Shen Biqun let out a soft cry and instinctively hid behind Song Qingshu. Ren Yingying, however, remained composed. As the Saint Maiden of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, she had seen every kind of grand spectacle.
Song Qingshu stood where he was and saw that the man was covered in wounds. He could not tell whether the blood on his clothes was his own or someone else's. His breathing was rapid and weak; he had clearly suffered severe injuries.
"I... I request an audience with the King of Qi." The man finally caught his breath. Having just noticed the three of them before him, he spoke in broken gasps.
Song Qingshu did not answer. He had returned in secret this time and did not wish to expose his identity for no reason.
Ren Yingying stepped forward and asked, "Who are you? Why do you wish to see the King of Qi?"
When the man saw the incomparably beautiful, dignified woman before him, dressed in luxurious silks, his expression turned to mingled surprise and delight. Even his speech became much smoother. "Could you be the Princess Consort of Qi? I am Luo Riyuan, an officer of the Dianqian Division." Legend had it that the King of Qi had many confidantes, but within the Prince of Qi's Mansion in Lin'an City, only one was openly known. After all, Ren Yingying's presence in Lin'an had long ceased to be a secret among court circles.
Hearing him call her the Princess Consort of Qi, Ren Yingying blushed. A faint, instinctive joy rose in her heart, and she found herself viewing him more favorably as well. But she quickly came to her senses and glanced worriedly at Shen Biqun beside her. Only when she saw no displeasure on Shen Biqun's face did she secretly breathe