Chapter 296: Searching for Medicine Outside the City

"Sang Zhi doesn’t have any Hidden Guards with him. Tomorrow, I’ll have Dad bring Du Yi into the palace." Ye Qianning turned around. "Master, let’s go. The wind is really picking up."

Dean Chen held Ye Qianning’s small hand. "Hidden Guards are not allowed in the palace. It would be a disaster if someone found out."

"Dad is very familiar with the captain of the palace guards. If Du Yi enters the palace disguised as a regular guard, it shouldn’t be a big problem. After the birthday banquet, I’ll find someone to enter the palace and apply for a guard position to replace Du Yi." ’If I want to arrange guards for Sang Zhi, I have to go through the proper channels.’

’At that time, I’ll just have someone arrange for him to be on duty somewhere close to Sang Zhi. That way, there won’t be any incriminating evidence if someone investigates in the future.’

"Sigh, you’ve really gone to great lengths for the Eighth Prince. I hope he doesn’t forget your kindness when he grows up," Dean Chen sighed.

"Sang Zhi is talented and scholarly, and he refuses to be second to anyone. I believe he’ll shine brightly in the future. No one in all of Beili will be able to compare to him." Ye Qianning wasn’t exaggerating.

Sang Zhi really did have that kind of ability; he just had a small flaw.

Dean Chen turned to look at her confident expression and chuckled. "I doubt the Eighth Prince himself has that much confidence. And look at you, already pushing him to the very top."

"It’s true. There’s just one thing that’s not so good."

"Oh? Tell me," Dean Chen raised an eyebrow. It was rare to hear the little girl say anything bad about Sang Zhi.

"He doesn’t know any martial arts. Knowledge and governance alone aren’t enough; martial skill is also fundamental. But Sang Zhi refuses to practice. His bone structure makes him a prodigy for martial arts. It’s such a shame." Ye Qianning had never seen anyone more suited for martial arts than Sang Zhi.

’If he were to practice martial arts, he could definitely sweep across all lands.’

"To each their own. The Eighth Prince’s future accomplishments in scholarship will also be extraordinary."

"Sigh. Not knowing martial arts can lead to a short life... It looks like I’ll have to study it diligently myself." Ye Qianning could only take on the role of his protector.

In truth, she had spoken to Sang Zhi about it many times, but unfortunately, he had no ambition to practice martial arts.

Sigh...

’It’s hopeless!’

Ye Qianning lamented inwardly.

What she couldn’t have guessed was that this little traditionalist, who now refused to practice martial arts no matter what, would one day train like a madman.

He would become a Prince in Beili whom no one could match. But, that was a story for another time.

——

「The next morning.」

Ye Qianning woke up very early. Only she and Fourth Granny were at breakfast; her father had gone to the palace before dawn.

With the Beili Emperor’s birthday banquet just four days away, her father was getting busier and busier. He had met with the General from Xi Yan, and although no conflict broke out, the meeting ended on bad terms.

The Seventh Princess and the Prince Consort who had been following Sang Zhi’s carriage yesterday never got to see him.

They tried to stop the carriage midway but were rebuffed by Sang Qi.

Word was that Sang Qi had been in a particularly foul mood yesterday. He blocked the Seventh Princess, gave Sang Zhi a dressing-down, and even stole his pastries in the end.

’He was probably furious that I didn’t bring him any pastries yesterday. But it’s a good thing he’s so hot-tempered; it stopped him from letting Sang Zhi meet the Seventh Princess of East Shu.’

’As for the pastries...’

’Sang Qi really has no boundaries.’

"What are you thinking about? Hurry up and eat." Fourth Granny placed some food on her plate.

Thinking about how Fourth Granny was leaving today, Ye Qianning lost her appetite. "Fourth Granny, can you stay for one more day?"

"Sigh." Fourth Granny was reluctant to leave too. "Once I get things settled at home, I will definitely come back to Beili. I won’t leave then."

Ye Qianning sniffled. "Then I’ll see you out of the city in a bit."

"You don’t have to go."

"No," Ye Qianning said, throwing a small tantrum.

Fourth Granny was helpless, knowing she couldn’t persuade the little girl.

After breakfast, Fourth Granny went back to Yuehua Small Building to get her bundle. When she reached the main gate, she saw the steward directing servants to carry things to the estate’s entrance.

One or two large chests had been loaded onto the carriage, filled with well-prepared provisions for food, clothing, and daily use.

"Why are you bringing so many things?" Fourth Granny was dumbfounded.

"It’s not that much. The carriage ride will take a month or two, so this probably won’t even be enough." The distance between Nanyuan and Beili was the greatest among the four nations. If it weren’t for the "Two Rites Intergrowth" incident, she wouldn’t have to worry.

Since the "Two Rites Intergrowth" incident, the roads were bound to be crowded with people.

That was why she didn’t dare give Fourth Granny any gold, silver, or jewels, instead tucking a thick stack of silver notes into her bundle.

The six guards secretly accompanying her were also carrying a large number of silver notes, which were to be used to buy property for Fourth Granny and her family once they reached Nanyuan.

Once everything was packed, the two of them boarded the carriage. The Capital City had been very lively these past few days, so Ye Qianning’s carriage took the back streets. Soon, the carriage was driving out of the city.

"We’re already out of the city. Don’t see me off any further," Fourth Granny said, lowering the carriage curtain.

"Four Directions Town is twenty li ahead. I’ll see you that far."

"Still so stubborn. Fine, just to Four Directions Town. Otherwise, it’ll be dark by the time you get back."

"Okay. Fourth Granny, you have to remember to write to me along the way. Have the guards bring the letters to me."

"I know, I know. What could possibly happen to an old woman like me? And you even arranged several guards." At her age, Fourth Granny was experiencing what it was like to travel with an escort of guards for the first time.

"Fourth Granny, your status is different now, haha," Ye Qianning laughed.

"This is all thanks to you. It’s just a shame your mother died so early and didn’t get to enjoy this. If she had brought you to the Capital City all those years ago, she might have been the General’s wife by now." As Fourth Granny spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. "Your mother was stubborn too. Back then, she refused to say who your father was, no matter what. People cursed her behind her back... sigh."

"If Mom’s spirit is watching from heaven, she’d surely be very gratified to see how things are now."

"Yes, yes. If your mother could see this, she could rest in peace." Fourth Granny wiped the corners of her eyes.

Ye Qianning remembered very clearly. Pangtuan’s mother had indeed been a wonderful person. She seemed gentle, but her eyes held a heroic spirit, and her skill with the guqin was unparalleled.

She also remembered the moment of her death. When her mother returned in the carriage, her face was deathly pale. Not long after giving her final instructions, she began foaming at the mouth, convulsed, and died. It looked like she had been poisoned.

The neighbors all rumored that she had caught a disease while she was out, but Ye Qianning’s own memories of the specifics were scarce.

She had already sent people to investigate the matter of Pangtuan’s mother, but there hadn’t been much news back yet. Once things stabilized in Beili, she would go to Nanyuan herself.

The carriage covered the twenty li in about two to four hours. By the position of the sun, it was almost noon.

In a pavilion outside Four Directions Town, Ye Qianning bid farewell to Fourth Granny.

"Luo Wen, head to Four-direction Mountain."

’Since I’m already out of the city, I might as well go up the mountain and see if there’s any Furong Grass.’

Four Directions Town was situated at the foot of Four-direction Mountain. There was only one small path leading up the mountain, which the carriage could not traverse. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Young Miss, what are you looking for? This subordinate will find it for you," Luo Wen asked.

The forest on Four-direction Mountain was dense, and the mountain path was very narrow.

Ye Qianning hopped down from the carriage. "I’m afraid you wouldn’t recognize it."

"Young Miss, are you looking for the plant drawn on the xuan paper?" Luo Xuan appeared, holding the paper Du Yi had given him.

"Yes. It’s called Furong Grass. It has properties that improve eyesight."

"This subordinate will go find it now."

"Wait a moment, let me see."

Luo Xuan presented the xuan paper.

Ye Qianning took the scroll and walked into the tall grass. She stomped her feet lightly, and a swarm of flying insects buzzed up from the grass. She unrolled the scroll and walked in a circle through the grass while holding it.

The insects, which had been dense just a moment ago, paused for a moment before scattering in all directions.