Upon hearing the maid's retelling, everyone in the courtyard believed she had lost her mind. They wondered if the ill-tempered county princess had driven her to babble incoherently.
Who in the world possessed the ability to move everything out of an entire small building overnight without alerting anyone? Especially with so many guards posted outside the courtyard.
If it were truly a haunting by ghosts or spirits, why would they only take the furniture and not harm the two of them? No one had ever heard of mischievous spirits stealing furniture.
The adults exchanged glances and then proceeded into the small building together. Upon seeing the scene before them, they couldn't help but widen their eyes in disbelief! Had they gone blind? The room was so clean!
Impossible! There certainly wasn't anything placed downstairs initially. Unconvinced, they continued upstairs. The second floor was no different; everything had indeed been moved, leaving nothing behind except dust accumulated in forgotten corners!
This was truly uncanny! The entire courtyard felt bizarre, and it was best to leave quickly.
One of the adults signaled for his subordinates to bring forward Princess Yunxiang and control the servants. Then, they proceeded towards the main courtyard to find Princess Ping's consort.
When the adults arrived at the main courtyard with their entourage, a group of people was already standing by the entrance. However, the bedroom door remained tightly shut, and there was no movement from within.
Looking at the closed door, they couldn't help but wonder if this place had also been cleared out. Recalling the eerie scene they had witnessed earlier in Xiang Ya Yuan, they felt a chill and no one was willing to knock. Finally, seeing their inaction, the soldiers guarding the entrance stepped forward and kicked the door open.
As soon as the door opened, a nauseating odor wafted out. Those at the entrance instinctively covered their noses and mouths, waving their sleeves dismissively.
Most of the people present were middle-aged men, many already with wives, concubines, and children. They were all too familiar with this pungent and familiar scent.
This situation was becoming rather troublesome. The adults exchanged glances once more and then, as a group, entered the bedroom. However, the bed was covered with a light veil, obscuring their view.
They then called for a young maid. As she stepped forward to lift the veil, the maid suddenly let out a scream and ran out of the bedroom, covering her face.
The adults stepped forward and looked at the bed. When they saw two bare bodies, tightly embracing each other, everyone gasped.
They never imagined that His Highness Prince Ping had been dead for less than three days, and the Princess Consort was already consorting with someone else within the manor, even daring to bring the person back to her own bedroom. Now, they stood by, yet the two slept soundly. It was utterly outrageous!
The elderly official who had reprimanded Princess Yunxiang ordered two buckets of cold water to be brought, which were then poured over the two on the bed. Prince Ping's consort and the man, exhausted from a night of passion, had finally managed to rest as dawn broke. To their surprise, as soon as they closed their eyes, they were doused with water.
Although they slowly regained consciousness, their exhaustion was too great. They could only open their eyes wide and look at the figures standing by the bed. Though dazed, the Princess Consort still possessed some sense of shame. She attempted to reach for the quilt to cover herself, but ultimately let her hand fall back, powerless.
It was heard that they were not allowed to dress until the end. Wrapped in a quilt, they were then carried to the hall for interrogation. News of this quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Rongcheng, becoming common knowledge.
After Su Muqing emerged from her spatial dimension, someone immediately informed her of the news from Prince Ping's manor. Although her expression remained largely unchanged, she couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. If she hadn't been so busy today, she would have loved to witness the scene firsthand.
Busy until four in the afternoon, Su Muqing had only just finished arranging the general affairs. The Emperor, setting aside his own matters, hosted a farewell banquet for them in the palace. Kebina was certainly present, as were the Empress Dowager and the Regent Consort. Even Kebi Ming, whom she had met only once, and the King of Qing's family, came to the palace specifically to bid her farewell.
However, Su Muqing did not meet with the King of Qing's family. Kebi Ming presented Su Muqing with a small case containing an exquisite set of gold-inlaid jade hair ornaments. The craftsmanship was fine, and the materials were precious, indicating their considerable value at first glance.
However, upon seeing this set of ornaments, the Empress looked at Kebi Ming with some surprise. If her memory served her correctly, this was the former Princess Consort's favorite and most valuable set of jewelry.
How could Prince Ming give such a precious item to Qing'er? Could it be that he was interested in Qing'er? That seemed unlikely. They had only met once before, and besides, Qing'er was the Emperor's own daughter, and Prince Ming's own cousin.
Never mind! In any case, Qing'er would be returning shortly, and whether they would meet again was still unknown.
When the banquet first began, thinking that Su Muqing and the others were about to leave and that it was uncertain when they would next meet, everyone felt a sense of melancholy.
Later, Su Muqing promised that when she had time, she would definitely return to the Heavenly Radiance Kingdom. Hearing her words, everyone's mood gradually improved.
At half-past five in the afternoon, after the meal, the Emperor and Empress led a grand procession and personally escorted them to the dock, watching them board the ship and depart.
Watching the departing great ship, the Empress couldn't help but shed tears. She dabbed her eyes with her embroidered handkerchief, looking with reluctance at the hazy figures in the distance.
The Emperor also felt a great sense of reluctance, but being a man, he disliked excessive displays of emotion. He looked up at the sky and blinked his eyes forcefully, repelling the moisture in his eyes.
Once his emotions had completely stabilized, the Emperor patted the Empress's shoulder. "Let's go! I need to hurry back and complete the tasks my daughter assigned me, strive to finish all my work as soon as possible, and then take you to settle in Huaxia City!"
Hearing his words, the Empress finally broke into a smile. "Your Majesty must keep your word! This humble consort will supervise you."
Seeing that the Empress was no longer as sad, the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course! I am the Emperor, and my words are as good as gold. How could I go back on my word!"
Despite saying this, they waited until the ship's silhouette completely disappeared before returning to the palace together. After finally reuniting with their daughter, they had only been together for less than a month before she had to rush back again.
On the ship, Su Muqing stood on the deck, gazing in the direction of the shore. Her eyesight was excellent, and even after the ship had sailed a considerable distance, she could still see the figures on the shore.
She thought to herself, upon returning, she must make haste. Only by building Huaxia City efficiently could she bring her parents over sooner for a reunion.
The journey back to Vetus City was quite smooth. Without Kebina, the return trip lacked much of its previous joy. Wan Yan'er, who was usually lively, was somewhat despondent throughout the journey.
When they were together before, they would bicker and tease each other daily. But after suddenly parting, she found it unaccustomed. Especially since life on the ship was so boring, the absence of someone to bicker with made life less enjoyable.
Wan Yan'er propped her chin on her hand, gazing at the vast sea. Recalling Kebina's words before she left, a smile gradually bloomed on her face.
Kebina had told Wan Yan'er to wait in Vetus City, and that he would come to pick her up the next time they went to Huaxia City. Not only that, but Kebina had also quietly asked, wondering how much dowry would be needed to marry the City Lord's legitimate daughter.
He asked what was needed to marry her. Was this him taking the first step? Every time Wan Yan'er thought of this, her heart felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.
Time flew by. Before they knew it, they had been sailing at sea for nearly a month. The weather that day was excellent, with calm seas and a bright sun. However, the great ship, which had been sailing swiftly, suddenly slowed down.
Just as everyone was wondering what had happened, the old captain rushed onto the deck. His face was somewhat grim, and he held the railing with trembling hands as he shouted loudly.
"My lord, my lord, please come out quickly! That multi-limbed sea god from last time has reappeared. It's just not far in front of the ship. Please come and see!"
Those who were playing cards upstairs heard the old captain's shout and came out to check. Su Muqing saw the paleness of his face and quickly leaped down from the third floor.
When she reached the deck and looked into the distance, she saw that the octopus was indeed there. Its smooth head was exposed above the sea's surface, its large, round eyes staring directly at their ship. Its many large tentacles were flailing wildly on the sea's surface, looking like something out of a science fiction blockbuster.
The others also arrived one after another. Looking at the giant red monster ahead, they couldn't help but mutter to themselves, why was this octopus monster blocking their path again? Hadn't it helped them avoid the tornado last time? Could it have amnesia, or did it want to fight again?
Seeing it blocking the way and showing no intention of leaving, Su Muqing spread her arms and leaped onto the sea's surface. Lu Yuzhi then summoned his eagle, swiftly flew onto its back, and followed in pursuit.
Upon seeing them approach, the octopus quickly extended a tentacle, allowing Su Muqing to stand on it. Its demeanor did not suggest a desire to fight. Since that was the case, Su Muqing did not refuse its kindness and stood on the tentacle it extended.
Lu Yuzhi jumped down from the eagle's back. The octopus also extended a tentacle towards him, catching him steadily. The tentacle brought him in front of the octopus, and Su Muqing looked at its slippery head and asked.
"Why are you here again? Were you waiting for us here? Or do you have something you need our help with?"
...Of course, the octopus paid no attention to Su Muqing's words, as it couldn't speak at all. It extended a tentacle, pointed towards the great ship, and then pointed to its own head.
Su Muqing did not understand its meaning. Suddenly! The octopus pulled its entire head out of the water and, waving its remaining tentacles, swam towards the great ship.
Fortunately, Lu Yuzhi and Su Muqing were clinging to the suction cups on its tentacles, so they did not fall into the sea due to its sudden movement. After placing them steadily on the deck, the octopus waved its tentacles and slowly climbed onto the ship's hull.
However, its weight was too great. When all its tentacles attached to the ship's hull, the immense pressure almost capsized the entire ship.
Fortunately, after all the commotion, the octopus finally managed to climb half of its body onto the ship. A large mass of slippery, soft flesh animal on the deck, along with a black bear, occupied the entire deck between the two of them.
The eagle circled nervously in the air, chirping incessantly, as if complaining that the octopus had occupied its space. It even made several diving movements, as if it wanted to fight it.
Fortunately, the octopus was quite perceptive. Seeing the eagle's posture and its intention to peck, it simply clung to the ship's hull and crawled along the tentacles to the stern of the ship.
Then it attached itself firmly to the stern, freeing up the deck space so the eagle could land. However, with three animals of significantly exceeding size crammed onto the ship, the vessel was clearly overloaded.
Seeing the sea god had boarded their ship, the ship's crew was greatly terrified. Even the experienced old captain was somewhat at a loss. What kind of world was this?
This was a sea god! Thinking of how easily it had propelled the ship quickly and far with just a wave of its power last time, if the sea god were to run the ship, they would all be unemployed in the future!
Sensing their fear and unease, Su Muqing spent a considerable time comforting them. The ship's crew had endured quite a few frights along the way, first the sudden appearance of the black bear and the eagle, and then encountering the overlord of the sea and bizarre weather...
It was truly a case of one trouble after another!
Finally, Su Muqing decided that upon their safe return, in addition to their agreed-upon wages, she would give each of them an extra tael of silver as compensation for the shock.
With the extra tael of silver for their shock, and the octopus remaining quietly at the stern of the ship without any other actions, the crew members were finally able to temporarily overcome their fear.
Having composed themselves, everyone continued their journey. Initially, everyone found the tentacles clinging to the ship's hull somewhat unsettling, but as time passed, they gradually grew accustomed to it.
Moreover, since the Sea King Octopus had joined their group, their lives had undergone significant changes. The most apparent was that everyone had been eating very well.
Because it often dove into the seabed and brought back seafood to improve their meals. There were giant prawns and crabs, various strange-looking sea snails, and sea fish over a meter long. Once, it even caught a small shark.
However, Su Muqing, with her modern life experience, did not agree to eat the shark. Thinking of the newly joined Sea King Octopus, she promptly added an ocean to her spatial dimension. She even had the whimsical idea of decorating the sky above the ocean like a starry sky, making it incredibly beautiful.
Thus, her spatial dimension now not only had mountains and rivers but also stars and seas, forming a unique small world of its own.