Mountain River Festival 229. On the way south

In Ye Li's study in Prince Ding's mansion, Ye Li looked calmly at Qin Feng standing in front of her and asked, "What do you think about this matter?"

Qin Feng looked calm, lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Everything is up to the princess." When he heard Ye Li say that Yao Ji volunteered to go to Chujing to help Leng Haoyu, Qin Feng's face was blank for a moment, but he quickly calmed down the flash of emotion and regained his composure. Taking Qin Feng's expression into her eyes, Ye Li knew in her heart that Qin Feng really cared about Yao Ji.

In the past few years, Qin Feng has been with Ye Li for the sake of Qilin's leadership. Ye Li's trust in him is no less than that in Zhuo Jing, Lin Han and others. Although Ye Li doesn't like to interfere in his subordinates' private affairs, he doesn't want his subordinates to be trapped by love and even affect their work. He looked at Qin Feng and said, "I haven't agreed to her request yet. If you don't want her to go, I can reject her request." Qin Feng was startled, and soon shook his head and forced a smile and said, "This is her own decision. I have no right to interfere."

Seeing him like this, Ye Li could only sigh and said, "Yao Ji, this trip is full of dangers. I just hope you won't regret it."

Qin Feng was silent. "Thank you, Princess." Ye Li stopped trying to persuade him. She took a book from the side, wrote a few words on it, and handed it to Qin Feng, saying, "In that case, you can give this to Yao Ji. We will set out in seven days."

"As you command."

After sending Yao Ji away, Qin Feng did not seem depressed. He still traveled between Qilin and Licheng every day, but he stayed in Qilin for a longer time. When the examination was over, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li personally selected a group of young people with outstanding talents and abilities to fill the Northwest officials. What followed was the annual Yeli's most grand Chamber of Commerce, but this year Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao did not have time to join the event because they had to leave for Nanzhao to attend Princess Anxi's wedding.

In the team heading to Nanzhao, in addition to Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li, Qin Feng, and Zhuo Jingfeng, there was also Xu Qingchen, the son of Qingchen, who was squeezed in at the last minute. The original plan was that Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao would go to Nanzhao, leaving Xu Qingchen and Xu Hongyu to manage the affairs of the Northwest, but when they were about to leave, Xu Hongyu drove Xu Qingchen out and left General Lu Jinxian, who was originally going to go with them. Mo Xiuyao didn't know what he was thinking, but he agreed after a little hesitation. So, the entire Northwest group of people whose appearance was obviously much above the average level went south to Nanzhao leisurely.

In the past few years, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li have been busy governing the northwest, reorganizing the Mo family army, and other matters. They have not set foot in the northwest for five years. However, there is a large area of ​​land between the northwest and Nanzhao, so as soon as the group left the northwest, they were targeted by soldiers from all over the country. Although they were not intercepted or attacked, the feeling of being watched cautiously and vigilantly wherever they went was still very uncomfortable.

That day, when the group passed through a small town to rest and have a meal, Mo Xiuyao was finally irritated by these people.

This small town is not big, and even its name is not very eye-catching. It is just because it is close to the southwest border, so it is also heavily garrisoned. It is considered the second or third line of defense of the southwest border, and can directly support the southwest border area. It was noon when Mo Xiuyao and his group arrived at this small town. The weather was very hot. Seeing that it was only more than a day's journey to Shattered Snow Pass, and there were still more than 20 days before Princess Anxi's wedding, they were not in a hurry to travel. They planned to rest in the small town for one night and then travel early tomorrow morning. The group was not picky. There were no luxurious restaurants and inns in this small town, so they just randomly chose a decent one and booked it.

The shop owner saw that they were all handsome men and beautiful women, and they were well dressed. Naturally, he understood that they were of high status and treated them very attentively. Although Ye Li's group was not large, except for Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao, Xu Qingchen, Feng San, Qin Feng, and Zhuo Jing, there were only more than 40 guards, half of whom were Black Cloud Cavalry and half were Qilin under Qin Feng. Black Cloud Cavalry is needless to say, and Qilin's people are indeed all kinds of people. Even making tea and cooking is a piece of cake for them. Not only the shop owner and the waiter, but also the chef of the guest inn is useless. Ye Li and a few others sat on the second floor and ate the exquisite dishes served by the chefs in Qilin, and told others to go and eat.

"Qin Feng, your subordinates are really talented." Feng Zhiyao exclaimed as he ate the delicacies on the table that were as delicious as those cooked by first-class chefs.

Qin Feng smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Feng San is too flattering. It's just a trifle." Feng Zhiyao was envious and jealous. It was indeed a trifle. But the person who could master these trifles so thoroughly must be a master among masters. Feng Zhiyao had not only seen cooking masters in Qilin, but also scholars who showed off their knowledge when they had nothing to do, and talents from all walks of life who were proficient in various crafts, and even people who did tailoring and embroidery. More importantly, these people also had terrifying strength.

Xu Qingchen smiled as he drank tea and listened to their conversation. Feng Zhiyao was a person who always wanted to make the world chaotic and hated to see people stay out of it. He immediately showed concern for Master Qingchen without hesitation, "Speaking of which, Master Qingchen, you have been quiet since you left the northwest. Are you in a bad mood?" Everyone present immediately remembered Princess Anxi's friendship with Master Qingchen and the friendship between Master Qingchen and Princess Anxi. Could it be that Master Qingchen did not despise Princess Anxi, but was too reserved to say it. So now that Princess Anxi has married someone else, Master Qingchen is so sad?

Everyone immediately thought of a series of things that Master Qingchen and Princess Anxi had to say, and looked at Xu Qingchen with a little more sympathy. Xu Qingchen's handsome face couldn't help but twitch, and he sighed helplessly: "I was just wondering, these people followed us all the way... Will something happen?"

Everyone looked out the window. Across the street, at the corners, and under the trees, all kinds of people were standing. They seemed to be chatting or just passing by, but in their eyes, such disguises were extremely poor. Feng Zhiyao narrowed his eyes and said, "You know what, there seem to be more and more people following us. Don't they think we really didn't notice them?" Xu Qingchen sighed, "Why do they think it's unimportant? What I'm worried about is..."

Mo Xiuyao put down his wine glass, looked at Xu Qingchen and said, "Are you worried that Mo Jingqi will kill you?"

Xu Qingchen nodded solemnly, his brows slightly furrowed as he said, "In the past few years, the Northwest has been living in peace with the Great Chu. If we use the passage to Nanzhao, Mo Jingqi will not attack us. But... Mo Jingqi is always an unstable factor. With the situation in the past few days, there is no guarantee that they will not attack us." Ye Li asked, "Brother, if they are really going to attack, where do you think it would be the most appropriate place?" Xu Qingchen shook his head and said, "It all depends on when they think it's convenient. We are now standing on the land of Da Chu, and Mo Jingqi can say anything." Feng Zhiyao sneered, "Besides Xiling, Da Chu is the only country bordering the northwest. Do they want us to take a detour through Xiling? Or do they want us not to go anywhere?" Xu Qingchen raised his eyebrows and said, "Just because we think so doesn't mean Mo Jingqi will think so too."

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, "In that case, let him try. Let me see how much Mo Jingqi has improved in the past few years." Feng Zhiyao sneered, "What improvement can he make? The northeastern part was ceded to the barbarian tribes there. The great Chu can't even handle a few tribes in the border villages, but it is having a great time fighting with Mo Jingli in Chujing." Although they have nothing to do with the Chu now, it still makes people feel uncomfortable to hear that a piece of land in the northeast of the Chu has been occupied by a few tribes. Especially the soldiers of the Mo family army, they are particularly displeased with Mo Jingqi. In the past, you thought that it was our Dingwang Mansion and the Mohist Army that hindered you. Now the Mohist Army and Dingwang Mansion have nothing to do with you. Why don’t you show off your talents and strategies?

"Since there is no improvement, I can fix the waste under his hands for him." Mo Xiuyao said calmly. Everyone present exchanged glances when they heard this. The prince's words seemed... a little murderous. But is it really auspicious to kill someone on the way to attend someone's wedding?

But apparently there was no need to wait for Mo Xiuyao to come and cause trouble, because the trouble came to them before they even finished their lunch.

"Someone! Surround the inn immediately!" A haughty male voice came from downstairs. Feng Zhiyao stood up and looked down and couldn't help but laugh, "Hey, Prince, we are an old acquaintance." Mo Xiuyao glanced down at the man who was commanding the soldiers to surround the inn, and raised his eyebrows in confusion. He knew a lot of people, and the man in front of him didn't have much impact on him. Feng Zhiyao smiled and said, "Prince, take a closer look at this man, whose face makes people want to take a picture of him, and his lame leg with such a unique personality. Shouldn't he look familiar?"

After hearing what he said, Mo Xiuyao suddenly remembered, "The one about Guan Ting who was trampled by a horse? How come the horse didn't trample him to death when it was blind?"

Feng Zhiyao smiled and said, "How about I find another horse to step on?"

The people upstairs were still laughing, but the people downstairs couldn't help shouting. Guan Ting was seen limping on one leg and walking back and forth across the street, shouting to the other side: "A group of rebels actually dared to set foot on the land of Da Chu. This general is in the name of the emperor to wipe out the rebels. Why don't you surrender quickly!"

Feng Zhiyao upstairs couldn't help but complain: "If it were me, I would shoot thousands of arrows at the inn and turn it into a hedgehog. I don't have much ability, but I talk a lot." Qin Feng smiled and said, "So the third son of Feng will live longer than him." Feng Zhiyao smiled and bowed his hands to thank him, "Thank you for your good words."

Qin Feng stood up, glanced at the arrogant man downstairs with contempt, and asked sideways: "Prince, Princess, do you want to kill him first?"

Mo Xiuyao stood up and said, "No need, let's go down and take a look first. Oh, right... find someone to take Master Qingchen away first." At the very least, all of them were able to protect themselves, but Xu Qingchen was truly powerless. If a fight breaks out later, although it would not be difficult to protect Xu Qingchen, there would always be accidents in a chaotic army. Xu Qingchen also knew that he was a burden, so he nodded and agreed with Mo Xiuyao's words, and just said to Ye Li, "Li'er, be careful." Ye Li smiled and said, "Don't worry, big brother."

After seeing off Xu Qingchen, the group followed Mo Xiuyao downstairs to watch the excitement. The guards who were originally having dinner in the lobby downstairs had already stood up and were guarding the door. On the street outside the door, there were still several corpses of the Great Chu soldiers who ignored the advice and wanted to rush into the inn. Guan Ting obviously did not expect that the guards of Prince Ding's mansion would be so tough. They dared to kill people so easily when he was surrounded by heavy troops. His face, which was already a little ugly, was now even more iron-green and twisted, telling of his anger.

"How dare you! You are so arrogant even when you are about to die! This general will crush you to pieces to relieve my hatred!" Guan Ting shouted at the guards at the door under the protection of many soldiers. The guards at the door, especially the Qilin guards, couldn't help but twitch their lips, looking at Guan Ting as if he were a fool or a dead person. This idiot doesn't think that he can be safe and worry-free by hiding behind others, so he is so arrogant, right? A Qilin couldn't help but raised his hand and swung it at the person opposite. With a whoosh, a green light shot towards Guan Ting quickly and accurately.

Guan Ting suddenly shot a green object towards him, and naturally he was startled and tried to dodge. But he was hiding among many soldiers, and he had grown fat in recent years, so how could he hide? He didn't even have time to squat before the object was in front of him, and he was so scared that he immediately screamed, "Hidden weapon! Hidden weapon! Save me! Save me!"

The thing hit him and caused a sharp pain in his shoulder, but it was not enough to kill him. Everyone, including the soldiers of the Chu State that Guan Ting brought with him, could not help but look at the man who was yelling and shouting in front of them as if he were an idiot. Someone muttered, "Idiot!"

Guan Ting called out for a while and realized something was wrong. He opened his eyes and found that he was completely fine. He was delighted. Then he saw something strange, wet and slightly fragrant on his gorgeous clothes. "What...what is this?"

"General, it's cucumber!" the soldier beside him reported seriously.

Guan Ting then noticed a half-eaten cucumber on the ground not far away. He immediately realized that he had been tricked and flew into a rage, "I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you! Come on, kill these traitors!"

"Guan Ting, who are you going to kill? Why don't you tell me?" A cold and clear voice came out slowly from the inn. The guards immediately stepped aside to make way. Mo Xiuyao, still with white hair like snow, appeared in front of everyone in a white robe, holding Ye Li.