To show their support for the new emperor, the Northern Hu delegation turned back halfway and stayed in the capital city of Dayong for more than a month.
As the second prince of the Northern Hu, Yelü Qi has repeatedly spoken out in public to support Xiao Huaijin's new policies, clearly indicating that he intends to make Dayong the leader.
But the Northern Hu did not come to submit to the emperor this time; they came to form an alliance.
Wouldn't the Northern Hu king resent him for doing this?
With these questions in mind, Shen Yunjiao went to the Honglu Temple Inn early the next morning, which was the inn where the Northern Hu envoy was currently staying.
As soon as she stepped off the carriage, she saw Yelü Qi embracing a brightly dressed courtesan, flirting shamelessly at the door.
Shen Yunjiao's brow twitched; she'd seen such an eyesore first thing in the morning.
She lifted her veil before following Fuxia toward Yelü Qi.
"If you like it, sir, please come and see my performance tonight."
Not far away, Shen Yunjiao heard a woman's charming voice coming from ahead.
The woman was passionate and fiery, leaning softly against Yelü Qi's chest, her fingertips gently poking his chest.
Yelü Qi smiled casually and said in a gentle and affectionate tone, "Of course, we'll go tonight."
He gently lifted the woman's chin with his fingertip. "Go back now. Remember to tell your mother that I'll still be ordering you tonight."
"Yes." The courtesan was overjoyed to hear this, and then reluctantly stood up straight and bowed to Yelü Qi. "I will be waiting for you, sir, at the Embroidered Spring Boat tonight."
The woman swayed her hips contentedly as she walked back, giving Shen Yunjiao a sizing look as she passed by.
Upon smelling the strong scent of cosmetics, Shen Yunjiao's nose instantly became itchy, and she couldn't help but sneeze.
She was curious: Yelü Qi was so close to this woman, how could he not smell the cheap fragrance?
Yelü Qi just really liked this kind of thing...
Shen Yunjiao sniffed in disgust, and when she saw Yelü Qi about to walk back, she hurriedly called out to him, "Wait!"
Yelü Qi seemed somewhat distracted from the moment he began to deal with the courtesan, until he heard a familiar voice and he snapped back to reality.
"Who are you?"
He turned around and looked at the veiled woman in front of him.
From that voice and those round, almond-shaped eyes, he quickly recognized the woman in front of him as the one he had been thinking about day and night for the past few days.
Shen Yunjiao was dressed very simply and modestly today, wearing a lake-blue casual jacket and a light pink skirt. Her skin glowed in the sunlight, making her look very gentle and beautiful.
Yelü Zang jumped violently, but his expression remained as nonchalant as ever. He pretended not to recognize Shen Yunjiao and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Who are you?"
The beautiful fox-like eyes were now sizing up Shen Yunjiao, as if looking at something interesting.
"Yelü Qi, it's me. I've come here to ask you something."
Shen Yunjiao lifted her veil, revealing her delicate features. With her red lips and white teeth, she looked at Yelü Qi with a charming gaze.
Yelü** thought that Shen Yunjiao probably had no idea how alluring she was in the sunlight.
In front of this small hostel, not only he, but other passing men couldn't help but take a few more glances.
How many people are actually watching her?
How many people will like her as much as I do?
The idea was actually absurd, but Yelü Qi couldn't help but continue to think about it, and he became agitated by it.
His eyes gradually darkened, like a lake concealing turbulent currents.
"Put on your veil and come with me." Yelü Qi's expression turned somewhat cold. After saying only these words to Shen Yunjiao, he walked inside.
Shen Yunjiao felt somewhat speechless; why did this person seem so unpredictable?
But she still had doubts and decided to follow them to find out.
Yelü Qi led Shen Yunjiao to a small pavilion in the courtyard of the inn. The pavilion was exquisite and cool, a perfect place to cool off.
Seeing that no one was around, Shen Yunjiao finally voiced her question, "Yelü Qi, are you aware of the attack on the Guangping Prince's residence yesterday?"
Yelü Qi said lazily, "How would I know about the affairs of your Dayong?"
“You’re lying.” Shen Yunjiao stared at him intently. “You know the current situation in Dayong very well, otherwise you wouldn’t have chosen to side with Xiao Huaijin.”
Yelü Qi was taken aback at first, then chuckled softly, "Yun Jiao is quite clever."
His voice was hoarse, casual yet carrying a hint of pressure, "You suspect that I am involved in the matter of the Prince of Guangping?"
Shen Yunjiao nodded readily, "Yes."
Yelü Qi's azure pupils narrowed unconsciously, and his tone became low and dangerous at the same time, "Miss Yun Jiao, you can't just say things like that. Why would I want to assassinate your Prince Dayong?"
Shen Yunjiao looked at him with complicated emotions. "Yelü Qi, I'm not doubting you. I just want to find out the identity of the assassin."
Shen Yunjiao took out a clean white handkerchief from her sleeve, carefully unfolded it, and presented it to Yelü Qi. "Look."
Yelü Qi took a step closer and lowered his head slightly to examine it.
Three silver needles were placed on the square cloth, and dried yellow liquid could be faintly seen on the tips of the needles.
Yelü Qi reached out to pick up the silver needle, but Shen Yunjiao slapped it away with a snap.
"These silver needles are poisonous; you mustn't handle them carelessly," Shen Yunjiao couldn't help but raise her voice.
"Uh." Yelü Qi's eyes paused for a moment, then he smiled and said, "Sorry."
He knew that the silver needles were definitely poisoned.
However, he deliberately reached out to touch the needle; he enjoyed seeing Shen Yunjiao get angry.
When Shen Yunjiao was emotionally agitated, her eyes would become bright and clear, like glass that had been washed clean. Yelü Qi was absolutely captivated by her appearance.
"Is this needle poisoned?" he asked, feigning belated realization.
Seeing Yelü Qi's blank expression, Shen Yunjiao snorted softly, thinking that if she hadn't been quick enough, Yelü Qi's fingers might have been poisoned instantly.
“This poisoned needle is stained with snake-entwined vine. You must recognize snake-entwined vine, right? It’s a poison from your Northern Hu.” Shen Yunjiao folded the handkerchief and put it away again. “Yesterday, one of the assassins of the Prince of Guangping used this kind of poison.”
Upon hearing this, Yelü Qi's gaze instantly turned cold.
"You suspect that I sent those assassins?"
Shen Yunjiao pursed her lips and remained silent.
Yelü Qi slowly took another step forward, almost forcing Shen Yunjiao back to the railing, forcing her to place her hands on the railing behind her to support her body so as not to fall backward.
"Shen Yunjiao." He lowered his head and approached Shen Yunjiao, his handsome face now icy cold. Shen Yunjiao smelled a faint scent of cedar.
"In your eyes, am I just a despicable person who only knows how to poison people?"
"I didn't say that." As his face drew closer, alarm bells suddenly rang in Shen Yunjiao's mind.
She reached out her hands and pushed the man away when he wasn't looking.
Shen Yunjiao took several steps back, glared at him, and said, "But the facts are right here. If it weren't for you, who else would know about the Northern Barbarian Secret Medicine?"
Yelü Zhong was very annoyed and said with a cold laugh, "You should suspect your lover instead of me. Everyone knows that Prince Guangping holds military power and is arrogant. Not only that, half of the civil officials in the court are on good terms with him. Emperor Xiao has just ascended the throne and his foundation is not stable. If he confronts him directly, he will definitely suffer a loss. So he secretly sent assassins to attack the Prince's mansion."
"Do you think my reasoning is reasonable?" Yelü Qi said lazily, arms crossed and eyes lowered.
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