"Miss Murong, what's wrong with you?" Yun Jinhe was startled, thinking Murong Qing was unwell, and quickly asked.
Murong Qing shook her head, leaned against the carriage window, and looked ahead. The three carriages had already driven far away...
"Could it be such a coincidence?" Murong Qing frowned and murmured to herself.
If she could meet him in this place, Murong Qing wouldn't have to travel all the way to Yan Country.
Yun Jinhe understood and said, "Miss Murong, did you just see... my younger brother?"
From his understanding of Murong Qing, worldly affairs could not move her; only her younger brother was her greatest concern.
Murong Qing did not respond, but lowered the curtain and fell into thought.
Perhaps it was due to missing her brother too much that she was hallucinating, Murong Qing comforted herself...
Meanwhile, Murong Taotao, sitting in the carriage, was as calm as still water, without any ripples.
Just now, Eunuch Ruan said they would soon reach Heyang County, and beyond the county town was Dashui Village.
It was said that the Crown Prince of Liang Country lived in the village. If he went to see him, perhaps he could find out his sister's whereabouts...
"How is that old swindler?" Murong Taotao opened his eyes and asked casually.
Eunuch Ruan lowered his eyebrows and his voice, saying, "Your Excellency the State Preceptor, that swindler has been quiet all the way. He's sleeping in the carriage right now..."
The old swindler they were referring to was Eunuch Zhao, sent by Xiao Jinheng.
In order to prevent the young State Preceptor from coming to the Central Plains, Eunuch Zhao had played the role of a fortune teller and employed various tricks to try and make Murong Taotao turn back...
Unexpectedly, not only did he fail to complete his mission, but he also got himself captured.
"Untie him!~" Murong Taotao narrowed his eyes and glanced out the window. "This is the territory of Liang Country. When we reach Dashui Village, we will be guests, and we must behave like guests. We cannot let our hosts think we are rude and uncivilized..."
Eunuch Ruan: "..."
Your Excellency the State Preceptor, you finally show some humanity.
After the carriage stopped, Eunuch Ruan, twirling his horsetail whisk, trotted to the third carriage and instructed the guards, "Go, untie that old swindler, and give him some water to drink..."
Eunuch Zhao was nestled in a corner of the carriage, sleeping so soundly that bubbles were forming from his nose.
After being untied and drinking half a bowl of water, he looked outside. "Oh dear, we've arrived already. It's over, it's over! This old servant's life is at its end!~"
If the Crown Prince found out that he was the one who brought the young State Preceptor, his head would be chopped off...
Eunuch Ruan snorted and returned to serve His Excellency the State Preceptor.
Emperor Ming, sitting in the second carriage, had a feast, consuming two whole roast chickens.
"Burp, I'm stuffed... stuffed to death, burp, burp..." Emperor Ming rubbed his bulging belly, letting out continuous burps.
Upon hearing this commotion, Murong Taotao felt extremely annoyed.
Just as he was about to instruct Eunuch Ruan to continue on their way, Emperor Ming suddenly jumped down from the carriage and, with a 'whoosh,' squeezed into Murong Taotao's carriage...
"What does Your Majesty intend to do?" Murong Taotao frowned, instinctively keeping his distance from him.
Emperor Ming chuckled and pointed outside the carriage. "Taotao, don't you see? The scenery in the Heyang County area is beautiful, with lush grass and flying orioles, just like a landscape painting. How about we stop here and play for a few days?"
Perhaps he had been cooped up in the palace for too long, but suddenly coming out, Emperor Ming was like a wild donkey that had been let loose, wanting to have a good time...
Murong Taotao smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Does Your Majesty wish to go on an outing?"
"Yes, yes! Later, I'll have Eunuch Ruan buy some cooked food and find some singing girls. Then we'll go into the mountains and play for three days and three nights. Tsk tsk, the thought of beauties in my arms and enjoying the scenery fills me with excitement..." Emperor Ming said, lost in his own fantasy.
Murong Taotao almost laughed out loud, and cast a lukewarm glance at Emperor Ming. "If Your Majesty wishes to play, then this humble subject will naturally obey obediently!~"
"R-really?" Emperor Ming's eyes widened in disbelief. "Taotao, you truly understand me the best. Don't worry, after the outing, I will do my utmost to find your sister. I promise!~"
Alas, it seemed he had misunderstood Taotao before. This child was very considerate of him.
Murong Taotao rubbed the jade flute in his hand, his eyes flickering. "Not only will this humble subject not stop Your Majesty, but I will also help you bring the most beautiful singing girls and the most delicious food from the Heyang County area, so that Your Majesty can enjoy himself comfortably for two days..."
Hmph, you old lecher, you can enjoy yourself to your heart's content, but I don't have time to waste here with you.
"Good, good, good!~"
Emperor Ming nodded repeatedly, then changed the subject. "Taotao, although you are young, you should start interacting with girls. How about this, I'll have Eunuch Ruan find some girls of similar age to you to accompany you in singing, playing chess, composing poetry, and painting?"
"That's quite unnecessary..." Murong Taotao waved his hand. "This humble subject never said I wanted to go on an outing with Your Majesty. You play your way, I'll go mine. Let us, monarch and subject, part ways here!~"
With that, Murong Taotao lifted the carriage curtain. "Your Majesty, your carriage is behind. Don't squeeze in with me, I'm not used to it!"
Emperor Ming: "..."
This child, his mood changes faster than flipping a book.
Was everything he said just now just to fool him?
Emperor Ming cherished and valued the young State Preceptor more than his own eyes. How could he abandon the State Preceptor and go seek pleasure for himself?
"Tao... Taotao, are you really not going to reconsider?" Emperor Ming asked weakly.
Murong Taotao's expression turned stern, and a cold light flashed in his deep pupils. He pointed outside the carriage. "Get out!~"
"Oh, alright then!" Emperor Ming nimbly jumped off the carriage, muttering, "Alas, not old, but quite temperamental..."
The scene just now was clearly witnessed by Eunuch Zhao.
Since the Emperor of Yan Country feared the young State Preceptor so much, did it mean that Emperor Ming was merely a puppet with a nominal title?
As long as Murong Taotao was dealt with, all problems would be solved, right?
But upon careful consideration, Eunuch Zhao broke out in a cold sweat...
This young State Preceptor had first made Emperor Ming attack Chen Country, then led the army south, annihilating dozens of weak tribes. It was heard that they were now targeting Liang Country.
If the Yan army marched on the city, would Liang Country also suffer the same fate as Chen Country...
"He's an evil creature!~" Eunuch Zhao stared at the first carriage, clenching his fist.
It seemed that in the next few years, Liang Country would be in turmoil again...