There is a happy inn in the capital.

Only when you are enveloped by nature, free and relaxed, do you take a deep breath.

Li Shuchen: *Phew*

Li Shuchen: "That's great! You guys should try it. I feel so much more relaxed."

"Inhale~ Exhale~" *3

Gu Ziying closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Indeed, quite nice, to be immersed in nature."

Li Shuchen felt that the worry between her brows had faded considerably.

After tasting her snacks, Princess Changning walked to a small table and sat down, saying, "I brought quite a few pastries; please have some too."

Pearl presented the pastries one by one; they were colorful, exquisitely shaped, and fragrant.

Li Shuchen had never tasted the pastries eaten by nobles before; they must be extremely delicious.

He quickly ran over and sat down.

Gu Ziying and Bai Yanran: "Thank you, Princess."

Princess Changning: "You don't need to keep calling me Princess. Just call me Changning when we're out and about."

Li Shuchen glanced at Princess Changning. Oh, Princess Changning has changed her ways.

Ignoring her, Li Shuchen picked up a green pastry and stuffed it into his mouth. It was delicious. He then picked up an orange pastry and stuffed it into his mouth as well.

Li Shuchen nodded repeatedly; the texture was delicate, the aroma rich, and it truly had a perfect balance of color, aroma, and taste.

Gu Ziying picked up a purple pastry, took a small bite, and said...

"What kind of dessert is this? It has a very unique flavor. Is the filling purple sweet potato?"

Princess Changning remained silent and continued eating her pastries.

Seeing this, Bai Yanran also picked up a piece, took a small bite, and said, "Princess Changning, what is this made of? It's so delicious!"

Princess Changning spoke up: "This pastry is called 'Purple Charm Cake,' made with mulberries and purple sweet potatoes. It was just invented by the cooks in our household."

Bai Yanran: "I see. The chefs at Princess Changning's residence are truly amazing."

After hearing this, Princess Changning raised her hand again.

But Li Shuchen sensed something was wrong. She glanced at Gu Ziying, then at Princess Changning.

Her intuition told her that Gu Ziying and Princess Changning were not behaving normally; there was definitely something going on between them.

But what the real secret was, Li Shuchen didn't know yet; the two of them maintained a facade of peace.

Li Shuchen didn't dwell on it; he'd figure it out naturally with time.

Grape: "Miss, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Shuchen was stunned: "What discomfort?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ziying quickly turned to Li Shuchen and asked, "Shuchen, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Li Shuchen shook her head: "I'm perfectly fine, I don't feel unwell at all."

Grape: "It's good that you don't feel nauseous, Miss."

Learning from her previous experience with the carriage, Grape made a point of paying Dr. Sun for some motion sickness medicine this time, which she kept on her at all times.

Li Shuchen instantly understood; she was seasick. She, however, didn't feel that way.

The three of them, looking tense, said in unison, "Feeling like throwing up?"

Li Shuchen, fearing they might misunderstand, quickly explained, "I get carsick in carriages; I feel nauseous after half an hour, but I don't get seasick on boats."

Hearing this, the three of them felt relieved.

The four of them enjoyed pastries, tea, and conversation together.

It was quite enjoyable; the cargo ship was pretty fast.

That evening, Li Shuchen came to Gu Ziying's room alone.

Li Shuchen took out a 1,000-tael silver note from his pocket and handed it to Gu Ziying.

Li Shuchen: "Ziying, return the one thousand taels of silver you lent me."

Gu Ziying looked down at the thousand taels of silver and smiled.

Gu Ziying: "It seems you've managed the inn quite well."

He then took it with both hands

Li Shuchen put his hands behind his back, like an old cadre, and muttered, "Isn't it all because of your strong support?"

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to prepare so quickly and start making money."

Gu Ziying smiled slightly: "To earn so much money in just one month shows that you are capable."

Li Shuchen grinned broadly at Gu Ziying's praise.

Watching Gu Ziying elegantly sip her tea, Li Shuchen felt that the amethyst jewelry he held was particularly suitable for her.

Because of herself, Ziying hadn't bought any new jewelry, so giving her the amethyst jewelry set was just right.

However, we need to find a reason.

Li Shuchen can't think of anything right now; he'll think of something later.

Li Shuchen sat for a while, then said, "It's getting late, I'm going back to sleep. Goodnight, Ziying."

Gu Ziying: "Shu Chen, goodnight."

The next morning, Li Shuchen saw Miss Bai sitting alone at the bow of the boat, holding a wine pot in her hand, so he went over to her.

Li Shuchen: "Miss Bai, Princess Changning insisted on coming along yesterday, and I believe I had my reasons."

So I've tried my best to keep an eye on her and not let her cause you any trouble."

Bai Yanran glanced at Li Shuchen, then took a sip of wine and said, "Miss Li, there's no need to take responsibility."

It was I who arranged for Princess Changning to accompany us; I had heard a little about Princess Changning's deeds.

However, I don't think Princess Changning is as people in the capital say, and yesterday's events confirmed that.

She's just a little childish at most; after all, she's still young.

Looking at Bai Yanran's calm demeanor, Li Shuchen thought to himself...

She's younger? You're only a year or two older than her, why are you so composed?

Bai Yanran continued, "Besides, with so many more guards, I won't be robbed along the way. It'll be very safe."

This is the first time I've ever transported goods so easily; I actually made a profit.

Bai Yanran kept looking in one direction.

Following Bai's gaze, Li Shuchen saw more than ten small boats following at a distance.

It was probably to protect Princess Changning; Princess Changning herself probably didn't even know it.

After traveling by water for more than ten days, apart from Li Shuchen's feeling that Princess Changning and Gu Ziying were not getting along, everyone else was getting along peacefully and was finally about to land.

Li Shuchen strode to the dock: "Ah, it feels so good to be on solid ground."

After saying that, he stomped his feet twice.

Miss Bai: "I've found you a secluded villa; it's very quiet. You can go and take a look."

Gu Ziying nodded slightly: "Very well, thank you for your trouble, Miss Bai."

Miss Bai twirled the end of her hair and teased, "Miss Gu, what are you saying? Look carefully, there's a fee."

Princess Changning immediately stepped forward.

Princess Changning: "However it costs, I, the princess, will pay. Nobody should try to take it from me."

Li Shuchen looked at the wealthy and powerful Princess Changning and asked, "What, is Princess Changning paying for everything at the villa?"

Princess Changning crossed her arms and looked up: "Of course, my Changning family has plenty of money."

Li Shuchen led the way onto the carriage: "Let's go, let's take a look at the villa."

It will take about an hour (two hours) to arrive.

Everyone got off the carriage, and the walls by the entrance were covered with flowers.

Above the gate is a plaque that reads "Quiet and Secluded Courtyard".

The group moved with light, graceful steps, entering a binary-shaped villa.

Li Shuchen looked around; the alley was quiet, filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers.

The academy lives up to its name.

Princess Changning: "Not bad, I'm quite satisfied."

Then, pointing to the middle room, he said, "I want to stay in this one."

Li Shuchen replied dismissively, "Fine, fine, you pay, you decide."

Gu Ziying tugged at Li Shuchen: "Shuchen, which room do you plan to stay in?"

Li Shuchen pointed to the left and said, "This room is fine with me; it's close to the kitchen."

Make it convenient for her to have a late-night snack

The noble ladies are forbidden to eat at night to maintain their figures, but Li Shuchen is different; she has to eat whenever she gets hungry.