"Why is it your turn to say that?"
Bai Youan, perched on the tree, was first stunned, then laughed, his eyes sparkling with brilliance.
He leaped from the tree and ambled over to Song Qingchao.
Song Qingchao released her hands from covering Liu Zhe'er's eyes and grinned at Bai Youan, "I'm encouraging you. How's your reading going?"
"Some progress," Bai Youan paused, "but I'm short on medicinal herbs. I'm not sure if it will be effective."
Song Qingchao also fell silent.
"The city will definitely have them."
She said this with conviction because she was preparing to head out to procure the medicinal herbs.
Even if they weren't in the city, she would find a way to get them.
She had only told Mu Mu about her spatial ability.
She didn't trust Bai Youan that much yet.
She looked at the man beside her.
The glass lamps and frames had arrived as well; it would be quick for her to secure this man.
"Zhe'er and I will go gather some wild vegetables."
Song Qingchao patted Zhe'er, who then ran ahead, "I'll go get the tools first."
She smiled and nodded at Zhe'er.
She was about to bid farewell to Bai Youan.
But before she could react, she saw a woman carrying a water basin and splashing it towards her.
"What are you smiling at!"
Just as Song Qingchao tried to dodge, it was too late.
Her hand was abruptly caught by Bai Youan, who then, like a high wall, turned to shield her.
Water splashed behind him.
Song Qingchao stared at him in a daze, then was tightly embraced by him.
His hand rested gently on the nape of her neck, stroking down her smooth hair, while the other hand supported her waist.
"This water is dirty."
Song Qingchao hadn't registered what was happening, only feeling that she was completely enveloped.
After murmuring into her ear, Bai Youan suddenly pushed her away and decisively took off his white robe, tossing it into the nearby bonfire.
Song Qingchao watched as he, clad only in his inner garment, stood in front of her, then strode towards the woman who had splashed the water.
His movements and demeanor were so calm that the woman only reacted when he was almost upon her, her steps retreating continuously.
She pointed at Bai Youan, her voice laced with fear, "Wh-what are you doing!"
"Well, I'm not doing anything," Bai Youan's voice remained steady, without a hint of inflection. "Ah, I just wanted to tell you, madam, if you wish to live, it's best not to touch my people."
His brows were soft, but his calm gaze sent a shiver down one's spine.
"I just!" the woman tried to explain.
Bai Youan cut her off directly, "There is no 'just.' Let this be a lesson, understand?"
He took off an Artemisia essential oil sachet hanging from his body and handed it to the woman. "Now that your husband is ill, you cannot touch anything he has used or eaten. Besides that, you must obey Zhao Chao and burn Artemisia daily, wearing a mouth covering."
Bai Youan pried open the woman's fingers until she had firmly grasped the sachet before letting go.
He straightened up, smiling as if bathed in spring breeze, "If you wish to die, feel free to disobey us."
The woman hurriedly clutched the sachet and nodded, fleeing in disarray.
However, Bai Youan didn't let this opportunity pass. He raised his voice and repeated what he had just said to the woman.
Finally, he added a threatening remark, "Obey, and you shall live."
Song Qingchao couldn't help but smile as he walked back.
She leaned against the carriage, arms crossed, her expression lazy and her eyebrows raised, "Since when did Mr. Bai learn such glib words?"
Bai Youan lowered his head and smiled gently, then walked to her side, twirling a strand of her long hair between his fingers. "And when did Miss Song learn such a relaxed demeanor?"
Song Qingchao pulled her hair free from his grasp. "One learns by proximity; near vermillion, one becomes red; near ink, one becomes black."
"Ah, is that so?" Bai Youan leaned close to Song Qingchao. "Then, has Miss Song learned anything from me?"
Song Qingchao hooked her lips and nodded, "I have, for instance..."
She poked his chest with her finger, slowly pushing him back. "For instance, Mr. Bai should probably take a good bath now, as you said, right?"
She tiptoed and whispered into his ear, "The water is dirty."
Only after she had ushered Bai Youan into the makeshift bathing area.
Song Qingchao felt a sense of relief.
She was even thankful for these troublemakers.
Otherwise, it would have been difficult for her to shake off Bai Youan, and she wouldn't have so easily managed to take his fan.
Song Qingchao briefly instructed Song Qingmu before changing into night-walking attire and heading west.
After a brisk fifteen-minute journey, Song Qingchao spotted the Xiyun Pavilion's contingent.
The entire group was disguised as a merchant caravan.
However, it appeared they had been waiting for her here for several days.
She swiftly moved towards them.
Upon seeing her, the contingent first cautiously formed a defensive circle, intending for an elder to step forward to engage her.
Song Qingchao had no time for this and directly revealed her token.
Her token was custom-made.
The elder's attitude changed instantly. He bowed his head and paid respects, "Mistress."
Song Qingchao nodded in acknowledgment and then headed straight for the five carriages behind the elder.
She lifted the covers.
Each type of medicinal herb was meticulously packaged and even had labels attached, indicating they had been carefully dried.
She inspected them carriage by carriage.
The elder also explained in detail from behind, "The first three carriages contain medicinal herbs, sorted by their different effects. The fourth carriage holds finished medicinal ointments, primarily for frostbite, colds, and wounds. These were purchased from the pharmacy in the southern part of the city as per your instructions, all of superior quality."
Song Qingchao couldn't help but smile.
"Well done. And the last carriage?"
She hadn't expected the young boy to be so capable, gathering so many medicinal herbs in such a short time.
However, these medicinal herbs must have cost her a considerable sum. After this epidemic, when they reached Mobei, she would have to find some way to earn money first, not relying solely on the income from the glass business.
The elder smiled brightly. "This last carriage is half filled with dry rations, and the other half with seeds. Xiao Guo specifically sought these out, and some were acquired from foreign lands. Considering Mobei's weather and geography, a good quantity was prepared."
Song Qingchao ran her fingers through the seed bags, smiling at the plump kernels. "You've been thoughtful. Has Xiao Guo's injury healed?"
"She has recovered quite a bit. Mistress, you don't need to worry about her."
The elder beckoned to a young person behind him, who then presented two exquisite wooden boxes, one large and one small.
Upon opening the smaller box, Song Qingchao's eyes were dazzled by the contents.
"These were made according to your blueprints by the finest craftsmen in the palace. Please take a look and see if they are satisfactory."
Song Qingchao picked up the gold wire spectacle frame and examined it closely.
Every detail was replicated precisely according to her blueprints, and even improved upon in the finer aspects.
They were both aesthetically pleasing and practical.
A gentle smile bloomed on her face. Bai Youan would surely like them.
She glanced at the other large box. "How is the glass business in Chang'an city doing?"
"Very well. High officials and dignitaries now take pride in having glass lamps in their homes. Glassware has become a trend."
Song Qingchao nodded.
Who could resist such exquisite and transparent items?
She selected several jewelry books from her spatial storage and handed them to the elder. "Introduce new products. Set the prices as you see fit. Remember to employ scarcity marketing; never let the glass stalls block the streets. The remaining artisans will continue to forge arrowheads."
The elder accepted the books and replied, "Yes."
Song Qingchao took the boxes from him and signaled for the others to depart.
When she was alone.
She directly stored everything into her spatial storage.
Now, everything was ready, awaiting only the opportune moment.
All the turning points depended on Bai Youan.