This time, however, was different from the farewell to the Mongolian prince. The farewell to the Mongolian prince was not much different from the welcome.

Now, the farewell to Ali Khoja was quite different from the welcome. However, Ali Khoja didn't seem to mind.

After all, he had achieved the result he desired—Hanxiang had found a home and was no longer entangled with Mengdan. The Hui people also received aid from the Qing Dynasty and were no longer isolated and helpless.

Whether or not he wielded a cane, Ali Khoja didn't care. The emperor held a farewell banquet for Ali Khoja at the palace gate, but only glanced at him from there.

Hanxiang was only allowed to be escorted to a place two or three miles from the capital before she had to return to the palace. Accompanying her were not only three squads of guards, but also three people appointed by the emperor the previous night.

Fu'ertai saw the princess and secretly waved to her. Anke also waved to Fu'ertai. The emperor saw all of this, coughed heavily, and reminded his niece to be mindful of her behavior.

Your Majesty: This cabbage that I watched grow up with my own eyes, how come it's about to be eaten by a pig in the blink of an eye?

At Yongqi's command, the farewell ceremony for Ali and Zhuo began.

Throughout the journey, Hanxiang sat comfortably in the sedan chair, her eyes gradually filling with tears as she looked at her father, whose back was no longer straight but was gradually becoming hunched.

Fortunately, she was wearing a veil, so no one could see Consort Xiang's face. What was even more unexpected was that Consort Xiang was crying.

Yongqi felt that his father was making a fuss over nothing. Who would dare to kidnap Consort Xiang in front of so many Imperial Guards? And why send three of them to accompany and protect her?

"How have you been doing in the military camp these days?" Yongqi felt incredibly bored, but he didn't know Ji Chu, so he could only talk to his former study companion, Fu Ertai.

"Fortunately, every day is very fulfilling, much better than before," Ertai said meaningfully.

Yongqi immediately understood, patted his brother's shoulder reassuringly, and then fell silent.

Ji Chu leisurely sized up the two of them. Everyone said that this Fifth Prince used to be the most intelligent, but later he was completely infatuated with Princess Huanzhu. Now, has he regained his senses?

Fortunately, Ji Chu wasn't a talkative person, nor did she have a strong sense of curiosity. She only glanced at him briefly before looking away.

Even after seeing you off for a thousand miles, we must eventually part ways.

Even though he was reluctant, Hanxiang could only be escorted this far. Ali Hezhuo also knew they had arrived at their destination, and he rode his horse from the front to Hanxiang's sedan chair.

Hanxiang watched her father return, and with the help of Jin and Yinlingzi, she quickly dismounted from the carriage, intending to say a final goodbye. Ali Hezhuo also hurriedly dismounted, wanting to say one last word to his daughter.

The two walked quickly toward each other, but now that Hanxiang had become the emperor's concubine, they could no longer get so close.

"Hanxiang, don't resent your father," Ali Hezhuo said helplessly. He didn't want things to come to this point either, but the situation forced him to take this step. "The Hui people will always remember your kindness, and I will pray to Allah to bless you."

As Ali and Zhuo spoke, they performed a respectful Hui greeting to Hanxiang. How could Hanxiang accept such a grand gesture from her father? She took a step forward, supporting her father with her hand, tears welling in her eyes.

"Father, I understand. I won't blame you." These past two days, Hanxiang had come to understand the burdens her father carried, noticed the gray in his hair, and realized how hard he had worked. Under such difficult circumstances, it was truly remarkable that her father could still plan for her.

"It's good that you understand. Live well in the palace. Remember to take good care of yourself." Ali Hezhuo held his daughter's hand tightly one last time, afraid that he would be reluctant to part with her again. He could only turn around and ride away on his horse without looking back.

"Father, you must take good care of yourself and Mother. Your daughter will pray to Allah to protect you." Watching her father's departing figure, Hanxiang was already in tears, kneeling on the ground as she spoke. Jin and Yinlingzi also knelt on the ground together.

Feeling that it was about time, Yongqi stepped forward, keeping a distance, and respectfully reminded her, "Consort Xiang should return to the palace."

Hanxiang wiped away the tears on her cheeks and, supported by Jin and Yinlingzi, slowly walked towards the sedan chair.

Just then, a few rustling sounds came from the bushes nearby. Ertai and Jichu had noticed this group of people long ago. However, they remained still, waiting for the enemy to move.

Now the enemy has come out in full force, and every move they make is a deadly attack, heading straight for Consort Xiang's palanquin. Ertai shouted, "Protect Consort Xiang!"

Immediately afterward, he drew his sword and charged out, with Ji Chu following suit. Yongqi was pushed by the two of them in front of Consort Xiang's sedan chair.

During the fight, Fu Ertai felt that one person's figure was very familiar. When fighting the others, Fu Ertai paid extra attention to the person who looked familiar.

Sure enough, the moment Ertai saw his eyes, he instantly recognized him as Fu Erkang.

But Fu Erkang was very cautious, only forcing them back without killing them. Fu Ertai was somewhat confused; what was going on? How could he have fallen to such a level? Was he going to collude with treacherous officials?

Therefore, Ertai became distracted and was caught off guard. Just as the curved blade was about to stab him, Ji Chu appeared with his sword and deflected it.

He then stabbed him with his sword in return, and kicked him away. The rest of the opposing team were either injured, fled, or died.

The one in the lead had just been kicked away by Ji Chu. He lay on the ground for a long time, unable to get up.

Fu Ertai: What's going on here? Is this some kind of staged accident?!

As a result, Meng Dan coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes fixed on the direction of the sedan chair, muttering, "Hanxiang, Hanxiang."

Yongqi and Fuertai exchanged a glance. Yongqi seemed quite surprised, while Fuertai was much calmer.

Fu Ertai: What's so surprising or astonishing about something I already knew?

Hanxiang had noticed Mengdan early on, but to her surprise, the princess was right again. Mengdan, as expected, did not give up and tried to kidnap her again.

Looking at Meng Dan lying on the ground, unable to get up, Han Xiang felt only a faint worry in her heart, and no other emotions.

Seeing that Yongqi seemed about to step forward and finish him off, Hanxiang hurriedly got out of the sedan chair and cried out in a hoarse voice, "No, don't kill him!" Then, she rushed over.

Although she had decided to sever ties with Meng Dan, she couldn't just stand by and watch him die before her eyes. After all, Meng Dan was a close friend who had grown up with her.

This move shocked Yongqi. When did he ever want this Hui man's life? He simply wanted to take him back to his father, the Emperor, for interrogation.

"Hanxiang, Hanxiang!" Upon seeing Hanxiang, Mengdan felt as if he had been fully revitalized, and he tightly grasped Hanxiang's hand.

"Meng Dan, stop being so persistent," Han Xiang said in a very somber tone. "Didn't I tell them to tell you to find someone you love and spend your life with? Stop being so fixated on me. I'm already one of the Emperor's concubines. It's impossible for us to be together."

"No, Hanxiang, I don't believe it." Provoked by Hanxiang's words, Meng Dan coughed up another mouthful of blood. He couldn't believe that Hanxiang would abandon him in his current state. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Hanxiang before him.

"Meng Dan, wake up! Look at the brothers who followed you." Han Xiang said, her heart aching. "They are also Hui people. They also have elderly parents and young children to support. Yet they followed you, leaving their homes to come to the capital. Now, some of them have already lost their lives. Give up! Don't let more innocent people lose their lives because of you and me."

After saying this, Hanxiang stopped looking at Mengdan's expression and turned to kneel down before Yongqi and the others. Yongqi and the others dared not accept the Emperor and his concubines' obeisance.

Hanxiang stubbornly said, "His name is Meng Dan, and he is the person I once longed for. Now that he is seriously injured, we should not finish him off. Let him go back to where he came from. I will also tell the Emperor everything that happened today." After saying that, she kowtowed to them.

Yongqi didn't know what to do either, and just kept calling for Consort Xiang to get up. After all, no matter what, she was a consort, how could she kneel before them? He looked at the two people beside him who seemed completely oblivious.

Yongqi was also feeling a bit overwhelmed. Were these two just watching the show from the sidelines? They didn't even offer to lend a hand or anything.

Fortunately, Jin and Yin Lingzi were very perceptive and quickly stepped forward to help Hanxiang up.

Yongqi looked at the man lying on the ground, barely clinging to life, and felt that there was no point in taking him back. Looking at his brothers beside him, who were all either injured, crippled, or dead, there was no one who could take him back to heal.

It's better to let him fend for himself here. Immediately afterwards, Yongqi instructed the guards to set off back to the palace.

Ertai and Jichu remained silent throughout, after all, Consort Xiang had no close relationship with them. Why should they get involved in this mess? As long as Consort Xiang could return to the palace safely, that was enough for them; the rest was not their concern.

Ertai: I only consider matters related to the princess; other matters are outside my scope.

Ji Chu: I'm only considering Qing Gege.

Yongqi: Don't forget that you two were ordered to assist. How come it seems like I was the only one trying to persuade you from beginning to end?

Ertai: Haven't we already defeated all those who wanted to kidnap Consort Xiang? The rest is none of our business.

Ji Chu: Agreed.

Yongqi: ...

Ertai: Besides, she is the emperor's concubine. So, you are the one who has a relationship with her, not with the two of us.

Yongqi: . . . . .

*

During the fight, Fu Erkang noticed something was wrong and immediately left. He had also just seen Fu Ertai inside.

Silently praying in his heart, Fu Erkang did not recognize him. In a moment of panic, Fu Erkang walked to Huibinlou.

The first thing Fu Erkang said upon seeing Liu Qing and Liu Hong was, "Where is Xiao Jian?"

Liu Qing was an honest man. He scratched the back of his head and said frankly, "Shortly after you left, Xiao Jian also left. We don't know where he went."

Liu Hong, on the other hand, looked at Fu Erkang with disdain. Ever since she heard her brother say what Xiao Jian had said, Liu Hong had never been able to flatter them.

They hadn't paid rent yet, and they were treated like royalty. Now they're asking about their whereabouts?

Liu Hong rolled her eyes and, no longer caring about Fu Erkang, turned and went back to the kitchen.

Fu Erkang planned to wait for Xiao Jian at the Huibinlou restaurant to tell him about the day's events. After Yongqi and the others left, he planned to quietly go back and check on Meng Dan. If Meng Dan was still alive, he would carry him back; if not, he would simply find a place to bury him, which would be his way of showing his respect.

Liu Qing thought it wasn't the right time to break ties with Fu Erkang, so she smiled and served him a pot of tea. But she didn't linger, since the guests had already arrived, and she was busy serving them, so she naturally couldn't pay attention to Fu Erkang.

Fu Erkang wasn't annoyed. He just sat there quietly, watching the people coming and going at Huibinlou, and felt that this was the kind of life he wanted.

He was still fantasizing about his future happy life with Ziwei. He knew he would definitely live with Ziwei in the future, but whether they would be happy was anyone's guess.

As dusk fell, the hall was packed with people, and Liu Qing and Liu Hong were busy calling out to them. The hall was bustling with noise, and all sorts of people sat together.

Some were talking about how difficult it was to do business, while others were talking about how tough life was.

Fu Erkang felt that he was not one of them, and sitting with these people would lower his status.

Just as he was about to ask Liu Qing and Liu Hong to open a private room upstairs for him, he saw Xiao Jian carrying a blood-stained person on his back as he entered.

The people in the lobby were all ordinary folks who had never seen anything like this before. They were all afraid of getting involved in a murder case, so they all ran away as if their feet were greased.

The once bustling Huibinlou Restaurant was now deserted and desolate. Liu Hong had just brought out a dish from the kitchen when she looked up and saw that the hall, which had been full of people just moments before, was now completely empty.

After a closer look, it was discovered that Xiao Jian was standing opposite Fu Erkang, and Xiao Jian was carrying a bloodied person on his back, whose appearance was completely unrecognizable.

When Liu Hong saw this, she was furious. No wonder all the customers ran away. Who wouldn't run away when they saw this scene?

"What's going on here? Who is he? Why did you bring him back?" Liu Hong's anger, which had been building up all afternoon, finally erupted. She put down the dishes she was carrying on the table and went over to give them a good scolding.

Fu Erkang also had a lot of questions he wanted to ask, but seeing Liu Hong's unyielding attitude, he was a bit of a headache and casually tossed her a silver ingot. "Let's go to the upstairs room. See if you have any medicine that can help treat him, and bring it up with you."

After saying that, she helped Xiao Jian carry the bloodied Meng Dan upstairs, leaving Liu Hong, who was about to explode with anger, still clutching a silver ingot tightly in her hand.