Yao Wenchang? Lu Qingyan had heard Ji Feng mention him. Although he came from a poor family, he was a capable man. However, in his early years, his stubbornness offended many powerful figures, preventing him from getting promoted and instead leading to his suppression. Later, he somehow got lucky and married the daughter of the Xie family's direct descendant. Through the Xie family's machinations, he finally rose to his current position as the Prefect of the Capital.
"Lord Yao." Lu Qingyan nodded slightly. "I didn't expect that someone would know about my arrival so soon. I feel a little wronged that Lord Yao came all the way to welcome me. I am truly unworthy of such a title."
"I am but a humble man, fortunate enough to have received this task to serve the people and welcome the princess of Lu Kingdom. It is nothing more than a small matter that I cannot do, and it is hardly a grievance. I am here thanks to the message sent by Young Master Ji, who said that he encountered the princess being chased on the way. Although Young Master Ji is not a member of the court, he would not keep such an important matter to himself, as it concerns the friendship between the two countries. The Emperor received the report while I was present, so he sent me to fetch the princess."
Yao Wenchang was all smiles, not at all lazy or dissatisfied with the job because it seemed simple.
Lu Qingyan turned to look at Ji Feng standing in the wind. He stood quietly among the crowd, a slight smile on his lips, seemingly whispering something to someone.
"The journey has been incredibly difficult, but I never expected the princess to be only two or three days late," Yao Wenchang said. He casually told Lu Qingyan the information she wanted to know: "Young Master Shen and the wedding party arrived three days ago, but they weren't with the princess. This has greatly worried the Emperor, who thought something had happened to her."
Lu Qingyan smiled. Yao Wenchang really didn't know how to talk. If he were more clever, he would have said a few more words like "thank you for your blessings" and "thank you for being alright."
However, Lu Qingyan wasn't particularly angry when she heard this.
"Then—I wonder if Lord Yao knows how my two maids are doing?" As soon as she said this, she couldn't help but become nervous.
Yao Wenchang sighed: "I heard that Liusu is gone. Young Master Shen buried her. The one named Manao was seriously injured. I heard she almost didn't make it."
A chill ran through her, and she suddenly remembered her daughter's chattering voice from the past. At that moment, Lu Qingyan regretted not teaching her more survival skills. But back then, how could she have foreseen this day?
Even she herself was only a novice in martial arts; it was already a miracle that she had survived.
Lu Qingyan lowered her head and said dejectedly, "That day, those assassins suddenly appeared, and it was Liusu who took a sword for me. She was so young and she died. It's my fault as her master."
Yao Wenchang advised, "Your Highness, you are too kind. Since Miss Liusu was by your side, she should have protected Your Highness from injury. Her death was a fitting end. For someone without a servant to do this is indeed commendable. Your Highness, rest assured, the Emperor is also preparing to reward her."
Lu Qingyan gave a bitter smile. What's the point of those rewards now that the person is gone? These empty titles are of no use to her anymore.
Yao Wenchang realized he had spoken out of turn, and coughed twice before asking, "Would the princess like to first go to the palace to pay her respects to the Emperor, or go to the post station with the envoy first?"
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