The eunuch handed the imperial edict and the box to Qin Su, and said with a smile, "This contains His Majesty's reward. It's a unique gift; no one else has received one."

Qin Su narrowed her eyes slightly and said ambiguously, "Did His Majesty order these words to be said, or did you add them yourself, Eunuch?"

"This..." The father-in-law was quite embarrassed.

Emperor Mingyang wouldn't say such ambiguous things openly; it's likely this eunuch was trying to guess the emperor's intentions and encouraging Qin Su. If Qin Su really enters the palace as a concubine, he will win Emperor Mingyang's favor, and his status will naturally rise accordingly. However, if Qin Su ultimately fails to enter the palace, it won't affect him much.

Qin Su coldly handed the imperial edict and the box to her mother, and then said to the eunuch, "I will tell His Majesty everything you said today."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately became anxious.

"Why must Your Highness make things difficult for me? I am just a servant." He dared not let Qin Su tell His Majesty this; if His Majesty found out, he would lose his head.

"This, this servant knows her mistake. It was wrong of me to trouble Your Highness. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I promise I will never say such things again."

Qin's mother did not interfere with Qin Su's actions and completely ignored the eunuch's pleading look.

She was not as good as her daughter in these matters, but even so, she could not hold her daughter back.

Qin Su smiled slightly at the frightened eunuch and said, "I was just joking with you, sir. Did I frighten you?"

The eunuch couldn't tell whether Qin Su was joking or serious, but he became more cautious and never dared to say such things in front of Qin Su again.

"No, no," he stammered, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Qin Su walked towards the door, saying as she went, "Please lead the way, sir, as I need to go to the palace."

"Yes, this servant will be right there." He dared not delay Qin Su and hurriedly followed.

Lian Tao was pushed by Qin's mother and immediately realized she had to catch up with Qin Su.

Emperor Mingyang found Qin Su's return to the palace strange, but considering her great achievements the previous day, he didn't hold it against her and gently asked her, "Do you have any objections to the imperial edict?"

Her entering the palace with the imperial eunuch who delivered the decree inevitably aroused speculation.

The Warm Pavilion now has a large number of people, all of whom are key figures in Da'an. Qin Su had met them all before.

Qin Su bowed slightly and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you for a favor."

Emperor Mingyang responded.

Qin Su immediately said, "This humble woman wishes to lead men to apprehend the criminal Kang Lin. Please grant Your Majesty's permission."

Emperor Mingyang did not immediately agree; he couldn't understand why Qin Su had done this. Clearly, she no longer needed to intervene in Kang Lin's matter; either the Imperial Guard or anyone else he sent could capture Kang Lin.

Perhaps sensing Emperor Mingyang's doubts, Qin Su smiled sheepishly, "I dare not deceive Your Majesty. Today, when I returned home, I encountered many matchmakers blocking the Marquis's residence. I do not want to deal with these things, so I would like to take this opportunity to hide for a few days."

Emperor Mingyang had not heard of this matter, and he looked at the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict.

The eunuch quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. Those matchmakers have practically worn down the threshold of the Marquis's residence."

Emperor Mingyang recalled Qin Su from yesterday. She was full of indescribable charm, confident and flamboyant, yet not repulsive.

It's no wonder that such a person would be popular with young people. He even believed that their affection for Qin Su wasn't romantic love, but rather admiration.

But……

"Very well, you should be more familiar with Kang Lin. Take your maid with you." Emperor Mingyang hesitated for a moment, but still handed the tiger tally of the Imperial Guard to Qin Su.

Given that Qin Su had taken the initiative to return the tiger tally last time, he trusted Qin Su a little more, but not much.

Qin Su glanced at the tiger tally and smiled, "The tiger tally is unnecessary. Your Highness can simply designate a few people for me. I will not interfere with the main force's search."

Emperor Mingyang pondered for a moment, then said, “Go and select a few people you know well, and tell them it is my order.” After a pause, he added, “Consider your own safety above all else, and do not act recklessly.”

"The Empress Dowager likes you very much. If you get hurt, she will blame me."

Qin Su quickly agreed, and for that reason, she did not linger there and turned to leave the warm pavilion.

Imperial Tutor Cen stroked his beard and sighed, "This Qin family girl is a good one."

She didn't covet power or wealth, nor did she take the opportunity to steal the tiger tally, showing that her mind wasn't on that at all.

Emperor Mingyang nodded, "Judging by the days, Marquis Zhongyi will be back soon."

...

In a farmhouse in Xiaoyao Village.

A simply dressed man carrying a bowl of thick medicinal liquid pushed open the door.

The people inside heard his voice and shouted angrily, "Get out!"

The man didn't leave; instead, he walked over to the bedside and sat down, saying, "Your injury hasn't healed yet, so take your medicine obediently."

The woman's face was pale, her lips almost bloodless, but her eyes were particularly striking, filled with hatred.

"I told you to get out, can't you understand human language?" Wang Manzhu glared at him. If there hadn't been a suitable opportunity, she really would have killed the man in front of her.

"Drink the medicine." Kang Lin's words left no room for argument, as assertive as ever.

Wang Manzhu lay down and turned over, her back to Kang Lin.

“If you don’t drink it, I’ll make Xiao Heng drink it.”

Wang Manzhu immediately sat up, glaring at Kang Lin and shouting, "Are you an animal?! He's my own son!"

Kang Lin didn't care at all. "It's just a son. As long as you get better, we can have a second and a third child."

"You beast!" Wang Manzhu spat, still afraid he might do something to the child, and drank all the medicine.

"Satisfied now? The door's over there."

Kang Lin didn't leave. He sat on the edge of the bed and said, "I will treat you well. Why can't you let go of your grudges? Just because of Qin Su, that woman you've only known for a few days."

He was puzzled.

"You killed my whole family, and you still expect me to let go of my grudges? You should be glad you don't know martial arts, otherwise I would definitely kill you." Wang Manzhu was shrouded in bone-deep hatred, but she closed her eyes because she was powerless.

"I told you, I wasn't the one who killed your whole family." Kang Lin stared at Wang Manzhu's retreating figure. He wanted to change their relationship, but he didn't know how to do it, and he felt completely powerless.

Wang Manzhu remained silent, not even wanting to look at her former bedmate.

"We'll be in the Yuehai Kingdom in a few days. Be good and don't cause any trouble."

They evaded many pursuers along the way; if they just held on a little longer, they would be safe.

Perhaps realizing that he couldn't communicate with Wang Manzhu, Kang Lin finally got up and walked out.

Just then, Wang Manzhu suddenly spoke up, "Why does it have to be me? There are so many women who can have your children, why can't you let me go?"

Kang Lin did not answer the question, and the door was closed again.

The following day, Kang Lin carried her onto the carriage, and a new round of travel began.