Page 321

When Shu Ying walked in, holding two large parcels in her hands, Xiao Jinyan’s eyes flickered with confusion, "What’s inside these?"

Shu Ying placed the two large parcels in front of Xiao Jinyan and explained, "Master, these were sent by Lady Shen Chuwei for you."

"For me from Lady Shen Chuwei?" Xiao Jinyan stared at the packages for a while, curious about what little nine had sent him.

Shu Ying efficiently unpacked the parcels she carried, taking out two exceedingly large silicone water cups and respectfully handed them to Xiao Jinyan, "Master, there’s also this, sent by Lady Shen Chuwei for you."

Xiao Jinyan took the items from Shu Ying’s hands—they were very big. After examining them carefully for a while and not being able to guess the material, he shook them and heard the sound of water.

Hints of confusion filled his dark eyes: "And what is this?"

Shu Ying then took out an envelope from her bosom and handed it to Xiao Jinyan, "If Master looks at the use details inside, you will understand," she replied.

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the envelope in Shu Ying’s hand, placed the silicone water cup on the desk, and immediately picked up the envelope. He quickly tore it open and his slender fingers pulled out the letter inside.

The most eye-catching part of the letter was the headline "Use Details."

Xiao Jinyan continued to read, and the letter was filled with the names of the items, as well as their methods of use and purpose.

Moreover, there were sketches to ensure he could identify them, in case he didn’t recognize the items.

Even though Xiao Jinyan was preoccupied with the safety of his soldiers at the time, seeing the supplies and use details sent by little nine still brought a faint smile to his face.

It was a very subtle smile, not easily noticed.

There were many things, and the instructions for use were very detailed.

It wasn’t until he saw the last section, with a drawing of a bottle that looked exactly like... a silicone water bottle.

He looked up at the bottle on the desk—it was an identical match.

The detail section mentioned that it could neutralize all poisons.

Xiao Jinyan looked at the last five words and felt a surge of hope in his heart.

"The soldiers can be saved," Xiao Jinyan joyfully picked up the two oversized water jugs, which were actually big silicone water bottles suitable for outdoor travel, large enough to rival water bottles.

Xiao Jinyan proceeded to the Military Doctor’s tent, where the doctors were still busy—They had not rested all night long.

"Military Doctor, I have found a way to save people."

His usually stern voice lacked yesterday’s gloom and instead carried a note of pleasure.

The Military Doctors, hearing this, turned to look at Xiao Jinyan—perhaps too excited to remember to salute.

"Your Highness, what way?"

Xiao Jinyan held up the two silicone water cups in his hands, "Here lies a divine antidote for all poisons, sent from afar by a friend of mine."

Xiao Jinyan did not want others to know about Shen Chuwei’s capabilities, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The taut nerves of the Military Doctors instantly relaxed, their brows unfolding, but when they saw the water jugs in Xiao Jinyan’s hand, they faced a new dilemma.

"But, Your Highness, there isn’t enough antidote—there are so many soldiers, and a mouthful each may still not be enough."

Xiao Jinyan instructed, "Mix it with some water and give it to the soldiers to drink, prioritizing those who are heavily poisoned."

The soldiers with mild poisoning could hold on for another couple of days, and perhaps by then the Military Doctors might have prepared the antidote themselves.

Several Military Doctors took the two oversized silicone water jugs from Xiao Jinyan’s hands and started to dilute the solution with water, which healthy soldiers then carried to their poisoned comrades.

It took an hour for two thousand soldiers to drink the detoxifying water, each only having two small sips.

After they finished the detoxifying water, the Military Doctors began to observe the soldiers’ conditions.

Xiao Jinyan anxiously waited for news in the tent, not in the mood to look at the two large bundles of supplies.

At lamp lighting time, a Military Doctor came to report with a look of joy.

"Your Highness, the soldiers’ poison has been cured."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan quietly sighed in relief, grateful that an urgent crisis had been averted.

Little nine truly was his lucky star—the supplies arrived just in time, like timely rain.

The incident of poisoning also made Xiao Jinyan realize there was a traitor in the Military Camp.

He sent Weichi to root out the traitor, for if hidden within the Camp, it would always remain a threat.

At night, the military camp was rife with mosquitoes.

Xiao Jinyan always slept fully clothed.

He had read about mosquito repellent earlier that day and couldn’t wait to rummage through his belongings, quickly finding a mosquito coil.

Shen Chuwei hadn’t broken the mosquito coil because who in the military camp would light one in the middle of the night?

Holding a coil, Xiao Jinyan went over to the oil lamp, lit the mosquito coil, blew out the flame, and watched as tendrils of smoke began to rise, emitting a somewhat strange odor.

Following the instructions, he placed the lit coil under the bed and then went to bathe.

While lying in bed to rest, Xiao Jinyan noticed there were far fewer mosquitoes, so he took off his long robe and pants, as they were very hot to wear in the summer.

That night was the most peaceful sleep Xiao Jinyan had had in over two months.

He, who rarely dreamt, had a dream last night.

In the dream, he suddenly shrank considerably, becoming like a ten-year-old boy.

He saw a little girl with two small buns in her hair, her little face rosy and tender, holding a string of candied haws in her hand, walking towards him with a waddling gait like a duck.

Her chubby hands held up the candied haws, tiptoeing to offer them to his mouth.

Her voice was milky when she spoke.

"Little brother, have a candied haw, but you can only have one, the rest are mine."

Xiao Jinyan stared intently at the little girl, who was about six years old, spellbound.

Those bright, sparkling eyes were incredibly familiar.

Just as Xiao Jinyan was about to ask her name, dawn broke, and the bugle calls of the military camp woke him up.

He opened his eyes, recalling the scenes from the dream as well as the little girl.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember.

He rubbed his temples, having never had such a dream before, last night being the first time.

After dressing neatly, Xiao Jinyan sat down at his desk and began writing a letter to Xiao Jiu.

Once finished, he sent Shu Ying with the letter back to the palace.

Meanwhile, in the East Palace, Xiaoxiang Pavilion

Shen Chuwei’s symptoms of morning sickness had improved greatly, and the smell of meat no longer made her nauseous.

Having not eaten meat properly for a long time, she now craved braised pork.

"Chun Xi, I want to eat braised pork."

"No problem." Chun Xi made her braised pork and other meat dishes for lunch.

Upon seeing the braised pork, complete with tempting color and aroma, Shen Chuwei eagerly reached out with her chopsticks and ate four pieces, not satisfied, she had another three.

When she reached for the seventh piece, Chun Xi stopped her.

Looking up in confusion, Shen Chuwei asked, "Can’t I eat more meat?"

Chun Xi explained, "Eat less braised pork, it’s fatty, and the baby might get too big, which isn’t good for the delivery."

Shen Chuwei: "..."

Chun Xi soothed her, "Be a good mistress."

Shen Chuwei said with a pout, "I miss His Highness."

Chun Xi sighed helplessly, "...Here we go again."

Just then, Qin Xiao entered with a letter, "Lady Shen, His Highness has sent a letter."

"Quick, quick, give it to me to see."

Shen Chuwei eagerly took the letter from Qin Xiao’s hands, opened it, and her face brightened with surprise as she read its contents.

"His Highness says he’ll be back soon."