"I've lingered here too long. It really is time I left." Su Fuling nodded, her eyes filled with reluctance to part with Chu Youning. "Yuer, before we say goodbye, may I hug you?"
"Of course."
Over the past few days, Su Fuling's tenderness toward her had not seemed like an act, so Chu Youning stepped forward and embraced her.
[Sigh... after spending these past few days together, I feel like this future empress is actually pretty nice.]
[But if she finds out I've practically emptied all the mines in South River, will she go berserk and come to Jiangnan to off me?]
[Maybe... I should leave her a note telling her there's another mineral deposit in Giant Peak County, on the Flourishing Kingdom's western border with the Yue Kingdom? Besides that, plenty of valuable medicinal herbs grow on the mountains there. That whole stretch of peaks would be worth enough to fund her army and rebellion.]
Hearing these thoughts, Su Fuling's heart stuttered, then melted into a helpless puddle.
That was her Yuer, all right. Whatever identity she took on, she was always softhearted and kind.
Over the past few days, she had also heard that South River had spent considerable amounts of gold and silver gathering medicinal herbs to combat the evil incense.
Yuer had poured all that gold and silver into the effort, yet now, out of fear of her, she was trying to offer her an explanation. What a silly girl.
She tucked a note at Chu Youning's waist, then gently released her.
"Yuer, your big sister Fuling is leaving South River and heading straight home today. You... must take good care of yourself.
"If you ever run into trouble you can't handle, write me a letter. If I can help, I'll do everything in my power."