Xiao Mochen estimated the days; based on the date his aunt and the others left, they should have arrived by now.
However, he sent several groups of men to meet them at the city gate, instructing them to report immediately upon seeing his aunt enter the capital. But after waiting and waiting, there was still no news of Yan Qingqing and the others.
Xiao Mochen was getting impatient and asked Xiao Ruizi, who was standing beside him, "Has there been any news from Auntie and the others yet?"
Xiao Ruizi replied respectfully, "Your Highness, we haven't seen them yet. Please wait patiently a little longer; Lady Mingzhao and the others will surely arrive soon."
Xiao Ruizi was also filled with emotion. He had served the prince since he was a child and had never seen him care about anyone so much.
In order to receive Lady Mingzhao as soon as possible, he had sent out several groups of men to wait at the city gate several days in advance. They were to report back every hour, regardless of whether they had received her or not.
Even when Her Majesty the Empress was critically ill, His Highness was never this anxious.
Upon hearing that there was still no news of Yan Qingqing, Xiao Mochen said irritably, "No, I must go to the city gate myself. My aunt should have arrived by now."
"Little Ruizi, go prepare the horses!"
Knowing she couldn't dissuade Xiao Mochen, Xiao Ruizi quickly agreed.
Just as Xiao Mochen was about to leave, the gatekeeper came to report that Pei Zisheng was requesting an audience.
Pei Zisheng was his maternal uncle, so he couldn't very well refuse to see him.
So they had someone invite him in.
Xiao Mochen is the ruler, and Pei Zisheng is the subject. Naturally, Pei Zisheng must pay his respects to Xiao Mochen.
Xiao Mochen quickly stepped forward to help him up, saying, "I have said many times that we are family, Uncle, there is no need to be so polite."
Pei Zisheng laughed and said, "Your Highness, the ceremony cannot be abandoned."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mochen fell silent. This was the reason why he wasn't very close to his maternal grandfather and uncle.
When he needed family affection, they insisted on talking to him about the etiquette between ruler and subject.
I'm afraid that one day when he needs to observe the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, they'll start talking to him about family ties.
Xiao Mochen put aside his thoughts and looked at Pei Zisheng with a smile, asking, "Uncle, what brings you here? Is there something you need?"
Pei Zisheng replied, "I just received news that the First Prince sent five secret guards to Xuancheng Prefecture a month ago."
Two weeks ago, they borrowed ten more bodyguards from the Yu family, and their whereabouts are unknown.
However, neither of these two groups of secret guards has returned yet.
I was thinking, Mo Chen, didn't you stay in Xuancheng Prefecture for more than a year when you went missing?
Could they be investigating your background?
Pei Zisheng is Xiao Mochen's maternal uncle. Xiao Mochen would reveal some things to him as a sign of their close relationship.
But he couldn't let outsiders know. Xiao Mochen wouldn't mention a single word about it, including his private training of bodyguards and a private army.
Not only did Pei Zisheng not know, but he also didn't tell Yan Qingqing. This is the mindset of a future emperor.
However, Xiao Mochen's feelings for Yan Qingqing were genuine.
When he heard that the eldest prince, Xiao Moyan, had sent someone to Xuancheng Prefecture, his heart skipped a beat.
He wasn't worried about Xiao Moyan uncovering his secrets; he was worried that Xiao Moyan might harm his aunt.
Furthermore, given that so much time has passed and Yan Qingqing and the others still haven't arrived in the capital, Xiao Mochen felt increasingly certain that this was indeed the case.
Unable to sit still any longer, he said to Xiao Ruizi, "Quickly prepare the horses, I am leaving the capital."
After saying that, he hurriedly mounted his horse and left the mansion.
He didn't even notice when Pei Zisheng called him from behind.
Seeing his anxiety, Pei Zisheng was worried about Xiao Mochen's safety and also concerned that something serious had happened. So he mounted his horse and chased after him.
No one dared to stop Prince Chen from leaving the capital. Pei Zisheng hurried out of the city gate before catching up with Xiao Mochen.
He quickly asked, "Mo Chen, has something happened? Why are you in such a hurry to leave the capital?"
Xiao Mochen replied, "My aunt set off for the capital a month ago."
But so far no one has been seen.
My uncle just said that Xiao Moyan sent out more than a dozen secret guards. I'm afraid he's after my aunt, so I need to go and meet him personally.
Pei Zisheng then realized why Xiao Mochen was in such a hurry.
It seems that Lady Mingzhao holds a very special place in Xiao Mochen's heart.
Then the Pei family will definitely have to befriend Lady Mingzhao.
However, Pei Zisheng disagreed with Xiao Mochen leaving the capital now. If Xiao Moyan really took action against Yan Qingqing, then his target would definitely not be Yan Qingqing, but Xiao Mochen.
Just as he was about to speak to dissuade them, he saw a group of people approaching from a distance.
A dozen or so guards dressed in black, clearly skilled in combat, followed by several carriages.
Upon seeing the approaching group, Xiao Mochen smiled with delight and spurred his horse toward them.
Li Xiang'an and Mu Xi also saw Xiao Mochen.
They now knew Xiao Mochen's identity. So they quickly dismounted and bowed to Xiao Mochen.
Xiao Mochen quickly helped the two up and said, "Second brother, what are you doing? Are you trying to be a stranger to me?"
And Mu Xi, I never expected you to be a woman, and even engaged to my second brother.
I've already had gifts prepared and am just waiting for your arrival in the capital.
Xiao Mochen always referred to himself as "this king" in front of Pei Zisheng, but he actually referred to himself as "I" in front of Li Xiang'an. The closeness between them is evident.
Because Yan Qingqing had already told Xiao Mochen about Li Xiang'an and Mu Xi's engagement in her letter.
Xiao Mochen was greatly shocked when he received the news.
After the two thanked Xiao Mochen again, he asked, "Where's Aunt? I haven't seen her."
As soon as Xiao Mochen finished speaking, A'da opened the carriage door, and Yan Qingqing stepped out, carrying Li Xiangyang. Li Yueniang followed closely behind.
Li Xiangyang was overjoyed to see Xiao Mochen and reached out his arms for him to hug him.
Xiao Mochen quickly caught Li Xiangyang, then looked at Yan Qingqing who was unharmed and smiled, "Auntie, have a safe journey."
Yan Qingqing looked at Xiao Mochen, who had grown quite a bit taller, and smiled, "Okay, Auntie is doing well. I'm sorry to have worried Mochen."
Yan Qingqing understood perfectly well that Xiao Mochen was here at this moment; he was definitely worried about her safety.
However, this was not the place to talk. After exchanging a few words with Xiao Mochen, Yan Qingqing followed them back to the capital.
As soon as Yan Qingqing arrived in the capital, many people began to gossip. She sat in the carriage and did not show herself, but Xiao Mochen rode his horse to protect her.
What kind of status must someone have to be to receive a personal escort on horseback from His Highness Prince Chen?
So everyone was discussing who could possibly have such a big presence.
It wasn't until the carriage entered Mingzhao's residence that they realized it was Lady Mingzhao who had come to the capital.
Yan Qingqing's deeds were known to almost everyone in the Great Yan Dynasty.
Despite being a widow, she not only raised seven children but also single-handedly created the well-known Canghe Liji brand.
His later act of giving up his entire fortune to help the country in disaster relief is even more admirable.
However, Yan Qingqing has always lived in their legends, and now that the real person is in the capital, everyone naturally wants to meet her.
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