As the day of their departure drew near, Mei Qingxue became extremely busy, usually leaving early and returning late. Sometimes, Du Gu Qing couldn't even find her.
As long as she didn't forget about that matter, what could the princess be so busy with? Du Gu Qing wasn't worried at all. Originally, he had always known her whereabouts like the back of his hand. Although he no longer secretly followed her like before, he still did it occasionally. He was afraid that his elder brothers would capture her and use her as a bargaining chip to tie him to their side.
So Du Gu Qing didn't want to see such a scenario happen. He would do everything in his power to prevent it.
What was Mei Qingxue up to?
She was currently preparing for the trip to the South. The South was infested with mosquitoes and damp. She knew that floods often occurred there. She bought a large quantity of anti - mosquito and anti - rodent medicine, as well as drugs for dispelling dampness and cold from the pharmacy.
One reason was for her own safety, and the other was to prevent infectious diseases, which were called "epidemics" in ancient times.
"Lady, you've almost bought all the medicine in the capital."
An Ying was greatly puzzled by her actions. Who would go on a trip without bringing gold and silver but instead carry all kinds of herbs?
"You haven't experienced it," Mei Qingxue couldn't tell him about SARS or bird flu. Firstly, he wouldn't understand, and secondly, the thinking of ancient people was too narrow.
An Ying gave Mei Qingxue a strange look. Their lady was almost like a delicate young lady who never left the house. Why did she talk so maturely, as if she had lived for hundreds of years?
"Every year there are floods in the South. Although the Jiangnan area isn't severely affected, as the upper reaches of the water area, we must minimize the damage because the common people rely on water for survival."
Without water, they couldn't drink or irrigate. Water was the foundation of survival.
An Ying used to be an orphan. He didn't even know how he became one. After being trained, he had been in this line of work. It was Mei Qingxue who gradually helped them clean up their past.
She gradually led them to do good deeds for the common people. Although they might not be recognized by others, Mei Qingxue said that one should live a life with a clear conscience rather than seeking recognition from others.
She had lived ten lives. If she could help others, she would never shirk. Even Rong Yu'er, who might pose a certain threat to her future life, if in trouble, she would surely help.
"I think I'll understand."
An Ying glanced at her. On that moonlit night, he had lightly touched her lips. He would remember her beauty for a lifetime. When the once - feared Assassin's Gate became the mysterious Blue Sea Pavilion, they had also undergone a transformation.
"Send the medicinal herbs to Jiangnan. You can also start purchasing grain."
"But this year's flood is already over, and next year is still several months away?" An Ying now dared to voice his doubts. Mei Qingxue gave him an encouraging look. "It's for next year's preparation. Some people hoard the surplus grain and try to make money from the disaster every year. This is absolutely not allowed. Only by nipping it in the bud can we stop those people from hoarding. Also, beware of those who might cause trouble."
She didn't want her money to be wasted and the grain to be ruined by bad people.
"I'll take solid precautions. Lady, please rest assured!" An Ying admired Mei Qingxue more and more. Although sometimes she could be mischievous, her wisdom had deeply impressed him. However, this woman was no longer someone he could reach.
All An Ying could do was to do all the things she had instructed well, not to let her worry or be in a difficult situation. Knowing that she was worried about the safety of her subordinates, they gradually stopped taking assassination missions. They only took on those cases where the target was truly evil and had to be killed. Their hands would no longer be stained with blood.
"Princess, I can finally see your face properly."
Du Gu Qing looked at Mei Qingxue, who had just entered the Qingxue Pavilion, with a pout. Mei Qingxue had almost arranged everything she needed to do today, so she came back early.
"Going on a trip requires a lot of preparation. How can it be like you? You just sit there and give orders, and everything gets done?" Many things couldn't be properly managed without personal involvement. She also needed to know how things were progressing.
"But I'm also very busy!"
There were the defense arrangements for the old mansion, the construction of the new mansion, the allocation of personnel, and the placement of his own subordinates. Mei Qingxue was moving her headquarters, and he had to move too. Although Mei Qingxue didn't ask about this matter, it still had to be done. The Prince Rui was also quite aggrieved. Not only did the princess ignore him, but she also secretly mocked him for being idle.
"How's your preparation going?" When could they set off? She was fully prepared on her side. Mei Qingxue didn't mention exactly how many batches of medicinal herbs she had prepared. Those herbs were newly harvested this year and could be stored for several years without deteriorating or losing their effectiveness. Next year, only a small amount would need to be supplemented.
She wasn't afraid of those lawless people hoarding goods.
Mei Qingxue knew very well about the tricks of those people. As long as they made money reasonably and legally, following the principle of fair market transactions, she wouldn't stop them at all.
"We can set off at any time," Du Gu Qing looked at his wife's face. Recently, she had been extremely busy. Although he knew that Mei Qingxue wouldn't make useless preparations, he couldn't help at all. When he wanted to help Mei Qingxue buy some medicinal herbs, all the herbs were sold out.
When Du Gu Qing wanted to help Mei Qingxue buy grain, she had already purchased enough. Du Gu Qing didn't know how much money it cost. If Mei Qingxue's wealth wasn't enough, he had some, but Mei Qingxue paid easily!
She didn't even give him, her husband, a chance to show off.
"Send someone to bid farewell to the princess consort and my parents. I won't say goodbye to them in person. My mother will cry, and I'm afraid I won't be able to bear it. Your fief is so far away. As your wife, I have to go there." She also had to keep an eye on whether Du Gu Qing would behave himself there. Although that guy had white hair, the more she looked at him, the more alluring he seemed.
A man who could bring disaster to the country, Mei Qingxue cursed secretly.
Du Gu Qing was quite speechless. Everyone in the world knew that he was a man who could bring disaster to the country. But everyone also knew that Miss Mei, his princess, was the most beautiful woman in the world.
A man who could bring disaster to the country and a woman who could bring disaster to the state. They were truly a perfect match!
"I'll handle this. Shall we set off tomorrow?" Mei Qingxue had never left the capital before. This time, he could accompany her to have a good look. Du Gu Qing looked at his wife's face and suddenly felt that her smile made his back shiver.
It was better to pretend not to see. If it wasn't a good thing, he would be in a really bad situation.
Mei Qingxue glanced at Du Gu Qing. She was thinking that if they encountered bandits on the way, he should obediently dress up as a beauty for her. Looking at this charming guy, if he dressed up as a beauty, he didn't know how many people would be charmed. If they didn't encounter bandits, it would be his good luck. He could start praying now.
Du Gu Qing's back shivered again...
There was a lot of meaning in the princess's look.
"Xue, will you accompany me to visit my grandfather this time?"
"Sure!" Mei Qingxue readily agreed. Was he trying to change the topic or divert her attention? No matter what he did, he was doomed to fail because Mei Qingxue had planned for this for a long time.
A man dressing up as a woman and a woman dressing up as a man were classic scenes that countless time - traveling people experienced. Mei Qingxue wouldn't be an exception.
Just thinking about the Prime Minister's Mansion, Mei Qingxue couldn't be happy. She planned not to see her parents when she left. She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to bear it.
"Do you want me to take you to secretly see father and mother?" Du Gu Qing thought about how to explain his idea. "Just secretly, without letting them know."
"Forget it." If she saw something inappropriate, how could she get along with her parents? "Can you invite elder brother here in your own name later?"
Before leaving, she wanted to say the most to her elder brother. There were some things to explain and some things to clarify. When she was away, everything would depend on her elder brother. Her elder brother was going to the border. What about his wife? And what about her father and mother? Mei Qingxue had a lot to consider.
They didn't know what the situation in Jiangnan would be like. Were the people easy to get along with? Was the local custom simple? Were the officials honest? All these were things she had to think about. Logically, it should be Du Gu Qing who considered these things, but his body was still weak, and she didn't want him to work too hard.
Watching the luggage being loaded onto the car one by one, Mei Qingxue felt empty in her heart, just like the empty mansion.
She didn't know what Jiangnan was like. Was it the misty and rainy beautiful scenery described in the books or a desolate valley full of troublesome people? All these made her feel a little uneasy.
"Brother Hao Xuan, come to my mansion. I have something to discuss with you."
Du Gu Qing said it calmly, but Mei Hao Xuan knew that it must be his sister who wanted to see him. They were about to set off, right? His sister didn't go to say goodbye to their mother in person but asked him to be the messenger.
"Okay, then let's go together." Du Gu Qing was in poor health and always took a carriage when entering or leaving the palace. Mei Hao Xuan had to accompany him. As soon as he got into the carriage, Mei Hao Xuan was stunned. Who else could that smiling person in the carriage be but his younger sister Xue'er?
"Brother," Mei Qingxue called out guiltily. She knew that Mei Hao Xuan might have guessed her intention, and her face blushed slightly. "Brother..."
"Xue'er, you're doing the wrong thing. As a daughter who is about to travel far away, you don't go to bid farewell to your parents but ask me to pass on the message. I won't help you with this."
"Brother..." Mei Qingxue called out aggrievedly. She had said that she couldn't bear to see her parents' reluctant expressions, especially her mother's tears. Although she knew that she was just deceiving herself, she really didn't know how to face her parents.
"Don't be so entangled. Mother has already guessed what you're thinking. She's waiting for you at the mansion gate now." Mei Hao Xuan gave the two of them a meaningful look and then jumped out of the carriage first.