Whose little lady is so crazy?

Chapter 646 The Horse is Missing
She was planning to leave the grain and supplies in her spatial storage to Gong Wei before leaving the border.

To avoid this matter being shrouded in fantasy, she had to make things a little more complicated, enlisting the help of people from the Treasure Pavilion. She also came up with a solution for the remaining grain and supplies.

Originally, the plan was to use the name of Duobaoge to resolve the matter, but then they considered that if the news leaked and Yunwu Kingdom found out, what if they retaliated against Duobaoge?
Because Duobaoge also has business to do in Yunwu Kingdom.

I just realized this. If I had considered the seriousness of this problem earlier, I wouldn't have asked Duobaoge for help.

After all, raiding the grain and supplies of seventeen garrison camps was no small matter for the Yunwu Kingdom.

If there are only a few people and there's nothing to eat temporarily, you can go to a restaurant or buy some food.

Moreover, she only visited large camps, where at least six or seven thousand, or even tens of thousands, of people had run out of food. Even if they found the largest grain merchant in the area, it would only solve their food problem for a day or two at most, and it would take time for their supplies to arrive.

She deliberately arranged to meet Duobaoge at night to avoid attracting attention, but Xiao Hei rebelled and arrived early. She only moved the provisions out after it was really dark.

At this distance, with the city gate and the soldiers on it, they shouldn't be able to see this side clearly.

But if it's Murong Jing, then it's hard to say. Brother Quan once said that martial arts practitioners with good skills have much better night vision than ordinary people.

Never mind, even if he saw it, so what? Killing him to silence him is impossible, but if I don't say anything, what can he do? Should I ask Master Huang?

The rules of Duobao Pavilion are very strict, so Hall Master Huang probably wouldn't tell him anything. Besides, Hall Master Huang didn't see her "conjure" those things out of thin air.

And it only lasts for a moment. Even if he saw it, he would still be unable to explain, believe, or accept it.

"Oh, Miss Hong is back? I thought you were going to tour all the camps in Yunwu Kingdom before you came back." Hong Xiaoduo urged her horse into the city gate and saw Murong Jing standing inside, smiling at her.

Under the light of the lanterns hanging on the city gate, a handsome man stood with his hands behind his back, looking at her with a smile.

Whether it was due to the lighting or the difference in angle between her on horseback and him standing on the ground, Hong Xiaoduo felt that the young master looked thinner and more haggard.

Is it really that hard to help General Gong manage this White Stone City?

What's wrong with Emperor Jiade? Why doesn't he send an official here immediately?
"I got tired of looking around, so I came back," Hong Xiaoduo replied casually.

Upon hearing this, Murong Jing was taken aback, then nodded: "So it really was you who caused chaos in more than a dozen military camps in Yunwu Kingdom?"

Huh? Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo blinked at him, finally realizing what he meant: "You tricked me?"

"Are you hungry? There's a restaurant in this White Stone City that serves excellent stewed fish. I haven't eaten yet, want to join us? Tian Shu and the others must have already eaten. It won't make a difference if we eat first and then go back!" After Murong Jing finished speaking, he stepped forward and reached out to grab the reins.

His tone was questioning, it was a suggestion!

Hong Xiaoduo wanted to refuse immediately, but looking into his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say no: "Okay."

The impulsive agreement made Hong Xiaoduo despise herself. Was she just too soft-hearted, or...? Surely not because she was lustful?
Upon hearing her agree, Murong Jing couldn't help but smile as he pulled on the horse's reins and walked towards the street.

"Your Highness, you are the Emperor's right-hand man. Aren't you ashamed to lead my horse?" Hong Xiaoduo couldn't help but ask, looking at the tall, straight back in front of her.

"You're someone His Majesty invited to stay, so it's my honor to lead your horse," Murong Jing replied without turning his head.

She didn't want to go when I suggested we have dinner together, but she didn't refuse. Now she's even joking with me. It seems she doesn't dislike me!

Thinking about it this way, the dark cloud hanging over my heart suddenly dissipated.

These days, he had thought it through. Since she preferred to wander around outside and didn't want to see him, shouldn't he be sensible and not force her to do something she didn't want to do?

The reason he insisted on staying here to wait for her was simply to talk to her again and try to win her over. If she still insisted that she would not accept his feelings, he would leave immediately and never bother her again.

She simply doesn't accept my affections, but if I continue to pester her relentlessly, she won't just avoid me; she'll grow to loathe me.

Before Hong Xiaoduo could respond, he stopped in front of a restaurant with Xiao Hei in his hand.

Hong Xiaoduo dismounted, and the waiter at the door hurried over to take the reins and tie them to a nearby wooden post. She wanted to say that it wasn't necessary to tie them, as the horse wouldn't run away, but seeing the waiter's quick movements, and knowing that the horse was already tied, why should she ask him to untie it?

At this time, more diners leave the restaurants than enter.

Murong Jing went inside and looked around, trying to find a better table. The shopkeeper behind the counter asked him if he wanted a private room.

"That would be great," Murong Jing immediately nodded.

"Business looks pretty good. It seems that the change of city jurisdiction hasn't affected business." Hong Xiaoduo said as she walked inside, watching the busy shop assistants.

"Young lady, you don't know this, but it has had an impact. Business is better than before, much better. It's not that we're heartless or unpatriotic, it's just that the officials were incompetent and colluded with unscrupulous merchants to prey on us ordinary people. That official was also incompetent, only thinking about seizing other countries and expanding his territory, completely disregarding whether we ordinary people are doing well or not, whether we live or die."

Originally, most of the money our employer earned was forced to be used to bribe officials, leaving little profit, so the wages we received were not high.

Now look at the situation. As soon as General Gong's troops entered the city, they posted a notice to reassure the people. They said they were not there to harm us and told us to go about our business. Moreover, if anyone oppressed us, we could complain to them and they would be severely punished.

Not only that, but several unscrupulous merchants in the city who had been exploiting our officials have all been arrested. Those with murder in their hands were executed on the spot after interrogation.

A few days later, they returned all the money they had embezzled. Although it wasn't all of it, it was still an incredible stroke of luck for everyone.

"So, life is the same no matter who you're under." The waiter said as he led the way into a private room.

That was quite true; Murong Jing hadn't even ordered any food yet when he gave the man a silver coin.

The waiter was so excited that he quickly recommended his restaurant's specialties. Hong Xiaoduo ordered the stewed fish that Murong Jing had mentioned, and then let Murong Jing order the dishes. He also ordered wine for himself and her separately.

Murong Jing noticed that as long as he didn't mention the two of them to her and chatted casually as usual, the atmosphere was quite good.

The dishes arrived quickly, and they were indeed delicious. The stewed fish was tender, and the pickled cabbage and glass noodles inside were also a hit with Hong Xiaoduo. She enjoyed them very much with the rose liqueur.

"Do you eat fish maw? It's chewy and quite nice," Murong Jing asked her as he picked up a piece of fish maw from the stewed fish.

“Yes, I can eat. I’ve even eaten fish intestines before,” Hong Xiaoduo said.

Upon hearing this, Murong Jing immediately placed the fish maw from his chopsticks into her dish.

I had already put it down when I realized that I hadn't used serving chopsticks.

The next moment, she picked up a piece of food and started eating it without caring about anything else.

Murong Jing's lips curled up again; he had changed his mind.

Even if she doesn't accept me now, it's okay. I won't force her or give up. I'll just take a step back and wait for her.

"This meal is on me, Your Highness, don't try to pay for it," Hong Xiaoduo said, her mouth full of satisfaction and a hint of drunkenness in her voice.

I've been traveling around Yunwu Kingdom for over a month and have made quite a bit of money. What's wrong with treating them to a meal?

"Alright, alright, I won't fight you for it, you pay." Murong Jing replied happily.

After leaving the private room, Hong Xiaoduo paid the bill at the counter. Just as she was about to leave, the waiter rushed in, saying in a panic, "Young master, young lady, your horse is missing. I was at the door the whole time, helping a drunk customer into his sedan chair, and when I turned around, I found it was gone."

The waiter was so anxious he was almost in tears. This young lady didn't look like an ordinary person. He had seen this young master coming and going from the government office, and the soldiers and generals of Fengliang Kingdom treated him with great respect.

That black horse, with its glossy black coat, must have been a prized steed. How could I possibly afford to lose it?
If the other party makes the employer pay compensation, then you've caused the employer to lose money, which is also a mistake!
Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo hurried outside. Murong Jing's brows immediately furrowed. He had invited her here; what would happen if the horse were truly lost?

He knew very well that she was not only good to those children, but also very good to the black horse and the little gray donkey. The hay they ate was better than what he fed his mount.

Once outside the restaurant, Hong Xiaoduo looked at the bare wooden stake, sullenly crossed her arms, and thought, "Fine, very well! Apples and carrots, you're not getting any. And top-quality fodder? Forget about it!"
"Xiao Duo, the city gates are all closed, and they're all our people. It won't be difficult to find it." Murong Jing followed her out and, seeing that her expression was indeed not good, quickly tried to persuade her.

The shopkeeper and his assistant also followed out with worried expressions. They would try to find a horse first, but if they couldn't, they would have no choice but to accept their fate and pay the money.

Just as the shopkeeper was about to speak, Hong Xiaoduo spoke up first: "No need to look, it won't get lost."

With Xiao Hei's fierce nature, who could steal it? It must have been in a hurry to get back to see Tian Shu and the others, and smelled their presence on the street, so it bit off the reins and went to find them.

Huh? It's not lost?

The shopkeeper and his assistant were taken aback, but dared not ask. In any case, the horse's owner said there was no need to look for it, as it was not lost, which meant they were not going to make them pay for it.

Perhaps she knows who secretly took it away?

Hearing her confident tone, Murong Jing suddenly came to his senses. Yes, her black horse was very clever; even if someone led it away, it could run away on its own.

"Where are Tian Shu and the others staying now? Please take me there," Hong Xiaoduo said to Murong Jing.

Murong Jing smiled and nodded. Just as he was about to lead her there, he heard the sound of horses' hooves coming this way. Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw a black horse leading the way, followed by a group of children, and then a man and a woman following closely behind.

That black horse was none other than Hong Xiaoduo's.

"Mother, you're really back!" Yao Guang shouted from afar.

The six children looked at Murong Jing and then at the restaurant behind him.

"When I entered the city, I met the Crown Prince. I thought you should have finished dinner by now, so I followed him here first." Hong Xiaoduo didn't know why, but the happy expressions on the faces of the six children and Fei Yan made her feel a little guilty.

I couldn't help but start explaining.

"Well, it really is because of you. I knew it! Mother has been away for so long, she must have missed us when she came back, but why didn't she go back to look for us first and came here instead?" After hearing this, the children noticed that Murong Jing's expression was not good. Yao Guang even put her hands on her hips and said to him angrily.

Hong Xiaoduo realized something was wrong. The children had never treated this prince like this before, even if they weren't as affectionate as they were towards Yuanxi and Ziming.

This resentment seems to run too deep.

It all looks like a long-standing grudge!

Hong Xiaoduo couldn't help but look at Quan Jinghuai and Fei Yan, her eyes asking, "What's going on?"