The sound of footsteps was quite noisy, as if many people had arrived.
A moment later, the door to the adjacent guest room was opened, and a large group of people walked in…
"It seems someone's arrived next door!" Du Tieshan said.
She pulled Xiao Xitian to the bronze mirror and, with a few swift movements, tied her hair into a bun.
Xiao Xitian nodded, looking at the tired face of Sister Shanshan in the mirror. "Sister Shanshan, no matter what, we have to see that brat today, otherwise, Second Brother can never be saved…"
She didn't know what was going on with the palace, closing its gates in broad daylight.
In reality, Emperor Cheng had ordered the palace gates to be shut to prevent any leaks and to conceal the news of Xiao Jinheng's return, disallowing unauthorized entry or exit.
Du Tieshan hummed in agreement and leaned down to kiss Xiao Xitian. "Don't worry, we'll definitely see Young Master Xiao today!"
Her sister-in-law was so blessed; it shouldn't be that difficult to meet someone…
"Come, put on your clothes. Sister will take you to eat wontons!" Du Tieshan casually put the little floral jacket on Xiao Xitian, then took her hand and led her out of the guest room.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent guest room.
A group of young men stood respectfully by the door, facing a middle-aged man in a dark purple robe.
This man was Marquis Pingyang, Gu Mingyan, Xiao Jinheng's maternal uncle…
He was the elder brother of Empress Xiao, but Gu Mingyan had taken his mother's surname, not Xiao.
"Have you gathered any news?" Gu Mingyan asked, holding a teacup and frowning.
A subordinate stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "My Lord, the barbarians from the Northern Frontier are advancing aggressively. I fear they won't rest until they've taken the capital!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Mingyan sneered, "Is it that exaggerated? How old is Han Chier Khan, and he still has such great ambitions?"
Han Chier Khan was the overlord of the Northern Frontier grasslands, whose cavalry was as unstoppable as phantom demons…
"My Lord, the barbarians of the Northern Frontier are numerous and brave in battle. We must not be careless!" the subordinate said.
Gu Mingyan put down his teacup, tapped the table with his finger, and scanned the crowd. "Where is Qingfeng?"
That brat, he sent him to Da Shui Village to reunite with his relatives, and now he's been gone for over a month and has vanished without a trace…
The country is at war, and he's still not reporting back. Is he dating someone?
With Qingfeng's cleverness and his combat skills, capturing Han Chier Khan alive would be no problem at all.
If Han Chier became a prisoner of the Great Liang Dynasty, the barbarian soldiers would have no choice but to retreat.
"My, my Lord, your subordinate heard that Qingfeng was sent to the Yan Kingdom by the Emperor…" the subordinate said, lowering his head and speaking cautiously.
Gu Mingyan frowned upon hearing this. "What did you say?"
How did that brat get to know the Emperor?
And why did he go to the Yan Kingdom?
The subordinate glanced at Gu Mingyan and explained, "My Lord, you might not know, but Princess Xinling went to Da Shui Village for her outing. She met Qingfeng there, and as they spent more time together, they fell in love. Coincidentally, the Emperor was also in Da Shui Village on a private visit. Upon seeing that the princess had fallen for Qingfeng, he sent him to the Yan Kingdom to deal with the Second Prince, intending to disrupt the princess's marriage alliance. Therefore, therefore…"
Gu Mingyan stood up abruptly upon hearing this. "Fine, our country is on the verge of collapse, and he's still in the mood for romance? Send a carrier pigeon immediately and call that brat back!"
"My, my Lord, Qingfeng was sent by the Emperor. If we call him back, isn't that… isn't that inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? I'll bear the consequences if anything happens…" Gu Mingyan roared.
The subordinates exchanged glances and retreated.
Gu Mingyan drank a cup of tea and also walked out of the guest room, coming to the railing and scanning the hall below.
Suddenly, he saw a soft, round little bun sitting on a stool eating wontons. A young woman sat opposite her, and they were chatting and laughing about something…
Gu Mingyan raised an eyebrow, his expression somewhat dazed.
Why did he feel like he had seen this little bun somewhere before?
Although it was just a small back view, it exuded an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"My Lord, what are you looking at?" a subordinate asked, coming closer.
Gu Mingyan snapped back to reality. "Nothing. Was the letter sent out?"
"Yes, it has been sent. Within three days, Qingfeng will reply…"
"Good, let's go to the palace!"
"Yes!"
The group went downstairs. As Gu Mingyan brushed past the little bun, her chopsticks happened to fall to the ground. The little bun bent down to pick them up, and Gu Mingyan didn't get a clear look at her face.
After everyone left, Xiao Xitian picked up the chopsticks and climbed onto the stool.
She looked at Gu Mingyan's receding back, blinking her eyes. "Huh? He looks like someone I know!"
Du Tieshan was slightly taken aback. "Does Sweetie recognize him?"
Du Tieshan had never met Gu Mingyan and didn't know who he was…
Xiao Xitian shook her head. "No, maybe I saw wrong! Sister Shanshan, I'm full!"
Du Tieshan looked at Sweetie's bowl. She had eaten the entire large bowl of wontons, indicating that her sister-in-law was indeed hungry.
She took out a handkerchief to wipe Xiao Xitian's mouth and smiled. "It's good that you're full. Come, Sister will take you to the palace…"
"Mhm!" Xiao Xitian nodded emphatically.
So, the aunt and niece, hand in hand, walked out of the inn and made their way to the palace gates.
As expected, the palace gates were still tightly shut, with several guards standing rigidly in place.
"Hello, big brother. We have an urgent matter to see Xiao…" Xiao Xitian's words were cut short as she realized it was inappropriate.
She knew that the brat had returned to the palace in secret this time and that no information could leak out. So, she rolled her big eyes and changed her words. "We have an urgent matter to see the Emperor. Could you please announce us?"
The guards acted as if they were deaf and ignored Xiao Xitian.
In fact, they really wanted to pinch this chubby little ball of dough, but they had orders not to interact with civilians…
Seeing this, Du Tieshan stomped her feet anxiously. "Oh, please be accommodating. We really have an urgent matter!"
Every moment wasted meant more danger for Erman.
Just then, a burly, stout man walked over.
Upon seeing him, the guards saluted. "Commander Lin!"
The man called Commander Lin looked at the aunt and niece and gruffly scolded, "Are commoners like you allowed to trespass in the palace? If you know what's good for you, you'd better scram. Are you trying to disgust us?"
Xiao Xitian: "…"
You're so polite. Didn't you brush your teeth this morning? Your breath is so foul!
Du Tieshan's anger flared upon hearing this. Just as she was about to argue with Commander Lin, the palace gates were suddenly pushed open slightly.