Tang Zhuyun: "... Stop fooling around, eat something to conserve your energy."
Don't be fooled by the current harmony; in a little while, things might turn into sword fights.
Ren Yingying took a bite of her steamed bun, glanced at the small window with a bitter expression, and sighed repeatedly.
Tang Zhuyun had her own thoughts on her mind and ignored her.
"Tangbao, you said you were coming, so why isn't it the Prince of Jin?" Ren Yingying sighed deeply.
Tang Zhuyun said, "I've been thinking about that too."
Logically speaking, the fact that Qu Nian came and remained so peaceful should mean that the war was over.
Qu Nian knew they had been kidnapped, and Prince of Jin probably knew as well.
But why didn't the Prince of Jin come?
Tang Zhuyun had a bad feeling.
It wasn't that I was angry that Prince of Jin hadn't come, but rather that I wondered if he might be injured.
No, no, no, that won't happen.
He must have something more important to do, or he might even be secretly cooperating with Qu Nian right now.
Yes, that must be it.
Despite this mental preparation, she still felt a dull unease in her heart.
Ren Yingying was also preoccupied, and for a moment the two of them fell silent and ate their meal in silence.
An hour after the meal, the door was opened again.
Qu Nian stood at the door and said, "Let's go."
Ren Yingying asked, "Where to?"
Qu Nian said irritably, "Of course I'm going home. What, you want to stay?"
Is it going to remain stuck in this limbo?
Ren Yingying: "You're leaving already?"
Why did it go so smoothly? It was as if Qu Nian was a spy from the Northern Yi who had infiltrated the royal palace.
Tang Zhuyun took her hand and said, "Let's go outside first."
Although she also felt that things were a bit strange, they had no other choice but to cooperate at the moment.
Those who understand the times are wise.
We'll take it one step at a time, and if things really don't go well, we'll come up with a solution.
Ren Yingying really didn't want to leave, but she obediently followed them out anyway.
Leertai stood outside, cupped his hands in greeting to the group, and said with a smile, "I was forced by circumstances; I have offended you."
Ren Yingying spat at him. "Like a weasel paying respects to a chicken, you're up to no good."
Tang Zhuyun glanced at him but remained silent.
Leertai remained calm and composed.
A carriage was parked in front, the one Tang Zhuyun usually rode in; it was spacious and comfortable.
The two boarded the carriage one after the other.
Qu Nian then mounted his precious horse, looked after the carriage, and left with his accompanying guards.
The carriage hadn't gone far when Ren Yingying suddenly asked, "Tangbao, did you hear anything?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "No, what was that sound?"
Ren Yingying said, "A woman is crying."
Tang Zhuyun thought she was joking and said irritably, "Your little matter is over. Qu Nian's mockery is over and done with. Are you going to bring it up every meal from now on?"
He's too idle.
Ren Yingying frowned and said, "No, I'm not joking with you. I think I really did hear a woman crying faintly."
Tang Zhuyun said, "Well, that's probably normal."
As she left, by the light of the torch, she could see clearly that Leertai had actually brought many people with him.
At least within sight, there are at least several hundred.
It's not unusual for some of them to have female relatives with them.
Or perhaps Leertai himself had three wives and four concubines.
Maybe he suffered a loss at Qu Nian, and he beat his wife.
Ren Yingying: "Impossible! With Qu Nian's stubborn nature, how could he let that smiling fox suffer a loss?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "You can't say that about Qu Nian. Putting everything else aside, his courage to venture into the lion's den is admirable."
He was able to safely lead the two out of the tiger's den; that takes skill.
Ren Yingying: "Perhaps he conquered Leertai with his good looks."
Tang Zhuyun: "Let him hear it, see if he doesn't hit you."
Ren Yingying leaned her head against the side of the carriage, her sorrow flowing like a river. "Tangbao, I can't get over this in my heart. I have to think of a way, otherwise I'm afraid I'll want to crawl into the ground whenever I see Qu Nian."
"Then take your time thinking about it." Tang Zhuyun closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
She was thinking of the Prince of Jin.
Where is the Prince of Jin now, and what is he doing?
She wouldn't come unless he was safe and sound, and she wasn't angry.
Really, he must be safe and sound.
If there are truly any calamities or misfortunes, let her share them with him, and don't let them fall solely on him.
They quickly entered the city gate.
Tang Zhuyun's unease grew stronger, and she reached out to lift the curtain and look outside.
It was pitch black outside, but there were lights at the city gate and soldiers coming and going.
They should still be cleaning up the battlefield.
In fact, this battle didn't last very long.
Without a doubt, they were the victors. Does that mean that the Prince of Jin was actually unharmed?
As the journey home drew closer, Tang Zhuyun's heart grew increasingly uneasy.
When the carriage stopped, Tang Zhuyun almost impatiently lifted the curtain, grabbed her skirt, and jumped off the carriage.
Xiu'er was waiting at the second gate. When she saw her come down, she hugged her and burst into tears.
"Your Majesty, I was so scared! Waaah, you're finally back... If something had happened to you, how would we live?"
Yanran stood to the side, her eyes swollen from crying, with Cui Xiaoqiu beside her.
Tang Zhuyun beckoned to her, and she stepped forward, bursting into tears.
"It's alright, I'm back," Tang Zhuyun said.
Mingzhu stumbled out of there, her hairpin falling off and most of her hair disheveled.
Seeing Tang Zhuyun standing there safely, she stopped and looked at her with delight.
She's back! Sister-in-law is back! The pillar of the Prince's mansion is back!
This family will never fall apart.
Mingzhu's eyes were blurred with tears.
Tang Zhuyun asked, "Where is the Prince? Has the Prince returned?"
Xiu'er interjected first, "No, the Prince has won a great victory and is still busy outside. Your Highness, come on, let's go inside first. Come on, step over the brazier and burn away all the bad luck!"
Tang Zhuyun was finally relieved to hear no bad news about the Prince of Prince of Jin.
She turned around and asked, "Yingying?"
Why is the person inside the carriage so quiet?
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud "thump" came from inside the carriage, and the whole carriage shook.
"Yingying!" Tang Zhuyun exclaimed in surprise and turned around to look.
Qu Nian was even faster than her, and had already stretched out her long legs and jumped onto the carriage.
"Yingying! Yingying!" He looked at Ren Yingying, who was lying unconscious in the carriage, and his voice changed.
--Ren Yingying bumped her head on the carriage when she got off, knocking herself unconscious.
Yes, after getting stuck in the small window, she spectacularly knocked herself unconscious tonight.
Qu Nian was almost scared to death by her.
Fortunately, Tang Zhuyun said she was fine after taking her pulse, which put his mind at ease.
"But if she's alright, why hasn't she woken up yet?" Qu Nian, still somewhat worried.
Tang Zhuyun thought to herself, "Perhaps she doesn't want to wake up."
Ren Yingying is perfectly fine; this guy is just faking fainting.
Tang Zhuyun guessed that she didn't want to face Qu Nian, so she made this foolish move.
But in fact, that's not the case.