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

The wind of the Gobi Desert, carrying fine sand, lashed against Xie Qinglan's face. After running for a long time, Xie Qinglan gradually slowed down his horse.

Xiao Jingyuan caught up and rode alongside him, turning his head to look at his profile. The night wind made his eyes redden, and his pale face had a rare touch of liveliness, making him seem more human than his usual aloof appearance.

"Why are you out here in the wind instead of sitting in a perfectly good car?" Xiao Jingyuan looked innocent, as if he really didn't understand why he was angry.

Xie Qinglan said expressionlessly, "The carriage is too slow. We'll get back to the capital on horseback faster."

It wasn't that he was slow; he was afraid that if he sat any longer, he would lose control and be completely overwhelmed by this man's provocations.

Xiao Jingyuan smiled and stopped bothering him, instead riding alongside him.

As night faded, the east began to lighten, and the rising sun climbed up the horizon, painting half the sky red.

Seeing that he was unusually well-behaved, Xie Qinglan glanced at him sideways, said nothing, and raised her hand to tidy her hair that had been ruffled by the wind.

The morning sun shone on his profile, giving his pale skin a soft, velvety glow, even the stray hairs at his temples were tinged with gold. As Xiao Jingyuan gazed at him, his heart warmed, and he wanted to lean in and kiss him again.

"If you continue this nonsense, I will take my leave." Xie Qinglan seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke calmly without even raising his eyes.

Xiao Jingyuan had no choice but to give up and obediently spurred his horse forward.

As the sun rose higher, the two slowed their horses and rode side by side. Beside the road stretched a vast grassland, where occasionally herders could be seen driving their cattle and sheep past, their long, drawn-out pastoral songs carried on the wind and scattered across the open fields.

We passed through a reopened border town along the way, which was bustling with activity and very lively.

Xie Qinglan reined in her horse, gazing at the bustling market below, a faint warmth flickering in her eyes.

"Shall we go for a walk?" Xiao Jingyuan asked.

"it is good."

The two dismounted and walked slowly into the market.

Goods from both the north and south lined the long street. The north sold tea, silk, and celadon, while the west sold furs, dairy products, and scimitars. Stalls stood side by side, and shouts of vendors rose and fell.

The people coming and going included people from the Northern Shuo region and people from the Western Rong region. They spoke different languages, but they got along very well.

Herdsmen held out furs to exchange for tea, gesturing with their hands with smiles to indicate the price; merchants held out silks to women, introducing the patterns and colors in gentle tones—a scene of harmonious joy.

Passing by a stall selling milk tofu, the stall owner, an elderly woman from the Western Rong region, saw that the two were well-dressed and greeted them with a smile in broken Northern Shuo dialect: "Young master, would you like to try some? It's freshly made and very sweet."

Xie Qinglan picked up a piece and tasted it. It was rich in milk flavor and sweet but not cloying.

"Grandma, how's business lately?" he asked casually.

"Excellent! Excellent indeed!" The old woman's face beamed with joy, smoothing out all her wrinkles. "Before, when the various tribes were at war, they were constantly collecting grain and conscripting soldiers. All the men were sent to the battlefield, leaving only the elderly, women, and children at home. Life was unbearably hard. Now that we've returned to the Northern Frontier, there's no more fighting, and they've even said they'll be exempt from taxes for three years. With the border markets open, our furs will fetch good prices, and tea and salt will be cheap. Life is more than ten times better than before!"

She pointed to a notice board not far away: "Look, the imperial court has even sent people to teach us how to grow crops, saying that we won't have to rely solely on herding anymore, and we won't be afraid of snow disasters in winter."

As Xie Qinglan listened, a very faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

The appeasement plan he had previously set out had already taken effect in just three months. Xiao Zhaoyue was indeed talented in managing trade and had revitalized the border market beyond expectations.

My heart felt completely filled with something, warm and comforting.

After serving as a powerful minister for so many years, having calculated people's hearts and plotted to seize power, what he ultimately wanted to see was nothing more than the smoke rising from chimneys, people living in peace, and a world free from war.

Xiao Jingyuan stood beside him, looking at the smile in his eyes, and his own lips curved into a smile. He quietly reached out and took Xie Qinglan's hand, which was hanging by his side.

Xie Qinglan tried to pull away but couldn't, so he held her hand. The two walked side by side through the bustling market, like ordinary tourists on a trip, passing one stall after another.

Passing by a stall selling silver jewelry, Xiao Jingyuan picked up a silver hairpin with a begonia blossom design and handed it to Xie Qinglan: "This is pretty, it suits you."

"Nonsense." Xie Qinglan's ears turned slightly red. "What kind of man wears a flower hairpin?"

"It will look good on you." Xiao Jingyuan paid without further ado and stuffed the silver hairpin into his hand. "I will style your hair when we return to the capital."

Xie Qinglan held the slightly cool silver hairpin, recalling how this person had once carved a jade hairpin for him in his previous life.

Old memories surfaced, and my heart softened completely.

As evening approached, the two found a roadside inn to stay in. The inn was small but clean and tidy. The innkeeper brought them hot soup and mutton noodles. The soup was rich and flavorful, and the food warmed them up from head to toe.

After resting at night, Xiao Jingyuan clung to him again, holding him tightly and refusing to let go. He pulled off his undergarment and buried his face in his chest, while also rubbing against his legs and pleading pitifully.

Xie Qinglan thought of the suffering this person had endured after falling off the cliff, and her heart softened, so she let him make a fuss. However, this person really had no self-control, and several times in a row, he rubbed his inner thighs until they were burning.

After traveling for more than ten days, they went from the Gobi Desert to the grasslands, and from the grasslands into the interior of China.

The further east you go, the denser the population becomes, and the more beautiful the scenery. The willows along the roadside are lush and verdant, casting deep shade along the way, while the wheat seedlings in the fields are deep green and lush, creating a scene of peace and tranquility.

The day I arrived in Beijing was in the afternoon. The summer sun was high in the sky, bathing the entire Zhuque Gate in a golden sunlight.

Xiao Jingyuan and Xie Qinglan rode side by side at the head of the procession, followed by three thousand iron cavalrymen in full armor, their swords and spears gleaming in the sunlight, their cold light blending together, their military bearing impeccable.

The city gates were wide open, and banners fluttered in the wind.

People lined the streets, stretching from the city gate tower all the way to the end of Zhuque Street.

Upon hearing that His Majesty and the Prime Minister had pacified the Western Rong and were returning to the capital, the people of the capital had been waiting for a long time, holding incense and flowers and holding colorful flags, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Your Majesty! Thank you, Prime Minister!"

Someone shouted first, and then cheers swept over us like a tidal wave.

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your continued good health!"

Xiao Jingyuan reined in his horse and raised his hand to greet the people. Xie Qinglan also nodded slightly, his expression serene.

The two men rode side by side through the crowd, one imposing and dignified, the other gentle and refined. The people watched with growing excitement, their cheers rising in waves.

Upon reaching the palace gate, Xiao Jingchen was already waiting there with his officials. He stood on tiptoe and peered for a long time. When he saw Xiao Jingyuan's figure, his eyes instantly turned red. Before the horse had even come to a complete stop, he rushed over.

"Fourth Brother!" He grabbed Xiao Jingyuan's arm, tears streaming down his face. "I knew you were alright! I went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pray every day, and the Bodhisattva really did respond!"

Xiao Jingyuan frowned. He didn't recognize the man; Xie Qinglan had only shown him the register of imperial relatives on the way, so he knew he was Prince Rui, Xiao Jingchen, who had previously served as acting regent.

He dismounted, expressionlessly pried the man's hands away, and said coldly, "How old are you? What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing like this?"

"I'm just so happy!" Xiao Jingchen wiped away his tears, then turned to Xie Qinglan, quickly walked over, and reached out to hold his hand. "Prime Minister Xie! It's all thanks to you! These past few days, the capital has been held together by you. Without you, I really don't know what I would have done..."

Before his hand could even touch Xie Qinglan's sleeve, Xiao Jingyuan yanked it away.

"Who gave you permission to touch him?" Xiao Jingyuan shielded Xie Qinglan behind him, his face grim. "Where do you put your hands?"

"Fourth Brother!" Xiao Jingchen said, looking aggrieved. "I was just thanking Prime Minister Xie!"

Xie Qinglan stepped out from behind Xiao Jingyuan and nodded slightly to Xiao Jingchen: "Your Highness is too kind."

"Minister Xie, I'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to explain to you yet." Xiao Jingchen scratched his head, looking guilty. "I was stupid before, I was instigated by that guy Xiao Jingheng, and I even advised you to go to Fourth Brother, which almost ruined everything. Thank you for still believing me and not treating me as an accomplice..."

His voice trailed off, and his head drooped: "He said he saw you were upset, knew you wanted to go see Fourth Brother, but were worried about the court, so he thought I'd keep watch for you for a few days so you could go in peace. I really didn't know he was planning to usurp the throne..."

"It's alright," Xie Qinglan said gently. "Your Highness need not blame yourself. I knew from the beginning that you had nothing to do with this."

Xiao Jingchen was stunned: "Huh?"

Xie Qinglan's lips curved almost imperceptibly: "Your Highness seems to be... pure of heart, not someone who could hide a rebellious heart."

Xiao Jingchen opened his mouth, feeling that something was off about what he was saying, but seeing Xie Qinglan's comforting expression, he nodded blankly and chuckled awkwardly, "Hehe, I'm embarrassed by what you're saying, Prime Minister Xie."

Xiao Jingyuan interrupted impatiently, "Alright, stop talking so much."

He took Xie Qinglan's hand and walked into the palace, leaving Xiao Jingchen and all the officials behind.

The man couldn't remember the way and kept rushing forward, only to bump right into Gao An, who was hurrying towards him.

When Gao An saw that the two were safe and sound, his eyes immediately reddened, and his voice trembled as he curtsied.

Xie Qinglan gently comforted him, telling him to go and invite Imperial Physician Zhang to wait at Tingxue Pavilion. She then grabbed Xiao Jingyuan's sleeve and walked in the opposite direction, returning to Tingxue Pavilion.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Physician Zhang waiting under the eaves with his medicine chest on his back. He was the same old physician who had examined Xie Qinglan's pulse earlier. Upon seeing the two of them enter, he quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"No need for formalities," Xie Qinglan said. "His Majesty was injured in the fall from the cliff, and the wounds on his left rib and leg are not healing. I would be grateful if the Imperial Physician could examine him carefully."

Judge Zhang stepped forward, first taking the patient's pulse, then carefully examining the scar on the forehead, the scab under the ribs, and touching the bruise on the knee. After a while, he straightened up, twirling his beard, a subtle expression appearing on his face.

"How is it?" Xie Qinglan asked, slightly nervous.

Imperial Physician Zhang bowed and replied, "Thank you, Prime Minister. His Majesty is in excellent health, and these external injuries have long since healed. The scabs have all fallen off, new flesh has grown back, and even the bruises have almost completely subsided."

"After applying the ointment for a few more days, the scar on my forehead will gradually fade and there's nothing to worry about."

Xie Qinglan suddenly turned her head to look at Xiao Jingyuan.

Xiao Jingyuan's eyes flickered, and he shrank back guiltily, taking half a step to the side.

"Very well." Xie Qinglan's voice turned cold. "You lied to me again."

These past few days, he's been incredibly accommodating, applying medicine with utmost care, walking slowly, and even tolerating the man's tantrums and antics, afraid of aggravating the wound. It turns out this man's injury had already healed; he'd been faking pain to gain sympathy.

"Qinglan..." Xiao Jingyuan tugged at his sleeve, his voice softening and becoming somewhat ingratiating, "I didn't mean it... I just wanted you to cherish me more."

"Your Majesty is quite capable." Xie Qinglan withdrew her hand, her face cold and grim. "The pain was fake, and the amnesia was also fake. Was it all an act by Your Majesty?"

"The amnesia is real!" Xiao Jingyuan hurriedly explained, "My injuries were painful before, but they've only been healing slowly these past few days... I was afraid that if you knew, you wouldn't care about me anymore..."

He spoke pitifully, his eyes glistening with tears.

Xie Qinglan took a deep breath, not wanting to lash out in front of the imperial physician, so she merely glared coldly at him before turning to Imperial Physician Zhang: "He may have injured his head in the fall and has forgotten everything. Is there any way to restore him?"

The old doctor carefully examined the patient's pulse and head, glanced at the whites of the skin and tongue coating, and asked a few questions such as "Are you dizzy?" and "Do you have many dreams at night?" Finally, he stroked his beard and pondered:

"His Majesty suffered a head injury, and there is still blood stasis in his skull, which is the cause of his amnesia. However, judging from his pulse, most of the blood stasis has dissipated, and his brain meridians are clear. Recovery is only a matter of time. It will take at least half a month, and at most several months, until the blood stasis is completely dissipated, and his memory will naturally return."

Xie Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and then asked if there were any methods to assist in the process.

The old doctor prescribed some formulas to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which, combined with acupuncture, were said to accelerate the dissipation of blood stasis.

He further instructed: "Let His Majesty spend more time with familiar people and things, visit places he used to frequent, listen to others talk about old stories, or do things he used to do often. This exposure will greatly help him recover his memory."

Xie Qinglan's ears suddenly burned upon hearing this. The first thing that popped into his mind when he heard "things he often did" was those absurd things that happened in bed.

After Zhang finished the acupuncture, he went to prepare the medicine, leaving only the two of them in the hall.

Xie Qinglan sat at the table, his face cold and ignoring everyone. Xiao Jingyuan moved closer, sat down next to him, and gently poked his arm.

"Qinglan, don't be angry."

"I know I was wrong, and I will never lie to you again."

"You can hit me a couple of times to vent your anger, just don't ignore me."

Xie Qinglan turned her head and saw his ingratiating expression. Most of her anger had dissipated, but she still kept a straight face.

"Your Majesty has a bad memory, but you haven't forgotten a single trick to cheat."