The Emperor Jun was furious and immediately summoned the Crown Prince to the palace that night.
No one knew what the two said, but when the Crown Prince emerged, his face was ashen, and he dared not make any further moves.
After that, Yun Xiao had no more dangers in Xiliang. When the Emperor attended court, he directly issued a decree that the two countries would forever maintain friendly relations.
The Crown Prince's faction did not dare to utter a single word. The reason was simple: the Emperor had subtly warned the Crown Prince that if he interfered privately again, the assassination incident would be thoroughly investigated.
If the Emperor truly investigated, it would not be difficult, so the Crown Prince was intimidated.
If his father discovered that he had instigated people to kill Yun Xiao, the Crown Prince's position would be in jeopardy. Therefore, no one opposed the strategy of friendly relations between the two countries. The Emperor ordered Prince Li to choose a date to travel to Dongqin to establish friendly relations.
One day, in Huaqing Palace, the Empress Dowager, holding Yun Xiao's hand, was extremely reluctant. She bestowed many gifts and cautioned her with a stream of words.
As Yun Xiao would be returning to Dongqin with the Xiliang envoys tomorrow, she was overjoyed at the thought of seeing Murong again soon.
However, thinking of leaving the Empress Dowager, her heart felt a slight pang of sadness, for she feared she would never see this old lady again after this departure. Her end was fast approaching.
"Imperial Grandmother, you must take care."
"I will, I will. Imperial Grandmother is content."
The Empress Dowager was very optimistic and comforted Yun Xiao instead.
At this moment, someone reported from outside the palace gate: "Your Highness, Prince Li requests an audience."
"Announce him. I haven't seen this child for some time. I will miss him. Let him come in and chat for a while."
"Yes."
The eunuch turned and walked out. Yun Xiao separated from the Empress Dowager and looked towards the outside of the hall. Ji Qingge walked in bathed in radiance, the corners of his lips curved into a gentle smile, like ripples on calm water, serene and composed.
However, Yun Xiao immediately noticed another person behind him, dressed in a blue brocade robe, with a thin belt cinching his waist, and loose threads trailing in the wind, appearing gentle and refined.
On his refined features, his eyes were as lustrous as flowing springs and as warm as the breeze. He smiled at Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao came back to her senses, rushed to the hall, and threw herself forward, tightly gripping his hand.
"Brother, why are you here?"
The person who arrived was Yun Xiao's brother, Yun Zhen. Seeing Xiao'er standing perfectly well in the hall, without any apparent discomfort, he finally relaxed. He tightly gripped her hands and spoke in a deep voice.
"Xiao'er, I have been inquiring about your whereabouts. I never expected you to be brought to Xiliang. This is outrageous."
Yun Zhen turned and glared at Ji Qingge. They had fought earlier, and to be honest, Ji Qingge's martial arts were very formidable.
He had also heard that Ji Qingge could use poison, but when they fought, he had been open and aboveboard, not using poison, otherwise, he would certainly not have been his match.
"Brother, where have you been? Are you alright? Is there any news from the capital?"
As Yun Xiao spoke, Yun Zhen's face showed bewilderment. He stared at Yun Xiao's face for a long time before sighing, "Xiao'er, you don't know anything. Father and the others have seized the throne. Murong has already ascended the throne, taking the reign title Yongji and is known as Emperor Yin. Don't you know these things?"
Upon hearing her brother's words, Yun Xiao was overjoyed and smiled, feeling a profound sweetness in her heart.
Murong had finally seized the throne. This was truly wonderful, even from thousands of miles away.
Although it had come so late, she was still happy for him. However, hadn't she asked Ji Qingge to help her gather information? Why hadn't he given her any news? Yun Xiao suddenly turned and glared at him.
"Ji Qingge, didn't you gather information for me? Why is there no news at all?"
Ji Qingge looked confused and replied in surprise, "I have been busy with the matter of friendly relations between the two countries and did not specifically inquire. However, I know that Dongqin has changed its reign title and has a new emperor. I didn't know you wanted to know these things."
Yun Xiao cried out "Ah!" upon hearing this, startling everyone in the hall.
The Empress Dowager got up from her seat and walked over, taking Yun Xiao's hand to comfort her, "Xiao'er, don't worry. Aren't you returning tomorrow?"
"Yes, returning tomorrow."
Ji Qingge, seeing her complexion improve, finally relaxed and stepped forward to speak.
"Besides Xiliang, Bei Yan and Nan Jin have both sent official documents to Dongqin. The three of us will travel to Dongqin together. You can come with me, and then you will see the person you wish to see."
Ji Qingge never dreamed that the person Yun Xiao liked was the Emperor of Dongqin, Emperor Yin.
He heard that Emperor Yin had only been on the throne for a few days. Four years ago, a false emperor had ascended the throne, and now it had been reclaimed.
However, his harem was currently empty. He assumed Xiao'er would surely be the Empress, but with her disposition, could she endure staying in the harem all day? Most importantly, if the Emperor had three thousand beauties, could she tolerate it with her temperament?
However, Ji Qingge dared not say these things, lest he provoke the girl and bring trouble upon himself.
Since learning that Murong had become Emperor, Yun Xiao was happy on one hand, and on the other, she yearned to return. She wondered if that fellow missed her now, and longed to hear his sweet words.
The next day, the weather was clear and cloudless, a perfect day for travel.
The Xiliang envoy delegation was led by Prince Li, accompanied by two civil officials and two military generals. Among the retinue were craftsmen specializing in weaving and dyeing.
There were also some masters preparing to study tree cultivation in Dongqin. At the rear were two hundred elite soldiers. The group set off towards Dongqin in neat formation.
Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen were also in the accompanying contingent.
Yun Xiao's carriage was spacious and luxurious, meticulously arranged by Ji Qingge. All necessities for eating and living were provided.
Everything was there, making the carriage feel like a room. Wherever they went, he instructed people to buy Yun Xiao's favorite pastries and fruits, taking great care of her.
However, Yun Xiao had no taste for anything she ate. All she thought about was returning to Dongqin as quickly as possible. She heard that Murong had seized the throne, which meant one thing: Murong was unharmed, and this was happier than eating anything.
The journey was tedious. Sometimes, Yun Xiao would invite her brother Yun Zhen to sit in the carriage and chat.
She asked him where he had been since leaving home. Yun Zhen smiled faintly.
The day he was beaten by his father, he had felt despair and ran dozens of miles in one breath. Then he wandered around. Later, feeling worried about them, he rushed back.
It was the day Murong was captured. He arrived at the palace but missed them. Later, he learned that Yun Xiao had been captured and followed her all the way, eventually finding Xiliang.
"Father must have been extremely worried about us. Brother, don't blame him."
"I won't."
Yun Zhen shook his head with a smile, his demeanor calm and carefree. He seemed to have truly let go now, his eyes clear and transparent, without any trace of gloom. Seeing him like this, Yun Xiao was truly relieved.
"When we return to the capital this time, let's stay at the Prince's mansion and accompany Father for a good while."
Yun Xiao said, and Yun Zhen nodded with a smile, but then he quickly remembered something and said playfully, "I'm afraid Xiao'er won't be staying at the Prince's mansion for long."