tacit agreement
After seeing Gu Zeyu off, Zhao Youyi turned around and saw Chu Chanyin standing there. She smiled and asked, "Brother Huai Cong, what brings you here?"
Chu Chanyin smiled at her: "I came out to see you since you haven't returned for a long time."
Zhao Youyi leaned closer to him, tilted her head, and smiled sweetly: "Really? I thought Brother Huai Cong was jealous."
Chu Chan couldn't help but chuckle, and deliberately asked, "If I get jealous, will A-Wan comfort me?"
Zhao Youyi feigned hesitation and said, "Well... it depends on my mood."
"How is A-Wan feeling now?" Chu Chanyin asked.
Zhao Youyi grabbed his hand and shook it, as if she were being coquettish: "I was in a good mood, but someone's antics ruined it."
"Did Gu Zeyu make you angry?" Chu Chanyin asked, frowning. "I could tell at a glance that he had ill intentions and even tried to sow discord."
Zhao Youyi was a little curious about how he knew all this: "You didn't just hear it, did you?"
"Of course not, I would never stoop to such things as peeping or eavesdropping." Chu Chanyin's smiling face resembled that of a satiated little fox.
Zhao Youyi reached out and gently pinched his nose with her finger, the gesture intimate and her expression doting: "It's like you're saying I never did it."
Chu Chanyin naturally wouldn't admit it, so he blinked innocently, his affectionate peach blossom eyes looking at her with a watery gaze.
After the two finished their sweet talk, Zhao Youyi returned to his military tent to handle official business. Chu Chanyin turned around and went to the cookhouse to borrow a medicine stove to brew medicine for Zhao Youyi. The residual poison in his body was still there, and drinking only one dose of medicine would definitely not cure him. Since it concerned Zhao Youyi's health, he dared not entrust the task to others.
"Your Highness, you've come to prepare medicine for the lord again." The soldier saw him arrive and quickly made way for him.
Chu Chanyin nodded gently and gave a warm smile: "You've all worked hard. Go and watch over other places. I'll take care of things here."
In the past, Xiaobing would never have let him brew Zhao Youyi's medicine alone. However, after observing him for the past few days, and seeing him brave wind and rain to go to the Divine Doctor Valley to ask for medicine for Zhao Youyi, and then staying by her side without leaving her side after returning, even personally brewing the medicine, Xiaobing felt that there was genuine affection between the two.
"Hey, Your Highness, you've worked hard." The soldier walked a short distance away and began preparing the ingredients for the army's midday meal. Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but glance at Chu Chanyin. Today, the King of Chu was wearing a sky-blue brocade robe, which made him look gentle and refined. He was already exceptionally handsome, and now he was being so gentle and considerate towards Zhao Youyi, which made people even more envious.
After Chu Chanyin finished decocting the medicine, he carried the medicine and dried fruit to Zhao Youyi's military tent. When he lifted the curtain, he saw her with her brows furrowed.
"What's troubling you, A-Wan?" Chu Chanyin put down the medicine bowl and the plate of dried fruit, walked behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and gently massaged her. "Why don't you tell me? Maybe I can help you relieve your worries."
“It’s just that when I looked at these pamphlets, I saw many reports from officials that there are many refugees in the nearby counties. I was thinking of recruiting refugees in the border areas to replenish the population. I wonder what Brother Huai Cong thinks?” Zhao Youyi said, holding his hand.
These ideas had already taken root when she first encountered the group of refugees on the ship. In this chaotic world, it was natural for some people to be fearful and flee in all directions. Recruiting refugees could win the hearts of the people, promote the development of agriculture in the border areas, and help restore production. Moreover, the army needed more fresh blood. It was a win-win-win situation, so there was no reason not to do it.
"A-Wan's idea is good. You are indeed gifted in politics." Chu Chanyin took out a wooden comb and combed her hair, speaking gently. "If we want to pacify the refugees, appeasement policies are essential. It is also very important to know how to settle them without causing panic among the original people."
“Brother Huai Cong is right. I’m thinking of recruiting refugees in more remote counties with fewer people first, so that it will be easier to settle them down, and then gradually move to the main cities on the border.” Zhao Youyi felt a gentle movement behind him and couldn’t help but smile.
"If Awan wants to become a wise ruler, she must not prioritize literature over military affairs or vice versa. Both must be developed in a coordinated manner. Awan can promote cultural education in the border areas to attract more scholars to recognize and join her." This is what Chu Chanyin has learned since childhood. It is something he must learn as a member of the royal family, and now he will not hesitate to teach it to Zhao Youyi.
Zhao Youyi looked up at him and smiled: "Brother Huai Cong is so intelligent. What would I do without you?"
Chu Chanyin gently stroked its soft black hair and solemnly promised, "I will not leave you."
Zhao Youyi took his hand and rubbed it against her face. "I knew Huai Cong was the best."
"Last time you said you couldn't just sit around and do nothing. Besides cooperating with the wealthy merchants of Jiangzhou, do you have any other ideas?" Chu Chanyin asked.
Zhao Youyi pulled Chu Chanyin down to sit. Luckily, the chair was spacious enough that she could lean against him completely, her soft hair brushing against his neck. "I do have some ideas, but I don't know if they're feasible."
"Why don't you tell me what you think, and I'll give you some advice." Chu Chanyin held the lukewarm medicine to her lips. "The temperature is about right now, drink it."
Zhao Youyi pursed her lips happily, then drank the medicine bowl in one gulp. Chu Chanyin quickly grabbed a piece of candied fruit and held it to her lips. Seeing her furrowed brows, Chu Chanyin couldn't help but smile.
“I want to establish military farms on the border, combining soldiers with farmers. This would solve the problem of food supplies and also deter the southern barbarians. I wonder what Brother Huai Cong thinks?” Zhao Youyi swallowed the dried fruit to suppress the bitterness in his mouth.
“That’s a good idea. I did the same thing in Virginia. I can give you some advice on this,” Chu Chanyin said.
The two exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with unspoken understanding.
Chu Chan stayed in the border region for fifteen days to help Zhao Youyi recover. However, he had to leave due to matters in Fuzhou. Before leaving, Zhao Youyi tied a cloak around his neck. It was a cloak made from a white fox she had shot during the autumn hunt some time ago. The collar was surrounded by a circle of fluffy fox fur, which made him look exceptionally gentle, much like a fox spirit.
"Be careful on the road." Zhao Youyi straightened his cloak, her eyes filled with reluctance.
Chu Chanyin held her hand and felt that her palm was a little cold. He said with concern, "You don't need to see me off. Your hands are a little cold. Go back quickly and be careful not to catch a cold."
Zhao Youyi held his hand reluctantly, the cool autumn wind blowing through their hair, intertwining and separating, the autumn air filled with unspeakable sorrow of parting.
Chu Chanyin pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her hair. "When the year comes to an end, I'll come and keep you company to celebrate the New Year."
Zhao Youyi nodded gently. "I received a letter saying that things haven't been peaceful in the border areas for the past few months. I'll leave Lele with you; I feel more at ease that way."
"I will take good care of Lele, and I will bring them to see you at the end of the year," Chu Chanyin said gently.
"I still really miss you." Zhao Youyi wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice low and coquettish.
Chu Chanyin's voice was tinged with laughter as he magically produced a hairpin from his sleeve. Zhao Youyi's gaze was drawn to the lifelike hairpin, with numerous small white flowers surrounded by two leaves, and pale pink stamens peeking out, trembling with his movements.
"How beautiful! What kind of flower is this?" Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him with great curiosity.
Chu Chanyin carefully tucked the hairpin into her black hair. "This flower is called the privet flower, which symbolizes unwavering loyalty and is also my promise to you."
Zhao Youyi reached out and stroked the hairpin, feeling the small white flower gently brush against her hand with her movement. She looked up at him and smiled shyly, revealing her girlish feelings.
"Do you like it?" Chu Chanyin asked her.
Zhao Youyi nodded excitedly, "Was the forget-me-not you sent before also for this purpose?"
Chu Chan smiled and shook his head: "The meaning of 'forget-me-not' is 'don't forget me.' I was very scared at the time. If you forget me again like you did back then, who can I complain to?"
Zhao Youyi pretended to be angry and hit him lightly. "What do you mean by that? Don't you trust me?"
Chu Chanyin quickly coaxed, "Of course not, I'm just afraid... you think I'm not good enough for you."
Zhao Youyi looked at him with considerable surprise: "When did our famous Prince Chu become so sentimental?"
Chu Chanyin lowered his eyes, his expression forlorn: "When it comes to matters concerning you, I'm always very uncertain."
Zhao Youyi wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him closer, and stood on tiptoe to kiss his forehead. The autumn wind blew through their hair, which intertwined and became inseparable.
"Don't worry, I only want you," Zhao Youyi reassured him with a smile.
Chu Chanyin smiled and his eyes crinkled upon hearing this. He held her hand reluctantly, only letting go when he heard Xiaobing call out to him.
"Wait!" Zhao Youyi called out to him.
Chu Chanyin turned around and looked at her with some surprise: "What's wrong, Awan? Are you reluctant to part with me?"
Zhao Youyi, her ears turning red, stuffed the peace charm she had embroidered herself into his hand. "I embroidered it for fun, so keep it safe! If you lose it, you'll be held responsible!"
Chu Chanyin looked down at the crooked characters for "peace" on the red brocade pouch. In the corner of the peace charm, there was also a small character "Yi," which was her maiden name.
Chu Chanyin placed the amulet to his heart and gave her a hug, saying, "Awan, take care."
If they kept talking, they really wouldn't want to part, so Zhao Youyi patted his shoulder, signaling him to stop being so affectionate.
As Zhao Youyi watched Chu Chanyin's departing figure on horseback, a void seemed to fill his heart.
"If you're so reluctant to part, why don't you go back with His Highness Prince Chu?" Liu Zhimo walked over from a distance, a smile on his lips.
Zhao Youyi turned around and gave her a reproachful look: "What do personal feelings matter in the face of important matters? Speaking of which, how are things going between you and that little princess?"
Upon hearing Zhao Youyi bring this up, Liu Zhiming also looked troubled, rubbing his temples as he replied, "That little princess is on a hunger strike right now, constantly demanding to see my brother."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi raised an eyebrow with interest; it seemed things were getting interesting.
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