Seeing the surprise flash across Yang Qing's face, Chu Jinghui nodded in satisfaction. "Indeed. Moreover, the Northern Liang envoy is already on his way and will arrive in Capital City before long."
"Since you are already in the capital, my dear minister, We believe it would be no hardship to wait until the marriage alliance is settled before returning to Yan Prefecture. What do you think?"
Yang Qing lowered his eyes and bowed. "I leave everything to Your Majesty's decision."
"Excellent. You have not returned to the capital in several years, either. Take this opportunity to rest and recuperate."
"I thank Your Majesty for your consideration."
Chu Jinghui waved a hand. "It is only natural. You may withdraw!"
Yang Qing backed out of the Imperial Study.
Only after Suotu had escorted him out of the Imperial City again did Yang Qing secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Still, Northern Liang's decision to send a princess for a marriage alliance had rather caught him by surprise.
The matter must have been kept so tightly under wraps that even the Northern Hawk had failed to discover it in time.
Before long, however, he would receive more detailed information. It would not be too late to make his plans then.
With these thoughts in mind, Yang Qing let the bearers carry him back to his residence.
After the bearers had left, Yang Qing addressed Bu Er, who had now appeared. "Is Purple Smoke in the capital?"
"Why do you wish to call upon Purple Smoke, young master?"
Yang Qing's question had taken Bu Er quite by surprise.
Purple Smoke was one of Yang Qing's subordinates and a fellow member of the Dark Alliance. Her public identity was the proprietor of Taste Pavilion, the largest teahouse in the capital.
Yet Yang Qing had never