Qingyao and Wuqing also left the seventh prince’s residence, quietly blending into the bustling city, as the group followed the procession out of the city.
In front of the city gate, the Minister of Rites of the Huangyuan Kingdom, along with the Assistant Minister of War and several high officials, respectfully dismounted and approached the imperial carriage to bid farewell to the Third Prince.
"Go well, Third Prince. We officials bid you farewell."
"Thank you, sirs," Third Prince Wen Yu lifted the silk curtain in front of the carriage, revealing a face as beautiful as jade, and spoke in a voice as gentle as water. Then, he let down the curtain and gave a cold, stern command, "Move."
The Minister of Rites of the Huangyuan Kingdom and the others retreated to the side, and the long procession continued to advance. As they watched it leave the city gate, Qingyao and Wuqing behind them breathed a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, the sound of horseshoes suddenly rang out, neat and orderly, charging forward rapidly.
A stern and cold voice declared, "Wait a moment."
The procession halted. A squadron of cavalry rushed forward, led by Lord Yi Siyuan. He quickly dismounted and, with a raised hand, blocked Wen Yu's path, speaking coldly, "Third Prince, this old subject apologizes for any offense."
The procession stopped. Wen Yu's charmingly cold voice sounded, carrying a hint of killing intent, "What business does Lord Yi have?"
He recognized Yi Siyuan. This official had been at the banquet last night. Although he was only a minor Assistant Minister of Rites, his attitude was extremely arrogant. It was said that he was relying on his status as the seventh prince's uncle, and the seventh prince was deeply favored by the Emperor. The Emperor tacitly allowed him many things, which led to this man's unrestrained behavior.
"The Seventh Prince is missing."
Upon thinking of the seventh prince's disappearance, Yi Siyuan became completely flustered. All his thoughts were on the seventh prince. He had never expected the seventh prince to leave in the end, which greatly disappointed him.
"And so?"
The voice grew colder, but it was clear that Third Prince Wen was losing patience.
However, Yi Siyuan no longer cared. Without the seventh prince, his Yi family was nothing. Therefore, he had to find the seventh prince.
The seventh prince had lost all his martial arts. It would be difficult for him to leave the city. Thus, he had calculated that the seventh prince must have left with the envoy’s carriage, because a servant had reported to him yesterday that the people living in the residence had met with Third Prince Wen.
Connecting these events, it was not difficult to imagine the intricacies. Therefore, he dared to stop the Third Prince’s carriage.
In front of the city gate, the Minister of Rites’ face turned green. He had always disliked Yi Siyuan, who, relying on the seventh prince, acted imperiously and looked down upon everyone.
He was merely a petty official. Although the Emperor trusted him, it was only because he knew that Yi Siyuan would not harm the seventh prince. The Emperor would never truly employ him. Yi Siyuan couldn't even grasp this point, truly a wasted life.
The Minister of Rites walked over, his face growing stern, and slowly spoke, "Yi Siyuan, you are audacious. This is an envoy. How dare you be so presumptuous?"
"Lord Lin, this subordinate has no intention of offending. It is just that the Seventh Prince is missing, and this subordinate fears he might have left with Third Prince’s procession. That is why I stopped the Third Prince's carriage. I apologize for any offense, and I ask for the Third Prince's forgiveness."
Yi Siyuan was not afraid of Lord Lin, the Minister of Rites. His attitude was firm and unyielding.
Then, a sharp and stern voice rang out, "What does Lord Yi intend to do?"
"I wish to search it," Yi Siyuan’s words caused everyone's face to change drastically. Yi Siyuan was truly audacious. Where did this place the dignity of the Yun Cang Kingdom? Wen Yu, who was in the carriage, was someone who tolerated such presumptuousness. Immediately, he let out a cold shout.
"How dare you, a mere second-rank official, act so arrogantly and dictate matters here!"
As Wen Yu finished speaking, his tall and straight figure, like a bamboo shoot, suddenly leaped out of the carriage. With a powerful palm strike, he sent Yi Siyuan flying. He then returned to the carriage and said coldly,
"If it weren't for your Emperor's face, you wouldn't be alive."
After speaking, Wen Yu turned to the Minister of Rites and said, "Your Huangyuan Kingdom's hospitality is truly astonishing. What has happened today is a national disgrace to the Yun Cang Kingdom. All our peace treaties are now null and void."
He then shouted to the rear, "Move."
The procession immediately moved forward. Yi Siyuan, having been sent flying by Wen Yu, could only watch everything unfold before his eyes. He never dreamed that Wen Yu would be so rampant, completely disregarding him. Filled with anger and anxiety, coupled with his severe injuries, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
The Minister of Rites and other officials in front of the city gate had already changed their expressions. They immediately mounted their horses and headed to the palace to report to the Emperor, disregarding Yi Siyuan's life or death. Only the few subordinates who had accompanied him carefully helped him back to his residence.
The Yi family was likely in great trouble. Many citizens gloated and clapped their hands in approval.
Qingyao and Wuqing waited until everything had concluded before they followed the crowd and left the capital.
After leaving the city gate, everyone felt an eager desire to return home. They were finally out and would soon be able to return to Wuqing Valley.
Inside the carriage, Qingyao looked at Wuqing and noticed that he was lost in thought, his expression grave. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Wuqing, what happened?"
"Qingyao, do you think Wen Yu is Yin Xuan?"
After the scene that had just unfolded, he was one hundred percent certain that Wen Yu was not Yin Xuan. Although Yin Xuan was also unrestrained, Wen Yu's methods of acting felt different from Yin Xuan's.
Qingyao smiled faintly, "What is it? Whether he is Yin Xuan or not, it has nothing to do with us. Yin Xuan is just my friend."
"Mm," since she had said so, Wuqing didn't say anything more. Although Wen Yu had feelings for Qingyao, they would soon enter the valley, and ordinary people could not enter the valley. Therefore, his worries were completely superfluous.
The carriage sped away, and soon they saw a luxurious carriage stopped by the roadside. It was the carriage of the Yun Cang Kingdom's envoy. Moyou and the children were hidden here. Qingfeng pulled the reins, and the carriage stopped.
Wen Yu, accompanied by a subordinate, jumped down. Following him were Moyou and the children, who chattered incessantly around him, clearly getting along very well. The little children were very fond of him.
Qingyao and Wuqing alighted from the carriage. The sunlight was exceptionally bright, the sky was blue, and it was dazzling.
Upon seeing Qingyao, Wen Yu's lips curved into a smile as gentle as the breeze, "Not a single one is missing. They are all here."
"Thank you," Qingyao pushed Wuqing and walked over, thanking Wen Yu. She then turned to look at Moyou beside her and said faintly, "Alright, let's go."
"Yes," Moyou smiled and thanked Wen Yu, then turned to order the children to board another carriage.
The group parted ways, preparing to leave. Unexpectedly, Wen Yu suddenly spoke, "May I be invited to Wuqing Valley for a visit?"
This suggestion was surprising. Qingyao glanced at him, trying to find any trace of Yin Xuan on his face. She knew that although Yin Xuan liked her, he never burdened her.