Liu Xingzuo and his brothers were full of confidence, chatting as they walked. They were excited to be able to serve the court and the emperor instead of being neglected and hidden away.
On the side of the road, two pairs of eyes stared at them, and only looked away in disappointment after watching them go away.
"He came out of the palace. Only if he went in could he deliver a message to the emperor." Bumbutai sighed softly, unable to hide her disappointment.
Hailanzhu remained silent, knowing that her hope of conveying a message to the emperor was too slim, but this was the only way to go.
So, no matter what, I had to give it a try. The worst that could happen was that I would be beheaded by those sword-wielding guards outside the palace. Anyway, I was already prepared to die.
Bumbutai was still young, and Hailanzhu thought more and more carefully than she did. Although the two generals who had just passed by were from the palace, Hailanzhu felt that she could not look for them.
If they were to find someone, they had to find someone of higher rank than them, preferably a civil official who wouldn't be as reckless as a military commander. They might be dragged away and beheaded before they could even finish their words.
But if I stop the official, what should I say to impress him and get him to pass on the message to the emperor to pardon his relatives?
Hailanzhu had been thinking about this problem, but found that apart from the somewhat ridiculous reason of "surrender and no death", they did not have any more bargaining chips. The gold and silver they carried with them were not worth the emperor's attention at all!
"Ice Flower Dew - Popsicles - Quenches thirst and cools you down!"
The crisp hawking sound attracted Bumbutai's attention. She licked her lips subconsciously, glanced at her sister, and asked tentatively, "Sister, are you thirsty?"
Hailanzhu smiled and said, "Let's go together and try something new."
The three of them walked up to the stall and saw a half-grown girl hawking her wares.
When Erya saw the customers coming, she immediately showed a pleasant smile, greeted them warmly, and skillfully prepared ice flower dew, one bowl for each person.
"It's really ice!" Bumbutai scooped up a mouthful with a small wooden spoon and gently put it into his mouth. His eyes widened and he let out a surprised sound.
Erya's eyes curved with laughter. She was about the same age as the other girl, so she seemed to be more talkative. "Of course it's really cold. It tastes so cool. It's so comfortable on a hot day."
Hailanzhu was also surprised when she tasted it, but not as obviously as Bumbutai. She asked casually, "I don't know how this ice is made. It doesn't taste expensive."
Arya laughed and said, "I don't know either. Anyway, there's the Royal Cold Drink Factory. We can just get popsicles and ice cubes from there."
Royal?! They're really too free to do this weird stuff.
Not to mention the emperor, even the nobles of Khorchin did not have to work hard and could just sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Hailanzhu turned her head to look at the Meridian Gate and the Imperial City in the distance, then looked at here, which seemed not very far away.
Something in her heart moved. She looked at Erya, thought as she ate, and asked, "This place is so far away from the imperial city. I can't see clearly. It would be better if we could be closer."
Arya, not knowing she was trying to trick her, enthusiastically explained, "You can't just get close to them, except on certain special days."
"What special day?" Hai Lanzhu asked with a smile: "We can't stay in the capital for too long, let's see if we can catch it?"
Erya tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said, "In three days, there will be a prisoner presentation ceremony. The captured Jiannu officials will be paraded through the streets and then beheaded at Caishikou. Perhaps we can let the common people get close to the Jinshui Bridge and watch His Majesty ascend the Meridian Gate Tower..."
"Is it just that a high-ranking official of the Jiannu is going to be beheaded as a public display?" Hai Lanzhu's heart tightened and she hurried to confirm.
Erya was not too sure and said, "I heard about it too. Could there be someone else?"
Hailanzhu chuckled, lowered her head to eat her cold drink, and didn't respond to the conversation.
"Another bowl—" Bumbutai hesitated for a moment and said, "Let's change to that shaved ice!"
Erya agreed with a smile, and deftly used tools to crush the ice, added chopped fruit, poured milk and juice on it, and brought it over.
The colorful snow and ice exude a hint of coolness, which is refreshing and mouth-watering just by looking at and smelling it.
If I had ice cubes, I could make it too. It’s so simple! Bumbutai muttered to himself and took a spoon to taste it.
There was the clatter of horse hooves as a dozen riders slowly approached. Apparently, they were approaching the imperial city, and no one dared to gallop recklessly.
Nuke! Hailanzhu immediately stared at a guy on the horse, without blinking, and her eyes followed him.
Perhaps this was his only chance, before his parents and relatives were taken to the capital and before any action was taken.
Hailanzhu gritted her teeth, stood up suddenly, and quickly chased after him, shouting: "Nuk, Nuk."
The sudden change caused the dozen or so knights to slow down. Nuke pulled the reins, turned his head to look, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
Bumbutai didn't react at all, with the spoon still in her mouth, she stared in amazement as her sister rushed over.
"It's you, Xiaozhu." Nuke smiled, waved his hand, and got off the horse.
"My name is not Xiaozhu." Hailanzhu stopped, her face solemn and somewhat resolute, and she said loudly: "I am the daughter of Zaisan Buhe of the Khorchin tribe. My name is Hailanzhu."
"Hmm?" The knights who had been slowly advancing were stunned for a moment, then turned their horses' heads, staring with varying expressions at the Khorchin woman who had taken the initiative to reveal her identity.
Hu Dawei looked her up and down with suspicion on his face. He couldn't guess what this woman wanted to do by introducing herself.
Nuke was also stunned, blinking slowly, his expression changing from gloomy to bright.
Nuk had a good impression of Hailanzhu and Bumbutai, but he thought they were Han women and did not hold out much hope.
When they met again in the capital, it was Hailanzhu who took the initiative to greet him and ran over hurriedly, which surprised Nuke very much.
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