Hu Xiaotian briefly relayed what Huo Shengnan had just told him to Wu Jingshan. Hearing that Empress Dowager Jiang had finally stepped in to inquire about the matter, Wu Jingshan felt equal parts joy and dread. He was glad that the Great Yong Imperial House apparently recognized the marriage. With Empress Dowager Jiang upholding justice, the Worthy Consort and her son would not dare openly make trouble for them, however unwilling they might be. What worried him was that Princess Anping was an impostor. If the truth came out, they would become not only public enemies of Great Yong, but criminals of Great Kang as well. Vast as the world was, there would be nowhere for them to take shelter.
"What happened at Qichen Palace today drew the attention of quite a few people in Great Yong," Hu Xiaotian said. "Someone deliberately spread rumors that we've recently brought in so many warriors because we're plotting something."
Wu Jingshan poured out his grievances. "Our delegation originally had over seven hundred people. Now we have fewer than a hundred left. How could we possibly be plotting anything?"
"The mouths belong to them," Hu Xiaotian said. "They can say whatever they like. What can we do about it?"
"But the princess's wedding day hasn't arrived yet," Wu Jingshan said. "We can't all leave." Inwardly, he had already settled on a plan: Hu Xiaotian would stay, and he would leave first.
"Lord Wu, I think we should avoid leaving too many people behind," Hu Xiaotian said. "Empress Dowager Jiang has already ordered Huo Shengnan and her women's troops to take over security at Qichen Palace. Huo Shengnan is a decent person, and her Martial Arts are exceptional. We needn't worry about the princess's safety. They want us to return to Qichen Palace."
"All of