Qingyao raised her head and surveyed the furnishings in the main hall. Every item exuded meticulous taste, from antique jade artifacts to renowned paintings adorning the walls, imbuing the hall with a majestic and dignified imperial aura.
Footsteps were heard from outside the door, and a voice announced, "Greetings, Third Prince."
A tall, distinguished figure entered, clad in a white robe with swirling wave patterns. A jade coronet held back his cloud-like dark hair, which cascaded down.
His extraordinarily handsome face, with star-like pupils that twinkled with dominance, and lips curved into a perpetual half-smile, hinting at an imperceptible touch of devilish charm – who else could this be but Chu Qianyi? No, he should be referred to as Prince Wen Yu.
Wen Yu strode in with an air of wild charisma. He looked up and met Qingyao's gaze, freezing for a moment, lost for words.
Wasn't this Qingyao? He had heard the report and thought it was someone else. Who would have imagined it was this woman? Snapping back to reality, his eyes sparkled with life. He covered the distance in three large strides and spoke softly, "Qingyao."
"We meet again."
Qingyao smiled faintly. Her remark left Wen Yu somewhat bewildered, but his attention quickly returned to her.
"Come, sit down."
"Thank you, Third Prince," Qingyao replied with neither subservience nor arrogance, leading Mochou to sit beside Wuqing.
It was then that Wen Yu's gaze fell upon Wuqing. A man who seemed like an exiled immortal, seated in a wheelchair, his beautiful eyes flashing with a captivating brilliance, fixed intently on Qingyao. Could it be?
Wen Yu preferred not to dwell on it. He smiled faintly, overjoyed to see Qingyao, his heart inexplicably stirred and tumultuous.
"This must be the renowned ghost physician, Wuqing."
Wen Yu was not known for his empty reputation; he immediately recognized Wuqing's identity.
Wuqing's expression was cool. He raised his hand slightly and said softly, "Third Prince has sharp eyes."
He studied Wen Yu intently, observing the burning intensity in Qingyao's eyes. He truly liked Yao'er, but he couldn't find the bone-deep feeling he had for Yin Xuan. Something seemed to be missing. Was he not Yin Xuan after all? And who was Yin Xuan?
Wuqing pondered repeatedly. Truthfully, he didn't reject Yin Xuan, but he disliked the Wen Yu before him.
"Sit. I'm truly delighted to see Yao'er today."
Wen Yu's voice was laced with excitement. Qingyao raised an eyebrow faintly. "Haven't we just parted ways?"
At her words, Wen Yu's heart gave a jolt. Why did Qingyao always mention their recent encounters? Was there some hidden truth? He smoothly replied, "A day apart feels like three autumns."
His devilishly handsome face held a semblance of truth mixed with falsehood. Qingyao glared at him. She had thought him quite agreeable earlier, but now he was acting so provocatively. Seeing him like this made her want to slap him.
"Alright, we've come to see you this time because we need your help with something."
Qingyao spoke directly, unwilling to engage in roundabout conversation with this man.
"Of course, tell me," Wen Yu responded readily. As long as it helped her, he would do anything, his pupils flashing as he fixed on her face, her brows, her eyes, not missing a single detail.
Wuqing, in the flower hall, cast a cold glance at the man.
While Qingyao was indeed special, a woman who inspired affection, this man, he simply couldn't like him. Moreover, he suspected Wen Yu was not Yin Xuan at all. If not, but he didn't expose him, it meant Wen Yu harbored deep schemes and ulterior motives.
He had to be wary of this man.
"I want the Third Prince to help me escort a group of people out of the city."
"Gladly. When?" Wen Yu boisterously agreed, without asking who these people were or what their purpose was. Whatever she asked, he would help, regardless of whether they were murderers or traitors.
"Tomorrow."
Qingyao was equally straightforward. She simply wanted to leave this place as soon as possible and return to the valley.
"Very well. I was just preparing to leave the Phoenix Yuan Kingdom. If that's the case, we shall depart the city tomorrow. Send those people over tonight, and I will take them out with me."
"Agreed. I will send people to deliver them to you. Arrange for people to wait outside."
With their arrangements made, Qingyao stood to leave. Wen Yu, reluctant to see her go, blurted out, "Stay for dinner."
Qingyao remained silent, turning to look at Wuqing beside her. Wuqing shook his head and calmly said, "We should be going."
"Alright." Their affectionate demeanor deeply stirred Wen Yu. His eyes grew profound, his lips curving into a faint smile. He said indifferently, "Then, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Mm," Qingyao pushed Wuqing out, Mochou and Qingfeng following closely behind.
In the main hall, Wen Yu looked lost in thought. A serene brilliance flickered across his devilishly handsome face. He hadn't expected to see Qingyao again.
At the time, he only knew she had divorced the Emperor, and he had promised Emperor Xian not to set foot in Xian Yue again, so he was unaware of the details. To see her again now, with Wuqing by her side.
Judging by her expression, she clearly had feelings for Wuqing. Did she now love Wuqing?
At this thought, Wen Yu's gaze deepened, like a bottomless abyss. A layer of frost covered his face as he stared grimly into space.
In his perception, someone like Wuqing was not worthy of Qingyao. Wuqing's life was too dark, too influenced by negative factors. Even if he genuinely liked Qingyao, there were likely many unknown variables.
Wen Yu pondered over and over. Since Qingyao was no longer the Empress of Xian Yue, he was determined to fight for her.
A look of absolute certainty flashed in Wen Yu's eyes. This meeting, he realized, Qingyao seemed less indifferent to him than before. On the contrary, there was a subtle, natural ease in her demeanor towards him. This was a great opportunity. Sparks leaped in Wen Yu's eyes.
That night, Qingyao had Mochou and Qingfeng secretly escort the dozen or so children to the courier station, preparing for their departure the next day.
As expected, Wen Yu had people stationed at the main gate to receive them, successfully bringing the children inside.
The next day, the entire Phoenix Yuan Kingdom was abuzz with excitement. Streets were packed, thronged with people, for it was the day the envoys from Yun Cang Kingdom were to depart. Soldiers stood guard every three paces and officers every five, ensuring no incident occurred during the envoys' departure.
Even more people lined the streets today than when the envoys arrived, for it was rumored that Prince Wen Yu of Yun Cang Kingdom was still a rare handsome man in the world, drawing crowds eager to catch a glimpse. They craned their necks, looking up in anticipation, until a long procession approached.
At the front were five hundred iron cavalry, followed by magnificent imperial carriages, then the carriages of the accompanying officials, and then another troop of soldiers. Bringing up the rear were officials from the Ministry of Rites of Phoenix Yuan Kingdom seeing them off.
The soldiers of Yun Cang Kingdom, mounted on horseback and clad in armor, exuded an imposing presence. Their long spears gleamed under the sun. Although the Third Prince's captivating beauty was unseen, the imposing aura of his soldiers was evident. The procession soon passed, heading directly towards the city gates.