The next day.

Two carriages were prepared early at the entrance of the Prime Minister's residence, followed by ten cold-faced guards, all riding fine horses, led by the guard commander Lin Fei.

The steward stood respectfully by the carriage, acting as the coachman himself this time.

The Prime Minister's wife led her three children out.

"Madam, everything is ready." The butler bowed respectfully.

The Prime Minister's wife nodded gently, "Yes."

The masters boarded the first carriage, while the second carriage was prepared for the maids, servants, and goods.

The carriage was driven.

The Prime Minister's wife looked at her three children and instructed them again, "When you get to the temple, remember not to wander around recklessly. Behave properly and do not act rashly."

After saying that, she looked at Nan Qianyue and gave her special instructions, "Qianyue, I know you are a picky eater, but there is only one vegetarian meal today. You must not show any dissatisfaction in front of the monks and must not be impolite."

Nan Qianyue pursed her lips and nodded obediently, "Yes, Mother, don't worry, I've remembered everything."

Anyone who has ever eaten with her can probably tell that she's a picky eater.

"Big sister, can I ask you a question?" Nan Yichu suddenly asked, her eyes filled with expectation.

The Prime Minister's wife silently closed her eyes. No matter how strict she was, she would never stop the children from communicating. On the contrary, she was now happy to see it happen.

Nanqianyue smiled and said, "Sure, go ahead and ask."

Nan Kezhi, who was next to her, was also looking at her younger brother intently.

Nan Yichu asked with a slightly sly look, "Did Prince Anzheng teach you martial arts, eldest sister?"

Nan Qianyue paused for a moment, then glanced sideways at the Prime Minister's wife, whose eyes were still closed.

She blinked a few times and said slowly, "Maybe, but not necessarily, anyway, I don't remember."

Amnesia is a universal excuse.

But Nan Yichu pressed on, "Didn't you ask Prince Anzheng, eldest sister?"

Nanqianyue opened her eyes wide. Didn't this brat know that the Prime Minister's wife disliked Qin Yi?

She probably didn't know, otherwise how could she dare to repeatedly mention Prince Anzheng in front of the Prime Minister's wife, and her tone made no attempt to hide her admiration for him?

“I didn’t ask. Prince Anzheng is busy with affairs, and it’s not our place to disturb him. Little brother, you should focus on your studies.” Nan Qianyue said the last few words with a clenched tongue.

Nan Yichu pouted, "Oh, I see."

The car fell silent, unusually quiet.

To liven things up, Nan Kezhi smiled gently and said, "Big sister, little brother, since the journey is long anyway, why don't we compose some poems? We can also learn from you, big sister."

Nanqianyue opened her eyes wide and looked at her younger sister. Were the entertainment activities of the ancients so elegant? They wrote poems all the time.

"Kezhi's idea is good," the Prime Minister's wife praised with her eyes closed.

Since the Prime Minister's wife has spoken, there's no way I can refuse to compose a poem.

Nanqianyue and her younger brother exchanged a glance and were surprised to see the same distress in each other's eyes.

Nan Yichu: ...Big sister, your poems are so good, what are you troubled about?

“Then… let’s have my sister set the questions,” Nanqianyue said.

——

Inside the study of Prince Anzheng's residence.

Qin Yi sat behind his desk, intently reviewing official documents, while his subordinate, standing beside him, was sweating profusely.

"Is this the military pay sent to the southern border?" Qin Yi asked without looking up, his voice devoid of warmth.

The official's heart pounded with nervousness. "Yes...yes, His Majesty just approved it."

Qin Yi's eyes darkened. "Four hundred thousand troops, and this is all the pay they get?"

"Your Highness, please calm down!" The official knelt down. "The amount distributed by the court has always been the same and has never changed. It's...it's the Xie family. The Xie family has been providing supplies to the southern border. After all, it's Marquis Xie who is stationed here, so it's reasonable for the Xie family to help. His Majesty has turned a blind eye to it."

Qin Yi closed the folded document, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"Your Highness!" A voice in red rang out from outside the study, sounding slightly anxious.

Qin Yi looked up. "Speak."

"Several monks' corpses were unearthed on Hengyang Mountain, and several unfamiliar faces appeared in the temple."

Yesterday, when the Southern Migration Moon mentioned going to offer incense on Mount Hengyang, Qin Yi sent someone to investigate as soon as he returned to his residence.

"Why did it take you so long to report this!"

Qin Yi suddenly stood up and strode outside, ordering as he went, "Prepare the horses."

"The horses are ready, Your Highness. Don't worry, Miss Nan has bodyguards by her side, and we also have people watching around the temple."

——

The trip south was less a poetry exchange among the three of them and more a personal showcase for her. One exquisite poem after another left her younger siblings speechless.

After admiring Nan Qianyue for a while, the Prime Minister's wife turned her gaze to Nan Yichu and said, "When you get back, write down the poem your eldest sister wrote today and present it to your father."

Nan Yichu looked terrified. "Why me? My elder sister should recite the poem she wrote to Father herself." He hadn't remembered it.

"Hmm?" The Prime Minister's wife's expression turned cold.

Nan Yichu immediately changed her tune with a bitter face, "Yes, your son will obey Mother's words."

If he can't remember the poem, he can ask his older sister again, but if he presents it to his father, he will definitely be put through a test. He'll be in a terrible situation!

"Whoa—"

The carriage suddenly stopped, and the people lost their balance and fell forward.

During the southward migration, Yue was in the best physical condition and was the first to stabilize himself. At the same time, he reached out with both hands to support the Prime Minister's wife and his sister.

Of course, her younger brother sitting opposite her wasn't left out either; she hooked her foot around him.

"Steward, what has happened?" the Prime Minister's wife asked, her brows furrowed slightly.

The butler wiped away his cold sweat. "Madam, the road ahead is blocked by fallen rocks!"

The Prime Minister's wife made a move to go out.

“Mother, please sit down, I’ll go see.” Nan Qianyue pressed her back down and then climbed out of the carriage herself.

She stood beside the housekeeper, looking at the blocked road ahead and the traces of rocks that had rolled down the mountain.

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