**The Prime Minister's Residence Flower Hall in the Capital**

Just as Madam Luo finished instructing her maid to add several boxes of newly acquired Huizhou ink and Chengxintang paper to the luggage list ("Rou'er is at the border, and medical records and prescriptions always need to be written. Good paper and ink are very convenient"), the gatekeeper announced that the Duke of Zhenguo's wife had arrived.

Madam Lu, dressed in a crisp crimson riding outfit with a matching brocade vest, strode in. Before she even arrived, her voice preceded her: "Mother-in-law! How's the preparation going?" Her eyes flashed like lightning as she quickly scanned the chests and trunks piled up in the hall. She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, quite a commotion! But in that border region, the sandstorms are like knives. I'm afraid these delicate items of yours won't last more than a few days before they gather dust." Her tone was the straightforwardness typical of a military family.

Madam Luo rose to greet her, and upon hearing this, she was not annoyed. With a gentle smile, she handed over a freshly brewed cup of sachets: "Please sit down, Duchess. Life at the border is harsh, so we must bring everything we can think of and prepare for Rou'er, to make her as comfortable as possible. I imagine the things you brought are even more practical?" She glanced at the large chests carried in by several strong servants behind Madam Lu.

"Of course!" Madam Lu sat down without any ceremony, picked up her teacup and gulped down a mouthful, then waved her hand magnanimously, "Thick leather, warm medicine, and capable old nannies—nothing is lacking! I even specially had the craftsmen in the manor make several small hand warmers and foot warmers, with thick copper bodies to keep the heat for a long time! Rou'er is sitting in the medical tent taking pulses, so her hands and feet can't get cold!" As she spoke, she lowered her voice, with the certainty of someone who had been through it all, "And midwives! I asked someone to invite two of the most experienced ones from the palace to come along! That boy Zheng'er, good at fighting, but taking care of a new mother? Humph, unreliable!"

The two mothers were huddled together, checking their lists for omissions and discussing how to look after each other on the road. Duke Lu (Lu Zheng's father) and Prime Minister Luo (Luo Qingrou's father) also arrived together after court.

Duke Lu was a burly man with a booming voice. As soon as he entered, he shouted, "Madam! Is everything prepared? Don't be stingy! In that godforsaken place at the border, you can't buy anything good even if you have money! Those few black fox furs in the storeroom have been stored away for years! Take them all with Rou'er! They can be used to make mattresses and chairs! Also, bring plenty of silver! What can Zheng'er's meager salary do? Don't make my daughter-in-law and my future grandson suffer!" He waved his hand, exuding an imposing aura.

Prime Minister Luo, on the other hand, appeared much more refined and composed. He stroked his neatly trimmed short beard, first nodding to Madam Lu before speaking gently to his wife, "Madam, you've worked hard. Regarding the medicine, I've already had the head of the Imperial Medical Academy prescribe several tonifying and nourishing formulas suitable for the border climate. The herbs are all of the highest quality; please make sure to take them with you. Also," he looked at Duke Lu, with the caution of a civil official, "Your Excellency is right, you must bring enough money. I've already instructed the accountant to issue another five thousand taels of silver notes for Madam to take. Although the border troops are not lacking in supplies, we'll need some to prepare some fine food for Rou'er and find her a better place to stay."

Upon hearing this, Duke Lu slapped Prime Minister Luo's shoulder heavily with his large, fan-like hand, making him stumble: "My dear in-law, you've thought of everything! Yes, that's the plan! Don't worry about the cost! If it's not enough, just write back and I, old Lu, will send you more!"

The two fathers spoke back and forth, but their central idea was completely the same: they only wished they could move the whole family to the border, for fear of wronging their daughter (daughter-in-law) in the slightest.