Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Upon seeing the Pixiu, Youlu pushed away her clingy boyfriend, stood up, straightened her clothes, and asked, "Weren't you outside watching those beggars who were spying on us? Why are you back?"

The Pixiu pouted and said, "[You're one to talk! Those beggars who were staking out the spot had shifts changing, but I'm all alone, with no one to talk to. It's so boring.]"

[Besides, I staked out the area for three days and found that those beggars did nothing but eat, sleep, and take turns staking out the area. Was there really any need to keep an eye on them?]

For the past few days, beggars have been lurking outside the inn. A deer found this suspicious and ordered the Pixiu to turn the corner, but unfortunately, they didn't catch anything after three days.

Upon hearing this, Youlu fell into deep thought and pondered, "It's probably because we've been seeing doctors these past few days and haven't done anything that would warrant their attention, so they've just been keeping watch and haven't gone to their informants to pass on messages."

"Do I still have to squat outside?" Pixiu asked aggrievedly. It was so hot outside, and it didn't want to stay outside at all.

Youlu quickly came up with an idea, shook her head, and said, "Let's not go for now. Later, I'll have Brother Su invite a doctor over, and then spread the word that my fiancé's condition has improved and we'll be setting off tomorrow. Then you can keep an eye on those beggars."

"You want to force them to take action?" Cang Shuyue frowned.

Although he didn't hear what the Pixiu said, it didn't prevent him from understanding the deer's intentions.

Lu nodded slightly. "They're neither making a move nor withdrawing their stakeouts. I guess they're still observing and haven't made a decision yet. In that case, I'll just have to provoke them."

"If they make a move, we'll save ourselves trouble. If they don't, we can implement our new plan as soon as possible. There's no need to waste time with them here."

However, this also increases the risk factor.

Cang Shuyue was well aware of the danger involved, and despite some worry, he still agreed, "Yes, I'll listen to you."

His lover is still young, has ideas and abilities, and it's not a bad thing for her to take a chance and try her luck, even if she suffers hardships as a result.

Of course he would feel reluctant and worried, but that was no reason to imprison his lover. What he wanted to be was a wall that could shelter him from the wind and rain, not a flashy but impractical gilded cage.

Love is possession, but it is also letting go.

His youth was free and powerful, and he respected any decision he made.

How could Youlu not know the worries in his heart? Seeing his firm support for her, her heart was instantly filled with emotion.

He cupped the man's handsome face in his hands, pouted, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, grinning, "Thank you for your trust and support, darling!"

Cang Shuyue smiled, gently returned the kiss, and sighed softly, "The baby will be alright."

"Of course!" Youlu shook her head proudly. "My boyfriend is so amazing, and I have a mythical beast friend to protect me. I'll be safe from any harm, no matter who gets hurt!"

"Yes." Cang Shuyue looked at him with a smile and nodded solemnly.

The deer was overjoyed, showering him with kisses on the face, rubbing cheek to cheek, and exclaimed, moved, "My darling is so wonderful, I want to marry you!"

Cang Shuyue twitched her slightly reddened ear tips and softly replied, "Yes, we'll get married when we return to the capital."

Pixiu scratched his forehead: [Although, are you two talking about the same thing?]

During lunch, Youlu called Su Yan'an into his room and shared his guesses and plans.

At first, Su Yan'an disagreed, thinking it was too risky, and even suggested that someone else impersonate him.

"You are, after all, a prince, and your status is too noble to be compromised. If you insist on doing this, then I suggest that someone else take the risk." Su Yan'an's attitude was very firm.

Regardless of their identities, just the fact that Xiao Lu is Ali's younger brother means he can't let people take risks.

If things don't work out, I can just change my identity and start over.

Youlu was both amused and exasperated. "Big brother, even if you can disguise yourselves as me, your physiques are still too different! Those kidnappers are just more active and make more noise, but they're not brainless. They can't possibly fool us."

"Time is life. Rather than starting a new plan from scratch, let's take a gamble. Every day we waste now could be the last day for an innocent person who has been kidnapped!"

Su Yan'an's heart sank heavily.

He pursed his lips and looked at Cang Shuyue, "The Duke of Zhenguo has also agreed?"

Cang Shuyue nodded. "I am confident that I can protect him."

He dared to let his lover venture out on her own, which meant he had been prepared for it long ago.

Su Yan'an sighed and nodded in acquiescence.

Even the Duke of Zhenguo agreed, so what grounds did he have to refuse?

After noon, Su Yan'an invited the doctor into the inn in a grand manner, and then sent the doctor out a quarter of an hour later.

Seeing him beaming as he saw the doctor off, the innkeeper's waiter greeted him with a smile, "Look at how happy you are, Master Su! Could it be that your future son-in-law is cured?"

Su Yan'an waved his hand and laughed, "It won't get better so quickly, but the doctor just said that I can already get out of bed and walk around. I plan to set off tomorrow, first by boat to Weihui Prefecture, and then we'll see how things go."

The waiter offered his congratulations, saying, "Traveling by boat is better than taking a carriage, so it shouldn't be a problem."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the waiter excused himself to go serve tea to the guests and bid farewell to Su Yan'an.

Once Su Yan'an went upstairs, the waiter immediately left the inn through the back door and told the beggar who was waiting there the news he had just learned.

Having obtained useful information, the beggar finally stopped waiting and left in a hurry.

The Pixiu floated out from the corner of the wall, chuckling as it followed the beggar in front.

This trip took half a day.

It wasn't until sunset that the Pixiu flew back to the inn, floated into the room through the window, and excitedly shouted: "It's done! Boss, they're coming to catch you tonight!"

Yu Lu, who was having dinner, put down her chopsticks and said earnestly, "You've finally arrived. I really went to great lengths to get myself kidnapped."

He then asked, "So why don't they take action?"

Pixiu covered its mouth and chuckled: "They thought you were too old and worried you'd be difficult to train. They were originally planning to let you go, but then a guy with scars said he'd seen you in person and kept recommending you to others. In the end, that group decided to take you away first, and then see if any buyers would want you."

Youlu was speechless; he had actually guessed correctly.

He snuggled into Cang Shuyue's arms, burying his face in her chest, and said reluctantly, "We can't sleep together tonight, they're coming to get me."

Cang Shuyue paused slightly in her chopsticks, then brought the deboned steamed fish belly to his mouth, softly instructing, "Be careful in everything, don't do anything rash, wait for us to come and get you."

Youlu took a big bite of the fish belly, chewed it thoroughly, and swallowed it before saying, "Then you'd better hurry up, or I'll be really scared."

"Mmm." Cang Shuyue gently kissed his forehead.

At midnight, just after the third watch gong had finished striking, there was a commotion outside the window.

The deer, who had been pretending to be asleep, excitedly clenched its fist: Here it comes!