Minister Qin's Mansion, Kyoto
"Young master, there is news from Nanlong Prefecture."
"Come in and speak."
"Yes, young master."
Soon, a middle-aged man came in. He looked very ordinary and wouldn't draw people's attention in a crowd.
But who would have thought that this person was Qin Yi, the leader of Qin Chuyuan's secret guards.
"This subordinate pays respects to the young master."
"Rise and speak."
"Yes, young master. This is a message from our secret guards in Nanlong Prefecture. Please take a look."
Qin Chuyuan took the note. It said: "Met Wuji Sect assassins, won, minor injuries."
Qin Chuyuan frowned.
He knew Wuji Sect's rules - "Once a Wuji Sect mission is issued, it won't stop until death comes."
Moreover, Wuji Sect was the top assassin organization in Jianghu. Its masters were among the best.
This trip was dangerous for Xiaohua. No, he had to go to Nanlong Prefecture himself.
"Qin Yi, notify to prepare horses. I need to go to the palace."
"Also, pick a few more skilled secret guards to stand by and prepare to go out."
"Yes, young master."
The palace, Qinzheng Hall
King Ye Helian Tuoba and Crown Prince Helian Yi were discussing state affairs.
"Look, this is a memorial from the north. Da Wei Dynasty frequently raided our borders, plundering and slaughtering people in several villages without restraint." King Ye passed the memorial to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince took it and frowned deeper as he read it.
"Da Wei rules by military power and its people are ferocious. It has always coveted the lands of surrounding countries. Especially this King Wei who is very ambitious and wants to rule the world. We need to make preparations as soon as possible, father."
"Well said. Unfortunately, our Da Ye Dynasty has just begun to build up some military power in the past few years. There is still a big gap compared to Da Wei's might. To build formidable armed forces will take great efforts."
At this moment, the eunuch steward, Eunuch Huang, came in to interrupt their conversation.
"Announcing, Minister Qin requests an audience."
"Oh? Allow him in."
"Yes." Eunuch Huang retreated.
Looking at Eunuch Huang's back, King Ye said: "How rare. I haven't seen this lad after court sessions recently."
"What my father doesn't know is that after you granted the marriage, Miss Gong set off with Lord Li to handle a case in Nanlong Prefecture. He has been personally overseeing every big and small matter of this wedding."
"Why did the Ministry of Justice send her away? Do they not know she's about to be married?"
"Because of the upcoming wrestling tournament, she was the only capable one available. Others have to participate in the tournament. They had no choice but to send her. He had no choice but to let her go."
"The Qins have huge family wealth. Why does he need to oversee it personally?"
"You don't know that he already had his eyes on her. But Minister Qin didn't agree and Miss Gong didn't seem to like him either. And then you ordered the marriage, which perfectly helped him. "
"So my rewarding the marriage actually helped him get the girl?"
"Father is wise. Besides, you haven't seen how fussy he was when overseeing the matters. It was so annoying I got toothache from watching."
"Pfft, the ice-cold demeanor and arrogance of the Qin Fifth Master also has a day of fawning over a girl. Haha!"
Soon, Qin Chuyuan entered the main hall.
"This subject pays respect to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince."
"Cough. Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Highness."
King Ye looked at Qin Chuyuan below, expressionless, looking completely unconcerned with worldly matters and unable to imagine him fussing to the point of annoying toothache.
For a moment, he felt like teasing him.
"How rare ah, Minister Qin, what have you been busy with recently?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, military and civic assessments across the country have begun. I have been busy overseeing them."
"Oh? Then may I ask who has been overseeing your wedding matters?"
"It is my mother and my eldest sister-in-law."
"Is that so?" King Ye said meaningfully.
"Indeed." Qin Chuyuan answered calmly.
King Ye and the Crown Prince exchanged a smile. He sure knows how to pretend. Let's drop this, his skin is too thick to tease.
"So, what brought you to the palace?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, national military and civic assessments have begun. I have the finalized list of locations for on-site assessments. Please take a look."
Then he handed the list to Eunuch Huang, who passed it to King Ye.
King Ye opened the list and started reading through it. He just needed an overview since he trusted Qin Chuyuan's work.
But at the last page, he saw "Qin Chuyuan" and "Sishui Prefecture" after it.
"Are you going to personally conduct on-site assessment at Sishui Prefecture? Won't it interrupt your upcoming wedding?"
"The wedding preparation is mostly done. Your Majesty has no need to worry. I ask that you approve my trip for the assessment."
"Father, rest assured, Sishui Prefecture borders Nanlong Prefecture. He just wants an excuse to meet Miss Gong."
"Oh Qin Chuyuan, you're becoming more and more bold. Aren't you afraid I'll punish you for using public office for private ends?"
"Your Majesty, those are biased words from the Crown Prince. I'm going to Sishui Prefecture strictly for official business. Where does the talk of punishment come from?"
"Alright, stop it. How can Miss Gong like you when you have such a stern face all day, utterly boring."
After speaking, he wrote an approving "Permit" at the end of the list and handed it back to Qin Chuyuan.
"Permitted. This king allows you one day of leave when you pass by Nanlong Prefecture."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Ha, now you're not pretending anymore."
"This subject takes leave."
"Humph, stubborn as a dead duck."
After leaving the palace, Qin Chuyuan packed up and departed for Sishui Prefecture that night, together with Qin Yi and several selected secret guards.
Everyone in the Qin household only found out about his official trip the next day.
When Third Madam Qin learned the real reason for the trip, she nearly fainted from anger.
She said to her daughter-in-law, "What sin did I commit to deserve this after meeting that Xiaohua Gong? Never a thing goes smoothly since then."
"My son was bent on marrying her, Your Majesty granted the marriage, we can't refuse that. And now that the wedding nears, she gets sent away first while as soon as my silly son hears of her danger, he eagerly rushes out to find her without a moment of peace. This isn't bringing back a daughter-in-law but a revered ancestor!"
"Rou'er, how am I going to live when Xiaohua Gong marries into our family in the future?"
"Mother, although Xiaohua does not adhere to conventions like ladies of prestigious families, she is truly kind-hearted, courageous, clever and capable. "
"You see, without a prominent family background, her paintings are exquisitely superb and admired by so many people in the capital who try to imitate her techniques."
"And her martial arts defeated General Lang. I believe there is no finer lady than her in the capital."
"Granny, I also think Auntie Xiaohua is great. Not only pretty, good at martial arts, most importantly she cooks delicious food!"
"She even got you to call her auntie. You sell out so easily over some food, worthless."
"Oh whatever, can't be bothered with their matters!"
"Right, did Gong family send more food? If yes, send half to my yard. *Cough* Your father likes to eat."
"Granny clearly likes to eat but blamed it on grandfather. Have some shame!"
"Ungrateful brat, get out, stop disturbing my rest."
She didn't wait for her daughter-in-law and grandson to take leave before returning to her room red-faced, supported by her servant.
Zhao Rou smiled secretly. Ever since Xiaohua Gong appeared, mother has become much more cheerful.
