https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-196-The-Reunion-of-the-Twelve-Guardians/12934196/
Chapter 197: Visitors from Miaojiang
Chapter 197: Visitors from Miaojiang
September 5, 2024
Meng Qianqian found a wooded area and tied up her horse.
"Tan'er, wait here for me. I'll go and take a look."
"I want to go with you, Sister."
Meng Qianqian touched her temple, "Official Shangguan Ling isn't a pushover. The two of us would be too conspicuous and easily discovered. Moreover, anyone who makes him so cautious is no ordinary person. It's best to be careful."
Tan'er pouted and hesitated for a moment, "Okay."
Meng Qianqian smiled slightly, "You're such an obedient child."
Tan'er said, "Come back quickly, okay?"
Meng Qianqian promised, "I'll only be gone for half an hour. Whether I find anything or not, I'll return to the woods to find you."
After a pause, she thought of something and added, "If you encounter any danger, run back to the city immediately. Don't wait for me."
Although Tan'er was reluctant to leave Meng Qianqian, she nodded silently, "I understand."
Meng Qianqian touched her head again and quietly left the woods, hiding in a bush across from the post station.
Meng Qianqian waited and waited, and just when she thought she might not see anything today, she felt a faint vibration from the ground.
She put her ear to the ground and heard the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels.
They're here!
Meng Qianqian held her breath and lowered her body even more.
After about a dozen breaths, a group of people approached, not many in number, just two or three dozen, with only one carriage.
What surprised Meng Qianqian was that they were all dressed in Miaojiang attire.
Official Shangguan Ling's reaction was more respectful than she had imagined. He personally went forward and lifted the carriage curtain for them.
The first to step down was a man in his twenties, with a handsome appearance, a dignified bearing, kind eyes, and an air of noble elegance.
Following him was a petite and charming young girl.
The girl called the man 'Big Brother'.
For some reason, Meng Qianqian felt that the girl's appearance seemed vaguely familiar, as if she had seen her somewhere before.
Official Shangguan Ling had his back to Meng Qianqian, so she couldn't see his expression, but for a brief moment, she felt his body stiffen slightly.
But it was only for an instant.
If it weren't for her long acquaintance with Official Shangguan Ling, she probably wouldn't have noticed his unusual behavior.
Apparently, he wasn't waiting for this brother and sister.
"Who are you? Why are you waiting for us here?"
The girl asked straightforwardly.
At that moment, the man called 'Big Brother' took a few steps forward, revealing a silver moon-shaped blade hanging at his waist.
Meng Qianqian's attention was drawn to the blade, and she couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Official Shangguan Ling replied with a bow, "I am Official Shangguan Ling. I have been ordered by the Prime Minister to welcome the esteemed guests."
The girl raised her eyebrows, "Big Brother, didn't I say that? We haven't even reached the capital yet, and the sycophants are already waiting for us!"
The man spoke in a gentle and elegant tone, "My little sister is just joking. Please don't take it to heart, Official Shangguan."
Official Shangguan Ling quickly replied, "I dare not."
Meng Qianqian was even more puzzled. After all, Official Shangguan Ling was the commander of the Jin Yi Wei. Why was he being so humble? Who were these people?
The man addressed Official Shangguan Ling, "My grandfather encountered some issues on the way, delaying our journey. He asked my sister and me to enter the capital first."
Due to the hot weather, Official Shangguan Ling invited the two into the post station's room to talk.
The Jin Yi Wei surrounded the post station, ready for any eventuality.
Meng Qianqian frowned, deciding not to alert the enemy prematurely.
"Sister!"
Tan'er, seeing Meng Qianqian's return, immediately threw away the dogtail grass she had been chewing on for half an hour, "Did you wait long?"
Meng Qianqian nodded, "Yes, a Miaojiang person."
Tan'er frowned slightly, "Another Miaojiang person?"
Meng Qianqian decided to inform Lu Yuan immediately upon returning, "It's getting late, let's go pay our respects at the grave."
The two retraced their steps.
Opposite the first post station, there was only one mountain, the one they had just passed through, but a hundred zhang to the east was a small hill.
Meng Qianqian decided to give it a try, and indeed, she found what she was looking for.
"Zizhu Forest, the Wordless Stele, this must be the grave."
It had been a long time since anyone had come to pay respects, and the grave was overgrown with weeds. Meng Qianqian cleaned it up, and together with Tan'er, they burned spirit money, offered incense, and bowed as younger generations to the deceased.
By the time they returned to the capital, it was already night.
Tan'er was completely exhausted, lying on the horse's back, sticking out her tongue, her eyes rolling up, and breathing shallowly.
Meng Qianqian smiled helplessly, "There's a good lamb soup place up ahead."
Tan'er instantly sat up, full of energy, and went to get some.
Meng Qianqian gave the waiter ten copper coins and asked him to feed the horses.
As soon as the two sat down, they heard a surprised voice from behind, "Little Yinhu, it's you again? Are you following us?"
Tan'er turned around and said with her hands on her hips, "How can this chicken follow us?"
Ji Li's face turned serious, "Don't call me a chicken!"
Tan'er: "Chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken!"
Ji Li: "...!!!"
Meng Qianqian curved her lips and walked over, holding Tan'er's hand, and sat down at the table with Si She and Ji Li.
She sat across from Si She, and Tan'er sat opposite Ji Li.
"Do you mind?"
She asked.
Si She replied, "Not at all."
Ji Li: "I do!"
Meng Qianqian glanced at the white steamed buns on the table, "I'll treat you."
Ji Li: "Waiter, add five more bowls of lamb soup!"
Tan'er and Ji Li started eating with their heads down.
Si She had a refined manner of eating, and it was clear no one had ever snatched food from him.
"Do you have something on your mind?"
Si She suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?"
Meng Qianqian was slightly taken aback.
A memory flashed through her mind, words Yinhu had once said to her: "Si She's eyes are the most venomous. Never lie in front of him."
Si She said, "If you don't want to talk, I won't ask."
Meng Qianqian thought for a moment and felt that there was nothing she couldn't say. She just needed to change the fact that she had secretly followed them to an accidental encounter.
This was simple; she just needed to say that the grave was a bit further away.
After listening, Si She paused and asked, "Is it the silver moon scimitar with seven gems embedded in its sheath?"
Meng Qianqian was surprised, "That's right, have you seen it?"
Si She replied, "When I was looking for Chenlong, I went to Miaojiang and was fortunate to see it once. It's the Miao King's family heirloom, and only the Miao King and his heir have the right to wear it. He should be the Young Master of Miaojiang, the Miao King's grandson."
Meng Qianqian took a deep breath.
She had guessed that the person Xun Prime Minister was trying to win over was no small matter, but she hadn't expected it to be this big.
After Chu's family, the military power at the border gradually fell into the hands of Xun Prime Minister, and his people already controlled the court. If he were to win over the Miao King as well, they would truly have no chance of winning.
"The Miao King?" Tan'er held the bowl with both hands and tilted her head, "Doesn't he only have a daughter? When did he have a grandson?"
Ji Li clicked her tongue, "You know about Miaojiang?"
Tan'er humphed, "Of course I know!"
Si She said, "The Miao King indeed has only one biological daughter, but it's said that his daughter has no descendants. His son is an adopted son, and the Young Master of Miaojiang is his adopted grandson."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
