Su Yunmo glanced at her, rolled up the treasure map, and put it in her sleeve. "Who says we're going treasure hunting?"
Ye Ningyuan was stunned. "If you're not going treasure hunting, why did you snatch the treasure map?"
The little bun glanced at her and then snuggled back into Ye Jingyu's arms, saying faintly, "It's fun."
Ye Ningyuan: "..."
What a mischievous fellow!
"Hey, little girl, if you just wanted to annoy that old man, you've succeeded. How about giving me the treasure map?" Ye Ningyuan sidled up, a fawning expression on her face.
"After all, I just went through life and death for you. Consider it a reward, won't you? I'll give you half if I find the treasure!"
The little bun remained silent and yawned.
Ye Jingyu embraced her with one arm, covering her with his robe.
Ye Ningyuan called out anxiously, "Give me a straight answer! You're not planning to go treasure hunting anyway, so the treasure map is useless to you."
The carriage stopped, and Qian Xue lifted the curtain. "Master, we've arrived at Prince Yunyi's manor."
Ye Jingyu didn't even look up. "Throw her back to the manor."
Qian Xue: "Yes."
Ye Ningyuan: "???"
The next second, her collar was grabbed, and she was dragged out of the carriage.
"You two ungrateful wretches!!!"
Ye Ningyuan's voice gradually faded. After a while, Qian Xue returned to the carriage and continued driving.
The creaking sound of the carriage wheels could be heard from outside.
The little bun, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them. "Lin Zequ should already know that I stole the treasure map."
Ye Jingyu nodded. "He should also know by now that we captured Tiger's Den."
In other words, he already knew that 'Momo knows he's from Southern Xinjiang'.
The little bun curled her lips, a sly glint in her eyes deepening. "What will our Marquis plan next? This is truly something to look forward to."
The winter snow in Zhaoyao arrived later than in previous years, starting to fall on the night of the Winter Solstice.
It didn't stop until noon the next day.
This morning, Su Yunmo unusually woke up early.
Someone from Prince Lian's manor delivered an invitation, which read: "We invite the General's wife and young lady to visit the manor as an apology for the previous incident."
Su Yunmo chewed on a steamed bun as she scanned the invitation, then let out a scoff and tossed it onto the table.
It seemed that treasure map was indeed very important to Lin Zequ, to the point where he would even ask Ye Jingcheng to help him get it from her.
Lin Lang held out a towel to wipe her hands. "Young master, are you going to accept the invitation? If so, bring your subordinate along."
She knew Lin Yuning's character best and was worried about the young master meeting her alone.
"No need. You've been busy lately, and that injury hasn't fully healed. It's cold now, and the wound will be even harder to heal. Since Green Vine and Purple Vine are back, you can rest at the manor these few days."
The little bun wiped her mouth and hands, then jumped off the chair. "Purple Vine, you come with me."
Purple Vine said "Yes" and followed Su Yunmo out.
Lin Lang looked at the half-eaten dishes on the table and sighed inwardly, her eyes dimming.
Compared to Green Vine and Purple Vine, the master seemed to not care about her as much. Was it because of her previous association with Lin Yuning?
The master didn't seem to trust her completely.
But it was understandable. Who would heavily rely on a former traitor?
Lin Lang gave a bitter smile and started clearing the table.
Meanwhile, the little bun walked out of the courtyard.
A carriage was waiting at the manor gate.
Zhou Wanyou was already sitting in the carriage, and a gentle look flashed in her eyes as she saw the little bun enter the carriage.
"It snowed last night, and it's cold today. Mòmo didn't really need to come with me."
Someone from Prince Lian's side personally delivered the invitation, so it was inappropriate not to go. However, Mòmo was still young and didn't need to pay so much attention to such etiquette.
The little bun snuggled into her arms.
"Mommy is usually very busy, and Mòmo hasn't spent much time alone with Mommy for a long time. Now that there's an opportunity, Mommy should let Mòmo accompany you~"
Seeing her pout and act spoiled, Zhou Wanyou's heart softened. She picked her up. "It's Mommy's fault for being so busy with trivial matters that I've neglected Mòmo."
The little one was right.
When she first entered the manor, she held her almost constantly.
But since her sworn brother returned, the social engagements with court officials increased, and her own affairs also piled up, leaving her children in a state of complete laissez-faire.
"Mommy promises to spend more time with Mòmo from now on, okay?" she said, affectionately stroking the little bun's head.
Su Yunmo obediently replied, "Okay~"
A Cai and Purple Vine drove the carriage, arriving at Prince Lian's manor.
Servants were waiting at the gate to receive them and led them to the front hall.
Lin Yuning had prepared tea and was waiting early. Seeing the mother and daughter enter, she stood up to greet them.
"General's wife has arrived. I've been waiting for you for a long time. Please, have a seat."
Zhou Wanyou, holding the little bun, sat down. "May I ask why Prince Lian's Consort has summoned my daughter and me today? Are you perhaps going to discuss the private matters we didn't finish last time?"
The smile in Lin Yuning's eyes froze instantly.
The invitation clearly stated they were invited as an apology, yet Zhou Wanyou had to bring up the last incident in front of her. Was she deliberately trying to make her look bad?!
This damned woman!
If it weren't for getting out of the woodshed, who would want to see her face!
"General's wife is joking. The Prince has already investigated the matter last time. It was a servant who miscommunicated and invited the wife. It was all a misunderstanding."
Zhou Wanyou picked up her teacup, blew on it, and glanced at her faintly, throwing out a single word: "Oh?"
Lin Yuning clenched her fists.
She had to endure! She absolutely had to endure!
The Prince said today's matter was crucial. If she messed up again, she would probably have to live in the woodshed forever.
She unconsciously touched her stomach and changed the subject. "Actually, as I am pregnant, it is inconvenient for me to entertain guests. Therefore, I have specially asked someone to entertain the two of you on my behalf."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mei Yan entered from outside.
She was wearing a white dress, smiling gracefully. As she stepped into the room, her voice was as light and clear as a snow lotus from the Heavenly Mountains. "Greetings to the Consort, and greetings to the General's wife."
Su Yunmo frowned.
Had Mei Yan entered the manor so quickly?
This shouldn't be possible. Even if the alliance between the two countries didn't follow formal procedures, there should have been celebrations.
It had only been two days, and she hadn't heard of any wedding banquets being held at Prince Lian's manor.
Zhou Wanyou's eyes also flickered. She stood up and returned the greeting. "Princess Mei Yan, you are a guest from Southern Xinjiang to Zhaoyao. You don't need to be so formal."
Mei Yan lowered her eyebrows. Although her every move was extremely noble, her demeanor was very humble.
"Mei Yan has now been betrothed to Prince Lian by His Majesty, so she is naturally a member of Prince Lian's manor. Since Madam is visiting the manor, Mei Yan should naturally entertain Madam on behalf of Consort Sister."
A flash of resentment crossed Lin Yuning's eyes, but she smiled outwardly. "Sister is right."
She walked down from her seat, pulling Mei Yan to her own. "I've been sitting for a long time and am indeed a bit tired. I'll leave the rest to you, Sister."
Su Yunmo watched the two of them, a strange look in her eyes.
What were these two up to?