Mo Chou waited outside the chamber and heard voices within. She then entered to attend to her master as she got up. Wu Qing turned his wheelchair and went to the flower hall to await her.
“When did Wu Qing arrive?”
After Wu Qing left, Qing Yao quickly asked Mo Chou, wondering if her sleeping posture was too unsightly or if she had snored. Thinking that someone had seen her sleep without her even knowing it, she felt utterly foolish.
“He arrived quite some time ago.”
“Oh, Mo Chou, do I have any strange habits when I sleep?” Qing Yao asked. Mo Chou was tidying her clothes and blinked, not reacting for a long time. Later, imagining herself in Qing Yao’s place, she understood and immediately pursed her lips to smile.
“Miss, don't worry. Your sleeping posture is beautiful, with no indecent movements.”
“That’s good.” Qing Yao breathed a sigh of relief and led Mo Chou out of the chamber to the flower hall.
Wu Qing was sitting in the flower hall, admiring the paintings on the wall. The table was already set with lunch. No one had eaten yet. The four of them sat around the table and had a small meal.
“Wu Qing, I didn’t expect Yin Xuan to be in the Huang Yuan Kingdom. He’s an envoy from the Yun Cang Kingdom.”
As Qing Yao finished speaking, Wu Qing’s heart tightened. That man’s love for her was no less than his, perhaps even more. Moreover, his demeanor carried a hint of dominance. If such a person wanted her, would he still have a chance?
Feeling worried, she raised her eyes and looked over, then spoke softly, “How can Yin Xuan be from the Yun Cang Kingdom?”
“He is the Third Prince of the Yun Cang Kingdom, Wen Yu.”
Qing Yao said slowly, naturally assuming that if not for him, she couldn’t imagine who else it would be. The only ones who truly cared for her were Wu Qing, Chu Qian Yi, and the Emperor far away. As for the Emperor, she had told him not to appear again. Thus, apart from Chu Qian Yi, there was no one else but Yin Xuan, who was Wen Yu.
“Miss, is Yin Xuan公子 in disguise? How can you be so sure he is the Third Prince of the Yun Cang Kingdom?”
Mo Chou exclaimed in surprise. She hadn’t expected such an outstanding man to be disguised. It seemed his disguise skills had reached a level of lifelike perfection, truly making it impossible to detect any flaws.
“Alright, let’s not worry about him. Wu Qing, we’ll go visit him today. I believe he will help us with this matter. Let Mo You disguise himself as an envoy and leave the city.”
“Actually, we don’t need his help at all. Mo You’s martial arts are so high. With a simple disguise, he can easily leave the city.”
Wu Qing did not agree with Qing Yao going to see Wen Yu. If he were indeed Yin Xuan, thinking of his infatuation with her, his heart felt a slight obstruction.
That man’s magnanimity, his complete letting go, might be something he couldn’t do. Or perhaps he was advancing by retreating. Otherwise, why would he reappear before them in a different identity after their breakup?
Qing Yao raised her eyebrows slightly, looking at him seriously. Seeing the worry in Wu Qing’s eyes, she realized this fellow was jealous. How could he be like this?
“It’s not just about Mo You. I forgot to tell you, we’ve found over a dozen young beggars. Mo You can easily get out, but what about those children? The Yi family recognizes them. We can only hide the children in the envoy’s carriage to get them out. This way, it will be foolproof.”
As Qing Yao finished speaking, Wu Qing’s eyes flickered. So that was it. A faint smile appeared on his face, and he nodded, “Alright, I’ll accompany you to visit him. I just don’t know if he’ll be willing to help.”
Just as the few of them had decided, a young maid reported, “The Seventh Prince is here.”
“Let him in,” Qing Yao waved her hand. She wanted to ask Mo You about whether the envoy’s visit to the Huang Yuan Kingdom was true.
Mo You’s tall figure quickly appeared in the flower hall. Qing Yao smiled faintly, gesturing for him to sit down. She scanned the flower hall. With no young maids present, she slowly began, “I heard that envoys from other countries have recently come to visit the Huang Yuan Kingdom. Is there such a thing?”
Mo You immediately nodded, “Yes. Yesterday, my father hosted a banquet for them in the palace. I excused myself, saying I was unwell, so I didn’t attend. I heard it was the Third Prince of the Yun Cang Kingdom who led the delegation, seeking to become friendly with the Huang Yuan Kingdom and sign an equal treaty.
It seems all countries are aware of the crisis. Qing Yao sighed. The world would not be peaceful for long. She didn’t know what would happen to Xian Yue. However, for now, she only wanted to take Mo You out, so she spoke in a deep voice.
“I will go with Wu Qing to visit the Third Prince, Wen Yu, later. You should also prepare. When the time comes, blend in with those children and leave the capital with the envoy delegation.”
“Okay,” Mo You nodded immediately. Thinking about leaving here, he was very excited, but he still had some concerns.
“That Third Prince might not be someone who acts easily.”
Qing Yao’s gaze was sharp, and she said lightly, “That’s not something you need to worry about. For now, just send someone to escort us to the diplomatic residence.”
“Yes,” Mo You took the order and immediately called out, “Someone.”
Outside the flower hall, two guards walked in and asked respectfully, “Seventh Prince?”
“Send a carriage and escort them to the diplomatic residence,” Mo You commanded with a commanding presence, his cold aura making the guards dare not disobey. They immediately replied, “Yes.”
Qing Yao said no more. She stood up and pushed Wu Qing towards the exit. She now only wanted to leave here as soon as possible and return to Wu Qing Valley.
Outside the mansion gate, the carriage was ready. Qing Yao and the other three got into the carriage and headed for the diplomatic residence.
Meanwhile, this news was delivered to Lord Yi Si Yuan without delay.
Outside the gates of the diplomatic residence, a large group of guards was stationed, with layers of checkpoints sealing the entire residence tightly, lest the envoy delegation suffer any harm. This was related to the friendly alliance between the two countries.
Mo Chou stepped forward and said, “Our master requests an audience with His Highness the Third Prince. Please announce it, and say that his old friend has come to visit.”
Upon hearing this, the guards did not dare to be careless and immediately rushed in to report. The Third Prince’s old friend – the person before them was no ordinary individual. If they were to be negligent, their heads might roll. The guard soon came out and said respectfully, “His Highness the Third Prince invites you in.”
Mo Chou nodded slightly, turned around, and walked to the carriage to inform her master. Qing Yao and Wu Qing alighted one after another. As the two of them appeared, the guards at the gate felt their eyes light up. These people looked refined and untainted, seeming to be of the same ilk as the Third Prince.
The guard immediately walked over respectfully, “Please.”
Qing Yao nodded, not saying much, but the faint coldness in her brows made those people dare not say more. They carefully led the way.
The diplomatic residence was built luxuriously and grandly, with long corridors and paintings, all exuding opulence. Following the guard, they passed through pavilions and corridors and were soon led into the main hall.
The Third Prince Wen Yu had not yet appeared. However, a young maid respectfully served tea and retreated to the side to await further instructions.