CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: WISHING I COULD ACCOMPANY XIAO CHENGYU

"You’re going to Ganning?" Fu Shinian exclaimed in surprise, "How could they allow you to go?"

The entire Capital City knows that Xiao Chengyu is not in good health.

In the original novel, Xiao Chengyu never left the capital due to his health issues.

So why is it different now?

"Originally, this task wasn’t meant for me," Xiao Chengyu said, "but the Emperor saw that I’m quite healthy now and, after much consideration, decided it would be best to entrust it to me."

Fu Shinian thought, it seems Xiao Chengyu’s health has improved, leading to quite a change on his side too.

"But Ganning is far away, you must be very careful on the journey," Fu Shinian advised, "Don’t tire yourself just to make haste, make sure to get enough sleep, and avoid getting up early or staying up late. If you’re exhausted, rest promptly and eat well."

Despite all the reminders, Fu Shinian still felt uneasy, "Even though you’ve gotten much better, I’m worried whether your body can endure such a long journey."

"Traveling far from home poses many inconveniences, the food won’t be as refined as what you get at home. It’s fine in the mornings and evenings, where you can eat hot food in towns, but probably only dry food at noon," Fu Shinian frowned.

"From the capital to Ganning, how long will it take?" Fu Shinian asked, "I only know that Ganning is very, very far from the capital."

"It will take about a month’s journey," Xiao Chengyu couldn’t help but scrutinize Fu Shinian’s constantly furrowed brows due to worry about him.

Hearing it would take a month, her worry deepened, "Doesn’t that mean, round trip, it will be three months? Can your body endure it?"

"The Emperor has specially arranged for the Imperial Physician to accompany me, checking on me daily, there won’t be any issues," Xiao Chengyu assured.

Fu Shinian pouted, dissatisfied, "Since the Emperor is so worried, why insist on sending you?"

"You shouldn’t worry about others overhearing," Xiao Chengyu pinched her cheek gently, "You mustn’t say things like that in the future."

Fu Shinian froze, instinctually raising her hand to touch the place where he had just pinched.

Xiao Chengyu realized his impropriety, turning away that hand, but couldn’t help but rub the thumb and forefinger where they had touched Fu Shinian’s cheek.

Those very spots were where he had just touched Fu Shinian’s face.

"It’s because the Emperor couldn’t find a suitable candidate, and I felt my body could handle it, so I volunteered," Xiao Chengyu explained.

Since it has come to this, there’s no turning back. Fu Shinian could only emphasize, "You must take all necessary medicines to prepare for any sudden situations."

"And do you have enough sleeping incense?" Fu Shinian asked, "When traveling, changing residences might affect sleep."

"I’ve brought enough of everything," Xiao Chengyu replied, "I also have the peace charm you prayed for."

Mentioning this, Xiao Chengyu felt a softening in his heart, "You climbed the steps to the temple to seek that peace charm for my safety and health, and it surely will be effective."

Fu Shinian nodded slowly, wishing she could accompany Xiao Chengyu.

He mustn’t have any mishaps.

"Marquis, you must be extra careful," Fu Shinian advised, "I’ll wait for your return in the capital, so don’t let your just-recovered health deteriorate again."

Xiao Chengyu paused, she said she’ll wait for his return in the capital.

Staring intently at her, Xiao Chengyu agreed softly, "Alright, I’ll definitely come back in good shape for you to check."

Only then did Fu Shinian nod in agreement.

As Xiao Chengyu took on the task, even the old lady of the Xiao family was full of concern.

In the marquis’ manor, they had to be very cautious and careful with his health.

Daily, they adapted medicinal meals based on his pulse to nourish him cautiously, afraid of over-nourishing or under-nourishing.

Now with Xiao Chengyu traveling far, it wouldn’t be as convenient as in the marquis’ manor.

Although Xiao Chengyu claimed it was enough, Fu Shinian returned home to make more incense and refreshing pills.

On the day of Xiao Chengyu’s departure, he had to leave before dawn.

The night before, Fu Shinian instructed Chunmian and Chunyu to wake her up, as she wanted to bring the incense and refreshing pills to see him off.

Making incense and pills took a lot of time, especially since she was making plenty.

This time, besides making sleeping incense and throat-cleansing pills, Fu Shinian also made concentration incense and refreshing pills usually used for Fu Changqin’s study sessions.

The journey to Ganning is long and often through desolate areas, Fu Shinian worried about potential dangers.

If Xiao Chengyu did not rest well at night, he might be too tired to react promptly in the day.

Thus, she intended for Xiao Chengyu to use concentration incense during the day to stay alert, which would then tire him, making it easier to sleep at night, augmented by sleeping incense, ensuring no worry about poor rest.

Preparing so much, three short days quickly felt insufficient.

Fu Shinian stayed up until almost dawn last night to finish the last of the concentration incense.

When Chunmian and Chunyu called her, she had only slept for a little over an hour.

She hadn’t yet slept deeply, so was woken up from a light sleep.

Fu Shinian rubbed her eyes as Chunyu helped dress and groom her.

"Chunmian, check the incense and pills, if there’s no issue, put them in the box," Fu Shinian instructed.

"Yes." Having learned from the previous mishap during the hunt, Chunmian was more careful than ever.

She checked everything thoroughly, confirming there were no issues, then placed them in the box.

One box for concentration incense, one for calming incense, and throat-cleansing pills and refreshing pills each in their separate containers.

Labels on both inside and out of the boxes prevented Xiao Chengyu from retrieving the wrong items.

With all preparations complete and Fu Shinian nearly ready herself, she quickly ordered the porters to take the boxes to the carriage.

"Miss, it’s cold out now, please wear a cloak," Chunyu caught up to her, putting a cloak on Fu Shinian.

The driver was urged to leave promptly, so as not to miss Xiao Chengyu’s departure.

Thankfully, the streets were empty at this hour, even vendors had not yet set up their stalls, allowing for a smooth and quicker journey than usual.

The Capital City had already turned chilly, especially in the early hours before dawn.

The crisp morning air transformed into a breeze as the carriage picked up speed and blew between the curtain flaps.

Glad that Chunyu had prepared a cloak for her, Fu Shinian pulled it tighter around herself, though her nose felt somewhat cold.

Thinking about the coolness in the Capital City now, she wondered how cold Ganning might be.

Soon, they arrived at the gates of the marquis’ manor.

She saw Xiao Chengyu being escorted outside by the old lady and Xiao Yingyue.

The old lady was still advising him, so Fu Shinian waited in the carriage without interrupting.

As Xiao Chengyu was about to get in the carriage, Fu Shinian hurriedly called out, "Marquis!"

Everyone turned to see Fu Shinian about to step down from the carriage.

Without thinking, Xiao Chengyu strode over swiftly and extended his hand to her.

Chunmian, who was about to assist, withdrew her hand upon seeing this.

Pausing for a moment, Fu Shinian accepted Xiao Chengyu’s hand and stepped down.

"Why did you come?" He wondered, especially at such an early hour, not knowing how early she must have risen.

"I came to bring something for the marquis," Fu Shinian replied.

The driver unloaded the boxes.

"These past few days, I haven’t visited because I was making incense and pills at home, hoping to finish them in time for the marquis’ departure, sufficient for your use during your journey and in Ganning," Fu Shinian explained.