Seeing that Imperial Physician Chen seemed to have more to say to his daughter, Chu Qing voluntarily left, giving the father - daughter pair who hadn't seen each other for a long time a chance to be alone.
Just as she walked out, she spotted Wei Ying.
"How's it going?" Wei Ying heard that Imperial Physician Chen had come and wanted to check the situation.
Chu Qing replied, "It's going to take a while. Even if Imperial Physician Chen has provided some evidence, it won't be easy to deal with them."
Hearing this, Wei Ying looked calm, as if he didn't really care. Seeing his composure, Chu Qing couldn't help but ask curiously, "Does the Prince of Ning have any good ideas?"
Wei Ying smiled and replied, "Qingqing must already have a plan in mind."
"Come closer," Chu Qing hooked her finger, and Wei Ying leaned in.
As he listened to Chu Qing whispering in his ear, Wei Ying's mind drifted. He didn't pay attention to what she was saying at all. He only felt her warm breath tickling his ear, making his heart itch.
"What do you think?" Chu Qing looked at Wei Ying expectantly after she finished speaking.
How could Wei Ying admit that he hadn't heard? He put on a smile and said tenderly, "Whatever Qingqing says is good."
Chu Qing didn't notice Wei Ying's distracted expression. Seeing his agreement, she eagerly grabbed his sleeve and said, "When shall we go to the palace?"
"Go to the palace?" The smile on Wei Ying's face froze a bit.
Chu Qing frowned and glanced at him, then continued, "If we follow my plan, we definitely have to go to the palace. I need the Emperor and the Empress to know about this so that it will be more convenient for us to act. Also, if you have time, accompany me to visit... Court Physician Wu."
It was quite awkward to change the name, as she was used to calling him Imperial Physician Wu in the past.
She thought that every time that young man was respectfully called Court Physician Wu, he must be so happy that he would puff up with pride!
At this moment, Wei Ying still wore a smile on his face and readily agreed to Chu Qing without even thinking about what kind of... idea she had come up with.
...
As night fell deeper, Xu Xin saw that her mother had managed to distract the guards. She tiptoed out.
At dusk, she had scouted the surrounding area.
There was a hot spring between the place where they were staying and the place where the Second Prince of Xiliang, Huyan Longhao, was resting.
It was as if the heavens were helping her!
When she quietly reached the hot spring, there was no one around.
All she had to do was wait in the hot spring for someone to come.
Since she had noticed this hot spring, the other person should have seen it too.
After a long journey, there was nothing more relaxing than soaking in a hot spring to relieve fatigue.
A flash of excitement crossed Xu Xin's eyes. Without hesitation, she took off her clothes and immersed her body in the spring water.
She really... needed a good wash after nearly half a month. Looking at the murky water around her, her eyes were filled with gloom.
After she cleaned herself, she slowly moved to a cleaner spot...
She waited and waited. Eventually, she fell asleep due to the long wait.
She didn't know how much time had passed when suddenly, the sound of footsteps drew closer. Xu Xin suddenly opened her eyes. Then, a victorious smile curled up on her lips.
In a short while, she saw the people coming.
But... there were two of them!
One was, of course, Huyan Longhao, and the other was the man he had called Wushi today!
However, it was already too late for her to leave now!
So she had no choice but to brace herself for what might happen next.
After hearing about the hot spring here, Huyan Longhao was full of enthusiasm and brought Wushi along.
It wasn't until he saw another figure in the spring that his eyes were filled with interest.
If he wasn't mistaken, that figure should be a woman.
The moonlight shone on the woman's snow - white body, and her graceful figure swayed gently in the water.
Fearing that there might be a trap, Huyan Longhao sent Wushi to check first.
Wushi had already seen the woman in the water. His throat went dry, and his eyes turned red as he walked towards her.
After all, he hadn't been with a woman for a long time!
Seeing Huyan Longhao standing still while only the man named Wushi was approaching, Xu Xin cursed under her breath. Then, she hid the annoyance in her eyes, lifted her face, and pretended to be panicked.
As she moved her body, the alluring scenery that was originally hidden under the water was now visible to both Huyan Longhao and Wushi.
Wushi gave a lecherous smile. But afraid of scaring her, he softened his tone and said, "Don't be afraid. We won't hurt you."
Xu Xin bit her lower lip, looking extremely alluring at this moment.
Wushi's hand gently rested on his belt as he continued while unbuckling it, "We just came to soak in the hot spring. We won't do anything to you."
Xu Xin sneered inwardly. Such a lie was really pathetic, but she had to act innocent and say, "Really? Then don't come closer!"
The smile on Wushi's face almost reached his ears. He quickened his movements. Soon, he was left only in his underwear. With a splash, he jumped into the hot spring.
Seeing that Wushi had jumped into the water without any precautions, Huyan Longhao slowly walked towards the hot spring.
Seeing this, Xu Xin suppressed the smile on her lips, moved her body, and said coquettishly, "Is the Second Prince also coming to soak in the hot spring?"
Huyan Longhao tilted his head and squinted his eyes as he carefully sized up Xu Xin. After confirming that there were no weapons around her, he said unhurriedly, "I'm more interested in you than the hot spring right now."
The man was so straightforward. Even Xu Xin couldn't help blushing and lowering her head after hearing such blatant flirting.
Huyan Longhao walked up to Xu Xin step by step. Suddenly, he squatted down and smiled gently, "What's your name, girl?"
Xu Xin thought for a moment and didn't hide it. She timidly replied, "Xu Xin."
"Oh?" Hearing her name, Huyan Longhao raised his eyebrows.
If he remembered correctly, this girl should be the daughter of Xu Han, the Minister of Revenue of the Great Yan Kingdom, who had corresponded with him before.
Interesting.
Huyan Longhao already understood what she was up to. So he didn't bother to beat around the bush and directly asked, "What do you want?"
After he said that, his finger twirled a strand of Xu Xin's wet hair.
It was a very ambiguous gesture, but it made Xu Xin's heart sink.
Did the man see through her motive so quickly?
But now, she had no way back.
Xu Xin dropped her act of being pitiful and replaced it with a stubborn look. She said, "I want to take revenge. I hope the Second Prince can help me."
Huyan Longhao let out a low laugh. He leaned closer to Xu Xin and said, "Why should I trust you?"
Xu Xin caught her breath, then said, "I will do whatever the Second Prince asks. But how will the Second Prince take me away? I'm... a criminal now..."
Hearing Xu Xin's answer, Huyan Longhao suddenly burst into laughter. Then his eyes were filled with a bloodthirsty light, "It's easy. Just kill them all."
"There's my mother in there. I hope the Second Prince can spare her," Xu Xin was a bit panicked by his words, but she swallowed her fear and said.
"That's easy to say, but I have two conditions," Huyan Longhao curled his lips.
"Please tell me."
"Except for you, whom I can barely trust, I won't trust anyone else. So... I can spare your mother's life, but... I'll cut out her tongue."
Xu Xin's face turned ashen with shock.
But Huyan Longhao didn't care about her reaction and continued, "The second condition is that if you serve my capable subordinate Wushi well, I'll take you with me and help you take revenge."