Chapter 564: Entering the City |
"Oh? Zhao Tianxiong."
When Li Xiangrou heard the word "Duke," she immediately thought of this person.
"It seems our whereabouts are being observed at all times."
Ning Qi smiled. "We should meet him then."
"Mm."
Li Xiangrou nodded, then called out to the outside, "Come in."
After her words, a guard's response came from outside the door.
Soon, the door was opened.
The guard respectfully stood to one side, making way.
Ning Qi took a look first.
This was a burly middle-aged man with a chiseled face and piercing eyes.
He gave off an imposing aura without needing to be angry. After entering, he looked at Li Xiangrou.
"Your servant pays respects to Your Highness, Princess."
Zhao Tianxiong said respectfully.
"Duke Zhao, you are too polite. Please, have a seat."
Li Xiangrou gestured slightly with her hand, inviting him to sit down.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
After expressing his thanks, Zhao Tianxiong sat down directly. His eyes couldn't help but glance at Ning Qi.
Someone who could sit and eat with the princess was definitely no ordinary person.
Or rather, for the princess, he was an honored guest.
"Duke Zhao, did you come specifically to receive us?"
Li Xiangrou put down her chopsticks, showing a hint of curiosity.
However, in her heart, she didn't care about this at all.
She was no longer the same person she used to be.
A duke was nothing to worry about in her eyes.
This confidence all came from Ning Qi.
"Exactly. I knew Your Highness would be returning soon and specifically waited here."
"Indeed, I have managed to wait for you."
Zhao Tianxiong nodded and said with a smile.
"Oh? Duke Zhao, you made such a conspicuous show of waiting for us here. If my elder sister finds out, she'll probably be jealous again."
Li Xiangrou spoke bluntly.
She was completely different from her former self.
These words made Zhao Tianxiong frown slightly.
"Your Highness need not worry. I am here to receive the future daughter-in-law of our Duke's residence. Who dares to say otherwise?"
Zhao Tianxiong collected himself and replied.
"Duke Zhao, you can eat carelessly, but you cannot speak carelessly."
"A casual remark my grandfather made decades ago has been treated as a joke by people in the Yue Kingdom's Imperial Capital for decades."
"And you all actually took it seriously."
After hearing his words, Li Xiangrou just smiled faintly. "Let's not mention this matter again in the future. I have never taken it seriously."
The meaning in her words was already very clear; she simply did not acknowledge this marriage arrangement.
In her eyes, it was just a joke.
Zhao Tianxiong could naturally understand this.
"Your Highness, although you say that, you are aware of the current situation in the Imperial Capital."
"Only by joining forces with our Duke's residence will there be a sliver of opportunity."
"Otherwise, the Eldest Princess over there is watching like a tiger eyeing its prey."
Zhao Tianxiong looked at Li Xiangrou and spoke unhurriedly.
"Duke Zhao, that is none of your concern."
"I have returned, and I will naturally handle these matters."
Li Xiangrou showed no fear; instead, she appeared relaxed. "She has played enough in my Yue Kingdom. It's time she learns who the true ruler of Yue is."
As soon as her words left her mouth, Zhao Tianxiong couldn't help but frown.
The meaning was also very clear.
This return was not for a family visit, but to seize power.
The rumors that had been swirling for so long were finally confirmed today.
This little girl truly doesn't know her place. The relationships and power structures in our Yue Kingdom are complex and intertwined.
She wants to establish a foothold in Yue Kingdom relying solely on her own strength? What wishful thinking.
"Duke Zhao, go back and tell them what this princess has come to do."
"Tell everyone to listen carefully to this princess. It's best if they behave honestly and do nothing."
"If any of them dare to act recklessly, don't blame me for not showing any mercy."
Li Xiangrou looked at Zhao Tianxiong, wearing a serious expression.
It made Zhao Tianxiong's face twitch twice.
His brows were tightly furrowed.
He never expected to encounter this situation upon coming here.
Her Highness the Princess actually so brazenly declared her intentions for returning to him.
So, does she have some reliance?
Zhao Tianxiong thought to himself, his eyes involuntarily shifting to Ning Qi.
He hadn't said a single word from beginning to end, just calmly eating here.
From time to time, he would pour himself a cup of wine, eating with great relish.
He looked completely detached, as if it had nothing to do with him.
"Master, Princess Xiangxiang has really grown up this time. She actually dares to speak to a Duke like that."
Pill Spirit was also wolfing down food, though Zhao Tianxiong couldn't see him.
"Isn't that good? Once she matures, we can leave with peace of mind."
Ning Qi smiled, then continued to savor the delicious food here. "She's doing this also to have this Duke go back and spread the word."
"To let all those who want to deal with her prepare themselves, so she can round them all up in one go."
"This way, it will save her a lot of trouble. It's killing two birds with one stone."
"Ah? Did Princess Xiangxiang consider all that?"
Pill Spirit stopped and couldn't help but look at Li Xiangrou beside him, who appeared harmless and innocent.
At that moment, she was chatting with Zhao Tianxiong about something, her eyes full of pride.
Clearly, what Ning Qi said had guessed about eighty to ninety percent of the truth.
"Your Highness, since that is the case, I shall take my leave first."
After a while, Zhao Tianxiong stood up and bid farewell to the two.
"Take care. I won't see you out."
Li Xiangrou only rose slightly, then said lightly.
"Your Highness, please stay."
After Zhao Tianxiong said this, he left directly.
Once outside, he boarded a carriage.
Pulling the carriage were not horses, but two sika deer.
After he got on, the coachman whipped the reins, and the carriage sped away.
In the blink of an eye, it flew up into the void.
"Master, I heard what Her Highness said just now. Why did you just let her off like that?"
The coachman asked, puzzled.
"She's just a bratty girl. What weight do her words carry?"
"Why bother nitpicking with her? When we return, I'll report the situation to Her Majesty and also relay her words to the Eldest Princess."
"Tell me, who would still stand on her side then?"
Zhao Tianxiong smiled, then looked back. "Trying to intimidate me, this Duke? You've picked the wrong person."
"Master, but I always feel something is off about this."
The coachman thought seriously for a moment and couldn't help but say, "How could Her Highness the Princess be so arrogant as to dare oppose all of us?"
"This doesn't seem like her character!"
"Haven't you heard she has an expert by her side?"
"I think it's precisely because of this expert that she has the guts to challenge us like this!"
"But she's forgotten that by doing this, she'll have to face everyone in the Imperial Capital, not just me alone!"
After continuing his explanation, Zhao Tianxiong pointed ahead. "Let's go!"
"Giddy up!"
The coachman urged the deer on with his whip, picking up speed.
At that moment, Li Xiangrou stood before the window of the relay station chamber, gazing into the distance at the carriage.
She saw Zhao Tianxiong's carriage had already sped away.
"If we had something like that, we would have reached the Imperial Capital long ago."
Ning Qi also took a look. Such special mounts were rare.
"That would have been very boring."
Li Xiangrou, however, looked in the direction of the void and turned her head, saying, "Besides, I wouldn't have met you then."
"Oh? What you say actually makes some sense."
Ning Qi nodded, then continued looking in the direction of the void. "Next, it's up to him."
"Don't worry. Knowing him, he will definitely go back and report the situation to them."
"The more people who know, the less trouble I'll have when I return."
Li Xiangrou smiled, speaking with great certainty. "It would be best if he notified everyone. Then I can sit back and reap the rewards."
"Your Highness, next, let's rest well and wait to continue our journey tomorrow."
Commander Li was also in the chamber. Hearing her words, he followed up.
"Exactly."
Li Xiangrou nodded, then turned back.
She reached the dining table and picked up a cup of wine. "For our tomorrow, let's have a toast!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Commander Li respectfully picked up his wine cup and clinked it with hers.
Both of them drank it down in one go.
Ning Qi, however, was still looking in the direction Zhao Tianxiong had left.
This time, Li Xiangrou had offended everyone. So, next, they would face their retaliation.
"Master, when we return tomorrow, won't the trouble be ours?"
Pill Spirit communicated with Ning Qi through divine sense.
"It's fine. Being able to solve a big trouble for her is enough!"
Ning Qi responded, completely unconcerned.
"This girl's calculations are quite good, actually using us."
Pill Spirit then looked at Li Xiangrou and continued, "If it were me, I'd definitely settle accounts with her."
"Don't bother. We've used her once too."
"If it weren't for her people, we probably wouldn't have been able to return either."
Ning Qi shook his head, then turned and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, let's rest. Conserve our energy and wait for tomorrow's battle."
"Alright!"
"..."
After his suggestion, both of them agreed simultaneously.
Ning Qi bid farewell to Li Xiangrou and came to a chamber next to hers.
Once on the bed, he sat cross-legged and began to meditate.
After some time meditating, Ning Qi also fell asleep.
The night began to pass swiftly.
By morning, the sky gradually brightened.
Ning Qi woke from his sleep. After going out, he saw Li Xiangrou was already in the courtyard.
"Brother Ning."
Seeing him come out too, Li Xiangrou came over to greet him. "Commander Li has already prepared the meal. Let's go eat."
"Alright!"
Ning Qi didn't refuse either and readily agreed.
Actually, with strength at his level, such meals held little meaning for him.
However, being able to taste delicious food wasn't bad either.
The cuisine of Yue Kingdom was quite tasty.
Thus, Ning Qi followed her to a table of food. The two of them ate and chatted.
They only talked about trivial matters, not mentioning a single word about the return situation.
Everything was already understood in everyone's hearts.
There was no need to discuss it further.
After eating and drinking their fill, Commander Li had already assembled the team.
The two of them once again boarded the same carriage, then sped off towards the direction of the Imperial Capital.
This time, it was the last leg of their journey sharing the same carriage.
Along the way, the two of them talked a lot.
It wasn't until afternoon that the carriage passed through a valley. Looking ahead was another plain.
Villages and small towns were everywhere. At the far end, there was a city.
It appeared to be full of towering pavilions, and even the city walls were dozens of zhang high.
"Is this the Imperial Capital of Yue Kingdom?"
"Indeed extraordinary!"
After looking, Ning Qi couldn't help but sigh. "Finally here."
"Correct, this is our Imperial Capital. However, compared to the Myriad Swords Sect, it's a bit outclassed."
Li Xiangrou nodded, showing a solemn expression. "I hope one day we can also reach the strength of the Myriad Swords Sect."
"Perhaps that day will come."
Ning Qi smiled, then continued, "As long as you are strong enough, anything is possible."
"Right, anything is possible!"
Li Xiangrou nodded deeply in agreement.
"Your Highness, at this distance, in another two hours, we can reach the Imperial Capital!"
Commander Li said from ahead.
"Then continue on our way."
Li Xiangrou nodded, then gave the order.
"Set off!"
Following Commander Li's order, the team began to accelerate again.
Along the way, their carriage train also attracted quite a bit of attention.
However, no one paid them much mind.
There were simply too many such teams heading to the Imperial Capital.
No one would think this was some important figure.
No one knew that the person who could change the landscape of Yue Kingdom was in this carriage train.
They were about to turn the entire Yue Kingdom upside down.
And so, the carriage train sped along. After two hours passed, they soon arrived before the Imperial City gate.
At that moment, people were coming and going incessantly at the gate. Not a single person had come to receive them.
It was even more desolate compared to when Wang Mang had come to welcome them before.
"It seems your words last night took effect."
Ning Qi looked around here. Besides heavily guarded soldiers, not a single official could be seen.
"Let's go. Once we enter, everything will begin!"
Li Xiangrou didn't care at all, then ordered Commander Li to continue driving.
"Yes!"
Commander Li accepted the order, then continued urging the team forward with a grim face.
They arrived majestically before the city gate, where two soldiers blocked their way with long spears.
"Halt!"
One of the soldiers said coldly.
"Step aside."
Commander Li looked at the soldier before him, his expression turning even grimmer.
"Hmph, everyone, get out of the carriage. We need to conduct a routine inspection!"
The soldier snorted coldly, pointing at the carriage behind him.
"Do you know who is inside?"
Commander Li gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice.
"Oh? Who is it? So what? An inspection is mandatory!"
The soldier didn't care at all, just said lightly, "No exceptions for anyone."
"How dare you!"
"This is the Second Princess of Yue Kingdom!"
"Her carriage is something you can block?!"
Commander Li instantly became furious, directly drawing his long blade and pointing it at the soldier before him.
"Hmph, daring to impersonate the Second Princess? Seize them!"
Upon hearing this, the soldier not only showed no fear but waved his hand.
The soldiers behind him rushed over one after another, each pointing their long spears at the carriage train before them.
If they dared to act recklessly, they would definitely strike first to stop them.