Chapter 412: Sudden Change

Chapter 412: Unexpected Turn

"Be safe on the road." He Qingxiao gazed at the harvested field and said gently.

He recalled what Xin You had told him during last year's Mid-Autumn Festival, asking him to spend it together again this year.

"Ayou."

"Hmm?"

"When we return to the capital, I'll learn how to make mooncakes with Aunt Gui, and we’ll taste them together during Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Alright." Xin You smiled, her lips curling. "I love red bean paste the most—don’t forget."

"I won’t forget."

The two stood side by side, falling into comfortable silence.

The next day, Emperor Xingyuan came to see them off personally. After stopping, he instructed Prince Xiu, "Take good care of Ayou."

"Don't worry, Father. I will take good care of Ayou."

"Go now. Return to the capital as soon as your task is done." Emperor Xingyuan waved his hand.

The party bound for Guangcheng boarded the ship and sailed south.

Emperor Xingyuan stood on the shore, watching the ship gradually disappear where sky met sea, letting the breeze stir his robes.

"Your Majesty, the morning wind by the river is strong. Let’s return soon," Sun Yan advised.

Emperor Xingyuan withdrew his gaze and glanced at He Qingxiao, who stood quietly, showing no signs of reluctance or other emotions on his face.

If he couldn’t read this man, then he would observe him carefully.

"Changle Marquis."

"At your service."

"On the way back to the capital, stay by my side and share your experiences from these past six months in Wen County."

"As Your Majesty commands."

Xin You’s group took ship and then horse, arriving in Guangcheng after more than ten days.

Compared to the idyllic charm of Wen County, Guangcheng was considerably more bustling.

As a coastal city, its streets teemed with people, and occasionally, foreigners with prominent noses and deep-set eyes could be seen.

The liveliness of Guangcheng carried a free-spirited, expansive energy, entirely different from the atmosphere of the capital.

Though Xin You had traveled widely, this was her first time in Guangcheng, and she was instantly charmed by it.

The Sixth Boss, returning to familiar territory, was overjoyed and eagerly shared Guangcheng’s food culture with Xin You.

The prefect of Guangcheng, surnamed Yan, deferentially invited Xin You’s group to stay at the prefectural office.

Officials scrambled to pay their respects, and when Xin You mentioned she was there to inspect the shipyards, many audibly sighed in relief.

For local officials, the sudden arrival of an imperial envoy was their worst nightmare—who knew what troubles might come to light?

The shipyard inspection went well. The shipyard was right there, and since the official voyage had only taken place last year, everything that needed repair had been fixed, and what needed replacement had been renewed. It was now in great shape and ready for the imperial inspectors.

Prefectural Governor Yan held a welcoming banquet. After a day of rest, he personally accompanied Xin You and the others to the shipyard.

Guangcheng had several large shipyards, one of which was dedicated to building ships for the imperial court. This was the first one Xin You’s group visited.

"Your Highness the Prince, Lady Xin, this is the shipyard that specializes in constructing official vessels," Governor Yan announced.

Under his guidance, Xin You witnessed the bustling activity of craftsmen, dozens of massive ships, and piles of timber for shipbuilding. The impressive sight could only be truly understood by seeing it firsthand.

Watching such magnificent ships being meticulously assembled plank by plank made the petty politics in the capital seem all the more trivial.

Adjacent to the shipyard were repair docks, sail workshops, foundries, rope-making sites, and large tung tree groves.

After spending several days inspecting each of these, they moved on to other shipyards.

Governor Yan didn't accompany them the whole time afterward. Though Prince Xiu remained earnest, he couldn’t keep up with Xin You and finally seized the opportunity to inspect alone on this day.

At a shipyard that built both official and private vessels, Sixth Boss discreetly pointed out, "Miss, look—that’s our ship."

Xin You lifted her gaze to the vessel that belonged to her.

It was a massive treasure ship, several zhang wide, with astonishing carrying capacity. Thanks to the advanced shipbuilding techniques of Great Xia, it was fully capable of weathering the seas and taking its owner across the oceans.

Xin You stood silently admiring it, her heart soaring with longing.

On the way back to the prefectural office, Sixth Boss was excited. "Miss, when will the next voyage be?"

"Is overseas really that wonderful?" Xiaolian asked.

Sixth Boss paused, thinking carefully before answering, "There are many nations overseas, but none I’ve seen compare to Great Xia."

"Then why are you so eager to sail?"

Scratching his head, Sixth Boss replied, "It’s just fascinating. You meet foreigners with red or yellow hair, taste all sorts of exotic foods, see customs beyond imagination, and bring back goods from foreign lands to Great Xia."

Listening to Sixth Boss’s enthusiastic account, Xiaolian, for once, didn’t argue and instead asked more about the voyages.

"His Majesty dispatched us to inspect Guangcheng. The next voyage may not be far off," Xin You speculated.

They had just returned to the prefectural office when several people hurried out, looking anxious upon seeing her. "Lady Xin, His Highness the Prince requests your immediate presence!"

Xin You’s heart skipped a beat as she rushed to Prince Xiu’s temporary quarters.

Prince Xiu paced back and forth, clearly agitated. The moment Xin You entered, he dismissed everyone else and seized her wrist. "Ayou, something terrible has happened!"

Prince Xiu, who had always appeared refined and composed, was acting so out of character that Xin You was taken aback.

"What happened?" she asked calmly.

His grip on her wrist tightened unconsciously as Prince Xiu whispered in a trembling voice, barely audible, "We just received urgent news—the imperial barge carrying His Majesty suddenly caught fire on the return journey to the capital. He was thrown into the river..."

Xin You’s face paled, but she fought to control her emotions. "Has he been found? What about the others?"

She admitted her selfishness—her first thought was of He Qingxiao.

"The report contained only these details. Ayou, we must depart immediately!"

"Alright—" Xin You took a deep breath, keeping her voice steady. "The others will stay behind. We’ll take a few guards and leave at once." (Note: One zhang equals approximately 3.3 meters or 10.8 feet.)

The two were leaving Guang City without revealing the truth to Prefectural Governor Yan and others. Xin You hastily instructed Sixth Boss to look after Xiaolian and continue familiarizing himself with the shipyard before racing off with Prince Xiu toward the accident site.

It was a season neither too hot nor too cold, perfect for travel, but even the finest weather couldn’t withstand the strain of pushing day and night.

Prince Xiu’s inner thighs were chafed and blistered. During a brief rest, he glanced at the stoic girl drinking water.

“Ayou, holding up okay?”

Xin You took only a few sips before stopping and nodded slightly. “I’ll manage.”

Prince Xiu’s lips were chapped, his voice hoarse. “Take a breather. Don’t run yourself ragged.”

Xin You studied him for a moment before nodding. “Yeah.”

Prince Xiu handed her a small jar.

She gave him a questioning look.

“Sour plums. Can’t drink too much water while traveling. Sucking on one eases the thirst.”

After a brief silence, Xin You accepted it. “Thank you.”

The plum was sweet and sour, just like the bittersweet feelings she’d shared with He Qingxiao.

But now, all she felt was dread.

Knowing He Qingxiao as she did, if that man was in trouble, he would surely risk his life to save him. Was he alright?

And though she wanted nothing to do with that man, she understood that only with him in power could the new policies be pushed through and the maritime ban possibly lifted.

If someone else took that throne—she glanced at Prince Xiu, then lowered her gaze in silence.

“Ayou.”

Xin You looked up.

“Don’t worry too much. His Majesty is under heaven’s protection.”

Xin You dipped her head in acknowledgment.