Xiao Zhen stared at Xiao Man for a long time.
He naturally understood this principle, but the thought of Xiao Man facing unknown dangers alone made him feel uneasy.
"Father, Cangzhou is a remote place, and the connections are not as complicated as in the imperial capital. If I, your daughter, cannot even handle matters in Cangzhou, how can I face the storms and rains of the imperial capital?" Xiao Man spoke again. No matter what, she had to get Xiao Zhen's consent.
Xiao Zhen was silent for a long time, struggling internally, and finally let out a long sigh: "Fine, Father knows you are a decisive child. The journey to Cangzhou is long. You must be careful, do not push yourself too hard. If it's really impossible, come home quickly. Father will handle everything."
"Thank you, Father," Xiao Man said repeatedly. "I knew Father loved his daughter the most."
Xiao Zhen rubbed Xiao Man's head. "Your eyes have not yet recovered, and you are going to Cangzhou. Father is truly worried. But thinking about what you said, Father realizes he cannot shield you from the wind and rain forever. There will always be times when you need to face the storms yourself. I can only let go and let you grow. Do whatever you want with confidence. If the sky falls, Father will hold it up for you."
"Thank you, Father," Xiao Man happily hugged Xiao Zhen's neck and kissed his cheek. "I like Father the most!"
Xiao Zhen's old face blushed. "You child..."
"Then Father, your daughter will go back and prepare."
"There's no hurry for this. I and your grandmother..."
"I will not tell Grandmother about my return to Cangzhou for now," Xiao Man quickly instructed. "I don't want Grandmother to worry. It will not be too late for Father to tell Grandmother when I return from Cangzhou."
Xiao Zhen understood in his heart that Xiao Man was not afraid of the Old Madam worrying. She was afraid of the Old Madam secretly making a move against her.
In recent years, he had rarely been home, and the Old Madam must have done many things to disappoint her daughter. Now, she was so wary of her.
"Alright, Father understands."
"Second sister is foolish, and when Third Concubine takes charge of the household, she naturally won't have time to look after her. Father, you must watch over her more. Even if she is bullied, she will keep it in her heart and dare not speak of it."
"Father knows."
"And Third Sister..."
"Your Third Sister has your grandmother to worry about, so you can rest assured," Xiao Zhen tapped Xiao Man's forehead. "You are like a worried old woman yourself."
"When your daughter is not home, Father must eat on time every day and take care of his health. If I return and Father has lost weight, I will not be pleased."
"Alright, alright, I've got it all, my little bossy girl!"
The next morning, an inconspicuous carriage left the General's mansion, circled the city once, and headed straight for the city gate. After leaving the city, several guards who had been waiting outside the city gate joined them, and the group headed directly for Cangzhou.
Nangong Yu's carriage also stopped at the city gate. Watching the carriage drive away, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He had not expected Xiao Man to be able to persuade Xiao Zhen to let her leave the imperial capital.
A moment later, a handsome young man wearing a veiled hat and with a graceful demeanor, climbed into Nangong Yu's carriage and sat beside him. He lifted his veiled hat and gave Nangong Yu a playful smile. It was none other than Xiao Man.
As the carriage slowly moved, Nangong Yu waved his hand in front of Xiao Man's face. "Can you see?"
"I can see, but not very clearly, and I cannot bear strong light, which is why I am wearing a veiled hat." Xiao Man took off her veiled hat, then put on the white silk again. The veiled hat was too hot.
"Are you following me all by yourself?" Nangong Yu asked gently.
"Before I leave, I need to go to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest. If I don't change when I leave the city, my father's men will follow, and it will not be easy to slip away," Xiao Man explained. To avoid suspicion, she could not afford to let go of any of the maids who usually served her.
"What are you going to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest for?"
"There is a medicinal herb that is about to mature. I need to go to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest to collect it first," Xiao Man said softly. "Zi Yi Xian, everyone says Zi Yi Xian is extremely poisonous, but they do not know that Zi Yi Xian is also a supreme antidote. Where Zi Yi Xian is, all poisonous creatures must retreat three steps."
"Is there Zi Yi Xian in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest?"
"Yes, I discovered it by chance when I was trapped inside with His Highness last time. However, Zi Yi Xian was not yet mature and could not be picked. Counting the time, it should be about right."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Yu immediately ordered the carriage to head directly for the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest.
The Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest was in a different direction from the Western Regions, but it would not cause much delay along the way. A medicinal herb that Xiao Man could not forget was naturally not ordinary.
Nangong Yu accompanied Xiao Man into the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest to collect Zi Yi Xian. However, when they arrived, they found that another person was already waiting for Zi Yi Xian to mature.
"Doctor Ye," Xiao Man exclaimed in surprise when she spotted the person.
Ye Qing, looking disheveled, turned around and saw Nangong Yu walking with a handsome young man. The young man had a white silk blindfold over his eyes, but it did not affect his walking in the slightest.
"Eldest Miss," Ye Qing stood up, looking at the two with surprise in his eyes, full of questions. "Why are you two here?"
"We came for it," Xiao Man said, pointing to the Zi Yi Xian about to bloom.
Ye Qing felt a surge of blood rise to his throat. "Did you set up the formation near Zi Yi Xian?"
Xiao Man nodded. "Last time, when Prince Qin and I accidentally trespassed here, we discovered Zi Yi Xian. To prevent it from being taken away, I set up a formation around Zi Yi Xian."
Ye Qing glared at Nangong Yu in frustration. "You brat, you didn't tell me! I knew why Zi Yi Xian was so close to me, yet I couldn't get near it no matter how hard I tried, making me almost pass out."
At this moment, Zi Yi Xian bloomed. Xiao Man took out a jade box and walked towards Zi Yi Xian. Her steps seemed chaotic, but they were imbued with profound principles. Zi Yi Xian, which Ye Qing could not pick no matter how hard he tried, easily fell into Xiao Man's hands.
"Eldest Miss's eyes... have they not recovered yet?"
"They have recovered, but I cannot bear strong light for the time being, so I am still wearing the white silk. In a few days, when I can adapt to the light, I can take it off." Xiao Man put away the medicine. Ye Qing felt his heart bleeding. He had coveted this Zi Yi Xian for a long time, and now that it had finally matured, it was snatched away right in front of him!
"Eldest Miss, can I exchange something for this Zi Yi Xian?" Su Dan novel website
"Not now," Xiao Man said frankly. "I need to use it at the moment. After I am done with it, I can give it to Doctor Ye."
"Really?" Ye Qing felt the surprise came too suddenly, catching him off guard.
"Yes, where I am going, there are many poisonous creatures. With Zi Yi Xian, I will have an extra layer of protection. When I return, I will present Zi Yi Xian to you with both hands, as thanks for your care during the past period."