Upon hearing Huo Yuan’s promise, Mu Zhongqing said emotionally, "Young Master Huo, I know how you feel about Wei’er. If you can rescue her, I’ll give her hand in marriage to you!"
Hearing this, Huo Yuan gave a bitter smile, with a trace of bitterness creeping into his heart.
Cai Wei was no ordinary girl. She wouldn’t obey her parents’ orders without question, and wouldn’t let others interfere in her own affairs—let alone her own marriage. Knowing this, he still politely said thank you to Mu Zhongqing: "Thank you for your generous offer, I shall definitely do my utmost!"
Mu Zhongqing nodded with satisfaction. Both he and his wife admired Young Master Huo. Marrying him would surely be much better than becoming the royal consort to the people of Liaodan Kingdom. Plus, they could see their daughter whenever they wished. Perhaps they might even get some grandchildren one day!
Just as they were talking, a green parrot with a red beak flew in through the window, boldly standing on the table between them. Fearless of people, it even insolently lifted one of its legs.
Huo Yuan immediately noticed a small bamboo tube tied to the parrot’s leg. "Seems like there’s a letter!" he exclaimed with surprise.
He took the letter from the parrot’s leg and handed it over to Mu Zhongqing.
"Eh! Why would Wei’er send a message through a bird?"
Upon seeing his daughter’s familiar handwriting on the letter, Mu Zhongqing grew curious. As he read the letter, his face gradually paled. When he finished reading, he sat there in shock, his heart icy cold.
In the letter, his daughter said that she had been taken to the palace and would be marrying Prince Saknu of Liaodan Kingdom in half a month. She urged her father not to worry and promised she would find a way to escape—one month at the most, half at the least.
Despite her repeated assurances in the letter, Mu Zhongqing lacked confidence in her words. He had met Saknu of Liaodan, who seemed as terrifying as a devil from the myths. He sincerely doubted whether his daughter could escape from Saknu’s grasp.
Being a scholar without any influence or power, he felt utterly helpless. All he could do was endure the pain and pray for his daughter’s safe return.
Seeing Mu Zhongqing’s distraught state, Huo Yuan took the letter from his hand. After reading it, he consoled, "Uncle, now is not the time to panic. If there’s anything you want to tell to Wei’er, write it down quickly. If this bird can deliver Wei’er’s letter from the palace, it can certainly bring yours back.
Regaining his senses, Mu Zhongqing called out to the shop assistant waiting outside the door.
"Shuanzi, bring me the Four Treasures of the Study!"
In no time, Shuanzi brought in the Four Treasures of the Study.
The parrot, seeing them engrossed in reading and writing, squawked in protest.
Huo Yuan looked up, "What’s with this bird?"
The parrot glared at him, and pointed with one wing at its belly, then at its sharp, curved beak.
"Oh, are you hungry?"
Seeing that the parrot could understand human speech, Huo Yuan couldn’t help but feel curious.