"That's more or less the gist of it. Now that the truth is out and it seems we can't find out who's behind all this, what are your plans for Concubine Rui?"
Come to think of it, she was just a poor soul, but she wasn't going to play the saint.
Just as the others were at a loss for words, Cui Qizhou strode into the room.
"Qiao Meng has vanished into thin air. I've turned the whole of Jincheng upside down, but there's not a single trace of her whereabouts."
"Could she really have slipped away quietly? But there should be some clues, right?"
Based on her experience of watching modern suspense movies, there's no such thing as a perfect crime or a perfect disappearance. Maybe there were some clues this man had overlooked, or perhaps he still harbored feelings for her?
Just thinking of this possibility, her eyes were filled with suspicion as she looked at the man. And it was precisely this suspicion that made the man lose his composure in front of everyone for the first time and bare his heart.
"I've said it before. I will never shield her again. Since she's done something wrong, she has to pay the price for her actions."
"Humph, that sounds nice. I still remember how you protected your childhood sweetheart before. Those past affections can't be easily forgotten, not to mention the guilt you felt towards her."
"All that guilt vanished into thin air the moment I learned what she had done."
The man's face grew increasingly grim. Shi Muyuan was afraid that if her elder brother kept talking, it would put the man on the spot, so she stepped in to mediate.
"Alright, we should have some trust in each other. Otherwise, it won't be easy for us to get things done in the future. Brother, don't keep picking on the national teacher. He didn't expect Qiao Meng to be so ruthless towards me."
With her mediation, the matter was dropped.
Not willing to give up, they conducted a large - scale search for several more days. Finally, at the urging of the young emperor, they returned to the capital city of Changjing.
"In my opinion, we should expand the search area around here. Maybe we can still find her. Once we leave, we don't know when we'll have another chance."
Qin Feng was sitting on his horse, his hair fluttering in the wind. His seemingly casual eye contact with Xiao Xiao was noticed by everyone.
However, no one spoke out against it. After all, the two of them were of marriageable age.
"After we get back, General Qin will be the Minister of War."
Shi Muyuan didn't want the most important people around her to be without a proper title.
As soon as she finished speaking, she gave a meaningful look to the person beside her, and Qin Feng even put on a sycophantic expression.
"The Empress Dowager is truly beautiful and kind - hearted."
...
Back in Changjing, the young emperor had already prepared a feast for them. Seeing that they were all safe and sound, the figure in bright yellow sitting at the head of the table heaved a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad you're all safe. You've made great contributions this time. If there's anything you want, just speak up."
Qin Feng glanced at the shy young woman not far away and immediately knelt on the ground.
"I've managed to solve two major problems for Your Majesty on this trip. I wonder if Your Majesty can grant me two requests?"
Everyone present twitched their lips in unison. They didn't expect Qin Feng to be so astonishing.
Shi An was afraid that the young emperor would take offense at his good friend at this moment, so he stepped forward with a smile.
"Your Majesty, don't be angry. Qin Feng likes to talk nonsense when he's drunk. He definitely has no intention of going against Your Majesty."
After he finished speaking, the young emperor's face was full of amusement.
"I know. Anyway, today is a family feast. You can say whatever you want. Besides, the general is right. He has made great contributions."
Since things had come to this, Qin Feng felt that if he didn't seize the opportunity, he would be letting down the young emperor's gesture.
So he quickly said,
"I hope Your Majesty can give me the position of the Minister of War. I believe Your Majesty has seen my sincerity. If Your Majesty is still worried, you can bestow a marriage on Xiao Gu and me. In this way, I'll be a subject of the Great Liang in life and a spirit of the Great Liang in death."
After he firmly said these words, the young emperor burst into hearty laughter. "That last sentence is what you really wanted to say, right, my dear minister? But have you asked Xiao Gu's opinion? She has always been by the Empress Dowager's side. How about asking for her thoughts?"
At this moment, everyone turned their gazes to Xiao Xiao.
Even Shi Muyuan chimed in playfully.
"Xiao Xiao, you've been by my side for so long. You mustn't let go of such a young and talented minister as Qin."
Xiao Xiao remained silent, and Qin Feng wasn't in a hurry. He took out a jade bracelet from his body.
"This jade bracelet can only be worn by the mistress of our Qin family. Xiao Xiao, we've been through life - and - death situations together. If you still don't want to marry me now, I'll keep waiting. I believe that one day, you'll surely be touched by me."
The determination in his eyes moved those around him.
And all that filled Xiao Xiao's mind were the memories of the two of them when they were in a desperate situation.
To have someone do so much for her, she seemed to have made up her mind at that moment.
She stepped closer and slowly stretched out her hand.
"You must remember the promise you made to me today."
"Of course I will."
Qin Feng was almost trembling as he put the jade bracelet on Xiao Xiao's wrist.
The hands they held together were met with applause and blessings from everyone.
The next day.
In the court, when everyone learned of these two shocking pieces of news, they were stunned for a long time.
However, since it was a decision made by the royal family and the two major families, they had no room to object. So most of them sensibly offered their blessings.
"Minister Qin, we'll be colleagues from now on. You mustn't take offense at what I said before. I was just thinking about the country from my own position."
Qin Feng was in a good mood today and didn't argue with anyone.
"It doesn't matter. I've long forgotten about the past. I hope you'll all come to my wedding banquet."
"Sure, sure."
After he cheerfully dealt with those people, he was about to go to the harem to find his beloved when he ran into an obstacle on the way.
"Yo, isn't this our newly - appointed minister? Don't you know that the harem is off - limits?"
"The Empress Dowager has already given me special permission. You don't need to worry about it. By the way, Young Master Lan has been staying in the harem for so long without a proper title. Don't tell me you have some improper thoughts about the Empress Dowager?"
Gritting his teeth, his innermost thoughts were exposed at this moment, and Lan Xi felt extremely uncomfortable.
"What are you talking nonsense about? How could I be such a person?"