The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Upon returning to the Pei residence, Shunshun didn't even bother to take off her cloak before summoning Lüyi.

"Take the storeroom keys and go find all the tanned tiger skins, bear skins, and fox furs!"

"Also, we'll pick out some silver wire charcoal that we purchased this year, put it in a bamboo basket, seal it with oil paper, and then pick out a few lightweight copper hand warmers."

After giving her instructions, she turned to Green Ivy:

"Go to the small kitchen and tell Granny Wang to bake more unleavened flatbreads on the griddle, just add salt, no oil, so they can be stored longer."

"Find a few more sheepskin water bags, fill them with water, and hang them upside down for fifteen minutes. Make sure not a single drop leaks before you bring them over!"

Inside the room, Pei Yan was like a wooden stake with nowhere to go.

He was already tall with broad shoulders and long legs, and standing in the middle of the room, he blocked half of the light.

Seeing Shunshun bustling about like a diligent swallow, not even glancing at him, Pei Yan felt a pang of jealousy.

What followed was an even deeper sense of guilt.

Is he not smart enough?

That's why, unable to think of a better solution, he had no choice but to take the risk himself.

Just as he was feeling downcast, Shun Shun came in carrying a heavy sandalwood box.

It was filled with loose silver coins, which he was about to divide into different purses.

As soon as she stepped into the inner room, she almost bumped into Pei Yan's broad chest.

"Hey, don't stand here, you're blocking my way!"

She frowned, her tone full of disdain.

Pei Yan paused for a moment after being scolded, awkwardly touched the tip of his nose, and silently moved to sit down on the rose chair next to him.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hem of his black robe, his eyes lowered, and he felt increasingly uneasy.

Shun Shun was unaware of his little mood. She wrapped the loose silver in a bag and stuffed it into different bundles.

Then, taking a needle and thread, he folded several large silver notes and carefully sewed them into the lining of his undergarments.

Wuchang was far away, and the weather was cold. The guards who followed him were all rough men, so they didn't know how to take good care of him.

Also, if you encounter refugees or bandits on the road, you must not leave your money in one place.

"These loose change can be used at any time, but the banknotes should be saved for last."

"Only use the silver notes in this collar as a last resort after you've run out of loose change, understand?"

These banknotes were issued by major banks in the capital, and they also had branches in Hubei and Hunan provinces. As long as people were alive, they could find ways to make money.

Pei Yan touched his nose, feeling that Shun Shun was treating him like a child.

But my heart felt warm; Shunshun was so concerned, and the way he spoke of him was so pleasant to hear.

1:15 PM.

The luggage was finally neatly arranged: five tightly wrapped bundles, two food boxes, and three water bags.

Shunshun then washed his hands and sat down to eat.

But after only a few bites, he lost his appetite and turned to instruct Xiao Shiwu to fetch Liu Dieyi.

"I'm still worried about the snow spider in the Prime Minister's heart. Before it's triggered, I'd like him to come and examine it carefully."

Liu Dieyi arrived quickly, but her face was very sour.

The golden swallowtail butterfly, which usually perched quietly on his sleeve, now tucked its wings and hid inside his cloak.

"Young Master Liu, what's wrong with you...?" Shun Shun asked Lü Yi to pour her a cup of warm tea.

Liu Dieyi sat down in a huff, picked up her teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Don't even mention it, I just had a fight with some unreasonable bastard."

Shun Shun, quick-witted, immediately guessed what was going on.

In this capital city, besides Brother Lu, there's no one else who could make Liu Dieyi so angry.

As for why they argued, she didn't need to ask to guess.

Brother Lu must know about what Liu Dieyi said to the Emperor on her own initiative.

"The snow spider remained calm and stayed peacefully in Lord Pei's heart."

Liu Dieyi withdrew the silver needles, her tone softening somewhat.

"It seems that its earlier burrowing in was purely due to external stimuli."

Shunshun breathed a sigh of relief.

She looked at Liu Dieyi's still furrowed brows and couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Young Master Liu, before you leave the capital, why don't you go and get some more treasures from Brother Lu? That will naturally appease him."

Liu Dieyi was taken aback, her deep, clear black eyes filled with confusion.

"Why would taking his things make him calm down?" The straightforward Miao people just couldn't wrap their heads around this question.

"It's just putting yourself in someone else's shoes," Shunshun said with a smile, without saying anything more.

Liu Dieyi scratched her hair in frustration, the Miao silver ornaments on her head jingling.

After a moment, she belatedly realized, "Wait, how did you know I had a fight with him?"

Shunshun covered her lips with her sleeve, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Young Master Liu, how many people do you know in the capital? It can't be that you had a fight with your master, Aluojia, right? That leaves only Brother Lu."

Liu Dieyi thought to herself, "That's true."

The people of the Central Plains were indeed clever and shrewd, so he decided to trust Shunshun's judgment.

After he left, only the couple remained in the house.

Pei Yan could no longer resist. He stretched out his long arm and pulled Shun Shun, who was making the bed, into his arms, holding her tightly and refusing to let go.

"Were you referring to me when you said those things to Liu Dieyi just now?"

His voice was muffled, and his chin rested on the crook of her neck.

Shunshun pretended to be stupid, her slender fingers grabbing a few strands of hair that fell down to her chest.

"What did I order from you? Cinnabar?"

When Pei Yan saw that she wouldn't admit it, he leaned down and showered her cheeks, earlobes, and chin with kisses.

He desperately needed intimate touch to alleviate the unspeakable fear deep in his heart.

From childhood to adulthood, he never received any comfort when he was worried or afraid, and no one taught him how to comfort others.

He was too clumsy to think of any other way to soothe his wife's fear.

Pei Yan's palm slowly tightened along her waistline, burning hot, so hot that it made Shun Shun tremble slightly even through her clothes.

Just as his breathing became heavier and his palm was about to slip under his inner garment, his movement abruptly froze in mid-air.

He remembered the rule that Shunshun had personally set two days earlier—they were only allowed to have sex once every four days.

He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving violently, and his eyes were filled with suppressed desire and inner turmoil.

Is it possible or not?

Shunshun was already angry, and if she didn't want to now...

Shun Shun noticed his stiffness and looked up to meet his worried and cautious eyes.

My heart ached.

She raised her arms, hooked them around his neck, and pressed her lips to his.

With a little force, she pulled him down onto the bed.

The bed curtains slid down with a sound, revealing a glimpse of spring in the room.

Out of consideration for each other's health, the two exercised extreme restraint that night and only made love once.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Pei Yan, dressed in a black casual robe with a fox fur coat that Shun Shun had found the night before, entered the palace to pay his respects.

Inside the Southern Study.

Zhou Di held an exquisite hand warmer in his hands and pushed a military tally, along with a scroll of bright yellow secret edict, in front of Pei Yan.

"This is the tiger tally for dispatching troops stationed in Hubei and Hunan."

Zhou Di's face was tense, and his tone was unusually stern.

"As for this secret edict, it reads 'As if I were personally present.' In critical moments, let the General of Huguang be at your command, and act as you see fit!"

Pei Yan accepted it with both hands and kowtowed deeply.

"Your subject will certainly not fail in his mission!"

Zhou Di raised his hand slightly, indicating that he should rise.

"Last night, the Imperial Guards captured two assassins inside the palace."

"Under severe torture, it was confirmed that he was a loyal bodyguard under Prince Chen."

"Prince Chen has suddenly disappeared, and the fake eunuch who was impersonating Wang Sanding by his side has also been taken into custody by us, so the news cannot get out."

"They panicked, which is why they risked entering the palace to spy."

Zhou Di stroked his chin with a serious expression.

"I plan to send a Jinyiwei guard with a similar build to impersonate Prince Chen, spread rumors to lure these assassins out, and capture them all in one fell swoop."

"Your Majesty's plan is brilliant," Pei Yan nodded in approval.

"With these assassins eliminated, Wuchang will be completely deaf and blind, and my journey will be much safer. Your Majesty, please go ahead and do it."

Zhou Di forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

She looked out the window at the swirling snow, a heavy weight pressing on her heart.

This damn weather is just like the "Little Ice Age" she read about in high school.

In modern times, one can rely on the power of the state to allocate resources and mobilize the army for rescue.

In the feudal era of the Great Chu, transportation was inconvenient and resources were scarce. A snowstorm that lasted for several months caused incalculable damage.

She knew very well that Pei Yan's trip to Wuchang was fraught with peril, with only a slim chance of survival.

Not only must they stop the 100,000-strong Gu army that could rebel at any moment, but they must also stabilize the situation in the prefectures and counties of Huguang in the face of natural disasters and prevent public resentment from boiling over.

If the temperature drops again, all parts of the Great Chu will need food, warm clothing, charcoal, and coal!

How do we raise these things?

With the weather so cold, how can we transport it? Everything is difficult!

Zhou Di's fingers were clenched tightly inside his sleeve, his nails digging into his flesh.

She dared not lay out all the disasters she foresaw to discuss with Pei Yan.

She's scared!

What if Pei Yan hesitates to back down once all the potential dangers have been explained?

In the face of life and death, everyone has the right to live.

But for the sake of the Great Chu's empire and its people, she had to make some sacrifices.

Pei Yan, go in peace.

If you really don't come back, I will definitely bring your three children into the palace and raise them as my own younger siblings, protecting them for the rest of their lives!

Zhou Di took a deep breath, suppressing the soreness in his throat.

"Pei Qing, go back today and say your goodbyes to your family. Tomorrow morning... set off. And take the magistrate of Jiangxia County with you!"

"I wish you a swift victory."

We can't wait until the Jiangxia County massacre is fully investigated before letting him go.

It's alright inside the capital, as the city defense department can send people to sweep the streets every day, but what about outside the city?

Heavy snow could close roads at any time!

Zhou Di personally got up and escorted him to the palace gate, watching Pei Yan disappear into the wind and snow.

She gazed at his tall, upright figure for a long time before bowing deeply.

Zhou Di stood in the cold wind for a long time until Wang An reminded him, then he turned around and went back into the South Study.

I had just sat down when I suddenly heard a "click" from behind the bookshelf.

Zhou Di strode to the copper rails.

The excavator's rope was turning, and soon a rolled-up piece of paper came into her view.

Zhou Di took it down and spread it out little by little.

The handwriting on the letter was delicate and graceful; it was Murong Shunshun's handwriting.

Zhou Di scanned the text quickly, his face showing shock.

She involuntarily clutched her clothes, her heart pounding like a drum, unable to calm down for a long time.

She's insane! How could she dare make such a decision?!

Zhou Di stood frozen for the full time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was filled with unwavering determination.

She picked up her brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote four characters on the snow-white Xuan paper:

"I agree!"