Huiming and Ming met for the first time and bickered.

Inside the Cining Palace, Shi Hui sat in a chair and asked, "Why did Min'er go to Li Yanzhang's birthday banquet? And why did she bring him so many gifts?"

Shunhua, standing to the side, replied, "This servant does not know."

Just then, Qi Min came running in with a smile: "Mother!"

Although Shi Hui was confined to the Cining Palace and could not leave, Qi Dou still allowed Qi Min to see Shi Hui.

When Shi Hui saw Qi Min arrive, she quickly smiled kindly and said, "Min'er, slow down, don't fall."

Qi Min hugged Shi Hui's leg and said, "Your Majesty, I am not a child anymore. You don't need to worry about me falling down."

Shi Hui looked at Qi Min gently and said, "Yes, Min'er has grown up and it's time for her to find a husband."

Upon hearing this, Qi Min immediately said, "No, Your Majesty, I only want to stay by Mother's side for the rest of my life. I don't want any consort."

Shi Hui gently stroked Qi Min's head and said, "Silly Min'er, how can a princess not get married and stay by her mother's side for the rest of her life?"

Qi Min said sadly, "But... they all dislike me, they are all afraid of me, and none of them truly like me."

Shi Hui frowned and said, "Who doesn't like Min'er? Mother, send someone to teach him a lesson."

Qi Min said, "No need, Mother. I just don't want to marry someone who doesn't like me. I only want to be with the person I love."

After hearing this, Shi Hui smiled and asked, "Min'er, do you have someone you like?"

Qi Min replied, "No, I haven't found that person yet."

Shi Hui thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Min'er, don't worry. Your mother will take a good look for you. If you're not satisfied, we'll look again until you are, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Min said with worry, "Mother, you treat Min'er so well. What will I do if I get used to it?"

Shi Hui smiled and said, "Min'er is the Empress's only child. If the Empress doesn't treat you well, who else will she treat well?"

Qi Min looked up at her and said, "Will Mother blame me for attending Li Yanzhang's birthday banquet?"

Shi Hui was taken aback for a moment after hearing this, and said, "Mother will never blame Min'er, but why did you suddenly want to go to his birthday banquet? What if they take advantage of you?"

Qi Min thought for a moment and said, "I only wanted to go because I found the palace too boring. Besides, I am a princess, and they would never dare to disappoint me."

Shi Hui smiled and said, "Yes, yes, Min'er is a princess. How could they dare to misbehave her? Let them go. As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

Qi Min said happily, "Mother is the best."

Some time later, a soldier arrived at the border at full speed. He knelt down, clasped his hands, and said, "General, His Majesty has granted permission for the princesses to return to the capital immediately."

Qi Xuan Gui replied, "Understood. Have someone make preparations to send the princesses back to the capital."

"Yes," the people inside the tent replied.

After traveling for several days, Qi Hui and his group finally arrived in the Sichuan-Chongqing region. They found the city gates closed and the surrounding area desolate. They immediately wrapped themselves up tightly and got out of the carriage to prepare to enter the city.

Qi Hui had only taken a few steps when a hand grabbed his foot. He looked down and saw a thin woman in plain clothes holding him. His attendant shouted, "Who goes there?"

Upon hearing this, everyone rushed over, and Qi Wenzhe stepped forward and asked, "Miss, what's wrong?"

In such a place, the appearance of a frail woman is highly likely to be due to infection with the plague, so caution is advised.

The woman's voice came weakly, "Help me, I haven't contracted the plague, I'm so hungry..."

Upon hearing this, Ji Shao immediately helped her up and had someone bring her a piece of bread. The woman immediately took the bread and wolfed it down, looking extremely hungry. She was covered in dust and dirt, making it impossible to see her face clearly.

Qi Hui asked with a sharp look in his eyes, "This whole city is under lockdown. How come you, a weak woman, haven't contracted the plague here and are even starving like this? Don't you think that's absurd?"

The woman was about to speak when she choked on the pancake. Seeing that she didn't speak, Qi Hui chuckled and said, "What? Did I guess right? Can't think of anything to say?"

The woman quickly pointed to herself, sobbing. Qi Wenzhe immediately handed her the water and said, "She's choking."

Qi Hui: "..."

After the woman calmed down, she said, "I usually go up the mountain to gather herbs, and I always come back very late. That time, after I finished gathering herbs and came down the mountain, I found that the city gate was locked. I didn't know what had happened, so I pounded on the city gate, trying to get in."

"The people inside said that someone had brought back the plague, and that they had locked the city gates to prevent the plague from spreading, so that no one could enter or leave. They told me to run for my life, but I had grown up here and had no idea where to go."

Qi Hui looked at her with disdain and said, "So you're just going to wait here to die?"

The woman replied, “I have been to other cities, but when they heard that there was a plague here, they refused to take me in. So I had no choice but to come back and stay here until I saw you.”

Ji Shao said pitifully, "Poor child, you must have been hungry for days. What's your name?"

The woman replied, "My name is Mu Ming. What are your names? By the way, there is a plague here. You'd better leave quickly."

Qi Wenzhe said gently, "Miss, my name is Qi Wenzhe, and we are here to rescue people."

Mu Ming's eyes flickered, and she immediately asked, "Does the young master have a way to cure the plague?"

Qi Hui laughed and said, "No, we're here to die."

"..." Everyone looked at Qi Hui speechlessly.

Seeing this, Qi Hui asked, "Am I wrong?"

Everyone looked at him, unsure of what to say.

That makes sense, but your explanation is far too simplistic.

Mu Ming's lips twitched upon hearing this, and she said disappointedly, "Then you should leave quickly, don't go and get yourself killed."

Qi Wenzhe said, "Since I have a mission, I still have to go in and take a look."

Mu Ming retorted, "You have a life on your hands? Isn't he just sending you to your death? Besides, you definitely won't be able to get in."

Qi Hui's attendant said, "How dare you speak like that? They are..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qi Hui immediately said, "Shut up! I haven't even said anything yet, what did you say?!"

Seeing this, Mu Ming sneered, "Oh, a young master? Did you come here hoping to accidentally cure the plague and become famous?"

Qi Hui suppressed his anger and forced a smile, saying, "Little brat, you're quite the sharp-tongued one."

Mu Ming rolled his eyes and said, "Young Master, you are a magnanimous man and surely won't hold a grudge against a commoner like me. Tch, what a temper of a young master."

Although she spoke the last sentence softly, everyone still heard it.

Qi Hui couldn't take it anymore and said, "You little brat, just wait and see how I deal with you!"

Having said that, he rolled up his sleeves and prepared to go over, but his attendants rushed forward and grabbed Qi Hui's legs, saying, "Young Master, please calm down! You can't hit him! Your reputation is at stake, Young Master!"

Qi Hui angrily said, "Let go! I'm going to teach this arrogant little brat a lesson!"

The attendants shouted, "Young master! Mind your image! You have your reputation to maintain!"

They were making a lot of noise, and seeing this, Mu Ming covered his mouth and whispered, "Mind your manners, young master~"

Qi Hui became even angrier. "Are you doing this on purpose?! Why are you always going against me, you little brat!"

Mu Ming laughed and said, "Guess."

The people of the Imperial Medical Academy praised him in their hearts.

This girl is amazing; she actually made Prince Pingshou lose his composure like this.

They silently gave Mu Ming a thumbs up in their hearts.

Ji Shao and Qi Wenzhe were both stunned by the scene. Ji Shao whispered, "This girl seems to particularly dislike the prince."

Qi Wenzhe said unhurriedly, "It's probably because he's too annoying."

Ji Shao looked shocked after hearing this.

You really dare to say that!

Then Qi Wenzhe said, "Let's go into the city first."

Upon hearing this, Qi Hui remembered the purpose of his trip and immediately said, "Let go!"

The attendants were still holding him, and one of them said, "Young Master... ouch!"

Before he could finish speaking, Qi Hui slapped him on the head and said, "Stand still, get ready to enter the city."

Everyone then stood up and said, "Yes."

Upon seeing this, Mu Ming immediately went to Ji Shao and Qi Wenzhe's side, seemingly seeking their protection.

Qi Hui glared fiercely at her retreating figure.

That little brat, she's quite adept at finding powerful backers. But today, she's managed to make me lose my composure. Wait until they leave, and I'll see how I deal with her.

When they arrived at the city gate, they saw the words "Shu City" clearly written above it.

Qi Wenzhe said to Mu Ming, "Miss Mu, why don't you go to Chang'an and stay there? They will take you in."

Mu Ming said, "Young master, I want to repay your life-saving grace, so please let me stay by your side."

Qi Wenzhe said softly, "You don't need to repay me."

At this moment, Qi Hui smiled and said, "Little girl, you wouldn't be thinking of offering yourself to me, would you? Let me tell you, Young Master Qi is already engaged."

"Don't even think about it."

Qi Wenzhe said gently, "Miss Mu, I know what you mean, but for your safety, I don't want you to suffer with us."

Upon hearing this, Mu Ming said dejectedly, "Young Master, I promise I won't be a burden to you. Just let me stay by your side and help out."

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Qi Hui said, "How boring."

Ji Shao said to Mu Ming with concern, "But once we enter the city, we might get infected with the plague. You were lucky enough not to get it, but what if you do get infected after entering?"

Mu Ming replied, "If you are not afraid, then Mu Ming is not afraid either."

Seeing this, Qi Hui mocked, "We kindly asked you to leave, but you insist on sticking to us like a leech. Don't blame us if you die."

Mu Mingli ignored him completely, and Qi Hui could only feel embarrassed.

Qi Wenzhe thought for a moment.

She grew up here and knows the terrain better than any of us, so bringing her along isn't a bad idea.

Thinking of this, he said, "Since Miss Mu insists, then follow along, but you must wrap yourself up tightly to go in."

Mu Ming immediately replied, "If I can get in, I will naturally listen to you, young master."

Qi Wenzhe nodded, and then had someone knock on the city gate.

After a while of knocking, a voice finally came from inside: "Get out of here if you don't want to die! There's a plague here!"

Qi Wenzhe said, "We're here to provide support."

Upon hearing about the need for help, the people inside immediately asked excitedly, "Young master, do you have a way to save us?!"

Everyone fell silent upon hearing this. Qi Wenzhe said awkwardly, "I haven't come up with a solution yet..."

Upon hearing this, the people inside immediately shouted angrily, "What are you doing here if you have no other choice?! Are you here to die?! Get out of here!"