Mu Qingyao gave Mo You the antidote, and his mood relaxed considerably. However, Qingyao did not forget to remind him, "Within a short period, do not reveal any flaws that would allow people to see you've been cured of the Soft Tendon Powder. Continue to act as if you haven't, and when the time is right, we will take you out."
"Yes," Mo You replied respectfully. As Qingyao and the others stood up, she thought of the dozen or so young beggars and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. "Are Xiao Tao and the others well?"
"Yes, they are doing quite well. They are still diligently practicing their skills every day; I haven't slacked off on that."
"That's good. We'll take them with us when the time comes."
Qingyao waved her hand and began to push Wu Qing, and the group left together.
As they stepped out of the flower hall, they were met by a tall, composed middle-aged man in official robes and a hat, exuding an imposing presence. His penetrating gaze fixed on Qingyao and the others. He walked beside them, pacing back and forth and scrutinizing them.
Inside the flower hall, Mo You emerged, a flicker of impatience flashing across his face, though he did not show it. Instead, he introduced Qingyao indifferently.
"This is my uncle, Yi Siyuan, the Assistant Minister of Revenue."
Qingyao led with a cupped-hand salute, speaking neither subserviently nor obsequiously, "Greetings, Lord Yi."
Yi Siyuan's sharp eyes swept over Qingyao's ethereal face, then landed on the man sitting composedly before her. His face, like that of a banished immortal, though calm at the moment, emanated a chilling aura that pierced through to the bone, causing one to tremble and quake with fear.
Furthermore, he was not unaware of this man. Was this man the legendary Wu Qing, who resided in the Valley of Wu Qing at the border of the Huang Yuan Kingdom? He hadn't expected the Seventh Prince to associate with such a person. A calculating glint flashed in his eyes.
"You are too kind. Are you leaving?"
"Yes, it's getting late, and the Seventh Prince should rest," Qingyao continued, preparing to lead her companions out. Unexpectedly, Lord Yi suddenly proposed, "Since they are Yu'er's friends, why not stay at the mansion? You can stay for a couple more days and tour the capital."
A sharp glint flashed in Mo You's eyes. He wondered what scheme his uncle was hatching now. Seeing the calculation on his face, he knew he had no good intentions.
Perhaps it was due to Wu Qing's prowess that he had some ulterior motive. However, being able to keep them there pleased him. He seized upon Yi Siyuan's words.
"Then you shall stay. In any case, there are many courtyards in this mansion. Consider it accompanying this prince."
He would leave with them then, Mo You calculated, remaining completely composed. Instead, he looked towards Yi Siyuan, "Uncle is truly thoughtful."
Yi Siyuan was delighted. It was rare for Yu'er to speak to him with such affability. This was truly good. As long as the knots in his heart slowly untangled, he would accept the kindness of the Yi family. The smile on his face deepened.
"Very well. Someone, arrange for the Seventh Prince's friends to stay in the separate courtyard and be well taken care of."
"Yes, my lord," several young maids immediately stepped forward, respectfully lowering their heads to receive the command.
Qingyao watched the scene coldly. This Lord Yi was shrewd and calculating. If she remembered correctly, this was the Seventh Prince's mansion, and everyone here seemed to obey his orders.
No wonder Mo You was adamant about not staying in the Huang Yuan Kingdom. Such a person had no trace of familial affection.
Moreover, he had made this decision without consulting them. Qingyao's expression turned icy, and a fierce killing intent flickered in her eyes.
However, Mo You quickly stepped forward, a plea in his eyes, clearly wishing for them to stay.
Since that was the case, she would let this Lord Yi off this once. If he dared to make decisions for others so casually again, she would make him understand what respect truly meant.
"You are too kind."
As Qingyao's words fell, a furious shout came from another direction: "No!"
Yi Shuang'er, informed by a maid, had already arrived with a retinue of servants. Hearing from afar that her father was allowing these people to stay, she had been furious.
She had initially thought these people would refuse, but unexpectedly, they had shamelessly agreed to stay. She could no longer control herself and cried out.
She rushed forward with her cry, reaching Yi Siyuan and shaking his arm petulantly.
"Daddy, I don't want these people to stay. They bullied me, and she even hit me. So I don't want to see her."
As she spoke, she pointed at Mo Chou. Yi Siyuan's expression changed, and he quickly suppressed it, but a displeased look entered his eyes.
He couldn't believe that someone dared to bully his daughter. This daughter of his was a treasure in the Yi family, doted on and cherished. Yet, she had been hit by a mere servant! Yi Siyuan's face flickered with changing emotions.
However, he still gently advised his daughter.
"Shuang'er, do not be rude. These are your cousin's friends. What happened in the past is in the past. We met by chance, perhaps with some understanding."
"Yes, we met by chance, perhaps with some understanding," Qingyao echoed his sentiment with a chuckle. In truth, if it weren't for Mo You's sake, she would have slapped these two in the face right now.
"No, I disagree," Yi Shuang'er became enraged as soon as she saw Mo Chou. She felt others were somewhat acceptable, but due to a woman's intuition, she sensed something different in her cousin's feelings towards this woman, which made her uneasy. Therefore, she disagreed.
"Nonsense," Although Yi Siyuan doted on his daughter, he had principles in certain matters. His face was stern as he spoke seriously, "Shuang'er, what kind of demeanor is this for a young lady? How can you be an imperial consort like this?"
With his statement, many understood the Yi family's ambitions – not only controlling Mo You but also planning to marry Yi Shuang'er to him.
Inside and outside the flower hall, Yi Shuang'er, unlike everyone else, shed her previous arrogance. She stomped her foot shyly and chided Yi Siyuan petulantly, "Daddy, I'm a girl, and cousin hasn't agreed yet."
After saying this, she glanced at Mo You. Mo You's expression was icy; he neither objected nor agreed. This was because he would soon be leaving. However, this action was interpreted in two different ways by the two women.
Yi Shuang'er took her cousin's lack of objection as consent and became even happier. Under the lamplight, her face was flushed with a rosy hue.
The other person was Mo Chou. Her dark eyes shot sinisterly towards Mo You. This damnable man hadn't refused; it seemed he truly intended to marry his cousin. Mo Chou's thoughts precisely fit the saying:
When it concerns oneself, chaos ensues. Mo Chou completely forgot about Mo You's intention to leave. At this moment, she felt chest tightness and a pain in her heart; in short, she felt uncomfortable all over. She glared first at Mo You, then at Yi Shuang'er, wishing she could shoot holes through them both, as if they were adulterers caught in the act.
Yi Shuang'er, encouraged by Lord Yi's words, became happy and no longer firmly objected to their group staying. Under Yi Siyuan's command, she led two maids away.