Having put that sensitive topic aside, the rest of the trip became relaxed and enjoyable.

The carriages and horses traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently to visit famous cities and beautiful towns, and sampling local delicacies.

Qin Minghuang seemed to have completely forgotten about the return date, letting the carriage travel slowly, stopping at every prefecture, county, and village.

Sometimes they would stay overnight, and when the mood struck them, they would often linger for three to five days.

Aside from listening to the Xuanji Guard's reports on major events of the world every day, he ignored all other political affairs, truly stealing half a day of leisure from his busy life.

Ten days have passed in the blink of an eye, and the autumnal equinox is approaching.

After several autumn rains, the weather turned noticeably cooler, and a bleak chill filled the air.

However, this slight temperature change was nothing to the four people with extraordinary cultivation levels.

Just to avoid looking out of place, I also bought some seasonal clothes as usual.

On this day, the carriage entered a place called Qingquan Township.

Before even getting close to the center of the village market, a long queue could be seen ahead.

Faint voices could be heard; it was the time for the village to collect the autumn tax.

Along the roadside and the ridges of the fields, most of the golden rice has been harvested, revealing patches of mottled soil.

Most of the people waiting in line were dressed in coarse cloth clothes that had been washed until they were faded, and their faces were tanned by the sun, bearing the marks of years of hard work.

They waited quietly, some carrying baskets full of new grain on shoulder poles, others pushing heavy sacks in wheelbarrows.

At the temporary tax collection point set up by the local officials, the abacus beads clicked loudly, and as the officials counted the taxes, the grain was poured into the official container.

An elderly man tremblingly handed over the grain he had earned through a year of hard work, his eyes filled with trepidation.

Some strong, middle-aged men silently shouldered the grain sacks, their temples slightly bulging with veins.

The children played and frolicked by the line, unaware that the heavy load of grain was crucial to their families' well-being throughout the winter.

The autumn sun shone through the sparse clouds, illuminating the grains soaked with sweat and the simple, honest faces.

Everything seemed both ordinary and heavy.