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Mu Nijing had been in love with Cui Si for many years and had always waited for him. She had even anticipated hearing the news of their marriage this year.

Rong Shu didn't inquire about the reason behind their broken engagement. Instead, she asked, "Are you at peace with your heart?"

Mu Nijing was taken aback at first, then she laughed heartily. "I feel great."

Putting down her teacup, she stood up and said, "Let's go shopping on the street for some snacks and fruits for your journey tomorrow. I know Aunt Shen will prepare some nibbles for you, but since you're here, how can I let you leave empty-handed as the County Princess?"

Mu Nijing was usually broke, but Rong Shu didn't forget to bring her last year's dividends from the gold shop and silk store. At that moment, she felt like a newly wealthy person, speaking with an air of extravagance.

Rong Shu wasn't going to skimp on expenses. She bought two large boxes of sheep milk cheese, steamed milk cakes, and two big bags of dried meat.

The next day, when they set out, she specially shared one bag with Chang Ji and Heng Ping, and gave the remaining one to Gu Changjin.

The annual officer of Floating Jade Mountain loved dried meat the most.

When he was young, there weren't many snacks available on Floating Jade Mountain, and he ate the most dried meat - deer jerky, wild boar, and pheasant. Not only did he enjoy it, but Ah Chai did too.

"It may not be the familiar taste of Floating Jade Mountain, but it's from a famous dried meat shop in Datong Prefecture," Rong Shu said with a smile, fanning herself with her folding fan. "It's not cheap, but it's the County Princess who paid for it."

Gu Changjin fed her a slice of dried mutton and said, "When we return to Floating Jade Mountain in the future, I'll personally hunt a wild boar for you and cook it."

Rong Shu smiled in response, "It's a promise."

As she spoke, she used her fan to lift one side of the carriage curtain. The snow that had been falling for days had finally ceased, revealing a clear blue sky and dazzling sunshine – a perfect day.

In the distant capital, it was also a beautiful day.

Gui Zhong, disregarding his dusty attire, entered the palace hastily with the letter from Gu Changjin.

When he arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Wang Dehai intercepted him and whispered urgently, "Chief Censor Gui, please have mercy and tell me the truth. Is the news you bring today good or bad? Do you know that after your last messenger delivered a message to the Qianqing Palace, Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty had a terrible argument? The entire Kunning Palace was shut down for half a month!"

Empress Qi had never had such a fierce dispute with Emperor Jia Yu before, and Wang Dehai remembered it vividly. That day, the Empress had violently smashed items within the Qianqing Palace and left with tears streaming down her face.

Although the Emperor didn't argue with Empress Qi, his expression was far from pleasant, and he even coughed up blood that night, terrifying Wang Dehai half to death.

He was genuinely terrified of the news that Gui Zhong brought.

That was why he had changed his indifferent attitude and decided to intercept the messenger early on to inquire about the situation.

"If the news you bring is unfavorable, then I shall promptly summon Doctor Sun from the Imperial Medical Institute, lest His Majesty chokes on his own blood again."

Gui Zhong's face clouded with concern. He himself was unsure of the exact contents within the letter.

However...

When the Crown Prince entrusted him with the letter, he appeared composed and reassured Gui Zhong that the Emperor would not become enraged upon reading it.

After some deliberation, Gui Zhong replied, "It should not be bad news."

Wang Dehai finally let out a sigh of relief, gently patting his chest. He then heard Gui Zhong say, "There's one more matter. Miss Shen... she hasn't met with any mishap. His Highness the Crown Prince has already found her and is personally escorting her to Datong."

Wang Dehai's hand paused slightly as he asked, "Is this truly so?"

Half a month ago, although he couldn't hear the Emperor and Empress's argument clearly from outside the hall, he managed to catch a few scattered words which led him to surmise that it concerned the former Duke of Cheng'an's eldest daughter.

After the Kunning Palace was sealed, Wang Dehai secretly sent emissaries to inquire, only then learning that the young lady had encountered an avalanche while passing Dragon Yin Mountain. She and her carriage had plummeted off the cliff, meeting their demise.

Wang Dehai sensed an eerie mystery surrounding the young lady's death, yet he failed to comprehend why Her Majesty the Empress was so profoundly grieved by it.

It wasn't that Wang Dehai didn't understand; after all, he had been navigating the palace for many years and knew which matters were safe to inquire about and which were not, thus preventing himself from dwelling too deeply on them.

Despite the closure of the Kunning Palace, the Emperor continued his daily routine as usual, taking his medicine, handling state affairs, and sleeping, seemingly unaffected by the incident.

But Wang Dehai was well aware that the Emperor was far from content. His nocturnal coughing had worsened significantly.

Wang Dehai could read the Emperor's attitude towards Empress Qi clearly.

The Empress had clashed with the Emperor because of the young lady. Presumably, upon learning that she was safe and sound, the Empress would no longer quarrel with His Majesty, right?

With this in mind, Wang Dehai hastily instructed Gui Zhong, "Quickly, inform the Emperor, I'll send someone to wait outside the Kunning Palace."

Although Empress Qi had secluded herself for half a month, she still kept a close eye on the happenings in the imperial harem.

No sooner had Gui Zhong entered the Qianqing Palace than Aunt Gui returned with news, barely a quarter of an hour later.

As Aunt Gui served tea to Empress Qi, she spoke earnestly, "Your Majesty, how long do you intend to remain at odds with the Emperor? No matter how devastated you are, you shouldn't vent your anger towards His Majesty like this!"

Empress Qi seemed oblivious to Aunt Gui's words, only holding onto her hand and asking, "Aunt, did you find out why Gui Zhong went to the Qianqing Palace?"

Nanny Gui replied, "Your Majesty knows very well that the Palace of Heavenly Purity belongs to His Majesty. Who in this palace would dare inquire about its affairs?"

Despite Emperor Jiayou's mild and refined temperament, his rule was notoriously strict.

Empress Qi pursed her lips. "Ask someone to keep watch outside and see if Wang Dehai has sent anyone over."

Nanny Gui hesitated. "Your Majesty, instead of waiting here, it would be better to pay a visit to the Palace of Heavenly Purity and apologize to the Emperor. Surely he wouldn't hold a grudge against you, would he?"

"This isn't a matter of apologizing or not," Empress Qi said, rubbing her temples. "Do as I say, Nanny. If Wang Dehai sends someone, it's likely that what Guizhong brings this time won't be bad news."

Nanny Gui had no choice but to leave.

The Kunning Palace had been closed for half a month, and countless people were waiting for the Emperor to depose his empress. She needed to stay vigilant.