Meng Qianqian brought up the wedding between Princess Wanping and Ji Li.
Everyone’s chopsticks stopped mid-air with a swish.
Meng Qianqian softly replied, "It’s Wanping, Princess Wanping. You’ve met her before."
The Old Madam thought hard for a moment, then decisively shook her head, "I can’t recall. Why is she marrying a chicken?"
Meng Qianqian’s lips curved into a smile, "It’s Ji Li."
"Oh." The Old Madam suddenly understood, then her expression fell. "Still don’t remember."
Meng Qianqian said, "Do you still remember the Supreme Emperor and Eunuch Fu?"
The Old Madam nodded vigorously, "Remember them. They’re the ones who gave money."
Meng Qianqian: So that’s why you always remember those two...
Bai Yuwei asked in confusion, "The wedding invitations have been sent, but where are the two of them?"
Meng Qianqian smiled awkwardly but politely and said to Lu Yuan, "The Supreme Emperor said we must find Princess Wanping and Ji Li and ensure their wedding goes smoothly."
Lu Yuan replied, "You found them a Prince Consort, and now you’re responsible for their wedding? What’s next, ensuring they give birth to a dragon-child or phoenix-heir?"
Meng Qianqian smiled, "No need for that, just getting them to the wedding will suffice."
Lu Yuan asked suspiciously, "Get them?!"
Meng Qianqian put on a serious expression, "Find them. If they’re uncooperative... knocking them out and tying them onto the bridal sedan isn’t out of the question."
She had thought Lu Yuan wouldn’t bother meddling in other people’s affairs but unexpectedly, Lu Yuan agreed in one go: "Got it."
Meng Qianqian let out a long sigh of relief.
Back then, she had made a deal with the Supreme Emperor: she’d marry off Princess Wanping, and in return, the Supreme Emperor would reopen the Imperial Civil Service Exam.
She hadn’t told Lu Yuan about this. With him agreeing so easily, she was spared the trouble of racking her brains to make up an excuse.
"Who do you plan to send? Finding people isn’t the Imperial Guard’s specialty. The guards from Miaojiang aren’t here, and neither of them is carrying a tracking Gu."
"Old man, let me borrow two of your people."
"I’ve already sent my men out; even Ruan Qing and Ruan Ling are gone."
"When you meet Grandmother, I’ll put in a few good words for you."
The Miao King: "Dragon Slayer and Tiger Tamer!"
Two shadows swiftly appeared out of nowhere.
Meng Qianqian was startled.
Her grandfather actually had two such skilled experts by his side?
She hadn’t noticed at all. How formidable must their martial arts be?
Seeing his granddaughter-in-law’s surprise, the Miao King explained, "They’re scouts. Their martial arts aren’t as good as Ruan Qing and Ruan Ling’s, but when it comes to stealth and tracking, no one surpasses them."
He looked at the two shadows, "You heard what I said just now? If it takes using Gu poison, you still have to drag those two back for the wedding!"
For the sake of meeting Xian’er, whatever it takes!
The two figures disappeared into the night.
Now all they could do was wait.
Time would tell whether they found Princess Wanping and Ji Li first or whether the twins of her second aunt were rescued and brought back to the capital first.
Either way, it was something to look forward to.
After dinner, the family accompanied the Old Madam in a long-overdue round of leaf card games, while Bao Shu played with a little wolf cub in the room.
Outside, the cold wind howled, but the warmth of the people inside made the house feel cozy.
"It’s snowing again."
Meng Qianqian stepped outside, watching the flakes drift down, extending her hand to catch one.
Clear and crystalline, it carried a slight chill in her palm.
Suddenly, warmth enveloped her as Lu Yuan took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
Meng Qianqian hurriedly shrugged off the cloak and put it back on him, "I’m not cold. Quickly put it on, or your chronic chills will flare up again."
As she spoke, she fastened the ribbons of the cloak for him.
The tip of her nose was reddened from the cold.
Her earnest demeanor stirred a slight itch in his heart.
Meng Qianqian said with a smile.
Lu Yuan spread open the cloak and pulled her into his embrace.
The cloak carried his unique scent and masculine warmth—a fragrance so alluring it was captivating.
His strong arms wrapped around her, shielding her from the swirling snow.
His body indeed carried a trace of coldness.
Meng Qianqian’s eyelashes quivered as she gently tugged the cloak tighter around them.