80 meters hurdles

  Today is the beginning of spring.

  The carriage came out of Donghua Gate, and the city of Beijing was already shrouded in a hazy rain mist.

  After walking for a while, Xia Chuiqi lifted the curtain and looked outside, shouting out loud.

  "Master, I still have something to take care of, let's park here."

  "What? Chancellor Chu, it's raining outside." Every day, a middle-aged man named Huang Shi went back and forth between the East Palace and the Jin Wang Fu to pick up Xia Chuyi. His voice was hoarse, "When I came out, I forgot to bring an oil umbrella. You'll get soaked in the rain, I'm afraid..."

  Before she finished speaking, Xia Chuyi smiled and interrupted him.

  "Don't worry, I'm a doctor, aren't I? Even if you get sick, I can cure it."

  "But His Highness Changsun ordered..." Huang Shi was still hesitating.

  "Halt!" Xia Chuqi's tone was already displeased.

  "Yes."

  In the "hual" sound of Yellowstone, the horse carriage stopped in the rain mist.

  On the seventh day of summer, Xia didn't bother talking to him and got off the car with Li Mo in the small rain. They slowly walked towards Danwei Street. Along the way, apart from occasionally checking if there were any tails behind them, they also deliberately wandered aimlessly around the city for several laps before finally arriving at the small courtyard where they had been last time, looking for Yuan Xing, the master of Jin Gong's house.

  Today, Er Qi has another task and didn't go to Dong Gong with them.

  So this is a rare opportunity.

  They knocked open the wooden door of the small courtyard, and the person who received them was still Er Hu Zi under Yuan Xing.

  Having met before, they were now familiar with each other. Er Hu zi smiled and led them in, while Yuan Xing was still in bed nursing his wounds. As usual, tea was served, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, Xia Chuqi finally got to the point and told him the purpose of their visit.

  "Yuan brother, can you ask your brothers to go around the taverns and tea houses in the city, and see if they've heard of anyone with a strange rash on their face or body? Maybe someone has died from it too. The rash is very distinctive, like grains of rice, all over the face, neck and body, easy to recognize."

  Under Kinpo's command, there were all sorts of people from all walks of life, and she was sure that there would be news.

  Yuan's body was strong and sturdy, the wound on his lower abdomen had improved a bit, he spoke with great vigor, and even his voice sounded much louder.

  "Brother, this is easy to handle. But what's the point of doing this?"

  Xia Zhong Qi smiled and didn't want to talk to him anymore.

  "Brother Yuan knows, I'm a doctor after all. In my life, I don't have any other hobbies, just interested in some special cases, whatever profession, I'll study it thoroughly, haha."

  With a clear "oh", Yuan Xing readily agreed.

  A few people said a few more words, he paused for a moment, his eyes swept over Xia Chuyi, and finally landed on Li Mo's face. The scrutinizing gaze was full of concern, yet also had the foolishness and reserve of an old man, as if he was somewhat embarrassed, yet wanting to cover it up. His face, covered in whiskers, was also slightly flushed with red.

  "I've also heard about what happened on Luoyan Street. You two are alright, aren't you?"

  At the beginning of summer, she smiled silently and glanced at Li Mo with her eyes, also throwing the task of answering this question to her. However, even though Yuan Xing's gaze was fiery, Li Mo's expression was very calm, as if she hadn't noticed his concern at all, saying indifferently.

  Nothing's happened, my kung fu skills are still intact, Brother Yuan, you know that.

  People are sensitive about their emotions.

  Her words were laced with rejection, and Yuan Xing could naturally sense it.

  The fallen flowers have intention, the flowing water has no feeling, King Xiang has a heart, the goddess has no dream, most things in the world are like this.

  "It's nothing, I was just worrying for nothing..."

  Afraid of embarrassing him, Xia Chuyi smiled and changed the subject.

  "I say, Brother Yuan, have you noticed? This place of yours is so quiet and secluded, it's really suitable for living. What a great place! It's truly a wonderful place. When I get rich in the future, I'll also buy a house like this to cultivate my character and nurture my nature, it's the most suitable thing."

  Yuan Xing was straightforward but not stupid, how could he not know she was helping him save face?

  He smiled brightly and said, "Thanks to this injury, if my body wasn't uncomfortable, how could I have the opportunity to stay at home and rest? As a member of the gang, we roam the four seas, drifting wherever the wind takes us. Who knows when our luck will run out, and we'll meet a bloody end in some foreign land... that's just fate."

  He said up to this point, I don't know what he thought of, and his line of sight turned again.

  "If it weren't for your timely rescue back then, who knows, I might have been buried and overgrown with weeds by now."

  As for how Li Mi saved Yuan Xing back then, Xia Chuyi didn't know much about it.

  Ke Li's personality is stubborn, and she is a calm and collected person who doesn't like to talk about her past. Xia Chuqi had asked her a few times before but didn't get any results, so he could only respect her privacy. But now that the topic was brought up again by Yuan Xing, she couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

  "My eldest maternal uncle is a man of great talent and skill, I suppose he must have been quite dashing in his youth?"

  It was originally just a casual remark, but she didn't expect that after saying it, the dark face in front of her would add a few more uncomfortable expressions, and Li Mei's already pale and translucent face seemed to become even paler.

  "Chu Qi, let's head back. We shouldn't disturb Big Brother Yuan's rest!"

  After two people have been together for a long time, they more or less understand each other's temperaments.

  It was clear on the seventh day of summer that Li Miao did not want to mention what happened back then.

  She smiled slightly and said with a hint of apology, "Alright then, let's go."

  Yuan Xing felt a little downcast, but he also concealed it very well, and burst out laughing.

  "I was going to ask you to stay for lunch, but I only have simple food here, and I'm afraid it won't suit your taste. Well... Er Hu zi, please see our guests off."

  When leaving, Xia Chuyi left a hundred taels of silver ticket for Yuan Xing.

  Not for anything else, just to make friends.

  People interact with each other, and it's all mutual. You can't always let others do things for you for free. Once or twice is fine, but if it goes on for too long, nobody can stand it. Last time I asked Yuan Xing to help find a fool, that was already a free service. This time, no matter what, it's embarrassing. After all, people make a living from this, and besides, giving them money will make her more at ease, and they will also be more diligent. That's just human nature.

  Yuan Xing was a straightforward and honest Jianghu person, after making excuses twice, his dark face turned completely red.

  In the end, he couldn't outlast Xia Chuyi's chatter and accepted the money.

  As he walked them to the door, he took a glance at Xia Chuqi walking ahead and lowered his booming voice, saying something softly to Li Mo.

  "However, no matter how high the mountain is, water can flow around it. No matter how big the obstacle is, people can step over it. People cannot always dwell on past things, they must look forward more to live a peaceful life."

  He spoke in a very low voice.

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day of the seventh month, she overheard some gossip that wasn't very nice to listen to, so she quickened her pace. Unconsciously, she had already suspected that Li Mo must have been hurt in love or something, with a thorn in his heart. Now it seems that even Yuan Xing knows about "that person" from her mouth.

  Out of the small courtyard, it was still drizzling outside.

  Two people walked in the rain, heading towards the Jin Wang Fu, both tacitly choosing not to hire a donkey cart.

  Li Mian's back was straight, his waist tied with a long sword, and he remained silent.

  Xia Zhichu glanced at her several times with a sideways glance before raising his head to gaze up at the sky and deliberately sighing.

  "Eh! Older cousin, I really like rainy days, how about you?"

  "Hmm." Li Mian's response was ambiguous, seeming both like an answer and not an answer at all.

  "Do you cry when you're in pain?" Xia Chuqi stared at her and asked again.

  "Don't cry," she replied.

  He slightly curled up the corners of his mouth, and Xia Qi Qi gave a low chuckle. "I'm telling you, if someone's feeling unwell in their heart, crying on a rainy day is the best thing to do. Because no one will know whether it's tears or rainwater on your face. So if you're not feeling comfortable in your heart, just have a good cry. A person being strong isn't about holding back tears and letting them flow into their heart, but rather about releasing them when they need to be released. After crying, wiping away the tears, and you'll be a good man again."

  Li Mian silently didn't answer, his feet trampling in the rainwater, feeling somewhat heavy.

  "Hey, did he stand you up?"

  It's not that Xia loves Li Mo, but she really pities him.

  She had asked for a long time, but apart from the sound of rain, there was no other sound.

  "Hey, you're such a donkey!"

  She sighed and was about to change the subject when she suddenly heard Li Mo say in a low voice.

  "He was a very handsome man, treated me extremely well and knew how to take care of people. He would prepare hot water for me to wash my face every morning, and cover me with a blanket every night before I went to sleep. At that time, I was prone to crying and being overly sensitive, but he never got annoyed with me. He said girls were born to be loved and in his lifetime, he wouldn't let me shed another tear..."

  The sound of rain pattered against the window, and Xia Qi's heart felt a little heavy.

  "What's next?"

  "After that, I never cried again."

  A gust of wind swept across her face, bringing some coolness, and Xia Qi saw her pale face.

  After a moment of silence, she finally asked.

  "And where did he go?"

  "He's dead."

  After saying just two simple words, Li Mia hastened his pace.

  Her heart skipped a beat, and Xia Chuqi clearly saw that at the moment she turned sideways, there were tears streaming down her face.

  It's really hard to tell whether it's tears or rainwater.

  ……

  ……

  Although Xia Qi was essentially a girl who didn't understand romance, at this moment she didn't know if it was the rain or Li Mo's sadness that moved her, but suddenly she had an epiphany and instead of returning to the Jin Wang Fu directly, she pulled Li Mo and turned around.

  According to the few "love healing methods" she knew, she believed that emotional pain should be filled with food. When her heart was empty, filling her stomach would make her feel much more comfortable.

  They walked in the light rain and soon arrived at the famous Lion Bridge snack street in Beijing. Without a car or entourage, they felt carefree, with the gentle patter of the rain, the air filled with white mist, it was refreshingly cool, this kind of day was perfect for a leisurely stroll.

  Found a small stall selling wontons and sat down to rest.

  "Boss, how much is the wonton per bowl?"

  "Wow!"

  "Alright, bring two bowls."

  The wonton stall was very small, with only a rain canopy extending from the shop's beam to cover it, and there were only a few tables. However, the boss was very enthusiastic, and the flavor of the wontons was just right. As soon as I took a bite, my mouth and stomach felt warm all over.

  "Come on, brother, have some too? It tastes really good."

  Not everyone is a foodie, and not everyone thinks that filling their stomach can also fill their heart. But Li Mian understood her "good intentions" and didn't say much, his calm face had already recovered its composure early on, eating slowly and delicately, compared to Xia Chuyi's eating habits, undoubtedly having the etiquette of a young lady from a good family.

  She glanced at her and smiled, Xia Chuqi slowed down eating.

  "Tsk tsk, look at you eating so elegantly, I'm embarrassed."

  She patted her mouth, took the spoon and imitated the slow chewing, but her tongue was rolling over, extremely unaccustomed, eating extremely uncomfortable. She spat out a breath, ready to sigh that this life would never have elegance again, suddenly saw a small donkey cart driving by on the street with a banner of "Jishitang" hanging on it.

  Isn't the person on the car Gu Ajiao?

  She felt delighted and was about to shout...

  Just then, another luxurious carriage with a glossy finish flew over and circled in front of the donkey cart, blocking its path. Soon, several servant-like men got out of the carriage, holding umbrellas and bowing their bodies, and welcomed down a young master with red lips and white teeth.

  That little guy had a reckless look on his face, with his hands behind his back, looking very pleased with the donkey cart.

  Isn't it Xia Xun, the second son of Wei Guo Gongfu Xia Tingde?

  It's no wonder that they met each other at this age, but it's strange that these two people can still have dealings with each other.

  The hand that was raised on the seventh day of summer fell back down.

  They exchanged a glance with Li Miao, and the two of them tacitly sat in silence without making a sound.

  Because she didn't understand Gu A-Jiao's meaning.

  She had said long ago that she wanted to marry a family with a good social status, and didn't want her future children to be born into a poor family. This summer, if Xia Xian came looking for her and it was something she herself was willing to do, wouldn't the two of them showing up together just make things awkward between them?

  "Xiao Ajiao, you've finally been caught by Second Master."

  Xia Xun raised an eyebrow and walked towards the donkey cart with a hint of a smile.

  Seeing this, Gu Ajiao hastily got off the carriage and bowed her body to salute him.

  "What brings you to our humble abode, Second Master?"

  "Little Jiao, why have you come to our manor today and in such a hurry?"

  That summer tour is the second son of Wei Guo Gong Xia Tingde, also a concubine, but because his biological mother was favored by Xia Tingde, he also gained Xia Tingde's favor. At the age of 15, he began to wander in the capital, sleeping with flowers and getting drunk on Qinhuai River, his bad reputation spread far and wide... Until he grew up to be around 20 years old, he still had nothing to do, his father arranged several jobs for him, but as a result, he relied on his family's status, making the officials so angry that they were speechless. He even dared not to believe it, and had to prepare thick gifts to go to the Wei Guo Gong Mansion to apologize, asking Wei Guo Gong to "invite" the second master back home.

  Xia Tiande also blamed this son for not being promising, so he let him have fun and no longer asked him to find a job. The result of indulgence was that he became the little overlord under the root of the imperial city, as long as he could bully, there was no one he dared not bully. His reputation was completely two extremes compared to his elder brother Xia Chang.

  Every time she saw someone from the Wei State Duke's Manor, Xia Chuyi felt rather complicated.

  "Second Master——"

  Gu's soft exclamation brought back Xia Chuqi's train of thought.

  She originally thought Ah Jiao was willing. Who would have thought that Xia Xun stepped closer step by step, but Ah Jiao kept retreating with a thud, and her whole body was stuck to the board of the donkey cart. Although she couldn't see her face clearly, from her posture, it seemed that she didn't quite welcome Xia Xun either.

  "Second Master, I still have things to attend to in the pharmacy. Father and Uncle are waiting for me to finish delivering the medicine and return to work. I'll make way for you now, please let your carriage go first."

  Hurriedly finishing speaking, Gu Ajiao turned her head and had the carriage driver of Jishidang move the position of the mule cart.

  Is Xia Xian so easy to get rid of?

  He snorted and suddenly blocked Gu Ajiao's way.

  "What's the hurry? Little A'jiao, look at how delicate you are, why go back to being a medicine girl? Why not come to Second Master's courtyard instead? With your charming and rare appearance, Second Master will surely dote on you."

  That Xia Xun is not a good thing, said with a smile, those eyes emitting green light fixed on Ah Jiao's plump and beautiful breasts, one hand reached out to touch them. But Ah Jiao dodged to the side, letting out a sharp cry, her voice trembling slightly.

  "Second Master, please behave yourself, I am a young lady from a respectable family, and I will not be treated lightly by just anyone."

  "Little Ajiao, don't worry... " Xia Xun smiled and approached her again, seemingly enjoying this game of cat and mouse. His hairy hand reached out to touch her pale face once more. "Second Master won't take advantage of you lightly. Since you've pleased Second Master today, tomorrow he'll send someone to bring you back to the manor. From then on, we can be together forever, enjoying each other's company every day. You should cherish this good fortune, Ajiao."

  "No, don't. Beg Master Er to spare Ah Jiao."

  Gu A'jiao said, and then wanted to run.

  Xia Xun had been teasing women on the street for a long time, and it was nothing new. Before she could even run away, he just whistled lazily, glanced at her with his eyes, and then followed by several servants from the Wei State Duke's mansion who pressed forward, holding down Gu Ajiao and trying to drag her into Xia Xun's carriage. The poor driver of Jishidang was left kneeling in the rain, only able to kowtow, without any other way out.

  Xia Xun smiled and watched with his arms around him.

  "You don't drink the toast, you'll be punished with a fine. I'm talking about you, little girl. Tonight, Second Master will treat you well, and after you've enjoyed yourself, you'll know the benefits of being in Second Master's household. Tomorrow morning, you'll be obedient and become one of Second Master's concubines."

  "No... don't want..."

  Gu A'jiao's mouth was covered and she couldn't say a complete sentence, her eyes already filled with terror.

  "Stop!"

  Xia Zhong Qi endured for a moment, but couldn't bear it anymore. But before she could rush over, Li Mo's figure had already appeared in front of her. Although Li Mo had looked down on Gu A Jiao during the previous incident on the official ship, after all, she was used to running around and had a heroic aura about her. When she saw injustice, she would draw her sword to help. Without hesitation, she rushed out and with just a few punches and kicks, she sent several servants from the Wei Guo Fu tumbling into the mud, crying and wailing in disarray.

  "How dare you have such big dog guts and interfere with Second Master's business?"

  Xia Xun rolled up his sleeves and pointed at her, "Do you know who I, Second Master, am?"

  Li Mian gave him a cold glance, but didn't say anything more. She wasn't good with words, so she just went over to help up Gu Ajiao, who was shaking all over from fear, and brushed off the mud on her body. But Xia Chuyi was someone skilled at verbal sparring.

  She walked over slowly, still with a mouthful of wontons, her lips curled up as she chewed and chewed. When she got close, seeing Xia Xun staring at her in a daze, she suddenly spat out the mashed-up wonton bits all over Xia Xun's face, then smiled mischievously and raised her chin.

  "Hey, isn't this Master Xun? I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!"

  Xia Xun was furious and scolded, "You son of a bitch, you're courting death!"

  "Who told you?" Xia Chuyi tilted his head, speaking very seriously. "Why would I want to die? Life is so good, you can eat and drink like Master Xun, and even rob women on the street. Tsk tsk, this life is enviable!"

  He wiped his face with his sleeve, and Xia Xun's soaring anger wanted to erupt.

  But then he hesitated again as he looked at Xia Chuqi's face.

  "You, who are you?"

  "I, who am I? Ah, you've finally recognized me?" Xia Chun Qi smiled slyly at him, seeing his face suddenly turn pale, but then burst out laughing, "That's right, I'm the ancestor of your family!"

  After shouting out that sentence, it was relieving, but suddenly it didn't feel right. The ancestors of Xia Xun's family weren't also the ancestors of Xia Chu, were they?

  "After some thought, she rolled her eyes again. 'Now I'm giving you two choices. The first is to live and roll, the second is to die and roll, Patrol Officer, which one do you choose?'"

  That summer tour was like he hadn't heard her words, with a look as if he had seen a ghost.

  Stunned, stunned, the hand pointing at her had lost its previous toughness.

  "Xia Chu, are you human or ghost?!"

  "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you crazy? Do you know who I am? Let me tell you, I'm the good friend of the Eastern Palace's Crown Prince... " She deliberately dragged out her tone, a hint of flirtation flashing across her face, before lowering her voice. "Whoever dares to offend me, the Crown Prince will make sure they can't get away with it."

  She didn't say Jin Wang, but said Zhangsun Gongzhu.

  Because Xia Xun and Xia Wenqiu are inferior human beings born from a concubine.

  Why is Xia Xun so arrogant in the capital?

  What is the capital again? A sign falling down could be a nine-nine duke, and Wei Guo Gong Xia Tiande can't even hold up this face. To say it internally, the real reason is that his brother-in-law is the emperor's grandson Zhao Mianze, everyone knows that the old emperor loves Zhao Mianze, and Zhao Mianze also loves the third daughter of the Xia family, Xia Wenqiu. As Xia Wenqiu's younger brother, Xia Xun's status, isn't it just like a rising tide lifting all boats?

  Stir up trouble for people, respond to people, and then give water a stir, this is the joy of the seventh day of summer.

  As expected, upon hearing her words, Xia Xun's expression changed.

  "Aren't you Xia Chu?"

  "Hey!" Xia Chuqi chuckled and took another step closer, "The Crown Prince also often mistakes me for someone else, thinking I'm an old acquaintance. So, he's particularly fond of me too. Lord Jun, whose face is thicker? Yours or the Crown Prince's?"

  Xia Xun's expression was different, no longer like the rogue he had just been. The way he looked at her was also much deeper, his eyebrows furrowed again and again. He felt that although his facial features were exactly like Xia Chu's, but the figure under the man's robe was far beyond what Xia Chu, that silly woman, could compare to.

  She wiped her face again, swallowed that breath, and after a few gulps, she finally waved her hand.

  "Let's go!"

  A group of people dispersed in a hurry, Xia Qiuli smiled.

  Today's matter, as Xia Xun's younger brother-in-law, naturally didn't dare to ask Zhao Mianze about it. But going to his sister's face to cry and complain is almost certain. Thinking about it, when Xia Qiuyue hears about this, that weak and frail body, angry with a burning heart, still has to pretend to be gentle, virtuous and magnanimous in front of Zhao Mianze, she feels really damn pleased!

  As for whether she will go ask Zhao Mianze, it's none of her business.

  Even if she asked, Zhao Mianze had already given her a dove. She said they were good friends, wasn't that enough?

  She shook off her wet clothes and winked at Li Mo.

  "After all, being a bad guy is addictive."

  Li Miao glared at her, and she giggled and led Ah Jiao to the wonton stall to take shelter from the rain. She ordered a bowl for her, then, with a straight face, asked about the circumstances of the matter.

  "A Jiao, how did you get targeted by Xia Xun?"

  Holding a handkerchief and constantly trying to wipe away the wet hair on her temples, Gu A'jiao felt somewhat bitter. "My uncle's business in the capital is doing very well, the medicinal pills of the Wei State Duke's mansion and the commonly used medicines are all supplied by Jishidang. The Wei State Duke especially likes the Rehmannia glutinosa pills made by Jishidang and has been taking them for years. I came to the capital and also went to deliver medicine a few times, but didn't expect to run into this plague...

  Xia Ziyu smiled slightly, "Didn't you say that day that you wanted to marry into a good family? The Wei Guo Gong Fu is not bad."

  With an awkward smile, Gu Ajiao felt a bit embarrassed.

  "Even if I wanted to marry into a good family, I'd still have to choose a husband who's pleasing to the eye." As she said this, her face turned slightly red.

  "In fact, the young master of the Wei State Duke's mansion is actually a good person..."

  She said... Xia Chang?

  Reminded by Gu Ajiao, Xia Chuyi thought of what happened on the official boat again.

  "Ah oh, you had your eyes on him back then, didn't you?"

  Gu Ajiao's face turned red, and she didn't retort, but only sighed.

  "It's just a pity he already has a wife and family. Alas, even if he didn't have a wife and family..."

  Even if there was no wife, it wouldn't be her turn to take care of Ah Jiao. Xia Chuyi naturally understood this.

  Xia Chang and Xia Xun were different, one was the eldest son and the other was the second son, one was a legitimate child and the other was an illegitimate child. If in modern times, they would be considered biological brothers, sharing equal inheritance rights to family property. However, in this era, it can be said that Xia Chang and Xia Xun's status were like heaven and earth, vastly different.

  Social status...

  She couldn't help but think of herself and felt a little more pity for Ah Jiao.

  "What did Xia Shu say about you that summer?"

  That day, on the official boat to Beijing, a man was infatuated with Gu Aijiu and lost his mind, while Xia Chang repeatedly spoke up for her. Xia Qi had seen it all before, so now that they had met again, she didn't believe that Xia Chang wouldn't have any ideas about her.

  As expected, Gu Ajiao responded with a snort and it was settled.

  "He actually promised me... to be his concubine. But my father, he absolutely disagreed. Young Master Gong is different from Xia Xun, he won't force anyone. My father didn't agree, and he wouldn't use any underhanded means, and in my heart..." She raised her head and looked at Xia Chuqi, "Chu Qi, he said he would treat me well, but you tell me, can a woman who is a concubine or a mistress really be treated well in a man's backyard?"

  This question was very difficult for Xia Qi to answer.

  Because her values are completely different from those of Gu Ajiao.

  Li Miao also took a different path. It's clear that he is someone with a different set of values.

  No one answered her, Gu Ajiao swallowed hard and continued speaking.

  "In fact, I've been thinking these past few days that if he really used some underhanded tactics to force my father to betroth me to him, maybe he truly had feelings for me and I would have accepted. But as soon as he heard that my father refused, he disappeared without a word, not even showing his face in front of me. Today wasn't supposed to be the day I went to the Wei Guo Gong Fu to deliver medicine, but I wanted to see him one more time... who knew I wouldn't see him, but instead got entangled with Xia Xun..."

  After comforting her for a few words, Xia Chuyi couldn't give her any advice either.

  But as she spoke, a sudden flash of inspiration struck her mind, and another idea occurred to her.

  "Ajiao, what kind of medicine did you send to the Wei Guo Fu?"

  Gu A'jiao's eyes were still a bit red, and she was taken aback by the sound. It took her a while to come back to herself from her own entanglement. After thinking carefully, she counted on her fingers one by one.

  "There's fried lemongrass, roasted astragalus, fried red peony, large raw radix rehmanniae, fried cortex moutan, water buffalo horn, live sophora flower, and also roasted licorice root...and some red dates...what's wrong? Chu Qi, what are you smiling at?"

  He rubbed his face and Xia Chuqi curved the corners of her lips downwards.

  "I didn't smile at all, you must be seeing things."

  "Oh."

  Gu Ajiao, who had fallen victim to the "Lost Love Syndrome", was unaware of her abnormality.

  Just thinking for a moment, Xia Qi asked her again, "Do you know why the Wei State Duke's mansion needs these medicines?"

  Gu A'jiao didn't think much and casually said, "It should be that someone in the mansion is ill? Yesterday evening, my uncle went over there once. When he came back, he didn't say who was sick, just saying not to mention this matter again. I'm only slightly familiar with medicine, if Uncle doesn't say anything, how would I know?"

  Xia smiled lightly on the seventh day of summer and narrowed her eyes.

  "Then you can see that in the Wei State Duke's mansion, someone has contracted leprosy?"

  "Muscle strain?"

  After some thought, Gu Ajiao shook her head.

  "I haven't seen anyone. Chu Qi, what's the point of asking this?"

  "Nothing, I just asked casually, aren't you interested in pharmacology?"

  In fact, the symptoms of the allergenic powder she sprinkled were similar to those of eczema, with red spots all over her body, as if there was subcutaneous bleeding, which was extremely frightening, but it wasn't actually eczema.

  In this way, she also knew a little bit more.

  The person who assassinated her on Luoyan Street should be Xia Tingde's man.

  But he slaughtered people in the bustling city during the day, and first of all, it's possible that Zhao Zun didn't know he would be at the scene. Secondly, it's estimated that there are also two-handed preparations, and if she can be killed, it's naturally a good thing. Even if she can't be killed, she will still splash the dirty water on Ning Wang. When Ning Wang and Jin Wang fight each other, if they both suffer losses, then his supported Crown Prince Zhao Mianze will naturally benefit from the situation.

  What a fine abacus!

  It would be better if Zhao Zhu didn't speak so much.

  Can't you just laugh it off and forget about it?

  It's really hard to guess what's on Zhao Zunna's mind.

  However, since he wasn't doing it for Amur, she felt a little better inside.

  She saw off Gu Ajiao and walked out of Lion Bridge with Li Mo. They were about to hire a donkey cart back to the mansion.

  Never thought, but at the intersection of Lion Bridge, saw a horse-drawn carriage from Donggong.

  In the midst of the drizzling rain, the man who had come under an umbrella held by He Xiang'an wore a moon-white satin robe, with a handsome face as smooth as jade, and eyes as warm as the gentle sun. A row of guards protected him, making him look like a beautiful painting.

  What a pity...

  This person's inside is not as clean as their outside appearance.

  She smiled coldly in her heart, but her face was full of smiles as she stepped forward to pay her respects and asked about his well-being with a beaming smile.

  "Today's weather is indeed good, and Crown Prince Changsun is also here to enjoy the rain?"

  Zhao Mianze's gentle face still had a smile on it. "This rain is quite heavy, let's get in the carriage first?"

  "Your Highness Crown Prince, is there something?"

  Nothing happened, I'll see Doctor Chu back to his residence on my way.

  She raised an eyebrow and Xia Qi Qi hummed a low, husky sound.

  "It's all right, my clothes are already soaked..."

  "Chu medical officer doesn't need to be polite." Zhao Mianze smiled slightly, "I was originally ordered by my father the king to protect your safety. Earlier, I heard from Huang Shi that you got off halfway and brought a servant with you. I was afraid it wasn't safe, so I brought people to hurry over."

  Listening to his gentle voice, Xia Chuqi couldn't help but narrow her eyes.

  If what happened today were to happen in that year and month, Xia Chu would probably be so moved that she would go back and burn incense and kowtow, thanking the Buddha for finally touching Zhao Mianze with her sincere heart, making him have a slight glance at her.

  But she is not Xia Chu, and doesn't have that kind of leisurely mind.

  She gave a slight bow, and let out a hearty laugh, but her eyes didn't quite reach her smile.

  "His Highness Longsun has taken it to heart, but..."

  She seemed somewhat embarrassed, and hesitated to glance at him, but didn't continue.

  Zhao Mianze's lips curled up slightly, "Is there something unspeakable about the Chu physician?"

  Xia Chunqi smiled lightly, the small dimples at the corners of her lips appearing and disappearing, her face suddenly showing a few more points of shyness. "Actually, it's not a big deal. I'm sure Your Highness also knows my father's temperament, he dislikes officials interacting with other men... even if that person is Long Sun Gongzi, I'm afraid it's still not suitable. So, I'll just go back myself."

  He finished speaking in one sentence and didn't give Zhao Mianze any face, turning around and leaving immediately.

  "Chu Medical Officer Stay Behind——"

  As expected, men are indeed inferior!

  Finally understood this sentence on the seventh day of summer vacation.

  Not only that, but Zhao Mianze seems to be born with a masochistic physique, the more you don't give him face, the more he thinks you have face. Silently sneering, she smiled and glanced at him.

  "What else can Your Highness, Prince Changsun, instruct me?"

  "Earlier, Chu physician said that he and Mian Ze were good friends, is this true?"

  Oh, so you've met Xia Xun? And he actually said something?

  She curved her lips slightly, and Xia Chuyi also didn't show any embarrassment.

  "Your humble servant has made a tentative plan, and hopes that Your Excellency will be magnanimous."

  "It doesn't matter, being able to make friends with a doctor from Chu..."

  "Your Highness, Crown Prince!" Xia Chuyi interrupted him before he could continue speaking, looking up at him. "Speaking of this matter, I, as a subordinate official, have another sentence to add. In broad daylight, forcibly abducting a civilian girl... which young master of the Wei State Duke's manor is relying on whose power and losing whose face? Perhaps Your Highness understands better than I do? Your Highness's love for Concubine Li is as clear as day and night, but if you don't have the ability to discern right from wrong... Hehe, it's fine for people like us to listen, but if this were to accidentally reach the Emperor's ears, I'm afraid it would affect your future long-term love with Concubine Li. What do you think, Your Highness?"

  Her words were somewhat harsh and deep.

  Explicitly and implicitly, they were all accusing Zhao Mianze of intentionally indulging Xia Xun.

  Li Mian was so frightened that he wanted to go and drag her back to shut her up.

  The dignity of the Tian family has never been violated, even if Zhao Mianze, who is known for his "benevolence" outside, can tolerate such bloody and suffocating accusations. However, she was worried and clenched her fist on the sword scabbard, while Zhao Mianze's face turned pale and he didn't get angry, but instead showed some remorse.

  "Dr. Chu is absolutely right, and Meng Ze will give you an explanation when he turns back."

  "His Highness Prince Changsun has spoken, and this official does not need to make any further explanation."

  She let out a faint snort, Xia Chuqi was afraid that the fire wasn't burning big enough.

  Her lips curled up into a faint, cool smile.

  "It's just a minor official speaking, Your Highness doesn't have to be too hard on yourself. After all, you're all family, and it's not easy being the master either. As they say, 'ties of kinship', with those ties, once the pillow talk blows by, isn't everything forgotten? Hehe..."

  She smiled wryly at Zhao Mianze's unpleasant expression, knowing that the time was ripe.

  "Your Imperial Highness, your humble servant takes his leave, until we meet again."

  Without looking back, she led Li Mo and strode past Zhao Mianze's carriage with a confident and elegant gait that was unlike any ordinary man or woman. It was as if she were the only one who possessed an air of nonchalance that set her apart from everyone else in the world, as if she were the only carefree person between heaven and earth. Whether you were a king, a noble, or a dragon's son, she didn't bat an eyelid at you...

  Li Miao didn't breathe a sigh of relief until he had walked so far that he could no longer see the horse carriage when he turned his head back.

  "You're really bold, you know that what was said today could easily cost us our heads."

  She touched her neck, Xia Chuiqi and Li Mo exchanged a glance for a moment, then stuck out her tongue.

  "Don't be ridiculous, I still owe Zhao 19 money, he won't let me die."

  Looking at her like that, Li Mo couldn't help but laugh and cry.

  "In short, Chu Er, now is a critical moment, we must be careful."

  On the seventh day of summer, I felt a warmth in my heart and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

  "Don't worry, I know what's appropriate. Zhao Mianze he..."

  "How?"

  She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Whatever."

  ……

  ……

  It's very quiet in Chengde Temple.

  Yi Anjing knew on the seventh day of summer that Zhao Zhu had not yet returned to the mansion.

  When he's not around, except for the eunuch who is on duty, no one dares to come and go as they please. Of course, she's an exception. Having been drenched in the rain outside, both her and Li Mo's clothes were soaked through. As soon as they returned to the house, the first thing they did was change their clothes.

  Li Miao was more shy than her, changing clothes and hiding, making Xia Chuyi laugh.

  "What are you hiding from? I'm not a man."

  She glared at her and Li Mo went behind the screen.

  He shrugged his shoulders, Xia Qi flung off the wet clothes stuck to her body and put on a close-fitting undergarment. Seeing that Li Mo had not come out yet, she yawned.

  "I'll lie down for a while, call me when it's time to eat."

  She should take this opportunity to lie in bed and think carefully with Zhou Gong about how to provoke conflicts between Xia Xun and Xia Chang, Xia Wenqiu and Zhao Mianze, Xia Tingde and Dong Gong... The more chaotic the water in the capital is, the better.

  And most importantly, how would she mention her penicillin to Zhao Zhu?

  Her mind elsewhere, she listlessly pulled open the quilt.

  The next moment, she reflexively let out a soft "ah".

  All I saw was a bed full of spiders of various sizes and shapes crawling around.

  Ugly caterpillars, eight legs like wanting to weave a web, rolling over and crawling in the quilt...

  Digression

  Oh my, who put the spider there? Is penicillin effective or not? Is the crown prince okay or not? On the seventh day of the new year, how can we further probe into others' relationships? This girl is so careless, does everyone love her or not? Do they love her? To be continued tomorrow...

  Acknowledgments:

  Dear [13971466178] and [Dragon Mom], upgraded to become a contributor, one kiss, fragrant.

  Dear [Fanfan424], upgraded to Yuanjie, less Dragon Gate array, just one word: thank you.