Mrs. Dongfang and Mrs. Han sat in the first carriage, Yun Jinnian, Dongfang Fu, and Dongfang Rong were in the second carriage. Compared to the mutual admiration between Mrs. Han and Mrs. Dongfang, Dongfang Fu and Dongfang Rong admired Yun Jinnian to the utmost degree.
"Can little sister really make medicine that attracts bees and butterflies?"
"Yes, I can. It’s just that we lack the necessary ingredients. Once I return to the Capital City and perfect it, I’ll send someone to bring it over!" Yun Jinnian said mildly.
Dongfang Rong didn’t beat around the bush with Yun Jinnian.
Upon returning to the City Lord Residence, they began to pack up.
There wasn’t much to pack, but the thank-you gifts from the City Lord Residence were quite substantial—
Fabrics, jewelry, vases, decorations, ginseng, medicinal ingredients; twelve large boxes, which took up three horse-drawn carriages.
Yun Jinnian felt quite embarrassed by the abundance, but Mrs. Han saw it as fitting.
The gifts were accepted, but the debt of gratitude remained.
On the morning of May 1, they set out on the journey back to the Capital City.
The family stood at the door to see them off, and even Dongfang Jingtian, though unwell, made the effort to bid farewell. Dongfang Huo, Dongfang Xu, and Dongfang Zan, the three brothers, accompanied them to Shili Pavilion outside the city, where a convoy of martial artists was arranged to escort Yun Jinnian, Mrs. Han, and the others back to the Capital City.
"Fourth Sister!" Dongfang Rong, hugging Yun Jinnian, cried so hard she couldn’t speak. "When will you come to visit me again?"
"How about I come to add to your trousseau when Sister gets married?" Yun Jinnian said gently.
"Then I will definitely marry early!"
Dongfang Rong’s words amused everyone, yet also struck a chord of melancholy.
Yun Jinnian nodded and helped Mrs. Han into the carriage.
Watching the departing carriages, Dongfang Zan let out a sigh of relief.
Dongfang Huo clapped his shoulder.
"As long as you’re fine. Let’s go. We have a lot to deal with when we get back!"
On the road back to the Capital City.
Yun Jinnian leaned against Mrs. Han and slept.
Mrs. Han tenderly stroked Yun Jinnian’s hair, her heart brimming with happiness. Thinking of her son she had never seen since his birth, Mrs. Han smiled.
"Madam, we’re about to enter Huaixi County!"
Once they reached Huaixi County, the Capital City was only a day’s journey away.
"Let’s find an inn to stay in Huaixi County and set out early tomorrow morning!" Mrs. Han said softly.
The coachman called Old Ghost nodded, leading the team into Huaixi County. They found an inn with a small courtyard that could accommodate the horse-drawn carriages.
Although it was slightly more expensive, everyone felt more secure staying together.
The party of Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian included six people, plus another six sent by the City Lord Residence to escort them, making a total of twelve.
Those six sent by the City Lord Residence were clearly highly skilled in martial arts, the formidable kind.
After cleaning up, it was time for dinner.
Mrs. Han was generous, allowing the men to dine at one table while the women ate in a room. The food was the same for both, and there was also wine, but only a little—just enough to whet their appetite, fearing that too much could lead to misconduct.
However, for these men, their respect for Yun Jinnian’s medical skills meant they were extremely polite and respectful.
After dinner, unable to sleep, Yun Jinnian took a book and read next to Mrs. Han.
"Read for just a little while more, then go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow!"
"Okay, I’ll listen to mother!"
After going to the washroom and washing her hands, just as Yun Jinnian was about to go to bed, she heard a commotion outside.
"What’s the matter?" Yun Jinnian asked quietly.
Bai Que had already stepped out to see what was happening.
Concerned about the inn’s safety, Bai Que, Hemei, and Henuan were all sleeping on the ground inside the room.
Yun Jinnian also walked out to the courtyard, curious.
Old Ghost remained silent, but the six men from the City Lord Residence were buzzing with discussion.
Soon after, Bai Que returned to report, "An elderly woman has fainted. Her family has gone to fetch a doctor."