Feng Wu trembled all over. She looked at Xue Xing Yue and asked, "Your Highness..."
"Feng Wu, the war is over. The peaceful days are what I must protect."
Hearing this, Feng Wu lowered her gaze, "Your subordinate knows, but your subordinate cannot forget the countless innocent civilians from Zhen Wu Guan who died by his hand."
"If you cannot forget, then do not forget. Only by remembering this unforgettable pain can you protect the peace you desire," Xue Xing Yue said word by word.
Feng Wu nodded, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Let's go, back to the mansion," Xue Xing Yue said.
The Duke of Ning had also received the task of welcoming the Second Prince of Qi. He had to deal with the wedding of the heir and Princess Xing Yue, as well as prepare for the arrival of the Second Prince of Qi. The Duke of Ning felt a bit overwhelmed.
Fortunately, the next day, Princess Xing Yue sent people to assist the Duke of Ning in preparing for the arrival of the Second Prince of Qi.
Meng Jiang Ming also joined in, using Wan Jun Restaurant as the last stop before the Second Prince of Qi entered the palace.
Furthermore, under the guise of serving the country, he made Zhao Yan Luo bleed profusely.
Zhao Yan Luo could not refuse, as if he refused to do business for the country, Wan Jun Restaurant would cease to exist.
The day for the Second Prince of Qi's visit soon arrived.
On this day, a group of people waited at the city gate.
Meng Jiang Ming secretly looked at the figure sitting upright on the horse in the distance, his gaze flickering slightly.
"Your Highness, they are arriving soon," Feng Jiu reined in his horse and reported to Xue Xing Yue.
"I know. Stand down!" Xue Xing Yue said indifferently.
But only she knew that her hand, holding the reins, was tightening.
Soon, dust kicked up in the distance, and Xue Xing Yue narrowed her eyes, spotting the figure leading the group on horseback.
At this moment, her blood was surging, filled with anger. She desperately controlled her rage, unwilling to let herself ruin this hard-won peace.
A group of people stopped at the city gate. The man at the front wore luxurious brocade clothes and a jade crown. He looked gentle and elegant, but only those who had experienced Zhen Wu Guan, like Xue Xing Yue and Feng Wu, knew how ruthless he was.
The old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled were all spared.
"Second Prince," Xue Xing Yue slightly cupped her hands and said faintly.
Qi Yu Ming looked up, his smile gentle, "Princess Xing Yue, we meet again."
Xue Xing Yue nodded, "Yes."
"Three days apart, and I am impressed. I never knew that under Princess Xing Yue's armor lay such beauty. You truly surprise me," Qi Yu Ming's eyes shone with admiration.
"You flatter me, Second Prince. I am merely of ordinary appearance and do not deserve your praise," Xue Xing Yue said coldly.
Qi Yu Ming smiled slightly and curved his lips, "Princess Xing Yue, you need not be so humble. In my eyes, Princess Xing Yue possesses celestial beauty."
"Second Prince, the banquet is ready. It is at Wan Jun Restaurant. Second Prince, please follow me,"
Meng Jiang Ming rode forward, speaking as he blocked Qi Yu Ming's undisguised gaze at Xue Xing Yue.
Qi Yu Ming looked Meng Jiang Ming up and down and chuckled softly, "And who might this be?"
"I am Meng Jiang Ming, the heir of the Duke of Ning's mansion, accompanying Princess Xing Yue to welcome the Second Prince..."
"So, it's Princess Xing Yue's future husband..." Qi Yu Ming's tone was rather condescending, not even waiting for Meng Jiang Ming to finish.
Meng Jiang Ming smiled, his already handsome face showing a slight upward curve of his lips, a half-smile, "You flatter me, Second Prince."
"I hear that Young Master Meng is a notorious dandy in the capital. Is Princess Xing Yue displeased with you?" Qi Yu Ming said with a hint of sarcasm.
Meng Jiang Ming trembled. He knew he was a dandy, but hearing it from someone else's mouth for the first time made him feel utterly disgraced.
Moreover, it was at such an occasion. The once confident Meng Jiang Ming suddenly felt deflated.
Xue Xing Yue heard this, rode her horse to Meng Jiang Ming's side, and rode abreast with him. Her voice was firm, "What does the Second Prince mean by that?
Whether the heir is a dandy or anything else, as long as he is good to me, I care about nothing else. Furthermore, if there is killing or anything else, I am enough. The heir only needs to make things easier for me when I am tired. Isn't life that simple? Enjoy yourself in the moment and don't overthink things. What do you say, Second Prince?"
Qi Yu Ming frowned slightly upon hearing this, but his expression remained unchanged, "Princess Xing Yue speaks wisely. I must say, I am also hungry. Let's go to the restaurant the heir mentioned and savor the delicacies of Xing Chen Kingdom. Heir, please lead the way!"
Meng Jiang Ming turned to look at Xue Xing Yue. She nodded and whispered, "Be careful with everything!"
Meng Jiang Ming nodded. To be honest, his heart was pounding. It wasn't just because Princess Xing Yue had spoken up for him, but because she had acknowledged him.
He had to do even better so that in the future, no one would look down on Princess Xing Yue because of him.
"Young Master..."
Meng Jiang Ming was slightly startled and looked at Feng Wu beside him, a little dazed, "Why are you here?"
Hearing this, Feng Wu was somewhat displeased, "It was Your Highness who ordered this subordinate to assist the Young Master."
Meng Jiang Ming knew his tone was not good and quickly corrected himself, "Follow me, Young Master."
Meng Jiang Ming led the way, while Xue Xing Yue and Qi Yu Ming rode behind.
Along the way, Xue Xing Yue did not say a word, and Qi Yu Ming, for the first time, also remained silent.
Upon arriving at Wan Jun Restaurant, Zhao Yan Luo was already waiting at the entrance.
Qi Yu Ming reined in his horse and looked at Wan Jun Restaurant, saying, "Indeed, Wan Jun Restaurant lives up to its reputation."
Zhao Yan Luo stepped forward and bowed, "Your Highness, you are too kind."
"You are..."
"I am the person in charge of Wan Jun Restaurant. Greetings, Second Prince."
"You're welcome." Qi Yu Ming glanced at Zhao Yan Luo, then dismounted and walked straight inside.
Zhao Yan Luo straightened his body, a slight smile playing on his lips.
The food and wine were quickly served, all signature dishes of Wan Jun Restaurant. As the proprietor of Wan Jun Restaurant and the young marquis of Ming Yuan Marquisate, Zhao Yan Luo naturally became the host.
"Second Prince, please eat," Zhao Yan Luo said.
Qi Yu Ming did not pick up his chopsticks. Zhao Yan Luo smiled obsequiously and asked, "Is there something unsatisfactory to the Second Prince? If you mention it, I will do my best to satisfy you."
Hearing this, Qi Yu Ming said, "With only food and wine, and no dancers to entertain, I cannot eat."
Zhao Yan Luo heard this and said, "Your Highness is right. I did forget about this matter. Please forgive me, Second Prince." Saying this, he turned to instruct the servants to prepare dancers.
Qi Yu Ming said, "I wonder if the dancer Your Highness wants to see is available at Wan Jun Restaurant."
"As long as the Second Prince can name it, Wan Jun Restaurant can prepare it," Meng Jiang Ming, who had been silent since entering Wan Jun Restaurant, suddenly spoke.
Hearing this, Qi Yu Ming curved his lips into a smile, a hint of a sinister smile appearing on his gentle and elegant face, "Is that so? Then I wish to see the face of Princess Xing Yue dancing for the soldiers at Zhen Wu Guan all those years ago."