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She instinctively lifted the curtain of the horse carriage and looked outside.

The Poisonous Insect signaled, and the man in black was nearby.

Concubine Xu was excited but also somewhat worried. Here, all the guards were highly skilled in martial arts. Even if the man in black was highly skilled, he couldn’t fight off multiple attackers. What if he got caught?

She leaned against the carriage window, watching the trees retreat continuously, thinking that the man in black couldn’t be that foolish, could he?

Lady Tao noticed that Concubine Xu was leaning against the carriage window without moving for a long time and asked curiously, "Concubine Xu, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should we call the Imperial Doctor?"

Concubine Xu shook her head hurriedly, "I’m fine, just looking at the scenery."

Relieved by her response, Lady Tao said, "You were leaning there so still, you gave me a scare."

Concubine Xu was looking outside, hoping to see the man in black but also hoping not to see him, afraid that he would be discovered by the guards.

"I spoke to His Highness about leaving the palace a couple of days ago."

Upon hearing this, Lady Tao put down the book she was holding. Since Concubine Xu wanted to leave the palace, she also felt like leaving, and was more curious about His Highness’s reaction.

"What did His Highness say?"

Concubine Xu said, "His Highness didn’t say much, just that he would give me a respectable reason to leave the palace."

Lady Tao was somewhat surprised, as it was different from what she had imagined.

"You can leave the palace now, and His Highness agrees?"

"Yes, His Highness said that whenever I wish to leave the palace, I may. However, His Highness suggested that I leave earlier. It’s not good for a young lady to grow old without marrying."

Hearing these words from Xiao Jinyan’s mouth, Concubine Xu didn’t find anything amiss and just felt that Xiao Jinyan was considering her wellbeing.

But when it came from the mouth of the man in black, she was annoyed.

"I didn’t realize that His Highness is actually quite nice. Others might not let me leave the palace even if I were to grow old and die alone."

Lady Tao clenched the book in her hand, realizing she had spent a lot of money to enter the palace, but staying there would only lead to a lonely death. It might be better to follow Concubine Xu’s example and leave the palace early.

Concubine Xu turned around to look at Lady Tao, "Once I leave the palace, I also want to find a man I love to marry. Most importantly, it would be better if he could be as devoted as His Highness."

"What you’re saying is making me tempted," said Lady Tao, propping her chin with her hand, looking somewhat worried. "But men as devoted as His Highness are hard to come by."

Concubine Xu withdrew her gaze and looked out the window. The Poisonous Insect in her palm was still throbbing, indicating the man in black hadn’t left.

Because he hadn’t left and wasn’t in sight, Concubine Xu was somewhat worried.

In the afternoon, a magnificent convoy stopped at an inn to rest and have a meal.

Shen Chuwei was sleeping soundly when she was awakened by Xiao Jinyan.

At first, Xiao Jinyan called her name twice, but he couldn’t wake her.

Seeing Xiao Jiu’s sleeping face, he said again, "Xiao Jiu, it’s time to eat."

Upon hearing ’eat’, Shen Chuwei immediately opened her eyes and looked at Xiao Jinyan with a not very clear gaze, "What’s for food? Is there ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’?"

’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’ is quite complicated to prepare, probably she hasn’t had it for a long time, and she must have really wanted to eat that delicacy.

Xiao Jinyan said, "There isn’t any ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’ available at the moment."

Shen Chuwei paused when she heard that, remembering they were on the way back to the palace and it wasn’t feasible under the circumstances, so she wasn’t picky.

"If there’s no ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’, having meat is fine too. I’m not fussy," she said.

Helplessly shaking his head, Xiao Jinyan led her down from the horse carriage.

A group followed the Emperor and Empress into the inn.

Before the Emperor and Empress entered, there were guards who went in to clear the place.

The innkeeper bowed and scraped, leading the Emperor and Empress with a flattering smile to an elegant private room upstairs.

Shen Chuwei followed Xiao Jinyan into the elegant room next door.

Xiao Jinyu, leading Lady Han, went in as well, because it was lively with more people.

Lady Han didn’t talk much, especially in a crowd. She just sat quietly beside Xiao Jinyu.

If it weren’t for Lady Han’s tall stature and beautiful looks, she could be easily overlooked.

The waiter came in and asked cautiously, "Your Highness, what would you like to order?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "Braised Pork, soy sauce pork knuckle, and three signature dishes."

Hearing Braised Pork and soy sauce pork knuckle, Shen Chuwei knew that Xiao Jinyan had ordered them especially for her, and she felt delighted inside.

Xiao Jinyu also placed his order, "Add the ’Celebration Tofu’, ’Monastic Roast Goose’, and simmered cabbage."

"All noted, please wait a moment, Your Highness, Prince Jinyu," said the waiter as he left.

Chun Xi took out the teapot and tea leaves she had brought with her, skillfully brewed a pot of tea, poured a cup for each person at the table, and then walked out.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Qin Xiao standing at the doorway. She glanced at him and was about to leave with her head down when she heard Qin Xiao call, "Chun Xi."

Chun Xi paused, looking up at Qin Xiao with a puzzled expression, "Is there something wrong?"

"Come with me," Qin Xiao said, pulling her hand and walking off.

With a look of bewilderment, Chun Xi followed him.

When they reached a secluded spot, Qin Xiao finally released Chun Xi’s hand. He took out a paper-wrapped package from his bosom and handed it to her.

"This is for you."

Chun Xi looked at the paper-wrapped package in front of her, as if she could smell the aroma, "What’s this?"

"I bought it when I smelled it on the street because it was fragrant. Try it and see." Qin Xiao had never paid attention to street stalls before. Ever since meeting Chun Xi, whenever he went down the street, he would keep an eye out for food vendors and shops selling jewelry and cosmetics.

Curious, Chun Xi unfolded the paper-wrapped package to find it was still hot and discovered two flatbreads inside, smelling quite fragrant.

She held one flatbread out to Qin Xiao, "You eat one too."

Qin Xiao said, "You eat it."

Seeing Qin Xiao wouldn’t take it, Chun Xi directly put the flatbread in his hand, "It’s tastier if we eat together."

Qin Xiao looked down at the flatbread in his hand, and then at Chun Xi eating her piece bite by bite, feeling somewhat happy, "Are you still mad at me?"

Chun Xi had actually stopped being mad a long time ago. After thinking it through, she realized that Qin Xiao was a bit simple-minded but straightforward, and he had been quite direct about this matter too.

She shook her head, "I’m not that petty."

Learning that she wasn’t angry anymore, the worries Qin Xiao had these past few days immediately evaporated.

Concubine Xu had eaten quite a few snacks along the way and wasn’t very hungry at the moment. Her attention remained on the Poisonous Insect the whole journey, which kept signaling, implying that the man in black was following the procession the entire time.

Lady Tao noticed that Concubine Xu was looking down the whole time and asked with concern, "Concubine Xu, what’s wrong? Have you lost your appetite?"

Feeling guilty, Concubine Xu raised her head to look at Lady Tao, "I’m fine, just not very hungry."

Still worried, Lady Tao asked again, "I noticed you were somewhat absent-minded the whole way, always leaning against the carriage window. Are you troubled by something?"

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