Chapter 268: Chapter 268: May the Rivers Run Clear and Seas Be Calm, May Times Be Peaceful and Harvests Abundant

The group continued their journey. When Su Li felt bored sitting in the carriage, she would ride a horse for a while.

However, Jun Mo kept track of the time and wouldn’t let her ride for too long, to prevent injury.

Playing chess, savoring tea, enjoying the scenery, and riding horses the journey was not boring at all.

As evening approached, they finally saw a town.

Just then, Mo Yang’s voice came from outside the carriage: "Your Highness, Princess Consort, we need to pull over and let them pass first."

Su Li lifted the curtain and looked out.

She saw a funeral bier (a carriage carrying a coffin) approaching.

Following the bier were only four men, no one else.

Su Li, looking through the carriage window, murmured, "Strange," upon seeing this scene.

Jun Mo asked, "What’s wrong?"

Su Li moved aside and said, "Look at these few people, is there anything strange about them?"

Jun Mo looked out and immediately understood what Su Li found strange.

"Distant burials are grand, nearby burials are simple. Such a simple funeral should be a nearby burial, but if it’s nearby, why use a carriage to transport the coffin? Is such an elaborate effort necessary?" Jun Mo said.

Su Li nodded and said, "Look again, these four people show no grief on their faces, only fierce expressions, not like ordinary people, but more like thugs."

Jun Mo said, "Come, let’s get out and see."

Jun Mo and Su Li alighted from the carriage.

Mo Yang asked in surprise, "Master, why are you getting out?"

Jun Mo watched the few people walk past, and with a slight movement of his fingertips, a pebble flew out, hitting the horse’s flank.

The horse whinnied, and the carriage jolted.

After they had passed, Jun Mo stepped forward and discovered white powder left on the ground where they had just walked.

Jun Mo squatted down to examine it. Su Li slowly approached.

"Found anything?"

"It’s smuggled salt," Jun Mo said calmly.

Mo Yang’s expression turned serious. "Your Highness, your subordinate will go and apprehend them now!"

Jun Mo said, "No hurry, Mo Feng."

Mo Feng stepped forward and said, "Master!"

"Follow them, see where they’re taking it, and catch them all in one go!"

"Yes, sir!" Mo Feng disappeared in a flash.

Jun Mo said, "Let’s go. We’ll enter the city first and find an inn to stay at."

The group entered the city and found a relatively large inn, intending to stay there.

Because they were still within Tianqi’s borders, Jun Mo and Su Li did not disguise themselves. Su Li wore a veiled hat and together they stepped down from the carriage.

Their attire was simple yet exuded nobility. A discerning eye, upon seeing the fabric, would know that the two were either wealthy or noble.

Coupled with their graceful demeanor, they frequently drew glances from surrounding diners and pedestrians.

The waiter was also sharp-eyed. Seeing the group enter, he quickly greeted them with a beaming smile.

"Distinguished guests, are you stopping for a meal or staying the night?"

Mo Yang looked around and replied, "Five superior rooms, and please send some hot water."

"Alright, honored guests, please come inside!"

The group followed the waiter to the second floor.

"Honored guests, your rooms are all connected. I’ll go prepare water for you all first."

Mo Yang nodded. "Go ahead."

Su Li walked in and looked around. It was indeed the largest inn in the town, quite spacious and clean.

Just as she was about to close the door, she saw Jun Mo also step in.

Su Li asked, confused, "You..."

"We’ll share a room, so I can protect you better."

Su Li was stunned. "Jun Mo, it’s very safe within Tianqi’s borders."

"Perhaps others are safe, but Li’er’s beauty is captivating, so it might not be very safe. This prince has promised your parents that I will protect you well."

Though she knew he was being unreasonable, Su Li was helpless.

"Li’er, it’s not like we haven’t slept in the same bed before. What are you worried about?" Jun Mo looked at her intently, with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Su Li, after so many similar instances, didn’t even blush. She merely glanced at him calmly and said, "Wasn’t that due to circumstances?"

Jun Mo smiled, "Li’er, you know that when we reach West Chen, I will be in great danger."

Su Li glanced at his handsome face and nodded in agreement.

Jun Mo, seeing her obedient and easily fooled expression, continued, "If a man is unmarried, he’s even more dangerous. So, we’ll still pretend to be husband and wife when we go to West Chen, and naturally, we’ll share a room."

Su Li nodded in agreement again. It was indeed safer that way and would save them a lot of trouble.

But she felt something wasn’t quite right.

"Then Li’er must protect this prince well, lest someone snatch me away."

Su Li immediately said, "Who would dare!"

Jun Mo smiled gently, rubbing the top of her head.

"Mm, no one can snatch me away. I am Li’er’s."

Watching Mo Yang bring in Jun Mo’s belongings, Su Li said nothing more.

Looking at Jun Mo, who was leisurely drinking tea by the table, Su Li finally understood.

They would be disguised when they went to West Chen, naturally not standing out, so why would there be any worry about being "snatched away"?

Su Li sighed inwardly, Forget it. Anyway, the wedding date is approaching.

Besides, staying together was indeed safer.

Just then, the waiter brought hot water. Jun Mo washed up first.

"Li’er, I’ll go downstairs to get something to eat first. You wash up."

Su Li nodded. After Jun Mo left, she closed the doors and windows before beginning to wash up.

Su Li had just changed her clothes when a knock sounded.

"Li’er, are you ready?"

"Ready." Su Li answered, tidied up the clothes she had changed out of, then walked over to open the door.

The two ate their meal in the room, then sat by the window at a small table, drinking tea to aid digestion.

They watched as the outside gradually darkened, and the lights slowly came on.

"The scenery here has a unique charm compared to the capital," Su Li sighed, looking out the window.

The two sat quietly by the window, then moved the chess board and began to play.

Just then, Mo Feng hurried in.

"Master, this is a small group operation. The quantity of smuggled salt isn’t large. We’ve already figured out their source and numbers. What should we do now?"

Jun Mo put down a chess piece and asked, "Are there any officials involved?"

Mo Feng replied, "No, the biggest ringleader is just a local gentry."

Jun Mo handed over his token. "That makes it easy. Take this prince’s token to the yamen and let them handle it as they see fit."

Though he said "as they see fit," with this token, would the officials below dare not take it seriously?

After Mo Feng left, Su Li said, "Salt smuggling has always been rampant despite repeated prohibitions. It seems His Majesty should pay attention to it."

Jun Mo nodded. "I will write back to the palace shortly, informing Father Emperor. The laws are already quite strict, but without proper oversight, they’ve become so brazen."

Su Li agreed, "A position for inspectors could be established. That way, it could be effectively curbed."

"Li’er, leave these matters to me. You should go to sleep. You must be tired from traveling today, and we need to get up early tomorrow to continue our journey." Jun Mo rose and pulled her up, leading her towards the bed as he spoke.

Su Li also felt a little tired, so she followed his words and got into bed.

Jun Mo tucked her in, saying softly, "Sleep. I’ll be there soon."

"Mm."

Jun Mo rose and went to the table, picking up a brush to write a letter.

Su Li watched the man in the dim candlelight, his thin lips pressed together, his gentle face appearing somewhat resolute.

She had always known that Jun Mo was a man without ambition, yet deeply cared for his people, a person with great love in his heart.

She only wished for the rivers to run clear and the seas to be calm, for times to be peaceful and harvests abundant, to be worthy of him.

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