A smile flickered in Chu Jiuqing's eyes. This girl had been pretending for so long, and she actually knew she was getting tired.
Qingyatou, Qingqingjie, neither seems as endearing as my wife.
But he's not stupid anymore; if he were to address her like that again, she would definitely be angry.
I really want to go back to those carefree months, simple yet warm...
But not now; his status doesn't allow him to act recklessly.
"Alright, I'll call you Qingya from now on. But I have one request: please don't call me Prince Ning anymore, it feels too formal."
"Then what should I call you?"
"It's called Little Fish, which makes me feel warm and familiar with it."
Hearing Chu Jiuqing say this, Chen Qingqing hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Alright then, when no one's around, I'll call you Little Fish, and when others are around, I'll call you Prince Ning."
"Yes, we'll do as you say." Chu Jiuqing nodded repeatedly with a smile. "Qing'er, let's not delay, let's set off immediately!"
"What, leave now?" Chen Qingqing was taken aback.
Chu Jiuqing's face was solemn. "The journey is long and my father's condition is critical. We really cannot afford any delay. I hope you can understand."
"This is too hasty! I should go home and tell my parents no matter what! They'll be worried if they can't find me."
"Alright, go say goodbye to your family so they won't worry."
Shengjing, the capital.
"Your Highness, the Hall of Mental Cultivation is completely surrounded by the Dragon Shadow Guards, and our people cannot get in at all." Lin Xiaotian, the palace commander, knelt before Chu Jinxuan.
Chu Jinxuan frowned, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "What are you all good for? You can't even handle this little thing. You're all a bunch of useless trash!"
Lin Xiaotian trembled. “Your Highness, please calm down. The Emperor has been poisoned by Ziyou’s Western Region Blood-Coagulating Powder. Even if a great immortal were to come, there would be no way to save him. Even if the Dragon Shadow Guards do not withdraw, he probably won’t live for more than half a month.”
"You all said the same thing when Chu Jiuqing was poisoned. In the end, he not only returned unharmed, but also found a lot of evidence against me. Fortunately, I kept the Emperor Chu occupied with poison, otherwise I, the Crown Prince, would have been finished long ago."
Chu Jinxuan's face was grim, and he felt uneasy. He asked again,
"Has Chu Jiuqing made any moves lately?"
"Your Highness, Chu Jiuqing left the capital half a month ago. According to our informant, he seems to be heading towards Anyang."
Upon hearing this, Chu Jinxuan flew into a rage, "You bunch of useless bastards, why didn't you report such a big thing sooner?"
Lin Xiaotian looked displeased. "Your Highness, I've come several times, but you've been having deep conversations with the beauties sent by the Northern Barbarian Kingdom, and you don't allow anyone to disturb you. I've also..."
Chu Jinxuan's face darkened. He had indeed neglected his duties for the past half month. It was all because the beauty from the Northern Barbarian Kingdom was too alluring, making him not want to get out of bed.
He waved his hand, "Forget it, I also bear some responsibility for this matter. But can we find out what Chu Jiuqing went to Anyang for?"
"The information I received suggests that they have gone to invite a renowned physician, who is said to be the one who detoxified him."
“Those useless people in Anyang, I’ve wasted my time raising them. After investigating for so long, they still haven’t managed to kill the person who ruined my plans.” Chu Jinxuan said with a gloomy expression. “Pass down the order: those useless people in Anyang are no longer of any use.”
Lin Xiaotian hesitated for a moment, then forced himself to say, "Your Highness, you mustn't! Now is the time when we need manpower. If we kill them, Your Highness will be branded as tyrannical, which would be detrimental to Your Highness's great cause!"
Chu Jinxuan's face was cold and ruthless. "In that case, spare their lives first."
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness." Lin Xiaotian wiped the cold sweat from his face and said with a fawning expression, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have ordered the Black and White Duo and Zi You to intercept him all the way. As soon as Prince Ning shows his face, he will surely be killed."
Chu Jinxuan narrowed his cold eyes. "Fine, send out several more waves of assassins. We must not let Chu Jiuqing return to the capital alive."
"Yes, Your subordinate obeys." Lin Xiaotian accepted the order and left.
Chu Jinxuan exuded a chilling aura. "My dear third brother, don't blame your brother for being ruthless. Blame that old fool who actually wanted to depose me and make you the crown prince instead. If you hadn't threatened my position as crown prince, I wouldn't have considered you a thorn in my side..."
Nanshan Village.
Everyone was reluctant to part with Chen Qingqing when they learned that she was going to Kyoto to treat patients.
Lin's eyes reddened, and she tightly clutched a small bundle filled with clothes and dry food she had prepared for her daughter. "Qing'er, the journey is long and arduous, so you must take good care of yourself. When you arrive in the capital, be careful in everything you do and don't act rashly."
Chen Qingqing stepped forward and gently comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. With Prince Ning by my side, he will surely protect me."
Although there was worry in Chen Zhanshan's eyes, there was more trust in his daughter. "Qing'er, when we arrive in the capital, the people there are of noble status. You must not be careless when treating them. Just do your best."
Madam Lin nodded slightly, "Remember to write home to let us know you are safe and sound, and to return home soon after your illness is cured."
"I will."
At this moment, tears welled up in Chen Han's eyes, but he held them back, looking every bit the man.
This misfortune befell the Chen family, making him realize how difficult it had been for his sister, leading the family from nothing to a life that everyone envied.
But my older sister is, after all, a woman. Although she is capable and smarter than anyone else in the family,
But with no one to keep an eye on this huge family business, there's no guarantee that some evil people won't set their sights on it.
Although Xiaoyu is Prince Ning, he is not family.
He vowed in his heart that he would study hard, pass the imperial examination as soon as possible, and become a good younger brother who could protect his sister.
"Sister, we're waiting for you to come back."
Chen Qingqing boarded the carriage, then the sedan chair that had been prepared in advance. Surrounded by more than a dozen guards, the carriage left Nanshan Village.
As the carriage drove further and further away, Chen Qingqing watched her family's figures gradually fade into the distance, her heart filled with reluctance.
But she knew that this trip to Kyoto was full of uncertainties, but not going was definitely not an option.
Although Chu Jiuqing was extremely anxious and wanted to return to the capital as soon as possible, he knew the hardships of a long journey.
To ensure Chen Qingqing remained in good condition, he tried to arrange a comfortable schedule.
The carriage sped along the official road, kicking up clouds of dust.
Sitting in the car, Chen Qingqing watched the scenery rushing past the window, feeling somewhat uneasy.
The emperor is the number one figure at the top of the power pyramid, holding the power of life and death in his hands. His word is law, and he can do whatever he wants.
It's fortunate that the emperor's life was saved this time; otherwise, there would likely be a lot of trouble.
Well, since we're here, we might as well make the best of it.
If that really happens, the best course of action is to find a way to escape...
Seeing the worry in her expression, Chu Jiuqing quickly comforted her, "Qing'er, don't be too nervous. I'm here and I couldn't hurt you. I believe in your medical skills, and Father's illness will definitely turn out of danger."
Chen Qingqing just smiled and didn't say anything...
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