His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked up at Mo Sangyu.

Immediately, an uproar erupted.

"Your Highness, how can this be?"

One of the Grand Councilors stepped forward to object: "Throughout history, there has never been a precedent for an Empress to personally travel to another country, let alone escort the body of a foreign envoy. Such an undertaking is so sordid and dangerous that it is far too beneath her dignity and would damage the Empress's prestige!"

Others echoed this sentiment and offered their advice to dissuade him.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! You are of inestimable worth, how could you..."

"If there's no precedent, then let's create one."

Mo Sangyu interrupted them, completely disregarding worldly rules: "I'm going on this trip to take the opportunity to find out what's behind it all and see what exactly is going on with the curse of Qingyue Kingdom."

Feng Xingyu didn't speak, but just stared at her with a slightly resentful look in his eyes.

Although he didn't say it outright, his eyes clearly showed his displeasure.

Because these days are the autumn imperial examinations, he certainly cannot leave.

Mo Sangyu turned to meet his gaze, somewhat amused: "What are you looking at?"

"..."

"With my soul's location tracking, you can find me anytime, anywhere. It'll only take a moment, so what's there to worry about?"

Feng Xingyu thought about it and agreed.

"Alright then, I agree to let you go. However, Lord Yu and General Lu will go together, and a maid will also accompany you."

"Need not."

Mo Sangyu declined: "Just bring Lord Yu; he'll handle the negotiations, and I'll take care of the rest..."

"Your Majesty, let me go with you."

Lu Jin spoke up again, volunteering to take on the task.

The main reason was that he didn't want to stay, as he was always being dragged along by Yuan Zhao and Han Xiao to travel with the Princess of Cangwu and the others.

Since he's superfluous, he might as well accompany the Empress on her mission to Qingyue; he could broaden his horizons that way.

"Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty, may you grant me permission?"

"Alright."

Seeing his persistence, Mo Sangyu nodded in agreement: "Then General Lu will go together."

And that was the end of it.

The next morning, before dawn, the group gathered outside the city gate.

A super luxurious carriage, its body made of fine sandalwood, carved with intricate cloud patterns, its curtains made of moon-white brocade, with tassels hanging from the four corners, swaying gently in the morning breeze.

The two horses pulling the cart were jet black with glossy manes, clearly top-quality steeds.

Lu Jin and Yu Chengwei each rode a horse, walking in front.

Following behind was a cart carrying an ice coffin, its lid covered with a thin layer of white frost, gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Four imperial guards rode on horseback to protect both sides of the cart.

Mo Sangyu changed into a neat and tidy outfit, warm white, with the cuffs tightly tied. Her silver hair was held back only by a white jade hairpin, and her whole demeanor exuded a cool and aloof yet relaxed and languid air.

Feng Xingyu walked beside her, wearing a black dragon robe. His steps were steady, and his face was expressionless, but anyone could tell that he was unhappy.

Gu Jinzhi and Wen Zhixia also arrived.

Yan Qing, Yuan Zhao, and Han Xiao stood to the side, their faces showing a hint of regret.

Not being able to go out with the Empress was simply... a mistake.

Luo Ming stood at the back of the crowd, holding a medical book.

Mo Sangyu walked to the carriage and, seeing Luo Ming, casually asked, "How are things going between you and Princess Cangwu?"

Luo Ming was stunned for a moment, and his ears turned slightly red.

He said nonchalantly, "It's fine as it is."

Upon seeing this, Mo Sangyu's thin lips curled slightly.

It seems there has been some progress.

Luo Ming felt a little awkward from her laughter, so he lowered his head and pretended to flip through a medical book, holding the book upside down.

Mo Sangyu withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Feng Xingyu.

Feng Xingyu stood in front of her, silently looking at her.

Mo Sangyu reached out and straightened his collar, the movement so natural, as if she had done it a thousand times: "Let's go."

"Then... be careful on the road."

Feng Xingyu took her hand and squeezed it gently: "I'll come find you as soon as I'm done with my work."

"it is good."

Mo Sangyu nodded, turned around, and got into the carriage.

They left without looking back.

She was still that heartless woman.

Feng Xingyu glanced at his empty hands and saw the carriage gradually disappearing into the distance. He felt an urge to teleport and catch up immediately.

"His Majesty."

Beside him, Gu Jinzhi's voice broke his impulsiveness: "Let's go. There's a pile of documents from the provinces yesterday that haven't been processed. These all need His Majesty's personal review."

Feng Xingyu turned his head and gave him a cool look.

She glanced at Wen Zhixia again.

They're a perfect couple, though.

It's an eyesore.

Then, he turned and strode away.

Gu Jinzhi was puzzled by the look, and Wen Zhixia shook her head with amusement: "The Empress just left, and His Majesty is in a bad mood. It's best if you say less at this time."

"..."

The Empress already said that he can teleport and has a soul contract, so he can find the Empress's location at any time. What's the difference between this and the Empress being in the palace?

Gu Jinzhi was speechless.

"Old Gu, you and Lord Wen are always together, how often is the Empress in the palace? So you don't understand His Majesty's worries and anxieties. He can only follow the Empress around."

When it comes to other people's affairs, Luo Ming's mind is exceptionally clear.

"To put it bluntly, it's because His Majesty lacks a sense of security. Although the Empress is good to His Majesty, she lives too freely, and whatever the Empress wants to do, His Majesty..."

Luo Ming said earnestly, "There is no right to veto."

"..."

Wen Zhixia: "Dr. Luo, are you really that bold? Doesn't His Majesty have any dignity?"

"What's there to be afraid of? I'm just telling the truth."

Luo Ming didn't seem to care much: "Besides, His Majesty isn't here."

"I think you're the one who doesn't understand."

Gu Jinzhi put his arm around Wen Zhixia's shoulder and nodded slightly at Luo Ming: "You bachelor, you talk a good game. Let me tell you, that's called respect. I'm the same way. In our family, Zhixia is the one who makes the decisions."

That's what I meant.

Wen Zhixia did not deny it.

Despite Gu Jinzhi's decisive and uncompromising nature in court, at home, he is indeed someone who consults and discusses matters big and small with her.

He would fully support whatever decisions she made, and even if they occasionally disagreed, he would always compromise in the end.

Tsk.

Luo Ming was devastated.

Jiang Shiyu inexplicably came to mind.

This woman was a bit of a nuisance, but she did help him a lot. If only...

Well, he still needs to continue improving his medical skills, and the medical school is also being prepared. He'll have a lot to do later.

These things were not within his consideration.

"Fine, you two continue being lovey-dovey, I'm leaving."

Luo Ming hugged the medical book tightly, turned around and left.

He took a couple of steps, then stopped and turned back to Wen Zhixia: "By the way, when will the Ministry of Revenue allocate the funds for the medical school?"

Gu Jinzhi looked at him: "What's the rush?"

"I'm in a hurry to pay off my debts."

As long as the funding doesn't come through, he'll still owe Jiang Shiyu money, and he always feels uncomfortable when they're together.

"OK."

Wen Zhixia replied, "Don't worry, Dr. Luo, the Ministry of Revenue's funds are already in the process. I'll take some time to go and check on it myself, and I'll try to get it approved for you in the next couple of days."

Luo Ming's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Lord Wen."

"This is a good thing that benefits the country and its people. Dr. Luo, you are too kind."

Luo Ming left, and Wen Zhixia and Gu Jinzhi also got into the carriage and went back.

On the other side, on the official road.

The carriage traveled at a steady pace on the highway within the territory of Dachen, without any bumps or jolting, and the gentle swaying was quite comfortable.

The car windows were wide open, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

The road is lined with trees, whose shade blocks out most of the sun.

In the distance are rolling green hills, the clouds and mist still lingering, and the rooftops of a few houses are faintly visible, with wisps of smoke rising slowly into the sky.

Mo Sangyu lay reclining on the soft couch in the carriage, her silver hair scattered around the pillow, one hand behind her head and the other on her knee, her eyes gently closed, her breathing even.

The carriage curtain swayed gently in the wind, and sunlight streamed through the gaps, casting dappled shadows on her face.

She seemed to be asleep, or perhaps not.

Lu Jin rode his horse alongside the carriage, occasionally glancing at the carriage window before looking away.

Yu Chengwei walked ahead, his back ramrod straight, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

Four imperial guards stood on either side of the cart, none of them speaking. The only sounds were the hoofbeats and the wheels rolling over the road, one after another, slowly and deliberately.

The first day went extremely smoothly.

Because someone had cleared the way in advance, there were no strangers along the way, making it safe and peaceful.

As evening approached and the sun set, the sky was tinged with an orange-red glow.

Lu Jin reined in his horse, glanced back at the carriage, looked around, and chose a scenic spot to stop.

Beside it was a clear stream, its waters gurgling, and the pebbles at the bottom of the stream shimmered with a warm light in the evening glow.

The streamside was a flat meadow, perfect for setting up camp.

Lu Jin dismounted and walked to the carriage, saying in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you've been riding in the carriage all day. Get down and walk around to stretch your muscles."

The carriage curtain was lifted slightly, and Mo Sangyu peeked out, glanced around, and nodded.

She got off the carriage, walked across the soft grass to the stream, squatted down, and splashed the cool water with her hand, feeling the freshness of the air.

Lu Jin and Yu Chengwei got busy.

Yu Chengwei took out pots, pans, and bowls from the box behind the carriage, washed them by the stream, and set up a small stove.

Lu Jin untied a cloth bag from his horse, which contained rice, cured meat, dried food, and some seasonal vegetables.

He squatted by the stream, washing rice and vegetables with practiced ease; he looked more like a cook than a general.

The four imperial guards were not idle either. Two of them went to collect firewood, and the other two inspected the ice coffin on the cart. After confirming that it was intact, they stepped aside and sat down to rest against the tree trunk.

Mo Sangyu stood by the stream for a while, then turned around, walked back, and sat down on the grass.

Watching Lu Jin busy himself, she asked curiously, "General Lu, you can cook?"

Lu Jin didn't even look up: "I learned a little bit when I was in Youdu City."

Yu Chengwei chuckled to himself, "General Lu's cooking skills are far superior to mine. At home, I always get to eat whatever's served to me."

Mo Sangyu curled her lips slightly but remained silent.

She leaned against the tree trunk, watching the sunset gradually fade away, listening to the babbling of the stream and the sound of a spatula stirring in a pan, and suddenly felt that this kind of life was quite interesting.

As the sun set behind the mountains, the sky gradually darkened.

Lu Jin brought out the food: steaming hot rice, a plate of stir-fried cured pork with greens, a dish of cucumber salad, and a pot of wild vegetable soup.

"Your Majesty, please make do with this while you're traveling."

Mo Sangyu took the bowl, took a bite, and nodded: "It tastes good."

"I'm glad Your Majesty doesn't mind." Lu Jin felt a little embarrassed.

He hadn't cooked in a long time either.

It was his honor to be able to serve the Empress his cooking.

"General Lu is too modest. To be able to eat a hot meal in these mountains is like living the life of a god."

Yu Chengwei ate heartily, giving him a thumbs up: "Moreover, it tastes even better than what my cook makes."

Beside them, four imperial guards were wolfing down their food, praising it as well.

Lu Jin's eyes crinkled with a smile as he listened.

It's just two simple dishes, is it really necessary to make such a fuss?

After the meal, the four imperial guards rushed to clear the dishes, and Yu Chengwei, without any airs of authority, helped them as well.

After all, here, the Empress is the most powerful.

As the Minister of Rites, he needs to perform well.

If he encounters any danger later, his life will depend on the protection of the Empress and General Lu.

After finishing his meal, Mo Sangyu walked around and scanned the surrounding area for dozens of miles with his spiritual sense. After confirming that there was no danger, he instructed Lu Jin to rest here for the night and continue their journey early the next morning.

There's no need to rush this mission.

Take it slow and let the bullets fly for a while.

After Lu Jin and the others finished setting up the tent, Yu Chengwei stirred the fire, added a few more pieces of firewood, and the flames flickered, casting a warm yellow glow all around.

The four imperial guards had already lay down, using their saddles as pillows and their outer robes as covers, and soon began to snore.

Yu Chengwei also crawled into the tent, drew the curtain, and soon fell silent.

Mo Sangyu casually set up a barrier.

A pale blue light emanated from her palm, like a thin mist, enveloping the entire campsite.

The barrier silently blended into the night, making it impossible for outsiders to see or enter.

She looked at Lu Jin, who was preparing to inspect the area, and instructed him, "General Lu, there's no need to keep watch tonight. You can go to sleep peacefully."

"Yes."

Lu Jin believed Mo Sangyu's words without a doubt and immediately returned to his tent.

The Empress said there was no need to keep watch at night, so there is no need to keep watch.

After giving his instructions, Mo Sangyu turned around and returned to the carriage. He lifted the curtain, bent down, and climbed inside.

The chaise lounge was spacious enough, covered with a thick velvet blanket, and had a soft pillow on it.

She took off her outer robe, casually draped it aside, and lay down.

The carriage swayed slightly, then stabilized.

The wheels stopped turning, and the car body, like a small house, sat quietly in the night.

She closed her eyes, listening to the chirping of insects and the babbling of the stream outside, and felt drowsiness gradually creeping over her.

In a half-asleep state, she felt herself being gently lifted up.

Very gentle, very careful, as if holding something fragile.

My body was suspended in the air for a moment, then fell into a warm and familiar embrace.

The scent of pine enveloped her, warm and comforting.

She tried to open her eyes groggily, but her eyelids were too heavy to lift.

Feng Xingyu rested his chin on the top of her head and sighed softly.

"A heartless woman."

His voice was low, tinged with a hint of helplessness and a touch of indulgence: "You can sleep so soundly even without me by your side."

Why can't he do it?

He couldn't sleep well at all without Ayu by his side.

Mo Sangyu vaguely heard Feng Xingyu's voice, turned over in his arms, buried her face in his chest, and fell into a deeper sleep.

Feng Xingyu looked down at her, at her unguarded face, at the slightly upturned corners of her lips, and his heart softened completely.

He knew, of course, that she was completely unguarded around him, initially because of their soul contract.

Because of the soul contract, he couldn't hurt her or harm her. She was certain of this, which was why she dared to sleep so soundly beside him.

But now, it's probably not just because of the Soul Contract anymore.

Feng Xingyu was very happy.

He lowered his head, gently nuzzled her ear, pressed his thin lips against her slightly cool earlobe, and gently bit it.

"Ayu."

He whispered in her ear, his voice tinged with a gentle smile, "Why have you been acting like a lazy cat lately, hmm?"