Tuoba Ze actually went over and sat down opposite Mei Xiyuan, and said in a low voice, "Because I know that Princess Qin, like Miss Lu, wants someone to disappear forever, and needs my help."
Upon hearing this, although his expression remained dismissive, a subtle sadness slowly surfaced in his heart, betraying him. He couldn't help but pick up his teacup and take a small sip.
Seeing this, Tuoba Ze finally gasped, then calmly said to him, "Since things have come to this, let's be frank! I can personally help you two deal with that woman in Peach Blossom Village, and my offer is... besides ten thousand taels of gold, I also want a portrait of the guardian of Western Qin. I heard it has already been sent to the Qin Prince's residence by someone from the palace. The Qin Princess is the Qin Prince's only wife, so I believe this shouldn't be too difficult for her!"
Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan sneered and said, "You really are asking for an exorbitant price! And you still say you're not a shrewd businessman!"
"Of course, Princess Qin can find someone else. Once I leave this room, I will pretend that nothing happened today and that I have never seen Princess Qin." Tuoba Ze finished speaking and poured himself a cup of wine.
Mei Xiyuan hesitated for a moment, then exhaled a breath of stale air and readily agreed, "Alright, I agree to all your conditions. I'll pay for this! However, I have one condition: I can double the gold, but you must bring that woman back to me alive. I must personally verify her identity before you can take any action against her; otherwise, I will not pay you a single penny."
"Alright, it's decided then. Negotiating with the Princess of Qin is indeed very straightforward. However, words are not enough, so let's draw up a written agreement! Someone, prepare pen, ink, paper, and inkstone."
Tuoba Ze was overjoyed and quickly wrote down the contract in duplicate, then affixed their handprints to each copy.
Tuoba Ze respectfully handed one of the portions to Mei Xiyuan, saying, "Here, this is for you, Your Highness. I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"
Granny Zhao immediately stepped forward to put it away for him. It was quite a coincidence that Tuoba Ze recognized Yi Shangyun. Otherwise, Mei Xiyuan and Lu Tianjiao would have been worried that he had mistaken the person! The portrait of the woman on the missing person notice was covered by a veil. If it wasn't someone they knew well before, who could recognize her?
If there were no other choice, Mei Xiyuan would never have bothered cooperating with such unscrupulous merchants from a barbaric land. After refusing Tuoba Ze's invitation, the group was personally escorted out of the teahouse and onto a carriage.
On the way back to the Prince's Mansion, Lu Tianjiao accompanied Mei Xiyuan in the same carriage. Lu Tianjiao bit his lip tightly, wanting to say something but stopping himself. After several attempts, he finally lowered his head and said nothing.
Mei Xiyuan closed her eyes as soon as she got into the car, seemingly to rest, but in reality, she was trying her best to suppress her already angry and extremely complicated feelings.
Right now, the 20,000 taels of gold alone have almost exhausted half of her dowry. Fortunately, her mother had thought things through and was worried that she would encounter many difficulties alone in Western Qin, so she made very generous preparations. Otherwise, she would probably have been humiliated by that barbarian merchant.
But who exactly is this Tuoba Ze? How could he possess such abilities and dare to challenge the invincible Spirit Void War God, Prince Qin Xuanyuan Han? Is he really so simple, just a merchant from the Northern Lie Kingdom? Lu Tianjiao clearly knew less about Tuoba Ze than Mei Xiyuan did; at this moment, Mei Xiyuan was extremely puzzled.
It turns out that the portrait of the guardian of Western Qin has already arrived at the royal palace. How can she find it? Her father also wants that portrait. What kind of mystery is it?
Because both of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts, before they knew it, the carriage had stopped in front of the solemn and imposing gate of the Prince of Qin's mansion.
After getting off the carriage, whether out of guilt or because he had been sitting for too long, Lu Tianjiao stared blankly ahead, his face filled with endless sorrow as he walked and pondered, feeling as if his legs no longer belonged to him.
Granny Zhao helped Mei Xiyuan walk ahead, and she silently followed behind. As soon as they entered Shaohua Pavilion and Mei Xiyuan sat down, she immediately came to her senses and stepped forward apologetically to explain to Mei Xiyuan, "Sister, I..."
Unexpectedly, Mei Xiyuan, looking exhausted, rested her head on one hand on the table beside her, slowly extended her other hand and waved it weakly at her, saying in a deep voice, "We'll talk about it another day. You can go now."
Helpless, Lu Tianjiao could only return to Yanqi Pavilion alone, dejected and lost in thought.
As soon as she entered the room, a guard knocked on the door and came in with a scroll in his hand, saying, "Miss Lu, this is a painting that General Cheng specially instructed me to give to you before he left. He said it was a gift from your father."
"My father, he came to the Prince's Mansion?" Lu Tianjiao asked in surprise.
"The night Dean Lu arrived, Miss Lu wasn't at the residence, because she was sent by the palace to deliver something to the Prince. So, she left only this painting and hurriedly returned to the palace to report back," the guard truthfully reported.
"I see, I understand, thank you."
Upon hearing this, the guard was about to turn and leave when Lu Tianjiao suddenly asked, "By the way, when will His Highness Prince Qin return to the residence?"
"His Highness's whereabouts have always been known only to General Cheng; I am unaware of it."
After the guards left, Lu Tianjiao walked to the desk, slowly unfurled the scroll in his hand, and gazed affectionately at each familiar line on it.
From childhood to adulthood, every Lunar New Year, her father would draw a portrait of her from memory as a keepsake, a tradition he maintained for over a decade without fail. Thinking of all this, she couldn't help but quietly wipe away tears from the corners of her eyes.
As he looked at the painting, he suddenly seemed to notice something slightly unusual. He frowned and muttered to himself in confusion, "The features in this year's portrait don't look like me at all. What's wrong with Father?"
Time passed slowly, and the light streaming through the window onto the desk gradually slanted. Lu Tianjiao's heart seemed to sink slowly along with the setting sun.
Meanwhile, on the back mountain of the Xiaolong Society, the peaks rose one after another, and the trees stood in rows, lush and verdant, just like a green barrier protecting its position draped in a golden veil, looking very warm.
The mountain boasts a complete range of scenery, including mountains, water, forests, springs, waterfalls, gorges, and flowers, with pavilions and towers perched atop the verdant peaks.
Right now, the mountains are filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The spring breeze caresses the hillsides, and the cherry trees, row upon row, are white as frost and snow, bright as rosy clouds, their blossoms fluttering like clouds – a truly delightful sight!
At this moment, Lanxiang and Yan'er were carrying bamboo baskets and walking back down the mountain. As they walked, Yan'er said in surprise, "Sister Lanxiang, I didn't expect that there would be about a hundred kinds of camellias growing in this small back mountain of Xiaolong Society. It's really amazing!"
Because there were guards stationed at every point at the foot of the mountain and hidden throughout the mountain, there was no need to send additional people to track them at all times.
However, Lanxiang seemed not to have listened to her at all, with a blade of grass in her mouth, looking lost in thought.
Yan'er was a little puzzled. She pouted and then tentatively asked again with great interest, "The stone dragon cave on the mountain just now was about ten feet wide and long. The stone dragon carved in the cave, although it had no horns, seemed particularly agile, looking up at the sky. Its two front claws were climbing up the rock top, while its hind claws gripped the ground, as if it wanted to soar into the air. The carving technique was bold and vigorous. The layout and composition were exquisite, and the carving techniques were sometimes shallow relief, sometimes deep relief, and sometimes openwork, which were endlessly wonderful."
As soon as he finished speaking, he glanced at Lanxiang's expression again, but Lanxiang remained unmoved.
This time, Yan'er was really angry. She immediately put her hands on her hips and stopped. However, Lanxiang continued walking on her own and walked a long way without noticing that Yan'er had already fallen behind.
So, Yan'er stomped her feet in frustration and anger behind her, and said loudly, "Sister Lanxiang, what have you been thinking these past few days? Can't you just say it out loud instead of keeping it to yourself? Don't let Yan'er be like a fool forever, not knowing what you're planning all day long, okay?"
At this moment, Lanxiang suddenly came to her senses and realized that Yan'er hadn't followed. She turned around abruptly and searched for her. Then, with an apologetic look, she walked back to Yan'er's side, smiled and gazed at her for a long time. She slowly took Yan'er's hand and continued walking, saying, "Yan'er, I told you, this is my own business. I didn't want to burden you or make you worry about me, so I didn't tell you. I'm already very grateful that you're by my side."
However, Yan'er still pouted and looked unhappy. She tugged at Lanxiang's hand, reluctant to leave, and said with heartache, "But you've been so restless and absent-minded all day long. It makes Yan'er feel bad just looking at you. I'm afraid that if you continue like this, you'll definitely get sick!"
"Good Yan'er, don't be afraid. I will not die so easily until I have avenged my great grudge in this life!" Lanxiang said to Yan'er as they walked, arm in arm.
Upon hearing this, for some reason, Yan'er suddenly stopped again, standing there motionless with a sad and dejected expression. Lanxiang, puzzled, hurriedly asked her, "What's wrong with you now?"
Yan'er's face fell instantly. "My mistress used to call me 'Good Yan'er,' just like you did just now, but now she... Miss..."
So that's how it is. Lanxiang felt a sudden pang of pain in her heart. She bit her lip, gently rested Yan'er's head on her shoulder, and comforted the tearful Yan'er, saying, "Yan'er, don't cry. Your young lady will definitely come back, she definitely will."
As soon as they finished speaking, a commotion suddenly drifted into their ears from nearby.
So Yan'er sniffed, straightened up, and asked Lanxiang, who was equally puzzled, "Lanxiang, listen, what's that sound...?"
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