Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan did not reach an agreement, and the gathering ended unhappily. After their conversation, they each returned to their own tents.
Although Madam Zhou was guarding Xu Fu's bedside, her ears were practically flying outside. She had also overheard the argument between the two and felt that Huo Qiyuan shouldn't have spoken to Su Muqing in such a harsh tone.
However, it was best for them to interfere less in the affairs of young people. Perhaps the two would reconcile in a while.
In the following days, Leng Ren and the others all noticed that something was amiss. His Majesty was busy like a spinning top every day, no longer reminding the Prince to eat, nor bringing him meals to eat together as before.
Although Huo Qiyuan didn't say anything, he was frequently lost in thought while working, clearly distracted. Every day, for no reason, he would wander outside Su Muqing's work tent several times.
Seeing her working diligently, Huo Qiyuan didn't greet her. After a few glances, he would silently leave. The two maintained such a lukewarm relationship that everyone around them was very anxious.
Huo Qiyuan was also uncomfortable. He knew that his tone that day was not good, and he should not have looked at Su Muqing with such suspicion. He couldn't help himself at that moment...
He knew that Su Muqing was now the ruler of a nation, and coupled with the restrictions of the space, she basically had to prioritize the people in everything she did.
But he had been preparing for three years to avenge his parents. Were the common people really innocent for the people who truly killed his parents and the royal family? They were not innocent at all!
Leng Ren and the others were increasingly anxious seeing the two interact so awkwardly. The Prince had finally found such a good wife, why wasn't he more proactive? Didn't he know how many wolves with ferocious eyes were watching behind His Majesty? It was truly worrying...
Leng Nuo had been seriously injured last time and recuperated in Yaojing City for more than half a month. Fortunately, Su Muqing's medicinal soup, flowing like water, allowed him to recover so well.
He was of similar age to Su Muqing, only less than two years older than her. Coupled with his lively and cheerful personality, the two had always gotten along well.
Seeing that Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan had entered a stalemate and silent treatment, Leng Nuo always tried his best to create opportunities for them to work together. Or he would find excuses to invite them out, for hunting, stargazing, or barbecuing...
"Your Majesty! Shall we go hunting again tonight? It's rare to have a chance to relax, let's go hunt some prey to improve our meals."
Looking at Leng Nuo's sparkling eyes, Su Muqing knew what he intended. After all, the Leng team members had been finding various reasons and excuses to invite her out every day for the past few days. And whenever she went, in the end, it would always be just the two of them, her and Huo Qiyuan.
Su Muqing was really busy and truly didn't want to do those boring things anymore. She and Huo Qiyuan weren't arguing, it was just a difference of opinion. At least in her heart, she didn't think they were arguing. Therefore, she refused Leng Nuo's repeated invitations.
"Didn't you guys go hunting the night before last? I still have a lot of things to finish today, so I won't go. You all have fun."
Seeing that Su Muqing refused to go, Leng Nuo had no choice but to give up. He walked out of Su Muqing's tent with his head lowered. Seeing his dejected look, the others knew that he had failed this time. It seemed His Majesty was truly angry with the Prince this time.
Huo Qiyuan frowned. He had never pursued a girl before. Being with Su Muqing was also because they spent a lot of time together, and they both had good feelings for each other, so he took the first step, and they got together smoothly.
This natural progression of love left Huo Qiyuan, who was simple and straightforward about love, with no experience in coaxing someone. When he heard people around him say that Su Muqing was very angry this time, he didn't know what to do for a moment.
That night, except for the patrolling soldiers and the medical assistants taking care of the sick, everyone else had fallen asleep.
In the darkness, Su Ling'er's eyes widened, and she quietly withdrew from the crowd of refugees. She was carrying two large bundles, filled with gold, silver, and other valuables.
That day, when Chehe City suddenly fell, they were trapped in the manor and had no idea what was happening outside. Then there was a barrage of divine fire cannons. When the bombardment stopped, almost everyone in the manor was dead.
While others were fleeing everywhere, Su Ling'er hid in a corner, avoiding the falling stones and narrowly escaping death. Looking at the women who had mocked her not long ago, now struggling in pools of blood with pained expressions, Su Ling'er showed no sympathy.
She quickly returned to her room, found a piece of cloth, packed all the gold and silver saved by the women in the room, and then intended to slip out of the city.
Unexpectedly, the Huaxia soldiers arrived quickly. Before she could sneak out, they had already guarded all the city gates. And they declared that no one was allowed to enter or exit freely.
There was no other way, so Su Ling'er had to carry her bundles and blend into the refugee crowd, pretending to be an orphan who had lost her family in the bombing, waiting for a good opportunity to leave immediately.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Suddenly! A voice rang out behind her. Su Ling'er's body trembled, and her grip on the bundle tightened. She slowly turned around and saw Ye Qin, also dressed as a refugee.
"Why are you here?"
"Why didn't the poison administered by Lord Wang take effect? You have the antidote, don't you?" Ye Qin didn't answer Su Ling'er's question but stared at her intently.
Su Ling'er lowered her head and murmured, "I don't have the antidote, I just..."
However, Ye Qin was not so easily fooled. She had originally been instructed by Wang Bingchang to closely monitor Su Ling'er's every move.
Wang Bingchang had always felt that the man from Huaxia could use the spiritual spring water to detoxify Su Ling'er once. When he learned that she was poisoned again, he might help her a second time, and then he might be able to use this matter to his advantage.
However, Ye Qin had observed her for several days. During those days, Su Ling'er had slept on the bed the entire time, except for a few trips to the restroom, and had shown no other unusual behavior.
Later, when the incident in Chehe City occurred, Ye Qin also thought of escaping for her own life. Unexpectedly, she accidentally saw Su Ling'er cruelly kill her sisters who were lying in pools of blood, and then took all their valuables.