The business in Hezhou City was concluded.
At the inn outside the city, Qiao Zhishu personally led his soldiers to see Princess Ximing and the others off.
Outside the inn, as the horses and carriages were being readied, Qiao Zhishu looked around but saw no sign of the First Prince, Xia Qianhui.
Xia Siheng said, "There is no need to trouble yourself, Lord Qiao. The First Prince still had important business to attend to and left ahead of us. Only our family will be returning to the Capital this time."
Inside the carriage were Liu Wan and Xia Wanwan.
Outside the carriage were Qing Da and Qing Sheng.
Riding alongside to escort them were Xia Siheng and the brothers Zi Mu and Zi Xing.
As for Jing Wu, Yuanbao and Gu Ming had taken an arm each and flown him back. They moved so fast that the wind distorted his handsome face, roaring into his mouth and making his cheeks ripple in waves as he kept shouting,
"Slow down! Slow down!"
On the ground.
The little girl lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Qiao Zhishu with a beaming smile on her tender face, calling,
"You don't have to see us off! Someone's about to shatter!"
Then she was swiftly pulled back into the carriage.
Liu Wan hurriedly covered her mouth.
Qiao Zhishu had no idea what she meant. Turning his head, he saw that Duke Yan seemed to have been watching him all along.
"Your Grace." Qiao Zhishu bowed slightly, only to see Duke Yan nod at him.
Without another word, Duke Yan boarded his carriage and ordered his people to leave.
As Duke Yan passed Xia Siheng's carriage and horses, he gave a cold snort.
*The Little Princess does have some ability, but she's a far cry from