Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 279 The Bookish Charm Returns

In the capital city of Cangling Kingdom, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle. In the bustling capital of Chang'an, sunlight streamed softly through the carved window lattices into Shi Wanxia's boudoir.

Shi Wanxia lay in bed, her brows slightly furrowed, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, clearly still fighting a stubborn battle against drowsiness.

"Miss, it's time to get up." The maid Lingque walked into the room softly, her voice carrying an undeniable authority.

She walked to the window, gently pulled back the heavy curtains, and in an instant, golden sunlight flooded the entire room.

Shi Wanxia mumbled something, turned over, buried her face in the soft pillow, and said indistinctly, "Let me sleep a little longer..."

Lingque couldn't help but laugh. She walked to the bedside and gently shook Shi Wanxia's shoulder. "Miss, you mustn't forget that today is a day off. Sister Shuyun and the others are expected to arrive in the capital today."

"Ah!" Shi Wanxia woke up instantly, sitting up straight in bed, a hint of surprise flashing in her sleepy eyes.

"Oh right, how could I forget about that!" she said, quickly throwing off the covers and jumping out of bed.

Lingque had already prepared toiletries. While helping Shi Wanxia comb her ink-black hair, she said with a smile, "Miss, you've been looking forward to seeing Miss Shuyun and the others for so long. You'd better get ready today."

Shi Wanxia looked in the mirror at her slightly messy hair and smiled a little embarrassedly.

"Yes, we haven't had a chance to meet since we parted ways last time. I wonder if their journey was smooth."

After washing up, Shi Wanxia tidied herself up briefly and prepared to go to the market.

She wore a light blue silk dress with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the hem, and a white ribbon tied around her waist, making her look fresh and refined.

The markets in Kyoto were bustling with activity, filled with people coming and going, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares and bargaining filling the air.

As summer faded into the crowd, her eyes constantly searching for all kinds of delicious food. She first stopped in front of a pastry stall, where a dazzling array of pastries were on display, including rose pastries, mung bean cakes, osmanthus cakes, and more, each exuding an enticing aroma.

"Boss, give me two jin of rose shortbread and a jin of mung bean cake wrapped around it," Shi Wanxia said to the stall owner with a smile.

The stall owner was a kind-hearted middle-aged man who greeted everyone warmly while quickly wrapping up the pastries.

"Young lady, you have excellent taste! Our pastries are all made fresh this morning, they're very fresh!"

Shi Wanxia paid the money and continued walking forward with the pastries in her arms.

Not far away, a vendor selling candied hawthorns was shouting at the top of his lungs: "Candied hawthorns, sweet and crispy candied hawthorns!"

Shi Wanxia remembered that Shuyun and the others loved candied hawthorns, so she went over and bought a few skewers.

As she walked, Shi Wanxia came to a shop selling dried fruit.

She went inside and carefully selected some dried fruits such as almonds, walnuts, and melon seeds, thinking that it would be very pleasant for everyone to chat and eat these dried fruits together.

Just as Shi Wanxia was about to leave the market, she suddenly saw a stall selling handmade sachets in a corner.

The sachets are exquisitely designed and finely embroidered with various patterns of flowers, birds, fish, and insects.

Shi Wanxia had a sudden inspiration and thought she could buy a few sachets and give them to Shuyun and the others as gifts.

She picked out a few of the most beautiful sachets, paid for them, and happily headed home.

Along the way, she imagined the scene of meeting Shuyun and the others, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

After returning home, Shi Wanxia handed the food and sachets she had bought to Lingque and told her to pack them properly.

Then, she returned to her room and began carefully preparing gifts for Shuyun and the others.

She took out the poems she had written and the paintings she had drawn, carefully organized them, and hoped to share her life with her friends.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was afternoon.

Shi Wanxia sat in the living room, glancing at the door every now and then, her heart filled with anticipation. Finally, a commotion arose at the door.

"Miss, Miss Shuyun and the others have arrived!" Lingque excitedly ran in to announce.

Shi Wanxia immediately stood up and quickly walked to the door to greet him.

Shuyun, Qinxin, and the others were standing at the door. When they saw Shi Wanxia, ​​their faces lit up with bright smiles.

"Sister Shi!" everyone called out in unison, then quickly stepped forward and hugged Shi Wanxia tightly.

"You've finally arrived! I couldn't wait any longer!" Shi Wanxia's voice was filled with excitement.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone went into the living room.

Lingque had already prepared tea and snacks. Everyone sat together, eating snacks and sharing their lives.

Shuyun said with a smile, "Sister Shi, you have no idea how many interesting things we experienced along the way."

Qin Xin chimed in, "Yes, once we stayed at an inn and encountered a really funny waiter who made us all laugh out loud."

Shuying picked up a rose pastry, took a bite, and exclaimed, "Sister Shi, these pastries you bought are really delicious. The food in Kyoto is still the best to my taste."

As Shi Wanxia listened to her friends' stories, a happy smile spread across her face.

She took out the gifts she had prepared and handed them to Shuyun and the others, saying, "These are small gifts I prepared for you. I hope you like them."

Shuyun opened the gift and her eyes lit up when she saw the poems and paintings inside. "Girl, your poems are getting better and better, and these paintings are so lifelike! You are truly multi-talented!"

Qin Xin and Shu Ying also expressed their liking and praised Shi Wanxia's gift.

Then, Shi Wanxia distributed the sachets she had bought to everyone, saying, "I saw these at the market and thought they were very pretty, so I bought them to give to you."

Everyone held the sachets, admiring them and praising them endlessly.

The living room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

In the evening, Shi Wanxia set up a sumptuous dinner in the courtyard. Everyone sat together, enjoying the beautiful moonlight and the delicious food.

Shi Wanxia raised her glass and said with emotion, "It's so wonderful to be able to gather with you all. I hope our friendship, like this fine wine, will only get better with age."

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

On this beautiful night, they chatted and reminisced about the past and looked forward to a wonderful future.

Their laughter echoed in the garden, as if time itself had stopped for them.

As soon as Cui Zhihao returned from his business, Lingque hurriedly stepped forward to greet him with a bow: "Young Master, Miss Shuyun and the others have returned!"

Shi Wanxia quickly stood up, a joyful smile on her face. She hurried towards the door, her heart filled with anticipation.

Cui Zhihao walked into the house and saw Shuyun, Qinxin and the others. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He greeted them with a smile: "Shuyun, you're back."

Shi Wanxia stepped forward, carefully examined Cui Zhihao, and asked with concern, "Brother Cui, how did things go?"

Cui Zhihao nodded and said, "Everything went smoothly." He looked at Shi Wanxia and Shuyun, feeling incredibly warm inside.

Shuyun smiled and said, "Young Master, you've worked hard. We also have good news to tell you."

Choi Ji-ho asked curiously, "What good news?"

Shuyun smiled mysteriously and said, "I'll tell you in a bit. You should eat first, and we can chat while we eat!"