She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Next, the two engaged in in-depth and detailed discussions on various aspects of trade, from commodity prices and quality standards to settlement methods and dispute resolution mechanisms, all of which were explored and negotiated one by one.

Before they knew it, it was getting late, but they were still in high spirits and showed no signs of fatigue.

Shen Man listened quietly to their discussion, occasionally offering her own insights and suggestions.

Finally, after several hours of discussion, Chu Zhiyi and Danzeng reached a preliminary agreement on the main terms of trade between the two countries.

They agreed that they would each go back and prepare a detailed draft of the trade agreement, which would be finalized and signed at their next meeting.

Chu Zhiyi and Shen Man got up to take their leave, but Danzeng tried to persuade them to stay: "Your Highness, Doctor Ding, it's getting late. I've already had the servants prepare some wine and food. Why don't you two stay here tonight?"

Chu Zhiyi bowed slightly, and said with a smile but a firm tone, "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. However, we have been out for a long time today, and there are still some matters at the post station that I and Doctor Ding need to attend to. It is inconvenient for us to stay any longer. I hope Your Highness will understand."

Shen Man also stood up and softly echoed, "Yes, Your Highness, this trade has only just begun. There is still a lot of preparation work to be done. We need to go back as soon as possible to revise some of the trade details, so we won't stay any longer."

Seeing that the two men were earnest and resolute, Tenzin did not press them any further. He personally escorted them to the gate of the mansion and said again, "Then I will not keep you any longer. I look forward to our next meeting. May trade between our two countries be successful and our friendship last forever."

After Chu Zhiyi and Shen Man nodded their thanks, they boarded the carriage that Danzeng had specially prepared for them.

The carriage started moving slowly. Shen Man leaned against the carriage wall and let out a long sigh: "Today's discussion has finally yielded some results, but we still need to be very careful in drafting the subsequent agreement."

Chu Zhiyi looked out the car window into the distance, his expression solemn yet hopeful: "Yes, this is a crucial step in the friendly relations between our two countries, and we cannot afford to fail. After we return to the inn, I will gather a few officials to work out the trade details related to trade. You should get some rest."

"By the way, Your Highness, what should be done with Lord Zhou's body?"

"I have already ordered a coffin to be prepared for him and sent it back to Chiyan first. As for whether to bury him in the border town or transport him back to the capital, it depends on the Emperor and his family's wishes."

"This Lin Simiao actually killed his colleague in a foreign country; his crime is truly unforgivable!"

"Yes, no matter who's behind him, I'm going to seek justice for Lord Zhou."

The carriage rumbled along, and the two men's words seemed to be carried by the wheels, lingering on the road back to the inn.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage slowly came to a stop. Shen Man looked up, slightly surprised, and said softly, "We're here!"

Upon hearing the sound, Chu Zhiyi turned his head to look at her. His deep eyes seemed to hold glittering stars, and the faint smile on his lips was like the gentlest breeze in spring, softly brushing past.

"Being with Man'er is like having a magic spell that makes the journey seem shorter; even the longest distances become instantaneous."

Shen Man's cheeks seemed to be subtly flushed by the sunset, a faint blush spreading across them. She gave Chu Zhiyi a light glare, her coquettish expression like that of a lively little deer: "Your Highness, what time is it? You still have the mind to joke around!"

"I'm not joking, I'm telling the truth," Chu Zhiyi said softly. "I wish I could spend my whole life with you like this!"

Shen Man felt a little embarrassed by his serious expression and didn't know how to respond.

For a moment, the carriage was quiet, yet it seemed as if strands of affection were quietly entwining within it.

As night deepened outside the window, moonlight streamed through the gaps in the car window, casting a few silvery rays that seemed to drape the small space in a dreamy veil.

They sat there quietly, as if the noise of the world had been shut out, with only the sound of their heartbeats echoing softly in the small carriage.

That carriage curtain was like a barrier between reality and dreams, and no one wanted to reach out and break this rare tranquility and warmth.

"Your Highness, please get out of the carriage!" After a long while, Shen Man finally broke the silence.

Chu Zhiyi looked at her deeply, his gaze filled with longing and reluctance, but he still nodded slightly and reached out to lift the carriage curtain first.

After getting off the carriage, Chu Zhiyi turned around and extended his hand to Shen Man in a very gentlemanly manner. Shen Man's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gently placed her hand in his palm, using it to help her get off the carriage.

As soon as the two stepped into the inn, a junior official came to greet them. Chu Zhiyi quietly gave him a few instructions, asking him to prepare some late-night snacks to be delivered to Shen Man's room. Then he turned to Shen Man and said, "You've worked hard today. Have something to eat and get some rest."

Shen Man nodded obediently: "Your Highness, please rest early as well."

After returning to their respective rooms, Shen Man sat at her desk, spaced out for a while, and then began writing down the extraction method of carmine from cochineal insects under the dim light.

While she's busy designing new clothes at home these days, she hasn't forgotten to study cochineal insects.

After numerous experiments, she discovered that the simplest way to obtain carmine is to directly bake or sun-dry the cochineal insects to turn them into dried corpses, and then grind them into powder.

After a while, the servant brought over the midnight snack. Shen Man ate a few bites, but it tasted like cardboard. She simply got up, walked to the window, gently pushed it open, and let the night breeze caress her face.

After returning to her room, Chu Zhiyi put aside all her romantic thoughts about Shen Man and immediately had Zhi Mo invite Chang Qing and the other two over to discuss the details of trade between the two countries.

After the group finished their discussion, Chang Qing and the others left, and it was already close to midnight.

Chu Zhiyi stood up, gazing at the moonlight outside the window, his mind filled with Shen Man's every smile and gesture. He knew that his feelings for Shen Man were growing stronger day by day.

Without realizing it, he walked to Shen Man's window. "Man'er, are you asleep?"

"Not yet, Your Highness, why aren't you asleep?" Shen Man replied.

"Thinking about what happened today, I'm finding it hard to calm down," Chu Zhiyi said frankly.

“Me too. This matter of trade is of great importance, and there’s also Lord Zhou’s matter…” Shen Man’s words carried a hint of worry.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Chu Zhiyi's voice was firm and powerful, as if it had a calming effect on people's hearts.

The two chatted for a few more minutes until Shen Man couldn't help but yawn. Chu Zhiyi then said gently, "Go to sleep. There's a lot to do tomorrow."

Shen Man responded softly and closed the window.

Lying in bed, Shen Man couldn't fall asleep for a long time. Chu Zhiyi's words, "I want to stay with you for the rest of my life," kept echoing in her ears.

Xueying was already lying at the foot of her bed, fast asleep, even snoring.