After the National Preceptor left, the old emperor summoned Cha to come in and eat.
Hu Wan entered with a small tray holding tea. "Your Majesty, please have some tea."
The old emperor took the tea, took a sip, and sighed, as if countless worries were pent up in his chest, making him extremely restless.
"Is Your Majesty worried about the marriage alliance?" Hu Wan asked cautiously.
"Alas," the old emperor put down his teacup and sighed again. "Yongning used to be a troublemaker. Because she saved me, she suffered severe injuries, and later encountered assassins. These injuries compounded, causing her body to be so weak. If I were to let her go for a marriage alliance, it would seem like I am heartless."
"Your Majesty, there are so many candidates for this marriage alliance, why choose the sickly Princess Yongning?" Hu Wan asked with curiosity. "Is it because Princess Yongning is the most beautiful?"
"Speaking of beauty, my ninth daughter, and Princess He'an of King Zhao are no less beautiful than her. In terms of looks and talent, they are no inferior to Yongning. I cannot fathom why Emperor Yun insists on Yongning."
Hu Wan scratched his head. "Your Majesty, could it be that Emperor Yun fell in love with Princess Yongning at first sight?"
Hearing this, the emperor immediately laughed. Love at first sight? Emperors do not have love at first sight, it is merely a preference for good looks. "If it were truly love at first sight, it would be good. I fear he has ulterior motives."
"I am foolish and do not understand the complexities of this matter."
"You are a blockhead and naturally slow-witted, so don't overthink things," the emperor said with a smile. "This matter, I think we should let nature take its course. If Emperor Yun can persuade Yongning, and Yongning is willing to go for the marriage alliance, I will agree. If he cannot persuade her, then the marriage alliance will be called off."
"Your Majesty is wise. Your decisions are always correct."
"Flatterer!" The old emperor was happy in his heart and no longer worried about the marriage alliance. At worst, he would fight against Yun Qi again. With the brave general Xiao Luo defending Yuncheng City, he would not be afraid! Sudan Novel Network
Just then, Yun Qi underwent a change, disrupting all of Murong Shengrui's plans!
In the envoy's lodging, Murong Shengrui's expression was terrifying. "How long have I been gone, and the court has already changed? Useless, all useless!"
Wei Wuji lowered his head. "Your Majesty, the urgent matter is to return to Jinling, stabilize the court situation, and eliminate the rebels. Princess Yongning is here, she won't run away. Only when the empire is stable can Princess Yongning willingly agree to the marriage alliance."
Murong Shengrui did not want to leave, but he also understood that if he lost his throne, he would be nothing. The first person to kill him would be Xiao Man!
"Prepare to return to Jinling!" Murong Shengrui gritted his teeth. "Qu Yang will remain here to continue pressuring Yusheng. I must have her."
"Your subordinate obeys."
"Before I leave, I need to see her."
"Your Majesty, it is best not to," Wei Wuji advised. "If Princess Yongning is unwilling to enter into a marriage alliance, and learns that Your Majesty is returning to Jinling alone, she may very well send assassins to intercept Your Majesty."
Murong Shengrui felt a headache coming on. If Xiao Man knew he was returning to Jinling alone, she might indeed send people to intercept him, and might even send word to Xiao Luo and Dugu Mingyu in Yuncheng City. At that time, it would be difficult for him to leave Yusheng safely.
"Forget it, we will leave at night."
Murong Shengrui did not alert anyone. He disguised himself and slipped out of the city. Xiao Man left the city early in the morning and hid outside the city, waiting for Murong Shengrui to come out.
"Sister, aren't we going back to the city yet?"
"What's the hurry?" Xiao Man said while gnawing on a chicken leg in her hand. "The good show hasn't started yet."
"Good show?" Dugu Mingyu was confused. "What good show?"
"Beating a drowning dog!"
Yan Yuqing's gaze fell on Xiao Man, and he immediately felt a bit unbearable to look. Where was the elegant and noble demeanor of the former Xiao Man? She was holding a chicken leg, one foot propped on a stool, shaking it, completely like a hooligan!
"Sit properly, can't you sit and eat properly?" Yan Yuqing couldn't help but ask.
Xiao Man glanced at him and continued to gnaw. "My family doesn't care about me, why do you talk so much!"
Yan Yuqing felt stifled in his heart and glared at Dugu Mingyu. "Don't you manage her?"
Dugu Mingyu looked at Xiao Man, imitated her, propped his foot on the stool, and began to gnaw on a chicken leg. Since they were out to watch a good show, they would wait and watch the good show!
"Hopeless!" Yan Yuqing sighed to the heavens. Oh heavens, give me back my elegant and noble beauty!
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves approached. Xiao Man's spirits lifted. "The dogs are here!"
"Dogs?" Yan Yuqing leaned closer to look. Upon seeing this, he almost jumped up, but was held down by Xiao Man. This was an inn, located on the main road leading out of the capital. Merchants would stop here to rest. If they missed lodging, they would stay here.
Xiao Man and the others sat in a corner by the window on the second floor, where they could clearly see the movements outside without attracting attention.
The people who arrived were none other than Murong Shengrui and his entourage. Not only was Yan Yuqing excited, but even Dugu Mingyu involuntarily reached for his sword.
"Don't be in a hurry, we are here to beat the drowning dog."
"Meaning, it's not us who are going to deal with them?" Yan Yuqing immediately understood and sat down, grabbing a handful of melon seeds and cracking them. He would watch the show first, and after the show was almost over, he would jump out to beat the drowning dog.
Wei Wuji and his group stopped at the entrance of the inn. "Young master, do you need lodging?"
"No need. We have just left the capital and should hurry on our way. It's too close to the capital."
"Yes, young master."
The group did not lodge and passed by. Yan Yuqing couldn't stay still. "They ran away!"
"Don't worry, let's see some more."
As expected, just as Murong Shengrui and his group left, several figures followed them from inside the inn.
Xiao Man finished her chicken leg, wiped her mouth and hands, and said, "Let's go. Judging by the time, it should be about right. If we catch up now, we'll be in time to beat the drowning dog."
The two followed behind Xiao Man and chased in the direction Murong Shengrui had left. After about fifteen minutes, they heard sounds of fighting ahead. The three leaped into a tree and saw many corpses lying scattered around in the distance. The horses that Murong Shengrui and his group were riding had their legs cut off and were lying on the ground, struggling and whinnying weakly.
"There's no sign of Murong Shengrui."
Xiao Man gestured in a direction. "He must be in the center of the fight. Our target today is not Murong Shengrui, but Wei Wuji. I want Wei Wuji's head."
"What does it matter if an eunuch dies? Killing Emperor Yun Qi is the most important thing."
"If Murong Shengrui dies within Yun Qi's territory, it will not be a small matter. However, we cannot let him leave unharmed." Xiao Man took out a bamboo arrow and shot a poisoned needle at Murong Shengrui, who was fighting. Murong Shengrui sensed it and dodged sideways. Although he was not hit, his skin was scratched by the poisoned needle.