Qiann Yan picked up the brush, pondering how to depict the appearance of that itinerant doctor. It couldn’t be too ordinary, to avoid unjustly implicating innocent people. It had to be somewhat distinctive.

She didn’t like drawing ugly people; it had to be someone with a more pleasant appearance.

It would be best if the person had an aura akin to an Immortal, making it more believable.

The eyes had to be gentle, yet with a hint of nonchalance, and contain wisdom and calmness, to make it more convincing.

Figures flashed through Qiann Yan’s mind, and finally, she fused the best features of several faces and swiftly began drawing.

Ashui was grinding ink beside her, occasionally stealing glances, quickly noticing the man vividly depicted on the paper.

He seemed like an Immortal, young, with features so perfect they were beyond reproach.

Ashui was stunned; such an exceedingly handsome man was actually an itinerant doctor. The Princess Consort remembered him so clearly, which inevitably invited speculation.

Could it be that this is the person the Princess Consort favors?

Otherwise, how could she remember so clearly after all these years?

Such a person would stand out anywhere, and if he really appeared, he’d be easy to find, benefiting Jing Lingyu.

Speaking of which, the Princess Consort greatly disliked Jing Lingyu, so why help him?

"Truly the appearance of an Immortal, someone who can produce such medicine cannot be ordinary." Jing Lingyu was also astounded by the itinerant doctor on the paper, never imagining such an impeccable-looking person could exist.

Qiann Yan felt quite proud; after all, she had combined the talents of several worlds, synthesizing their good qualities into this drawing.

Such perfection brought to life on paper, achieving some gratification.

Qiann Yan left the room, and Jing Lingyu promptly ordered most of his confidants to search for the person in the portrait.

Countless copies were made of the itinerant doctor’s portrait, yet none closely matched the original. Fortunately, it still provided an idea of his looks, and Jing Lingyu’s confidants took the copies to search for him.

Three days later, Qiann Yan left the mansion to meet Jing Yunzhou.

"There is indeed a secret chamber in Jing Lingyu’s room. While he was asleep, I checked it out and found letters bearing references to Chen Country. I only read one; he certainly has ties to Chen Country." Qiann Yan produced a letter, which Ashui had fetched when Jing Lingyu wasn’t paying attention.

Now, even if Jing Lingyu loathed her, he had to rely on her and never anticipated she would act like this.

Besides, Jing Lingyu thought he had hidden things well, entirely unaware of any exposure.

Jing Yunzhou, after looking at it, returned the letter to Qiann Yan: "We must enter the palace immediately, lest things drag on and cause trouble."

Qiann Yan agreed and went with Jing Yunzhou to the palace.

This was her first time entering the palace since her arrival; from the wedding onwards, Jing Lingyu had fared poorly, with no chance of entering the palace. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

She sensed Jing Yunzhou’s barely contained excitement, lowered her gaze, as he intended to use her as a shield.

To avoid attracting attention, Qiann Yan disguised herself in men’s clothing.

Thus, when Jing Yunzhou brought her to the outside of the Imperial Study Room, no one paid much attention.

The Emperor was slightly puzzled by why Jing Yunzhou brought a young person to see him, supposedly for something important.

He sat on the dragon throne, casting a glance over Qiann Yan’s face, confirming he hadn’t seen this young person before, before shifting his gaze to Jing Yunzhou, signaling for an explanation.

Jing Yunzhou took a deep breath, appearing serious, with a hint of distress: "Father, concerning the safety of Great Zhou, your son had no choice but to take this step." He glanced at Qiann Yan beside him, "This is the third brother’s Princess Consort, the Chief of Staff’s daughter, Cheng Qianyan."

The Emperor frowned, his sharp gaze falling on Qiann Yan.

"You better have a reasonable explanation."

Jing Yunzhou looked up, his demeanor extremely earnest, with a touch of grief: "Father, if not for the evidence before me, I’d never believe that the third brother could do such things."