The bandits were arrested by the Prefect of Jingzhao and imprisoned. After interrogation, it was discovered that they were bandits entrenched in the dense forests north of Changping, frequently committing robberies and murders. The surrounding villagers, unable to bear the harassment, moved away. The farmhouse in the forest originally belonged to a hunter family, but due to the constant harassment, they abandoned it and moved away, leaving the house empty—everything that could be moved had been taken. The bandits used the farmhouse as their gathering point. When there was nothing to do, these people had other things to do. For example, Da Lin and Xiao Lin were cart drivers, A Wu was a small merchant, there were butchers, waiters, and traders—in short, all people from the lower classes.
Hongli went to plead with the Fourth Prince for their lives, asking him not to take their lives. He and Hongzhou had escaped unharmed, so they were only imprisoned for a short time before being released. The Fourth Prince had other important matters on his mind, so he didn't think much of it and agreed to Hongli's request.
Hongli and Hongzhou were kidnapped for several days, and their contact with Fucha Mingyu was naturally cut off. Furthermore, because Biechuke was on good terms with Fucha Mingyu, he couldn't resist her questioning and revealed some details about Hongli's kidnapping.
On this day, Hongli took the opportunity of delivering bedding and clothes for the children to Yaertan to visit the Fucha residence.
“Cousin, these are some clothes that Mother made for the two young princesses in the manor. Although she didn’t make them herself, Mother personally decided on the patterns and styles. And these are clothes for the baby in your womb, whether it’s a boy or a girl.” Hongli instructed his servant to hand a package containing a few clothes for each child to Yaertan’s maid, and then said.
"Hehe, you're too kind. I'm so happy that you remember me so well, Aunt. Hongli, since you're here, why don't you meet Mingyu? Although it's said that unmarried men and women shouldn't meet, now that you've exchanged betrothal gifts, why don't you meet here with your cousin?" Ya'ertan knew perfectly well that her young cousin, who was quite young but had the demeanor of an adult, had come to see his aunt.
Hongli naturally nodded in agreement when he heard Yartan say this.
Hongli was led to an elegant garden to drink tea and admire the flowers. After a while, Fucha Mingyu, dressed in an orange-red qipao and draped in a yellow cloak, gracefully arrived.
"Fourth Prince!"
Hongli's shoulder twitched, and when he turned to see Fucha Mingyu, his face flushed slightly. After all, he was only a twelve-year-old boy, and his feelings for Fucha Mingyu were merely fondness, not any deep romantic love. At their age, they didn't yet experience such profound emotions. However, the two families had already secretly arranged their marriage, waiting only for the imperial concubine selection next year, after which the emperor would bestow the marriage upon them, and everything would proceed naturally.
"Mingyu, you look a bit thinner?" Hongli hadn't seen Fucha Mingyu for some time. The last time they met was at Yaertan's horse farm, and they hadn't seen each other since. This was their first meeting since their engagement, so they were both a little awkward.
Originally, Hongli and Fucha Mingyu had only met a few times and had developed some mutual affection. Unexpectedly, when they met again, they were already engaged.
"Oh? I heard you were kidnapped? I've been worried for days. Are you alright?" Fucha Mingyu asked, blushing. Ever since she heard from Bie Chuke that Hongli had been kidnapped, she had indeed been so worried that she couldn't eat or drink for several days, which is why her cheeks were a little thinner than before.
"It's nothing, just some petty thieves. I'm sorry to have worried you," Hongli said, but in his heart he was wondering how Fucha Mingyu knew about his kidnapping, which should have been kept secret.
“Fourth Prince, you are of considerable weight. How could you not bring some attendants? You must never go out alone like that again.” Mingyu naturally knew why Hongli and Hongzhou had been tied up.
Seeing the anxiety clearly on Mingyu's face, Hongli knew she was worried about him, so he said, "No, don't worry, I'll be more careful in the future. Mingyu, why don't you come with me for a walk?"
Mingyu was a little agitated because she had heard that Hongli had been kidnapped. She was worried about him and also worried that if something happened to him, she would be a widow before marriage.
Seeing that Hongli was so compliant, she was pleased and nodded, saying, "Alright, the scenery there is very nice. I'll take you to see it."
Meanwhile, at Prince Yong's residence, Hongzhou and Ulanara Xueying were also "coincidentally" meeting in the garden. Xueying was overjoyed to learn that Hongli and Hongzhou had returned and wanted to see him immediately, but reason told her she couldn't act impulsively. Because that person had no idea that she loved him.
At this moment, Hongzhou saw that Xueying asked him several questions in one breath, all of which were about his well-being. He assumed that she was anxious about him, and a glimmer of hope rekindled in his heart.
"You said that the Fourth Prince wrote a poem in Tibetan and had that person personally deliver the ransom note to the Consort? Isn't that just walking into a trap?" Xueying said with a smirk. She had asked so many questions, but what she really wanted to ask was Hongli. However, she couldn't ask directly, so she could only use asking Hongzhou to find out about Hongli.
“Yes, those stupid thieves were no match for my fourth brother. He’s quick-witted and exceptionally clever, and those idiots didn’t even know how they got caught. They’re still locked up in the Jingzhao Yin’s prison right now.” Hongzhou couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Xueying smile.
Xueying covered her lips and laughed, which made Hongzhou somewhat infatuated. Her charming and graceful appearance became even more captivating.
"Xueying, me?" Hongzhou recalled what he had said to Xueying at Tantuo Temple that day, but before he could finish speaking, she interrupted him. Now, Hongzhou wanted to continue saying what he had left unsaid that day.
Seeing Hongzhou's infatuated look, Xueying knew he wanted to confess his feelings to her again, so she quickly said, "Aunt has other matters to attend to, so Xueying will take her leave first. Fifth Prince, you must be more careful when you go out in the future, and don't cause such trouble again, making people worry."
After saying that, Xueying took the hand of her maid A'luo and walked away quickly, leaving Hongzhou, who was stunned on the spot, behind her.
After Xueying had been gone for a long time, Hongzhou kicked a stone on the ground and muttered to himself, "Why am I so tongue-tied when I see her?"
“Princess, that Fifth Prince is still standing there staring at you adoringly!” A’Luo said with a smile.
"Unfortunately, the person I have my eye on is not him, and that person is probably with Fucha Mingyu right now," Xueying said.
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