Liu Xiangnan looked at Chen Xiaobei and said earnestly, "You know about that imperial decree. Try to persuade the Princess to withdraw it. I'm afraid that if it causes any major upheaval, all our previous efforts will be in vain."
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei exchanged a glance, and both nodded in agreement.
"Father, you continue your discussion with the old state preceptor Fang. Xiaobei and I will take our leave now..."
Liu Rumei called out, waved to Uncle Laobang who was waiting, and quickly left Fang Zheng's residence.
Not far away, there was a tea house. Liu Rumei walked in and ordered a pot of tea. "Uncle Laobang, thank you for your hard work. Have some tea to moisten your throat first. I'll take you to a restaurant for a meal later."
Uncle Laobang was flattered and cupped his hands repeatedly. "Thank you, Miss Liu. There's no need for a meal. I can just grab something by the roadside."
Liu Rumei picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Uncle Laobang. "Uncle Laobang, I have an impudent request."
"Miss Liu, please tell me. As long as I can do it, I will not refuse, even at the cost of my life!"
Liu Rumei shook her head. "Uncle Laobang, you don't need to make such a great sacrifice. It's like this, my father is about to lead his troops to the border. I'd like to ask you to accompany the army. If we engage in battle with the Great Tuguoyou, and someone is poisoned, you can treat them in time."
Hearing Liu Rumei's words, Chen Xiaobei was moved. Liu Rumei still cared about her father. Of course, it wasn't just for her own father, but also for all the soldiers of the Great Cang Kingdom.
Uncle Laobang listened to Liu Rumei's words and did not hesitate at all. He patted his chest. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Miss Liu. Sun Laobang cannot refuse."
"Miss Liu, please rest assured. As long as Marquis Liu summons me, I will accompany the army without complaint!"
"Then everything depends on you. My father is going to march tomorrow. I'll arrange for you to stay at the posthouse tonight. Oh, if you need any emergency supplies, you can list them, and I'll send someone to buy them for you."
Uncle Laobang thought for a moment and nodded slightly. "Then I'll make a list later and purchase more daily medications. I'll have to trouble you, Miss Liu!"
Liu Rumei waved, asking the shopkeeper to bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Uncle Laobang wrote a long list. Chen Xiaobei directly reached out and took it. "Rumei, you arrange accommodation for Uncle Laobang later. Leave the purchasing to me."
Liu Rumei did not refuse and nodded with a smile. "Alright, as you say."
Chen Xiaobei took the long list back to his residence and immediately summoned Liu Tie and Liu Ce, handing them the list. "Marquis is marching tomorrow. The more of these medicinal materials you buy, the better. You must take them with you tomorrow."
Liu Tie and Liu Ce took the list and agreed. They called for people with money to go out. Chen Xiaobei tidied up and rushed to the imperial palace to see Princess Xiao Jingfeng.
When he arrived, Chunhua and Qiuyue stepped forward to report the progress, pointing to a large bronze basin by the door, which contained more than half a basin of foul-smelling bloody water.
"Reporting to the驸马, the bloody water from the Princess's leg has been squeezed out. The swelling has subsided, and the Princess's complexion has improved." Su Dan Novel Network
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei breathed a sigh of relief, secretly marveling that everyone had their own specialty. Uncle Laobang's arrival had made everything better.
He looked at the sleeping Princess Zhaoning and felt much more at ease. The Princess's breathing had become more even, and her condition was improving. He could finally close his eyes tonight.
The next morning, as dawn broke, the north gate of Wannian City slowly opened. Liu Xiangnan, accompanied by his generals and Uncle Laobang, quietly left Wannian City. The reason Liu Xiangnan chose to march quietly was that he did not want to cause too much of a stir during the New Year.
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei stood side by side on the city wall, watching Liu Xiangnan depart. Tears flowed from Liu Rumei's eyes.
Seeing her like this, Chen Xiaobei stepped forward, gently put his arm around her shoulder, and said softly, "Rumei, don't worry. Our father is just going to garrison the border. I believe that after he goes, the Great Tuguoyou will not dare to act rashly!"
"Yes, I hope so. I really don't want to fight anymore," Liu Rumei sighed.
The two walked down from the city wall and then urged the guards to keep the news of Marquis Liu's departure as secret as possible and not to spread it widely.
Of course, Chen Xiaobei knew that such a thing could not be kept secret for too long. As long as it did not cause too much disturbance to the common people, it would be fine.
The two returned to the驸马's mansion. The sky was already bright.
Xiao Qing led people to serve them breakfast. While eating, they discussed going to see the Princess after breakfast.
Before they finished their meal, Liu Ce rushed in, "Miss, Master, a girl named Xiaohua has come to the door, saying she is the maid of the great hero Shen Ziyan!"
"Oh, they came so quickly! It only took the Princess two or three days to send them the message, and they're already here!"
Chen Xiaobei said, signaling Liu Ce to bring Xiaohua in. Soon, the maid Xiaohua hurried in, panting heavily as she walked. It was clear that she had rushed here. She hadn't even caught her breath yet.
"Xiaohua greets Brother Chen and Sister Liu!"
Hearing herself called brother and sister, a sense of closeness instantly arose. Liu Rumei stood up, took Xiaohua's hand, and pulled her to sit on a nearby chair. "Xiaohua, take a break, have some water, and tell us slowly what's on your mind!"
Xiaohua took the cup of water and gulped down a few mouthfuls. She wiped her lips with the sleeve of her clothes before speaking. "Sister Ziyan asked me to deliver a letter to you. They have already gone to the Princess's sleeping quarters."
As she spoke, Xiaohua took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei took the letter and opened it. It read a short sentence: "He was stern and seemed preoccupied, but no abnormality was found. After entering the city, he said he was visiting an old friend and then parted ways with us."
The words were cryptic, but only Chen Xiaobei knew that it was referring to Jiang Shangpiao.
No abnormality?
After entering the city, he said he was visiting an old friend. That was the abnormality.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiaobei felt a wave of lingering fear. If Jiang Shangpiao was indeed involved in the assassination of Xiao An, he would have been an accomplice.
Of course, this was just his guess. The urgent matter was to confront Jiang Shangpiao and get the truth from him.
After a brief moment of thought, Chen Xiaobei made up his mind. He had to use some means, otherwise Jiang Shangpiao would not tell the truth.
He took Liu Rumei and they hurried to the Princess's sleeping quarters to see the Lotus Sect Leader and Shen Ziyan.
When they arrived at the sleeping quarters, they saw the Lotus Sect Leader roaring at Bai Han. It was obvious that he was very dissatisfied with Bai Han's protection.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Bai Han seemed to have found a lifeline and quickly waved to him. "驸马 Chen, you're here just in time."
Seeing that it was Chen Xiaobei who had arrived, the Lotus Sect Leader immediately shifted his anger to Chen Xiaobei.