Jing Xunchè fell silent, his heart filled with complexity. He didn't want Mu Fengqié to be involved in these matters related to the wooden wind nightshade, but fate played a cruel joke and dragged her into it.
Seeing Jing Xunchè's silence, Mu Fengqié knew he was blaming himself. She scolded softly and changed the subject, "By the way, what's your relationship with the Seventh Princess? Why does she enter your tent without knocking?"
"Nothing special. If I have to say, it's a captor - captive relationship. Are you jealous?" A mysterious smile flashed across Jing Xunchè's face.
Mu Fengqié had her mind read and lowered her head in a hurry. "How could I be jealous? You're overthinking. I'm sleepy. I'm going to sleep."
With that, Mu Fengqié turned around and lay down. Although she had slept for a whole day, she soon fell asleep again.
Jing Xunchè shook his head at the sight, covered her with the quilt, and then went to Yuan Yǔhán's tent.
Yuan Yǔhán was slightly surprised when he saw Jing Xunchè. "Why are you here? A moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. After such a long separation, don't you miss her?"
Jing Xunchè gave Yuan Yǔhán a glare. Yuan Yǔhán immediately shut up obediently. He knew how terrifying Jing Xunchè could be. One must never anger this living Yama!
"I'm worried about Qié'er. We must solve this as soon as possible. Otherwise, I'm afraid she'll be in danger." Jing Xunchè picked up the wine cup on the table and drained it in one gulp.
Yuan Yǔhán also frowned. He didn't know much about Lóu Míngkòu. Although Lóu Míngkòu also held military power, Yuan Yǔhán had never thought of cooperating with him.
He was also very glad that he hadn't thought of cooperating with Lóu Míngkòu. If he had, he might have already died at Lóu Míngkòu's hands.
"I'll never let him get the throne. We should find a way to seize the military power from his hands. Do you have any ideas, Brother Jing?"
As long as they could get him to hand over his military power, his strength would be weakened. Without military power, he wouldn't dare to make trouble. But he was also a senior official of the country. How could they take back his military power?
Jing Xunchè also found it very tricky. The current emperor was fatuous and easy to manipulate. If that old guy Lóu Míngkòu took the opportunity to usurp the throne, dealing with him wouldn't be so simple.
So what they had to do now was to bring Lóu Míngkòu to justice before he started a rebellion. Otherwise, it might stir up even greater turmoil.
"We can only wait. Wait until the right moment and then wipe him out in one fell swoop!"
As soon as Jing Xunchè finished speaking, the wine cup in his hand shattered into pieces. His teacher had died because of Lóu Míngkòu, and his subordinates had also betrayed him because of Lóu Míngkòu's instigation. He would surely settle this score one day!
Mu Fengqié got up early the next day and headed for the imperial city. On the way back, she kept thinking about what Lóu Míngkòu would do next. She guessed that every move of hers was probably being watched by Lóu Míngkòu, so she had to be extremely careful not to expose Jing Xunchè's identity.
After a three - day and three - night journey, the carriage finally returned to the imperial city. She rushed back to the Minister's Mansion. After so many days, she didn't know if anything had gone wrong.
Hearing the news, Xiǎo Qīng ran to the door with tears in her eyes to greet Mu Fengqié. When she saw Mu Fengqié, she threw herself on her. Mu Fengqié's wound was hit hard, and she gasped in pain.
"Xiǎo Qīng, be careful. The young mistress is injured. Don't touch her wound." Zhū Fēi exclaimed.
Xiǎo Qīng quickly took a step back, turned Mu Fengqié around, and carefully checked her wounds. "Miss! How did you get injured?"
"It's nothing serious. Let's go back quickly."
Mu Fengqié had been on the road for two days in a hurry. Now she just wanted to go back, take a hot bath, and then have a good sleep for a day and a night. But things didn't go as she wished. As soon as she got back to the Minister's Mansion and hadn't even sat down properly, she met an unexpected guest.
"Princess, General Lóu requests your presence. Please step into the carriage."
A man who looked like a butler suddenly appeared at the door of the Minister's Mansion. Hearing the name General Lóu, Mu Fengqié wasn't overly surprised. She just didn't expect Lóu Míngkòu to be so impatient. He wanted to meet her as soon as she came back.
"General Lóu? I have no acquaintance with the general. I wonder what the general wants from me?" Mu Fengqié asked deliberately in a puzzled tone.
The butler lowered his head and replied, "I don't know, princess. Please come with me."
Mu Fengqié showed displeasure on her face. "But I'm not feeling well now. Please ask the general to make another appointment. I will definitely visit him in person."
Since she had to meet Lóu Míngkòu, she might as well go straight to his lair. Maybe she would find something then. It was a perfect opportunity that served two purposes. Since she couldn't get out of it anyway, she might as well find a good way to deal with it.
Hearing this, the butler looked embarrassed. "Please don't make it difficult for me, princess. The general said he must invite you. I'm just a messenger. If you don't go with me, I'll be punished by the general."
Mu Fengqié sighed silently in her heart and said, "All right. Wait here for a moment. I'll go back and change my clothes."
With that, Mu Fengqié quickly returned to the Listening to the Maple Garden. Zhū Fēi also looked unhappy. She had been keeping a straight face and was very angry.
"Why does the young mistress have to agree to him? Do you need me to find a chance to get rid of him?" Zhū Fēi gritted her teeth and said fiercely.
Mu Fengqié shook her head repeatedly. "His strength cannot be underestimated. You go with me later. I'm sure he won't dare to do anything to me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to so much trouble to invite me."
Mu Fengqié knew Lóu Míngkòu's little tricks very well. Since he wanted to play, she would accompany him well and see who would come out on top!
After the two of them changed their clothes, they left the Minister's Mansion and got on the general's carriage. By the time Shěn Yìrú heard the news, Mu Fengqié had already left the Minister's Mansion.
The carriage stopped at the door of the Sea and Land Delicacies Restaurant. Mu Fengqié followed the butler up to the private room on the second floor. Sure enough, she saw an old man inside.
This old man looked heroic. It must be Lóu Míngkòu.
"Greetings, general. I wonder what the general wants to talk to me about?" Mu Fengqié asked deliberately in surprise.
Lóu Míngkòu had been paying attention to Mu Fengqié's expression. Seeing that she seemed really puzzled, he frowned. "Princess, don't blame me. An old dog of mine is lost. I've been looking for it for two days. Finally, the clue led to you. So I've invited you out for a gathering."
Mu Fengqié opened her mouth wide and waved her hands at Lóu Míngkòu repeatedly. "General, you must have the wrong person. I'm most afraid of furry things in my life. The general's lost dog has absolutely nothing to do with me. Besides, I wouldn't steal the general's dog, would I?"