Ye Jingkun frowned, the emotion in his eyes interrupted, and the light deep within them slowly receded.
"What can he do to me? Just talk," the little dumpling said helplessly.
The relationship between the royal brothers was truly not good.
"What do you have to say to him? Come, come, come, I'll take you to see the treasure." Ye Jingguang tugged at the little dumpling and ran excitedly in the direction they came from.
"Wait a moment, I haven't finished saying..." The little dumpling struggled to look in Ye Jingkun's direction, but was quickly pulled away.
Ye Jingyu watched her receding figure from afar, his fists clenching tighter and tighter.
"She has many people around her, so it's normal that you don't get attention," Ye Ningyuan emerged from behind a pillar.
Ye Jingkun turned around and looked at her expressionlessly, "Why are you following me?"
"Because I want to help you." Ye Ningyuan leaned against the pillar with her arms crossed, raising an eyebrow playfully.
"You want to be friends with Momo, right? Why don't you listen to me? I'll guarantee your wish comes true, how about it?"
Ye Jingkun stared at her for a moment, "You won't help me, you want it too."
With that, he turned and left.
Ye Ningyuan was stunned for a moment, then curved her lips and looked in the direction Ye Jingkun had left, a deep meaning flashing in her eyes.
She seemed to have underestimated this little-known Prince Kun.
Meanwhile, the little dumpling was dragged behind a wall, where there was a small window above the wall.
Ye Jingguang ran over and cleared the grass below the wall. Two stones were stacked underneath. "Momo, don't just stand there, come help!"
Su Yunmo gave him a disgusted look, "Does your mother know you're so sneaky at home?"
"How would I dare let her know about such things? She'd skin me alive," Ye Jingguang pouted. He didn't need her help anymore and gritted his teeth, moving another stone to place it on top.
He grunted and strained, his face turning red.
Su Yunmo sighed inwardly and stepped forward to help.
As soon as her hand touched it, Ye Jingguang felt the weight of the stone lighten considerably and exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't realize you were so small, yet you're quite strong."
The little dumpling rolled her eyes.
Of course, she was using her powers.
"Hurry up and climb," Ye Jingguang stepped on the stone, reached for the window, and beckoned her.
Su Yunmo felt this scene was familiar. She had just done something similar a few days ago.
"The things inside are very precious. Be careful not to break them. If even a tiny bit is damaged, you won't be able to handle the consequences."
Rustling sounds came from inside the window.
Su Yunmo pondered for a moment and then stepped up.
With the height of the stone plus her own height, she could just reach the window to see inside.
The room was a small warehouse, filled with boxes and ingenious objects.
Several people were moving things, and a man was directing them.
"Momo, look over there. Isn't there a small box on top of the cabinet? The one with the green floral pattern," Ye Jingguang pointed in a direction.
Su Yunmo followed his gaze.
Indeed, there was a small box on the cabinet. It was square, with patterns she had never seen before. At the very top was a small opening, like a keyhole, blocked by a small piece of iron.
"This is the treasure you're talking about?"
What was so special about a small box?
"Don't underestimate it. This box is no ordinary thing. I heard it was tribute from Nanjiang."
Su Yunmo paused in her movement to jump down and frowned deeply, "Did Nanjiang ever send tribute before?"
Ye Jingguang shook his head, "No, this is the first time. Although Nanjiang lost the war with Zhaoyao over ten years ago and became a vassal state, their situation is a bit special."
"At that time, our country was facing internal and external troubles, so after that battle, we didn't suppress them too harshly. For years, they haven't sent tribute, nor have we had contact. Why would they suddenly remember to send gifts?"
Su Yunmo's mind flashed back to what the Jianghu people had said when she dined with them.
'There is movement in Nanjiang, and the King of Nanjiang even intends to leave Nanjiang.'
"Look, they've picked it up," Ye Jingguang nudged her with his elbow.
Su Yunmo turned back and saw the box being placed on an exquisite tray. "What is this for?"
"Momo, you don't know, this box is very strange. I heard it contains something very valuable, a treasure of Nanjiang, but no one can open it," Ye Jingguang rubbed his hands, his eyes shining.
"I secretly overheard Mother saying that when the Nanjiang envoy arrived, they declared that if this box could be opened, the treasure inside would be kept, but if it couldn't be opened, they would take the box back."
"Father has found many skilled craftsmen, but none can do anything with this box. So, at tonight's banquet, Father will display the box and let everyone have a try."
This was a good thing. If she could open it, not only would she get the treasure, but she could also make her father happy. Perhaps, in his happiness, he might even give her more pocket money?
Su Yunmo understood.
This was no longer a matter of treasure or no treasure, but a matter of Zhaoyao's face.
Nanjiang, which had not sent tribute for many years, brought such a small item this time and made such a bold claim.
If the entire country could not open this box, Zhaoyao would lose all face. Then, whether Nanjiang, as a vassal state, would continue to be subservient would be another matter.
"What are you doing?" a stern voice rang out.
Ye Jingguang was startled and took a step back.
He forgot he was standing on the stone and his foot slipped, causing him to fall. He immediately clutched his backside and cried out in pain, "Oh, mother, I'm going to die from this fall!"
The little dumpling quickly got off the stone to help him, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Ye Jingguang stood up, patted the dirt off his clothes, and looked at the person opposite him, gritting his teeth in pain.
"Presumptuous! Why are you shouting? Don't you see it's this prince here?"
Hu Bao's gaze swept over the two, and he cupped his hands in a salute, "So it's Your Highness. Does Your Highness know that this is the private treasury that His Majesty personally promised to Nanjiang? Without permission, you are not allowed to inspect it, let alone peek."
Ye Jingguang muttered softly, "So it's Nanjiang people guarding it, no wonder they're so fierce."
He snorted and pouted, "Who says we're peeking? We were just passing by and heard the commotion inside, so we took a casual look. Isn't that right, Momo?"
The little dumpling remained silent.
"Momo?" Ye Jingguang looked back at her, puzzled.
The little dumpling stood still, frowning at the Nanjiang people opposite. After a while, she shifted her gaze, "It's so cold here. Brother Guang, can we go back to the main hall?"
Ye Jingguang was dumbfounded.
Brother Guang?
Was she calling him? What was wrong with the little girl today?
Hu Bao narrowed his eyes and looked at the little dumpling, "May I ask if this is a princess or a county princess? Forgive my poor eyesight, I haven't seen her before."
Ye Jingguang patted the little dumpling's shoulder, "This is the young lady of the General's Mansion, Su Yunmo."
A strange look flashed in Hu Bao's eyes, "Oh? Then it is indeed disrespectful."
Su Yunmo grabbed Ye Jingguang's wrist, "Momo is freezing to death, let's go quickly."
"Okay, I'll listen to Momo." Ye Jingguang, called 'brother', was so happy he was almost lost. He took her hand and left.
Su Yunmo felt the intense gaze behind her, and her eyes gradually darkened.
The appearance and features were definitely correct, they were brothers from the Tiger's Den!