That Cheng Maoming could readily agree was already within Qi Shuo’s expectations. He gave the explanation he’d prepared: “No need to do anything else. If it’s not too much trouble, treat him a bit better in terms of food and lodging—just don’t let him run out.”

The strangeness in Cheng Maoming’s eyes could hardly be concealed anymore.

This must certainly be a woman with ties to the Heir of Prince Jing. After the Heir became betrothed, he couldn’t shake her off, so he actually thought of confining her at the Jinlin Guard. One had to say, the Heir of Prince Jing acted differently from ordinary people.

“Not troublesome at all, not troublesome.” Cheng Maoming wore an understanding expression.

Although Qi Shuo felt the other party’s expression was rather odd, he still smiled and thanked him: “Many thanks, Commander. Then I’ll have my manor’s guards send the person over right away.”

“No problem. How long does the Heir wish to confine this person?”

“Keep him confined for now. We’ll talk again after he thinks things through.”

Cheng Maoming nodded: “Fine. Set your mind at ease, Heir. I’ll restrain my subordinates to keep their mouths shut.”

Qi Shuo thanked him again and returned to Prince Jing’s Manor.

Du Qing heard footsteps outside the door, his eyes showing vigilance.

For these past several days he’d been in this airtight room. Aside from someone delivering food and drink at regular times, the rest of the time no one paid him any attention. The prolonged absence of sound and lack of communication could drive a person mad.

This wasn’t the time for delivering meals—who had come?

Just as he was thinking this, the door creaked open and a tall, slender young man walked in.

Du Qing’s gaze sharpened.

It was the Heir of Prince Jing!

He stared as Qi Shuo walked closer in a few steps, but didn’t make a sound.

“Today we’re changing your location.” Qi Shuo’s tone was easygoing, as if making casual conversation.

Du Qing looked at him, seeing only calm on that young face.

He thought—this truly didn’t seem like a little prince raised in gold and jade luxury.

“What exactly do you want?” After a brief silence, Du Qing asked aloud.

Since the other party had determined he wanted to harm Second Miss Lin, why throw him here and ignore him instead of giving him a quick end?

Qi Shuo smiled: “Didn’t I say? We’re changing your location.”

Toward someone who intended to harm Lin Hao, he could hardly maintain any good attitude. This smile had no warmth whatsoever, and falling in Du Qing’s eyes only made him seem more unfathomable.

“Take him away.” Following Qi Shuo’s command, two young guards quickly entered and led Du Qing out.

The carriage was stopped right at the moon gate. He was stuffed into the carriage compartment and directly transported to the Jinlin Guard.

Cheng Maoming had been waiting all along.

Originally, confining someone was such a small matter he didn’t need to appear personally, but he couldn’t resist his curiosity!

He really wanted to see what the woman who so vexed the Heir of Prince Jing looked like.

“The person has arrived?” Cheng Maoming went to where Du Qing was being held.

It wasn’t a dark prison cell but rather more like an ordinary guest room. There were quite a few such rooms in the Jinlin Guard, primarily used to confine people of status who had not yet been convicted of crimes.

Seeing Cheng Maoming enter, his subordinates all saluted.

“Commander.”

Cheng Maoming turned a deaf ear to these greetings, his eyes glued to Du Qing’s face.

It was—it was a man?

Still not daring to believe the fact before his eyes, he looked left and right: “This is the person the Heir of Prince Jing sent over?”

Receiving an affirmative answer from his subordinates, Cheng Maoming’s expression grew even more peculiar.

“Commander—”

Cheng Maoming came back to his senses, his face recovering its severity: “Don’t let the person go hungry, but also can’t let him escape.”

“Yes.”

Cheng Maoming took another deep look at Du Qing, then turned and left.

That night, an abandoned residence filled with deathly stillness suddenly showed signs of activity. Several people gathered in the hall to discuss matters, with only a single bean-sized oil lamp on the table they encircled.

“Latest news—Head Du is no longer at Prince Jing’s Manor. He’s been sent to the Jinlin Guard.” A person with a scar at the corner of his eye said in a low voice.

The expressions on the other several people’s faces were all rather poor.

“Who would have expected the Heir of Prince Jing to be so cunning, completely not playing by the rules!”

“Exactly! All those days of scouting and planning were wasted.”

These past days they’d stopped other activities to circle around Prince Jing’s Manor, intent on rescuing Du Qing, never expecting their efforts to be in vain.

“This Heir of Prince Jing—when we get the chance, we’ll show him what’s what!”

Scarred Eye looked at the person who spoke: “Don’t cause more trouble. If he could make Head Du stumble, do you think finding trouble with the Heir of Prince Jing is that easy? Right now the most important thing is to rescue Head Du.”

“But that’s difficult. The Jinlin Guard’s prison is like a fortress of copper walls and iron walls. Moreover, once we make a move, we’ll fall into the Jinlin Guard’s sight, and conducting our activities in the future will be even harder.”

Several people fell silent.

The Jinlin Guard’s job was precisely searching and investigating. They weren’t even hiding fast enough—if they attempted a prison break and caught the Jinlin Guard’s attention, there would be trouble in the future.

After a long while, someone tentatively suggested: “How about… we wait for another opportunity?”

“That’s all we can do.” The others expressed agreement one after another.

The bean-sized lamplight extinguished. The hall plunged into darkness. Several people took advantage of the moonlight to quietly leave the abandoned residence, scattering in all four directions.

The capital’s main streets increased their sweeping frequency. The roads paved with bluestone slabs were kept bright at all times, especially Golden Embroidery Street, where even the flowers and trees on both sides were trimmed beautifully.

The court’s meaning was very clear—they wanted to display a prosperous Great Zhou capital to the Yuliu envoys.

This wasn’t merely saving face, but also a different kind of deterrent.

Whether individuals or nations, none could avoid the psychology of admiring strength. If the Yuliu people recognized Great Zhou’s prosperity, they would be more cautious in their position between Great Zhou and Great Qi.

Time entered early summer, and finally the day arrived for the Yuliu envoys to enter the capital.

Quite a few common people crowded along the street to watch. Qi Shuo and Lin Hao were among them.

After the two became betrothed, they could finally meet openly and properly.

“There are quite a lot of people. Do you want to go up to the teahouse to watch?” Qi Shuo pointed at the teahouse across the way.

The private rooms on the second floor of such street-facing teahouses had long been reserved, precisely to conveniently watch the excitement from a high vantage point. One of those rooms had been reserved by Qi Shuo.

“No need. Watching like this is quite interesting.” Lin Hao stood on tiptoe, looking toward the direction of the city gate.

Qi Shuo was amused by her enthusiasm for watching excitement.

All around were people, with laughter and chatter endless. He quietly grasped that soft, delicate hand.

Lin Hao quickly glanced at him and said in a low voice: “What if others see!”

“Everyone else is watching the Yuliu envoys.” Qi Shuo’s expression didn’t change, and he refused to let go.

Lin Hao lowered her eyes to look at their hands held together, concealed by sleeves, pressed her lips together, and could only let him have his way.

Only after the betrothal did she discover—the Heir of Prince Jing had an especially thick face!

“They’re coming, they’re coming!” Cheering voices rang out, and the crowd grew somewhat restless.

Qi Shuo turned sideways to block people squeezing past and looked in that direction.

A procession wearing Yuliu clothing approached from the direction of the city gate. The procession was very long, with some on horseback, some on foot, and some in carriages.

Two carriages in the center walked one in front of the other, both pulled by four fine horses. The horses’ coats were uniform in color, imposing and extraordinary. Without needing to think, one knew that sitting in these two carriages were the two highest-ranking people among the Yuliu envoys this time.

Qi Shuo said near Lin Hao’s ear: “I heard this time among the Yuliu envoys is a prince.”

The carriage walking in front had both side window curtains rolled up. Because the travel speed was slow, one could clearly see a young man sitting inside.

Lin Hao glanced once and lost interest, looking instead toward that carriage covered tightly and securely.