In the palace.
The princess pulled Xiao Zhiruo aside and asked her all sorts of questions, including about matters concerning marriage, which made Xiao Zhiruo blush. Soon the housekeeper came over and asked Xiao Zhiruo to go to the study.
"Father."
Xiao Zhiruo came to the study and bowed.
Xiao Cheng nodded, and then asked: "How are you doing in Qianhu Suo?"
Xiao Zhiruo lowered her eyes and said softly, "In reply to my father, everything is fine. Pei Yun treats me very considerately."
Xiao Cheng picked up the teacup and took a sip. "That's good. If Pei Yun bullies you, you can tell your father and he will take care of it for you."
Xiao Zhiruo said: "He won't bully me."
Xiao Cheng smiled and said, "It seems that your heart is entirely on him."
Xiao Zhiruo's face changed, and she looked at Xiao Cheng, "Father, Pei Yun is the husband I chose with great difficulty, why are you doing this?"
Xiao Cheng sighed, "You misunderstood father. You are my daughter and Pei Yun is my son-in-law. How could I harm him? Otherwise, I would not strongly recommend him to go on a diplomatic mission to the Southern Barbarians. If he succeeds, it will be a great achievement and he will definitely be appreciated by the emperor when he returns."
Xiao Zhiruo then realized why Xiao Cheng asked them to come back, and asked hesitantly, "Really?"
Xiao Cheng frowned and asked, "You still don't trust father?"
Xiao Zhiruo looked at her father's serious expression and felt a little relieved.
She lowered her head and said softly, "It's not that I don't believe in my father...it's just..."
"Did you bring the bottle that Lu Jingxuan gave you?"
"I brought it." Xiao Zhiruo took out the bottle.
"You didn't touch the things inside." Xiao Zhiruo shook her head.
Xiao Cheng picked up the bottle, opened the stopper and poured the powder into his mouth. Xiao Zhiruo was shocked.
“Father…”
"It's just some herbal powder in here. I just want to know if you still have me in your heart after you get married."
"this……"
Xiao Zhiruo was stunned. After a while, she said, "Father, how can you test your daughter like this..."
"You are the person my daughter respects the most. Even if I get married, this will never change."
"It's my fault, I won't do it again."
"Pei Yun is going on a diplomatic mission to the Southern Barbarians this time and won't be back in a short time. You can stay in the palace to accompany me and your mother. What do you think?"
"this……"
Xiao Zhiruo was a little hesitant. She had already gotten used to living in Qianhu Residence and liked those modern electrical appliances very much. She was just afraid that she would not be able to get used to it if she came back. But since Xiao Cheng said so, she had no choice but to agree.
After Xiao Zhiruo went out, Xiao Cheng quickly took out an antidote from the cabinet and swallowed it. The powder was a chronic poison. He swallowed it in front of Xiao Zhiruo to dispel her doubts and then keep her in the palace.
Although he could be forced to stay, the impression he has always given people is that of a kind father who treats Xiao Zhiruo very well. His character cannot be ruined, so it would be best to let Xiao Zhiruo stay on her own.
Xiao Zhiruo is an important chess piece in his hand and cannot be lost. Since he cannot use Xiao Zhiruo to tie Pei Yun up, it is better for her to stay in the palace.
…
"You want to stay in the palace?"
In the evening, Xiao Zhiruo told Pei Yun, which surprised him a little.
Xiao Zhiruo nodded and said, "Father and mother miss me very much and want me to stay in the palace for a few more days. I agreed."
Pei Yun frowned slightly. Could it be that the prince wanted to keep Xiao Zhiruo as a hostage?
Seeing Pei Yun like this, Xiao Zhiruo leaned in his arms and said, "Don't worry about me when you go to the Southern Barbarians. I had some misunderstandings about my father before, but now they have been resolved. I also want to spend more time with them."
Pei Yun could only nod when he heard this. It was natural for a daughter to accompany her parents, and he couldn't find any fault with it.
Now his relationship with Xiao Cheng is a little delicate. He knows that Xiao Cheng has some ill intentions towards him, but they are father-in-law and son-in-law, and they have not torn their faces. Moreover, this time he was asked to come without forcing him to show loyalty, and he was also asked to go on a diplomatic mission to Nanman. If this can be accomplished, it will indeed be a great achievement.
Pei Yun did not think that there would be any danger in his mission to the Southern Barbarians. When two countries were at war, envoys would not be killed. Moreover, it was he who proposed the policy to pacify the barbarians, so it was indeed the most appropriate person for him to be the envoy.
For a moment, he was a little confused about Xiao Cheng's thoughts. Did he want him to make a contribution, then be grateful to him and then join him in rebellion?
This idea is a bit too naive and the logic doesn't make sense.
Of course, Pei Yun also wondered if Xiao Cheng was going to harm him in Nanman, but he couldn't refuse the mission. The imperial edict had been issued, and if he didn't go, he would be disobeying the order.
We can only take one step at a time and see what happens.
Three days later, Pei Yun left the palace, accompanied by Lu Jingxuan and 100 best soldiers in the army.
These 100 men were not wearing armor, but tight clothes. They had an iron-blooded aura and were obviously elite troops.
The leader was called Huo Xiao. He served as the flag bearer and held the delegation flag that Xiao Cheng had prepared.
Xiao Cheng, wearing a python robe and jade belt, personally saw Pei Yun off, "My dear son-in-law, you must be careful when you go to the southern barbarians."
Pei Yun nodded and said, "Don't worry, father-in-law. I will act with caution."
Xiao Cheng patted his shoulder and said solemnly, "The southern barbarians are dangerous. If anything happens, remember to save your life."
Then he turned to Lu Jingxuan and warned, "Jingxuan, you must protect the county horse well. If anything goes wrong, you will be beheaded!"
Lu Jingxuan clasped his fists and said, "I swear to protect the county master until my death."
He wore a sword around his waist today, which made Pei Yun look at him twice. It was the first time he saw Lu Jingxuan with a sword.
Could it be that this guy is not just an aide, but also knows martial arts?
Leng Qingqiu also glanced at Lu Jingxuan, but didn't take it to heart. Whether Lu Jingxuan had martial arts or not had nothing to do with her. At this moment, she was secretly happy in her heart.
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