On her wedding night, she went into exile with her pharmacy arsenal

Chapter 2135 You're Not Qualified

The abbot and An Cizhou looked up and saw Qi Dongqiang standing at the door, wearing a light pink outfit with delicate peach blossom patterns embroidered on the cuffs. Her long black hair was tied with a ribbon of the same color, making her look elegant and lively.

She held a freshly picked white jasmine flower in her hand, its petals still glistening with dew, clearly indicating that she had just come from the garden.

"Miss Qi." An Cizhou stood up and bowed, the slight blush on her face fading a little, but her tone was more reserved than before.

Qi Dongqiang entered the room, her gaze sweeping over the two men before she asked curiously, "The Abbot is here too. I just heard Lord An ask about our departure; is there some errand we need to run?"

"Indeed." The abbot nodded with a smile and repeated the prince's instructions, "The prince and princess have sent a letter asking you and Lord An to go to Rongzhou together."

Upon hearing this, Qi Dongqiang's eyes flashed with surprise, then a faint smile appeared on her lips as she looked at An Cizhou, her tone slightly teasing: "Oh? You're going to Rongzhou with Lord An? That's quite a journey, taking at least four or five days on horseback. With Lord An's riding skills, can you withstand the bumpy ride?"

An Cizhou's ears turned red again at her question, but this time he did not avoid her gaze. He composed himself and said firmly, "Miss Qi, don't worry. Although my riding skills are not superb, they are enough to handle the journey."

When I was younger, my father had someone teach me to ride a horse. Although I haven't ridden often in recent years, I still have the basics and won't hold me back.

"Moreover, I also rode a part of the way from the capital to Youcheng, and I didn't travel entirely by carriage."

His eyes were clear and earnest as he said this.

Seeing his expression, Qi Dongqiang couldn't help but laugh, her eyes crinkling like the morning light: "Lord An, there's no need to be nervous. I was just asking casually. Since His Highness has given the order, I will naturally go."

She paused, then looked at the abbot: "Has His Highness said when he will depart?"

"His Highness hopes that the two of you can set off as soon as possible. If everything is ready, we can depart tomorrow morning."

The abbot replied, "The princess said that everything is provided there. You two only need to bring your personal clothes and essentials."

"Tomorrow morning?" Qi Dongqiang nodded, her tone light. "Okay, I don't usually have anything important to do, I can just tidy up this afternoon."

An Cizhou replied, "My affairs here will be handed over today. The documents and files have all been organized and can be handed over to my deputy. Tomorrow morning, I will wait for Miss Qi at the gate of the Prince's Mansion."

"Alright." Qi Dongqiang smiled and nodded, placing the white jasmine in her hand on the table. "Then I'll go back and pack my things. Lord An, please finish your work early and get some rest, as we have to travel tomorrow."

After she finished speaking, she bowed to the abbot again, turned around and walked out of the side hall.

Watching her figure disappear through the door, An Cizhou withdrew his gaze, the restraint on his face gradually fading. He sat back down in his chair, but instead of immediately dealing with the documents on the table, he looked thoughtfully at the white jasmine on the desk.

The abbot saw his expression, a gentle smile playing on his lips. He didn't say much, only saying, "If Lord An has nothing else, this humble monk will take his leave. I will come to see you both off tomorrow morning."

"Thank you for your trouble, Master." An Cizhou stood up to see the abbot off, escorting him to the entrance of the side hall.

As the morning light gradually rises and the mist dissipates, the flowers and trees in the courtyard are made even brighter by the sunlight.

An Cizhou stood at the door, watching the abbot's graceful figure disappear behind the moon gate, before turning back into the house.

He walked to the table, picked up the white jasmine, and felt a faint fragrance lingering around his nose. Qi Dongqiang's teasing smile from earlier vividly appeared before his eyes again.

He gently shook his head, bringing his thoughts back to the matter at hand, picked up his pen again, and began to deal with the remaining tasks.

Although he didn't know what good things were going on in Rongzhou, since it was the prince and princess's order, he would do his best to go.

Just thinking about traveling with Qi Dongqiang for four or five days made him feel a strange mix of emotions, a mixture of anticipation and a little bit of inexplicable nervousness.

Qi Dongqiang returned to her courtyard and began to pack her things. She moved quickly, and as she packed, she couldn't help but laugh again, remembering An Cizhou's flushed face as she argued earlier.

"This Lord An looks so composed, but I didn't expect him to be so easily embarrassed."

Jiang Tangli walked in and asked curiously, "What are you laughing at? Is there something good happening?"

Qi Dongqiang smiled and shook her head: "I have to go to Rongzhou. The prince and princess sent a message through the abbot, asking me and An Cizhou to go together."

Jiang Tangli asked with some reluctance, "How long will you be gone?"

Qi Dongqiang shook her head: "I don't know yet. The specifics will only be clear after we get there."

She pulled Jiang Tangli back: "You also have a lot of things to do right now. The princess has treated us well. Let's each work hard and repay her. I have a feeling that she can achieve great things."

Jiang Tangli nodded: "You're right."

After saying that, she put a jade hairpin into the jewelry box.

"this is for you."

Qi Dongqiang smiled and said, "Okay."

She handed the dagger she carried to Jiang Tangli: "If I'm gone for a long time, I'll write to you. Keep this for self-defense."

Jiang Tangli gripped the dagger tightly. Although the two were reluctant to part, their gazes fell on the courtyard outside the window, and they both felt a sense of anticipation for the future.

As night deepened, the lights of the Prince's Mansion lit up one by one.

After finishing all his business, An Cizhou came to bid farewell to the First Madam.

As soon as he arrived at the First Madam's courtyard, he heard laughter and chatter. Qi Dongqiang and Jiang Tangli were also there. He steadied himself and stepped inside.

Yan Ruyu was overjoyed to receive a call from the abbot informing her that An Cizhou and Qi Dongqiang would be setting off early the next morning.

Huo Changhe went to interrogate Prefect Ding, but he wasn't in the courtyard. She happily went to find him and told him the good news.

Governor Ding was imprisoned alone in a secluded courtyard. He slumped on the ground, with incense smoke burning in the corner of the room. The smoke alone made him weak and unable to move.

Huo Changhe pushed open the door and came in. Prefect Ding looked up at him.

"Who the hell are you?"

Huo Changhe sat down in the chair and looked down at him.

"Ding Hengshou, you have been in officialdom for a long time and have served the country and its people. Why have you stooped to this level?"

Governor Ding was taken aback, then sneered: "If you're here to talk to me about worrying about the country and its people, you're not qualified."

Huo Changhe narrowed his eyes slightly. He had imagined that Prefect Ding would weep bitterly, that he would curse the court, and that he would be timid and beg for mercy.

I never expected him to say something like that.

Huo Changhe asked in a deep voice, "Oh? Then tell me, how do you serve the country and its people?"

Governor Ding's lips curled into a mocking smile.