In the carriage, Su Li asked, "Did you go into the palace today?"
Jun Mo nodded, "Yes. Bai Lizi and Mo Yang have already returned to the prince's manor, and I also spoke with Imperial Father about the wedding date. The imperial decree should arrive later."
Su Li sighed, "I hope this time it won't be postponed again."
Jun Mo pulled her into his embrace, saying, "It won't."
The two returned to the manor. Jun Mo was about to enter the Ministry of War with her when Mo Yang rushed over and spoke a few words to Jun Mo.
Jun Mo said, "Li'er, I have some matters to attend to, so I won't go in."
Su Li nodded, "Alright."
After Su Li returned to her courtyard, she went into the side room.
Midway, she came out to receive an imperial decree that postponed the engagement date again, then she dove back into the side room.
Since she was going to the West Realm, how could she not bring more medicines for self-defense?
She heard that the West Realm was a place where medical practitioners and poison users gathered. The person in her master's heart was from the West Realm.
That person's death also seemed inextricably linked to the poisons of the West Realm.
Even poisons that her master was helpless against—she had to be extremely vigilant.
When she emerged from the side room, it was already dusk.
"Miss, it just so happens that Sister Wangxia is here and wants you to come to the main courtyard for dinner," Siqin came forward and said.
"Alright, I'll change my clothes and go over."
Su Li washed up and then brought her maid to the main courtyard.
"Father, Mother."
Father Su nodded in response. Mother Su smiled, "Quick, sit down. Tonight's dishes are all your favorites."
After Su Li sat down, the family began to eat.
After dinner, the family sat together, teasing Yu Ge'er.
Looking at this joyful scene, Su Li hesitated to speak.
It was Mother Su who noticed she had something to say.
"Li'er, what's wrong?"
Su Li looked at her parents and said, "Father, Mother, forgive your daughter for being unfilial. I've just returned, and now I must leave again."
Mother Su was startled and quickly asked, "Leave? Where are you going now?"
Although she supported her daughter going out, the places her daughter went were either disaster areas or battlefields, which made them, as parents, constantly worried.
Father Su also looked at his daughter with confusion and said, "Your wedding date is set for the third day of the twelfth lunar month, which is only three months away. What are you going to do now?"
Su Li looked at the servants around them and said, "You all may leave first."
"Yes!"
Only when everyone had left and only the family remained did Su Li speak.
"Father, five years ago, in the battle against Northern Yan, Ziyan was afflicted with a cold poison."
Father Su and Mother Su were greatly alarmed.
"Cold poison? That sounds very potent. Is Ziyan alright?" Mother Su asked.
"He's temporarily fine. Your daughter treated him with acupuncture and medicine, temporarily suppressing the cold poison. But to completely cure it, two more medicinal catalysts are needed: one is 'Bai Lizi,' which we've already obtained, and the other is 'Thousand-Layer Frost'."
Father Su asked, "Thousand-Layer Frost? Where are you going to find this Thousand-Layer Frost? Your father has never even heard of this medicine."
Su Li said, "The extremely cold land of the West Realm!"
Father Su and Mother Su exchanged glances.
"The West Realm? Among the four nations adjacent to Tianqi, the West Realm is the most mysterious. Since the disappearance of the West Realm's Moon Emperor, his sister, the Purple Emperor, ascended to the throne and has not appeared before the other nations," Father Su said, his voice filled with worry, his eyes complex.
"She doesn't allow her own citizens to leave the West Realm, nor does she allow people from other nations to enter. Li'er, this journey will surely be fraught with difficulties."
Su Li firmly said, "Your daughter knows, but this is Ziyan's only hope of curing the cold poison."
Father Su asked, "If you can't find this medicinal catalyst, what's the worst-case scenario?"
"Lifelong inability to walk!"
Father Su fell silent.
Proud as Prince Jing, being unable to walk would be like being a cripple. Even outsiders would find it cruel, let alone himself.
After a long time, the lamp wick in the room crackled.
"Since you've already made up your mind, then go," Father Su's voice was deep.
Su Li stood up and knelt before her parents.
Mother Su was surprised, "Child, what are you doing? Get up quickly."
Su Li shook her head and said, "Father, Mother, your daughter is truly unfilial to make you worry. But your daughter truly must go. Your daughter cannot simply watch Ziyan suffer from the poison."
"Didn't your father agree? And I didn't say I don't want you to go. Get up quickly and speak," Mother Su pulled her hand, trying to help her up.
Su Li stood up and sat back in her chair.
Father Su spoke, "Since you're going to the West Realm, how much do you know about it?"
Su Li said, "The West Realm is truly mysterious. What your daughter knows is limited. I only know that unlike other nations, the West Realm is a matriarchal society, with the Purple Emperor currently on the throne. From the imperial family down to the common people, everyone in the West Realm is skilled in using poison."
After a long pause, seeing that she said nothing more, Father Su asked in surprise, "Is that all?"
Su Li honestly nodded.
Father Su sighed and said, "Knowing so little, yet wanting to go to the West Realm. How can I be at ease? The West Realm is far more dangerous than you imagine."
"The West Realm specializes in poison. If they see something they like, they'll simply snatch it. Poison duels are their most common method of snatching things. The losing party, even if they lose their life, will consider themselves unlucky."
"The Purple Emperor has no children, only an adopted daughter."
"The West Realm is divided into two factions: one led by the Purple Emperor, specializing in poison. The other is led by the Moon Emperor, specializing in medicine. With the Moon Emperor's disappearance, the medical faction is at a disadvantage. This faction is currently led by Princess Xichen Lan Jun."
"The West Realm is a matriarchal society. Women can take several husbands, just like men. If they fancy someone, they can also duel with poison to snatch them home, so..."
At this point, Father Su looked at Su Li.
Su Li understood her father's meaning and said, "Father, you don't need to worry. Ziyan and I will both use disguises."
Father Su was somewhat relieved, and continued to talk about some customs and traditions of the West Realm.
The more she listened, the more curious Su Li became.
The West Realm was truly too different from their nations.
"Father, how do you know so much?"
Father Su smiled, "As the Minister of War, your father naturally needs to understand other nations."
Mother Su frowned, "The more I listen, the more I feel this West Realm is very sinister. Li'er, you and Ziyan must be careful."
Su Li nodded, "Mother, rest assured, your daughter will protect herself."
Although she said this, Mother Su's brows remained tightly furrowed.
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