Chapter 211: The Imperial Herb Garden

Chapter 211: The Imperial Herb Garden

Zheng Jinyu entered the carriage first. After Xie Peiyu had hitched the horses, he followed her inside.

Curiously, Zheng Jinyu asked, "Where are we going? You've been so secretive and haven't told me."

Xie Peiyu chuckled. "How can it be a surprise if I tell you?"

"Well, how much further is it? I need to be back before dark."

"Relax, I'll make sure you're home before nightfall."

Hmph, they were already halfway there, and he was still keeping her in suspense.

"You don't want to learn horseback riding anymore? You want to learn how to ride a donkey?"

Zheng Jinyu nodded. "Mm, let's start with a donkey first, then move on to horseback riding. What do you think?"

"Not a good idea."

"Why?"

Yongnian is to teach me how to ride a donkey, and I'm to teach you horseback riding. How is that fair?

"You're a noble lady. How would it look if you were seen riding a donkey?"

"But this horse... It seems rather fierce."

To her, a donkey was akin to an electric scooter, while a horse was like a motorcycle. She only wanted a leisurely ride; she found the electric scooter more comfortable.

"If you're concerned about the horse being wild and untamed, fret not. I have smaller horses with gentle dispositions. They're certainly gentler than Yongnian's donkey."

No sooner had he finished speaking when they heard a piercing scream.

Both of them hurried out of the carriage to see Cui Yongnian atop a galloping donkey, his cries echoing in terror.

Zheng Jinyu thought to herself that the donkey truly had a bad temper. It was eating peacefully, so why had it suddenly gone mad?

She hurriedly said, "Quick, go save him!"

Xie Peiyu was reluctant to go. "I don't know how to ride a donkey."

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

At that moment, Cui Yongnian's voice floated over from afar. "Cousin, Prince Chen, you two go first. I'll join you once I've calmed down the donkey."

Zheng Jinyu: "Are you alright? Can you manage?"

"It's fine, it does this often. I'm used to it."

This... he's used to it?

How could he endure such a temperamental donkey with such a foul attitude?

Xie Peiyu promptly took hold of the reins. "Hold on tight, we're leaving."

"Aah?"

Zheng Jinyu had barely settled when the carriage began to move.

She could only hold onto the handrail tightly.

Well, isn't he eager to get rid of Cui Yongnian? He left quite decisively.

After they'd traveled quite a distance, Zheng Jinyu suddenly noticed Cui Yongnian's package inside the carriage.

"Xie Peiyu, Cousin's bag is still with me."

"So what if it is? Didn't he say he'd come find us once he calmed down his donkey?"

"Does he know where we're going?"

"Yes, he asked me by the river just now."

What? Cui Yongnian knows, but I don't?

Zheng Jinyu felt a twinge of displeasure, but she kept her thoughts to herself, pondering over the surprise that awaited them.

Approximately half an hour later, they arrived at a valley.

The carriage traveled through the valley for a while. Inside the carriage, Zheng Jinyu suddenly sensed the sky darkening around her.

Peering through the curtains, she saw that it was pitch black outside.

"Why is it dark already? Have we entered a cave?"

Xie Peiyu's voice echoed from ahead, "Mm."

After a short while, light returned.

The carriage continued its slow journey forward.

Though there was light, visibility was low, as the surroundings were shrouded in thick fog. The distant silhouette of large trees resembled monstrous giants; their true forms were only revealed upon closer approach.

Zheng Jinyu knew that there were vast mountain ranges a dozen miles west of the capital, but she was unaware of such an isolated and rarely-visited place.

"Xie Peiyu, are you sure we're here for leisure?"

Others would bring their girlfriends to admire mountains, rivers, and flowers, or at the very least, watch a play.

Who would bring their girlfriend to such a godforsaken place?

Xie Peiyu chuckled and said, "Of course, I promised to take you out for some relaxation. Would I lie to you?"

Zheng Jinyu looked around and found the area anything but proper.

The carriage moved on, and the mist gradually dissipated.

At this moment, the sun hung low in the eastern sky, casting a diagonal glow across the land.

Zheng Jinyu gauged the time, it was probably around ten in the morning. They had been walking for more than two hours.

The thin mist gradually dissipated, until it vanished entirely.

The scene before me unfolded in its entirety, capturing every detail.

This is a valley blooming with flowers, yet despite being deep into autumn, it surprisingly carries no chill.

"What is this place? There are so many flowers here."

In the distance, there were pavilions and towers. Judging by their style and hues, they resembled some of the color schemes in the imperial palace.

Could this be the royal family's private garden?

Xie Peiyu halted the carriage and reached out to help Zheng Jinyu down from it.

"We're here. This is the royal herb garden."

"Herb garden?"

"Mm-hmm. The climate here is unique, allowing the cultivation of many herbs that can't grow elsewhere. Some may be able to grow outside, but their medicinal properties can't compare to those grown here."

Looking at this mystical place with its caves and foggy forest, could ordinary people really come here?

"Did Cousin Cui manage to find this place?"

Xie Peiyu replied, "Although this place is secluded, it's not exactly a secret. Aristocratic families who need certain special herbs are allowed to gather them here with permission. As soon as I mentioned it was an herb garden, he knew where it was."

Zheng Jinyu was currently crouched before a cluster of double-layered peonies.

In her memory, these flowers were only available in white and red, but here, they were a vivid array of colors.

As she approached the structures ahead, the scent of herbs filled the air, and she saw attendants dressed as apothecary apprentices bustling about in the valley. Only then did she believe his words.

This was indeed a medicinal garden, a royal one at that.

However… he wasn't technically part of the royal family now, right? Technically speaking, he belonged to the Xie family.

Would the current emperor allow him to enter freely for leisure?

Zheng Jinyu inquired, "Did you seek the Emperor's permission in the palace first to bring me here?"

"No, though the current emperor is Gao Fei, this medicinal garden belongs to my mother. It was one of the dowry gifts from my maternal grandfather when he gave her away in marriage."

Hmm? Then could it still be considered a royal medicinal garden?

"Rare medicinal herbs are worth their weight in gold. This is an essential source of income for the Princess Mansion."

As they stepped into the pavilion, servants immediately approached to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Young Master, Miss."

"You may be excused. There's no need for your services here."

"Yes, this servant takes her leave."

Xie Peiyu led her through what used to be the royal herbal garden.

Due to its unique location, the area was abundant with exotic flowers and rare herbs.

Though she had a broad knowledge base thanks to her family's education, what she knew paled in comparison to what this garden offered.

The place had its own microclimate; the humidity and temperature outside the mountain had no effect on the vegetation within.

Listening to Xie Peiyu's description, it seemed that regardless of scorching summers or frigid winters, those who lived here maintained a similar attire.

Zheng Jinyu observed the attire of the apothecary apprentices and, considering the ambient temperature, deduced that this place enjoyed a perpetual spring-like climate, consistently hovering between twenty to thirty degrees Celsius.

A place like this must be a heavenly abode where immortals dwell.

Xie Peiyu chuckled. "Indeed, we could spend the winter here if we wished. Originally, this was intended as a royal retreat for milder winters and escapes from the summer heat."