After finishing dinner with her mother, Su Li prepared to go out again with Si Qin.
Just as they reached the entrance, they coincidentally ran into Jun Mo, who was about to enter the residence.
"Li'er, are you heading out?"
Su Li looked up at him. He wore a noble, peerless purple robe, his gaze as gentle as clear lake water rippling under the spring sun, seemingly able to encompass all of creation.
"Yes, Ziyan, is there something you need me for?"
Jun Mo shook his head slightly. "Nothing. I just wanted to see you."
Su Li watched the servants inside the residence and the maids behind her stifle their laughter, then said, "What a coincidence, I'm going out to run some errands and can't invite you in for tea."
"This King has nothing to do this afternoon. I'll accompany Li'er."
With that, he tossed the reins to Mo Yang and extended his hand.
Su Li took his hand and boarded the carriage. Jun Mo followed, stepping in as well.
Inside the carriage, it was still as warm as spring. Su Li removed her veiled hat, revealing a face of extraordinary beauty.
Her ebony hair, like three thousand strands of ink, was gently swept to the side, adorned with a plum blossom hairpin. She wore a cotton-padded jacket of pink plum-colored snow fox fur, and a small sachet hung from her waist, subtly emitting the scent of plum blossoms, making her seem like a living plum blossom sprite.
No matter how many times he saw her, Jun Mo felt he could never get enough.
"Li'er, where are you planning to go?" Jun Mo asked as the carriage gently swayed forward.
Su Li replied, "To the manor. Today, when I went to buy New Year's provisions and winter medicine, I visited Apricot Grove Hall. Doctor Changchun earnestly requested that I take over Apricot Grove Hall,
saying that both the trading houses and the Chamber of Commerce had come to warn them, and the herbal merchants were preparing to stop supplying medicinal ingredients. I didn't want a perfectly good pharmacy to be swallowed up like this, so I agreed."
Jun Mo poured two cups of tea, handing one to Su Li.
"Apricot Grove Hall has been around for nearly a hundred years, and it's always had a good reputation among the common folk. It wouldn't be a loss for Li'er to take it over.
This Doctor Changchun certainly knows how to pick people. Li'er has a good reputation and high status; becoming the owner of Apricot Grove Hall will be nothing but beneficial for the hall, a mutually reinforcing win-win situation." Jun Mo said, taking a sip of tea.
Su Li nodded in agreement, concurring, "Precisely. So, since I've become the owner of this pharmacy, I naturally must resolve its predicament. With me as the owner, the Chamber of Commerce won't openly dare to cause trouble, but who knows what subtle moves they might make behind the scenes? One must guard against that.
The most crucial aspect of a pharmacy is medicinal ingredients. If the opposing party wants to take action, it's easiest to start from this angle. So I was thinking, with so many farmlands at the manor, we could cultivate some common medicinal herbs ourselves. It just so happens that I'm skilled in these areas too."
"Li'er's idea is excellent. Only by holding the source in your own hands will you not be controlled by others."
As he spoke, he seemingly inadvertently moved closer to Su Li.
"There's so much space over there, why are you coming over here? It's quite cramped." Su Li looked at him, puzzled.
In truth, the carriage was spacious; even sitting on one side wouldn't be cramped.
But the moment he drew near, a faint, subtle cold scent wafted into her nostrils, making her feel a little uneasy, as if her mind was a beat slower than usual.
"It's cold. Huddling together is warmer."
"Your Highness, there's charcoal burning in the carriage!"
"I suffer from a cold illness; I'm more sensitive to cold than ordinary people."
Su Li nervously took his hand to check his pulse.
His pulse was steady and strong, with no abnormalities.
Seeing her so anxious, Jun Mo smiled, then flipped his hand to press her fair, delicate hand into his palm.
Su Li looked up at the handsome face before her and slanted her eyes, saying, "Your Highness, as long as you don't court death, your cold illness won't flare up within a year."
Jun Mo's features were already refined and handsome, and the curve of his lips seemed capable of drowning the other person in that tenderness.
"I didn't say the cold illness flared up. It's just a chronic ailment from many years ago that affects me somewhat. Li'er, you're very worried about me."
Su Li's expression grew uncomfortable as her thoughts were exposed.
She wasn't one to express herself well, her emotions rarely showing on the surface.
"It seems Your Highness is frail and needs a great tonic."
Jun Mo's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Aside from being sensitive to cold, there are no other symptoms. This King is not frail."
Seeing him earnestly defending himself, Su Li let out a soft laugh.
Her laughter was like a spring bud blossoming, filling the entire space with fragrance.
Jun Mo scooped her slender waist into his arm, looking at her dangerously, "Teasing this King, hm?"
"I didn't..."
Her words of protest were entirely silenced by his lips.
The sudden kiss made Su Li's eyes widen.
The carriage quickly sped through the long street, the distinct clatter of hooves clearly audible inside.
Su Li glared at the person beside her, silently accusing him of shamelessness with her eyes.
But with her cheeks flushed crimson and her eyes as bewitching as silk, how could she possess any deterrent power?
Jun Mo chuckled and pulled her into his embrace.
Su Li struggled for a moment, but he held her too tightly, so she gave up.
Jun Mo leaned close to the beauty's ear and whispered, "Cherry lips stir subtly while holding a cup, dark hair and rosy lips like peach and plum blossoms."
Su Li's face immediately flushed even deeper. Her small hand climbed onto the soft flesh of Jun Mo's waist and twisted hard.
The person opposite her didn't bat an eye, still looking at her with a beaming smile.
Su Li increased her strength until her hand ached, yet he seemed to feel no pain.
So she simply ignored him.
"Move over!"
Seeing the beauty was annoyed, Jun Mo stopped teasing her.
He pulled her into his embrace and said, "It's still a long journey. You should rest for a bit."
Su Li couldn't resist his soft, doting words; hearing them, all her irritation vanished.
Leaning against his chest, she no longer struggled.
Perhaps it was too warm in the carriage, or perhaps his embrace was too comfortable, but Su Li closed her eyes and truly fell asleep.
Jun Mo tightened his embrace around the woman in his arms and looked down.
Asleep, she lost a bit of her usual aloofness and gained a touch of childlike charm.
The more he looked, the more he adored her, unable to resist pressing a kiss to her fair, tender face.
As the carriage swayed, with the soft, warm beauty in his arms and the faint scent of plum blossoms, Jun Mo also leaned back against the carriage and gradually closed his eyes.
After an unknown amount of time, the coachman's voice came from outside the carriage.
"Your Highness, Miss, we've arrived at the manor."
Su Li opened her eyes and immediately bumped into Jun Mo's chin.
Jun Mo let out a muffled groan.
Su Li apologized repeatedly, "I'm so sorry, are you alright?"
Jun Mo said, "It's nothing. Let's get out of the carriage."
She saw a thin scratch on his chin, likely from her hairpin.
It wouldn't be noticeable without a close look.
Jun Mo got out of the carriage and turned to help her down.
The moment she stepped out of the carriage, Su Li shivered.
So cold!
Colder than the Capital!
Because the manor was in the Capital's suburbs, vast and sparsely populated, the air was very fresh, but it was just too cold!
Jun Mo took out her cloak and veiled hat, wrapped her tightly, and placed a hand warmer in her arms.
His warm, large hand held hers as they walked towards the manor.
Su Li, being sensitive to both heat and cold, soon found her nose tip turning red from the cold.
She looked at Jun Mo, dressed in a thin robe without even a cloak, yet his hands were warm.
How could this person be afraid of cold!
Once they entered the manor, the manor's steward quickly came out to greet them.
Su Li smiled and greeted him, "Uncle Jiang."
Because the manor's stewards would visit the residence every year to deliver New Year's gifts and send fresh fruits and vegetables each season, Su Li was not unfamiliar with them.
"Young Miss, the owner, has arrived? On such a cold day, please come inside quickly!"
Seeing the man with such a strong presence beside Su Li, he asked in confusion, "And this gentleman is...?"
Si Qin smiled, "This is His Highness Prince Jing."
The steward was startled and immediately bowed to salute.
"Greetings..."
Jun Mo held him, saying, "No need for formalities."
The group entered the house, shutting out the wind and snow outside.
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