Li Yanzhu's hands were merciless as she beat Wang Xuanwu mercilessly.
Xie Yan walked over slowly and uttered a few words like "Stop hitting" and "Cease."
Feng Shaocheng, who was trying to break up the fight, was also accidentally hit in the eye.
"Brother Xie, please help stop her as well. Young Master Wang is not yet recovered."
Xie Yan sighed with a smile.
He raised an eyebrow, waited until it was almost over, then went to pull Li Yanzhu back.
Li Yanzhu hadn't had enough, and even as Xie Yan held her, she continued to kick.
"That's enough," Xie Yan whispered into her ear.
Li Yanzhu was still glaring at Wang Xuanwu, who was covering his head.
She pointed at Wang Xuanwu and said, "You scoundrel!"
Then she pointed at Feng Shaocheng, "Young Master Wang isn't well, and you aren't thinking about Zhaozhao? Ah? What nonsense are you spouting now, hanging out with this scoundrel?"
She wanted to slap Feng Shaocheng, but Xie Yan held her waist, and she struggled irritably, "Cousin! Let me go!"
Pointing at Feng Shaocheng, she cursed, "Zhaozhao is suffering outside, and you don't care about her at all! Zhaozhao must have been blind to fall for you, you scoundrel!"
Feng Shaocheng's smiling face was somewhat discomfited.
The bruise on his left eye made him look even more comical.
Xie Yan chuckled and pulled Li Yanzhu away, "Young Master Wang, Young Master Feng, we bid you farewell."
After they left the Wang manor, Xie Yan immediately let go of Li Yanzhu, as if she were a hot potato in his hands.
Li Yanzhu regained her defiant demeanor.
She lowered her head to straighten her clothes and then slipped into the carriage.
Xie Yan shook his head helplessly outside the carriage.
"Young Marquis."
The person who arrived was his attendant, Tongqian.
"We just received news. Miss Song has returned safely, and Young Master Song is also unharmed."
Xie Yan nodded to acknowledge this and then dismissed Tongqian.
He looked meaningfully at the carriage.
At that moment, the curtain of the carriage window was lifted, revealing Li Yanzhu's bright and beautiful face.
She was a pretty young girl, her unrestrained spirit contrasting with the innocent and cheerful expression in her eyes.
"Cousin? What are you doing?"
Xie Yan came back to his senses, his clear eyes curving, "Nothing."
He truly wished he could accompany Song Zhaozhao to that desolate land.
But if he left, who would shield her from the hidden daggers and open swords of Chang'an...
He lowered his gaze to the half-eaten pastries on the table.
He wondered if the little girl would be able to eat her fill...
Meanwhile, Song Qingchao was engrossed in fiddling with the rattan in her hands.
The storm that had swept through Chang'an because of her was not occupying the mind of the person concerned at all.
To live.
To live well.
To plan and prepare well.
This was what she wanted to do most at this stage, and what she could do.
Besides that, she was also thinking about a major matter: how to get Feng Shaocheng sent to Mobei.
As the saying goes, a brief separation is like a new marriage, but with time, feelings can falter.
She, however, intended to "lovingly" dote on Feng Shaocheng for the rest of her life.
Just as he did for her, it was for his own good.
Song Qingmu watched her with a frown while stuffing a vegetable bun into her mouth.
Song Qingchao took a bite and mumbled, "Turn the page."
Song Qingmu obediently turned the page of the book placed before her.
Both of them stared intently at the content of the book.
"Miss Song, it's time for your medicine. And for Young Master Song as well."
A clear and melodious voice sounded from above.
The siblings looked up in confusion.
Bai Youan stood there, holding a fan with one hand in front of his chest, smiling broadly.
Behind him, Ying Zhong was carrying two bowls of medicinal soup.
"May I ask where you have been these past few days, sir?"
Song Qingchao flexed her fingers. Perhaps she had been too focused, and only now realized the changes in her body.
"I went to a nearby county to replenish some medicinal herbs that Miss could use."
Although Song Qingchao was annoyed, she couldn't be too confrontational, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."
She coughed lightly, covering her mouth, and leaned delicately into Song Qingmu's embrace.
"Perhaps it is the journey these past few days that has made me weaker. Could you examine me again, sir?"
Bai Youan nodded, covering his sleeve, and crouched down to lean in.
His slender fingers, carrying a scorching warmth, touched her wrist, reminiscent of a winter day spent appreciating snow and brewing tea, like the hand warmer her mother offered when she sat in the pavilion.
She looked at Bai Youan. Although the white veil obscured his eyes, it lent him a unique elegance.
The downturned corners of his mouth seemed to carry a world of helplessness, yet also exuded a refreshing breeze that soothed the heart.
"Miss, you need not worry. You are merely tired. A little more rest will suffice."
As he spoke, he withdrew his hand, gesturing for Ying Zhong to bring the medicinal soup forward.
Only his bowl remained on the tray; Song Qingmu had already finished hers.
Song Qingchao, however, had not drunk hers. She reached out and grabbed Bai Youan's hand.
"Do you have any other instructions?"
"Sir," Song Qingchao slowly withdrew her hand, "I haven't been sleeping well at night recently. Do you have any calming medications?"
She felt a touch of apprehension.
But she had been using that medicine sparingly for the past few days, and judging by the hourglass, time was running out.
"I do have some."
Seeing that he didn't object, Song Qingchao threw down the rattan in her hand and followed him directly, "Then thank you, sir. May I ask what they are?"
Bai Youan lowered his head and untied a sachet hanging from him, handing it to Song Qingchao. "Inside are some sour jujube seeds. If you can't sleep, one should do the trick."
Song Qingchao quickly cupped her hands to receive it and bowed gracefully again, "Thank you."
She saw that the time on the hourglass in her spatial dimension had increased, and a smile curved her lips.
It seemed she needed to collect more of Mr. Bai's belongings.
"Miss, can you drink your medicine now?"
Song Qingchao tied the sachet to her sash, then took the medicine handed by Ying Zhong.
The bitterness made her immediately frown.
"Afraid of bitterness?" Bai Youan asked curiously.
Song Qingchao did not deny it, "I have been sickly since childhood. Having taken so much medicine, I've become afraid of it."
"Here."
She looked up, and Bai Youan held a bulging packet in his palm.
"What is this?"
"Candied fruit," Bai Youan said with a smile. "I didn't expect it to be used after all."
"You are truly thoughtful, sir."
Song Qingchao took the candied fruit, pinched her nose, drank the medicine, then put down the bowl with a frown and put a piece of candied fruit in her mouth.
"It's alright. Then we shall take our leave." Bai Youan put away his fan and bowed. "Although the Grand Princess arranged for me to be here, I cannot linger too long with the official entourage."
"Please make your own arrangements, sir."
"Miss, rest assured, I will bring my young disciple to check your pulse every morning and evening."
Song Qingchao thanked him again before seeing him off.
"Eldest Sister, since when have you been afraid of bitterness?"
Song Qingchao slumped back into her seat and ate the candied fruit Song Qingmu offered, "Since now."
Her words made Song Qingmu burst into laughter.
Song Qingchao shot him a glare. "Stop laughing. Look, where have I gone wrong with these straw sandals?"
After walking for several days, the soles of her shoes were almost worn through.
And as the weather grew colder, if she didn't make some items to add to her clothing, she would freeze to death.
Food was not an issue; she had plenty in her spatial dimension.
She also had fine silks, but bringing them out would be too conspicuous.
Song Qingmu picked up the weaving book she had found in her spatial dimension and pointed out several places to her.
Song Qingchao: ...
Well, she simply lacked the skill.
Despite being adept at needlework, she was so clumsy at weaving rattan.
With a "snap."
Song Qingchao looked over, and a pair of straw sandals fell from the sky!