On the way to Yanjing City, Yang Ershun indeed shed his previous lazy habits and diligently rose early every day to practice cultivation with Jiang Xiaoxiao on a quiet hilltop, as instructed.
According to Jiang Xiaoxiao, the moment of dawn when the first rays of sunlight broke through was when the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth was at its purest.
Having been frightened by that little imp before, Yang Ershun did not dare delay even for a moment now. Even if someone spoke nearby or an earthquake suddenly occurred, as long as Jiang Xiaoxiao did not call for a stop, he would not open his eyes.
"Sister, I feel like the energy within me can slowly condense into a mass," he said with delight, even though the progress was slow and not much different from before he began practicing. However, it was still incomparable to Jiang Xiaoxiao's level of attainment.
"Practicing inner energy cultivation really makes one feel energized a hundredfold. In the past, I would easily fall ill after getting rained on, but a couple of days ago when we got caught in the rain on our journey, I arrived at the post station without any issues," Yang Ershun remarked.
Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded. "Cultivation is a long and tedious process. Take it slow."
"Yes, understood."
This was a small hillock where frost had formed on the grass and trees, making it a bit chilly.
After Yang Ershun finished his meditation, Jiang Xiaoxiao immediately led him down the hill.
At the post station, breakfast had already been prepared. Knowing that the Third Prince was staying there, the station officials spared no effort, instructing the kitchen to make an exceptionally sumptuous breakfast.
Qin Fengmian had just set the bowls and chopsticks when Xie Xun entered carrying a clay pot of freshly cooked shredded chicken porridge, still steaming hot.
Ever since their journey began, Xie Xun would personally cook for Jiang Xiaoxiao whenever they reached a post station.
Qin Fengmian was utterly perplexed. "If you're concerned about someone poisoning the food, couldn't you just have someone taste it first? Why go to the trouble of cooking yourself?"
As he finished speaking, he felt a chilling gaze fixed upon him.
Qin Fengmian shuddered, quickly realizing his mistake and changing his tone. "Ah, haha, my lord, the post station's food is actually quite decent. Why don't you try it first? You are of royal blood, precious and noble. How could you lower yourself to cooking?"
Fundamentally, Qin Fengmian did not hold the notion of men cooking.
Moreover, Xie Xun was a prince.
The very thought of a prince cooking personally seemed utterly incongruous to Qin Fengmian.
Xie Xun coldly replied, "Set the table and go guard the door. Another word, and I'll cut out your tongue!"
Qin Fengmian did not doubt the sincerity of these words for a moment. He shrank his neck and hurried out.
When Jiang Xiaoxiao brought Yang Ershun back, they caught the aroma as soon as they entered the courtyard.
It was a familiar scent - the porridge cooked by Xie Xun himself.
Jiang Xiaoxiao's sense of smell was not as keen as Xie Xun's, but she was highly attuned to the food he prepared.
It was as if after tasting the first bowl of porridge he made, her brain had been imprinted, and she would only remember this taste from then on.
Having risen early and practiced for so long, she was indeed a little hungry.
Xie Xun was portioning out the porridge. Upon seeing her return, his usually aloof expression softened. "Hungry?" he asked.
"Hungry," Jiang Xiaoxiao replied, washing her hands and taking a seat at the table.
Yang Ershun sensibly went to join the Steward and his wife for their meal.
Only Xie Xun and Jiang Xiaoxiao remained in the room.
There were many dishes on the table, but Xie Xun was not concerned about leaving any unfinished. He moved the dishes Jiang Xiaoxiao loved closest to her.
After taking two sips of porridge, Jiang Xiaoxiao asked him, "Are we about to reach Yanjing City?"
Xie Xun nodded. "I estimate we'll arrive within a day or two."
Then he smiled at her. "Nervous?"
Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded slightly. "A bit."
Taking another sip of porridge, she continued, "I heard there are many rules in Yanjing City. I'm afraid that if I accidentally hurt someone, they'll cause trouble for you."
Xie Xun replied, "...When we're in Yanjing, try not to use your cleaver unless absolutely necessary."
"But what if someone bullies you?" Jiang Xiaoxiao asked with utmost sincerity. "Can't I at least cut them then?"
Xie Xun fell silent. Aside from her formidable cultivation, she seemed to have learned nothing of the virtues expected of a cultivator from the Heavenly Master's Mansion.
He had initially intended to say that if someone truly deserved severe punishment, she could cut them down, and he would handle the aftermath.
However, considering her innate violent tendencies, such advice would only lead her further astray.
"No," Xie Xun patiently explained. "There are rules to be followed in the mundane world. Hurting someone carries consequences like imprisonment."
"Oh," Jiang Xiaoxiao responded with a look of understanding. "Then I'll just beat them up instead!"
On the day their procession was about to enter Yanjing City, snow and sleet fell from the sky, making the outdoor temperature freezing.
Although Xie Xun knew Jiang Xiaoxiao was not bothered by the cold, he still provided her with a hand warmer to hold.
Suddenly, their carriage came to a halt on an official road.
Xie Xun pulled back the curtain. "What's the matter?"
Su Hai rode his horse over and reported truthfully, "Your Highness, a family's carriage has broken down ahead, blocking our path. It seems we'll be delayed for a while."
Xie Xun responded with a casual acknowledgment and slowly lowered the curtain.
At the same time, not far ahead...
The disabled carriage belonged to the King Ning's Mansion.
Princess Ye Chan of the King Ning's Mansion had accompanied her maternal aunt to visit a temple. On their return today, they encountered this unexpected incident.
With the bitter cold outside and the carriage unable to be repaired quickly, Ye Chan, her mother, and two maidservants were forced to disembark and wait by the roadside.
When Xie Xun pulled back the curtain, Ye Chan happened to glance in that direction.
With just one look, her heart rate raced uncontrollably.
As a princess, Ye Chan had attended many noble banquets and even palace events, so she was familiar with the distinguished scions of Yanjing City's elite families.
Yet not a single one could compare to the breathtaking beauty of the man behind that brocade curtain.
Even the crown prince, Murong Yuan, to whom she was betrothed, would pale in insignificance before this paragon of perfection.
To think that such an exquisitely flawless man truly existed in this world.
"Chan'er, what's wrong?" The Consort of King Ning asked, noticing her daughter's distraction.
"Nothing, nothing," Ye Chan responded hastily, averting her gaze.
By the time she thought to look again, that person had already lowered the brocade curtain.
Seeing her daughter lowering her head and twisting her handkerchief, the Consort of King Ning assumed she must have been chilled by the cold, and sternly urged the coachman to hurry.
Ye Chan glanced toward the other carriage and suddenly said, "Mother, it seems our carriage has blocked the way for those people behind us. Shouldn't we go and apologize?"
Earlier, someone had indeed come to inquire, but the Consort of King Ning's attention had been solely focused on their ill-fated carriage, leaving no room for other concerns.
At this moment, prompted by Ye Chan's reminder, she lifted her head and carefully examined the situation.
Immediately after, her expression changed severely.
Seeing the Consort of King Ning's reaction, Ye Chan also became tense, "Mother, what's wrong?"
