Chapter 220 His Majesty is Returning to the Capital

Song Zhimian led Xiao Jingjue and the twelfth prince into Xiao Huaijin's courtyard.

The courtyard was full of things sent from the capital. Judging by the time, they must have been sent by Song Zhimin and her group as soon as they arrived in the southwest.

There are dried goods that can be stored for a long time, but there are also many ingredients.

Two cooks also came with this batch of goods.

It is said that Lord Ye personally arranged for someone to deliver it.

"The master said that these were all sent to the capital from Jiangnan and Lingnan before winter. Lord Ye is concerned about the people in the southwest, so he selected some of the best ones to send over."

But fearing there might not be a cook who knew how to cook, he arranged for two cooks to come. "The eunuch who delivered the food said respectfully to Xiao Huaijin.

Xiao Huaijin nodded without saying anything, simply looking at the gift list.

He found it a bit strange; why would his eldest sister send so many things to the southwest?

I've been in the Southwest for so long, and my elder sister hasn't sent me anything. She just had Song Zhimin send over a batch last time, and now...

Soon, Xiao Huaijin understood what was going on.

These things were probably prepared not only by the eldest sister, but also arranged by Mu Xiao.

Didn't you see those two huge boxes over there? They were all specially made for Song Zhimian.

"Master of Ceremonies Song, here's a letter from Mu Xiao for you!" Xiao Huaijin waved the letter in his hand at Song Zhimin, who had just entered the room.

Song Zhimian quickly accepted the letter.

Song Zhimin opened the letter in front of Xiao Huaijin and read it carefully.

Princess Yongxin said that she missed Song Zhimin the day after Song Zhimin left.

She had originally thought that if all else failed, she would simply take a carriage to the southwest herself.

But when she thought about how Wei Yanli had entrusted Chun Buwan to her before he left, as well as the shop in the capital, she gave up the idea.

"Our cosmetics shop is doing very well right now, so I need to keep a close eye on it."

I've already divided up all the money earned from the shop; Lianqiao's share has been taken to the north.

Ruanruan wrote that Lianqiao, in addition to being a military doctor in the army camp, also opened a pharmacy in Tianji City.

For those struggling to make ends meet, Lianqiao would not charge for her medicine.

While Ruan Ruan was saying that Lian Qiao was silly, she was also sending money to Lian Qiao's pharmacy.

"Furthermore," Ruan Ruan said, "once I've settled all the business affairs in Tianji City and Tianju City, I'll return to the capital."

But I doubt I'll be able to stay in Beijing for that long.

Because Lord Ye said that after the matter in the north is settled, the matter in the southwest will definitely be dealt with soon.

Since that's the case, Xiao Ruanruan will definitely have to run southwest.

I hope you'll still be there when Ruanruan passes away!

However, I heard that His Majesty is returning to the capital, so I guess you won't be able to stay in the southwest for much longer.

Some of the items sent came from Jiangnan and Lingnan, while others came from the north.

Shen Yunchuan's older brother returned from the north and brought this back with him.

Shen Yunchuan wrote to me, saying that his older brother has never gotten married. He should be getting married when he returns to the capital, but he doesn't know which girl will be interested in that blockhead of a brother of his..."

Song Zhimian read it very carefully.

It feels really good to have someone in the southwest who cares about you.

With Princess Yongxin around, she can know everything that's happening in the capital.

Afterwards, Song Zhimian went to see the things that Princess Yongxin had sent...

Yes, we have almost everything we need, including food, clothing, and other necessities.

What surprised Song Zhimian the most was that there were also two boxes of jasmine powder.

Princess Yongxin specifically mentioned that adding cow's milk or goat's milk when using it is the most nourishing for the skin...

Song Zhimian felt a warmth in her heart. After carefully putting the letter away, she looked at Xiao Huaijin, who hadn't shown up in front of her for several days.

Xiao Huaijin has sent many gifts these past few days, but he hasn't appeared in front of Song Zhimin.

Song Zhimian didn't think anything of it and always assumed that Xiao Huaijin was the one who was busy.

Xiao Huaijin felt a little uncomfortable when he saw Song Zhimian.

Although he drank too much that day, he wasn't so drunk that he didn't know anything.

He remembered it clearly. Song Zhimian patted her shoulder and said that if she found someone who looked like him in the future, she definitely wouldn't want him to be her first wife...

...

"These were all sent to you by Mu Xiao and my elder sister. I don't even have many of these things!" Xiao Huaijin said with a hint of bitterness.

Song Zhimian wasn't kind enough to share even a little with him.

“These are things for young ladies, it’s not appropriate to give them to you,” Song Zhimian immediately refused.

Xiao Huaijin...

This Song Zhimian is excellent! Next time I give her a large estate, I won't give her one with a hot spring bath…

"I was just saying, but my elder sister cares about you more than she cares about me!"

Okay, just have someone move those things into your yard.

"My elder sister and Mu Xiao are really something, sending all sorts of things here, treating this place like some backwater!" Xiao Huaijin said irritably.

Song Zhimian could sense that Xiao Huaijin seemed to be in a bad mood.

After glancing at Xiao Jingjue and the Twelfth Prince, who were looking at the gifts sent from the capital in the courtyard, Song Zhimian thought for a moment and then moved closer to Xiao Huaijin.

"Is something on your mind, Your Highness?" Song Zhimian asked softly.

Xiao Huaijin didn't say anything, but simply handed the two letters beside him to Song Zhimin.

Song Zhimian didn't stand on ceremony and took it to read.

The first letter was quite conventional; it was from the Crown Prince to Xiao Huaijin.

The letter contained mostly everyday conversations, as well as the elder brother's concern for his younger brother who was away from home.

The Crown Prince also mentioned that Emperor Xiao Xuan was going to return to the capital.

They just explained it in more detail than Princess Yongxin and Song Zhimian.

Emperor Xiao Xuan was returning to the capital, but Prince Zhao was left behind in the north.

The royal court of the red-haired barbarian kingdom has been destroyed; now it's just a matter of finishing up.

The Weiyuan Army is loyal to the Emperor, and leaving Prince Zhao there will not cause any major problems.

What surprised Song Zhimian was that at this time, Emperor Xiao Xuan should have been bestowing titles and rewards on the spot in the north, instead of rushing back to the capital.

But now that King Zhao has been asked to stay, he is eager to return.

There's definitely something going on here...

Song Zhimian put down the letter the Crown Prince had given to Xiao Huaijin and picked up another letter.

This letter was written by Ye Yunshu to Xiao Huaijin.

Besides some matters concerning court affairs, the letter also mentioned that... the Crown Prince's health was not very good.

"It's getting colder in the capital, and the Crown Prince has been coughing more often today."

In addition, the Crown Princess said that the Crown Prince had not had a proper rest for quite some time.

At night, I can't breathe properly and can't lie down. I need to lean against the bed frame to barely breathe.

The imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital were at a loss and could only temporarily alleviate the symptoms with herbal decoctions…

“The Crown Prince…” Song Zhimian immediately looked at Xiao Jingjue, who was playing in the courtyard.

"My elder sister said that if we can't find a good medicine to cure my brother the Crown Prince within a month, we'll have to send Jue-ge back first."

"Father is in a hurry to return to the capital, probably because he's worried about my brother, the Crown Prince's, condition!" Xiao Huaijin said softly.

Song Zhimian felt a little sad.

Crown Prince... very good!

He loved the people like his own children and always thought of the greater Yu region. How could such a good person have contracted an incurable disease?

"Lord Ye has many capable men under his command; he will surely be able to find a good medicine to cure the Crown Prince!"

"Your Highness, there will always be a way out!" Song Zhimian comforted him.

Xiao Huaijin nodded.

...

In the capital city, Ye Yunshu stood up abruptly after reading the note in her hand…