After being reborn, the aloof prime minister was once again forced by a tyrant.

Night Seven led his Shadow Guards far behind, each with a blank expression, but their cheeks were so taut they were almost cramping.

For the emperor to be chained to a white silk ribbon and paraded along the official road by his own prime minister is probably unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated.

But His Majesty was quite pleased with it, running until he was covered in sweat, and still grinning foolishly at Prime Minister Xie, just like a big dog that was on a leash and wagging its tail.

Xie Qinglan kept her word and actually kept him tied to her leash all the way.

During this time, Xiao Jingyuan racked his brains to beg for mercy, using every trick in the book—pretending to be unconscious, lame, and pitiful—but Xie Qinglan ignored him completely.

On the eighth day, he finally couldn't hold on any longer. His legs gave way and he collapsed, dragged three zhang (approximately 10 meters) on the ground by the white silk ribbon. Xie Qinglan was so frightened that he quickly reined in his horse.

"Xiao Jingyuan!"

Xie Qinglan dismounted and kicked him twice. Seeing that the man was still lying on the ground without moving, she quickly squatted down to check his breathing and touched his forehead. It was burning hot to the touch, and she was shocked to realize that the man had actually fallen ill at some point.

"You bastard, couldn't you say you had a fever?" Xie Qinglan was angry, but seeing his face flushed red from the fever, she finally softened and half-helped, half-dragged him to the shade of a tree by the roadside. She then sent Ye Qi on horseback to buy medicine.

Xiao Jingyuan was delirious with fever, but he still clung to Xie Qinglan's sleeve, muttering "Good Qinglan," "My darling Lanlan," "Have mercy."

Xie Qinglan was both annoyed and amused. She finally removed the neck ring, dipped a handkerchief in cool water, and wiped his face repeatedly.

Xiao Jingyuan's illness came on quickly and went away just as fast. He was in good health, and after taking two doses of medicine and sweating it out, he was back to his usual energetic self the next day.

Thanks to this illness, Xie Qinglan was spared punishment. Xiao Jingyuan was secretly pleased, thinking that the illness was worthwhile and that it was a blessing in disguise.

After another leisurely half a month, we finally arrived in Yingzhou—Xie Qinglan's hometown.

Southern Guizhou is mountainous, and the mountains are rainy.

After his family suffered a great upheaval in his youth, Xie Qinglan returned to his hometown several times alone. This time, however, he was revisiting the place with a person who was always by his side, and his state of mind was naturally completely different.

Having grown up in the biting winds of the north, this was the first time Xiao Jingyuan had seen the soft mountains and rivers of the south; even the foxtail grass by the roadside seemed novel to him.

During the day, Xiao Jingyuan led his horse and accompanied Xie Qinglan through the streets and alleys, deliberately choosing quiet old shops to visit.

Xie Qinglan loved browsing the local pharmacies and bookstores. Once inside, she would be unable to tear herself away, picking up a whole armful of Miao-style artifacts, balms, and herbs.

Xiao Jingyuan followed behind, taking out money and carrying a bag. Seeing him holding the perfume balm close to his nose, he leaned over and rubbed it against him in a cheeky manner: "Good Qinglan, let me smell it too."

Occasionally, when Xie Qinglan was in a good mood, she would apply a little perfume behind his ear, and then he would hold her waist and press her against the shop's partition, kissing her until she was breathless.

Xie Qinglan remembered the sweet osmanthus taro ball stall she loved most when she was a child, and led Xiao Jingyuan through a maze of turns to the alley entrance.

The stall was still the same, with a worn-out cloth awning. The stall owner was still the same white-haired old woman. When she saw Xie Qinglan, she smiled with her eyes narrowed: "Young Master Xie? It's been many years since I've seen you."

Xie Qinglan's expression softened slightly, and she nodded in response.

The old woman glanced at Xiao Jingyuan beside him and asked with a smile, "And this gentleman is?"

Before Xie Qinglan could speak, Xiao Jingyuan puffed out his chest, looking like he was saying, "Speak up, speak up!"

Xie Qinglan glanced at him, her lips curving into a very slight smile: "They're my family."

Xiao Jingyuan's breath hitched, and a burning heat suddenly surged in his heart. He wished he could pull the person into his arms right then and there.

The old woman exclaimed "Oh—" and her eyes crinkled with laughter: "Good, good, the young master has found a place to belong. If the old marquis is watching from heaven, he can rest in peace."

As she spoke, she turned around to serve the taro balls, wiped her hands on her apron, and deliberately scooped out a large spoonful of osmanthus honey.

Two people sat down at a low table. Two bowls of sweet taro balls were served. The glutinous white taro balls were soaked in amber-colored sugar water and sprinkled with fine golden osmanthus, giving off a sweet and fragrant aroma.

Xie Qinglan picked up the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and held it to Xiao Jingyuan's lips: "Try it."

Xiao Jingyuan opened his mouth and took it in, but his eyes were fixed on Xie Qinglan's face, feeling that this person was unusually gentle at this moment.

"Is it sweet?"

Xiao Jingyuan swallowed, then suddenly leaned forward and quickly pecked him on the lips, licking his mouth and smiling smugly: "Very sweet."

Xie Qinglan slammed the spoon against the rim of the bowl with a "clang" and scolded in a low voice, "Shameless, doing this in public."

"I'm kissing my own family, who does that bother?" Xiao Jingyuan said matter-of-factly, then leaned in again, "One more bite."

"Eat it yourself."

"You feed it sweeter."

"Xiao Jingyuan".

"exist."

"Have you no shame?"

"What's the point of having any shame? If you had any shame, would you be able to eat the sweet taro balls you feed me?"

Xie Qinglan was amused by his antics and shoved another spoonful into his mouth: "Eat your food, or I'll dump the bowl on your head if you keep nagging."

Xiao Jingyuan chewed contentedly, mumbling, "Qinglan loves me the most; she would never bear to put the bowl on my head."

Xie Qinglan ignored him and lowered her head to eat her own food. However, the osmanthus taro balls in her bowl seemed to be even sweeter than she remembered from her childhood.

Xiao Jingyuan loved spicy food, and he would eat sour fish soup, shredded pork belly, and beef noodles in turn, his mouth always glistening with oil. His mouth was never still; he would either lean over to steal a kiss on Xie Qinglan's cheek or bury his head in scooping noodles into his bowl.

After breakfast, Xie Qinglan often brewed tea and read books in the backyard of the inn. When he had free time, he would ask Xiao Jingyuan to accompany him to practice swordsmanship a couple of times. After resting in the afternoon, Xiao Jingyuan would always drag him to the mountain stream to fish. The two of them also traveled all over the nearby Miao and Dong villages, searching for many ancient health preservation remedies.

That day in the village, upon seeing the old shaman, Xiao Jingyuan approached him and asked earnestly, "Old sage, do you have a remedy for men to have children?"

Xie Qinglan's face darkened instantly, and without saying a word, she grabbed him by the back of his collar and dragged him outside.

"Hey, hey, take it easy!" Xiao Jingyuan stumbled as he was pulled. "Let me ask what's wrong! What if it really is!"

"If you keep talking nonsense," Xie Qinglan turned around and gave him a cold glance, "you'll be sleeping in the stable tonight."

Xiao Jingyuan immediately shut up.

As soon as night fell, the meekness that Xiao Jingyuan had put on during the day vanished completely. The two of them changed rooms at several inns along the way, and every bed suffered, creaking and nearly falling apart from their antics.

Xie Qinglan verbally cursed him for his debauchery, but he always managed to coax and trick her into bed, and then force her to drink a lot of things. This guy even had the audacity to say that "dragon essence strengthens the body and nourishes the complexion and preserves youth."

Xie Qinglan couldn't take it anymore, so she kicked him out the door. Xiao Jingyuan squatted outside the threshold, whining and acting pitiful for half the night, disturbing Xie Qinglan's peace. In the end, a basin of foot-washing water would be poured over his head, drenching him thoroughly, before he would droop his head and obediently go to the next room to sleep.

From late spring to early winter, these carefree, idyllic days passed in the blink of an eye, almost half a year gone by. What shattered this tranquility was an urgent secret letter that rushed from the capital.

That evening, the two went fishing by the river. Xiao Jingyuan was an impatient man; he would lift the fishing line up to check on it after casting it in less than half a cup of tea's time, stirring it up and making the river ripple with sunlight.

Xie Qinglan sat on the bluestone, his fishing rod leaning against the crevice of the stone. His plain clothes were bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, making him as still as a light ink landscape painting.

"Can you just shut up for a bit?" Xie Qinglan said lazily, her eyes closed. "You scared the fish away."

"That's because the fish in this river lack willpower." Xiao Jingyuan lifted the rod again; the bait had long been devoured, but the fish was nowhere to be seen. "Just like those old fogies in the imperial court, the slightest movement and they're all hooked—hey! Qinglan! She's taken the bait! She's taken the bait!"

He yanked the fishing rod hard, the line taut and splashing water everywhere. Xie Qinglan lifted her eyelids, glanced at it briefly, then slowly closed them again.

Xiao Jingyuan froze, then quickly reeled in the line, and sure enough, the hook was caught on a piece of dark, rotten wood.

"Damn it!" He scratched his head in frustration, then threw the fishing rod aside and scattered the whole bag of bait into the shallow water near the shore. "I'm not fishing anymore, I might as well just wade in and catch fish! I'm going to grill a fish for you today, no matter what."

He had just rolled up his sleeves, ready to wade in the water, when he saw a plump carp slowly swimming over to eat. Xiao Jingyuan's eyes lit up, and he was about to make a move when he suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves behind him, shattering the tranquility of the riverbank. The fish flicked its tail and disappeared in an instant.

Xiao Jingyuan was so angry he almost jumped up and down. He turned around to yell, but a fast horse galloped along the riverbank and arrived in the blink of an eye. The shadow guard dismounted and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty! A secret letter from the Princess, delivered with utmost urgency!"

Xiao Jingyuan's face immediately darkened: "Didn't I give orders that you are not allowed to come looking for me unless it is an extremely important matter?"

The shadow guard bowed and presented the letter with both hands. Xiao Jingyuan opened the letter and quickly scanned it in the twilight, his face turning pale and then flushed, which was quite strange.

Seeing him standing there motionless, Xie Qinglan put away her fishing rod and went over: "What's wrong?"

Xiao Jingyuan's lips twitched repeatedly as he shoved the letter into his hand: "That coward Xiao Jingchen has rolled back from the Northern Barbarians, saying he's caused a catastrophe and is hiding in the Princess's mansion, too afraid to show his face. He won't say anything no matter what we ask, so he wants us to hurry back and save the day."

Xie Qinglan unfolded the letter, glanced at it, folded it, and tucked it into her sleeve. She then pressed her fingertips to her brow and said, "Then let's set off back to the capital."

Xiao Jingyuan's eyes widened, his face full of reluctance: "Going back already? We agreed to stay for another half a month! We haven't seen the sunrise at Phoenix Mountain yet, we haven't eaten the sour fish soup in Lixi, and those Miao brocades you liked last time, I was planning to make new clothes for you and put them on the couch—"

"Nonsense." Xie Qinglan interrupted him. "We've been away from the capital for almost half a year, and the burden of state affairs is already entirely on the shoulders of the Eldest Princess. Now we have to be distracted by Jingchen's matter. Besides, it was you and I who devised the plan to send Jingchen to the Northern Barbarians. If something really happens to him, you and I will be held responsible."

Xiao Jingyuan pouted, looking aggrieved: "Fine, I'll go back. But if I find out that this kid is making a mountain out of a molehill again, I'll break his legs."

Xie Qinglan ignored his tantrum and said calmly, "Go back and pack your bags. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."

Xiao Jingyuan squatted there, poking at the mud angrily for a while, but eventually hung his head and followed him back to the inn.

The next day, before dawn, the two set off back to Beijing.

On their way there, they traveled leisurely, stopping frequently, and it took them nearly a month to reach Qiannan. On the return journey, however, they traveled swiftly, with only two light carriages and a dozen or so mounted guards accompanying them. They traveled day and night and entered the capital region in just ten days.

Xie Qinglan's joints ached from the daily jolting in the carriage, but Xiao Jingyuan would always come over and touch her, saying, "You're tired from the journey, let me massage you to improve your blood circulation and relieve the bruising."

Xie Qinglan initially scolded him for being indecent, but later she was so tired that she didn't even bother to open her mouth, letting him massage her shoulders and legs. Occasionally, when the massage reached a comfortable spot, she would unconsciously let out a few soft hums.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyuan became even more attentive, his touch perfectly controlled, but he couldn't help but smirk, "Qinglan, your moans sound just like they do in bed."

Xie Qinglan didn't even open her eyes before kicking him: "Get down."

"Where can I roll around in the car?" Xiao Jingyuan tilted his head to the side, resting it steadily on his lap, and looked up at him with a roguish smile. "If I'm going to roll around, I can only roll into your arms."

Xie Qinglan looked down at him and saw that his hair was all messed up. Suddenly, she smiled and said, "We're almost in the capital. Change into your everyday clothes. If you're dressed like this in coarse cloth, when you meet the Princess, she'll think His Majesty has become a bandit in Qiannan."

"I won't change." Xiao Jingyuan rubbed against his waist and abdomen playfully. "You have to put it on for me. If you don't put it on for me, I won't change."

Xie Qinglan flicked his forehead with her finger and scolded him in a low voice, "You're so unprofessional."

She said that, but her hands had already picked up the casual clothes folded to the side and bent down to help him change.

The carriage stopped directly outside the back gate of the Princess's residence.

Xiao Zhaoyue had already received the news and came out to greet them personally. Upon seeing the two, she said, "You're finally back. Come with me quickly. That boy is hiding in the backyard. He hasn't stepped out of his room since he returned half a month ago."

Xie Qinglan nodded slightly and asked in a low voice, "Did the Princess find out anything?"

Xiao Zhaoyue sighed and led the two inside: "He only said that he caused trouble in the Northern Di and was afraid that people would come to settle accounts with him, so he refused to return to the Prince Rui's mansion even if it meant death. I asked him countless times, but I couldn't get a single word out of him. He insisted on waiting for you to come back, saying that only you could protect him."

Xiao Jingyuan's face darkened: "What serious trouble could he have caused? Murder or arson?"

"Who knows?" Xiao Zhaoyue shook her head. "Her mouth is as tight as a clam shell."

They had arrived at the backyard as they were talking. The main house door was tightly closed, and it was quiet inside.

Without knocking, Xiao Jingyuan kicked the door open. With a loud bang, the door slammed against the wall, and the smell of alcohol mixed with mildew wafted out of the room.

Xiao Jingchen huddled in the corner of the bed, his head covered by the blanket, only a few strands of his messy hair showing. Hearing the noise, he pulled the blanket over his head even tighter and roared in a gruff voice, "Who is it! How dare they kick down my door! Are you tired of living?! Get out!"

Xiao Jingyuan sneered, strode to the bedside, and abruptly pulled back the covers.

"Ouch—!" Xiao Jingchen screamed and jumped up. Upon seeing who it was, he froze instantly, then scrambled to the corner of the bed as if he'd seen a ghost, grabbing a pillow to shield himself. He stammered, "Fourth...Fourth Brother?! Don't...don't hit me! I...I didn't know it was you!"

Xiao Jingyuan stood by the bed with his arms crossed, looking down at him with a icy tone: "Stop pretending. Tell me, what trouble have you gotten yourself into that made me call you back from Qiannan? What kind of good deeds have you been up to in the Northern Barbarians?"

Xiao Jingchen's eyes darted around, and after stammering for a while, he suddenly closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and roared out in a desperate, reckless manner:

"Fourth Brother! I'm finished! I'm completely finished! I slept with Yu Shu!"