The guard quickly replied, "My lord has always been able to foresee danger. Since my lord believes there is danger, then the city must be extremely perilous. Moreover, our messengers have been killed one after another, and the marriage proposal documents sent to Yusheng were also stolen. It's likely that someone in Yusheng does not wish for peace."
"Peace is imperative. Yunqi needs time to recover. His Majesty, in his pursuit of power, has slain too many capable individuals. Yusheng cannot withstand such a prolonged war of attrition. If Blue Moon and Northern Rong seize the opportunity, it will be over!" Qu Yang sighed. "According to the reports, the third daughter of the Xiao family has returned to the Imperial Capital. When you send your subordinates to gather information, they must be cautious. The eldest daughter of the Xiao family is also a prominent figure in the Imperial Capital. You don't need to deliberately seek her out. Just go to places where people gather, make a few inquiries, and you should be able to find out quite a bit. Our main target is Xiao Ling."
"Yes, my lord."
"Furthermore, take the marriage proposal documents into the city. We have sent twelve documents, and all have been intercepted. We cannot deliver them openly. Have someone disguise themselves as ordinary citizens and deliver the marriage proposal documents into the city. Do not go to the Honglu Temple, go directly to the Imperial Palace."
"That seems to be against protocol."
"There are many factions in Yusheng who wish to obstruct the marriage proposal documents from reaching the palace. Those capable of doing so must hold significant positions. The people at Honglu Temple have no authority. Only by going to the palace gate and striking the imperial drum can the marriage proposal documents be delivered to the Emperor of Yusheng."
"Your subordinate obeys."
Qu Yang looked at the majestic city gate in the distance, his mind racing through a thousand possibilities. Once the marriage proposal documents reached the Emperor's hands, he could enter the city openly as an envoy. At that time, even if someone wanted to kill him, they would have to reconsider, and he wouldn't die inexplicably.
"My lord, have some tea."
Qu Yang took the tea but didn't drink a drop. Snow began to fall from the sky. "Remember last year in March, when the Empress Dowager passed away, it snowed heavily in Jinling. That snow was so intense that it froze all the flowers in Jinling."
"My lord, that is a taboo, a forbidden topic," the attendant quickly looked around, fearing that someone might overhear and that it would reach His Majesty's ears, leading to a life-threatening disaster. Even though my lord was His Majesty's companion, some taboos could not be mentioned.
"Look, it's snowing again today," Qu Yang said calmly. "Whenever it snows, His Majesty is in a bad mood. Why do people hurt others while also fearing loss?"
"My lord, His Majesty does not permit that person to be mentioned."
"This is Yusheng, not Yunqi," Qu Yang said slowly. "Once we are here, we don't even know if we can return alive."
"My lord, we are Yunqi's envoys. When two countries are at war, envoys are not beheaded. This is the rule," the attendant reminded Qu Yang. No one would kill them. If they were killed, it would ignite a war between the two countries. Even though Yusheng was powerful, it could not afford a prolonged war of attrition, especially with Blue Moon and Northern Rong lurking, Yusheng would not foolishly attack them!
"However, we haven't revealed our identities yet. If we are killed before our identities are exposed, we will have died in vain," Qu Yang extended his hand, catching the falling snow, which instantly turned into water. "Therefore, until the marriage proposal documents reach the Emperor of Yusheng, you must be extremely careful. After all, there are quite a few people who want our lives!"
Yunqi's marriage proposal documents were delivered to the Emperor the day before the Heaven Worshiping Ceremony.
The messenger delivering the documents from Yunqi did not go to the Honglu Temple but to the palace gate. He struck the imperial drum, informing the Emperor of Yusheng that Yunqi had sent twelve marriage proposal documents, all of which were intercepted halfway. The Emperor was furious, ordered an investigation, and brought Yunqi's envoys to the envoy's guesthouse.
Xiao Man stood by the roadside, watching the Yunqi envoy's carriage slowly proceed towards the guesthouse. A faint smile curved her lips as her gaze fell on Qu Yang, who was at the front.
Qu Yang suddenly felt a chill down his spine and immediately turned his head. However, the surroundings were filled with commoners, and he had no idea who had just looked at him. Qu Yang's gaze swept across the crowd, then landed on one person, who was also looking at him!
A chill instantly enveloped Qu Yang, and fear radiated from the depths of his heart. Although she was just a young girl, appearing to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, she made him feel cold all over.
Qu Yang involuntarily swallowed. He kept staring at the girl. He had seen her portrait. She was the eldest daughter of the Protector General's mansion, Xiao Man. When he had seen her portrait, he had thought the girl looked somewhat sharp. Now that he saw her in person, he realized she was not just sharp; she exuded a dangerous aura all over!
Away from this person, must stay away from this person! Such a thought surfaced in Qu Yang's mind. This person was extremely dangerous. Xiahou Ying had not lied to him. If he were to confront this person, he would surely die!
Xiao Man let out a cold laugh and turned away. She had only come to see if her guess was correct: that the only person who could overcome the dual obstruction of Nangong Yu and Wen Mohan and successfully deliver the marriage proposal documents would be Qu Yang.
Very well, all four of the Imperial Companions who had acted against her had appeared. Blood debts must be paid with blood. No one could escape. This grand show had begun!
Under Xiao Man's gaze, Qu Yang was unable to move. It was only after Xiao Man turned and left, disappearing from sight, that Qu Yang felt his body return to normal. The feeling had been too terrifying. He had felt like prey locked onto by a hunter, unable to escape no matter how he struggled.
When Qu Yang came back to his senses, he found his back was cold. His clothes were already soaked with cold sweat, yet the chilling sensation lingered in his heart, refusing to dissipate.
"Eldest Sister, Yunqi's envoys have sent the marriage proposal documents. I wonder who will ultimately be chosen for the marriage," Xiao Ling asked, following behind Xiao Man.
"The one who marries will naturally be a princess."
"Eldest Sister, you are also a princess, an adopted princess bestowed by His Majesty, and you are not yet betrothed. What if His Majesty asks you to marry?" Xiao Ling asked worriedly.
"If I were to go to Yunqi for marriage, His Majesty would not be able to bear the consequences," Xiao Man turned her head to look at Xiao Ling. "Anyone else could go for the marriage, but not I. Even if the Young Emperor of Yunqi chose me, His Majesty would not agree."
"Because of Father and Eldest Brother?"
"You will know then. It is not just because of them," Xiao Man walked at an unhurried pace. Even though she knew Murong Sheng Rui's target was her, she was not worried about the marriage proposal documents. She knew that obstructing them would be useless, so she might as well let things take their course.
"Eldest Sister, if Yunqi offers sufficient stakes, His Majesty might very well betray you."
"He dare not. This matter is not something he can decide alone," Xiao Man walked into the General's mansion. "Unless he wishes for Yusheng to fall!"
Xiao Ling couldn't help but shiver. To cause a nation to fall because of one person, was that possible? Had Eldest Sister's influence reached the point of being all-encompassing?