Qing Yong Mountain was handled by Chai Yang, while the others set off for Hong Ning City.
Everyone was delighted to hear they would be meeting Wei Ling, except for Qin Moyuan, on whose face was written "I am very unhappy."
Especially on the way, Wei Zimiao kept getting close to Ah Shu, and even if he coughed a little from walking, he would rush to Ah Shu to feel his pulse.
This sickly person, how dare he claim to be a man!
Qin Moyuan, holding a wound that had burst open for what felt like the umpteenth time, squeezed directly between Li Yueshu and Wei Zimiao.
"Ah Shu, I was just getting water for Ah Yu, and my wound burst open again."
Shen Zhiyu, who was drinking water from a kettle in the distance, suddenly felt his nose itch and let out a sneeze, instantly splashing water onto his clothes.
Seeing this, Mother Mo quickly took him to change his clothes.
Li Yueshu's mouth twitched, "...Or maybe you should just give up these hands!"
Qin Moyuan's expression went blank.
Li Yueshu said with a forced smile, "I've never met a patient who causes more trouble than you. If there's a next time, let these hands rot!"
Though she said this, her actions were not slow. She quickly changed his dressing and re-bandaged him.
Wei Zimiao stood by with a smile, silently appreciating the legendary cold-blooded and ruthless regent making such childish and ridiculous gestures.
He really wanted to find a storyteller and have them record these events, then go to taverns and teahouses to recount them for three days and three nights!
Thus, under a facade of peace, everyone finally arrived at Hong Ning City.
Upon receiving the news, Wei Tonghao was waiting at the city gate early. Seeing them from afar, he excitedly greeted them, "Madam Shen, long time no see, you're getting more beautiful by the day, hahaha!"
If anyone else had said this, it might have sounded a bit frivolous, but coming from Wei Tonghao, it sounded quite sincere.
Li Yueshu greeted him politely, "City Lord Wei, your health is still so robust. You truly are getting younger with age."
Hearing this, Wei Tonghao was very pleased and patted her shoulder, "Madam Shen has sharp eyes. I also feel my health has been improving recently!"
His pats were not gentle at all, causing Li Yueshu to stumble and nearly fall.
Wei Zimiao quickly stopped him, his father, "Father, Miss Li is not like your rough soldiers. Go a little lighter."
Wei Tonghao looked at his calloused hands and chuckled, "I was just too happy and forgot myself."
Then, he suddenly slapped Wei Zimiao on the back, "You rascal, calling her Miss Li! Haven't seen her for so long, and you don't recognize her!"
Wei Zimiao, completely unprepared for his father's sudden action, was pushed forward and happened to grab Qin Moyuan's arm.
The latter's lips curved slightly, his expression carrying a hint of mockery.
Wei Zimiao inexplicably understood the meaning of his expression: "Can't even handle a pat like that? You're so weak!"
Wei Zimiao: "..."
He quickly let go of Qin Moyuan's hand and coughed into his palm.
Qin Moyuan was still looking at him with a half-smile, unaware that Li Yueshu's expression had become strange as she watched the silent exchange between the two men.
Hong Dai had mentioned that Qin Moyuan was fond of handsome men, and Wei Zimiao, as an important character in the original book, was naturally good-looking.
Could it be...
Wei Zimiao shot his father a glare and quickly changed the subject, "Father, everyone must be tired from traveling. Let's head back to the manor first."
"Right, right, let's go back!" Wei Tonghao finally remembered the main point, "I've instructed the manor to prepare a feast. Ling'er is waiting at home, we must hurry back!"
With that, he personally led the way towards the City Lord's manor.
On the way, Wei Tonghao suddenly remembered something and stealthily approached Wei Zimiao, "Zimiao, didn't you say the Prince was also here? Why haven't I seen him?"
Wei Zimiao glanced back and whispered, "We'll talk about it later."
Wei Tonghao said no more.
Soon, everyone arrived at the City Lord's manor.
As Li Yueshu stepped through the main gate, a figure joyfully rushed towards her, exclaiming with delight, "Auntie Shu!"
Li Yueshu quickly crouched down and caught the little girl.
Wei Ling hugged her neck, her voice full of affection, "Auntie Shu, Ling'er missed you so much~"
Li Yueshu's heart softened, "Auntie Shu missed Ling'er too."
She stroked the little girl's head, "Let Auntie see if our Ling'er has grown taller?"
After a few months, Wei Ling's changes were quite noticeable.
The little girl's formerly robust physique had diminished significantly. Although her frame was larger than that of girls her age, her chubby cheeks made her look more adorable.
Li Yueshu couldn't resist pinching her cheek. The soft sensation was even more pleasant than pinching Ah Yu's face.
Shen Yimin stood by, a gentle smile on his face, his gaze fixed on Wei Ling since they entered.
Only after Wei Tonghao led everyone to the banquet did Wei Ling finally run to Shen Yimin.
Li Yueshu watched the backs of the two children with a hint of helplessness.
Although Ling'er had been talking to her earlier, her eyes kept glancing towards Ah Min.
If she had continued to hold onto her, she might have been a bother.
Wei Tonghao had not invited any other guests, but the banquet was grand.
Zhou Chen and the others, who had grown up in a village and later lived as bandits in the mountains, were attending such a grand and luxurious banquet for the first time.
Fortunately, the people at the City Lord's manor treated them well, and Wei Zimiao had even arranged for guards to escort them.
And those guards were all the ones who had been to Tong Mu County before, so they sat at the same banquet with their hosts without any discomfort.
Everyone was in high spirits. Li Yueshu, unable to restrain herself, drank a few more cups, her cheeks flushed.
She raised her wine cup and turned to Wei Tonghao, "City Lord Wei, thank you for sending troops to our rescue this time. I'll toast you!"
Wei Tonghao clinked cups with her heartily, "If Madam Shen... Miss Li is in trouble, let alone going to Qing Yong Mountain, I would not hesitate to send troops even if it meant going to Tong Mu County."
Clearly, Wei Zimiao had said something to him, as he had also changed his address.
Li Yueshu drank the wine and poured herself another cup, "City Lord Wei, I'd like to ask for your help with something."
Wei Tonghao waved his hand grandly, "Please, Miss Li, just say it!"
Li Yueshu didn't beat around the bush and stated directly, "I hope City Lord Wei can temporarily conceal our whereabouts, and also refrain from reporting the matter of Hong Ning City dispatching troops to Qing Yong Mountain for the time being."
Li Yueshu thought she would have to explain the reason, but to her surprise, Wei Tonghao readily agreed, "Don't worry, Zimiao told me. Before you return to Chongzhou, no information will be leaked from Hong Ning City."
Li Yueshu was very surprised but didn't make a fuss. She directly raised her wine cup, "Thank you, City Lord Wei!"
She knew that although Wei Tonghao was the City Lord of Hong Ning City, if his unauthorized dispatch of troops to suppress Qing Yong Mountain were to reach the imperial court, it would undoubtedly bring a lot of trouble, and he might even be accused of rebellion by those with ulterior motives.
His willingness to bear such a great risk was not only because he trusted them to provide a legitimate reason upon their return to Chongzhou, but also to reciprocate a favor.
Just as Li Yueshu was about to lift her wine cup to her lips, a hand with distinct bones reached out from beside her and took her wine cup away.