He Yunxiao glanced at "Meng Qingqian" on the bed and then at "Meng Qingqian" in his arms, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
He looked down at Mengbao, whose little face was flushed, and saw her nestled in his arms like a little bird. He couldn't resist the urge to pinch her pink cheeks.
Since Mengbao doesn't want me to know that she is Meng Qingqian, then I'll grant her wish and let her continue to be "Li Qingmeng".
"I thought those ministers were raving about how beautiful Meng Qingqian was. Turns out she's just average. I don't think she's even half as pretty as my Mengbao."
He Yunxiao knew that every woman liked to be praised for her beauty, but Mengbao was the type who especially liked to hear others compliment her on her looks.
He Yunxiao simply catered to his preferences, constantly using words like "pretty," "beautiful," and "good-looking" in his conversations.
Meng Qingqian was very pleased with He Yunxiao's praise, and she squinted her eyes happily, even though he had just said it casually.
“Oh, right,” Meng Qingqian remembered the important matter, “my cousin was suddenly poisoned and is currently unconscious. I called you here because of her.”
He Yunxiao feigned surprise: "Poisoning? Is it serious?"
Meng Qingqian shook her head and said, "It's not serious. The imperial physician has already been summoned to detoxify. I called you here because I wanted your help."
He Yunxiao lowered his head and nuzzled Mengbao's cheek. Even though Mengbao's face wasn't particularly chubby, it still felt incredibly comfortable to rub against. Her skin, worthy of a leading lady, was no joke—fair, supple, and smooth, like resting on a piece of extremely soft and warm white jade; the feeling was indescribable. (www.cascoo.net)
Meng Qingqian shifted her body, nudged He Yunxiao, signaling him to tone it down, and continued, "Right now, all of my cousin's guards are concentrated around the coming-of-age ceremony area in the back garden. There's simply no one left to stand guard at Changhe Palace. He Yunxiao, aren't you a ninth-rank official? Can you help me this once and stay here to watch over my cousin?"
He Yunxiao secretly chuckled. This Mengbao really thinks I'm a fool? What use is a security force to protect the coming-of-age ceremony? The Yan Emperor is here to assassinate, not to massacre. If this is truly Xiaoyue, wouldn't she have the guards withdrawn to protect her?
He Yunxiao thought for a moment and said, "What about Xiaoyue's coming-of-age ceremony if she is poisoned prematurely?"
Meng Qingqian, who had already prepared her explanation, immediately said, "I've thought this through. The Empress Dowager and the others know about the fake death plan. I just need to announce it at the ceremony. With their cooperation, the panic effect won't be bad. Right now, we don't have enough high-level martial artists. I need you to stay here and help me protect my cousin, okay?"
He Yunxiao secretly mocked his Mengbao.
They just said they wanted to call the imperial physician to detoxify, but now they're saying they want to feign death. Their stories don't match up at all. Do you really think I'm stupid?
Wait a minute! She's willing to lie to me like this, could it be that she actually considers me...?
Damn!
Am I just an idiot in Mengbao's eyes?
Although He Yunxiao was cursing a hundred times in his heart, he still had to put on a good show.
"Okay. Mengbao, you can go to your coming-of-age ceremony without worry. I'll take care of 'Meng Qingqian's' safety."
With He Yunxiao's promise not to attend the coming-of-age ceremony, Meng Qingqian felt much more at ease.
It was getting late, so she quickly said, "We shouldn't delay. I'm going to the coming-of-age ceremony. You must stay here and protect 'Meng Qingqian.' Don't go out or wander off."
"good."
No sooner had Meng Qingqian left than He Yunxiao followed her out to watch from a distance.
After seeing Mengbao leave, He Yunxiao immediately changed rooms and went in. When he came out again, he was dressed in red, exuding indescribable nobility and arrogance.
He Yunxiao followed far behind Li Qingmeng.
He Yunxiao was not surprised that Mengbao was actually Meng Qingqian; however, he knew he would never be able to fulfill his promise to protect "Meng Qingqian" to Mengbao.
However, He Yunxiao did not break his promise, after all, the person he was going to protect was the real "Meng Qingqian".
Returning to his old spot, He Yunxiao quietly lay on the roof tiles, surveying the entire back garden.
The Emperor of Yan might have a backup plan, so we must not be careless.
that is……
He Yunxiao looked at the midday sun in November overhead, and then at the sumptuous lunch at the ceremony in the distance; he was indeed a little hungry.
For Mengbao's sake! Hold on!
Time passed little by little.
Around 3 p.m., it was finally Sister Jiang's turn to perform the grand finale sword dance.
Even from a distance, He Yunxiao could sense the profound and solid foundation of Sister Jiang's dance skills. Her sword dance was both graceful and powerful, perfectly embodying the phrase "women are not inferior to men." The applause and cheers from the audience grew louder and louder.
For example, there was the famous Yan State spy, Lü Liang, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.
"Bravo!" Lü Liang exclaimed as he watched Jiang Wuyou's dance! He was one of the few high-ranking spies who knew about Jiang Wuyou's assassination plan. He knew that the envoy's dance was the first wave of attack by Great Yan against Little Qi! His decades-long career as a spy was finally about to end with the Yan army's capture of Yinjing! How could he not be excited?
Lü Liang was indeed a "famous" spy; at least Meng Qingqian remembered him. In the list of spies that Jiang Wuyou showed Meng Qingqian, Lü Liang, a third-rank official, was at the top of the list—it was impossible not to remember him.
As Meng Qingqian watched Jiang Wuyou's dance, she faintly smelled a very faint sandalwood scent in the air. Gradually, fatigue welled up from all over her body, and her strength gradually disappeared.
Meng Qingqian glanced back at the egret that had already fallen not far away, and then looked at the vast array of plants in the back garden.
She remembered that her mother's birthday celebration was also held here, and Jiang Wuyou had attended it as well. However, it was early spring then, and the flowering plants in the back garden were not comparable to those in late autumn.
She had smelled ordinary sandalwood before, and she never felt this tired usually.
If what Ru Yunxiao said is true, the sandalwood incense on Jiang Wuyou only works when combined with something else unique to the November Imperial Palace, then what could that be...?
Forget it, why think about that...
Before Meng Qingqian collapsed, He Yunxiao's image flashed repeatedly through her mind. If he hadn't inadvertently poisoned her beforehand and then found a way to cure her, she would have truly fallen into the hands of the Yan Emperor. Perhaps not only her, but the entire Qi Kingdom would have fallen into the hands of the Yan Emperor…
Although Meng Qingqian was still conscious, she no longer had enough strength to sit upright, so she collapsed onto the table in front of her with a thud.
Li Gongqin, Huang Qinghe, and other informed individuals were already prepared. Seeing Princess Xiaoyue fall, they immediately stood up and shouted, "Assassin! Protect Her Highness!"
As Meng Qingqian's confidant, Yang Zhe was also aware of the "faked death" plan. He had been waiting in the wings, ready to pounce on the princess's "death." This was a golden opportunity for a "heroic rescue"—if he seized it, who knew it might just work?
Just as Yang Zhe was about to make a move, Jian Ling beat him to it and pulled the exhausted Meng Qingqian into his arms.
"Commander Yang, lead the troops to escort His Highness and me back to the palace!"
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