Zhou Quan bowed again to Yang Chun, smiling, "Brother Yang, the gift you personally delivered, I believe His Highness the Crown Prince will surely like it."
Yang Chun walked to the front of the carriage with a smile and pulled Ding Lao San out from inside.
"We captured a spy halfway, who claims to be from Da Lin country. I believe His Highness the Crown Prince will be very interested."
Upon seeing Ding Lao San, Zhou Quan's expression was startled.
"This is a spy from Da Lin country?"
"Yes, yes. It's quite a coincidence. I was planning to deliver wedding gifts to Brother Xiao Bei, and I saw him acting suspiciously on the way, so I captured him. I didn't expect him to be such a valuable catch."
Yang Chun's words were vague, but Zhou Quan immediately thought of the mysterious spy who had disappeared halfway. Could this be the same person? It seemed too coincidental.
However, Zhou Quan remained composed, "Thank you, Brother Yang. I will interrogate him immediately."
He then signaled for people to come and escort Ding Lao San into the Crown Prince's mansion.
At this very moment, two figures swiftly departed from a nearby alley.
In a dim inn, several men in black began to discuss nervously, "Leader Luo Xi, I saw it very clearly. It is indeed Ding Lao San, but they are at the entrance of the Crown Prince's mansion. We have no time to rescue him."
"Ding Lao San has been taken into the Crown Prince's mansion. He probably won't last long. Therefore, we must rescue him as soon as possible." Luo Xi nodded.
"But the Crown Prince's mansion is heavily guarded. There are only a few of us, we..."
Luo Xi nodded and paced a few times on the ground, "Indeed, storming the Crown Prince's mansion is clearly impossible. But we can find another way. According to you, it was that Chen Xiao Bei who delivered the person, right?"
"Yes, eldest brother, it was indeed Chen Xiao Bei who brought the person into the Crown Prince's mansion."
"Looking at how smug he was when talking to Zhou Quan, I think he was probably trying to curry favor."
Luo Xi waved his hand, interrupting him, "Alright, keep an eye on Chen Xiao Bei. Since he was the one who delivered the person to the Crown Prince's mansion, if we can find an opportunity to abduct Chen Xiao Bei, we can exchange him for Ding Lao San."
At this moment, Chen Xiao Bei was unaware of the approaching danger. After meeting with Xiao Jing Yun, he happily returned to Fang Zheng's mansion.
Upon their return, Chen Xiao Bei and Yang Chun were in high spirits because Xiao Jing Yun had not doubted their story at all. He had even rewarded Yang Chun with several thousand taels of silver. Furthermore, he had offered many suggestions regarding Chen Xiao Bei's marriage to Liu Ru Mei.
Following Xiao Jing Yun's advice, the young lady instructed a few servants to go out and find musical ensembles to prepare various instruments, while she accompanied Yang Chun directly to Liu Ru Mei's mansion. Chen Xiao Bei could not personally attend to such matters, so he had to send them.
Seeing the young lady's sudden arrival, Liu Ru Mei was very happy and stepped forward to take her hand, "Sister, I heard you went to Qing Niu county. Why did you come back so suddenly?"
"Sister Ru Mei, I came with Brother Xiao Bei. He said he was coming to propose, so I followed to join in the fun."
Hearing this, Liu Ru Mei's face blushed slightly.
Seeing her blushing face, the young lady leaned in and asked with a smile, "Sister, aren't you eager to get married?"
"You little thing, look what you're saying." Liu Ru Mei playfully pretended to hit her, and the two of them talked and laughed together.
Yang Chun, standing nearby, spoke earnestly to Liu Yuan Wen, "Young Master Liu, regarding Brother Xiao Bei's proposal this time, there may be many points where the etiquette is lacking. Please do not be offended!"
Liu Yuan Wen shook his head, "These are not important. Come, let's go inside and talk slowly."
Liu Yuan Wen invited the two into the reception hall, served them tea, and then got down to business.
Yang Chun took a gift list from his sleeve and handed it forward, respectfully saying to Liu Yuan Wen, "This is Brother Xiao Bei's betrothal gifts. Please have a look."
Unexpectedly, Liu Yuan Wen did not even glance at it and directly passed the list to Liu Ru Mei.
"I have no objections. Let Ru Mei make the decision herself."
Liu Ru Mei did not open it either and placed the list back on Yang Chun's table.
"Go back and tell Brother Xiao Bei that there's no need for such politeness. Even if he came alone, I, Liu Ru Mei, will never go back on my word."
Hearing her words, Yang Chun secretly gave her a thumbs up.
If Liu Ru Mei were a man, he would definitely become sworn brothers with her.
Yang Chun did not refuse further and put the gift list back into his sleeve. Since you don't want it, of course, it's best to save some for Chen Xiao Bei.
"If that's the case, then I shall take my leave. We will come to escort the bride tomorrow after lunch."
After Yang Chun left, the Liu family immediately became busy.
Liu Ru Mei and Liu Yuan Wen had already prepared most things and were just waiting for Chen Xiao Bei to arrive. Therefore, after Yang Chun left, they immediately began decorating the entrance with lanterns and festive banners.
This action quickly spread the news of Liu Ru Mei's impending marriage throughout the capital. Following this, people began to send congratulatory gifts. It was understandable; Liu Xiang Nan had been an official for many years and had once been a first-rank marquis, holding a position of utmost importance.
Although he had been demoted by the Emperor and become a monk, at least those with good conscience would come to return the favor.
The entrance of the Liu mansion quickly became as bustling as a market. Naturally, the news also reached the Imperial Palace.
Upon hearing that the Liu family had suddenly become lively, Xiao An let out a long sigh of relief, "Good. This means Chen Xiao Bei will be here soon."
Xiao Shun Zi quickly bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty. The deadline is approaching. Even with ten times the courage, Chen Xiao Bei would not dare to disobey the imperial decree."
Xiao An nodded, "Indeed. Since Chen Xiao Bei is coming to propose, I naturally cannot let the Liu family be shortchanged. Go and prepare a generous gift for me. When Liu Ru Mei comes to express her gratitude, you will personally deliver it to them."
Just as he finished speaking, the sound of footsteps was heard, and a guard arrived, "Reporting to Your Majesty. His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived. He is waiting at the entrance of the study and requests an audience to report an urgent matter."
Xiao An nodded and immediately turned towards the Imperial Study.
Upon entering the Imperial Study, he saw Xiao Jing Yun already waiting. Xiao An smiled and said, "Jing Yun, why have you come so late? Can't this matter wait until tomorrow?"
"Your Father, there is a very urgent matter. We have just apprehended a spy from Da Lin country. He has been interrogated, and it is clear that they intend to raise an army to attack Ji Zhou and seize a large portion of our territory again."
Hearing this, Xiao An frowned, "Didn't you arrange for Du Bai to go to the border? What went wrong?"
"Your Father, there are no problems at the border. However, we are short-handed. Du Bai only brought thirty thousand troops, and with the troops of the Princes Liu and Zhao, it's still less than a hundred thousand."
"If Da Lin country sends a large army, they may not be able to stop them."
Xiao An nodded slightly, "You are right. North of Ji Zhou, there are no significant natural defenses. If they march south all the way to Ji Zhou and capture it, then it's only a few hundred miles to Qing Niu Mountain. From Qing Niu Mountain, they can travel south and split our Da Cang country in two."
"Yes, Your Father. This is precisely what worries me."