Chapter 293: A thousand years of calamity, a hundred years of life

Upon reaching a desolate, uninhabited place, she threw all her belongings into the space; although the space was not large, things could be stacked upward, so it could still hold quite a lot.

Those silver coins only took up a small corner; there were also some of her own silver money, as well as land and house deeds, all of which were stored in the space.

"Blazing Flame, just let it run."

She counted the supplies; they were enough.

The capital.

"It's been over twenty days already; why hasn't the Princess Consort returned? Wasn't she supposed to be back in half a month?" Bai Zhi was somewhat anxious; as these days passed, she grew increasingly worried.

"The Princess Consort is alone; nothing will happen to her, right?"

Before anyone else could speak, she quickly shook her head: "No, no, the Princess Consort is beautiful and kind-hearted; she's a bodhisattva incarnate—how could anything happen to her?"

"No, no."

Zi Su was sewing clothes, silent, her face showing no expression; she must not panic, must not become disordered.

Now everything that runs the Wang Fu depends on her; if she falls into disorder, the Wang Fu will fall into disorder.

This was what the Princess Consort specifically instructed her: unless absolutely necessary, under no circumstances should the Wang Fu be allowed to fall into disorder.

If the Wang Fu falls into disorder, the enemy will have an opportunity; she must wait, wait for the Princess Consort's return.

At this moment, Jiang Yunchu already held her travel permit, waiting outside the North City gate; covered in dust, her clothes torn by the wind, she looked somewhat disheveled.

However, the fabric of those clothes was immediately recognizable as high-quality material.

"Travel permit."

When it was Jiang Yunchu's turn, a person glanced at his face, then produced the travel permit, checking the official seal on it and where he had come from and what business he had in the capital.

"Let's go."

After the person finished checking, he returned the travel permit to Jiang Yunchu.

Jiang Yunchu went straight to find Zhang Lao San: "I need fifty sets of molds."

Zhang Lao San's carving hand suddenly paused, then he looked at Jiang Yunchu: "Fifty sets—that's 2,500 pieces; I'm afraid I can't finish that many in a short time."

Having him carve means working at this pace; he needs to slowly polish, and only when he himself is satisfied can he release them.

Although no one knows that the molds are his carvings, his inner perseverance cannot be destroyed!

Jiang Yunchu waved her hand: "Take your time, deliver them set by set; by mid-next month, however many sets you manage to make, send them all to the Regent Prince's Manor."

"Right, you only need to handle the carving here; the other parts can be done by substitutes, okay?"

The carving part is fine work that comes from slow effort, and Zhang Luo is a person who strives for perfection; the molds he carves have so far had no defects. Now Lustrous Jade Soap needs to meet market demand, so I can promote the new soap myself.

Moreover, for the next soap, she already has a rough idea in mind, inspired by looking at the workshop's inventory.

"May I make a request?"

At that moment, Zhang Luo set down his tools, then lifted his head to look at Jiang Yunchu.

Jiang Yunchu nodded, indicating he should continue.

"The old man at the noodle stall has known a few things since childhood, but back then they were poor; whatever could fill their stomachs, they did."

"Although the skill has been set aside for many years, picking it up again isn't that difficult."

"Could we let him do it?"

Jiang Yunchu smiled: "You think it's some big deal? Of course we can."

"But you should know my habit: I'll speak frankly first—if this job can't be done, then I'll have to seek someone more capable."

Zhang Luo let out a breath, then smiled and nodded: "If it can't be done, you don't need to say it—I won't be able to pass this test."

He places great importance on the foundation; only when the base meets the standard can the carved items become varied and colorful, remain steady in emotion, and achieve the most perfect work.

That foundation is woodworking.

It's precisely because of his extremely high standards that previously the base was always made by himself alone, never letting others interfere; but lately he clearly feels the demand is constantly increasing, and one person simply can't keep up.

After leaving Zhang Luo's side, Jiang Yunchu walked around a block, then entered the Wang Fu through the side gate of the Regent Prince's Manor, avoiding some servants, and went straight to Ningguang Yuan.

"You're back?"

Upon hearing the commotion in the courtyard, everyone in Ningguang leapt out the window and saw a disheveled person.

"Let's talk inside."

Jiang Yunchu waved her hand; she really had no strength left. These days, only when she could no longer endure would she lie on Blazing Flame's back for a nap; this journey has been either jolting on horseback or dozing on horseback—she basically hasn't gotten off the horse.

At this point, I must say, how much she envies Blazing Flame—that horse seems to have taken an aphrodisiac; along the way, it is self-sufficient: when she lies on its back, it grazes leisurely, and when she wakes, it gallops like wind and lightning.

What should have been a seven- or eight-day journey was forcibly shortened to less than five days……

To put it bluntly, this isn't a horse at all—it's practically a modern high-speed rail.

It's just that this horse-riding person—her—can hardly bear it.

"I'm going to die." Jiang Yunchu collapsed onto the chair; even though she is tough and strong, this kind of running is too much for her to endure.

"But are you injured?"

"How did you end up so disheveled?"

Everyone in Ningguang was a bit worried; as they stepped forward to check, Jiang Yunchu quickly waved her hand: "I'm fine; I've been rushing all the way, without stopping at an inn to freshen up. Now I reek all over—please have Ningguang tell Zi Su to send hot water up."

"I..."

"I really don't want to move."

She now feels that as soon as she closes her eyes, she will instantly fall into a deep sleep.

She doesn't want to do anything—not even move a finger.

"You! What's there to rush about? The capital has us watching over it."

Although everyone in Ningguang complained a few words, seeing her state, they were ultimately heartbroken and hurriedly ran themselves to Rhyme Courtyard.

"Has the Princess Consort returned?" While embroidering, Zi Su heard the news and sprang up excitedly, but she forgot the needle in her hand and pricked herself; she seemed not to mind, putting the needle down and then sucking the bead of blood from her fingertip.

"If she's in Ningguang Yuan, then I need to prepare the Princess Consort's change of clothes; she must be tired, so I should have the imperial kitchen quickly prepare some food—if it's too late, the Princess Consort might fall asleep."

Zi Su muttered, then immediately called for Bai Zhi, instructing Bai Zhi to go to the small kitchen and give instructions.

She hurriedly tidied the Princess Consort's clothes, from inner garments to outerwear, leaving no detail unattended.

In a moment, everyone was busy; Ningguang watched the busy people and shook their head helplessly.

There is someone who possesses such charm, able to make everyone willingly gather around her.

Because she treats everyone with sincerity.

Jiang Yunchu forced themselves to stay alert, but their eyes were sore, they kept yawning, and their whole body felt lethargic.

"Princess Consort, please wash up; the hot water has already been brought in by Bai Zhi."

Apart from close ones, no one else knows that she left the Wang Fu; now the hot water can only be brought in by Bai Zhi.

"We need more; this bucket of water isn't getting clean enough..."

She complained a bit, saying, "To save time, I don't have any time to go to the inn."

Zi Su chuckled, sized up the master from head to toe; seeing only fatigue and no wounds, they finally relaxed completely.

"Okay, I've already told them."

"Zi Su, when you have a sweetheart someday, how could I bear to let you go?"

"How could she bear to part with such a thoughtful maiden?"

"Princess Consort!"

Zi Su stamped their foot, their cheeks flushing slightly.

Jiang Yunchu burst into laughter, the previous fatigue vanishing instantly.

"Wash."

During the second bath, Zi Su's hand massaging the scalp seemed to have some magic, making her fall asleep directly; when she woke up, her clothes were already on and her hair was almost dry.

"I..."

Jiang Yunchu rubbed their brow; she was by their side, inevitably relaxing and letting down their basic guard.

"I see you're utterly exhausted; let Bai Zhi carry you out, Princess Consort. From now on, don't rush so much—Wang Fu has us, being two or three days late is no problem."

Zi Su felt heartbroken; these days, the Princess Consort has grown thin all around—she used to practice martial arts and never gained weight no matter what she ate, but after just one outing she's lost so much; how will we make it up from now on?

"Zi Su, your master I am a thousand-year calamity, destined to live a hundred years."

"Not to mention a thousand years..."

She thought of this, gave a light laugh; this wasn't just coaxing Zi Su.

"Princess Consort, you will surely live a hundred years; Zi Su still wants to serve you." Zi Su said this, but a glimmer appeared in the corner of their eyes.

Others don't know, but she still knows some things; regarding what the Princess Consort needs to do, she also has some ideas in mind.

Among the four senior maids, she has been by the Princess Consort's side the longest and knows the most.

How could one not know, just how heavy is the Princess Consort's burden? Yet under such great pressure, she still bears it alone, seeking a way out bit by bit, leading them forward bit by bit.

This is her master; in this lifetime, she will forever follow this person.