Their expressions changed dramatically.
This matter was of great importance, and Sister Jin would never fabricate such a story. Only this could explain why the person had kidnapped Lin Zheqi and was secretly colluding with Xiliang, even being the dregs of the previous dynasty causing trouble for years, utterly shameless.
"It’s a pity we couldn’t catch him this time," Long Xuanmo’s eyebrows were tinged with a cold chill, his eyes as deep as the sea. freewebnøvel_com
"That person is extremely cautious and cunning. Even if he is fully confident, he won’t show himself easily; he only manipulates from the shadows," Lin Zheqi said with a grave expression. "To this day, I still haven’t found out where that person is." Seeing that his ’son’ of three years old had been wearing a mask all those years ago showed the extent of his wariness and cunning.
Yang Mengchen shook his head. "Even if we found out where he is, it’s very likely just a stand-in." People like Prince Hui would definitely have stand-ins for their own preservation.
Everyone fell into silent agreement, as it was highly possible.
Lin Zheqi said, "I shall send people to continue the search for his whereabouts, and I’ll inform you immediately if there is any news. Besides, the Royal Uncle’s birthday is approaching, and the task of inspecting and fortifying security can only be entrusted to my cousin."
Long Xuanmo nodded his head. Even if Lin Zheqi hadn’t mentioned it, he would have tightened the schedule to eliminate potential threats as swiftly as possible.
"And we must ensure the ninth sister’s safety." Seeing Long Xuanmo glaring, Lin Zheqi didn’t concede but insisted with a grave voice, "Being talented and capable, the ninth sister has already become the target of those people. Knowing they cannot win her over, they will certainly try everything to remove her, especially Qi Zonghao."
Even as jealousy churned in Long Xuanmo, he couldn’t deny the sense in Lin Zheqi’s words. He glared fiercely at Lin Zheqi and said icily, "You needn’t worry. This prince will protect his wife himself."
What he meant was, "This prince’s wife is under his protection; you, an outsider, need not concern yourself."
Lin Zheqi met his glare undauntedly: The ninth sister is my sister, and I am no outsider. It’s only right for me to care for her.
Watching the two of them bicker like children, Yang Mengchen couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Before leaving, Lin Zheqi suddenly said to Long Xuanmo, "Try to provoke those rotten peaches less in the future to avoid bringing trouble to the ninth sister." After speaking, he strode away.
Long Xuanmo’s face turned as black as coal with anger, that scheming troublemaker. Next time he would make sure the man would be picking his teeth off the ground. He then turned and looked at Yang Mengchen with a wronged expression, "Ah Jiu, he’s slandering me and deliberately stirring up discord between us, husband and wife."
"I’ll certainly give him a stern talking-to next time!" Yang Mengchen held back a laugh as she changed the subject, "Wende, go and explain the situation to Father Emperor."
"Kiss me, Ah Jiu, and then I’ll go see Father Emperor," Long Xuanmo pointed to his lips.
Yang Mengchen’s fair cheeks instantly flushed red as rouge, and she glanced at Long Xuanmo with feigned anger and reproach, "Hai Tang and the others are still here."
"Just pretend they are not here," Long Xuanmo blustered shamelessly.
Yang Mengchen did not have the thick skin of Long Xuanmo and resolutely refused to kiss him. However, unexpectedly, she was suddenly embraced by Long Xuanmo, who pressed his warm lips firmly against hers, causing her to blush and hastily try to push him away. From the corner of her eye, she saw Hai Tang and the others either looking down at the ground or turning their backs, which made her think this was clearly a case of burying one’s head in the sand.
Worried that his beloved wife would snub him in embarrassment if he went too far, Long Xuanmo kissed her deeply one last time before releasing her, whispering tenderly by her ear: "I’ll take good care of my Ah Jiu tonight." Seeing his wife blush like the morning glow, her eyes soft and seductive, a fiery passion surged in him. With great restraint and a beaming face, he left.
Rogue! Yang Mengchen muttered under her breath, her face and ears crimson. After taking a few deep breaths to calm the flush on her face, she waved for Lv Luo and the others to leave, keeping only Hai Tang behind. After a brief chat with Birdy and the others, she whispered a few instructions to Hai Tang, who then left promptly.
Inside the Xiliang Envoy Inn.
Qi Zonghao sat by the table with a dark expression, his deep-set eyes fixating on a black-clad man kneeling before him. His lips were pressed into a straight line, clearly indicating his extremely foul mood.
"Worthless! You didn’t bring the person back, and you even lost several men. You’re all a bunch of waste!"
"Master, please forgive us!" the black-clad man pleaded in terror, "Princess Chen has not left the mansion, and both the Chen Prince Mansion and the Princess Mansion are heavily guarded. We were discovered before we could even get close, and I barely escaped with my life to bring back the news. Please forgive us, Master!"
Enraged, Qi Zonghao was just about to kill the black-clad man when his trusted and relied-upon staff officer gestured to him from the side. After scolding the black-clad man a few times, he allowed him to withdraw.
"Why did the teacher stop this prince?"
"The Second Prince has but a few usable men left. To kill one is to lose one; it would be better to keep him for the next plan."
Qi Zonghao’s brows knitted together. "Tomorrow is Emperor Dongchu’s birthday, and the day after we leave. What ingenious plan does teacher have to allow this prince to get Princess Chen?"
The staff officer whispered the plan into Qi Zonghao’s ear. Hearing it made Qi Zonghao nod in approval, afterwards complimenting, "Teacher’s strategy is truly ingenious. As long as this prince gains the beauty, I will surely reward the teacher handsomely upon returning to the country, hahaha!"
The staff officer hastened to say that he was willing to exhaust every effort for the Second Prince.
At the beginning of the third day of June (around nine in the morning), the Emperor’s birthday banquet was held in the Imperial Garden, and due to a succession of happy events, this year’s celebration was extraordinarily grand.
The Emperor, seated in the Dragon Palanquin, paraded through The Capital to share joy with the people.
And spontaneously, citizens of Dong Chu gathered along the streets, beating drums and gongs to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday, creating a scene both lively and festive.
Approaching the designated time, the Emperor returned to the Imperial Garden.
After an opening address that extolled the Emperor’s great achievements, envoys from various countries, guests from Qing’an Country, and civil and military officials took turns presenting their gifts.
Seeing the lavishly made-up Qi Qiuxin across from her still unable to hide her frailty between the brows, Yang Mengchen’s lips curved slightly.
Next, everyone watched the performances, enjoyed the delicious food, and reveled in the merry atmosphere.
A Palace Maid approached from Long Xuanmo’s right, seemingly intending to pour him wine, but for some reason, her hand slipped, spilling all the wine from the pot onto Long Xuanmo’s brocade robe, soaking it quickly. The startled maid immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness.
Yang Mengchen, restraining the sullen Long Xuanmo by the hand, signaled for the Palace Maid to withdraw, and then sent Mo Yun to accompany Long Xuanmo to change his clothes, herself not following.
Not long after, Qi Qiuxin seemed to be tipsy, and two personal attendants, with the guidance of a Dong Chu Palace Maid, supported her to a designated palace to rest.
Observing Qi Qiuxin’s departure, a brief, cold sneer flashed through the depths of Yang Mengchen’s dark eyes.
Two quarters of an hour later, seeing neither Long Xuanmo nor Qi Qiuxin return, a flicker of triumph crossed Qi Zonghao’s face. But Yang Mengchen remained at the banquet without looking for Long Xuanmo, impeding the latter part of the plan and causing him immense anxiety.
Nevertheless, it was good that his Imperial Younger Sister could marry into Prince Chen’s family. Just as Qi Zonghao was thinking of an excuse to draw everyone’s attention, he saw Long Xuanmo return with Mo Yun, showing no sign of anything amiss. A vague ominous premonition rose in his heart, and without showing it, he gave a signal to the guard standing behind him, who then quietly left.
By the time the banquet ended and the guard had not returned to report, Qi Zonghao, on his way back to the inn, heard someone speaking about how some princess had behaved shamelessly. His expression changed abruptly, and he promptly hastened to the scene of the incident.
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