Upon hearing this, Bai Lu strangely felt that it was a very likely thing to happen.
Xu Xian was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened in disbelief: "No way..."
Shang Shaoyan gave a bitter smile: "You'll know when you go see for yourself."
Meanwhile, Qiao Xiuyu stared at the glass wind chimes, feeling even more sorrowful.
He forced a smile, carefully placed the handful of firewood ash into his clean water bottle, gently placed the wind chime in front of him, and said softly, "An'an, may you have a safe journey."
Just then, the three of them arrived at the glass factory and immediately heard these words. Bai Lu, Xu Xian, and Shang Shaoyan were speechless.
Shang Shaoyan asked coldly, "Who will have a good journey?"
Qiao Xiuyu didn't even look up: "County Princess... County Princess?!"
Qiao Xiuyu stared blankly at Shang Shaoyan. Seeing that the latter had a ruddy complexion, was dressed in fine clothes, and had a pair of phoenix eyes burning with raging anger, he was immediately dumbfounded.
He murmured, "But... the mansion has already hung white banners, Bai Lu is wearing mourning clothes, and officials have come to offer their condolences... so the county princess is not dead."
He paused, looked at the glass wind chime in his hand, and suddenly realized: "Then it seems that this is not a relic either."
Xu Xian: "..."
That's absolutely outrageous.
Bai Lu secretly rubbed her forehead—the county princess really guessed right. To be honest, is the Seventh Prince, such a talented person, really the biological son of that wise and virtuous ruler and empress of Northern Zhou?
Shang Shaoyan tried to calm his anger and kept reassuring himself that Qiao Xiuyu was just worried and confused, and that it was a sign of her love for him. Since she was already here, he couldn't just beat her up and then send her away, could he?
After brainwashing himself like this, Shang Shaoyan was able to speak calmly with Qiao Xiuyu: "Qilang, get up first, I'll take you back to get something to eat."
Qiao Xiuyu was still a little stunned, but she quickly came to her senses, pursed her lips, stood up, and followed closely behind Shang Shaoyan.
He felt very uneasy seeing that Shang Shaoyan hadn't said a word the whole way.
Qiao Xiuyu tried to hold back, but couldn't help herself and tugged at Shang Shaoyan's sleeve: "An'an, don't ignore me."
Shang Shaoyan glanced at him helplessly: "Where did I ignore you? I was just thinking that you were so tired from rushing over, so I wanted to say less to avoid making you feel overwhelmed. Alright, hurry up and come back to the manor with me. There's a bowl of chicken soup in the kitchen. Drink it later to warm yourself up."
Qiao Xiuyu nodded obediently.
Shang Shaoyan smiled, took Qiao Xiuyu's hand, and led him away.
Not far behind them, Xu Xian leaned close to Bai Lu's ear and asked, "Lady Bai, what exactly is the relationship between this person and the county princess? I'm afraid it's not just a simple friendship."
Bai Lu was numb: "My surname is Yu... never mind. The Seventh Young Master is in love with the County Princess, and the County Princess also thinks the Seventh Young Master is not bad, that's their relationship."
Xu Xian said with dissatisfaction, "This description is too perfunctory."
Bai Lu rolled her eyes, somewhat speechless: "That's how things are, that's how the situation is. If that's how you think, then there's nothing I can do."
Xu Xian: "..."
Ahead, Shang Shaoyan was still speaking gently to Qiao Xiuyu, asking about her well-being: "I've calculated that from the time you learned I was sick until you came here today, it's only been eight or nine days. Don't be so reckless next time. Look at your haggard and disheveled appearance now. If others saw you, they would never guess that you are the Seventh Prince of Northern Zhou. They would probably think you are some little beggar!"
Qiao Xiuyu was a little embarrassed that she had caused such a big misunderstanding, but after hearing Shang Shaoyan's words, she was immediately very happy: "A little beggar is fine, as long as I can see the county princess."
Shang Shaoyan felt a warmth in his heart and couldn't help but smile: "Your timing is actually not good. I have to rush back to Shengjing at the end of January."
Qiao Xiuyu frowned: "Today is already the fourteenth day of the first lunar month."
Shang Shaoyan raised an eyebrow: "That's right, so we'll be heading back to the capital after the Lunar New Year. The journey here was a bit slow because we had to take care of the elders. If we were to go back alone, it would probably take about half a month. After all, February 2nd is my birthday, and my brother wants to celebrate with me."
Qiao Xiuyu's eyes lit up: "Your birthday is coming soon?"
Shang Shaoyan nodded: "That's right, have you decided what birthday gift to give me?"
As they spoke, they arrived at Shang Shaoyan's temporary residence. Qiao Xiuyu was deep in thought about what gift to give, and didn't say anything for a while. Shang Shaoyan led him to the bathroom: "Take a hot bath first, and I'll get you some clothes. Don't fall asleep while taking a bath, or you might faint. I've already had a room prepared; go and take a nap later, understand?"
Qiao Xiuyu snapped out of her daze, looked at Shang Shaoyan's bright and concerned face, felt a warmth in her heart, and smiled as she agreed.
...
After taking Qiao Xiuyu to the restroom, Shang Shaoyan summoned Cheng Chu.
Cheng Chu had also heard about Qiao Xiuyu's arrival. He sighed, "No wonder the Duke is so wary of this Seventh Prince. Such a sincere and loving young man, if he were to try and steal my daughter, wouldn't he be snatched away in no time? I would be afraid too."
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
She twitched her lips, then subtly changed the subject: "How are the arrangements for my trip to the western suburban camp tomorrow?"
Cheng Chu quickly composed himself and said respectfully, "Princess, rest assured, everything has been arranged. I have already spoken with Tai Jian, and you will come to train the troops tomorrow. My five hundred elite soldiers will be at your disposal."
Shang Shaoyan looked at Cheng Chu with a half-smile, making the latter feel uneasy before she finally spoke: "Are you trying to give me more screen time again?"
Cheng Chu looked bewildered: "What do you mean by 'adding scenes'?"
Shang Shaoyan didn't explain, but changed the subject, asking, "How is the Iron-Eating Beast?"
Cheng Chu's attention was indeed drawn: "We've found a cub of the Iron-Eating Beast, and it's currently being raised at the western suburban camp. I heard the county princess is returning to the capital the day after tomorrow. What are the other arrangements?"
Shang Shaoyan tapped the table with his knuckles, pondered for a moment, and then said, "You will stay in Shuzhou for the time being, and I will stay as well as Bailu. Your task is to win over Tai Jian and Xu Xian to our side as much as possible. I believe in your abilities."
She paused for a moment, then said, "The glass matter can be left to Bailu and Xu Xian. My brother's illness is the priority. I will send the divine physician to Shengjing first. After my birthday, I will return to Shuzhou. Then... after things are settled in Shuzhou, we will go to the Northwest."
Cheng Chu knelt on the ground and bowed his head in agreement.
Shang Shaoyan thought for a moment and added, "I think Li Xuan has been persuaded, but Chen Shu is not easy to convince. I'm leaving this matter to you. Make sure that the two gentlemen are on my side—or at least remain neutral."
Cheng Chu nodded, then hesitated and asked, "Princess, what should we do about that seventh prince of Northern Zhou?"
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