Chapter 178 It’s Right Not to Marry
"Xiao Zhuo, you really don't agree to help us?"
In a private room in the front yard of Jingxin Garden, Meipu turned around quickly, and the eyes behind the mask looked directly at Xiao Zhuo who was sitting opposite him.
After the banquet, Shen Yuexi said she wanted to go to Yongwei City to relax, leaving Xiao Zhuo alone. Xiliang King Mei Cheng and Mei Pu sent Xiao Zhuo back to Jingxin Garden together.
The King of Xiliang wanted Xiao Zhuo to lead his troops to attack Zhangwu City, which was occupied by the Western Rong. After some communication with Xiao Zhuo, it was fruitless. Now it's Meipu's turn.
Mei Pu also couldn't persuade Xiao Zhuo. He was originally sitting and talking, but now he stood up anxiously.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that." Xiao Zhuo put down the teacup in his hand and shook his head slowly.
"Why? Aren't we friends? Even if you refuse to agree to my father's request, I can't persuade you." Meipu took two steps impatiently. "Don't forget, I led the Xiliang cavalry to rescue you against my father's wishes because I consider you a friend."
"I know all this," Xiao Zhuo said with his eyes lowered. "If it weren't for your Xiliang cavalry, I might not have been able to withstand the attack of the Xirong. Thank you, I..."
Meipu raised his hand to stop Xiao Zhuo from continuing: "Don't say anything. I just said that I saved you because I treat you as a friend. Now I need your help, don't just talk."
"I have an agreement with King Thomas, you know."
"Screw the agreement," Meipu waved his hand irritably. "Our two cities are still in the hands of the Xirong people, and you're talking to me about an agreement?"
"I can't go back on my word." Xiao Zhuo raised his eyes. "I'm the Crown Prince of Dayan, not a commoner. How can I convince the people if I don't keep my word?"
"Even if I'm your cousin-in-law, you won't help?"
"I...can't break my oath," Xiao Zhuo said after a moment's hesitation. "I know exactly what you're thinking. I think it's best for Xiliang not to consider attacking the Xirong this year. Resting and recuperating, and recruiting troops are the most important things. Since the Xirong aren't attacking anymore, why would we even bother to provoke them?"
"You asked me to wait. I wanted to wait too," Mep sighed, "but my father can't wait. He can't even wait for my wedding. All he can think about now is defeating Xirong and restoring his dignity."
After saying that, Mep slumped down in the chair and said, "You don't know my difficulties."
Xiao Zhuo looked at him with a complicated expression and whispered, "Your sister, Consort Xian, will also send an envoy to congratulate you on your wedding, right?"
"Why did you mention her suddenly?" Mei Pu gave Xiao Zhuo a questioning look.
Xiao Zhuo calmly picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea. "Nothing, I just thought that she's far away in the capital and will probably contact you often. Does she know about the wedding?"
"Well, that's right," Mep's eyes flickered, and he stood up as if to avoid something and said, "I'll go discuss the next steps with my father."
After saying this, Mep was about to go out when he heard the panicked voices of servants from far outside the door.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, something bad has happened."
"Why are you so panicked?" Mep opened the door and shouted at the servant who was running towards him.
The servant ran out of breath and pointed in the direction of the Xiliang Palace: "Miss Li...Miss Li is missing!"
"Gone?" Mei Pu glanced back at Xiao Zhuo and said to the servant, "Where is my father?"
"The prince has already rushed back."
Meipu said to the servants, "Hurry and prepare the horses."
Xiao Zhuo also stood up and followed behind Mei Pu, saying, "I'll go take a look too."
The two rode their horses at full speed back to the Xiliang Palace and came to the backyard where Li Wan was. Xiliang King Mei Cheng was followed by a group of counselors, who were scolding the maids who were guarding him.
There were several maids, all standing in a row with their heads lowered, shivering.
"With so many of you, you can't even keep an eye on Li Wan!" Mei Cheng pointed his finger at everyone one by one, "If anything happens to Miss Li, you'll all be in trouble."
Xiao Zhuo stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please calm down. How did Miss Li disappear?"
"She...she dug a hole." A maid cried, "Your Highness, it's not that we weren't careful enough. Who knew she could actually dig a hole?"
His words were full of confusion and grievance.
"How is that possible?" Miep scolded the maid. "She doesn't have that much strength. Even a man might not be able to do it."
"It is absolutely true. Your Highness, you and the prince should come and see."
The maid led the way to the backyard and pointed to a cave hidden behind a rockery that was large enough for an adult to enter and exit. She said, "Your Highness, Your Highness, this is the cave."
Meipu rushed forward, squatted down and watched for a while, then asked the maid, "Where does this cave lead to?"
The maid replied, "We immediately sent someone in to investigate after we discovered it. The hole only led to the back street and alley outside the wall. There were seven or eight shovels lying near the hole."
Xiao Zhuo glanced at the cave and said to Mei Pu, "This was dug by many people together. Does my aunt know about this?"
Mei Pu said, "Madam Li and Miss Li have had a quarrel. She has been staying indoors all day. I have visited her several times but was rejected. Perhaps Miss Li has gone to look for her."
Mei Cheng came over and said, "I have sent someone to invite Madam Li. She..."
As he was speaking, another servant came running over holding a piece of paper. "Your Highness, His Royal Highness. Madam Li is also missing. I found this on the table in her room."
When the servant came closer, Mei Cheng snatched the paper and looked at it.
Xiao Zhuo and Mei Pu also went forward to watch.
It was a map of a tunnel excavation, and the location was exactly the backstreets and alleys of the Xiliang Palace...
Everyone looked at each other.
It turned out that digging the tunnel was planned by Mrs. Li. She must have hired many people to dig inside from outside.
Mei Cheng was so angry that his sleeves were shaking. "This is simply nonsense. The invitations have been sent out, and the in-laws ran off with the bride. This is simply... making outsiders laugh at our Mei family!"
The counselors looked at each other in bewilderment. This was too outrageous. Mrs. Li and her daughter were both possessed by a pangolin.
"No wonder Madam Li hasn't left her house for so many days. It turns out she's been secretly plotting this," Mei Pu handed the paper to Xiao Zhuo. "She's Miss Li's mother and also your aunt. What do you think we should do?"
…
"Princess Consort, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should say it or not."
In the swaying carriage, Doctor Hua looked at Shen Yuexi, who was sitting opposite him and was furious, and spoke with a smile.
"Doctor Hua, I know what you want to say," Shen Yuexi said with a pout, "I just won't go back. I'm not happy when I think of those ten women in Jingxin Garden."
It's impossible to stop a man from flirting with other women. She simply left and waited to see how Xiao Zhuo would handle it.
She had said before that if Xiao Zhuo was not devoted to her, she would ignore him.
This man actually dared to accept these beauties, it was obvious that he was tempted.
"Princess Consort, if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince refuses to accept it, he would be disrespecting the King of Xiliang," Doctor Hua advised earnestly. "He cannot refuse such kindness in such an occasion."
By this time, the carriage had already left Yongwei and was heading towards Jingzhou. Pulled by four horses, it was significantly wider and more comfortable than ordinary carriages. It had been used by Mei Dai and had been parked at the entrance to Jingxin Garden. Since Xiliang King Mei Cheng had gifted Jingxin Garden to Xiao Zhuo, this carriage naturally came with it.
"Good intentions, huh." Shen Yuexi stamped her foot on the carriage floor, making a "bang" sound, "Doctor Hua, please stop speaking well of that man, I..."
Although she was angry, she wanted to take this opportunity to find that hunter Jia. Doctor Hua was proficient in medicine, so he should bring her along. She also wanted to see if Xiao Zhuo stayed in Jingxin Garden to guard the ten beauties or come to find her.
It can be regarded as a test for Xiao Zhuo.
Before she could finish her words, a voice suddenly came from under the floor:
"Ouch, it's so jarring..." Mrs. Li said, followed by a cough. "The dirt is all down my neck."
"Mom, are you okay?" Li Wan's voice rang out again.
Shen Yuexi was startled and quickly squatted down and lifted the floor with Dr. Hua.
The area under the carriage floor was originally used to store items, but two living people were found hiding inside.
"You guys..." Shen Yuexi was shocked.
"It's not... It's to escape. I'm afraid the city gate won't let me in." Mrs. Li finally sat down, let out a long sigh, and hurriedly picked up the tea on the table and drank it.
I would rather die than let my daughter marry Mep.
After Shen Yuexi found out why Li Wan didn't want to marry Mei Pu, she glared at him angrily and said, "That's right, it's right not to marry."
Why marry a man who doesn't love her at all and is just using her?
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