Ling Yao adored Nan Xing so much that she played with him for a while longer until the little one fell asleep. She reluctantly stopped.
Would her child be this adorable too?
She left the box of gifts and gave Qu Linglong some advice. If nothing unexpected happened, she would depart the next day. Any further delay might lead to a widespread outbreak of the plague, and they had to find its source and contain it before it escalated.
Upon exiting the prince's mansion, Ling Yao said to Qing He, "Without a man, it seems one becomes even happier."
Qing He sighed, "Princess, you are not like Concubine Qu. Your relationship with the General is still very good! You mustn't think that way."
"How will I know if I don't try? I'm unhappy now, and I want to see if I'll be happier without him."
Yu Liu's head began to ache upon hearing this.
She mouthed to Yu Shan, "Should we go find the General?"
Yu Shan replied, "I don't think the General will last the night. Let's wait a bit longer!"
The streets of the capital were crowded, as envoys from various countries had arrived.
Ling Yao was curious about everything. The group found a teahouse and sat by the window to observe.
From their vantage point, they spotted a striking figure in the envoy's procession. He rode a horse, tall and powerfully built. At first glance, he resembled Xiao Shan, but he wore foreign attire, and half of his face was obscured by a thick beard.
"Who is he?"
"Judging by his attire, he should be from Bei Di," Yu Liu replied after a glance.
Ling Yao found it strange. Although he was as large as Xiao Shan, she felt this man was truly unattractive, ugly and crude. No matter how neatly he dressed, he gave off the impression of a brute.
Could it be that in others' eyes, Xiao Shan was also like this?
Was that why her second brother and the Great Shaman both felt Xiao Shan was not good?
"Qing He, do you think that man resembles Xiao Shan?"
"His build is somewhat similar, but his face is strangely shaped and not good-looking," Qing He said honestly. This Bei Di man looked rugged. The General, though tall and imposing, was dignified, unlike these barbarians who seemed to possess only brute strength.
At the front of the procession were the Prince of Jiangbei and the Minister of Justice, Cao Li, leading the way. Guards on both sides maintained order, and the crowd was noisy and bustling.
In a luxurious carriage in the middle, a beauty peeked out. Her hair was styled in numerous small braids, and she wore a large silver hoop in one ear. Her features were alluring, making her gender difficult to discern.
A smile played on her lips as she extended a slender, white hand to wave at the crowd, eliciting a mix of shouts from men and women.
"Show-off," Qing He muttered.
Indeed! Ling Yao, Yu Liu, and Yu Shan all nodded in agreement.
The beauty looked around ostentatiously. Casually, she raised her head and glanced in their direction.
Although Ling Yao wore a veil, Qing He and Yu Liu immediately shielded her from behind.
The beauty's smile widened, revealing a row of white teeth, and she waved towards the window.
The envoy's procession slowly moved past.
"The General is at the back," Yu Liu moved aside, allowing Ling Yao to see. "He's at the very rear! So the General was going to welcome the envoys," she added pointedly.
Qing He smiled knowingly. "I'll go see if there are any pastries."
There was no need to welcome envoys in the middle of the night. He was clearly deliberately not returning to the palace! Ling Yao didn't want him to think she was being normal, and the thought filled her with grievances and anger.
Yet, she couldn't help but look over.
He and Du Ling walked at the very back, almost separated from the group, deliberately falling behind. They occasionally conversed as they rode their horses.
They appeared nonchalant.
Xiao Shan originally had no role in welcoming the envoys. However, the day before, the envoy's delegation had been robbed by bandits before entering the capital. Xiao Shan, who had just left the palace, encountered the guards rushing towards the outskirts of the capital. Already in a foul mood, he heard the news and decided to vent his anger. As the Grand General, he personally led the suppression of the bandits, giving face to the envoy's delegation.
The bandits fifty li outside the capital never expected the Divine Martial General to arrive. They had planned to rest a while before fleeing, but in an instant, they were annihilated. One man defeated a hundred, scattering jewels everywhere.
Xiao Shan's anger subsided, but he felt he couldn't return immediately. This woman had gone too far, completely disregarding his feelings. She needed to reflect properly, or she would become reckless in the future.
Thus, he stayed with the envoy's delegation until dawn, when the city gates opened, and he entered the city with the welcoming party.
However, he had already begun to regret his decision along the way.
He remembered something: every time he lost his temper, Xue Niang would have an accident afterward.
It had never failed.
But then he recalled the awe-inspiring divine miracle from yesterday. She had opened a divine altar and was a true goddess.
She was no longer a mortal; everyone could only look up to her. Perhaps she no longer needed protection...
So, he felt a bit hesitant and lost.
She seemed to be drifting further away from him.
Was she still his little wife? Did she still need his warmth?
Ultimately, however, worry prevailed.
He was too uneasy; he had to go back and check!
"Du Ling! You stay behind and keep an eye on the post station. Make sure everything is arranged properly."
"Yes, General!"
Xiao Shan mounted Qian Xing and left the procession, taking a small path towards the imperial palace.
Why did he leave?
Ling Yao resentfully withdrew her gaze. "Fine! I also find the palace boring. I won't return tonight. I've heard there are many fun places in the market, and I want to play to my heart's content!"
She had lived so long but had never truly enjoyed herself in the capital!
Yu Liu and Yu Shan secretly lamented.
They exchanged glances and decided to go report the news.
Qing He carefully selected several types of pastries and carried them upstairs. As she turned onto the staircase, an arm suddenly reached out from a corner room, covered her mouth, and dragged her inside. The pastries scattered across the floor.
A figure immediately appeared, cleaned the ground, and then disappeared.
Qing He was dragged further inside, and then her hands were tied. The person pushed her against the wall and began to grope her.
"Do you know who I am?" she asked through gritted teeth, enduring the disgust.
"Heh! Princess Yongfu, of course. The Emperor just enfeoffed you."
Upon hearing this voice, Qing He, for some unknown reason, felt her heart settle.
A stud horse!
The various medicines on her person were found and thrown onto the ground, even the hairpin in her hair was removed.
Bastard, he truly knew her intimately.
After thoroughly searching her, he then straightened her up.
Ashina Tulu's detestable face leaned in. "The climate of Da Jing is truly nurturing. Look, this face is as white as mare's milk, becoming even more beautiful."
His hawk-like eyes stared intently at Qing He, as if she were prey.
Qing He turned her face away in disgust. Ashina Tulu grabbed her chin and twisted it back.
"Princess, don't think that by returning to Jing Country, you can escape me. You will never escape in this lifetime!" Ashina Tulu said fiercely in her ear. "Today, we will consummate our marriage!"
"You dare!"
"Oh, I know you like cleanliness. Look, I've already made arrangements." Tulu gestured towards the couch.
It was covered entirely in white silk, and even the surrounding floor was covered. It was spotless, devoid of any color.
"Bastard! Are you holding a funeral!" Qing He cursed. Flames flickered in her beautiful eyes, her lips rosy, her face fair, like a blazing rose.
"If you don't obey, I won't mind holding a funeral directly!"
He gripped Qing He's shoulders and bit down on her slender, delicate neck.