This trip back to Beijing was only to attend Dai Zhiwan's wedding, and they didn't plan to stay in the capital for long, so Su Wanyan didn't ask them to pack much.
The water bracelet that Su Wanyan had ordered to be made would take some time, and in the meantime, Su Wanyan inquired about what had happened outside recently.
There wasn't anything particularly noteworthy about the city, except that Qiu Ye mentioned that things seemed a bit unsettled outside the city recently. According to the city's residents, merchants traveling to Fucheng from outside the city were hiring twice as many bodyguards as before.
However, the matter had not yet affected the territory of Fuzhou, and the people there were only hearing rumors.
To find out more, Qiu Ye visited a merchant caravan that had come to Fucheng to trade. The caravan members told her that recently, for some unknown reason, many bandits had appeared along the way to rob people.
These bandits were unlike any they had encountered before; they were more like desperate criminals, and their martial arts skills were far superior to those of ordinary bandits. Many caravans had already been robbed.
Even now, many caravans still feel lingering fear when the topic is brought up, and they have to spend a lot of money to hire bodyguards to protect them.
Even so, some caravans still perished completely, causing widespread anxiety when traveling to the trading city, with people constantly wondering when they might fall into a trap.
Su Wanyan asked curiously, "Where do these bandits appear?"
"I haven't asked about this floor yet. I'll go and inquire about it tomorrow."
Just then, Huang Ye came in from outside the door carrying several winter clothes: "Your Majesty, what do you think of these?"
Su Wanyan reached out and gently lifted the covers a few times. The capital city has four distinct seasons. The weather turns cold as autumn approaches in August and September, and it is even more necessary to prepare warm winter clothes as winter approaches in October.
The winter clothes Huang Ye was holding were all styles that Su Wanyan liked. She nodded and said, "Yes, these few will do."
Huang Ye gave a slight curtsy and continued tidying up the clothes.
Winter clothes are for cold weather, and they're not really needed in Beijing's autumn. It's good to have a few capes on hand so you can switch them up when the weather gets colder.
"If Your Majesty departs this month, you will arrive in the capital by mid-August. Wouldn't you then have to stay in the capital for two months?"
“There are advantages to setting off early. We can take our time, enjoy the scenery, and return to Beijing at the same time.”
Yu Nanqing had just announced the tax reduction policy and was about to leave Fucheng for such a long time. The officials in Fuzhou were not optimistic about this policy and were worried that something new might happen in Fuzhou during Yu Nanqing's absence.
However, this thought only flashed through her mind. Since Yu Nanqing was willing to accompany her back to the capital, he must have prepared a plan, so she stopped thinking about it.
"Yes." Qiu Ye bowed. "If Your Highness has nothing else to do, this servant will go and attend to my duties."
"Hmm, no need to go to too much trouble, many things can be found in the capital."
"yes."
Su Wanyan picked up her teacup, took a small sip, thought for a moment, then closed the book on the table, got up, and went to the small pharmacy.
Although it's not appropriate to send medicine on such a joyous occasion, her expertise lies in medicine. I wonder if the Baijie Pills she left for Xu Yixuan and Dai Zhiwan when she left the capital last time have come in handy.
Taking advantage of this trip back to Beijing, she prepared some more for them.
Since Su Wanyan said she was going back to the capital, Yu Nanqing has become unusually diligent.
The departure date was set for the tenth day of the seventh lunar month, because Su Wanyan wanted to spend Qixi Festival in Fucheng. She and Yu Nanqing had arranged to go on an autumn outing outside the city.
On Qixi Festival, the Yue Lao Temple outside Fucheng City was exceptionally lively, as everyone liked to go to the temple to pray for marriage on this day.
The place where Su Wanyan and Yu Nanqing went on their outing happened to be on the back mountain of the Yue Lao Temple.
To avoid sharing the same road with the young ladies of the city, Su Wanyan and Yu Nanqing leisurely set off around noon.
However, to Su Wanyan's surprise, she did not run into the rich young ladies on her way there, but when she arrived at the Temple of the Matchmaker, she happened to run into these young ladies on their way back.
Upon seeing the Prince Gong's carriage traveling on the mountain road near the Temple of the Matchmaker, some young ladies from prominent families changed their plans and decided to have lunch at the temple before returning home.
Su Wanyan had no time to investigate what these young ladies were thinking, because Yu Nanqing was in the carriage insisting on styling her hair.
She had already tied her hair up in a long ponytail; when going out for a spring outing, one should travel light for ease of movement.
Yu Nanqing insisted on taking her hair down, but Su Wanyan tightly covered her ponytail and brushed away Yu Nanqing's outstretched hand: "This is fine, don't make so many fancy moves. I think this is good enough."
Yu Nanqing refused, saying, "I recently learned a new style, and Yan'er wants me to try it out."
Su Wanyan frowned: "You didn't say anything before we left the house."
"I haven't thought of it."
Su Wanyan was speechless: "You're so busy every day, how do you still have time to research hairstyles?"
"I'll remember anything I see that looks good." Yu Nanqing said enthusiastically, then pleaded softly, "Yan'er, will you come with me?"
"No." Su Wanyan distanced herself from Yu Nanqing and pressed herself against the car wall. "It's convenient for me now, so please don't touch me."
“Yan’er…” Yu Nanqing pursed his lips, his eyes and brows dimmed.
Su Wanyan turned her face away: "I can't be bothered with you."
The golden peach blossoms on the back mountain of the Yue Lao Temple were in full bloom. Su Wanyan and Yu Nanqing got off the carriage, and the lush forest had just opened up a mountain path that was neither too wide nor too narrow.
Su Wanyan's long ponytail had been removed, replaced by a simple bun adorned with a pearl hairpin, giving her a fresh and elegant look that perfectly complemented her simple dress.
Su Wanyan lifted her skirt and walked ahead angrily.
On the other hand, Yu Nanqing seemed to be in a good mood, carrying a food box and following closely behind.
Behind the Yue Lao Temple is a garden, which has been simply trimmed and maintained by the monks of the temple. Standing in the garden and looking down, you can take in the entire panorama of the Yue Lao Temple. It is a favorite spot for wealthy young men and women to linger.
When Su Wanyan reached the top, she saw that others had already gotten there first, so she wasn't the only one taking advantage of the Qixi Festival to enjoy the autumn scenery.
Fortunately, the mountain garden was quite large, with long corridors and pavilions. Young ladies could be seen sitting in twos and threes in the corridors, sometimes whispering and sometimes laughing.
Some people set up tables on the lawn, sat on the ground, brewed some tea, and enjoyed the flowers and drinks together.
People were in groups of three or five, and you could see a few young men among them, but all you could see were beautiful women.
Upon closer inspection, there were several pairs.
"I thought there wouldn't be many people around." Yu Nanqing had been busy these past few days and had originally wanted to find a quiet place to be alone with him and enjoy some time alone together.
"Your Majesty, this servant thinks that place is quite nice," Qiu Ye pointed to a spot.
Su Wanyan looked up and saw a round stone table built against the mountain wall, with several stone benches around it.
It's strange that no one has taken such a good spot. Su Wanyan smiled and said, "Then let's go there."
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