Shen Du has returned.

Before the maid could finish speaking, Chen Du appeared in everyone's sight.

The timing couldn't be more precise.

Not long after their marriage, Shen Du left the capital. When Princess Huai'an saw him again, her eyes immediately turned red.

When Shen Du entered the room, the first thing he saw was her, but he had to wish Old Master Yun a happy birthday first.

He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I'm late. I wish my maternal grandfather boundless happiness and longevity."

Grandpa Yun stood up, patted Chen Du on the shoulder and said, "You must be exhausted from the journey back to the capital. It's alright if you don't make it in time."

Chen Du shook his head, "It rained heavily on the way, and we were delayed at the post station for two days. Fortunately, we were still able to celebrate my grandfather's birthday."

He presented the birthday gifts he had brought.

He also gave away paintings he had created himself.

He would have traveled in the rain if he hadn't been afraid of getting the painting wet.

Madam Yun smiled and said, "I didn't expect Du'er to come back in time. The food is already on the table. Let's eat and talk."

As she spoke, Madam Yun said to Chen Du, "Everyone from the Pingyang Marquis's residence has left, leaving only the Princess of Huai'an. It's such a shame for her."

Shen Du looked at Princess Huai'an and walked towards her.

Seeing everyone looking at her, Princess Huai'an blushed, but she blushed even more because of Chen Du, who asked her softly, "Did you miss me?"

Princess Huai'an's ears turned bright red.

Ignoring Shen Du, Princess Huai'an sat down beside Shen Wan, with Shen Du sitting next to her.

They were all family, eating and chatting, laughing and talking, the atmosphere was so harmonious.

Grandpa Yun felt that this birthday banquet was even more to his liking and made him happier than the grand celebrations he had held before.

Normally, Shen Wan and Xie Jingyan would leave after having lunch at the Yun family's house, but today, because it was Old Master Yun's birthday, they stayed an extra half an hour before taking their leave.

Shen Du, Lu Cheng, Xie Jingyan, and Shen Wan left the mansion together, and Yun Qi saw them off.

After leaving Liushuang Courtyard, Xie Jingyan asked Shen Du, "Did things not go smoothly on this trip to the Northwest?"

Shen Du said, "It went quite smoothly."

Shen Wan then asked, "So, elder brother, you're returning to the capital so late?"

Shen Du said, "Father was afraid that war would break out on the border soon, so he wanted to train the Iron Cavalry as soon as possible. I stayed a little longer to help Father train the Iron Cavalry."

Shen Wan frowned.

There was no war at this time in my previous life.

However, she also knew that this life was very different from the previous one. Although she only affected the people and things in the capital, it was not impossible for her to influence the war in Xiliang and Dachu.

My father fought wars his whole life and was particularly sensitive to them. Moreover, with him in his position, it was impossible for Xiliang not to have his spies. There must have been some signs that war was about to break out.

Shen Wan looked at Yun Qi, "The thing I asked my cousin to do...?"

Yun Qi said, "How could I, your cousin, dare not take it lightly, since my cousin has repeatedly reminded me to do so?"

He not only took it seriously, but he also didn't trust his subordinates to handle it, so he kept a close eye on things himself.

The medicinal herbs are already on their way to the capital. In order to deal with the smallpox outbreak this winter, he has opened three pharmacies these days.

Two five-courtyard manors were cleared out to store charcoal, and several mountains ten miles from the capital were almost completely cleared.

Shen Wan trusts her older cousin to get things done.

After the results of the autumn imperial examinations are released, winter will soon arrive, bringing blizzards and smallpox in quick succession. I hope I can get through these disasters peacefully in this lifetime.

Upon reaching the main entrance, Shen Wan said to Xie Jingyan, "I need to go to Jinbaoge in a little while."

"As you wish."

Yunrui looked at Lu Cheng and said, "I want to go too."

How could Lu Cheng disagree? The role model is right beside him.

In just a few days, it will be the day Xu Ji marries Tang San. Shen Wan and Tang Yinong are good friends, so she will definitely send a dowry to Tang San when she gets married.

On her way back to the Ling Prince's Mansion, she would pass by the Jinbaoge Pavilion, so Shen Wan simply picked out her items there and had her maid deliver them later.

Upon arriving at Jinbaoge, Shen Wan and Yun Rui selected jewelry, while Xie Jingyan and Lu Cheng sat down to drink tea.

However, the two made their choices quickly. Shen Wan was heavily pregnant and had been staying at the Yun family's house for half a day, so she only picked out jewelry and had no interest in browsing around. Yun Rui had just visited Jinbaoge two days ago, and there hadn't been any new jewelry items available in the past two days, so there wasn't much to see.

After paying the bill, we left Jinbaoge.

As fate would have it, they happened to run into Xu Ji riding by the door just as they came out.

Upon seeing them, Xu Ji tightened the reins and laughed, "What a coincidence! We were just on our way to deliver wedding invitations to the Prince of Ling's residence when we bumped into each other on the road."

He dismounted, took out a large red and gold-embroidered wedding invitation from his pocket, and walked towards them.

Xu Ji handed the wedding invitation to Xie Jingyan, saying, "Prince Ling, you must do me the honor of attending my Minister's residence for a celebratory drink."

Xie Jingyan accepted the invitation and said, "I will definitely be there."

Thinking that Xie Jingyan and Lu Cheng were shopping with Shen Wan and the others, Xu Ji decided not to disturb them and said goodbye. However, just as he was about to speak, a clear voice rang out, "Cousin!"

It was my cousin's voice.

Xu Ji turned around and saw his cousin, who was dressed as a man, running towards them.

Her delicate face was full of surprise.

Du Cheng'an followed behind her.

Xu Ji frowned.

However, what made him frown even more was what followed. His cousin walked past him, stood in front of Xie Jingyan, and grabbed his arm in surprise, exclaiming, "Cousin?"

Xu Ji, “…???”

Xie Jingyan, “…???”

Shen Wan, “…???”

Lu Cheng and Du Cheng'an also looked puzzled.

Isn't this Xu Ji's cousin?

How should I address Ling Wang as my cousin?

Xu Ji looked at his cousin Wang Qing'er with a strange expression and said, "Cousin, I'm your cousin."

Wang Qing'er looked at Xie Jingyan, then at Xu Ji.

Many images flashed through her mind, and then her head started to ache, the pain contorting her face.

She eventually fainted.

Du Chengan reacted quickly and helped her up.

Xu Ji then asked, "What's wrong with my cousin?"

Du Cheng'an's heart trembled with worry. He dared not hide anything about Wang Qing'er's outburst and told her the truth, "Just now on the street, she ran ahead to avoid me and didn't notice an old man carrying a load turning around. He hit her on the back of the head with his load..."

He knew she had been badly hurt and wanted to take her to see a doctor, but she absolutely refused. Who would have thought that the collision would be so serious that she could even mistake her cousin for someone else?

It was already difficult enough for him to marry her, and now his hopes are even slimmer.

Seeing Du Cheng'an supporting his cousin, Xu Ji said, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take my cousin back to the manor and fetch the imperial physician for her!"

Du Cheng'an realized what was happening and quickly picked up Wang Qing'er and carried her away.

Xu Ji was worried, so he went along to check as well.

He mounted his horse and glanced at Xie Jingyan as he turned around.

Xie Jingyan didn't notice Xu Ji looking at him; his attention was entirely on the person Du Cheng'an was holding.

Although Wang Qing'er was dressed as a man, he could vaguely see his cousin's childhood appearance on her face, especially her eyebrows and eyes. She looked like her mother when she was young, and even more so when she grew up.

In addition, she suffered a serious illness in her youth and lost her memory, forcing her to grow up disguised as a boy.

Xie Jingyan couldn't help but overthink.

Could it be that the Minister of Justice not only saved his cousin back then, but also his cousin's sister...?