Chapter 1323: Diplomatic Delegation of Qingdi

Editor: Henyee Translations

He was just a playful teenager, and before long, he had vanished into the surroundings.

Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan walked briskly, enjoying the pleasant autumn weather—neither too hot nor too cold. As they entered the mountains, the cool, shaded air enveloped them, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. The vibrant hues of autumn foliage, bathed in sunlight, added to their sense of relaxation.

The two of them conversed and laughed, quickly reaching the middle of the mountain.

Here, they found themselves in a diverse forest, with pine, cypress, birch, yellowwood, red maple, linden, blackwood, locust, luan, yellow poplar trees, and various wild fruit trees, shrubs, and vines all intermingling in an organized manner.

Such a forest provided the perfect environment for various wild mountain mushrooms to flourish.

When Qiao Xuan activated her superpower, even mushrooms cleverly concealed amidst the foliage were easily discovered. Before they realized it, their baskets were already half-filled with a variety of mushrooms, each boasting different appearances and sizes but all exuding a fresh and delightful aroma. When cooked, they promised to deliver exceptional flavors.

“This should suffice for a few days’ worth of meals! Tonight, we’ll stew some with chicken, stir-fry a plate with beef. Tomorrow at noon, we’ll combine them with pork and shrimp to make stuffed buns! Tomorrow night, we’ll use the chicken to prepare a clear soup hotpot, and simultaneously, we’ll create a spicy hotpot. It’s been a while since we’ve had hotpot!” Qiao Xuan laid out her plans with a smile.

Shao Yunduan agreed, placing the basket in a nearby bush and guiding Qiao Xuan to sit under the shade of a tree. “The view here is splendid, and the ambiance is wonderful too. Let’s linger a bit longer…”

They stayed on the mountain until the shadows grew longer, and a chill began to set in. Eventually, they tidied up their belongings and basked in the warmth of the setting sun as they descended the mountain and returned to the city.

That evening, they prepared a savory stew of old hen and fresh mushrooms. Its aroma wafted far and wide, and the soup was nothing short of exquisite.

Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but think that owning a manor in a distant place away from the capital would be a fantastic idea. There, amidst numerous mountains and treasures, they could relish the joys of culinary exploration to their heart’s content!

In the following days, Shao Yunduan found himself immersed in a whirlwind of activity.

The arrival of the diplomatic delegation from Qingdi was fast approaching, with the delegation expected to reach the capital five to six days earlier than originally planned. This abrupt change significantly compressed the already tight preparation schedule.

Government officials and everyone involved in the matter found themselves tirelessly occupied, their tasks keeping them constantly on the move.

While Qingdi was a vassal state in the northern region, it held considerable influence. What made it unique was its historically strong and amicable relationship with the Great Qin Empire. The Emperor attached great importance to the upcoming diplomatic delegation from Qingdi, going so far as to express a desire to host them exceptionally well. This, despite his focus on alchemy and politics. The Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and others dared not disregard these instructions.

Furthermore, the Qin Dynasty was known for its prosperity and tranquility, and it prided itself on being a mighty nation. Any misstep in entertaining the Qingdi delegation could tarnish the reputation of the empire. They couldn’t bear the thought of embarrassment, even if Qingdi didn’t openly criticize them. The Crown Prince would undoubtedly bear the brunt of the blame in such a scenario, potentially facing impeachment once more.

The Fourth Prince had been biding his time, refraining from making any overt moves. While the Crown Prince had enjoyed a comfortable life as a result, it was common knowledge that the Fourth Prince and Honored Princess Mei harbored no intentions of giving up.

Meanwhile, the Second and Third Princes kept a watchful eye on the unfolding political drama, poised to seize any opportunity for personal gain. They might have appeared to play their part dutifully, but they were ready to take advantage of the internal strife without hesitation or restraint.

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