Seeing that she was dressed in fine clothes and her hair was full of jewels, Sun Xiaohua was certain that she was capable of making a lot of money.

He smiled gratefully at her and said, "Thank you, boss."

Then began another chapter in her life.

Liu Huan knew nothing about these things, and she didn't want to know at all.

She hasn't visited the princess since the princess moved to her residence.

She accepted the invitation and brought her prepared gifts to visit the guest. When she returned in the evening, she heard someone say, "Did you know? I heard that fighting has started again on the border."

Really?

"That's right. My niece's uncle's distant relatives used to run goods across the border. Now they're all coming back. I heard it's very unsafe now."

"What if they attack the capital?"

The man said in an annoyed tone, "Pah, pah, pah, what nonsense are you talking about? How could we possibly march all the way to the capital? At most, we'll just occupy the border cities and give them compensation."

Seeing that she was talking so enthusiastically, someone next to her pulled her back, saying, "Stop talking, or you'll be arrested if the soldiers hear you."

Liu Huan had originally planned to stroll around the streets, but upon hearing this, she instantly lost her mood.

They took Qiu Rong back by carriage.

"Sister, is Stone back?"

Su Wan came out from inside and, seeing her anxious expression, asked, "What happened?"

Liu Huan looked around, "Hasn't he come back?"

"No, Changbai said he came back and said that the Prince's son invited him over. He'll probably be back very late tonight. Don't worry if he doesn't come back."

Seeing her serious expression, Su Wan said, "Why are you looking for him? If it's urgent, you can send someone to deliver a message."

Liu Huan smiled and said, "It's nothing, I was just asking."

She dared not say anything that was uncertain, lest she scare everyone.

Su Yi did not return that night. When he did return, he had a smile on his face, but it did not reach his eyes.

Liu Huan carried some things into the study. "Shitou, is it going to be another war?"

Su Yi forced a smile, "Don't overthink it, it's okay."

"How could I not overthink it? The young man is so small, and swords don't have eyes. I don't even know if the amulet has been delivered yet."

Liu Huan looked worried. Even though it was a cold weapon, he could still be defeated without strength.

Su Yi continued, "Don't worry, you don't know, but in the past few years, Xiao Shi has learned a lot of skills from Brother Guan Hong. Ordinary people can't hurt him."

Liu Huan nodded, relieved. "I understand. But you must tell me any news as soon as possible. I don't want to hear everything from other people."

"I know, I won't hide it from you."

Su Yi knew that she and Xiao Shi had a good relationship, that they were so close they would nibble on each other's toes, and that he couldn't hide it from her at all.

When Liu Huan got back, she started looking at her account books. When Guan Chang learned that she was coming back, he immediately gave her a copy of the account books for Chunhui Restaurant and the chili pepper business.

The money was all kept at Huitong Money Shop, and she could retrieve it whenever she wanted by presenting the token.

Looking at the numbers above, an idea popped into her mind: she would only use it as a last resort.

In the days that followed, Liu Huan sent people to inquire about the matter every day. Su Wan also learned about it from her boudoir and returned with a worried look on her face, saying, "How is Xiao Shi? I heard people are dying everywhere, and the imperial court has started conscripting soldiers. It's so worrying!"

Liu Huan shook her head. "I don't know either."

Liu Huan received news from Su Yi that the palace had begun to cut back on spending and use all the savings to buy grain and fodder to support the border.

The officials escorting the grain supplies had been gone for a month when the messenger returned with bad news.

The entire shipment of grain was burned; it is currently unknown whether it was done by foreigners or traitors within the court.

The Emperor was furious and ordered the Court of Judicial Review to thoroughly investigate the matter. The most urgent matter at the moment was the urgent need for grain supplies at the border. However, this time, His Highness the Crown Prince recommended the top two scholars of the year to be the escorts.

Having gained unanimous approval from the court officials and with this first precedent, everyone knew it was a hot potato, and no one wanted to take it on.

When Su Yi brought up the matter, Su Wan was the first to disagree, "No, you can't go. What if something happens?"

Su Yi patiently explained, "Sister, it's not that I can refuse to go just because I don't want to. It's an imperial decree, and disobeying an imperial decree is punishable by death."

Su Wan still couldn't accept it. She turned away and wiped her tears. "Why did it have to be you? There were so many people, how did they find you?"

Su Yi didn't know how to comfort people, so he looked to Liu Huan for help.

Despite her anger, Liu Huan explained, "Sister, the grain transport officers are actually very safe. There are many soldiers with them, so nothing will happen."

"But something happened up ahead."

And those two escort officers died on the spot; she didn't want to say anything unlucky at this juncture.

Liu Huan took her inside and coaxed her for a long time before finally calming her down. Then they went straight to the study.

He went straight to the point: "I want to go too!"

His gaze was firm and brooked no refusal.

Su Yi was taken aback. After a moment of stunned silence, he said with a straight face, "Impossible. There's no room for discussion. Don't even think about it."

Liu Huan continued, "Are you going to see Xiao Ge? I know you took this job yourself, and I'm worried about him too. I want to go too."

"Where are you going, you weak woman? Don't cause trouble." This was the first time Su Yi had been so angry since they met, and her voice was so loud that Guan Changlai knocked on the door.

"The two of you should talk things out calmly and not argue."

Su Yi glared at her fiercely, a warning in his eyes, then turned to the outside and said, "I know, brother-in-law, go to sleep."

After everyone left, he lowered his voice and said, "Liu Huan, let me tell you, I won't allow it, and I won't permit it. My Su family doesn't need your concern."

Liu Huan didn't expect him to say such resolute words just to stop her from going.

She hardened her heart, put her hands on her hips, and said angrily, "Su Yi, when did you become an official? Now that you're in office, you want to get rid of me? I'm not a member of the Su family. If I weren't you, why would you have come to me in the first place?"

Her voice was loud enough to be heard in Su Wan's courtyard, "Why are the two of them arguing? I'll go check it out."

Guan Chang pulled her back, saying, "It's alright, let them handle it themselves."

Guan Yi, who was always eager to stir things up, chimed in, "Uncle said that Auntie isn't a member of the Su family, and that Auntie is going to run away from home."

Su Wan was extremely worried, but Guan Chang still stopped her, saying, "It's alright. You know Shi Tou's personality. He would never say such a thing. That brat made it up."

Su Wan listened carefully and indeed the argument had stopped, but Liu Huan's door slammed shut, indicating that she was quite angry.

Upon entering the room, Liu Huan placed the silver and two sets of men's clothing that she had prepared beforehand.

And a dagger for self-defense.

The men's clothing was sewn with many banknotes, just in case.

The Emperor gave them a tight deadline; they had to gather enough provisions and set off within five days. Su Yi was so busy that he didn't have time to spare until the last night when he finally had time to come to Liu Huan's room.

Liu Huan was still angry. "What are you doing here, member of the Su family?"

Su Yi sighed, deciding to have a good talk with her.