"I'm afraid that's not a good idea. Cousin, you are of noble status. If something happens to you, how will I explain it to Uncle and His Majesty?"
"Don't worry, I got the Empress Dowager's permission before I came, nothing will happen."
"That's good. Even so, you should stay in Pingyang County and rest for a while. You can go look for people tomorrow."
"No, I'm leaving today. As the saying goes, time is of the essence. Every day of delay brings more uncertainty, and I dare not gamble."
"Oh dear! Didn't you just say that you've been traveling non-stop for the past few days? How can your body keep up?"
Li Huaiyin gave a bitter smile: "Shuyu, let's be frank. If you were in my position, could you sleep at night? I've been stubborn for three years, but I finally have to admit that I can't live without her."
"Sigh!" Zhao Shuyu had lost count of how many times he had sighed today. He had witnessed the entanglement between Yun Qing and his cousin step by step. At one time, he thought they were the most perfect match in the world.
However, he didn't know when it started, but he, who was a complete bystander, gradually became immersed in Yun Qing's vast eyes, and began to imagine himself as Li Huaiyin, deluding himself to have her deep affection and favoritism.
If an observer feels this way, how much more so must those directly involved feel?
"Cousin, go ahead. I support you. I hope this is the last time I call you cousin. If you can return safely, put aside your pride, fulfill her wishes, and fulfill your own."
“I understand, Shuyu. Thank you. I used to always be sarcastic towards you, but now it seems that you are the one who sees things most clearly and is the bravest. When it comes to matters of the heart, we have no say in anything.”
With that, Li Huaiyin hardened his gaze, turned, and left the tent.
"Have a safe journey." Looking at his lonely yet determined figure, Zhao Shuyu offered a silent blessing.
Accompanied by Yun Qing's trusted confidants, Li Huaiyin secretly infiltrated Tongji County.
"Young Master Li, our informant reports that the young lady seems to be at the magistrate's residence."
Just when Li Huaiyin was struggling to find Yun Qing's whereabouts, he suddenly received this good news.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go find her."
"Young Master Li, should all of us go? Wouldn't that attract too much attention?"
"Then it'll be just the two of us, you and I, disguised as embroiderers, and sneak in."
A few quarters of an hour later, Yun Qing almost didn't recognize Li Huaiyin, who was dressed in bright red and green.
However, Li Huaiyin recognized her at a glance. Although she had disguised herself into an ordinary appearance, for those who knew her, her glassy eyes were the most distinctive feature.
Seeing that Yun Qing knew how to disguise herself, Li Huaiyin breathed a sigh of relief: it was good that her identity had not been exposed. He had previously thought that she had been detained here.
"This embroiderer looks familiar to me. He happens to have an old garment that is torn. I wonder if you would be willing to restore it, sir?"
"Old clothes?"
“Indeed, it is the clothing of an old friend, and it is extremely important to me.”
"In that case, I, Li, will naturally comply with your request."
Ignoring the mocking looks from the others, Yun Qing led Li Huaiyin back to her temporary room.
The room was very tidy, with no signs of anyone else having been there. This was natural, as Yun Qing had made thorough preparations long ago and had persuaded Magistrate Chen to send Qi Xiao back as soon as possible.
If Li Huaiyin and the two of them were to meet again, she would probably be caught in the middle and wouldn't survive.
Although she knew perfectly well how Li Huaiyin got here, she still asked the question knowing the answer.
"Cousin, what brings you here? It's dangerous here. I'll have someone take you back."
"If you can stay here and I don't want to go back, why can't I?"
Having finally met the person he had been longing for, she immediately tried to send him away. How could Li Huaiyin possibly agree to that?
Seeing his resolute attitude, Yun Qing's expression softened, and she said earnestly, "Cousin, I know you're worried about me. I'm really happy that you risked your life to come all this way to find me, but the battlefield is not a place for child's play. As a man, you may face much greater dangers here than I do. Don't make me worry, okay?"
Since that rainy night three years ago, the two hadn't sat down and talked so peacefully for a long time. Li Huaiyin was momentarily dazed. He understood Yun Qing's concerns, of course, but this time, he wanted to make the decision himself.
"I know you mean well, but I don't need it. Even if it's dangerous, I'll stick with you no matter what and never let go."
Seeing his persistent look, Yun Qing sighed helplessly: "Since that's the case, then let me disguise you. Although your current attire conceals some of your appearance, you are still somewhat eye-catching."
As she spoke, she picked up the tools and began applying smears to Li Huaiyin's face.
A moment later, an ordinary-looking, even somewhat aged man appeared in the mirror.
Li Huaiyin stared intently at her as she carefully disguised herself, and said quietly, "I don't even know when you learned this skill."
Yun Qing asked in surprise, "Does this even need to be learned? Isn't it something you can learn by just glancing at it?"
Li Huaiyin: ...
"Young Miss, something terrible has happened! Someone has tipped us off, and the people from Qixing City are here to arrest us."
"Oh no! Run!"
Yun Qing grabbed Li Huaiyin's hand and led him away through the back gate of the county government office.
No sooner had the group left than a large number of soldiers rushed in: "Where is Magistrate Chen? We have received a report that someone has accused this place of harboring spies. Search it immediately!"
Yun Qing and the others rode their horses at breakneck speed, with the pursuers close behind. Just as they were about to reach the border between Pingyang County and Tongji County, the pursuers suddenly took out arrows and aimed them at them.
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