Although Xiao Mo was captured by the King of Ding Nan, it also proved one thing: Xiao Mo was still alive.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The fear that had dominated them for days, stemming from Xiao Mo's uncertain fate, dissipated considerably. They immediately set off for the King of Ding Nan's mansion.
From Ding An Village, one could enter the territory of Nan Zhou. However, it would take a full day's journey to reach the King of Ding Nan's mansion.
Xiao Yun and his companions traveled for more than half a day. In the evening, they found an inn in Nan Zhou to stay.
Xiao Yun bathed first. The tension in his nerves, which had been tight for days, finally relaxed. Leaning on the bed while waiting for Wang Qingyao, he felt a bit drowsy.
Before long, Wang Qingyao also finished her bath and came out.
In his dazed state, Xiao Yun saw her dressed in men's clothing, her hair tied up with his hairpin. A lazy smile spread across his face. "Why are you dressed as a man for no reason? You're not going out late at night."
Wang Qingyao sat beside him. The unique fragrance of soap from her bath wafted from her. She lowered her head, gazing into his eyes, and smiled. "Back at Tian Yu's residence, didn't that bailiff suspect you of being fond of men?"
She was merely stating a fact that had already happened, and she was fully clothed, revealing nothing.
But Xiao Yun knew her well and immediately understood her meaning. His throat tightened, and a warmth spread through his lower abdomen.
He reached out, cupped her chin, and murmured, "You are truly a playful little enchantress," before kissing her.
The room was filled with an intimate atmosphere.
The next day, they arrived at the King of Ding Nan's mansion at noon.
It was not a good time to arrive; it was precisely the time for lunch at the King of Ding Nan's mansion. The servants at the gate, with their snobbish eyes, assumed Xiao Yun and his companions were a large group trying to freeload a meal during lunchtime.
Xiao Yun kicked the gate. "Go report to your King. Tell him the King of Ding An has arrived."
"You are the King of Ding An?" the gatekeeper stammered, dumbfounded. After a moment, he reacted, but his attitude did not improve. He snorted, "So what if you are the King of Ding An? None of your King of Ding An's household are good people!"
Despite his words, he scurried off to deliver the message.
Before long, the King of Ding Nan emerged. He was accompanied by three young men, who looked hostile, each carrying either a stick or a broom.
Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao exchanged glances.
The King of Ding Nan was about 1.8 meters tall, broad-shouldered and robust. Although he was in his late fifties or early sixties, he appeared muscular and formidable. Surprisingly, he was not unattractive. Even with his bushy beard, one could discern his thick eyebrows, large eyes, and high nose. Perhaps due to his martial arts practice, his face did not show his age, with few wrinkles, though he had a fierce demeanor.
"This junior greets the King of Ding Nan," Xiao Yun said politely. Technically, he was of equal rank to the King of Ding Nan and did not need to bow. However, as a junior, and given that Xiao Mo had eloped with his granddaughter, he felt somewhat in the wrong. Thus, he adopted a humble posture.
The King of Ding Nan placed his hands on his hips and sneered, "The King of Ding An certainly has a big temper. As soon as you arrived at my mansion, you were shouting and threatening the servants. Anyone would think my mansion had done something wrong to your Xiao family! Heh heh..."
The final two "heh heh"s were particularly cutting. A thin layer of sweat broke out on Xiao Yun's forehead. He glared at the gatekeeper with dissatisfaction. Bolstered by the King of Ding Nan's support, the gatekeeper actually glared back.
Xiao Yun hadn't endured such humiliation in years. His fingers crackled as he clenched them, wishing he could beat the complaining gatekeeper.
At this moment, Wang Qingyao took his hand and gently squeezed it. Xiao Yun calmed down, looked at the King of Ding Nan, and said with a forced smile, "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. Your Highness, I actually heard that my..."
His words were cut short by the King of Ding Nan's booming roar.
"Misunderstanding my foot! I knew that old man Xiao couldn't produce any good descendants. One is cunning and tyrannical, the other is shameless and lewd. They do nothing good all day, only thinking about other people's daughters!"
Earlier, Wang Qingyao had thought the King of Ding Nan, despite his fierce appearance, spoke with some decorum, unlike the rough fellow the old Imperial Consort had described. However, after only a few words, his true nature was revealed.
Xiao Yun also exploded. "You can insult me, King of Ding Nan, but how dare you insult my grandfather? My grandfather has been dead for many years. How can you insult him and still have the nerve?"
"I have the nerve, why wouldn't I?" The King of Ding Nan not only insulted him but also continued to curse him. "Your grandfather was a cunning merchant, a merchant who would do anything for profit! I see you are just like your grandfather! And that Xiao Er, for your grandmother's sake, I treated him well with food and drink, but he, in return, eloped with my Duo Duo! This behavior is exactly like your grandfather's. If your grandfather hadn't interfered back then, who knows who would have ended up being your grandfather!"
As he spoke, things became increasingly outrageous. The eldest of the three young men coughed heavily, and the King of Ding Nan finally restrained himself a little. He turned his head and sniffed haughtily.
Xiao Yun was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.