The new emperor waited with joy in his heart, feeling that time passed extraordinarily slowly.

Finally, footsteps could be heard from outside.

The new emperor’s face lit up with delight. He subconsciously started to stand up, but remembering his new identity, he lightly coughed and leaned back against the dragon throne, assuming a reserved posture.

“Your Majesty, Marquis Guanjun has arrived,” Wei Wuxie said with a bow.

Though there had been many changes after the new emperor’s ascension, Wei Wuxie still firmly held his position as Chief Eunuch and Commander of the Eastern Depot.

First, the new emperor had no suitable replacement candidates. Second, he was still in mourning—if he immediately replaced blameless old servants, people might say he was too callous.

Even so, compared to serving Emperor Mingkang for decades, the new master’s temperament needed fresh study, so Wei Wuxie had to maintain utmost vigilance.

“This minister greets Your Majesty.”

“Please rise, Marquis.” Upon seeing Shao Mingyuan, the new emperor couldn’t help but break into a smile.

Shao Mingyuan straightened up.

“Wei Wuxie, bring a chair for the Marquis.”

Wei Wuxie raised his eyebrows slightly and glanced at Shao Mingyuan.

The new emperor was quite favorable to Marquis Guanjun.

Shao Mingyuan remained calm: “This minister is honored. Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty.”

Looking at the young man sitting upright like a green pine, Prince Rui felt refreshed and asked with an affectionate smile: “What brings the Marquis to see me?”

Could it be about honoring the promise to confer princehood on someone of a different surname?

Though he did have this intention, the timing wasn’t right.

While Marquis Guanjun had merit in supporting the dragon, the matter of privately mobilizing garrison troops couldn’t be deeply investigated, much less used as grounds for grand rewards.

He planned to wait until Marquis Guanjun achieved more military merit in the future before conferring rewards.

“Your Majesty, this minister wishes to request leave for a period to take my wife south to Jia Feng.”

“Request leave? What leave?” The new emperor’s expression changed slightly.

He didn’t want Marquis Guanjun to take leave!

Shao Mingyuan glanced with surprise at the new emperor, whose expression had darkened, but felt no fear. He calmly explained: “This minister wishes to pay respects to the Qiao family. I hope Your Majesty will grant permission.”

Though the new emperor was extremely reluctant, he couldn’t find reasons to object.

Of course, he was the emperor—he could be willful—but this was Marquis Guanjun, the Marquis Guanjun who had saved him twice. He still needed to give him this much face.

“Very well, I grant permission.” The new emperor reluctantly agreed and instructed: “The Marquis must return early.”

“Yes.” Shao Mingyuan felt something was off, but couldn’t put his finger on it. Walking out of the palace gates, he patted non-existent dust from his clothes and hurried home.

Two days later, Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan quietly left the capital with light luggage and few attendants. Seeing them off were the Qiao siblings and Chi Can.

At the ten-li pavilion, Qiao Mo poured Shao Mingyuan a cup of wine: “Tingquan, I’m tied up with cabinet affairs and can’t get away. I’m entrusting you to offer incense and kowtow to my parents and relatives.”

“Brother-in-law, rest assured—I will.”

“Brother-in-law, don’t forget me either.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled at Qiao Wan: “Brother-in-law remembers.”

Qiao Wan was quite regretful and muttered softly: “Actually, I want to go back and see with brother-in-law.”

She also wanted to personally offer a stick of incense to father and mother and kowtow a few times, but elder brother wouldn’t allow it, insisting she stay home to study and embroider.

Qiao Mo patted Qiao Wan’s shoulder: “Alright, when elder brother can take leave in the future, I’ll take you back.”

Qiao Wan immediately cast aside her regret and asked with delight: “Elder brother isn’t lying to me?”

“When has your elder brother ever lied to you?”

Qiao Wan blinked: “Will elder brother have vacation time after getting married?”

Qiao Mo coughed lightly and said with a stern face: “That’s next year’s matter.”

With the late emperor’s death, though the new emperor only needed to observe three months of mourning, marriages were forbidden among the people for this year, so Qiao Mo’s engagement to the Xu family was naturally postponed.

“Next year is fine too, as long as elder brother takes me back.”

“Why not let Wan Wan come with us?” Qiao Zhao suggested.

Qiao Wan’s eyes lit up as she looked at Qiao Mo expectantly.

“No, this girl isn’t young anymore. She should stay home and settle her temperament. Next year I’ll take her back.”

Qiao Zhao said no more.

“Alright, stop dawdling and get going,” Chi Can urged with slight impatience.

Of course, he couldn’t be in a good mood. Thinking of these two going sightseeing while he had to roll up his sleeves and argue with those bastards in court, then come home to face a pregnant wife, life truly held no interest.

“We’re leaving.” Shao Mingyuan smiled, cupped his fists toward Qiao Mo and Chi Can, and pulled Qiao Zhao toward the carriage.

“Tingquan—” Chi Can couldn’t help calling out as he watched their retreating figures.

The Qiao couple stopped.

Chi Can’s brow showed some awkwardness as he asked with feigned nonchalance: “You won’t be gone too long, will you?”

“A month or two.”

“That’s fine then. Go early, return early.” Chi Can waved his hand.

Qiao Zhao and her husband boarded the carriage. They stuck their heads out the window until they could no longer see the figures in the pavilion, then lowered the curtain.

“Shixi must be lonely staying alone in the capital.” Shao Mingyuan opened the food box on the small table and took out fresh fruits from inside.

The food box was nested in sizes with an ice layer in between. The fruits cut to bite-size pieces were perfectly fresh, with exquisitely carved silver toothpicks inserted in them.

Shao Mingyuan picked up a piece of watermelon and brought it to Qiao Zhao’s lips.

Qiao Zhao took it and ate it, wiping the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief before smiling: “In another two months, the Eldest Princess Changrong should give birth.”

Shao Mingyuan was startled, then understood.

Being a man, he naturally didn’t pay attention to other families’ inner quarter affairs. So this was what his friend was worried about.

“The Eldest Princess Changrong’s pregnancy has been precarious. Shixi is probably afraid something might happen during his mother’s delivery.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled and shook his head: “Shixi has always said one thing but meant another. Are you skilled in midwifery?”

“How could I be? At most, in emergencies, I could use acupuncture to stop bleeding and assist delivery. In such times, one depends on experienced midwives.” Qiao Zhao said frankly.

Her medical knowledge came from Physician Li, and Physician Li had never delivered babies.

Thinking that this southern journey would reunite her with Grandfather Li, Qiao Zhao was filled with anticipation.

This season had abundant river water, so the couple soon switched to waterways and smoothly reached Jia Feng County.

After briefly stopping in the county seat to rest and resupply, they headed straight for the apricot grove in Baiyun Village.

After the Qiao family case was cleared before the world, Shao Mingyuan had sent people to properly repair the Qiao family tombs and stationed two retired soldiers wounded in service to guard them.

July and August were when southern vegetation grew most luxuriantly, but thanks to the two tomb-guarding veterans, each small mound in the Qiao family burial ground was clean without a single weed.

Seeing this, Qiao Zhao was deeply moved and knelt before her grandfather Qiao Zhuo’s grave, kowtowing repeatedly.

Grandfather, your granddaughter has brought the grandson-in-law you chose back to see you.

Your judgment has always been excellent.

Shao Mingyuan knelt beside Qiao Zhao and also kowtowed earnestly, saying in his heart: Grandfather, please rest assured—your grandson-in-law will treat Zhaozhao well for life.

The couple lingered in the apricot grove for several days before setting out again, heading toward the small town where Physician Li lived in seclusion.