For the sake of his own skin, Zhao Rucheng had been deliberately avoiding Helian Yunyun these past few days.
He had quietly slipped out of the “Herding Grounds” simply to take a look at the Qi Embassy.
When Yuwen Duo shamelessly insisted on following, he merely assumed this草原 brother wanted to see the world. Thinking he had no plans to meet Jiang Wang just yet, he agreed.
This fellow lacked any of the grassland man’s magnanimity, complaining and cursing all the way, which had already vexed him to no end.
But he never expected that it was actually Yuwen Duo’s tactic to distract him!
What a bizarre turn of events.
He, Zhao Rucheng, prided himself on his extraordinary wisdom, daily needling Du Laohu and ridiculing Jiang Sangge. He felt such intellectual superiority. And today, he was sold out by Yuwen Duo, a fellow who couldn’t hide two liang of goods in his stomach?
The most exasperating part was that Helian Yunyun was still pretending to bump into them.
He saw her wave, a look of surprise on her face: “You came out to play, why didn’t you call me?”
Whether we called you or not… weren’t you already here?
“Princess Yun.” Zhao Rucheng’s tone was still gentle: “We were just strolling around casually, it can’t really be called playing. We were just planning to head back.”
He maintained his politeness and distance. In short, he cut off all avenues, his opening line stating they were about to leave, giving Helian Yunyun no chance to elaborate.
Little did he know that Helian Yunyun was also cursing in her heart.
We agreed to a chance encounter on the road, Yuwen Duo, why are you bellowing with that throat of yours? Are you afraid this princess doesn’t know I’ve been plotting this for a long time?
But the person had already been met, the event had already occurred, and there was no way to remedy it now.
She could only bite the bullet and continue playing the “chance encounter.”
Helian Yunyun, seemingly unintentionally, swept a glance at Yuwen Duo with her azure eyes, her voice carrying regret: “Ah? That’s truly unfortunate timing.”
“No, no, not at all! We just came out! This foreign scenery makes me linger and forget to return!” Yuwen Duo smiled ingratiatingly, then turned to pat Zhao Rucheng’s shoulder: “Ye Ge, aren’t you very interested in the ‘Qi Embassy’? Why don’t we go in and take a look?”
Zhao Rucheng was indeed tempted, but he didn’t show too much anticipation, only asking indifferently: “Oh? Is the place where the Qi expedition team is stationed convenient for visiting?”
“Why wouldn’t it be!” Yuwen Duo waved his hand: “This Qi Embassy is normally open to all parties, it’s open for business, not just for entertaining Qi people. Isn’t our Herding Grounds the same? It’s pretty much the same thing.”
Yuwen Duo spoke with full confidence, arranging everything with a laugh and a chat.
Zhao Rucheng’s teeth ached even more.
Looking at Yuwen Duo’s demeanor, he was obviously very familiar with Fengcheng. Even if he hadn’t been here, he must have already understood through intelligence.
His previous aimless complaints in front of him were indeed a tactic to distract. He even took a detour to instigate him to compete on the Guanhe Platform.
A big bear doing somersaults—he was playing tricks!
What angered Zhao Rucheng the most was that he hadn’t seen through it!
He even began to suspect if his mind had been eroded by the demonic energy of the border wilderness. Had he truly fallen to the same level as Yuwen Duo?
“Alright, then let’s go in and take a look,” he said indifferently.
“Okay!” Helian Yunyun smiled happily: “I’ve always been very curious about the customs of Qi! I like them very much, and my heart yearns for them!”
Yuwen Duo: …
Is it that much of a coincidence? I never heard you say that before.
But I did hear something about how you would someday ride horses across the Central View and whip the Eastern Qi…
Zhao Rucheng was even more speechless.
The three of them then joined forces and headed towards the Qi Embassy.
Zhao Rucheng and Yuwen Duo had come out alone, and he didn’t know how Helian Yunyun had gotten rid of her attendants, but at this moment, she was also unconstrained.
“It’s not good to reveal our identities once we’re inside the Qi Embassy.” Helian Yunyun naturally walked to the center, separating Zhao Rucheng and Yuwen Duo, and smiled casually: “Don’t call me Princess Yun anymore, just call me Ayun!”
Yuwen Duo opened his mouth and said: “Okay, A…”
Helian Yunyun fixed him with a look: “You call me Official Yun.”
Yuwen Duo laughed heartily: “Official Ayun. I’ve remembered it, it’s really easy to remember!”
Zhao Rucheng was speechless for a moment. What about the promised grassland hero? Facing a mere princess, you’re so subservient, Yuwen Duo, don’t you feel ashamed?
“Rucheng?” Helian Yunyun’s azure eyes looked over.
Zhao Rucheng smoothly turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation: “Ayun, please go first.”
Helian Yunyun smiled brightly, leading the way and entering the “Qi Embassy.”
The Qi Embassy occupied a vast area. Though called an “embassy,” it was actually a large complex of buildings, complete with pavilions, terraces, and towers. It just used the main building as a facade, with many buildings behind the main hall, connected by moon gates.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t easily accommodate hundreds of people from the expedition team.
The main offerings were naturally the famous specialties of Qi, such as tea snacks, seafood, etc., and they even sold some sea salt.
As the three-person team from the grasslands entered the embassy, a well-dressed servant stepped forward: “Distinguished guests, please come this way.”
The decoration inside this main building was naturally beyond reproach.
After entering the main gate, there was an indoor screen wall with a relief carving of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, clearly the work of a master.
The servant blocked the right side, pointing to the left, clearly indicating that the right side was not convenient for visitors.
Presumably, the Qi expedition team should be over there.
Zhao Rucheng deliberately glanced around, curious: “What is the area to the right?”
The servant was very polite to this strange fellow wearing a bronze mask: “Our distinguished guests have reserved that area, and there are no available seats these few days. We sincerely apologize for not being able to lead you there.”
To put it simply, the Qi Embassy was just a place of business. To put it grandly, it was the face of Qi in the state of Wo.
Therefore, although he was just a servant, he had been carefully selected and would not fail the etiquette of a great power.
As the Yellow River Gathering approached, anyone might appear here in the state of Wo. Although the Qi people didn’t need to fear anyone, there was no need to provoke anyone unnecessarily.
Zhao Rucheng smiled: “It’s alright, I was just asking casually.”
“Then please follow me, few guests,” the servant led the way.
Helian Yunyun said: “Yuwen Duo, you’re more familiar with this place. What we eat and drink later will be up to you to arrange.”
“Hahahahaha.” Yuwen Duo was like a mechanism beast powered by Dao Yuan stones, only speaking when he received a message from Helian Yunyun. At this moment, he suddenly burst into hearty laughter: “Official Yun, don’t worry, leave it to me!”
“Young master,” the servant reminded softly: “To avoid disturbing other guests in our establishment, may I ask if you could laugh a little quieter?”
Yuwen Duo was not unreasonable and immediately apologized: “Sorry, I forgot this is not the grassland.”
This straightforward attitude was indeed not easy to dislike.
The servant lowered his head: “Please watch your step.”
Second floor of the Qi Embassy.
Jiang Wang, who had just finished speaking with Cao Jie and was heading towards his room, heard that rough burst of laughter and casually asked: “What’s going on downstairs?”
“A few牧國 people have arrived,” the Tian Fu Army soldier guarding the corridor smiled: “Perhaps they’re here to scout out military intelligence!”
Jiang Wang also joked: “Then I’ll have to hide well.”
He entered the inner room and casually closed the door.