Qu Linglong, unwilling to be outdone, continued to eye Ling Yao, "Have you been reading the Qingxin Sutra recently? When you see Brother Xiao, don't throw yourself at him without regard for your status. It would be so embarrassing!"
"If I throw myself at my man, where's the embarrassment? We're about to meet, so what's the point of reading sutras?"
Qu Linglong was shocked, "As expected of being in the same family as Brother Xiao." Her thick skin has indeed grown.
Chi Yun glanced at Meng Jiu beside him.
These two really didn't treat them as outsiders.
Were the conversations of nobles so explosive these days?
It seemed they had lived in a secluded small town for too long and were ignorant.
Meng Jiu quietly moved a little further away.
After leaving the capital, everyone's personality relaxed considerably. Especially the Eldest Prince, whose face had become much brighter, a dashing young man exuding noble aura.
Ling Yao secretly chuckled. She had caught Linglong sneaking glances at the Eldest Prince several times.
This trip to the southwest must be the occasion to bring the two of them together.
"Linglong, if the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain. If Eldest Prince has a door in his heart, you must put all your effort into breaking it down, making it impossible for him to escape."
Qu Linglong was moved by her words. If she could see that graceful young man again, she was willing to try again, even if it meant breaking her head.
However—
"Ling Yao, are you telling the truth? His courtyard full of concubines..."
"Of course, it's true. You're my friend. If Eldest Prince were truly dissolute, how could I push you into a fiery pit? You'll have to ask Eldest Prince about the specifics. I can only tell you that his relationships with them are not what outsiders see."
She didn't know when Eldest Prince became impotent, but it was definitely after Linglong. According to current rumors, the favored concubines were merely for show.
Qu Linglong was greatly stirred. If this were true, she would not hold back.
She was determined to pluck this flower.
Even if it required some means.
This was what he owed her!
"Uh, if, if you find any problems with Brother Prince, you can be patient, or seek my help," Ling Yao said cryptically.
Qu Linglong looked at her strangely, not understanding what she meant.
At this moment, Feng Shihao returned, and the conversation was interrupted.
The two women stared at him with burning eyes, making him feel bewildered.
The bandits had all been tied up, and Wei Hu and Zhang Yan were escorting them to the nearest city.
Feng Shihao brought back the robbed merchants, two in total. They were both disheveled and looked sad because one of their companions had died.
One of the two suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Xiao?"
Was it? Was it Miss Xiao? It's just that the black markings on her face were gone, leaving her skin smooth and flawless, like an immortal.
He had a deep memory of those clear, bright eyes. He had never seen anyone with such an outstanding temperament since.
The panic of narrowly escaping death was slightly soothed by seeing a familiar face. He wanted to step forward, but was blocked by Meng Jiu with his sword hilt.
This address made Ling Yao pause in surprise and look at the man.
"So it's Brother Nan Pei."
He used to buy furs in Bozi Village.
Nan Pei was overjoyed, "It really is sister-in-law. Where is Brother Xiao?"
He scanned the surroundings excitedly, not seeing Xiao Shan. He only saw that the faces of the people present, including the noble young man who had just saved him, were strange.
With this demeanor, he, who was good at reading people, immediately sensed Ling Yao's unusual status.
Although she was dressed ordinarily, her temperament was even more noble and elegant than before, even possessing an undeniable aura of deterrence. And the accompanying entourage, a noble young man with a clear and refined demeanor...
Having met an acquaintance, and one who knew Xiao Shan, Ling Yao smiled, "Xiao Shan has gone to the southwest to transport goods. I'm on my way to find him."
Nan Pei's eyes lit up, "Sister-in-law is also going to the southwest? Then we're on the same path! I haven't seen Brother Xiao for a long time. I originally planned to visit Donglin after returning from the southwest. Today is truly fortunate to meet sister-in-law and your group, otherwise, we would have lost our lives."
Feng Shihao said in a low voice, "There is a war in the southwest now. Others have not dared to go, why are you still heading there?"
Nan Pei quickly explained, "It's like this, a certain master needs a large amount of health tea, and that tea is only produced in the southwest. The price offered is quite high, so... seeking wealth in danger! We also heard that General Shenwu is currently stationed in Lizhou, which is why we dared to be a bit bold."
Ling Yao narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Brother Nan Pei, what you say is true. Xiao Shan has the same idea as you. A trip to the southwest can earn much more money!"
Feng Shihao glanced at her, speechless.
Just a word of praise for Xiao Shan, and she was overjoyed to the point of losing her bearings.
"Alright, let's set off!" Feng Shihao cast a glance at Qu Linglong, like a dragonfly skimming over water.
Ling Yao looked at the somewhat reserved Nan Pei and introduced, "This is my elder brother."
Ah! Such a noble young man is Miss Xiao's elder brother?
Wasn't it rumored that Brother Xiao had bought her? Has she found her family?
She always looked like she wasn't an ordinary person. She must be from a prominent family!
The brother who was with Nan Pei quickly got into the carriage. Their deceased brother was still lying inside. They could only wait until they reached the city, buy a coffin, and entrust someone to transport him back.
Fortunately, the group Nan Pei recognized looked very formidable, and they should be able to reach the southwest safely.
Thus, they traveled together.
After crossing the Lan River, Lizhou was ahead. All along the way, Ling Yao worried if Xiao Shan had encountered something that caused the letters to stop, or if it was truly due to the war and he was unable to attend to it. Therefore, the closer they got to this place, the more anxious she became, wishing she could see him immediately to feel at ease.
However, upon hearing a piece of news in Lanjiang City, her expression instantly turned cold.
General Shenwu had formed a marital alliance with the Great Princess of Tantai.
Tantai bordered Da Jing. Women held power, and they were sworn enemies with Qirong. They did not interact much with other countries and were somewhat mysterious. This time, when Qirong conquered surrounding tribes, they could not conquer the hard bone of Tantai, which showed that their strength should not be underestimated.
Could it be that Xiao Shan had indeed encountered difficulties, and was forced to ally with Tantai?
"It must be fake," Qu Linglong stated decisively, "It's likely a deliberately released message to deter Qirong."
"That's not necessarily true. Looking at the current situation, an alliance with Tantai is the most correct choice. Anyway, this place is far from the capital. As long as the General wants to hide it, the Divine Maiden will not know, or even if she knows, for the sake of Da Jing's overall situation, she will not blame the General," said the brother who was with Nan Pei.
"However, this has nothing to do with us. We just heard that Lizhou City is sealed. How can we enter Changyun Mountain? I wonder if the tea farmers outside have any surplus Yuyu tea?"
Nan Pei didn't know this either and could only inquire.
However, he looked around and found that everyone's expression was very bad, especially Miss Xiao, whose face was as cold as ice. Everyone else was looking at her cautiously.
Along the way, he had roughly figured out that the one in charge was usually Miss Xiao's elder brother, but everyone respected Miss Xiao and revolved around her.
It was clear that her status in the family was not low, and her companions were all extraordinary. He wondered why, with such a prominent family, Brother Xiao would still come to the southwest for a little money.
Was he looked down upon by Miss Xiao's family and ran here on his own, and Miss Xiao was here to catch him and take him back?
Thinking of how Xiao Shan was completely obedient to his wife.
Well, if he found her, he would probably obediently follow her back, right?