Apart from Wuqing, the others worked together to open the grave. The grave was shallowly buried originally, so it didn't take much effort to find a pile of dry bones and nothing else.
Seeing the bones, Mei Xin's shadow appeared in Qingyao's eyes. Although so much time had passed, her heart was still filled with sadness, her eyes glistening with moisture. She reached out and picked up the bones, slowly saying:
"Mei Xin, we are returning to Wuqing Valley. I will bury you under the peach blossom forest. That place is very beautiful, with peach blossoms all year round, and the fragrance of flowers fills the air. You will surely like it."
Qingyao wrapped the bones in a cloth, and the group left the place.
As they had no carriage, they had to walk. However, they soon saw a carriage on the main road. They stopped it and were given a ride. Upon reaching a small market town, they bought a carriage and headed to the previously rented quadrangle courtyard to pick up Mo You and the children.
Before dusk, they finally arrived at the small town.
However, Mo You was nowhere to be found in the quadrangle courtyard, nor were the children. It was empty. There were signs of a struggle in the courtyard. Qingyao's expression darkened as she saw this, a sense of unease flashing in her heart. Had something happened?
She ordered Mo Chou to go out and inquire. Soon, news arrived.
Three days ago, the Fifth Prince of the Huang Yuan Kingdom personally led people to capture all the children in the courtyard, leaving none behind.
She hadn't expected Mo You to fall into the hands of the royal family in the end. Three days had passed, and she didn't know how he was doing now.
Mo You's martial arts were so high that if he fought with the Fifth Prince, he might not lose. Therefore, it must have been that the Fifth Prince used a trick, causing him to fall into a trap and be captured. It seemed they had to hurry to Li Jing. She hoped he would be alright.
Especially Mo Chou, upon hearing that Mo You was in trouble, her beautiful face was already tear-streaked. She urged her mistress.
"Miss, let's go save him. We must hurry, or he will surely lose his life."
Qingyao analyzed the situation carefully and was not overly anxious.
Because although Mo You was taken away by members of the royal family, there were still people from the Yi Manor. How could those people let Mo You be killed? Therefore, this matter would definitely reach the old emperor.
As long as the Emperor knew of Mo You's existence, he would be completely fine. However, it was likely that his identity would be revealed, and he would no longer be the Mo You they knew.
Thinking of this, Qingyao glanced sideways at Mo Chou, fearing that this woman would not be able to bear the blow.
She seemed to have never considered Mo You's princely identity, or perhaps she had chosen to forget.
But looking at this girl, she was indeed extremely anxious. If they didn't agree to her, she might run off by herself.
"Wuqing, are you tired?"
In the darkness, Qingyao softly asked Wuqing.
Wuqing looked at her, so soft and lovely, and his heart felt as sweet as if it were filled with honey. All of this was too beautiful, making him constantly doubt if it was real.
Qingyao was alive and well, speaking to him so gently and accompanying him.
All of this was enough.
"I'm not tired. Let's go to Li Jing to save Mo You." Wuqing didn't know about Mo You's identity yet and only thought that their group had done something to offend the authorities again, which led to Mo You being captured.
Since Wuqing was fine, Qingyao glanced at the three and then slowly said.
"Then let's go."
The four of them, without even resting, got into the carriage again. Qingfeng and Mo Chou took turns driving, heading to Li Jing.
Ten days later, they arrived at Li Jing and checked into an inn. Qingyao and Mo Chou resumed their original appearances. Now they had nothing to fear. Changsun Yin had already been killed, and this was not the Qing Luo Kingdom but Li Jing of the Huang Yuan Kingdom.
After checking into the inn, Mo Chou immediately asked the innkeeper for news, inquiring if anyone had been beheaded in Li Jing.
The innkeeper looked at the woman who seemed a bit frantic with surprise. After a while, he reacted and repeatedly shook his head.
"No, esteemed guest, there hasn't been anyone beheaded. Li Jing recently had a joyous event, but no major cases."
"A joyous event?"
Mo Chou was stunned for a moment and absentmindedly asked, "What joyous event?"
The innkeeper immediately beamed and said, "The Seventh Prince has returned. The Emperor is very happy."
Mo Chou couldn't react for a moment.
The Seventh Prince, wasn't the Seventh Prince Mo You? He had actually returned to be a prince, and nothing had happened to him. Yet, they had suffered hardships on the way, and he had become a prince.
Whether it was because of Mo You's current identity or the hardships he had recently endured, Mo Chou cried with anger and went upstairs without a word to report to her mistress.
When Qingyao heard this, she understood, but seeing Mo Chou's red eyes, she felt a pang of sympathy.
"Why are you crying? He is originally the Seventh Prince, Shen Yu. Now that we know he is fine, shouldn't you be happy? Do you have the heart to see him killed by others?"
As soon as Qingyao spoke, Mo Chou's heart tightened. Sobbing, she murmured, "But he actually became the Seventh Prince, so he won't be returning to Wuqing Valley with us anymore?"
Her entire demeanor seemed to shrink and droop.
Qingyao turned to look at Wuqing behind her. It seemed that this girl truly had feelings for Mo You. Whether he returned to Wuqing Valley this time depended on Mo You's wishes.
As long as he wanted to go back, they would find a way to take him. If he voluntarily chose not to leave, they couldn't force him.
"Regardless of whether he returns or not, we should visit him. Everyone is tired now, so let's rest for half a day. Tonight, we will go to the Seventh Prince's mansion to visit him and see if he is truly the Seventh Prince Shen Yu or Mo You."
After speaking, Qingyao turned to look at Wuqing and said lightly.
"Wuqing, you should also rest. You must be tired from the journey. Tonight, we will visit the Seventh Prince together. If he is willing to return to Wuqing Valley, he will come back with us. If he is unwilling, we will return on our own."
"Okay."
Wuqing nodded. Now he particularly longed to return to the valley. It was very quiet there, and he just wanted to live a stable life with Qingyao.
Qingfeng came and pushed Wuqing into another room. The four of them washed up separately and rested.
In the evening, the four of them woke up, had dinner, and inquired with the innkeeper about the location of the Seventh Prince's mansion. The group then took a carriage to the Seventh Prince's mansion.
In the capital of the Huang Yuan Kingdom, Li Jing, the night was even more lively than the daytime. Bright lights flickered, and various kinds of lamps were hung in front of the doors, forming a spectacular scene.
Mo Chou lifted the curtain and looked out the window, blowing gently in the wind. Her heart was in turmoil, unable to calm down. Thinking that she would soon see Mo You, her heart filled with joy, but when she thought of his identity, a thorn seemed to pierce her. Perhaps he was ultimately different from them.
The Seventh Prince's mansion was very close to the imperial palace, a special grace bestowed by the emperor. The surroundings were quiet, without a stir.