All the dramatic events vanished without a trace, like a receding tide, when Gan Qiongying returned with the map and finally began to reveal her hand to Li Hua and discuss where to run away.

Gan Qiongying didn't notice anything amiss, only that his eyes were a little red, and asked, "Are you sleepy?"

Li Hua shook her head and spoke in a low, hoarse voice: "No."

“Let’s discuss this. These five routes were previously agreed upon by Gan Lin and me, but I want to take this route, using the waterway around Qinzhou. Ying Ba has already scouted the route over there with his gyrfalcon… We’ll land in the small town of Qinzhou. A few days ago, I sent out one of the kids from the front and back yards, named Ding Doudou. He’s a human map; he remembers all the places he’s been. We’ll meet up with him then and head south…”

Gan Qiongying bent over on the bed and carefully pointed it out to Li Hua. The two studied it for a long time, but Li Hua did not express his opinion. Gan Qiongying asked him, "What do you think?"

After a moment's consideration, Li Hua said, "Absolutely foolproof."

"When are you planning to set off?" Actually, Li Hua had been to all of these routes, and the Ding Doudou that Gan Qiongying mentioned was not as experienced as him.

But Li Hua didn't say that as long as he was sure that Gan Qiongying wanted to take him with her, he would go no matter where he was, even to the ends of the earth or to the underworld.

"Is there anywhere you want to go?" Gan Qiongying asked. "Actually, we can deviate from the route a little, but I think the ideal place to stay in the end is in the south. Gan Lin and you are both in poor health and need to recuperate..."

“I’ve been everywhere, and I’m happy to go anywhere as long as you’re with me,” Li Hua said gently.

Gan Qiongying smiled and continued to introduce several other places to Li Hua, who listened and watched attentively.

Gan Qiongying went on and on, explaining that starting tomorrow, they would send the people out of the mansion in batches. With the New Year approaching, the peddlers would be coming to the city in a chaotic manner, which would be perfect for them to disguise themselves as merchants...

Four thousand people is no small number. If it were to be dispersed under normal circumstances, it would certainly attract attention. However, now there are refugees scattered outside the imperial city, and many merchants are entering the inner city because of the New Year.

This is the perfect time to fish in troubled waters.

Gan Qiongying said to Li Hua, "Actually, Gan Lin and I have discussed it. These people can also be hidden in the palace. There is no place bigger or more complicated than the palace. Even if they are all stuffed in, no one will find them. Gan Lin also has some of his own people in the palace."

"But then I thought about it and decided against it. We weren't planning to come back anyway. Why make them suffer in the palace and wait when we've let them go and live freely?"

Gan Qiongying's legs went numb from bending over. She rubbed her legs, straightened up, and said, "How are you feeling? Why haven't you said anything?"

Li Hua didn't say anything, but pressed down on her waist as she tried to straighten up, and went straight up to her from behind.

He whispered in her ear, "The routes you've arranged are excellent. I'm only silent because I have no better suggestions. You can leave the trade to me; I'll make sure they leave the capital safely... but you shouldn't move."

"Huh? What?" Gan Qiongying's breath hitched, and she felt a loosening around her waist, followed by a sudden burning sensation in her ears.

Li Hua slowly pressed her into the brocade quilt, his arms passing through her waist and encircling her, giving her no room to escape.

Then, his warm breath swept down her neck, and he said, "Leave you to me."

"Hey, wait a minute, isn't your leg hurting... um..."

"Legs, legs, legs, let's switch." Gan Qiongying turned and kissed Li Hua's face. "I'll do it, I'm strong!"

Li Hua paused for a moment, then laughed again, this time with a particularly clear and pleasant laugh, without any trace of gloom.

He kissed the back of Gan Qiongying's head, buried his face in her hair, and said, "My legs don't hurt anymore, you've healed them."

Before Gan Qiongying could say anything more, Li Hua's gentle lips covered her mouth.

The curtains fell silently, and Gan Qiongying, feeling as if she were floating on clouds, heard Li Hua ask her, "When did you discover my true face?"

"Why are you suddenly being nice to me? When did you start liking me? Hmm?"

Gan Qiongying kept mumbling, but paused for a moment because she knew who Li Hua was from the beginning, but she couldn't explain it.

She was resurrected in another's body. Before her arrival, Li Hua and Duan Rong had been mortal enemies.

As for the reason for the sudden change, that's even more unspeakable; she was only after money from the beginning.

As for when she started liking Li Hua, it's hard to say for sure; even Gan Qiongying herself couldn't remember.

Fortunately, Li Hua asked such a question, but kept covering Gan Qiongying's mouth and did not let go.

He dared not listen, even though at this moment the two of them were one in spirit and body, inseparable.

But it doesn't matter anymore.

That's good enough for them.

Li Hua completely enveloped Gan Qiongying, showering her swaying cheek with delicate, passionate kisses.

When Gan Qiongying woke up the next morning, well, to put it another way, she didn't get up.

Physically, it didn't get up because Li Hua was as fierce as a wolf last night.

She rolled over, feeling sore all over, and lay back down, slamming her fist on the bed.

"We've been scammed!" Gan Qiongying said angrily.

Manyue was just coming in to help Gan Qiongying wash up when she heard this and asked, "What? Who tricked you?"

Gan Qiongying naturally couldn't tell Manyue, but she had been deceived by Lihua. His legs really didn't hurt. Not only did they not hurt when he was kneeling, but they also didn't hurt when he stood and bounced for so long.

You big liar!

Gan Qiongying cursed inwardly, but a sweet smile played on her lips.

They have already set a departure time, which will be on the eve of the Lunar New Year. By then, the princess's mansion will be almost empty. They will then travel all the way to Jiangnan!

"Where is the prince consort?" Gan Qiongying asked Manyue. "When did he leave?"

Upon hearing this, Manyue paused for a moment and said, "They left before dawn. Apparently, something happened at the merchant guild, and they told me not to wake the princess up early."