"Elder sister, do you know what the name of the wife of Prince Rui... the heir of Youzhou?" Yun Pingting suddenly asked.

"What, do you know Hongzhu?" Tao Wanniang's gaze finally fell on Yun Pingting. The girl was overjoyed. When she spoke, Tao Wanniang felt that the city lord of Sifang City and Prince Rui must be old friends.

Most people probably wouldn't know the Crown Princess's given name, so when Tao Wanniang mentioned Hongzhu's name, Yun Pingting showed a delighted expression.

“Father, look, she even knows Sister Hongzhu.” Bai Pingting said happily, “Looking at it this way, it really was destined that this embroidered ball marriage contest would not succeed.”

Bai Pingting spoke with a resigned and helpless tone, then glanced at the four men.

"I like all of you, but I'm only one person and can't marry all four of you. So, let's wait a few more years. Perhaps you'll meet someone who will make you feel better."

"No way," the four men said in unison, then glared at each other with displeasure.

"Since there is no conclusion to today's matter, my four nephews, you should go back first!" City Lord Yun Qingshan said.

The four wanted to say something more, but with so many people talking at once and arguing amongst themselves, none of them could get their points across. They could only leave dejectedly, each giving Tao Wanniang a glare.

Tao Wanniang was delighted; she had never been disliked by so many young men at the same time before!

“Since you have a past connection with the Xiao family, then stop by my Sifang City. We’ve become friends through this conflict, so let me, the city lord, do my best to be a good host!” Yun Qingshan’s expression softened considerably.

Tao Wanniang declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Yun, but we have other matters to attend to and companions waiting for us, so we will not disturb you any further."

"I am very sorry to have disturbed your daughter's marriage proposal." Tao Wanniang looked at Yun Pingting and continued, "This Miss Yun is quite an extraordinary person. She likes four men at the same time and can say it so confidently."

"Sigh, there's nothing we can do about it. We couldn't decide in the first place, and now we have to find another way!" Yun Qingshan said helplessly.

"I'll go to Youzhou with you!" Yun Pingting suddenly said. "Father, I'm afraid of making enemies if we get married. Let me leave the city and hide for a while!"

"But Youzhou is not a safe place!" Yun Qingshan said worriedly. "You'll be gone soon, won't those four lads follow you?"

“Then I’ll disguise myself and have Cui Xi impersonate me first.”

"That seems like a good idea, but you'll need someone to protect you!"

Tao Wanniang watched the father and daughter's back-and-forth conversation with curiosity. It seemed that she hadn't agreed to bring anyone along either!

"Then let Anfeng accompany me, but let him wait outside the city first, so that no one can find out."

"That kid is good, okay, it's settled then. Quickly tell Cuixi to pack her things."

“Have you… overlooked something?” Tao Wanniang spoke up at the right moment.

"Elder sister, I hit it off with Sister Hongzhu at first sight. I'll go to Youzhou with you. Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble. I'm just going to Youzhou to lay low for a while," Yun Pingting said, pleading with Tao Wanniang.

Tao Wanniang looked at the eager eyes of the father and daughter. Although she felt that the father and daughter were a bit strange, the city lord's daughter was really too beautiful. Well, she was the kind of woman that any woman would find pleasing to the eye.

"Alright, it won't be crowded with you here, but the travel expenses to Youzhou..." Tao Wanniang said bluntly, "Miss, you should remember to bring money when you go out."

"Please wait a moment, I'll go get ready right away." Yun Pingting quickly walked away.

Tao Wanniang and Yun Qingshan exchanged glances. Finally, Yun Qingshan cleared his throat and spoke, "Um... Pingting is free-spirited and romantic, but as you've seen, given the current situation, um... what should I call her?"

“My surname is Tao.” Tao Wanniang didn’t know what to say.

“Tao…” Yun Qingshan began, but then hesitated, unsure of how to address her. Judging from Tao Wanniang’s age and attire, he finally addressed her as Madam Tao.

“Madam Tao, my daughter grew up with her four nephews and we have a deep bond. If she marries one of them, it will inevitably hurt the other three. Originally, I thought that the embroidered ball tossing ceremony would be left to fate, but because of you all…” Yun Qingshan said simply.

Tao Wanniang, however, felt that it might not be that simple. Did the city lord really fear these four great families? But she didn't expose her.

"Lord of the city, are you really so comfortable entrusting your daughter to a stranger like me?" Tao Wanniang asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Hehe, since you’re old friends with the Xiao family, I’m not worried. Besides, I’ve already sent a guard with me.” Yun Qingshan said directly.

Tao Wanniang smiled, not knowing what to say. Both father and daughter were rather carefree.

Soon, Yun Pingting, having changed her clothes, appeared before Tao Wanniang and the others.

"Let's go, Anfeng is waiting outside the city. Chunxi has disguised herself as me and taken the other maids to buy things."

Tao Wanniang felt that Yun Pingting didn't seem like a naive and innocent girl, so she decided to bring her along; the beauty seemed quite interesting.

Ling Feng was getting impatient. After hearing what had happened, he had been waiting outside the city lord's mansion. His expression softened when he saw Tao Wanniang and the others come out.

"Is this your carriage? Shall I get in first?" Yun Pingting looked around carefully and quickly slipped into the carriage.

Ling Feng was still a little confused. Who was this person?

"Get in the carriage first," Tao Wanniang told Chen Lian to take Xiao Qiao'er up first. "Don't ask anything. We'll talk about it once we're out of the city." After giving Ling Feng some brief instructions, she also got into the carriage.

“Your carriage is quite spacious, even bigger than mine,” Yun Pingting said after Tao Wanniang entered. “It seems I made the right choice in coming with you!”

"Miss Yun, aren't you afraid we'll sell you? With your looks, you could fetch a lot of money!" Tao Wanniang teased.

“You can’t sell me in Sifang City. Once we’re out of Sifang City, I have people to meet us. Besides, you don’t seem like a bad person. And this carriage… it’s not something an ordinary family could afford.” Yun Pingting said confidently, “Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble.”

Just as Yun Pingting said, once they left Sifang City, a young man on horseback followed them.

At first, Ling Feng was a little wary, but after Chen Yan explained things briefly, he had some doubts, but he still continued on his way.

As if afraid of being overtaken, the carriage traveled for half a day until dark before finally stopping at the nearest town to stay overnight.

"Your escape should not have been exposed yet. Rest in town tonight and continue your journey tomorrow!" Tao Wanniang said to Yun Pingting, and then introduced Yun Pingting to Ling Feng.

"Ha, your name is Ling Feng, and my bodyguard's name is An Feng. What a coincidence!" Yun Pingting smiled brightly at Ling Feng. "An Feng, come, you can also get to know Sister Tao and the others."