There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 358 Secret Compartment

Fearing the Tenth Prince might change his mind, Li Shuchen quickly accepted the offer and hurriedly said, "This humble woman takes her leave."

Then he grabbed Gu Ziying and quickly walked out.

The two breathed a sigh of relief once they stepped out of the mansion.

Gu Ziying said with lingering fear, "Shu Chen took too much risks."

Li Shuchen: "Does 'Ziying' refer to a gift?"

Gu Ziying: "Yes, thankfully the Tenth Prince didn't blame me."

Li Shuchen: "Ziying's preparations are too valuable; we cannot give them to the Tenth Prince."

Gu Ziying: "As long as the Tenth Prince won't harm you and is willing to accept this gift, what's wrong with giving it to him?"

Li Shuchen: "I know Ziying wants me to be alright. I promise you I won't lose my life. Judging from what he said today, he's treating me like a kitten. Since my life isn't in danger, this trip wasn't in vain. Ziying, get in the carriage."

Gu Ziying was helped into the carriage by An Lan, then turned back to Li Shuchen and said, "But he treated people like objects; it's too insulting."

"As long as I can survive, anything is acceptable."

Li Shuchen finished speaking with a grin and jumped onto the carriage.

The two entered the carriage, and Li Shuchen returned the bundle to Gu Ziying.

"Hurry up and put it away, this is all glittering gold!"

"I know, you greedy devil."

Gu Ziying carefully put it away, then looked at Li Shuchen's arm.

"Does it hurt? You've been through so much today."

Li Shuchen casually waved his hand: "It didn't hurt. I taught a few people a lesson, and it felt pretty good. It would have been even better if there were a couple more."

As he spoke, he gestured twice in mid-air.

"Seeing you like this puts my mind at ease. Is Changning's birthday gift ready? Do you need my help, Shuchen?"

Gu Ziying smiled gently.

Li Shuchen suddenly thought of the legal marriage age in the Purple Star Dynasty, and then, remembering that Gu Ziying was already eighteen, he asked...

"Have your uncle and aunt urged Ziying to get married?"

Gu Ziying lowered her head slightly and forced a smile: "My father and mother have treated me very well and have never forced me. It's just that other elders have had some comments about this matter."

She spoke casually, but Li Shuchen understood how much ridicule and sarcasm Gu Ziying had endured.

He patted her hand comfortingly, saying, "If Young Master Xiao truly wishes to marry you, he should come to propose after passing the provincial and imperial examinations next year and achieving official rank. Then no one will have anything to say about you."

If Young Master Xiao doesn't come to propose, I'll take you far away and start a new life somewhere where no one knows us.

"it is good"

Gu Ziying nodded, her eyes slightly red, and leaned on Li Shuchen's shoulder, enjoying his company.

……

On November 10th, Li Shuchen finally produced the pills.

A dark, grapefruit-sized pill lay quietly in Li Shuchen's hand.

It's so big, you can't fit it in one bite.

Grape stood to the side, grinning, "Miss, can Princess Changning swallow this huge pill?"

Li Shuchen confidently replied, "I can definitely do it. Go to the kitchen and get some steamed buns; I need to change the coating on the pills."

"Yes, miss"

As soon as Grape stepped out the door, Li Shuchen heard a cursing voice.

"What dares to stop this princess? They even send her flowers! I don't want them! Pah!"

Princess Changning stormed into the room, sat down at the octagonal table, and laughed as she looked at the black ball in front of her.

"Li Shuchen, where did you get this top-quality black... black egg? It even tastes bitter. Is this for humans or dogs?"

Li Shuchen glanced at Princess Changning and said indifferently, "This is for you to eat."

"What?! You're giving me food?"

Princess Changning was so shocked that she stood up, looking at Li Shuchen with disbelief.

Li Shuchen raised his eyes slightly and said, "Keep your voice down, lest someone hear you. These are smallpox pills, just made today. I was just about to send them to your residence, but since you're here, I don't need to send anyone else."

Princess Changning swallowed hard upon hearing this, staring at the black pill as she slowly sat down.

"How long would it take to eat such a big one?"

Li Shuchen took a sip of tea and said, "That's not quite right. I prepared the medicine according to the prescribed formula, enough for ten days. There are only five days left until your birthday, so it's more than enough for you."

Princess Changning gestured with her hand, frowning, "Even if it's divided into ten portions, this pill is still terrifyingly large, like an egg. How can I possibly swallow it?"

Li Shuchen calmly nodded: "These pills are easy to chew; you can eat them as a snack."

Princess Changning stared at the bitter black pill with a resolute look, as if she were joining a political party: "Fine, no matter what, I'm going to swallow this pill."

Li Shuchen reached out and plucked the pills, dividing them into ten equal portions. He then found a mold and pressed them into mooncake shapes.

Princess Changning, puzzled, rested her chin on her hand and asked, "What is this for?"

Li Shuchen: "To avoid suspicion, the pills are too big to carry easily. I'll reseal them later. If anyone sees them and asks, just say they're pastries I bought."

Princess Changning paused for a moment before speaking, "No, if we are unfortunately exposed, I can't drag you down with me. For safety's sake, I'll go to another pastry shop and buy some pastries to distribute to the elders in the family."

Li Shuchen nodded: "That's acceptable."

"Miss, the steamed buns are here."

Grape placed several large steamed buns on the table. Li Shuchen peeled off the bun skin, wrapped the pill inside, and then pressed it with a mooncake mold to make it more realistic.

They also picked some fresh flower petals from inside the house to decorate the space; the colorful decorations were quite beautiful.

"That's it! Li Shuchen, you're amazing!"

Princess Changning clapped her hands happily.

Li Shuchen instructed, "You must hide the things well, and make sure no one finds them."

"Don't worry, I have a secret compartment."

Princess Changning smiled playfully, which reassured Li Shuchen considerably. He then carefully packed away the pills.

"I just heard you come in and say that someone stopped you and gave you flowers. What happened?"

Princess Changning frowned angrily upon hearing this: "I was just coming this way when the carriage suddenly stopped. I got out and saw a man holding a flower, smiling at me."

I asked him to move aside, but he wouldn't; he insisted on standing in the middle of the road, blocking my way.

He kept saying he had loved me for a long time, and that he had specially brought me flowers today, saying he wouldn't leave if I didn't accept them.

But this is the first time I've met him, I don't know him at all."

Li Shuchen: "And then?"

Princess Changning took a sip of tea and said, "Later, Young Master Ruan came and helped me out of that predicament, so I came here. What kind of situation is this?"

Li Shuchen felt something was amiss after hearing this, suspecting that the person who sent the flowers had ulterior motives.

"It might be the first time you've met him, and it might be the first time he's met you too."

Princess Changning asked in bewilderment, "Then why did he send me flowers? And why did he keep saying he loved me?"

Li Shuchen frowned and asked, "Did you accept the flowers?"

Princess Changning: "No, the flowers were trampled and crushed under Young Master Ruan's feet."

Li Shuchen breathed a sigh of relief: "Be careful, they might be trying to scam you and steal the spotlight at your birthday party."

Princess Changning's eyes widened immediately upon hearing this: "That makes sense. If Mother really invites him, and I accept his flowers, then at my birthday banquet, Mother will definitely give him priority in choosing me as her husband. That's terrifying!"

As she spoke, she grabbed Li Shuchen's arm, still feeling a lingering fear.

"If I didn't accept his flowers, will everything be fine?"