"Your Highness, aren't you going to give the princess another kiss?" Ruan Zheng caught up with Wei Ying's steps and asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Logically speaking, when a couple bid farewell, shouldn't they hug each other or give each other a kiss?
Wei Ying looked up at him with a gloomy face, then without even thinking, he kicked Ruan Zheng on the butt.
"If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."
Ruan Zheng took a deep breath and rubbed his sore butt.
When did the Prince of Ning learn to kick people on the butt from his old man!
It was really... too much!
However, he could only grumble a few words in his heart. Wei Ying's face looked so bad that he had to suppress his smile and quickly catch up.
Wei Er was left behind by Wei Ying, so only Wei Yi and Ruan Zheng were with him.
The three of them left the Reception Office and immediately found fast horses to leave the city.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late yet. The city gates of Dongyi wouldn't close until the Xu hour.
After they left the city, Wei Yi tentatively asked, "My Lord, don't we need to inform the Emperor of Dongyi?"
Wei Ying looked back at the city gate that was gradually disappearing into the darkness and replied, "Qingqing will handle it for me."
...
Early the next morning, Chu Qing entered the palace.
As soon as she saw Wen Lang, before she could say a word, Wen Lang asked first, "What urgent matter did Wei Ying have that made him leave the city last night?"
He had just asked him yesterday if he wanted to be the crown prince, and he ran away that very night?
He didn't even take his wife with him...
Was his position as the crown prince that terrifying?
Although this possibility was extremely slim, just thinking about it made Wen Lang feel as if his heart was being pricked by needles.
Chu Qing thought there was no need to hide it, so she briefly told him the content of the letter.
"Is Hu Yan Zhuori crazy!" Wen Lang slapped the table in front of him forcefully, his eyebrows filled with coldness.
Although he was the emperor of Dongyi, he always advocated making peace.
It wasn't that he had no ambition, but he thought that starting a war would always involve too many innocent people.
Therefore, there had always been peace between the State of Dongyi and the neighboring Great Yan.
All in all, as long as others didn't provoke him, he wouldn't easily attack other countries.
As for the bandit - like behavior of Xiliang, he had heard about it long ago.
Now, the other side had actually resorted to such despicable means.
Moreover... the one in trouble was his own son!
Wen Lang frowned tightly and turned to order the chief eunuch beside him, "Summon Wen Yi to me."
"Yes."
While waiting for Wen Yi, Chu Qing explained her intention.
Hearing that Chu Qing wanted to return to Great Yan, Wen Lang waved his hand and said, "Since Wei Ying left you in Dongyi, I will protect you. It's a long journey back to Great Yan, and your body can't bear the颠簸. You can rest assured and stay with me. If you find it inconvenient in the palace, you can... go to the Nangong Mansion."
Although Nangong Yin had been sent to the Cold Palace, the Nangong Mansion, which was equally unaware of the situation, hadn't been implicated.
He heard that the Nangong Mansion already knew Wei Ying's identity, and the old lady of the Nangong family cherished Wei Ying very much.
Chu Qing would be safer in the Nangong Mansion than anywhere else.
However, Chu Qing shook her head and replied seriously, "Your Majesty, the Emperor of Great Yan... doesn't know the relationship between the Prince of Ning and you. If I don't return to Great Yan, he will keep suspecting. This is not good for the Prince of Ning when he confronts the enemy on the front line."
Although she thought the Emperor's eldest grandson probably wouldn't suspect, she still needed to go back.
So...
She could only say so for the time being.
Sure enough, after hearing Chu Qing's words, Wen Lang frowned as if he was thinking carefully. At this time, Wen Yi had rushed over after hearing the news.
His temples were slightly sweating, and his breath was a bit unsteady. Presumably, after receiving Wen Lang's summons, he immediately put down what he was doing and came without any delay.
"Your son pays respects to Father. I wonder why Father summoned your son today? Eh?" Wen Yi glanced at Chu Qing and then said in a strange tone, "Why is only the Princess of Ning here? Where is the Prince of Ning?"
Wen Yi had naturally heard the news that Wei Ying had left in a hurry last night. He was deliberately bringing this up now.
Although he didn't know the reason, leaving in a hurry would definitely arouse Father's dissatisfaction.
Before Wen Lang could speak, Chu Qing gave him a cold look and said indifferently, "Why is the Prince suddenly so concerned about my husband, the Prince of Ning? Shouldn't you be happy if he doesn't come? After all, he can be considered your... rival."
This brat, did he think she was easy to deal with?
Chu Qing's protectiveness immediately rushed to her head.
Wen Yi was stunned for a moment, and then his face turned red.
Seeing that the atmosphere between the two was wrong, Wen Lang immediately scolded in a deep voice, "Wen Yi, don't think blindly! Something has happened in Great Yan..."
Then, Wen Lang briefly told them what had happened.
To Chu Qing's surprise, when Wen Yi knew what had happened, his face also became gloomy.
"The Emperor of Xiliang doesn't take human lives seriously at all."
Seeing the fist in his sleeve tremble slightly, Chu Qing immediately understood that Wen Yi's anger was not feigned but genuine.
Seeing Wen Yi's reaction, a look of relief flashed in Wen Lang's eyes. Then he said in a very solemn tone, "I'm going to send you to Chuanzhou in Great Yan to help the Prince of Ning. Are you willing?"
Not only was Wen Yi stunned, but Chu Qing was also shocked by Wen Lang's sudden decision.
This fool actually trusted Wen Yi enough to send him out?
To put it bluntly, if something happened to both of them...
"Your Majesty, please think twice." Wen Yi didn't say a word, but Chu Qing spoke carefully.
Although she didn't want to think about the worst - case scenario, her reason reminded her that she had to consider it.
Wen Lang naturally saw Chu Qing's reaction. Then his tone softened a little and he continued, "When I was his age, I had already... ascended to the throne. Wen Yi has to go out and experience for himself. Moreover, I believe that both of them will be safe and sound."
After saying that, Wen Lang looked at Wen Yi, then walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder and said, "In the end, whether you go or not is up to you. I won't force you."
Wen Yi's face turned pale. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he said firmly, "Since Father trusts your son so much, your son will surely live up to Father's expectations! Your son will prove to you this time! Your son... is no worse than the Prince of Ning! Ah! Father!"
Before Wen Yi could finish speaking, Wen Lang suddenly slapped the back of his head and said angrily, "You stupid thing! I'm sending you there not for you to compete with him! Don't act recklessly! He won't put you in danger. Moreover, you can learn from him."
Wen Yi lowered his head. Although he was a bit dissatisfied, he still obediently didn't refute.
Seeing that Wen Yi agreed, Wen Lang ordered him to go back and prepare.
After Wen Yi left, Wen Lang slowly said to Chu Qing, "If you really want to return to Great Yan, then go. But I will send someone to escort you."
Seeing Wen Lang's serious face, Chu Qing had no choice but to agree.