After being forced to leave the marriage, I became the wife of a top scholar.

Chapter 318 Going to Beijing
Three months later, in the dead of winter, news came from the Northern Dynasty.

The old king of the Northern Dynasty fell ill and passed away on November 30th. His son, Prince Fengmang, succeeded him as king.

Immediately afterwards, the Northern Dynasty's troops stationed in the southern border withdrew one after another, and the King of Fengmang sent a letter seeking peace.

We are willing to return the four cities of Luobing of the Shang Kingdom in exchange for peace in the southern border.

The emperor of the Shang Kingdom immediately ordered people to come to the northern border to make contact with the people of the Northern Dynasty.

At the same time, an imperial edict was issued, ordering the Lin family army to return to the capital immediately to receive their rewards.

When the imperial decree reached the Lin family courtyard in Huaizhou, the courtyard immediately erupted in a lively commotion.

The first to offer his congratulations was Lord Bi, whose promotion decree arrived at the same time as the imperial edict, so he was the first to know.

"Very well! I knew it! From the first moment I saw Lord Lin, I knew he was extraordinary."

"But I really didn't expect that he was from a military family."

"Now, in this battle, the Lin family has finally avenged its previous humiliation and regained its pride."

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

Bai Wanqing smiled and served Lord Bi a cup of hot tea. "Lord Bi, you're too kind. This time, we owe you a lot for your help!"

"Otherwise, many things probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

"By the way, I heard that Lord Bi has been promoted to Prefect of Huaizhou!"

"I haven't had a chance to congratulate Lord Bi yet."

Hearing the congratulations, Bi Yi was truly delighted. He had been in the position of Assistant Magistrate of Huaizhou for five years, and he had thought that he would not have another chance for promotion for another five years.

Unexpectedly, when Lord Lin reported his achievements this time, he did not forget him.

He settled and protected the people, rebuilt the two cities of Beifeng, and won the people's love and respect.

Every word was a compliment to him, but he knew that Madam Lin had contributed to every single one of them.

"Alas, what a pity!" Lord Bi sighed slightly. "If Madam Lin could obtain an official position, she would probably be no less capable than any man."

As soon as Bi Yi said those words, he realized he had lost his composure.

Bai Wanqing smiled slightly, "Lord Bi, you flatter me."

Seeing that Bai Wanqing showed no regret, Bi Yi burst into laughter.

Just as the two were chatting and laughing, Madam Du arrived with Furong and Du Huan.

Du Huan and Lord Cheng stayed to chat with Lord Bi, while Madam Du went to check on the situation at Madam Cui's room.

He left Bai Wanqing, Bai Furong, and Bai Chengdong, the three siblings, alone to talk.

"Elder sister, younger brother, I heard that the Emperor has issued an imperial decree summoning you to the capital."

When will you be back?

Bai Furong looked at Bai Wanqing with reluctance, fearing that she would never have the chance to see her again.

Bai Wanqing glanced at Bai Chengdong, who pursed his lips, looking preoccupied and remaining silent. She held Bai Furong's hand tightly and said, "Silly Furong, once you receive the imperial decree, you will naturally be able to return."

"Even if you can't come back, Furong can still go to Kyoto to see her older sister. Her older sister will take you to try Kyoto's sweets and explore Kyoto's night markets, okay?"

Bai Furong nodded happily, "Great! That would be wonderful!"

The two chatted and laughed, while Bai Chengdong remained silent.

Before leaving, Bai Furong and Madam Du handed over the management plaque of the Du Family Cloth Shop to Bai Wanqing.

With this brand, Bai Wanqing could readily access the people and money of the Du family's cloth shop in Kyoto.

"Aunt Du, Furong, what do you mean by this?"

"The Du Family Cloth Shop is your property, how can I take it over!"

Madam Du forcefully placed the wooden plaque into Bai Wanqing's hand, saying, "Wanqing, you don't know this!"

“Living in Kyoto is different from living in a remote place like ours.”

"Nothing can be done without money to bribe officials."

"Just consider this a token of your aunt's and Furong's love!"

Bai Wanqing still didn't want to accept it, but seeing that Furong's eyes were red with worry, Bai Wanqing decided to keep the wooden plaque.

In the following days, Bai Chenming and Madam Chen also visited the Lin residence, bringing Bai Wanqing a lot of medicinal herbs. Bai Chenming originally did not want Bai Chengdong to leave.

But this kid, when asked if he was going to Kyoto, nodded emphatically, but when asked if he could stay, he wouldn't say a word.

Unable to persuade Bai Chengdong otherwise, Bai Chenming had no choice but to ask Bai Wanqing to take good care of the brat on the way.

Because of their meritorious service in treating the injured, the century-old medical clinic was invited by imperial decree to go to the capital to receive a reward.

They're busy setting up in the shop right now.

"Oh dear, those medicinal herbs just arrived today, Doctor Liu, please don't forget to have the cook boil them." Doctor Zheng said, looking at the baskets of herbs that had been collected.

"And that too. Our patient records, you must update them on time while I'm away!"

"From now on, this will all be the legacy of our century-old medical clinic."

Just as Dr. Liu finished seeing a patient, he saw Dr. Zheng gesturing in the yard.

It was clear that Dr. Zheng was in a good mood, but Dr. Liu still couldn't help but tease him.

"Dr. Zheng, if you go to the capital, will you be able to see Doctor Luo?"

"Could we get some more prescriptions from Doctor Luo?"

"Even if we can't all become little miracle doctors like Senior Kou, at least we can improve our medical skills, right?"

Dr. Zheng seemed to have been secretly silenced, and instantly fell silent.

These old scoundrels really know how to bring up the most sensitive topics. Back when Doctor Luo was around, Doctor Zheng was the doctor Doctor Luo disliked the most.

"You!" Doctor Luo exclaimed angrily, looking at Doctor Zheng's technique. "You've blown your beard off!"

Dr. Zheng felt a chill run down his spine and as if he had fallen into hell just thinking about those days.

Which doctor doesn't want to improve? But you have to see if you have the talent!

Dr. Zheng suddenly thought of a desperate measure that might allow him to gain some prestige among his colleagues.

"Alright, you just wait!" "I'll definitely bring you a surprise."

After two days of simple preparations at the Lin residence, they finally embarked on their journey to Kyoto on the morning of the third day.

Cui Jingcheng didn't understand why the emperor insisted on separating them from Lin Yunche when they entered the capital.

Upon hearing that Lin Yunche and his army had made handover at the four cities of Luobing, they headed straight south.

However, this is good news for Cui Jingcheng.

Because there were many people going to Kyoto together this time.

Bai Wanqing and Cheng Susu shared one carriage, while Lord Cheng and Bai Chengdong shared another.

Madam Cui took Daya in the third carriage, while Doctor Zheng and the others sat in the fourth carriage.

Cui Jingcheng was unwilling to ride in a carriage, so he and Young Master Wuhuan rode alongside them on horseback.

As they were about to leave the city, Madam Du, along with Du Huan and Furong, came to see them off!

Bai Chenming and Chen Shi, along with Bai Chengnan, arrived at the city gate. Some spontaneously gathered people also followed, and the farewell procession quickly became a grand and imposing one.

"Aunt, Father, you should both go back!"

"Perhaps we'll be back soon!"

Bai Chenming and Madam Du nodded repeatedly, instructing them to be extra careful on the road.

Bai Wanqing nodded.

At this moment, a woman dressed in a blue fur coat walked up and bowed deeply to Bai Wanqing.

"Liu Feifei, what are you doing?" Bai Wanqing hurriedly helped her up.

Bai Wanqing knew that ever since Master Liu returned from Linjia Village, he had been ill and had not recovered despite taking a lot of medicine.

Doctor Zheng said that Lord Liu had some pent-up feelings and needed to think things through himself.

This time, after the exoneration of Prince Huai, Lord Cui also requested credit for Lord Liu.

The Emperor originally intended to reinstate Master Liu, but Master Liu declined, citing poor health.

However, the emperor did not forget his contributions and ordered many rewards to be sent to him.

In Huaizhou, with the emperor's personal favor, one can expect to enjoy a very dignified old age.

"I didn't get a chance to thank you at your residence a few days ago. Now that you're leaving, I've specially prepared some snacks for you to eat on your journey!"

As she spoke, Liu Feifei gestured for Xiao Cui to bring up the four food boxes she had prepared. Each of the four food boxes was wrapped in a pink floral cotton-padded jacket, showing that Liu Feifei had indeed put her heart into it.

"Then thank you, Miss Liu."

"What are your plans for the future?" Bai Wanqing asked.

The arrogance that Liu Feifei once had was long gone from her face. She said calmly, "After going through this experience, I've come to understand that what you snatch from someone else's hands isn't necessarily a good match; it could also be a bad one."

“My father was burdened by me, and he has never been able to get over that hurdle in his heart.”

"That's why I refused the Emperor's reward and the Lin family's kindness this time."

"Now that I have a baby, I have a wish: to stay by my parents' side and take care of them in their old age."

"Raising Xiaobao to adulthood will be enough."

Seeing Liu Feifei's calm and frank expression, Bai Wanqing knew that she had figured it out.

Bai Wanqing nodded and smiled as she accepted the food box that Liu Feifei had brought.

They waved to the crowd and prepared to set off.

Bai Chenming suddenly felt his eyes welling up with tears, and he shouted to Bai Wanqing and Bai Chengdong, "When you get to Kyoto, please remember to send a message back!"

"it is good!"

Bai Wanqing and her companions set off under the watchful eyes of their family and fellow villagers.

Cui Jingcheng couldn't understand why the emperor insisted that his father and General Lin go straight to the capital instead of letting them return to Huaizhou first.

But this is for the best, as no one is watching him along the way, preventing him from trying to curry favor with Bai Wanqing.

And so, it had only been a quarter of an hour.

Cui Jingcheng urged his horse to Bai Wanqing's carriage. "Wanqing, I'm a little hungry. Do you have anything to feed me?"

Cui Jingcheng grinned, while Cheng Susu lifted the curtain and snorted coldly, "Now I understand why you chose to ride a horse instead of a carriage, young master Cui."

"So, they just want to come to Wanqing's place to beg for food anytime."

"I just wanted to talk to Wanqing when I had nothing to do."

Cui Jingcheng, having been seen through, was not annoyed at all. He smiled and said, "Wanqing, would you be willing to share a piece of pastry with me?"

Bai Wanqing looked at Cui Jingcheng, whose cheeks were red from the cold, and felt helpless.

"Feng Niang!" Bai Wanqing called out.

Feng Niang immediately took out the food box that Liu Feifei had prepared for them from the box under the carriage seat, took out a piece of pastry and handed it out.

Cui Jingcheng held the pastries in his hand and looked at Bai Wanqing with a silly grin.

Cheng Susu snorted coldly and picked up a piece of pastry to eat, looking rather annoyed.

Wu Huan was also thick-skinned; seeing there was food, he immediately came over.

Seeing this, Bai Wanqing asked Ruixin to take all the snacks from the food box and distribute them to everyone.

So Cui Jingcheng watched as those people sitting in the carriages, holding hand warmers, also ate pastries, just like him.

Cui Jingcheng's face fell, but then he suddenly burst out laughing again.

What flavor could their pastries possibly have? The pastries he ate while looking at Wanqing's beautiful face were a hundred times more delicious than theirs.

Cheng Susu didn't know why Cui Jingcheng was sitting on the horse, laughing like a fool.

She felt a gust of cold wind blow in from the window, so she quickly lowered the carriage curtain and tucked it in even more tightly.

Cui Jingcheng, who had been smiling just moments before, stared motionless at the carriage curtain, his smile frozen on his face.

"Cheng Su-su, do you have a grudge against me?!"