It was Qin Yiqing.
And Qin Yiqing was not accompanied by Ji Rong.
Why was she alone?
Qin Yiqing waved to Yun Shu, joking, "Yun Shu, we haven't seen each other for long, and you've already forgotten me?"
As she approached, she looked at Yun Shu's unfamiliar face, then clicked her tongue twice. "Your fake face is getting more and more skillful! This face looks completely real."
She had traveled across the land and bought many fake faces made by others, but they were always obviously fake, easily seen through, or pointed out by those who understood disguise.
"If you like them, I can give you a few. Where is Ji Rong?" Yun Shu asked, voicing her doubt.
Qin Yiqing's beautiful eyes flickered, a trace of pain quickly crossing them. She smiled somewhat forcedly and said, "He, we parted ways midway. He went back to the Ji family to recuperate."
Yun Shu's gaze shifted slightly, and she didn't ask further. "Come, I've just brewed some tea. Let's drink it together."
Qin Yiqing immediately sat down and, looking at the tea, took a deep breath. "Just by the smell, I can tell this tea is good. You don't know, traveling the jianghu, I've hardly drunk any good tea. Some tea houses boast of having the best tea in the world, claiming it's incredibly delicious. But when I went to try it, I realized I'd been tricked. Someone as clever as me being deceived time and again! Someone once said, the martial world is full of dangers, and it's truly accurate!"
With that, she picked up the teacup and downed the tea in a few gulps. "Good tea!"
Following Yun Shu meant no worries about food and drink!
Yun Shu smiled. Yiqing was still impatient, finishing her tea in just a few sips. "Sit down and drink slowly."
"Okay, I heard you were in the capital of Xixia Kingdom, so I traveled day and night, hardly resting. Now that I don't have to rush, I'm quite tired. Oh, by the way, I saw your portraits posted at the city gates of several places along the way." Qin Yiqing sat down and picked up another cup of tea, finishing it in a few gulps again.
She had always disliked tea that could only be savored in small sips, taking ten or twenty sips to finish a small cup.
"We noticed that when we arrived in the capital, someone was looking for me," Yun Shu replied.
Qin Yiqing nodded. "But there were no portraits at the capital's city gates. Yun Shu, I don't have anything to do for the time being, so I'll stay and help you."
Yun Shu was touched. The task she had in Xixia Kingdom's capital was not simple and might involve danger.
So, for Yiqing to offer to stay and help meant she was disregarding those dangers to assist her.
However, what had happened between Yiqing and Ji Rong?
She had received no news.
They were usually inseparable, and if nothing had happened, they wouldn't have parted ways.
Why would Ji Rong, having finally escaped a life-or-death situation, have parted ways with them during their leisurely travels?
Could it be that the Ji family had done something?
Looking at Yiqing, who seemed carefree, Yun Shu knew Yiqing was feigning a sense of peace.
No rush. When Yiqing was ready to talk, she would know.
Qin Yiqing saw the three little ones approaching and immediately put down her teacup, her eyes widening and sparkling as she looked at them. "Come, come, Auntie Qing has brought you gifts! Auntie Qing carefully selected them all along the way, I guarantee you'll all like them. Come and see!"
The moment the three little ones heard about gifts, they rushed over.
Yun Xiaojing was exceptionally sweet-tongued. "Auntie Qing, I missed you so much!"
"Such a sweet talker! You have your mother, two older brothers, and even a maternal grandfather. You miss me?" Qin Yiqing knew Yun Xiaojing too well; his little mouth could charm anyone.
To be so adept at pleasing people at such a young age, he would be a handful when he grew up!
Who knew how many women would be infatuated with him when he got older.
But looking at Xiao Li and Xiao Feng, they were also truly adorable!
Yun Shu was too good at having children!
"Xiao Li, Xiao Feng, come here quickly. There's a pile of things for you to choose from." Qin Yiqing beckoned to Zhan Xiaoli and Zhan Xiaofeng.
Yun Shu watched the scene, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Not far away, Jing Heng and Qiu Lu stood together.
Jing Heng found everything about Qiu Lu displeasing again today. "I told you your prince was a heartless man. What excuse can you offer now?"
Qiu Lu looked somewhat haggard. "I haven't spoken to the Prince yet. I'll explain after I do. Regardless, I simply don't believe the Prince would do anything to harm Miss and the others."
As long as he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would believe the Prince!
Jing Heng snorted, crossing his arms. "Your Prince is now planning to marry a Princess Consort and a Side Consort, enjoying the bliss of having both."
Qiu Lu's face changed. He gritted his teeth. "There must be some misunderstanding! What Prince Jin, Princess Consort Jin, Side Consort Jin, it certainly isn't what the Prince wants."
Jing Heng was speechless, his expression growing colder. "Ignorant."
He looked in the direction of the imperial palace.
Perhaps he could infiltrate it silently.
Qiu Lu saw Jing Heng's intention and immediately stopped him. "The Xixia Kingdom's imperial palace is teeming with guards. And they seem to be on high alert for some reason lately; the guards have clearly increased. Trying to sneak in will be dangerous."
"Are you afraid I'll sneak in and assassinate Prince Ye?" Jing Heng retorted with a half-smile.
Qiu Lu was momentarily speechless, finally rolling his eyes. "Then sneak in. Your martial arts are indeed high, and you rarely encounter an opponent. But facing the Prince would be seeking your own demise."
Jing Heng's mouth twitched, and he stared intently at Qiu Lu, wishing he could beat him to death.
Qiu Lu was not intimidated.
Their eyes began to clash across the distance.
Yun Changfeng walked over and, sensing the unusual aura between them, spoke. "Qiu Lu, haven't you already found an opportunity to enter the palace tomorrow? Once you go in tomorrow, bringing back the news will provide an answer."
He then said to Jing Heng, "Don't always think about killing people. What if you kill the wrong person? If it's truly confirmed, then killing them is not too late."
Jing Heng listened to Yun Shu and Yun Changfeng, and he felt Yun Changfeng's words were very reasonable.
Qiu Lu's mouth twitched violently. He began to pray inwardly, "Prince, oh Prince, please don't let your subordinate be wrong! If not, your subordinate will truly have no face to see Miss and the others!"
Of course, there was also Jing Heng, who would undoubtedly mock him relentlessly.
...
The next day.
Pingyang Prince's Estate.
Early morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Princess Ningde had not slept all night, her mind constantly replaying Qin Linglong's image for some unknown reason.
After finishing her breakfast, she gave an order to Lu Qiao. "Go to the Minister's Estate and invite the eldest daughter, Miss Qin."
"Does the Princess wish to see the eldest daughter, Miss Qin?" Lu Qiao asked in surprise.