The days passed quickly, but Liu Wan had made no progress in rescuing anyone. The Old Madam could no longer sit still and often came to torment her.
She was in no hurry, though. She agreed readily to every demand, then did absolutely nothing, leaving Xu Rourou to languish in prison right up to this day.
When Madam Li returned from visiting the prison, lingering fear showed in her eyes. Presumably, Xu Rourou had endured every kind of punishment and was now a pitiful sight.
Yet she still had not been released.
Today was the day the Nanmei Kingdom envoys entered the Capital.
Liu Wan brought Xia Wanwan out onto the streets to join the excitement. The little girl could already toddle unsteadily and wanted to explore everything she saw.
Only with Xie Zixing holding her hand and Liu Shi guarding her from beside them did Liu Wan feel comfortable letting them play.
Someone in the crowd shouted, "The Nanmei Kingdom envoys' procession is here!"
"To welcome them, His Majesty wiped out all the bandits in Border City a month ago."
"Huh? Why?"
"Over twenty years ago, the Eldest Princess of Nanmei visited the Capital. Bandits in Border City robbed her, and she went missing for two years."
"If not for us older folks, you young people probably wouldn't even know about it."
"To prevent what happened over twenty years ago from happening again, His Majesty specifically sent the Ninth Prince with troops to eliminate the bandits. That shows how much importance he places on Nanmei Kingdom."
As the commoners discussed it, they voluntarily formed two lines, clearing the street for the horses and carriages.
"I heard there are three main figures leading this visit to the Great Xia Dynasty: the eldest princess, her niece, Commandery Princess Yan'er, and the