Qin Sang bowed respectfully, turned and left deftly, her actions exuding a chivalrous air.

Watching her retreating figure, Xiao Chengyu suddenly remembered something and asked Xin Rui, "Cousin Rui, has Miss Qin's father been found?"

Xin Rui's expression darkened: "Not yet. Her father went into the mountains to gather herbs a month ago and hasn't returned yet. I'm afraid..." He shook his head and didn't finish his sentence.

Xiao Chengyu sighed inwardly. It seemed that every relationship had its own difficulties.

The wait for news felt exceptionally long. Xiao Chengrui paced back and forth in the hall like a caged beast, while Xiao Chengji whispered something to Qi Mingxuan, who had rushed over.

Xiao Chengyu noticed that Qi Mingxuan's gaze was somewhat evasive today, presumably because of the painting. Feeling a mix of emotions, she simply avoided his gaze.

About an hour later, Qin Sang returned, her face grave.

“I found out,” she said in a low voice. “The power of Kumor, the leader of the pro-war faction within the Northern Di, has greatly increased. He forced the Khan to marry Princess Ashina Yun to him in order to consolidate the alliance. The Khan was forced to agree, and that’s why he sent people to bring the princess back to complete the marriage.”

Xiao Chengrui gritted his teeth: "Kumor! That cruel and warlike bastard! Wouldn't Yun'er marrying him be..."

“There’s one more thing,” Qin Sang continued. “I think I saw members of the Gu family near the post station.”

"The Gu family?" Xiao Chengyu was startled. "Which Gu family?"

“It’s the family of Gu Nianzhi, who was exiled,” Qin Sang said. “Although they were dressed as merchants, I recognized one of them as the Gu family’s butler.”

Xiao Chengji and Qi Mingxuan exchanged a glance, their expressions turning solemn.

"The Gu family is colluding with the Northern Di?" Xiao Chengyu asked incredulously.

Qi Mingxuan pondered for a moment and said, "After the Gu family's downfall, they have always been resentful. It is not impossible that they might collude with the pro-war faction of the Northern Barbarians."

Xiao Chengji sneered, "The Gu family is truly cunning and treacherous." He immediately ordered, "Mingxuan, take your men and keep a close eye on the post station and the remaining members of the Gu family. Chengrui, calm down and go and appease Ashina Yun, tell her that we have our own plans."

Xiao Chengrui had calmed down by now and nodded emphatically, "I understand." He then walked quickly toward Ashina Yun's residence.

Watching his elder brother's departing figure, Xiao Chengyu thought with worry, "Brother, this matter is probably going to be difficult."

Xiao Chengji patted her shoulder: "Don't worry, your older brother is here."

That night, the moon shone coolly. Xiao Chengyu was troubled, so he dismissed the palace servants and took a walk alone in the imperial garden.

Unconsciously, she arrived at the pavilion that Xie Ling'er had mentioned during the day. Remembering that painting, she couldn't help but stop and stare blankly at the moon's reflection in the water.

"It's late and the dew is heavy, Your Highness, please be careful not to catch a cold."

A gentle voice sounded from behind him. Xiao Chengyu knew who it was without turning around.

Qi Mingxuan gently draped a cloak over her shoulders, the movement as natural as if he had done it a thousand times before.

Xiao Chengyu neither refused nor turned around, but said softly, "That painting... I saw it."

The person behind him paused, remained silent for a long time, and then said in a low voice, "Your subject... has overstepped his bounds."

"Why?" Xiao Chengyu turned around and looked directly into his eyes. "Cousin Mingxuan has always been careful to keep his distance. Why would you create such a misleading painting and write such ambiguous words?"

In the moonlight, Qi Mingxuan's face was somewhat blurred, only his always gentle eyes shone brightly. He looked at her, a bitter smile playing on his lips: "What if I said... it was because I couldn't control my feelings?"

Xiao Chengyu's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously took a half step back.

Seeing this, Qi Mingxuan's eyes darkened, but he regained his usual gentle demeanor: "Your Highness, I misspoke. As for that painting... if Your Highness finds it inappropriate, you may destroy it."

"That's not what I meant..." Xiao Chengyu said urgently, but then didn't know what else to say.

The two remained silent, the only sound the chirping of summer insects adding to the stillness.

Finally, Qi Mingxuan sighed softly, "Your Highness need not worry too much about the Northern Barbarians. His Highness the Crown Prince has already made arrangements." He then gave a slight bow, "It is late. I will escort Your Highness back to the palace."

On the way back, the two walked one after the other, tacitly avoiding mentioning the painting. However, some things, once brought to light, can never be the same again.

Three days later, the Northern Barbarian envoys formally paid an audience and requested the return of Ashina Yun.

In the imperial court, Xiao Xun sat high on the dragon throne, his expression unreadable: "Princess Ashina Yun forged a deep friendship with the Great Liang during her time in the capital. I regard her as my niece; how could I easily allow her to marry an unsuitable man?"

The Northern Di envoy took a firm stance: "This is an internal affair of the Northern Di, and the Emperor of Liang need not concern himself with it. The Khan has ordered that the princess must be brought back!"

The two sides remained deadlocked. At this moment, Qi Mingxuan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that since the Northern Barbarians insist on welcoming back the princess, it is inappropriate for Great Liang to force her to stay. However..."

He then changed the subject: "I've heard that Chief Kumor is exceptionally brave. Since the princess is to marry a hero, why not follow the Northern Di tradition and hold a martial arts contest to choose a husband? If Chief Kumor is indeed a hero, he will naturally win the beauty's heart."

These words caused an uproar in the hall. The Northern Barbarian envoy looked grim, clearly not expecting this turn of events.

Xiao Chengji continued, "Your subject believes this proposal is excellent. Great Liang is willing to provide the venue and invite heroes from all walks of life to participate. If Chief Kumor wins, Great Liang will certainly provide a grand wedding for the princess."

The Northern Barbarian envoy was in a difficult position and had no choice but to agree.

After the court session, Xiao Chengyu hurriedly found Xiao Chengji: "Brother! What if Kumor wins..."

Xiao Chengji smiled slightly: "Don't worry, he can't win."

Why?

“Because…” Xiao Chengrui’s voice came from behind, tinged with a hint of smugness, “Kumor wasn’t the only one participating in the competition.”

Xiao Chengyu suddenly realized: "Second brother, you want to..."

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