They stayed in the border city for less than half a month.
Xie Beihan was very busy and rarely returned to the manor. By the time Ye Luan's injuries had improved, he proposed taking her back to Yanjing.
"Why do we have to go to Yanjing?"
During their stay at the city lord's manor, Xie Beihan had people take good care of her.
Ye Luan had also become familiar with him, so her words were no longer as cold as before.
Xie Beihan was sitting under a tree, plucking at the strings of a guqin. Hearing her question, he curved his crimson lips, raising his eyes with a wicked smile.
"Someone in Daliang has thrown the world into chaos, causing unrest across the Nine Provinces. The old emperor, in his attempt to kill him, has prepared a feast of Hongmen. We're going back to watch the show."
His deep, captivating eyes fixed on her, and the smile on his lips held a touch of malice.
Ye Luan's expression remained unchanged as she swayed on the swing and gave a casual "oh."
Seeing this, a pleasing curve appeared in Xie Beihan's eyes. He softly asked, "What would you like to hear?"
"Whatever the Crown Prince wishes."
He lowered his gaze, his fingertips lightly dancing across the strings. The resonant notes instantly filled the courtyard, like a flowing waterfall, melodious and graceful.
Ye Luan glanced over to watch him.
He sat on the ground, dressed in a violet robe with black patterned sleeves, his posture relaxed and elegant. His robes were spotless.
His long, clean fingers moved over the guqin strings like flowing clouds and water. Golden light filtered through the branches, bathing him in a faint luminescence.
She found herself growing drowsy listening, unconsciously shaking her head.
Suddenly, the melody changed, gradually becoming more intense, like the clashing sounds of a fierce downpour. Startled, she felt a sudden, unexpected pain.
Damn it, playing the guqin like he was trying to kill someone.
He seemed to sense her discomfort, raising his eyes to glance at her, a hint of a faint smile in his eyes.
Ye Luan, clutching her chest, looked back at him.
This scoundrel could control the guqin's sound to kill people. Was he trying to kill her?
She quickly got up, intending to leave. The guqin's melody began to slowly deepen, as if the spring bloom in the entire garden had instantly lost its color.
With a final *zheng*, the music abruptly stopped. Several birds roosting in the tree fell to the ground.
Ye Luan stopped moving, gripping the swing's rope and rubbing her head.
Xie Beihan rested his hands on the guqin, looking up at the person on the swing, a wicked smile tugging at his lips.
"Can't handle it already?"
"Does the Crown Prince always find it amusing to tease people?"
Ye Luan glared at him, a flicker of anger in her eyes.
Xie Beihan's smile vanished. He stood up, lifting his robe, and took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, walking directly towards her.
"You've recovered well."
Ye Luan ignored him, calming the restless aura within her, and felt much more comfortable.
Yanjing was the capital of Northern Qi, far from the border city. To return as soon as possible, they set off early.
After several days of travel, they finally arrived in Yanjing.
Ye Luan had never been to Yanjing before. She couldn't help but lift the curtain and peer out at the bustling street outside. A look of joy appeared on her bright and radiant face.
Xie Beihan, half-reclining on the small couch, lazily lifted his eyelids to look at her, "Are you that happy?"
"If the Crown Prince doesn't mind, I'm very interested in going down to walk around."
"Once the envoys from various countries leave Yanjing, you can play however you like. But not now!"
That enchantress Chi Yan dared to play a trick on him, bringing that fellow to Northern Qi.
Very well!
Ye Luan didn't care. Calculating the days, she said, "We have thirteen days left until our agreement. The Crown Prince must keep his promise—"
Before she could finish, her voice abruptly stopped, and her body seemed to stiffen.
Xie Beihan narrowed his eyes slightly, reaching out to lift the other side of the carriage curtain, and scanned the surroundings. But he saw nothing.
"Did you see something?"
His voice was cold, with a hint of amusement at the end, as if he were watching a play with detached interest.
Ye Luan calmly lowered the curtain and smiled, "Yanjing City is indeed prosperous."
"Marry me, and it will all be yours."
He looked at her, his eyes holding his usual unfathomable smile.
Ye Luan was long accustomed to his occasional remarks and showed no reaction.
Just then, the coachman's voice was heard from outside.
"Crown Prince, shall we enter the palace first?"
"Return to the Eastern Palace first."
----
The驿馆 (yìguǎn - post house/inn) was a place for receiving envoys from various countries.
This time, with the outbreak of war between nations, Northern Qi's Jiuchuan came under fierce attack. The gravely ill Emperor of Da Qi, for the sake of border stability, specifically ordered the Crown Prince to host a banquet at the Eastern Palace to entertain the distinguished guests from all countries.
Old King Liang personally went to Daliang to invite guests. As soon as they arrived in Yanjing, they came to the 驿馆 to lodge.
"Your Highness, please forgive us if there is any lack of hospitality."
In the garden of the 驿馆, a group of people were walking, with soldiers in shining armor lining both sides. The man at the forefront was surrounded by them.
He wore a black brocade robe of cloud silk, with a handsome and devilish appearance. A faint air of wickedness emanated from his brows, but his crimson eyes held an unchanging, icy coldness. His entire aura was as terrifying as a demon from hell.
He cradled a cat in his arms. Despite being such a cold individual, he was carefully protecting the little creature in his embrace, his movements extremely gentle.
"I dislike the word 'forgive' the most."
As he spoke, Old King Liang's expression stiffened. A malevolent glint flickered in his clouded eyes. This Dingbei King was simply too arrogant and presumptuous, showing no regard for their Northern Qi.
He had been finding fault with him frequently along the way, which was infuriating.
He suppressed his anger and gave a dry laugh.
"His Majesty is gravely ill, and the Crown Prince has already rushed back from the border day and night. After settling in, he will personally come to receive Your Highness."
Xiao Chizhan stroked the cat in his arms, his scarlet eyes flashing with tenderness.
Seeing his silence, Old King Liang stealthily glanced to his right. Where was that Zhenxi Great General? He had been elusive since arriving in Yanjing. What was he up to?
"Dingbei King, long time no see!"
Suddenly, a seductive and alluring voice called out from ahead.
Everyone looked up and saw Abahai Chi Yan from Mobei leading a group of envoys walking over from the lotus pond.
She was dressed in a blue robe, her waist graceful. Her steps were like lotuses blooming, and a teasing smile played on her lips, exuding a charm that held people spellbound.
Xiao Chizhan, however, did not even look at her, his expression unchanged.
Seeing his indifference, Chi Yan's teeth gnashed with anger. He had ambushed and killed tens of thousands of her Mobei soldiers, and now he dared to come to Northern Qi alone.
This time, she was determined to take his life!
"The Crown Prince is hosting a banquet for the envoys of all nations. I thought Your Highness would not deign to grace us with your presence."
Xiao Chizhan's eerily red lips curved slightly as he glanced at her, his gaze carrying a hint of deadly殺意 (shāyì - killing intent).
"After the battle of Hongzhou, I thought Abahai had grown a few more brains. I didn't expect you to still be filled with mush."
"You!"
Chi Yan was enraged. The blood-red pendants on her earlobes trembled with anger.
Old King Liang, watching the spectacle, inexplicably felt less oppressed. It was satisfying!
At least he wasn't the only one being bullied.
"Your Highness's words are always so aggressive. We all came to Northern Qi with sincerity to discuss border warfare. Your Highness should rein in some of that sharpness."