captured by the sea chart. How did he escape? Why was he rescued by Prince Zhao? Did you raise any doubts? Recently, you handed over the entire Lifeng Battalion to Ning Yuan. Did you hesitate even for a moment?"

A series of questions startled Qingyan slightly. She had never considered what Yunxuan was saying before; at some point, she had become one with Ningyuan.

“I…” Qingyan abandoned her condescending posture and sat down.

Yunxuan smiled and continued, "On the second day of the wedding, Ningyuan told me that ever since the Emperor revealed that he would make you the Crown Prince, he had never seen you truly smile. I thought you were tired of power struggles and would naturally help you, but I didn't expect," Yunxuan reached out and ruffled Qingyan's hair, "that my Yan'er is so responsible. Ningyuan and I underestimated you."

Yunxuan changed his posture and casually picked up the teacup to take a sip.

"So, which story would you like to hear first, Yan'er? Is it about pacifying the people of Qiongzhou?" Yunxuan rolled up his left sleeve to his upper arm, revealing a hideous scar. "Or is it about going out of the capital to raise grain?" Yunxuan then rolled up his right sleeve, revealing a very noticeable scar on his wrist.

Qingyan froze, trembling as she reached out and grasped Yunxuan's wrist: "This is..."

"A sword wound," Yunxuan said, letting her hold his hand. "Most of the assassins under Prince Jin's command are swordsmen. The one who injured me is a master, ranked fifth. If it weren't for Prince Rui sending the guards from the Listening Wind Pavilion to help, this hand of mine would probably be ruined."

"elder brother?"

"Hmm, do you want to hear the details?" Yunxuan grabbed her hand in return.

Qingyan's hand trembled slightly.

"Stop, stop talking."

"That's fine, it's too bloody, it's really not suitable for a young lady to hear."

"No, I meant to say, tell me when I've calmed down."

Clang—Yunxuan's teacup fell to the ground, splashing tea everywhere.

"My lord, Her Highness the Princess requests your presence. You've finally arrived." Song Wenbo's advisor, Song Cheng, stroked his goatee and smiled obsequiously as if he had found a priceless treasure.

Song Wenbo stood up from the armchair, his eyes immediately lighting up: "The Prince Consort is truly brilliant." Then, he glanced back at Song Cheng and said, "Go and fetch the memorial."

When the servant led Song Wenbo in, Qingyan was making tea for Yunxuan.

The official post station in Fancheng was much more well-equipped than other places due to its prosperity, and naturally, a set of fine purple clay teaware was indispensable in the elegant room. Having just finished warming the teapot, Qingyan was using a tea spoon to scoop Liuan melon seed tea into it. The best Liuan melon seed tea has no buds or stems, only single leaves, and is harvested within ten days before and after Grain Rain each year, picking two or three leaves at a time, prioritizing robustness over tenderness.

However, Lu'an Melon Seed tea wasn't Yunxuan's favorite; in fact, he disliked it somewhat. Clearly, Qingyan was doing this on purpose.

But who exactly is Song Wenbo? Yunxuan only said he was shrewd and smooth, which seems too simplistic.

As Qingyan handed the fragrant teacup to Yunxuan, Song Wenbo hid the folded document in his hand into the wide sleeve of his official robe.

"Prepare a seat for Lord Song."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Song Wenbo respectfully thanked the emperor and sat down.

Qingyan's hands did not stop working.

"I've heard that Lord Song is a master of tea ceremony. May I offer you some guidance?" Qingyan offered him a cup of tea.

"No, no, I dare not." Song Wenbo accepted the drink with trepidation, drank it all in one gulp, and then respectfully offered it back.

"Lord Song, how is it?"

Just as Song Wenbo was about to offer some praise, Yunxuan gently shook his head at him while Qingyan was pouring tea.

Song Wenbo understood immediately, and after a pause, he said, "The princess's technique is steady and skillful, the tea soup is of excellent quality, with a rich aroma and clear color, and it does not live up to the reputation of Lu'an Melon Seed Tea."

"Oh?" Qingyan glanced at Song Wenbo with a slightly scrutinizing look, then turned to Yunxuan, saying something unrelated to Yunxuan: "It seems that my skills are not up to Lord Song's standards."

"Your Majesty, I have spoken recklessly. Please forgive me." Song Wenbo was startled and could not help but apologize.

"Lord Song is straightforward, what crime has he committed?" Qingyan smiled slightly.

Straightforward? Cold sweat beaded on Song Wenbo's forehead. The word "straightforward" could be used to describe anyone, but it was impossible to use it to describe Song Wenbo.

If we're talking about judging by appearances and flattering others, Song Wenbo is a seasoned expert in that. However, when it comes to justice and fairness, Song Wenbo also has ways to leave you speechless.

Qingyan glanced at Song Wenbo indifferently, and couldn't help but laugh inwardly at his terrified appearance.

Yunxuan sighed helplessly. It seemed that Lord Song really needed to have some mental fortitude to get promoted.

The bribery incident in Sui County made Qingyan determined to rectify the official conduct in Suizhou. Tang Yu, the prefect of Suizhou, was a prime example of bribery. Yunxuan had a mountain of accusations against Tang Yu. Although Song Wenbo was shrewd and worldly, he was a rare upright official. Yunxuan wanted to take this opportunity to promote him, which led to today's events. However, he overestimated Song Wenbo. It seems that his years of flattery, even if not genuine, had become second nature.

"I've heard that Lord Song's tea skills are a true inheritance from Master Fanjing. I wonder if Lord Song would be interested in letting Her Highness the Princess enjoy a good cup of tea?" Yunxuan subtly smoothed things over.

Song Wenbo immediately responded: "If the princess has such an elegant interest, your humble servant will certainly do his utmost to accommodate it."

There's nothing left to do.

Qingyan glared at Yunxuan, and Yunxuan returned the look with a knowing look.

Spring drowsiness, autumn fatigue, and summer sleepiness—this saying is absolutely true.

After Song Wenbo and Yun Xuan left, Qingyan was feeling drowsy when Sicheng's voice quickly brought her back to her senses.

“Princess, King Zhao has just received a secret report and has rushed out of the post station. However, the source of this secret report does not seem to be the Southern Xia army.”

"But does it come from the same source as that gossip letter from a few days ago?" Qingyan asked urgently.

"Judging from the scouts' movements and attire, they should be of the same origin," Si Cheng affirmed. "I have already sent men to follow King Zhao, so we will know immediately if there are any unusual movements."

Si Cheng's execution ability is indeed very strong, Qing Yan nodded.

"Princess, there is one more thing..."

"Speak!" Si Cheng rarely hesitated.

"Before I arrived, I saw Young Master Luo leave the post station, and he looked very anxious."

"Luo Qing?" Qingyan ran the name through her mind, then ordered, "Send someone to follow him and report back immediately."

"Yes."

Luo Qing had saved Lan Zhen's life, and it was unknown what their previous relationship was. Now that they had left the inn together, it was hard not to be suspicious.

"Wait, Sicheng, go to Suizhou again and make sure the ten craftsmen Qiu Rong sent are properly settled. No matter what Hai Tu's purpose is, we can't let them find out anything. I don't trust Shen Ye because he has no experience. Go and help him. Come back after you've taken care of it." The matter of the craftsmen was also on my mind, and I had to resolve it.

Qingyan frowned, deep in thought.

"Yan'er." Yunxuan pushed open the door and called her softly, but there was no response.

Then he called out, "Yan'er."

Still no response.

Call out again: "Yan—"

"I heard it, it's calling back the soul." Qingyan rubbed her forehead impatiently.

"Are you back to your senses?" Yunxuan patted her with a smile. "Who offended my precious little princess?"

"My darling little princess, that sounds so cloying." Qingyan pouted and looked at Yunxuan, deciding to get down to business first: "The scout who delivered the gossip letter a few days ago has come again. Lan Zhen left the post station as soon as he received the letter, as if he was going to meet someone. No sooner had Lan Zhen left than Luo Qing also left the post station. These two know each other, so why didn't they meet openly at the post station? Or does Lan Zhen want to meet Luo Qing but can't let us know?"

“Perhaps it’s a coincidence.” Yunxuan sat down next to Qingyan. “The Cloud Mist Manor on the outskirts of Fancheng cultivates a special herb, and Young Master Luo just went there to ask for it.”

"That's what he told you?"

"Should Yan'er send someone to follow them?"

"Of course." Was there even a question? Si Cheng had already made the arrangements.

"Have we managed to gain anything of value from keeping an eye on King Zhao?"

"Uh……"

Qingyan thought about it carefully and realized that she hadn't obtained any useful information since Suizhou.

“King Zhao is currently in our Great Qi army. Even if he wanted to do something, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to let us discover it so obviously. So, he will definitely come up empty-handed today.” Yunxuan smiled and poured himself a cup of tea. He was used to doing small things himself with Qingyan.

"Are you saying that all the information we've gathered was deliberately leaked by him?"

"Not entirely, but even if we find out this information, it won't cause him any loss," Yunxuan continued to explain.

"No, I always feel that this King Zhao is up to something." Qingyan bit her lip.

"Why?" Yunxuan poured another cup of tea and placed it next to Qingyan.

"A woman's sixth sense." Qingyan picked up her teacup and drank it in one gulp.

"Sixth sense?" What is that?

“Women’s intuition is usually very accurate, especially when it comes to men.” Qingyan frowned deeply and nodded seriously to Yunxuan.

Yunxuan was exasperated by Qingyan's chaotic logic.

"Okay, it's up to you."

Yunwu Mountain Villa, on the outskirts of Fancheng.

Luo Qing walked slowly out of the manor, holding an exquisite brocade box in his hand, which he held very carefully, as it was extremely precious.

Not far away, Lan Zhen stood with his hands folded, facing the wind.

Luo Qing stepped forward and reluctantly handed the brocade box to him: "Don't bother me again."

"You've said that tens of thousands of times, has it made any difference?" Lan Zhen took the brocade box with a grin and handed it to Cao Da behind her.

"Use it sparingly. It takes ten years for one plant to grow like this. Aren't you afraid of shortening your lifespan?" Luo Qing glared at him.

"You picked this plant, so if anyone's lifespan is going to be shortened, it's you first," Lan Zhen retorted, inviting a beating. Luo Qing was so angry that she left immediately.

Inside Qingyan's bedroom in Fancheng.

"A brocade box? Do you know what's inside?" Si Cheng's report made Qing Yan wary.

"It should be the cloud and mist grass unique to Cloud and Mist Manor."

"Cloud Mist Grass? What's the use of it?" Qingyan asked, puzzled.

"Cloud Mist Grass itself is just an ordinary medicine for calming the liver and improving eyesight, but it is a rare medicinal guide," Si Cheng replied.

An ordinary yet special medicinal ingredient? This result left Qingyan completely baffled.

"Keep people watching them, and report back immediately if anything happens," Qingyan instructed.

Si Cheng agreed and withdrew.

The two had indeed arranged to meet, so it was clear that the shy little prince Luo Qing had ulterior motives for agreeing to go to Yushan with the princess.

Qingyan leaned back on the chaise lounge, going over Lan Zhen and Luo Qing's names in her mind again and again. She really couldn't figure out what kind of force had brought these two people with completely opposite personalities into such a life-and-death friendship. If she ever found out the reason, she would definitely pay homage to them.

Lost in thought, Qingyan fell asleep.