Spring arrives and the land smiles

"Now that Young Master Luo knows the location of the illness, do you have a treatment method?" Chu Shen quickly asked.

“The princess was seriously injured before and needs careful treatment.” Luo Qing paused deliberately, then asked Zhui’er, “Has the princess shown any unusual behavior before?”

Zhui'er: "I have been giving the princess medicine as instructed by the young master. However, these past few days the princess has been taking an extra medicine to remove scars. This medicine was brought back from the Valley of Immortal Physicians by General Xu Zhao."

Luo Qing: "How many days has the princess been taking the medicine?"

"About four or five days." Zhui'er calculated the time it took for Xu Zhao to bring the medicine back and gave an approximate date.

After pondering for a long time, Luo Qing said, "Give the princess some calming medicine first, and I will go and write the prescription now."

After Luo Qing left, Chu Shen remembered Qing Yan's frightened appearance in the room and wanted to go in to check on her again. At this moment, his personal guard came to report: "General Xu Zhao requests an audience."

"Let him in." Chu Shen remembered that Qingyan had taken the medicine Xu Zhao brought back before she fell ill.

"Just in time."

Upon seeing Xu Zhao, Si Cheng raised his sword and thrust it at him. Xu Zhao, unaware of what was happening, hurriedly dodged, but he was no match for Si Cheng. After a dozen or so rounds, Si Cheng held the sword to his throat.

"Speak, why did you plot to murder the Princess?" Si Cheng's sword drew a bloody gash on Xu Zhao's neck.

Xu Zhao was shocked and hurriedly begged Chu Shen for help: "This humble general is innocent! When I learned that Her Highness the Princess was unwell, I immediately came to visit her. How did this become an attempt to murder the princess?"

"The princess has been eating..."

Si Cheng angrily rebuked Xu Zhao, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Chu Shen.

"The princess was just frightened, she's fine."

Chu Shen had always suspected Xu Zhao, so he concealed the truth from him and then gestured for him to put down the sword.

Si Cheng wouldn't listen to him, and remained hostile towards Xu Zhao. Xu Zhao had no choice but to turn to Chu Shen for help again.

“General, this…” Xu Zhao carefully pushed Si Cheng’s sword with his hand.

At this moment, a loud crash suddenly came from the princess's bedroom, as if something had collapsed. Everyone's attention was drawn to it. Si Cheng, concerned for the princess's safety, left Xu Zhao and rushed into the room, and the others followed.

When Qingyan saw a group of people enter, she immediately became alert and grabbed whatever was at hand and threw it at the people. Sicheng nimbly dodged it, but Xu Zhao, who came in with Chu Shen, was not so lucky and was hit directly by the flying bronze mirror.

"General, what's wrong with Her Highness the Princess...?" Xu Zhao rubbed his sore chest and asked Chu Shen.

"The princess became like this because she took the medicine you brought back." Zhui'er squeezed through the crowd, crying as she accused Xu Zhao of his crimes.

Si Cheng immediately stood beside Zhui'er, preparing to take action against Xu Zhao, but was stopped by Chu Shen: "It is an undecided matter, so I hope you will be cautious."

Si Cheng glared angrily, which stopped him from attacking Xu Zhao.

"How could this be? This medicine was obtained from the Valley of Immortal Physicians. I carefully protected it all the way, not daring to make the slightest mistake. I also reported all of the Immortal Physician's instructions to Her Highness the Princess, not daring to omit anything. But the Immortal Physician never mentioned that the Princess would have such symptoms after taking the medicine?" Xu Zhao quickly defended himself, "Could it be, could it be..." Xu Zhao hesitated, seemingly implying something.

"Could it be something else?" Chu Shen frowned and stopped Xu Zhao.

"Could it be that the immortal physician is trying to harm Her Highness the Princess?" Xu Zhao cautiously speculated.

"Nonsense! General Xu, what are your intentions in slandering my Immortal Medicine Valley like this?" Luo Qing pushed through the crowd and walked up to Xu Zhao.

"This is Young Master Luo Qing, the first disciple of the Immortal Physician. The princess's poisoning was saved thanks to Young Master Luo. How could the Immortal Physician possibly harm the princess? Stop talking nonsense." Chu Shen rebuked Xu Zhao, who glanced at Luo Qing and quickly shut up.

After hitting Xu Zhao, Qingyan gradually calmed down. She stared at Xu Zhao for a long time before cautiously approaching the crowd.

Chu Shen looked at Qing Yan and assumed she was walking towards him, so he stood still. But when Qing Yan got closer, he realized that her target was not him, nor Si Cheng, Luo Qing, or Zhui'er, but Xu Zhao, with whom he had little interaction.

"I am not yet worthy to pay my respects to Your Highness the Eldest Princess." Upon seeing the Eldest Princess approach him, Xu Zhao quickly knelt on one knee to greet her.

Seeing Xu Zhao kneel down, Qing Yan also squatted down. Xu Zhao was shocked and quickly helped Qing Yan up. Qing Yan then moved close to him.

Xu Zhao took a step back, and Qing Yan followed suit. Xu Zhao retreated again, and Qing Yan followed suit once more.

"General Chu, what's wrong with the princess...?" Xu Zhao looked at Chu Shen with difficulty.

Chu Shen didn't know why, so he went forward to check on the princess's condition. But when he thought of the scene where the princess had smashed and thrown things, he felt a chill and stopped in his tracks.

"General Chu." Xu Zhao moved to Chu Shen's side, but Qing Yan still followed him. Left with no other choice, Xu Zhao asked Chu Shen for help again.

Chu Shen cautiously moved closer to Qing Yan, while Si Cheng walked towards Xu Zhao.

Xu Zhao was afraid that Si Cheng would raise his sword at him again, so he deliberately avoided Si Cheng. At this moment, Chu Shen had already reached the princess's side.

Taking advantage of Xu Zhao's distraction, Qingyan quickly turned around and winked at Chu Shen, then pretended to be nonchalant and continued to follow Xu Zhao, keeping the closest distance between them.

Chu Shen stood there stunned, but then quickly realized what was happening and began to ponder it with a knowing look.

When the group approached the princess again, they found that she was no longer as crazy as before. However, she followed Xu Zhao wherever he went, leaving Xu Zhao in a dilemma.

“Previously, Young Master Luo diagnosed the princess with a heart condition, but as soon as General Xu arrived, the princess calmed down. It seems that General Xu has won the princess’s heart.” Chu Shen said, “In that case, we will trouble General Xu to serve the princess these next few days.”

"This humble general..." Xu Zhao said helplessly, "This humble general obeys."

Sicheng and Zhuier naturally disagreed with Chu Shen's arrangement.

“The princess’s condition is unclear, and we cannot allow her to continue to go mad. If you two have any concerns, you are welcome to stay and serve the princess together,” Xu Zhao suggested, seemingly to clear himself of suspicion.

"Very good." Chu Shen gave Qing Yan a deep look and then left.

After nightfall, Chu Shen knocked on Luo Qing's door.

"General Chu's visit so late at night must mean he has something to ask you. Please have a seat, General." Luo Qing poured Chu Shen a cup of tea.

Chu Shen thanked him and got straight to the point: "Young Master Luo, could you please tell me the truth about Her Highness the Princess's illness?"

"The princess is not sick," Luo Qing said casually.

"Could it be that the princess is faking illness to show Xu Zhao?" Chu Shen recalled Qing Yan's wink and her unusual behavior upon seeing Xu Zhao, and this no longer seemed like a question.

"General, you are wise."

"Why?" This was the crux of Chu Shen's confusion. Even if the princess, like him, had doubts about Xu Zhao, why would she use madness to get close to him? This left Chu Shen completely baffled.

"Xu Zhao colluded with Lan Yu, the eldest prince of Nanxia, ​​to plot against the princess. He was the one who carried out the previous assassination attempt, and this time he even tampered with the pills in the Immortal Doctor Valley, applying a large dose of the maddening herb juice. He himself carries the scent of the Moon Sleep Flower, which can control those who are poisoned." Following the plan previously discussed with Yu Qingyan, Luo Qing revealed the whole truth to Chu Shen, and naturally, Chu Shen was to cooperate.

Chu Shen was greatly alarmed; Xu Zhao's treasonous intentions had been confirmed.

"Is the princess trying to take advantage of me?" Chu Shen wondered.

“General, you are indeed wise. Xu Zhao has succeeded this time and will surely contact Lan Yu to plan the next move. Rather than undermining Xu Zhao to ensure the temporary peace of the Yushan border, it would be better to find out the mastermind behind it and solve the problem once and for all,” Luo Qing said.

"Nonsense!" Chu Shen slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Your Highness the Princess is of noble birth, how can you take such a risk? If anything goes wrong, we will both lose our lives."

“General Chu underestimates the princess.” Luo Qing remained unmoved, even taking a leisurely sip of tea. “Princess Pingqiu is both a woman and the crown princess. General Chu’s actions are highly disrespectful. Does the general always believe that women are inferior to men?”

"No, no," Chu Shen quickly clasped his hands in a salute, "Chu Shen will obey the princess's orders."

Having received Chu Shen's approval, Luo Qing invited Si Cheng to inform Chu Shen of the previously agreed-upon plan. Chu Shen repeatedly agreed, gaining a new understanding of the Princess.

As night fell, Zhui'er went to serve the princess in her bedchamber. Because Xu Zhao was present, the princess did not fall ill. Although she appeared calm, she was not fully conscious, as if her soul had been taken away, leaving her without her own awareness. Zhui'er brought medicine for the princess to take, but the princess did not react. However, as soon as Xu Zhao spoke, the princess obeyed. This angered Zhui'er, who cursed Xu Zhao for plotting to harm the princess and harboring ulterior motives.

"Miss, I have truly wronged you." Xu Zhao pretended to be speechless and helpless, but the slight smile on his lips did not escape Qing Yan's notice.

Sure enough, Xu Zhao was problematic, so the plan we had discussed earlier could be put into action. Qingyan secretly gave Zhuier a wink, and Zhuier understood immediately.

Because the princess could not live without him, Xu Zhao had no choice but to serve her in her bedroom. However, since men and women should be separated, Zhui'er separated the princess's bedroom with a gauze curtain, and Xu Zhao was driven by Zhui'er to serve outside the thick gauze curtain.

Unable to see what was happening inside and unable to control Qingyan, Xu Zhao paced anxiously outside the gauze curtain. Qingyan, hearing Xu Zhao's footsteps, communicated silently with Zhuier using lip movements. Zhuier nodded after hearing Qingyan's instructions.

What needs to be done now is to create opportunities to be alone with Xu Zhao and let him reveal his intentions.

At that moment, a dark shadow flashed past the window, and an arrow flew in, piercing straight into the gauze curtain. Xu Zhao, quick-witted and agile, blocked the arrow, then darted away to chase after the shadow. Qing Yan, unable to leave Xu Zhao, also ran out after him.

Seeing that the two of them had left, Zhui'er hurried to find Luo Qing.

After chasing for about a mile, the figure in black disappeared. Xu Zhao searched around but still couldn't find the man in black. However, he discovered that the Princess had followed him out.

This was a rare opportunity, and Xu Zhao, with a sudden thought, took Qingyan into custody.

Hiding in the shadows, Si Cheng clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to kill Xu Zhao, and followed closely behind the two.

Xu Zhao led Qingyan south for a long time until they arrived at a farmhouse. This place was near the border passage with Nanxia, ​​and there was no one around. Xu Zhao settled Qingyan in the farmhouse. Although the farmhouse looked a bit dilapidated on the outside, the inside was clean and tidy and had everything one could need.

Xu Zhao asked Qingyan to sit down, took the sachet with the Moon Sleep Flower from his waist and placed it on the table, telling her to guard the sachet, wait for him to come back, and not to wander off.

Qingyan nodded obediently, lying on the table staring at the sachet. The fragrance of moonflower wafted from the sachet. Xu Zhao observed Qingyan's condition, slowly retreating from the farmhouse. Only after confirming that Qingyan had not followed did he set off towards the border passage between Daqi and Nanxia.

After Xu Zhao walked away, Si Cheng slipped into the farmhouse and saw Qing Yan sitting at the table unharmed, which put his mind at ease.

"This is the Moon Sleep Flower." Qingyan picked up the sachet and handed it to Sicheng.

Si Cheng looked at it carefully and smelled it again: "Young Master Luo said that the fragrance of the Moon Sleep Flower is unique, and people who have been poisoned by the juice of the Frightening Grass are especially sensitive to this fragrance and will follow it closely."

Qingyan said, "Xu Zhao naturally knew, so he left behind the sachet of Moon Sleep Flower and went out alone, not worried about me following him. He must be going to see his master, Lan Yu. Sicheng, if Lan Yu comes later, do not act rashly. Wait for Chu Shen to come and join you before you make a move."

Si Cheng panicked: "Princess, Lan Yu wants your life."

Qingyan smiled and said, "He doesn't want my life anymore. He wants the new weapons from Yushan. If he only wanted my life, he could have just let Xu Zhao take action directly. Why would he need to use the Jingfeng Grass and Yuemian Flower to control me?"

“But…” Si Cheng still wanted to persuade him.

Qingyan interrupted him: "There are no 'buts,' just do as I say."

Qing Yan spoke sternly, and Si Cheng dared not say another word.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xu Zhao led a group of people to the front of the farmhouse. Si Cheng had already noticed them and hid in the shadows.

As the group entered, Qingyan pretended to be dazed, lying on the table staring at the sachet while waiting for Xu Zhao. When she saw the group enter, she only glanced at them before returning to her gaze on the sachet. It wasn't until the leading man in blue brocade took the sachet away that she stood up, following the sachet. Qingyan knew that this was the eldest prince of Nanxia, ​​who had repeatedly tried to kill her—or rather, Lan Yu, who had now been demoted to a commoner.

Qingyan followed closely behind Lan Yu, with brightly colored Sichuanese people behind him.

The first to speak was a man from Sichuan: "Your Highness Prince Gui's move was truly a stroke of genius, hahahahaha."

“Although Lan Zhen is a lowly scoundrel, he is deeply infatuated with this woman. With that in mind, how can he not submit? Hahaha.” Lan Yu proudly weighed the sachet in his hand. “I thought he had no weaknesses, but look, a little trickery and they’ve all come out. He’s always thinking about women. What great things can a woman’s kindness accomplish? Father Emperor is truly blind, he’s been deceived by him.”

Hearing Jun's words, Qingyan gritted her teeth in anger. Sure enough, the struggle for the throne in Nanxia had affected her. This Lan Zhen was more trouble than he was worth. Not only did he leak the information about the new weapons, but he also caused her to be arrested. Although the clues led to Sichuan, Sichuan was just making a small fuss in the border mines and couldn't cause any big waves. If Lan Yu hadn't made such a big fuss, Sichuan wouldn't have risked offending the Qi royal family to get involved. In the end, it was still this Lan Zhen who was unreliable.

As Qingyan listened to their conversation and organized her thoughts, Sicheng, who was hiding in the shadows, also heard it. He wished he could tear Lan Zhen to pieces. He gave Qingyan a deep look, then turned around to find Chu Shen and Luo Qing to lead the way for them.