Chapter 424 Chatting on the Boat
The Queen was not surprised when her identity was revealed. She continued to smile and raised her hand to make a gesture of invitation.
"Since Lord Bai is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. I wonder what brings you to Xiling this time?"
Su Wu suddenly realized, "So the Queen really recognizes us!"
Little Wheat Ear quietly kicked him from behind, feeling very disappointed with him. "Don't talk at a time like this, idiot!"
"The Queen invited us on board just to talk. We can talk about anything. It's okay. The Queen won't mind, right?" After Grandpa Du and Godfather took their seats, Bai Yu also walked forward and sat cross-legged on the cushion.
The Queen looked at him and smiled, "Yes."
Su Wu was relieved now and stepped forward. "Empress, so the wine that Grandpa Du stole was really given to us by you?"
"Oh? Why do you say that?" the Queen asked with interest.
"My sister told Bai Yu that. The other palace servants only had eight cups of wine, but Grandpa Du got nine, which was specially given by the Queen."
"Your sister and Bai Yu are very smart."
The queen is easy to talk to, so the boys are not shy.
Nine people crowded onto a low table.
Old lady Chu Yi quickly brought out osmanthus tea and a variety of fresh fruits and snacks, then quietly pushed them aside.
"For twenty years, Xiling has remained aloof from external disputes, and there are no misunderstandings or animosities between us. Therefore, upon seeing you in the Imperial City, it is only natural for me to inquire about you." The atmosphere was harmonious, and the Empress personally poured tea for the guests, unconcerned about her dignity. "Although we have never met before, your names are well known to me."
"Since Xiling doesn't care about the outside world's disputes, it should not be concerned about external affairs. I wonder who mentioned us to the Queen? Was it Mo Liren or Wen Renjing?" Bai Xiaofeng asked.
The Queen glanced at him, then smiled after a moment. "So that's why you came here. Wenren Jing came to my Xiling in March, and you arrived in Handan in August. The journey took more than three months... You came here after learning of Wenren Jing's whereabouts."
The nine people were silent, and eighteen eyes were looking at her.
"If it was really for Wen Renjing, he would have left for Beixiang in April. I, Xiling, will not interfere in any grudges between you and Beixiang. I, Xiling, play no role in this, neither enemy nor friend." The Queen spoke directly and openly, without a trace of hostility or fear in her words. "If you are here for a visit, Xiling welcomes you at any time, but I apologize that I cannot accompany you on other matters."
"We're not here to make enemies with Xiling. Since Your Majesty has heard of us, you should know that we never attack without a purpose. We only strike back when others have offended us." Bai Yu stared at her, his expression impassive. "This time, we need to search for clues in and around the Imperial City. Could Your Majesty grant us some assistance?"
Their identical peach blossom eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
The old man was originally enjoying himself while munching on fruit, but upon seeing this, his triangular eyes narrowed, then widened in surprise. "Oh my, your two eyes look alike! You both look at things with such cunning eyes!"
Bai Yu's mouth twitched.
The other seven people, "..."
The Queen seemed to have heard something joyful. After a pause, she smiled again, "Really? No wonder I always felt a liking for Young Master Bai."
The old man smacked his lips regretfully again, "Only the eyes are similar, nothing else is like!"
Tian Bao handed the fruit to the old man, "Grandpa Du, we're getting off topic."
"No need to give it to me, I haven't finished eating yet."
"Eat something new."
“This is fine!”
He personally broke the inexplicable atmosphere created by the old man, and the cabin returned to normal.
But there were several more pairs of eyes lingering on the Queen and Bai Yu's faces.
Bai Xiaofeng, in particular, showed interest in his eyes, but his face remained calm and his emotions were not apparent.
The pleasure boat sails leisurely in the lake, with the sound of piano and singing coming from both sides from time to time, and laughter can be heard everywhere.
"If you want to search for clues in Xiling and want me to help you, you must first tell me the reason and the whole story. If any trouble occurs, I will have a reason to explain to the court officials." The queen brought the subject back.
Bai Yuze said, "We are wanted criminals in nine countries. The Queen is so confident. If she really gives us an easy way, aren't you afraid that Xiling will offend all the countries?"
The Queen sat upright, her hands resting on her knees. The air of a superior was natural and dignified, and she exuded a sense of dominance. "I, Xiling, do not cause trouble, but I am not afraid of it either. Besides, I need to know the whole story first. Whether I can grant this convenience is still uncertain."
"If Wen Renjing uses Xiling for his own private affairs, Xiling might be dragged into the water if the incident breaks out. Is it possible to give him this convenience?"
"Do you have any evidence?"
"No."
"Then tonight, we will just chat."
Nanny Jin was waiting nearby, hearing the conversation between the two parties clearly, her whole body tense.
Everyone on the nine-country wanted list is not a good person.
Deep down, the Queen didn't agree with her sudden decision to invite these people on board, as it was too dangerous.
Now that the two sides are face to face, and the Queen is so tough, if the other side starts fighting... the armed protection equipped on the pleasure boat may not be enough!
Thinking of this, Nanny Jin subconsciously stepped forward and stood beside the Queen, just in case she could rescue her in time.
Tianbao raised his eyebrows.
Seeing this, the Queen waved her hand towards Nanny Jin, "Nanny Jin, please step aside."
"emperor--"
"They won't hurt me." The queen smiled and glanced at the girl opposite.
She was wearing a sky-blue dress with a ponytail tied high at the back of her head. She looked neat and tidy. Her beautiful face had a dull expression and her eyes were dark and quiet. She was a girl with very few emotions.
"You are Su Jiuni, nicknamed Tianbao, and you're at the top of the nine-nation wanted list," she said. "Rumor has it that you're extremely ruthless, striking with a sword without a word. You were the one who shaved off the Emperor of Longyuan Nation's hair, weren't you?"
Tian Bao opened her lips and said, "Yes."
The girl spoke frankly, and a smile crossed the Queen's eyes. "Longyuan is a small country, and its national strength ranks last among all the nations. In my opinion, the Longyuan Palace is just a sheepfold with leaks everywhere. But if it were other large countries, such as Dongpu, Beixiang, and Nansang, each palace is truly full of masters. I'm afraid it's impossible to enter the empty land as if it were empty."
"What does the Queen mean?"
"I'm just reminding you not to wander into the palace. Those around you will worry." The Queen sighed, "Don't think I'm meddling. Perhaps it's because I'm old and I look at you like one of my own juniors, so I talk too much."
Tianbao didn't respond, but she took note of the Queen's reminder.
She is sensitive to other people's emotions and has no hostility towards them.
"If you like the hustle and bustle of Du'an, you can stay at the inn in the city and have fun before leaving. That's enough for today's chat. I should return to the palace. I'll leave the pleasure boat to you. The moon festival night in Xiling is very lively, and a cruise on the lake is also very interesting."
After saying this, the Queen stood up and left the cabin accompanied by Nanny Jin.
The pleasure boat had docked at the pier at some point.
After the Queen got off the boat, the carriage that had been waiting there picked her up and left.
No one knew that the Queen was also on a boat cruise on the lake tonight.
The pleasure boat was really left to Tianbao and the others, and those who stayed behind were all thoughtful at the moment.
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