Qing Wu leaned on Xiao Chenyan's back, suddenly recalling her childhood in her previous life.
Back then, the former Crown Princess and her mother were sworn sisters, and Eldest Brother's relationship with Xiao Chenyan was even closer. From the moment she was born, she was bestowed the title of County Princess, allowing her free access to the palace.
In his youth, Xiao Chenyan was incredibly mischievous, always teasing her. After making her cry, he would carry her on his back and, relying on his superior Qinggong, dash across the rooftops to cheer her up.
For this, Xiao Chenyan received quite a few lectures from his uncle, the former Crown Prince.
Thinking of this, Qing Wu chuckled.
"What are you laughing at?" Xiao Chenyan heard her suppressed giggle.
Qing Wu's face was pressed against his shoulder as she hummed, "Laughing at you, of course. You clearly sent Situ Jing to the mountain to find someone, yet you still play tough."
Xiao Chenyan's tone was unusually calm, "Those whom Prince Yan's Manor chooses to help inevitably become targets."
"Madam Mu is already a wife of the Wang family, with no maternal family to rely on. If I openly help her, it won't be helping her, but harming her."
"Mere gossip can kill a person."
It wasn't that he wouldn't help, but that he couldn't let anyone know Xiao Chenyan was the one helping.
Moreover, Mu Ying's identity was already sensitive. As the sole orphan of the Mu Clan, being forgotten was the safest option.
Qing Wu wasn't unaware of these things; the world of the living was inherently more complicated than that of the dead.
However, she hadn't expected Xiao Chenyan to consider Mu Ying's situation so deeply.
Even less did she expect Xiao Chenyan to chase after her and offer an explanation.
"I believe Madam Mu will make the right choice once she's clear-headed," Qing Wu hummed. "A daughter of the Mu family, a heroine who doesn't yield to men, wouldn't be easily defeated."
Xiao Chenyan's eyes flickered, and he gave a soft hum.
The Mu family had many heroines; the Marchioness of Zhenguo was one such example. Mu Ying, having received her tutelage, was naturally not a weakling.
And that little bean, as the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Zhenguo's Estate, had never been one to shy away from trouble since childhood.
If that little bean knew her cousin was being bullied like this, she would surely storm over with a sword and beat everyone in the Wang family into unrecognizable shapes.
Xiao Chenyan wondered what this person on his back would do next for Mu Ying.
After the night's ordeal, it was nearly dawn by the time they descended the mountain. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the carriage parked by the mountainside could be seen from afar.
Hearing the commotion, Lu Qiao lifted the curtain and took a look. Upon confirming it was Qing Wu and the others returning, she joyfully emerged from the carriage.
"Your Highness, Your Highness Consort!"
Qing Wu noticed blood on the carriage shaft and signs of a struggle around it. She raised an eyebrow, "Did something happen last night?"
Besides Lu Qiao and Hong Rui, there were also two Black Armored Guards left by Xiao Chenyan in the carriage.
Both were injured, with what looked like claw marks from beasts. They looked ashamed, "Your Highness, please forgive us. Your subordinates were negligent last night and almost failed our mission."
The two then explained the situation.
Around midnight last night, two Mountain Ghouls came to cause harm. Before nightfall, Hong Rui, remembering Qing Wu's instructions, had urged the two guards to squeeze into the carriage with them instead of guarding outside.
However, the two refused, unwilling to believe in such danger.
When the Mountain Ghouls arrived, the two guards were almost caught. It was only when Lu Qiao and Hong Rui dragged them into the carriage that their lives were saved.
"Those ghost things are simply wicked, they can even imitate people's voices. After we dragged them in, not long after, they pretended to be Your Highness and Your Highness Consort returning, trying to trick us into coming out."
Lu Qiao spoke animatedly, "Sister Hong Rui is the clever one. We pretended to fall for it and threw the Red Talisman the Consort gave us outwards. After those things let out a scream, they vanished."
Everyone who had witnessed the ferocity of the Mountain Ghouls last night felt their scalps tingle upon hearing this.
Their gazes towards Qing Wu became increasingly respectful.
Bai Sui subconsciously clutched the Red Talisman on his person. Situ Jing pulled him, "The Consort gave you a Red Talisman too, didn't she? You were so dismissive of it. Why don't you give it to your brother..."
"Don't even think about it," Bai Sui cursed, then stole a glance at Qing Wu, his cheeks burning as he lowered his head.
At this moment, the Black Armored Guards who had gone to search nearby also returned, dragging two corpses of Mountain Ghouls with them.
"Your Highness, we found the corpses of these ghost things."
Upon seeing them, everyone gasped again. The two Mountain Ghoul corpses were almost burned to charcoal.
Was this the effect of the Red Talisman the Consort bestowed? Truly a blessing from heaven!
Qing Wu ignored the admiring gazes and yawned, "I'm sleepy."
"Return to the manor," Xiao Chenyan ordered, mounting his horse and extending his hand towards Qing Wu.
Qing Wu blinked. Madam Mu was lying in the carriage, and anyone else would have to squeeze in uncomfortably. Riding a horse might actually be more comfortable.
She walked over and was about to take Xiao Chenyan's hand when the man bent down, wrapped an arm around her waist, and lifted her directly onto the horse.
Qing Wu let out a small cry, sitting on the horse facing him.
Xiao Chenyan lowered his gaze to look at her, "Hold on tight." With that, he pulled the reins.
Qing Wu leaned into his embrace, subconsciously tightening her grip around his waist.
The man's waist was lean and strong, his build broad, completely enveloping her. She almost sank into his arms.
This embrace was both unfamiliar and familiar to Qing Wu.
It was the aura she yearned for even in the Netherworld, the unforgettable scent of the mortal world.
Her eyelids grew heavy, and Qing Wu fell asleep in his arms amidst the jolting ride.
Xiao Chenyan could feel the gradually steadying breaths of the person in his arms. The heart within his chest beat powerfully. The morning wind rushed towards them, carrying a chill.
Xiao Chenyan rode with one hand, while the other unconsciously drew his cloak tighter, wrapping it around the person in his embrace to shield her from the cold wind.
And this time, whether it was due to holding her or for some other reason, Xiao Chenyan felt the Yin Sha Qi within him unusually quiet. He couldn't feel the chill in the wind, only a burning heat in his chest.
Upon returning to the Prince's Mansion, Qing Wu had not yet woken.
Xiao Chenyan carried her directly to Iris Courtyard.
The others watched, their expressions varied.
Lu Qiao secretly rejoiced, "His Highness is paying attention to the Consort."
Hong Rui was also a little happy, "Don't just stand there watching the show. Hurry and settle Madam Mu."
Only Bai Sui remained there, sulking.
Situ Jing kicked him, "What are you spacing out for? You were so disrespectful to the Consort on the mountain earlier. Aren't you going to accept your punishment? Do you really want to wait for His Highness to deal with you?"
Hearing this, Hong Rui frowned, "Little Sui, you've caused trouble again?"
Bai Sui pouted, "I didn't! I just don't believe her. As for you, Sister Hong, have you all been bought off by her?"
Situ Jing stared at him, puzzled, "You're usually reckless, but not brainless. Why do you have such animosity towards the Consort?"
"And you're talking about me? Doctor Situ Yong, didn't you also suspect she had ill intentions before?"
Situ Jing coughed awkwardly, "Suspicion is suspicion, but after last night, I feel that suspicion is absolutely unnecessary. If our Consort truly intended to harm us, by the night she married into the manor, not even a chicken or dog would have been left alive."
"In any case, I won't be easily fooled by her!" Bai Sui stomped his foot. "You are all traitors!"
With that, he huffed and left.
"This kid..." Situ Jing scratched his head. "Such a temper. Only His Highness spoils him. What is he so upset about?"
"It's probably because of Little Miss," Lu Qiao said. "Bai Sui has always remembered Little Miss's kindness and firmly believed Little Miss would be the future Consort."
"He holds a grudge against Yun Houxing's family, so naturally, he's unwilling to accept the current Consort, feeling that Little Miss's position has been usurped."
Situ Jing was speechless and clicked his tongue, "With that foul temper, he'll have a hard time in the future."
"But his hostility towards the Consort is written all over his face. Why did the Consort still give him a life-saving Red Talisman?"
Situ Jing didn't think Qing Wu was the type to 'repay evil with good.'
Lu Qiao and Hong Rui were also taken aback.
Yes, why?
His Highness was strict in his military command, but usually very lenient with his subordinates. Yet the Consort was clearly not a pushover. Why did she always let Bai Sui's rudeness slide?
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