Su Muqing was naturally happy that Huo Qiyuan agreed to settle things privately, as it meant they wouldn't have to mobilize a large force. This way, they could catch the Emperor Rui off guard, leaving him no room for any insidious schemes.
Although they were no longer attacking the capital, Su Muqing was still determined to make the Emperor Rui pay, one by one, for the lives of Huo Qiyuan's parents and unjustly deceased relatives!
After a night of enjoying the cool breeze and drinking a good amount of ice water, Huo Qiyuan's internal heat had subsided considerably. The way he looked at Su Muqing was no longer as overtly passionate.
As the sky began to show the first hint of dawn, Su Muqing's eyelids grew heavy. She had been severely lacking sleep these past few days, and her dark circles were almost impossible to hide.
Huo Qiyuan scooped up the dozing woman and gently kissed her forehead. "You look like you're about to fall asleep. Let's go back and rest for a while!"
"We agreed on just sleeping! I'm so tired, I'm practically dying of exhaustion…" Su Muqing tugged at Huo Qiyuan's clothes, her eyes closed, but she still mumbled softly.
Seeing the person in his arms asleep yet still looking somewhat disgruntled, Huo Qiyuan couldn't stop his lips from curling into a smile. It seemed that the tonics Granny Zhou had prepared for him weren't entirely without benefit. At least, whenever Su Muqing tried to refuse, seeing his pained expression made her unable to bear it.
However, Huo Qiyuan wasn't entirely unconcerned about her. Since the fire in his body had mostly dissipated, he decided to let her have a good night's sleep tonight. They could discuss other matters tomorrow… kan shu wu. xa
Having not had a proper full night's sleep in a long time, Su Muqing slept right through until mid-morning. This was only because the bedroom became uncomfortably stuffy after a certain point; otherwise, she could have slept even longer.
Huo Qiyuan had already been handling official business in his study for half the morning. Just as lunch was ready, he was preparing to go to her room to wake her up when he found she was already awake.
"You've woken up at just the right time. Lunch is ready." Huo Qiyuan naturally tidied Su Muqing's hair, and after he was done, it looked quite presentable.
When the two of them arrived at the dining hall, Madam Zhou and the others were already waiting there. Ever since she learned that Huo Qiyuan had lost his fertility, Madam Zhou had treated Su Muqing even better.
In addition to personally managing their meals every day, she handled all matters, big or small, meticulously, fearing that if the Prince displeasured Su Muqing in any way, she might relegate him to the cold palace.
Su Muqing, understanding that Madam Zhou was getting on in years, didn't want her to overexert herself. However, every time she saw the anxiety displayed on her face, the words of persuasion just wouldn't come out. Fine! She could do whatever she pleased, as long as she was happy.
During lunch, Huo Qiyuan informed everyone of the plan he and Su Muqing had discussed the previous night. "The Emperor and I plan to depart for the capital tonight. The matters in Chehe City will be left in your hands. We will try to resolve things in the shortest possible time and then return to accompany you all back to Yaocheng."
Upon hearing Huo Qiyuan's intention that only he and the Emperor would go, Leng Nuo immediately volunteered. "Your Highness, are you and His Majesty really going alone? Please take us along as well! More people make the job easier. If you need someone to run errands in the capital, it would be inconvenient without our own people around."
"That's right, Your Highness! Although we haven't returned to the capital in years, we lived there for over a decade. Moreover, as Leng Nuo said, it's inconvenient for you to do anything without your own people nearby."
Leng Ren also agreed with Leng Nuo's suggestion. Although Su Muqing was now by the Prince's side, and he himself was no longer as he was a few years ago, unable to contend with the Emperor Rui, the capital was ultimately the Emperor Rui's territory. Leng Ren could not rest easy with just the two of them going.
"Yes, yes, yes! How can it be alright with just the two of you going? Not to mention the long journey, that incompetent ruler practically views Your Highness as a thorn in his side and a splinter in his flesh. What if he uses some trickery against you again, or poisons you... No, no! You two cannot take such a risk. Your Highness, your health still has a chance of recovery, you cannot get injured again…"
Madam Zhou was the first to object. In her eyes, the Emperor Rui was a venomous snake and a ferocious beast, someone determined to eliminate Huo Qiyuan. How could she allow Huo Qiyuan to take such a risk again?
Moreover, Huo Qiyuan's health had shown initial signs of improvement under her care these past few days. Seeing how exhausted His Majesty was, unable to get out of bed even at noon, his health would surely recover with a bit more time. They absolutely couldn't afford any mishaps at this point!
"Your Highness is injured? Where were you injured?"
"Your Highness, where are you injured? How come we didn't know?"
Leng Ren and the others were greatly alarmed. They put down their chopsticks and rushed to Huo Qiyuan's side, wanting to see where he was hurt.
The Prince hadn't fought anyone these past few days. Could it be the minor wounds inflicted by Huo Qixiao previously? But those minor wounds had long since healed. Why was Aunt Zhou still saying the Prince was injured? And judging by her expression, the injury wasn't minor.
Under Su Muqing's playful gaze, and the concerned eyes of everyone else, Huo Qiyuan coughed awkwardly a few times before slowly saying, "Cough, cough, cough! My body is fine, and I'm not injured. It's just some old ailments that lingered from before."
Leng Nuo scratched his head, looking at Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan with some confusion and muttering, "Old ailments? What old ailments could His Highness have? Weren't they all cured by His Majesty?"
Leng Ren also wanted to ask, but he inadvertently saw Huo Qiyuan giving him a meaningful look. Although he didn't quite understand the meaning of this look, he could sense to some extent that Huo Qiyuan didn't want to continue this topic. It seemed there really was a problem with the Prince's health…
"Since His Highness says he's fine, then he must be fine. Besides, with His Majesty by His Highness's side, even the most difficult old ailments would be nothing." Seeing that Leng Nuo still wanted to ask something, Leng Ren interrupted him first.
As expected, Huo Qiyuan quickly cast him a look of approval. Madam Zhou's face showed evident worry, but considering Huo Qiyuan's dignity, she ultimately skirted the topic.
However, the personnel departing for the Great Yu capital eventually increased from the initial two, Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan, to include Leng Ren, Leng Si, Leng Ao, Leng Qi, and Leng Nuo.
Leng Heng and Leng Liu, Leng Ba, and Leng Jiu had wanted to try and secure a spot to accompany them as well, but Chehe City could not be left without capable individuals. Therefore, they were ultimately excluded.
Madam Zhou also fought hard for herself. After all, in her mind, Huo Qiyuan's issue of descendants was more important. She had been drinking tonics for so long, so they couldn't just stop arbitrarily. However, her request was promptly and firmly rejected by Huo Qiyuan.