"That won't do. She isn't in a hurry, but I am. We still need to find the Liu Kun Yu Jin. Who knows when we'll be back? Can she wait?"
Feng Xi Wu: ...
Although what you said makes sense, I still suspect you're just lusting after her beauty.
Sourness and jealousy aside, Feng Xi Wu made the arrangements.
The next day, Lu Qing Wan, for once, had nothing to do and slept until noon.
Feeling refreshed, she went to the dining hall for a meal. Feng Xi Wu gave her good news.
"I've introduced you to Princess Fei Feng. She will come for a consultation at Bai Xing Lin on the thirtieth."
"Mmm..."
Lu Qing Wan's tongue was sticking out from the spiciness of the red chili peppers. "We have to wait a full ten days for her?"
She thought Feng Xi Wu, having finally found a way to break the curse, would be eager to leave immediately to find Liu Kun Yu Jin.
"The journey is long and arduous. We must prepare properly. Besides, I still have some official duties to hand over. Ten days isn't long."
He handed her a cup of warm milk. "Is there anything you need to prepare? Just say the word, and Li Su can get it ready for you."
Lu Qing Wan's tongue was still sticking out, panting. "So spicy! What kind of chili is this? Why is it so hot?!"
"In this dish, the chili is just a condiment. Why are you ignoring the actual food and only eating the condiment?"
Feng Xi Wu was amused. Li Su, seeing this, brought over some ice water. He poured it for Lu Qing Wan, who gulped down several mouthfuls, saving her tongue.
"I thought I was tough."
The chili made Lu Qing Wan's tongue feel swollen.
"Princess Consort, you are unaware of the power of Southern chilies. I've heard that in the capital, wealthy nobles often call for imperial physicians and rush to pharmacies after eating Southern chilies!"
Li Su suppressed a smile as he replaced her bowl of rice with another. "It seems that before we head south, I'll need to prepare some ingredients for the Princess Consort to take with us."
"Bring them, definitely bring them! I'm just a bit greedy; I don't want to die for a good meal."
After saying that, Lu Qing Wan had a slow realization. "Heading south? Is Liu Kun Yu Jin in the south?"
"Liu Kun Yu Jin is the sacred treasure of the ancient Nan Zhao Kingdom. After the kingdom declined, the remnants of Nan Zhao scattered throughout the southern lands. The Nan Zhao royal family hid in Yaowang Valley. I believe that if Liu Kun Yu Jin truly exists, it would be in Yaowang Valley."
Lu Qing Wan paused. "Yaowang Valley? The place renowned as the holy land for physicians?"
She had been attending patients at Bai Xing Lin for several days. The longer her reputation as a divine doctor spread, the more people speculated about her origins. The most common guess was Yaowang Valley. The common folk seemed convinced that no other place could produce a physician as young and skilled as Lu Qing Wan.
Feng Xi Wu smiled and asked, "Is there another Yaowang Valley in this world?"
"Let's just forget I said anything."
Lu Qing Wan clapped her hand over her mouth. "It's a good thing such a place exists. At least it means Liu Kun Yu Jin isn't just a legend. However, can someone as high-ranking as you get away?"
"I am only the Regent King because my imperial brother elevated me. A word with him, and there's no reason I can't leave."
Feng Xi Wu had no worries about this. "Moreover, after the Grand Birthday celebration, my imperial brother doesn't intend to let Prince Ning and Prince Jing return to their fiefdoms. With so many people to share the burden with my imperial brother, there's no reason I can't leave."
"Alright then, if you have no problem, then I certainly don't."
Lu Qing Wan, having eaten her fill, leaned back contentedly, feeling a bit like a scummy man who leaves everything to his wife after a meal.
She sat up a little. Li Jin stealthily approached her. "Princess Consort, I've designed a general plan based on the items you provided. Could you take a look?"
"What items?"
Lu Qing Wan took it with suspicion and her eyes lit up. "Is this your own idea?"
Her tone was hard to decipher, whether it was support or opposition. Li Jin quickly explained, "I was thinking that with so many restaurants, cosmetic shops, and clothing stores already in the capital, opening another one wouldn't be anything new. It's better to find a place that combines a restaurant, a clothing store, an inn, and a cosmetic shop into one, exclusively selling the unique items you provided. It would be truly one of a kind. The wealthy people in the capital love to be unique. Your items are novel, and if I come up with a novel sales method, we'll definitely make a fortune."
Lu Qing Wan clicked her tongue in admiration. "No wonder the Prince tells me to find you whenever I mention needing money. Your mind is incredible! Let's proceed with your idea. I'll handle the recipes, clothing and jewelry designs, and cosmetic samples. You handle the rest. I'll try my best to give you the items before we leave."
Li Jin's eyes sparkled. "I've been waiting for you to say that, Princess Consort! I'll be waiting for your items!"
"Certainly."
Lu Qing Wan readily agreed. "Where is Wu Ying?"
Li Su stepped forward. "To the Princess Consort, Miss Wu Ying has been going out early and returning late these past few days. I don't know where she's been. However, she returns every night. Shall I have her see you when she gets back?"
"Alright."
There was nothing she could do if she couldn't find the person. She was still counting on Wu Ying as a trump card. If she went looking now, it would all be revealed.
After resting enough, she got up and pushed Feng Xi Wu along.
"Where are we going?"
"Aren't you supposed to be handling official business? Let's go to the study together!"
Lu Qing Wan said righteously, "Men and women working together makes the task easier. I'll need to borrow your tools!"
Feng Xi Wu obediently let himself be pushed.
Li Yang was just a little slow to react. His own Prince was gone, and Gua Xi Xi pouted. "It's over. I feel like my job is going to be snatched away, just like Shen Ci's!"
When his Prince traveled, he always accompanied him, pushing his wheelchair and carrying his things, making his presence known. Now that the Princess Consort was here, all his tasks were taken over. And the Prince seemed quite happy to be pushed. What happened to the "no one come near me" persona?
Li Su scoffed at him. "Only now do you realize your position is precarious? Was sweeping the latrines last night in vain?"
Li Yang: "Wasn't I punished to sweep the latrines last night because he and Li Jin caught the Prince being teased by the Princess Consort, and the Prince retaliated out of personal spite?"
Li Su let out a cold laugh. This brain is beyond saving. No wonder he's always being punished!
In the study, Feng Xi Wu claimed to be handling official matters, but his eyes were fixed on Lu Qing Wan.
Seeing her take out various paints, his curiosity flared, and he leaned over. "Are you going to paint?"
"Li Jin is planning to open a comprehensive mall for dining and entertainment. I'm designing some novel clothing styles to make a grand opening."
As a popular ancient-style blogger with millions of followers, drawing clothing from various dynasties was second nature to Lu Qing Wan. Her nimble fingers moved at will, and with strokes of ink, uniquely styled clothes with novel color combinations sprang to life on paper. The same went for ancient-style hairpins and jewelry. Coupled with the stunning pieces Lu Qing Wan had accumulated while shopping with her shopaholic sister, the styles for the first batch of finished clothing and jewelry were decided.