At the gate of the East Palace, Luo Qingrou once again presented a visiting card, explaining that she was on the Empress's orders to deliver a newly acquired health-preserving tea recipe to His Highness the Crown Prince. The gatekeeper respectfully accepted it, but said, "Miss Luo, please wait a moment while I inform His Highness."

Before long, it wasn't the Crown Prince who came out, but Lu Zheng, who was waving a folding fan and had a cynical look on his face.

"Oh my! Miss Luo! What a rare guest!" Lu Zheng greeted her with a smile. "It's really unfortunate that Chengjing was just summoned to the palace by His Majesty for a meeting and won't be back for a while! This tea recipe is yours to forward, and I guarantee it will be delivered to His Highness's desk intact!" He reached out to take the visiting card and the tea recipe.

Luo Qingrou frowned slightly, subconsciously hiding the item behind her back. Her tone carried a hint of barely perceptible annoyance: "Young Master Lu! This is a gift personally bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress. I must present it to His Highness the Crown Prince in person and convey Her Majesty's instructions. How can I entrust it to someone else?"

"Oh my, my Miss Luo!" Lu Zheng exaggeratedly slapped his forehead. "Look at you, you're being serious again, aren't you? Tell me the Empress's instructions, and I guarantee I'll relay them to Cheng Jing word for word! Don't you trust my character, Lu Zheng?" He patted his chest, his face showing an expression that said, "You can rest assured that I can handle things."

"Young Master Lu's character..." Luo Qingrou looked at his lazy appearance and recalled all the "disruptions" he had caused at the Imperial Garden, the horse farm, and the palace banquet. She was furious and blurted out, "Qingrou really can't compliment him!" As soon as she said it, she realized that she had been a little rude and her face turned slightly red.

Lu Zheng wasn't angry at all. Instead, he took a step closer and looked at her flushed cheeks with a grin: "Miss Luo, those words are hurtful! Although I, Lu Zheng, am rough and uncouth, I'll do anything for my friends and keep my promises! You say I'm not flattering, then tell me, when have I ever ruined your plans? Hmm?" His eyes were mischievous, and he deliberately dragged out his words.

Luo Qingrou felt flustered under his gaze and speechless, stumped by his shameless logic. Thinking it over carefully, although Lu Zheng always embarrassed her and ruined her plans, it seemed... he hadn't actually done anything to truly harm her or the Crown Prince? Even at the horse farm, if he hadn't reined in his horse in time, she might have been injured. This thought flashed through her mind, making her even more angry at her own wavering.

"You...you're just being unreasonable!" Luo Qingrou was furious and didn't want to argue with him anymore. She handed the tea recipe and visiting card to the steward of the Eastern Palace next to her. "Please pass these on to His Highness the Crown Prince! Qingrou takes her leave!" After saying that, she turned around and left, her steps slightly hurried.

Lu Zheng watched her retreating figure, a hint of anger in her eyes, fanning himself with a playful smile. This Miss Luo, usually so dignified like a jade sculpture, seemed quite lively when angry. Hmm… perhaps she wasn't so annoying after all?

As the sun set, golden rays bathed the journey home. Inside the carriage, An'an slept soundly in Shen Yuewei's arms, her little face rosy and a satisfied smile on her lips. Chun Tao also dozed off against the carriage wall.

Shen Yuewei gently lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the fields and distant mountains bathed in golden-red hues. The aroma of fruits from Peach Blossom Manor still seemed to linger, and Zhou Wenxuan's gentle, polite smile and candid words made her feel relaxed and happy. Today's trip had given her long-awaited respite from her tense nerves.

She looked down at her daughter's peaceful sleeping face, and thought of the deep longing and endless care in the Crown Prince's letter. She also thought of her second brother's upcoming wedding in the capital and the new baby boy in the family... Her heart was filled with mixed feelings, yet strangely, it was also filled with a sense of peace.

The foundation in Jiangnan has been laid. Her daughter is healthy and lively, with Chun Tao and Zhang Mama loyally protecting her, Zhou Wenxuan as a friend who respects her, and a man far away who, though unable to fully understand her, is willing to protect her in his own way. These days are busy yet fulfilling, filled with both worries and freedom.