Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

As noon approached, a long queue still formed outside the city gate of Cizhou.

The sun was high in the sky, and the cicadas were chirping incessantly. It should have been the most irritating and frustrating time, but the line waiting for inspection was remarkably quiet.

Everyone was standing on tiptoe, with those at the back craning their necks to look ahead, and those at the front frequently turning back to look behind. Everyone was staring intently at the few people in the very middle of the line, as if they would be at a disadvantage if they didn't look at them even once.

To be precise, he was staring at the girl who was surrounded by those people like stars around the moon.

She wore her hair in a simple single bun, with a small, exquisite, pale yellow silk hibiscus crown secured on her head with a plain silver hairpin. The crown had five petals that were just beginning to bloom, adorned with hibiscus flowers made of pith and pearl stamens, and pale yellow forsythia flowers around the edge of the crown, which made her eyebrows and eyes appear gentle and serene.

On her shoulders was a peach-pink lotus cloud-shaped shoulder cape, with pink tassels hanging lightly at the edges, swaying in the wind, complementing the flower branches on her crown.

Below that was a light blue, high-necked, open-front sheer long gown. As she moved, the hibiscus embroidery on the hem unfolded, making her look like a fairy who had just taken form in a lotus pond in spring, elegant and beautiful.

Seemingly tired of standing, the girl in the floral crown gently tugged at the sleeve of the middle-aged man beside her, acting coquettishly.

"Daddy, when will it be our turn? Our legs are sore."

The crisp, delicate voice clearly reached everyone's ears, and those who were peeping, regardless of age or gender, couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in their hearts.

The old woman fanning herself whispered, "Miss, you should go back to the carriage and wait. It's hot outside, and you might get sunburned."

The coachman also said, "Miss, please get in the carriage. Don't tire yourself out."

"No, it's so stuffy in the car." The girl pouted, looking lively and adorable.

"You!" The middle-aged man next to the girl tapped her forehead, his voice deep and resonant as he scolded her in a low voice, "I told you not to come, not to come, but you insisted. Now you're complaining?"

"I can't bear to part with Brother Yue! We're almost married, but you suddenly have to go to Xiangyang to inspect the shops. Brother Yue isn't feeling well, how can I feel at ease if he doesn't come with me?" the girl said coquettishly, taking the arm of a man beside her.

The man was tall and handsome, but his face was pale with a bluish tinge. He was panting heavily after every step, and seemed to be in poor health.

Hearing this, the onlookers roughly understood what was going on.

The group of five were merchants: three masters and two servants. They were probably there to inspect their shops because of the floods in Xiangyang.

Most importantly, the girl was already taken.

A chorus of boos erupted from the crowd, and many young men looked regretful, sighing with disappointment.

It's such a pity that such a beautiful and charming girl fell for a sickly man.

The sickly man opened his mouth, but before he could speak, he coughed a series of coughs. Then, panting slightly, he said apologetically, "I'm the one who made Yoon-ah suffer."

After saying that, he coughed violently again, as if he wanted to cough up his heart, liver, spleen, and lungs.

The girl's face was filled with worry. She gently stroked the man's back and said with a slightly flushed face, "As long as I can stay by Yue-gege's side, Yun'er is not tired at all."

Seeing the man coughing so badly, the young cloth merchant at the front of the line felt sorry for him and said, "Let me switch with you. This young master should go into the city as soon as possible to see a doctor."

The girl was overjoyed and gratefully curtsied, saying, "Thank you, kind brother."

The young cloth merchant was flattered by being called "brother" and repeatedly waved his hands, saying he didn't deserve it.

Once one happens, another follows. With each sweet "brother" and "sister" uttered by the girl, the group moved forward and soon reached the front of the line.

When it was the girl's turn, the gatekeeper first carefully examined her, then casually questioned her a few times, glanced at her travel permit, and let her into the city. At the same time, another gatekeeper secretly gave a wink to a few beggars loitering around the city gate.

Seeing this, the girl and the middle-aged man exchanged a glance.

Upon entering the city, the group headed straight for the inn.

After closing the door and confirming that no one was watching, the middle-aged man sneered, "Even princes are subject to strict checks when entering the city, yet merchants from outside the city enter so easily. I don't believe there's nothing fishy going on."

His voice was no longer as steady as it had been outside the city; instead, it carried a hint of mockery, and his tone was younger.

The sickly man stopped coughing and said in a strong voice, "We were watched as soon as we entered the city. Someone followed us all the way to the inn."

"Isn't this perfect? ​​It's worth putting on that show outside the carriage under the scorching sun." The girl said with a grin, but her voice was that of a clear man.

This group of people were none other than You Lu and his companions, disguised in disguise.

The reason they put on a show at the city gate was to attract the attention of the kidnappers, and it seems to have worked exceptionally well.

"When we entered the city, we said we would only stay for one night, but in such a short time, would they really make a move?" The middle-aged man, Su Yan'an, looked worried.

"So, we need a reason to stay in the city a few more days." Disguised as a young girl, Youlu adjusted her floral crown and said, "Otherwise, why do you think I would choose a 'frail and sickly' fiancé?"

"Sickly" Cang Shuyue gently removed the flower crown from his head.

Su Yan'an nodded in understanding: "I see."

With her neck feeling much lighter, Youlu stretched her neck and shoulders and complained, "I don't know what Meng Tianhong was thinking, picking this outfit for me. This floral crown is so heavy."

Cang Shuyue loosened his hair bun, gently massaged his scalp with her fingers, and smiled, "Looks good."

His praise was sincere, and Youlu raised his eyebrows smugly.

Su Yan'an praised, "Little Lu is really amazing. In just one morning, she learned falsetto from Meng Tianhong in the carriage. When you speak in that sweet voice, not to mention others, even the Emperor himself wouldn't recognize you."

"You're such a chatterbox! My fiancé is sick, and instead of chatting away, you're off to fetch a doctor!"

Youlu raised her chin and hummed softly, her voice returning to its sweet and clear girlish tone. However, her arrogant and domineering demeanor showed no trace of the girlish charm and gentleness she once possessed.

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll go and fetch a doctor right away." Su Yan'an winked at the two of them.

The moment the door opened, the playful expression vanished, replaced by panic. He yelled, "Where's a doctor? Quickly, get me a doctor! My future son-in-law has fainted!"

Youlu pouted, pushed Cang Shuyue to sit down on the edge of the bed, poured a cup of tea and fed it to him, urging, "You've been coughing for as long as you've been in line, your throat must be really sore. Drink it quickly, and then lie down, or there won't be any more to drink later."

Cang Shuyue nodded with a smile and drank the tea in one gulp from his hand.

Thanks to Su Yan'an's shout, everyone in the inn knew that a delicate and pretty young lady had arrived, and that her fiancé was a sickly man who was nearing the end of his life and had fainted as soon as he entered the inn.

The news quickly spread beyond the inn. One of the beggars who was waiting outside heard the news and quietly slipped into an alley to pass it on.