On her way to the Crown Princess's palace that morning, Mingyue told her second brother about that strange tree. When she finished, Xiao Tian placed a hand on his chin as he was deep in his thought.
"Second Brother," Mingyue called after a while. "When those people disappear, where do you think they have gone to?"
Jiang Xiao Tian turned to his sister. The frown on his face disappeared, and he lifted his lips into a faint smile. "I don't know. Logically, I don't think people could disappear into thin air just like that."
"But we cannot deny that people do disappear," Mingyue said. "The old man that you brought back to grandfather's place said his son had disappeared before his eyes. And according to Ying Yi, some people from that village disappeared. Don't you think it's strange? Where have they gone too?"
"You're curious?" Xiao Tian chuckled when his sister replied him with a nod. "There are some things that we cannot explain," he said with a shrug. "These mystical things do exist in our world."
"Wherever those people disappeared to, I hope they are still alive," Mingyue said quietly. "As long as they are alive, there is a chance that they might return to their family."
Jiang Xiao Tian stared at his sister for a while before he lifted his hand to pat on Mingyue's hair. He reminded himself to send someone to investigate the missing people in the village. Perhaps he could find some clues on the herbs that Mingyue and their grandfather were searching for.
Mingyue headed to Princess Lingchen's palace once she parted with Xiao Tian. A maidservant announced her arrival and seconds later, Mingyue was led inside into the Princess' study room.
Princess Lingchen looked up when the door swung open. She rolled the documents on her table and stood up when Mingyue bowed to greet her. The Princess sent her maidservant, Ah Zhen to prepare some refreshments and dismissed the others. The Princess led Mingyue to the side room and motioned her to sit.
"Are you having a headache?" Mingyue asked when she saw the Princess massaged her temple slowly.
"Just a bit," Princess Lingchen replied. "I've been reading a few documents recently."
"I will prescribe something for you later," Mingyue said. "You must remember to rest your eyes once in a while. I would advise you to take a walk in your garden to look at some greenery, but the snow has turned everything white. Don't go out without wearing something warm."
"I'll remember your advice," Princess Lingchen smiled. The smile slowly disappeared, and the Princess let out a long sigh. "His Majesty wanted me to study some matters about the seven countries that will participate in the Spring Hunt. There are so many things to memorize. I can't afford to make a mistake and accidentally offend any of those princes later on."
Ah Zhen entered the room carrying a tray of refreshment around this time. She placed the tea on the table and turned to Mingyue. "Physician Jiang, you don't know this, but because Her Highness made me study the princes' profile because she was too stubborn to look at them. When the time comes, I will be the one who has to remind her about the princes' traits."
Mingyue laughed when the Princess gave her maidservant a sideways glance. She took a small pillow and placed it on the table. "Alright. Come. Your Highness, let me check your pulse first."
Ah Zhen took a few steps back and stood obediently in the corner. Then, the Crown Princess placed her hand on the small pillow and let her cousin examine her pulse. After that, Mingyue took out a small book and jotted down something. Then, she picked up a bag of herbs and gave it to Ah Zhen to prepare.
"I heard that Yang Yun's family had arrived in the capital," Princess Lingchen said. "Is the wedding preparation going well?"
Mingyue lifted her head and saw the Princess's teasing smile. "It should be. Even Ying Yi offered to help with the preparation."
"If there's anything I can help, you must remember to tell me. Don't forget that I am your cousin," Princess Lingchen said. She drank some tea to moisten her throat and looked at Mingyue. "I know that the Spring Hunt will be held two weeks after your wedding, but I hope that you can continue to stay by my side throughout the Spring Hunt."
Mingyue smiled. "Don't worry. I have discussed this matter with Yang Yun. We both agreed that I should stay by your side. Whatever it is, your health is the most important."