Jin Rong was slender and graceful, clad in magnificent robes embroidered with peonies in the wind, exuding a refined nobility.
"I've brought the people as you asked, what else do you want to fulfill?" Xiao Man teased, "I can't just knock them out and throw them onto your bed, can I?"
Jin Rong blushed, "Of course, that is not possible. Your subordinate merely wishes to spend more time with Ying Xue. We haven't seen each other in a long time, and I fear she might forget who I am."
Xiao Man handed him a memorial. "The trade routes of the four kingdoms are of utmost importance; there can be no slip-ups. Tian Que is currently guarding the border of Wu Yue Kingdom, which also serves to contain the rebellion of Bei Rong's desolate lands and their counter-attack on Wu Yue. Wu Yue Kingdom is a crucial link on the four kingdoms' trade routes. Beyond Wu Yue lies the desolate land."
"You intend to open up the desolate land as well!" Jin Rong stated with certainty. He knew that the desolate land had harsh conditions, where people could not come out and outsiders could hardly enter. If the desolate land could be opened up, the world's territory would expand.
"Do you have confidence?"
"Yes!" Jin Rong replied without hesitation. "However, your subordinate has a request."
"Speak."
"If your subordinate can safely return from the desolate land, I ask that you give me an opportunity. I wish to marry Ying Xue." Jin Rong said sincerely. "I know that with my current status, I am not worthy of her, but one day, I will become someone worthy of her."
"I will give you the opportunity; whether you can seize it depends on your own abilities," Xiao Man said softly. "Ying Xue, on the surface, is my hidden guard, but in reality, she is like my sister. I cannot tolerate anyone bullying her."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, your subordinate will never bully Miss Ying Xue. Your subordinate merely wishes to do their utmost to give her the best of everything."
Xiao Man nodded and watched Jin Rong leave before saying, "Did you hear that? He is going to do his utmost to give you the best of everything."
"Your subordinate is your hidden guard and cannot leave your side," Ying Xue said without hesitation.
"From the moment you entered the General's mansion, you were no longer my hidden guard," Xiao Man picked up a memorial and continued to review it. "You are my personal female official, an object of envy for many."
"Regardless of the title, your subordinate must remain by your side."
Xiao Man couldn't help but smile. "Then, I will bestow upon you a residence, just outside the palace. You can enter and leave the palace at any time. Even after marriage, you will still be by my side."
Ying Xue fiddled with her clothes, looking somewhat shy. "But after marriage, your subordinate cannot always be by Your Majesty's side."
"Am I a three-year-old child, needing you to guard me every moment?" Xiao Man suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Also, at such a young age, you should bravely pursue the one you love, don't be like me, who only understood her feelings after he was gone."
Ying Xue quickly looked up at Xiao Man. "Your Majesty, your subordinate did not intend to bring up your sorrow. Emperor Consort Wen, he..."
Xiao Man waved her hand, indicating she was fine. "Don't worry, I'm alright. However, don't you really want to follow him? The desolate land is fraught with danger. This journey could very well be a one-way trip, especially considering his delicate constitution, the possibility of not returning is extremely high. If you don't go, you may never see him again in this lifetime."
Ying Xue's expression changed. She had always thought that as long as Jin Rong was safe, she would be happy even if they were not together. But now, learning that Jin Rong's journey was extremely likely to be a one-way trip, that there would be no more Jin Rong in this world, her heart began to panic.
"Your Majesty..."
"Go, from now on, you are free," Xiao Man said softly. "Follow your heart and bravely move forward. The people I brought out are not cowards."
Ying Xue gritted her teeth, hesitating to take a step. But as she thought that from now on, she would never see Jin Rong again, and even if she searched the entire world, she wouldn't find any trace of him, Ying Xue finally took a step.
Xiao Man watched Ying Xue run out quickly, a smile appearing on her face. "Wait."
"Your Majesty, have you changed your mind?"
Xiao Man took out a black token and threw it to Ying Xue. "Keep this. If you encounter danger in the desolate land, this can save your life."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your subordinate will leave now."
"Go." Xiao Man watched Ying Xue depart, her smile growing even gentler, a deep, profound light shining in her eyes. It was time for things to get lively outside.
On the city walls outside Jinling City, a painting appeared overnight. The painting was quite detailed, yet upon closer inspection, it was not detailed enough. The onlookers stared at the painting on the city wall, their eyes filled with confusion.
"What kind of painting is this? Why is it painted on the city wall?"
"You wouldn't know, would you? I heard this is a map to the location of the former Qin treasury. It is said that the treasures of the former Qin are countless. Whoever obtains them will not have to worry for generations."
"Isn't the former Qin treasury just a legend? Does it truly exist?"
"Of course, it exists. Don't you see those people all going to find the treasure?" The speaker, while copying the map, said, "Do you want a map? One tael of silver for a copy."
The person who asked looked at the map in his hand, then compared it to the map on the city wall. They were identical, not a single detail missed. They hesitated whether to spend the exorbitant sum of one tael of silver for a map that everyone knew about.
"Ten copper coins!"
"Esteemed customer, if you find the former Qin treasury, you wouldn't even bother to bend down to pick up a dropped tael of silver," the map-selling youth persuaded. "If you misremember the location and go to the wrong place, you will miss out on a lot of gold and silver. One tael of silver is for peace of mind, for reassurance. It's not a loss, nor is it expensive."
The person pondered for a moment and felt it made sense. He immediately spent one tael of silver to buy the map drawn by the youth. The youth collected the silver and went to find the next buyer, quickly selling all the copies he had drawn.
In a tea stall by the city gate, several people sat, wearing bamboo hats and pulling down their brims to conceal their faces. "My lord, is this treasure map real?"
"It is real, but only one location is the true treasure site. Finding this treasure site will not be easy."
"Then, shall we copy the map and hand it over to our master?"
Tian Hao beckoned to the youth selling maps and exchanged one tael of silver for a map. He compared it carefully with the painting on the city wall, confirmed it was identical, and then put it away.
"Let's go, we'll report back to the master."
As the group was about to leave, a person appeared on the city tower, wearing a mask. "Everyone, you have seen the map, but have you obtained the key to opening the treasure?"
Those who were eager to go and search for treasure stopped in their tracks and looked up at the city tower. "What is the key to opening the treasure?"
"The key to the former Qin treasure is, of course, the Phoenix Pearl!"