"What is it?" Jian Yang looked at him curiously.

The shipowner said, "That ship has a hole in its hull. I was going to repair it, but I forgot in my haste."

He said he was anxious, but his expression remained as calm as could be.

"Wouldn't those three drown?" Jian Yang said calmly.

The shopkeeper nodded. "Possibly."

"To be honest, I've also forgotten something," Jian Yang said expressionlessly.

"What is it?" the ship's manager asked the same question.

Jian Yang said lightly, "Actually, the effects of that sleeping potion don't last for three to five days, but for more than ten days."

This means that the three thugs who had been bullying local merchants for a long time, even if they didn't drown, would starve to death while unconscious.

After all, no one can go ten days without eating.

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

From that day on, Jianyang Medical Clinic's business flourished.

Many people, having learned that she had easily subdued three thugs, assumed that her medical skills must be excellent, and thus traveled from afar to seek her treatment.

Jian Yang certainly lived up to expectations; she could cure almost everyone who came to her for treatment.

Days passed by like this, busy yet fulfilling.

Baihua Town enjoys a spring-like climate year-round, with little seasonal change.

However, at this time, the imperial city was once again filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, and in addition to the fragrance of osmanthus, there was also a slight chill in the air.

Looking at the emperor, who stood under the osmanthus tree in a daze, Zhang Gonggong sighed helplessly and brought him a cloak.

"Your Majesty, it's getting chilly, let's go inside." He gently draped the cloak over the emperor's shoulders.

The emperor stared intently at the osmanthus blossoms and said, "At this time last year, the empress personally made osmanthus cakes for me."

Eunuch Zhang said, "Does Your Majesty wish to eat osmanthus cake? This servant will have the Imperial Kitchen prepare it immediately."

"Nothing made by anyone else tastes as good as what the Empress makes."

Zhang Gonggong was inwardly groaning.

"Has there been any news about the Empress recently?" the Emperor asked.

Eunuch Zhang shook his head and said, "Since leaving Nanyang County, our men have not been able to find any trace of the Empress."

The emperor smiled and said, "Never mind. The court is not safe right now. Even if she comes back, she will be in danger. It is safer for her to stay outside. I will feel more at ease then."

Eunuch Zhang asked, "Your Majesty, shall we continue searching for the Empress?"

The emperor glanced at him, giving him a look that told him to figure it out himself.

Eunuch Zhang quickly slapped his mouth, "Look at the stupid question I asked! Of course we have to find Her Majesty! Even if it's to the ends of the earth, we must bring Her Majesty back!"

Just then, Zhao Ziyi strode over.

"Your Majesty, intelligence has arrived from the border that the former troops of the Prince of Dingbian are gathering an army and plotting a rebellion!"

"I had long anticipated this day," the emperor said calmly. "When will they be ready at the earliest?"

Zhao Ziyi thought for a moment and said, "It will take at least three months. Just recruiting soldiers and collecting provisions will take a lot of time."

The emperor nodded and said, "It seems that this year will not be a peaceful one. Issue my decree that we hold back for now. I have been worried about not finding an opportunity to deal with his old subordinates."

"I obey the order."

Before we knew it, winter had arrived. This year seemed particularly cold, and even in a place like Baihua Town, which is usually warm and humid, a light snow began to fall.

The townspeople had rarely seen snow, so everyone was excited and brought their families out to enjoy and play in the snow.

"Manager, Manager Yang has sent you an invitation." Mao Li handed the invitation to Jian Yang.

Jian Yang put down the roasted sweet potato in her hand, took the visiting card, opened it, and smiled.

"What are you laughing at, shopkeeper?" Bai Guo, who was weighing medicinal herbs nearby, couldn't help but ask.

Jian Yang smiled and said, "Manager Yang invited me to his house to enjoy the snow and admire the plum blossoms."

Manager Yang is the same manager of the shipping company who worked with Jian Yang to deal with the three bullies last time.

Since the last time they discovered that they shared a common interest in murder and arson, they have formed a revolutionary friendship.

"Are you going?" Mao Li asked.

Jian Yang nodded, "Of course I went. If I didn't go, you guys wouldn't be able to go out and play in the snow either."

The two, their little scheme exposed, laughed sheepishly.

Jian Yang grabbed her thick cloak, a small hand warmer, and the pastries she had made that morning before heading out.

The Yang family has been in the boat business in Baihua Town for a century. In recent years, they have also started to engage in transportation, making them one of the wealthiest families in the town and also the family with the widest access to information.

After all, the Yang family's ships travel all over the country year-round, so the manager, Yang Shichang, naturally kept a close eye on everything.

"Brother Yang, have you had any good news lately? Tell me about it." Jian Yang picked up his hot tea, took a sip, and immediately felt refreshed.

Yang Shichang nodded: "I heard from the guys who run the Northern Canal that war seems to be breaking out in the North soon, and they are recruiting soldiers there."

Jian Yang paused in his tea-drinking motion, then asked somewhat nervously, "The Northern Border? Is that the place General Jian Hong is stationed in?"

Yang Shichang said, "That's right, this is the place that General Jian is guarding. Speaking of which, you all have the surname Jian, so you must be from the same family, right?"

Jian Yang gave a dry laugh and said, "He is the son of the Prime Minister, and I am just a country doctor. How could we be family?"

Then Jian Yang added, "Brother Yang, my clinic will be closed for a while."

Edward Yang, who was having a snack, was stunned and asked, "Why are you closing down for no reason? Your business is so good."

Jian Yang said, "To be honest, I've been away from home for a long time and I'm starting to miss it. I'm planning to go back to my hometown to see my parents."

“Then I won’t be able to enjoy Brother Jian’s pastries for a long time,” Yang Shichang said with a regretful expression. “Where does Brother Jian live? If it’s convenient, you can take my boat by water.”

Jian Yang had the same idea; in this era, traveling by water was much faster than traveling by land.

She said, "My home is in the North."

Yang Shichang was somewhat surprised: "But there's going to be a war over there soon."

Jian Yang said, "That's precisely why I need to go back and visit my parents."

Yang Shichang nodded: "Indeed, Brother Jian is truly filial. It just so happens that my fleet heading to the northern border will depart in two days, Brother Jian can come along."

Jian Yang stood up, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Then thank you very much, Brother Yang."

Two days later, she boarded a merchant ship heading north.

Of course, visiting his parents was just a pretext; his real purpose was to visit his brother.

Upon hearing that there was going to be a war in the North, Jian Yang became especially worried about Jian Hong. If there really was a war, she could go to the North to help Jian Hong.

She may not be good at other things, but she is an expert at healing injuries and treating illnesses, so her brother must need her help as well.

Ten days later, the Yang family's merchant ships arrived in the northern border region.

As soon as Jian Yang disembarked, he heard news that war had broken out in the area and even encountered the Jian family army, which was recruiting soldiers.

Without thinking, she ran forward to sign up.