While the Hundred Herbs Festival was in full swing, Meng Zhao took a break and went with the Gu family to the city gate to see off the merchant caravan that was about to embark on a long journey.

After these days of preparation, the caravan has been assembled. Zhou Yu is familiar with the situation in the Western Regions and has a lot of experience in business, so he was appointed as the chief leader. Gu Changwu is a family member and has a high level of trust. He is mainly responsible for recording the goods and accounts and is the deputy leader of the caravan. The other deputy leader is Zhao Biaotou, who had a pleasant cooperation with us on the last trip to Huainan.

At this moment, the entire caravan was filled with high morale. In addition to the three leaders receiving a cut, Meng Zhao had also devised an incentive plan for the other accompanying personnel. Anyone who could invite merchants from the Western Regions to the capital would receive a reward. If the merchants completed a large transaction in the capital, they would also receive a commission. This measure made every member of the caravan eager to try and couldn't wait to set off.

Before leaving, Meng Zhao pulled Gu Changwu aside and gave him his final instructions: "Second Uncle, although I have been emphasizing to everyone that these goods are extremely important and must not be compromised, I still have to tell you something: if you really encounter a life-or-death situation, you should abandon the goods that need to be abandoned. Don't be stubborn."

Meng Zhao looked up at the caravan members and continued, "I can't say this in front of everyone in the caravan, for fear of undermining morale, but you are family, so I have to make it clear to you that no matter how valuable the goods are, they are not as precious as human life."

Upon hearing this, Gu Changwu's eyes flashed with emotion. "Good boy, I understand your intentions. Don't worry, I will definitely do my best to protect the goods while ensuring everyone's lives are safe."

Meng Zhao then showed a hint of relief, "Alright! Then Second Uncle will go and scout ahead first, and next time I'll go with you!"

Bathed in the morning sun, the caravan, brimming with hope, slowly set off. Meng Zhao and his party watched the caravan travel further and further away until it disappeared from sight completely before returning to the city.

Meng Zhao returned to her study and had just sat down at her desk when she heard familiar footsteps behind her. She looked up helplessly and, sure enough, saw Shen Qinghe following closely behind.

"Even though I've given you access control, you can't be this presumptuous. Coming here so often, it'll be noticed sooner or later."

Shen Qinghe thought that if he was found out, so be it, but he knew Meng Zhao too well. If he said that, she would definitely be very angry. So he put on a pitiful expression and said, "Then... how about I go back first and sneak over after Uncle Meng and Aunt Xu have gone to sleep?"

Meng Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. "Since we're already here, why bother with all this fuss? Let's sit down together."

Shen Qinghe nodded happily after hearing this. Now he could easily feign weakness and pitifulness in front of Meng Zhao. If word got out, probably no one would believe it. But he really had no choice. Meng Zhao was the type who would respond to gentleness but not force. The more forceful he was, the further away she would be. On the contrary, when he feigned weakness and pitifulness, he could always arouse her protective instincts and show her more affection for him.

Although this method is not very ethical, as long as it can get you abducted, it's a good method.

Unfortunately, before they could be alone for long, someone came to disrupt them. Xiao Chuan came over and said, "Sister Meng, Young Master Xiao is here. He says he has something to ask you about the Hundred Herbs Gathering."

Before Meng Zhao could speak, Shen Qinghe's face darkened, a hint of displeasure showing between his brows. However, he did not stop her, but simply stood up and said in a low voice, "Then I'll go back first."

Seeing a hint of melancholy in his eyes, Meng Zhao comforted him, "Then you go ahead and do your work, come back later."

Shen Qinghe nodded reluctantly, turned and left the study. Just as he reached the archway in the courtyard, he ran into Xiao Youzhi who was coming in from outside. Shen Qinghe stared at him with a deep gaze, and a coldness gradually rose in his eyes. Xiao Youzhi did not avoid him either, but raised the corners of his lips slightly, with a hint of a smile that was not quite a smile.

After a long pause, Shen Qinghe narrowed his eyes and said in a low, cold voice, "From now on, come to the Meng family less often, and stay away from her."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Youzhi shrugged lightly, his tone nonchalant: "Oh? By what right do you speak like this? A meddlesome brother-in-law, or an immature younger brother?"

Shen Qinghe's eyes darkened, and the pressure around him suddenly dropped. "Don't you know what my relationship with her is?"

Xiao Youzhi chuckled, "I know, of course I know." He then took a step forward, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of provocation, "So what? If you're so capable, make her say those words to me herself. If you're not, then get out of my way now. I'm going to see her."

"Xiao Youzhi!" Shen Qinghe's eyes were bloodshot. "You are supposed to be a young master from a prestigious family. How can you say such shameless things? She usually doesn't care about anything, but since you know about her relationship with me, you should know to avoid suspicion! Forcing your way in like this will only make people disgusted."

After hearing what he said, Xiao Youzhi lowered his eyes for a moment. When he looked up again, his eyes were bloodshot, but his aura was not diminished at all. Instead, he became even more arrogant. "Since you agreed to her excuse of not getting married, you should have expected this day to come. What? You can't stand it anymore? Then you can let go now."

Shen Qinghe's eyes narrowed suddenly. "How do you know she doesn't want to get married?"

A flash of resentment crossed Xiao Youzhi's eyes, but it vanished in an instant. "Naturally, it's because... she asked me, but I didn't agree." Seeing Shen Qinghe's face turn pale instantly, he felt a sense of satisfaction and continued, "Heh, you just got a bargain, and you're actually quite pleased with yourself. Someone who can't face the light of day for the rest of their life still has the nerve to shout here. I advise you to let go as soon as possible and save some face for yourself."