Long Yue had a restless night.
Master is buying them ti, so at most it should only take half an hour. After that, even if he’s slow, he should find them by midnight.
But there was no sound.
This is definitely unusual, sothing must have happened to Master!
What should I do, what should I do?
"No, I have to go back!"
Long Yue got up and headed for the door. Li Qingmu asked, "Can you find him if you go now?"
With just that one question, Long Yue was stumped.
Yes, she could not find him now.
"Even if we found him, we couldn’t help."
Long Yue returned to the bed, drawing her knees up, full of worries.
"Yue’er." Li Qingmu gripped her small hand, comforting her, "Don’t worry, you have to trust Mr. Duanmu, he’ll surely be safe."
Long Yue nodded; there was nothing to do but wait.
But waiting was truly torturous.
And so she drifted in and out of sleep throughout the night. When she got up the next morning, her eyes were swollen and bloodshot.
"Young Master, Madam, it’s ti for your al!"
Outside, ca the crisp voice of that woman. Long Yue and Li Qingmu exchanged a glance, then got dressed and went downstairs.
The inn was simple, with guest rooms on the second and third floors and food served on the first floor. The two ordered a few plates for breakfast. Long Yue ordered two boxes of stead dumplings and devoured them ravenously.
She couldn’t help it—she hadn’t eaten well the day before.
"Madam, eat slowly. If you want more, just ask the waiter to bring another dish."
The woman smiled softly, very politely.
"No, no, I’m full already."
Long Yue wiped her greasy mouth with a handkerchief, and the woman said, "Wouldn’t so clear soup be good? Waiter, bring a bowl of clear soup!"
"All right!"
"Madam, this is carp soup brewed from the carp of West River. It’s sweet and tender, exceptionally fresh and smooth—it’s our signature soup! Give it a try!"
Long Yue loved sweet and sour carp, so she had a good impression of carp. She leaned over to take a sll—a delicious aroma—and then scooped so into a small bowl, not forgetting to ladle so for Li Qingmu as well.
"Wow, wow, wow—"
The baby in Long Yue’s arms, attracted by the aroma of the soup, began wiggling and crying, as if to say, "I want so too."
"Little one, you haven’t even grown teeth yet, and you want to taste flavors?"
Long Yue pinched her baby son’s plump little cheeks, enjoying the feel of them.
She thought for a mont, then, feeling soft-hearted, scooped a small spoonful, blew on it gently, and brought it to his lips.
"Ah—"
The little guy opened his mouth and leaned forward, just about to sip when a loud shout ca from behind: "Don’t drink!"
Startled, Long Yue shuddered, dropping the spoon, spilling the soup.
That voice... it was Master!
Long Yue turned around with joy, and sure enough, there was Master, sweeping in like a gust of wind, suddenly at her side.
Long Yue felt like leaping with joy: "Master, you’re okay? Haha, that’s great! You know, I worried myself sick last night!"
"What could happen to ? I’m perfectly fine!"
"Master, where’s Mistress?"
"She’s with Gouzi in the back, they should catch up soon. We can’t stay here long, let’s go quickly!"
"Alright!"
They didn’t have much luggage; they had already checked out before going down for breakfast, planning to leave anyway. So when Duanmu Nan ntioned leaving, Long Yue imdiately agreed.
The woman blocked their path. She was still smiling slightly, but her gaze was a bit unfriendly.
"Where does this young man plan to take them?"
"To wherever they wish to go," Duanmu Nan said calmly, but True Qi was slowly circulating within him.
Anything suspicious and he would act imdiately.
The woman originally intended to stop them, but being a martial artist herself, she sensed the man opposite her had profound martial arts skills, far beyond her capability. Forcing them to stay would only be a joke.
She took a deep breath, knowing she had failed this mission, and would surely face reprimand from the Princess upon returning.
"Young Master, won’t you reconsider coming with ?"
The woman asked once more, hoping for a last attempt, as it would be best if she could persuade him directly.
But Li Qingmu remained silent.
The woman gave him a faint glance, "Then, take care, Young Master. Let’s go!"
Instantly, dozens of people responsible for protecting the woman retreated like a tide.
Long Yue looked down at the large bowl of carp soup and murmured, "The Princess must be very angry now, right?"
She went to such lengths to bring A Mu back, only to fail in the end.
She had failed last ti, and again this ti.
Li Qingmu said stoically, "Let her be, let’s go!"
They were already in a small town where they could arrange for a carriage. It wasn’t the woman who took the carriage away, but Li Qingmu was concerned there might be intrigue with it, so it was better to organize another suitable one themselves.
"Master, should we wait for Mistress and the others?"
Inside the carriage, Long Yue asked.
"No need, they’ll catch up. Carriages are slower than fast horses."
Duanmu Nan was naturally not going to drive the carriage, nor would Li Qingmu, and with Long Yue holding the baby, it was out of the question, so they hired a driver to help them.
The carriage sped along the way. They had already delayed here quite a few days; who knows what the situation was like in Shengjing City?
"Emperor, I hope you can hold on until we return!"
Looking in the direction of Shengjing City, Li Qingmu thought silently.
...
Shengjing City was as bustling as ever, filled with music and dancing, bustling traffic, and vast crowds.
On the streets, the carriages of noblewon moved slowly, with delicate tassels hanging from all four corners, so adorned with jewels, exuding luxury.
Among the many shops, young noble ladies and scholars ca and went, and now and then, the delicate laughter of ladies and the loud laugh of n could be heard.
"Co, co, drink, quickly drink, Brother Li, for making such good poems, we toast you!"
From a private room on the second floor of a high-end restaurant ca the hearty laughter of several scholars and literati praising each other. So, drunk, began to beat ti and compose poetry happily.
And in another room to the side, only a few people sat around.
The atmosphere was oppressive and heavy, as if frost had settled, and there was even a hint of killing intent.
"Crown Prince, the Emperor’s intention to change the crown prince is clear—please, Your Highness, plan early and do not miss the good opportunity!"
"Mr. Pang, I don’t understand what you an!"
Qi Junji was seated opposite Pang Wenzheng, with two others beside him: one was the Crown Prince’s Master, responsible for instructing the Crown Prince, his absolute confidant, and the other was one of Pang Wenzheng’s people.
Qi Junji stared at Pang Wenzheng grimly.
Pang Wenzheng was considered part of the Crown Prince’s faction and a confidant. If anyone else dared speak such words, he would have ordered them seized instantly.
Pang Wenzheng sighed, "Crown Prince, do you still not see? The Emperor treats Prince Lingjiang very well!"
"Hmph, no matter how well Father treats him, I am the Crown Prince! I have been modest and without fault all these years; Father cannot easily change the crown prince!" He paused, then said, "Even if there were, it would be the fault of the Third Prince and Seventh Prince. Father is wise and perceptive; he sees everything clearly!"
"Your Highness, previously the Third Prince and Seventh Prince were making a lot of trouble; the Emperor did nothing not because he could not move you, but because the ti was not right. Now... the ti has matured!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers