The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Chapter 365 An Old Acquaintance from Yancheng

Just then, Qing'e arrived at the study door, curtsied, and reported to Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, Miss Qin Chuyun from the General's Mansion has arrived and is currently waiting in the side hall."

Zhao Xuan's furrowed brows immediately relaxed, and she got up and walked out of the study.

"Yun'er is here! I haven't seen her in so long, I've missed her terribly!"

Gu Zhanghua followed in Zhao Xuan's footsteps.

"Wait for me!"

In the side hall, Qin Chuyun was idly looking around at the decorations.

The decorative items on the display cabinet, the incense burner exuding the scent of sandalwood and pine, the cushions embroidered with exquisite patterns...

For some reason, she thought of the man who had just found the booklet. He had sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a straight nose. His smile was especially warm and charming.

When Qin Chuyun was very young, she longed for an older brother who would protect her from conflict when her parents argued, take her to play, and give her a different kind of security.

Later, she met Zhao Xuan, and the image of her brother was replaced by that of her sister. She longed for a sister like Zhao Xuan, and now her wish has finally come true.

Thinking of Zhao Xuan, a smile involuntarily appeared on Qin Chuyun's lips.

"Yun'er! Yun'er!"

A cheerful and affectionate greeting rang in their ears as Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua entered the side hall one after the other.

"Sister Xuan, brother-in-law!"

Qin Chuyun hurriedly stood up and went to greet her. Zhao Xuan hugged Qin Chuyun tightly and ruffled her hair.

"Let me see! Haven't you become even more beautiful since I last saw you?"

Qin Chuyun raised her smiling face to look at Zhao Xuan, and scolded her playfully.

"Sister Xuan, don't tease me. I'm so bored at home every day, I'm about to die. How can I become more beautiful? On the contrary, you went to the Northern Territory. Although you got a bit tanned, you look healthier!"

Qin Chuyun took Zhao Xuan's hand, sat down on a chair, and asked with concern:

"How is my father? Has he said when he will be back?"

"Don't worry, Uncle Qin is doing well and misses you very much. However, because he just signed an alliance with the Rongdi tribe, he still has a lot of follow-up matters to discuss with them, so he won't be back for a while, but he will be back soon."

"The Rongdi tribes..."

When Qin Chuyun thought of the Rongdi tribe, he naturally thought of the marriage alliance with them, and the series of ridiculous actions his concubine had taken to force him into marriage, which gave him a headache.

Seeing Qin Chuyun muttering to himself with a furrowed brow, Zhao Xuan was puzzled.

"Yun'er, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

Faced with Zhao Xuan's concerned inquiry, Qin Chuyun subconsciously shook his head.

She didn't want to mention the trouble she was being forced into marriage by her stepmother, lest she cause her sister unnecessary worry.

"My aunt made these snacks, and she specially asked me to bring them for you two to try."

Qin Chuyun opened the food box, which had three layers, each containing a different pastry.

Zhao Xuan reached out to pick up a piece of jujube paste cake, but Gu Zhanghua was faster. He grabbed Zhao Xuan's hand, took out a handkerchief, and wiped it while muttering to himself.

"Wipe your hands clean before you eat! Even a little kid knows this, do I have to remind you? How old are you? Huh?"

Qin Chuyun watched from the side, unable to contain his amusement, covering his mouth and chuckling.

The three chatted casually while eating pastries. Before long, Qing'e came to call them for lunch. After lunch, Qin Chuyun accompanied the two to drink tea in the study.

At this moment, Qin Chuyun finally couldn't hold back and asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Sister Xuan, brother-in-law, what kind of person is the Rongdi King?"

Why did you suddenly ask that?

Zhao Xuan paused for a moment while holding the teacup.

"It's nothing. Everyone's been saying lately that the Xia Kingdom is going to form a marriage alliance with the Rongdi tribe. Many noble ladies want to know, and I was just curious, so I asked casually."

Qin Chuyun chuckled in response.

"Putting aside our past grievances with the Rongdi tribe, I think the Rongdi king is a pretty good person."

In fact, Zhao Xuan still doesn't quite understand the background of Rongdi King Yingyang, saying that he is crude, reckless and without any cunning.

He set another trap for Zhao Xuan, asking her to help him find a wife.

To say he's cunning and calculating?

They came up with both tribute and betrothal gifts, showing their sincerity.

When Qin Chuyun suddenly asked, Zhao Xuan had no choice but to conclude that "he's not a bad person."

Qin Chuyun was clearly dissatisfied with Zhao Xuan's answer, and she looked expectantly at Gu Zhanghua, hoping to get a more precise and detailed answer.

“He is brave and can hold his own against Uncle Qin. He is honest and responsible, and always puts the development of the tribe first. For example, he took the initiative to propose this marriage alliance, hoping to further improve relations with our Xia Kingdom.”

Gu Zhanghua gave a fair assessment.

"By the way, Yun, do you know which noble family is willing to take the initiative to marry into the Rongdi tribe?"

Setting down her teacup, Zhao Xuan looked at Qin Chuyun with anticipation.

The city of Liyang is now in a state of panic. The young ladies of every household are rushing to get married as if they were being reincarnated. How could there be any who would be willing to form a marriage alliance?

It seems that Sister Xuan has no idea about this at all.

Qin Chuyun smiled awkwardly, not pointing it out. If the marriage candidate was not found, the most troublesome person would be Consort Shu.

"I am not very sure……"

Sure enough, Zhao Xuan muttered something after hearing Qin Chuyun's words.

"I wonder how long we'll have to wait? When will Mother give us any definite news?"

Hearing Zhao Xuan bring up this matter, Gu Zhanghua also felt somewhat annoyed.

"Forget it, I don't want to think about it too much. Anyway, my mother will help me with the training. Sister Xuan, didn't you say you were going to teach me archery? Yun'er is here too, so we can practice with you. Yun'er, what do you think?"

Qin Chuyun clapped his hands and stood up.

"Okay, okay, I don't want to go home anyway, I'll just stay here until after dinner!"

Zhao Xuan put her arm around Qin Chuyun's shoulder and said to him with a smile.

"Don't even mention staying until dinner; you can stay at the mansion as long as you want! I just don't know if Aunt Lan will agree?"

Upon hearing the first half of Zhao Xuan's sentence, Qin Chuyun was all smiles, but when he heard the second part about needing her mother's approval, he immediately wilted.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off those worries.

"Live for the moment, don't worry about anything else, just enjoy practicing archery!"

"Let's go! To the backyard!"

The three of them walked happily toward the backyard. Just as they reached the moon gate that connected to the backyard, Qing'e caught up with them, panting.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

The three of them quickly stopped and turned to look at Qing'e.

Gu Zhanghua asked the first question.

"Qing'e, what happened?"

"It's nothing," Qing'e said, catching her breath. "It's just that someone came to the manor looking for the Prince and Princess. He said he was an old friend of yours."

"An old friend? Who is it?"

Zhao Xuan quickly asked.

"He said his name was Yang Ying, the 'Ying' of hero, and he came from Yancheng. He had traveled a long way to Liyang to visit the prince and princess!"

Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua looked at each other in bewilderment.

The two racked their brains but couldn't recall ever having an old friend from Yancheng!

There's another unfamiliar name, Yang Ying?!