Inside the government office.
Zhang Yuge, the newly appointed magistrate of Yunzhou, was diligently reviewing documents in his study when the light suddenly dimmed. He looked up to find Prince An standing before him.
He hurriedly stood and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"No need for formalities," Li Shuchen said coolly, handing him a ledger.
Zhang Yuge took it and glanced at it. Good heavens! It was filled with densely packed numbers.
He stammered, "Your Highness... my salary hasn't been paid yet."
Li Shuchen gave him a calm look. "I'm not asking you to pay. I want you to ask the Emperor to pay."
"This is the total account of manpower and resources expended daily during the Yunzhou plague. You should find it useful when writing your memorial to the throne."
"The resolution of the Yunzhou epidemic was largely thanks to the imperial physician sent by the Emperor, as well as the medical text contributed by Qi Huan."
"Without her family's medical book, the remedy couldn't have been developed so quickly. More people in Yunzhou would have died, and more money would have been spent. You need to write this account in detail, fully informing the Emperor."
"Do you understand?"
"I understand," Zhang Yuge nodded vigorously.
While glancing at Li Shuchen's expression, he cautiously inquired, "Does Your Highness mean for me to emphasize the monetary aspect, using it as an entry point to praise Miss Qi's contributions?"
Li Shuchen slowly curled his lips. "This isn't my opinion. It's a fact."
His Qi Huan had worked behind the scenes, donating water, food, masks, alcohol, and thermometers for the disaster victims. She had stayed up late with him copying medical texts, providing experience to the imperial physicians, helping Yunzhou overcome the plague as quickly as possible.
She deserved to be rewarded.
However, the current Emperor cared little for the life and death of commoners or the stability of local regions. Approaching from these angles wouldn't catch the Emperor's attention.
At this thought, Li Shuchen glanced at the ledger in Zhang Yuge's hand, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
Only money could catch the Emperor's attention. So they would approach from a financial angle to seek credit for Qi Huan.
At the same time, he had used the Song family's name to approach the Emperor through Eunuch Feng, the Emperor's close attendant. When the Emperor saw the memorial, Eunuch Feng would do his utmost to secure a County Lady title for Qi Huan.
The Emperor was foolish and addicted to selling official positions and noble titles. Although not easy, it wouldn't be too difficult to obtain a County Lady title without land from him, as long as sufficient benefits were provided.
There was still a year left in Qi Huan's mourning period. Before she could become the Princess Consort of An, he needed to find a way to give her a sufficiently high status to prevent the snobbish people in the capital from bullying her.
Li Shuchen clasped his hands behind his back and repeatedly instructed Zhang Yuge, "After you've written it carefully, show it to me first before submitting it."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Having finished his instructions, Li Shuchen strode quickly back to his quarters, wanting to spend as much time as possible with Qi Huan before their parting.
"Qi Huan, the plague has been eliminated, and Commissioner Li Yuanxiu will handle the drought situation. We should prepare to return to the capital."
"Will we have to travel separately again?"
Qi Huan gazed at him longingly, hoping to hear a negative answer, but she knew that separation loomed once more.
Eunuch Luo and others would be traveling with Li Shuchen, so it wouldn't be appropriate for her to accompany them. Even if she could hide in her spatial ability, issues like bathing and using the toilet would be problematic.
She hugged Li Shuchen, resting against his chest, and asked softly, "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow."
"So soon," Qi Huan pouted.
Then she heard Li Shuchen say, "Tonight, I'll escort you back to the Yunying Caravan. Then I'll have Yan Qing and Yan Jiu escort you. You'll meet up with Xu Nanny and the others in Meizhou before entering the capital together."
"Alright."
Qi Huan agreed sensibly, quietly embracing him, savoring their last intimate moments before parting.
Gentle kisses fell on her brow and eyes, then lightly pecked her nose tip, before carefully tracing her rosy lips...
............
She suddenly remembered: "Do you recall what you said a few days ago?"
In the dim night, Li Shuchen's eyes shone brightly as he gazed at her intently, lifting her into his arms.
From midday until dusk fell.
The room gradually returned to tranquility.
Qi Huan lay in Li Shuchen's arms, eyes half-closed, contentedly enjoying his waist massage.
As her fatigue eased, drowsiness slowly crept in.
When she awoke again, the sky had completely darkened, and Li Shuchen was gazing at her with deep, dark eyes.
Qi Huan pushed him gently. "Li Shu, it's already dark. You should take me back to the caravan."
"Wait a little longer."
Suddenly, Qi Huan's stomach growled loudly, singing the song of an empty city.
She gave Li Shuchen a smug little look and wheedled, "Li Shu, I'm hungry."
Li Shuchen helped her put on her shoes and socks, then carried her to the dining hall.
After she had eaten and drunk her fill, bathed, and changed clothes, Li Shuchen began to eat his late-night meal.
As the third watch of the night sounded in the distance, Qi Huan, her voice slightly hoarse, looked at Li Shuchen with puffed cheeks. "I want to go back."
Suddenly, her cheek was poked, and her puffed-up face deflated.
Li Shuchen gently kissed her forehead and helped her dress and do her hair.
Finally, he patted the back of her head. "Qi Huan, go into your space. I'll take you back."
"Alright..."
Qi Huan entered her spatial ability, lounging in a reclined chair. She casually pulled out a nearby diary and wrote: "The 16th year of the Longshun Era, October 17th, Li Shu fulfilled his promise."
The view from the mountain was uniquely beautiful.
She rubbed her flushed cheeks, but when she suddenly remembered their impending separation tomorrow, a hint of loneliness tinged her eyes.
Soon, Li Shuchen's voice called her from outside the space.
She returned to the backyard of the Yunying Caravan.
Li Shuchen carried her to the bed, removed her shoes and socks, and covered her with a thin blanket. "Sleep now."
Qi Huan looked up into his doting eyes, hooked her arms around his neck to pull him closer, and kissed him of her own accord.
"Li Shu, have a safe journey."
"Mm."
Li Shuchen lifted her into his arms and placed her on the bed, then said, "I'll leave after you fall asleep."
"There's no need. You should go back early and rest. You have a long journey tomorrow."
Li Shuchen didn't reply. His hand slowly patted her back until she closed her eyes and entered dreamland. Only then did he carefully rise, gently kiss her forehead, and quietly leave the room.
