The Lotus Cult Master gave a thumbs up to his master.
"Master's calculations are divine, we are no match for you."
The South Sea Divine Nun waved her hand, "Alright, you may leave. Have Ziyan come in to see me."
Soon, Shen Ziyan was summoned.
Upon entering, she bowed respectfully, then stood with her head lowered, silent.
"Ziyan, do you know why I called you here?"
Shen Ziyan shook her head.
"I know your relationship with Cui Hongyu. Even if I asked you to stay, you would most likely want to accompany Cui Hongyu to see Huang Ying off, wouldn't you?"
Shen Ziyan hesitated, remaining silent.
The South Sea Divine Woman continued, "Then go with her. The matters here will be handled by your senior sister."
Hearing this, Shen Ziyan was startled. She looked at the South Sea Divine Nun in surprise, "Master, what about you?"
"I have my own affairs to attend to. Remember, I will find you in Hetou Village in three months. You will teach there with peace of mind."
Shen Ziyan bowed in agreement, "Then I shall await Master's arrival in Hetou Village."
At this time, Chen Xiaobei was also bidding farewell to Larduo, Yang Zhi, Yang Chun, and others.
Larduo had intended to escort him back to Hetou Village to see Huang Ying off, but Chen Xiaobei politely declined.
"You have already helped me immensely. I cannot delay your time any further."
Larduo waved his hand, "It's no trouble at all. We'll be back in a few days."
Chen Xiaobei refused again, "You should return to Daguo Kingdom first. We can gather again some other time."
Upon hearing that Chen Xiaobei was leaving, Feng Xiaoyue and Fang Jun also came to say goodbye.
Feng Xiaoyue's expression was filled with melancholy. She bowed to Chen Xiaobei and then stepped forward to hug Cui Hongyu, "Brother Xiaobei, Sister Hongyu, I wish I could go back with you all, but I must wait here for my father, so..."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Miss Xiaoyue, your father's matter is important. We will come to congratulate you when your father's official position is restored."
Meanwhile, not far away, Bai Han watched silently, observing everything, the comings and goings at the inn.
He was under orders to keep an eye on Chen Xiaobei. Only when they left Wannian City would the Emperor be truly at ease.
After lunch and some preparations, the group set off.
At the forefront was Zhou Quan, leading two hundred guards from the Crown Prince's mansion to clear the way. Behind them was Chen Xiaobei, driving the carriage carrying Huang Ying's coffin.
Following behind were over a dozen more carriages. Apart from those carrying Cui Hongyu, Shen Ziyan, and Xiao Hua, Du Juan, and others, the rest were filled with treasures gifted by the Crown Prince.
As the grand procession was about to leave Wannian City, a group of commoners suddenly appeared on the street. Led by an elder with white hair and beard, he came to the roadside, lifted his robes, and knelt down. Immediately after, the other commoners also knelt with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly, "May the Immortal Fairy have a good journey."
The sudden scene caught Chen Xiaobei quite by surprise.
A few moments later, he came to his senses, quickly jumped down from the carriage, and approached the elder leading the group. He reached out to help him up, "Old man, you are of such advanced age, please don't do this."
The white-haired elder wiped away his tears and said emotionally, "Thank you, Immortal Fairy, for saving the common people from danger and rescuing us from hardship."
"Now that the Immortal Fairy is leaving, we have nothing to offer, but to see you off."
As he spoke, the elder beckoned to those behind him.
With a whoosh, hundreds of commoners rushed out, each of them surprisingly already clad in mourning attire.
Seeing this scene, Chen Xiaobei felt a prickle of unease.
He had truly never seen so many people dressed in white.
Just as he was about to say something, Cui Hongyu came over and spoke.
"Brother Xiaobei, if the common people wish to see us off, let them. We should not create any complications and leave quickly."
Chen Xiaobei thought it over and agreed. Since the common people were already in mourning, it was clear they were there to see Huang Ying off. Persuading them would be futile. It would be better to leave the city quickly and let them disperse, lest the situation escalate.
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "In that case, I respectfully accept. Old man, please proceed."
Cui Hongyu stepped forward to halt the horse team, allowing Chen Xiaobei to drive the carriage alone, following Zhou Quan's escort, leaving space for the commoners to follow behind Huang Ying's coffin.
In a corner, the South Sea Divine Nun, witnessing this scene, was also somewhat shocked. She shook her head slightly and murmured to herself, "Huang Ying, oh Huang Ying, you have done a great deed. Even in death, you are loved by the people."
"I originally intended to leave and have no further dealings with Chen Xiaobei. However, I am now having second thoughts. Rest assured, I will take good care of Chen Xiaobei. May your spirit in heaven bless him, and also bless your master."
The white-haired elder and his entourage escorted Huang Ying out of Wannian City and continued for another four or five miles without any intention of stopping. Chen Xiaobei could no longer bear it. He stopped the carriage, turned around, and bowed to the elder again.
"Old man, I appreciate your intentions. Let us stop here. If we continue further, I believe Huang Ying herself would feel uneasy."
The elder wiped the tear stains from his eyes and bowed to Chen Xiaobei, "Since benefactor has spoken, I will heed your words. Let us pay our respects to the Immortal Fairy once more."
Saying this, the elder knelt down again and respectfully kowtowed three times towards Huang Ying's coffin.
Everyone behind him also knelt and followed suit.
After kowtowing, the elder waved his hand, and the commoners immediately moved to the side of the road, clearing the way for Cui Hongyu and the others.
Chen Xiaobei bowed to the elder again before getting into the carriage and continuing to advance.
Bai Han, who was at the rear of the procession, saw them leave and then turned back to return to the imperial palace to report to Xiao An.
After listening to his report, Xiao An's brow furrowed even tighter.
"So many commoners saw Huang Ying off?"
Bai Han nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty, it is true. There were at least four to five hundred of them."
Xiao An stood up, paced the floor several times, and finally tilted his head back with a long sigh, "Alas, it was the right decision not to hold a state funeral for him."
"If a state funeral were held, all the people of Wannian City would likely go to mourn Huang Ying."
Bai Han hesitated, but ultimately refrained from speaking his thought.
Xiao An, however, quickly changed the subject. After sighing, he immediately turned to Bai Han, "That's right. Send someone to keep a close watch on the Crown Prince. I believe he will dispose of Xiao Dezai's body soon."
Bai Han bowed and withdrew. At this moment, the Lotus Cult Master shared the same thought.
When Chen Xiaobei stopped the mourners, he had also seized the opportunity to mingle with the crowd and sneak back into Wannian City.
His subordinates were already keeping a close watch on the Crown Prince's mansion. Su Dan Novel Network.
She believed her master's judgment was correct, that Xiao Jingyun would dispose of the body as quickly as possible.