After drinking some wine, Priest Wu felt a warm stream flowing in his abdomen. He couldn't help blushing more scarlet and burped slightly as his breath smelled of wine.

Looking down at the beauty in his arms, Priest Wu smirked and flirted with her again.

Wan Li coldly pursed his thin lips. The swaying candlelight lit his arrogant face and gilded it in a bizarre way. He said,

"Wu Yong, our family business has been able to expand in the past few years. It’s all your doings. You've traveled across Da Yi and managed the logistics and transportation by water or land. You've served well."

Priest Wu restrained himself and looked at Wan Li with a flattering grin,

"Your Grace has overflattered me. It's my duty to work for your family. For many years, your family has treated my master and me generously and we have benefited a lot from helping you manage all parties.

I'm also ashamed to say that I've been careless on Concubine Yu's matter and failed the Imperial Noble Concubine Wan. Fortunately, Your Grace is so merciful to shelter me here. Thus, I have the opportunity to serve you and help my master find the remaining forces of Hong Zun."

Priest Wu's words seemed to express his gratitude to Wan Li for his magnanimity, but meanwhile, he was asking him for credit.

He meant that he might have failed to frame Gu Yunyao and thus made him a target of public criticism. Nevertheless, he lured out the real culprit of the mannequin case at a critical moment. Therefore, he should also be credited for helping Emperor put down the rebellion.

Naturally, Wan Li caught his hint.

Lifting his brows, he pretended to agree,

"It's true. If you weren't paving the way in front, how could the Depots join forces to calm the chaos? None but you are worthy of the first-class merit. Xiangzhi, fill the cup."

"Yes."

The woman replied with a drawl. She picked up the pot smilingly and poured wine for the priest again.

Priest Wu stared at the woman's delicate eyes and drank the wine.

Wan Li gloomily lowered his eyes and helplessly sighed,

"Now I have arranged everything for you. After this meal, you shall ride to the south. At the pier, there will be a boat waiting for you. It will take you to Southern Jiang to hide for some time. I have prepared money for you as well."

Priest Wu pondered for a while. With a bit of frustration, he said solemnly,

"Alas, my departure is imminent. And I am reluctant to leave. In the future I won’t serve Your Grace any more. I will leave the business to you, Master."

Lei Huan nodded, his falcon eyes sharp and cold.

"Don't worry, my apprentice. Rest easy in Southern Jiang for a few years. Once people forget about the previous affairs, the Marquis will take you back."

"That'd be great."

Priest Wu laughed happily. The woman in his arms took the opportunity to add food and wine for him. She joked,

"My lord likes the taste of the wine. Have some more, or you won't be able to drink when you hit the road."

"Hehe, that is true."

Drunk and bleary-eyed, Priest Wu amorously said and grabbed the woman's breasts. He drank three more cups in one breath as the beautiful woman chuckled.

When he raised the wine cup again, his chest cramped suddenly.

His faint brows were twisted by pain as he stared at the crowd in shock. He opened his mouth and sprayed a mouthful of blood on the table, staining the dishes.

Except for Priest Wu himself, there was no surprise or panic on the faces of those present. Their calm and insensitive expressions enlightened him instantly.

"You...you..."

Priest Wu pointed his trembling finger at Lei Huan and then at Wan Li.

Suddenly darkness clouded his vision and he fell over the table, all silent.

…

The rooster crowed to announce the arrival of dawn. The north wind was blowing vigorously, cutting the pedestrians' faces like blades did.

Yesterday, the East Palace had been clamorous all day. It had been one month since Duke Min came to the capital and it was time to return his seat in Guiping.

The Duke and Duchess had asked Emperor for sanction to leave for the Dongqing Fleet camp early this morning.

The baggage had been loaded and the carriages were ready to go. After breakfast, the Duke and Duchess rode the wagon to begin their journey from Zhuque Street.

It was still early as the late winter morning was chilling. And there were not many pedestrians on the road.

The north wind was whistling. The wheels went forward on the brown earth. The wooden shaft creaked, its monotonous sounds almost making people fall sleep.

In the wagon, sad Duchess Min swayed rhythmically with the bumps of the vehicle.

Min Rui was also silent. He peeked at his wife and sighed.

He knew clearly that his lady was not willing to leave the capital at this time for she was still worried for their daughter Min Zhu.

Now their daughter had been proved innocent. Carrying the Emperor's child, she had been promoted again. It was said that she was preparing to move to Jingyang Palace on a good day.

It was almost perfect except that she would not take them as her parents.

Min Rui was now an official of exalted rank. He did not love his long-married wife to death, but he felt a little guilty for her.

After years of military service and battling across the country, Min Rui and his wife could barely see each other throughout the year. The big household and two children in Jinxi were left to his wife alone.

When he had been promoted to deputy and went to Guiping with the commander, he eagerly wrote to his wife to bring their children to the Dongqing camp in Guiping. Unexpectedly, his wife had been attacked on the road.

After those years, Min Rui had already forgiven his wife. To put himself in her shoes, he understood why she had panicked before the vicious bandits. As a vulnerable woman, she had had to make the difficult choice of protecting the family's honor and the only male heir.

At that time, he had been far away in Guiping County. He had failed to protect his wife and children as a man. How could he complain about his wife's behavior?

What they had not anticipated was that the god had given them an opportunity to reunite in the capital after twelve years.

However, Min Zhu had grown so rebellious and arrogant that she refused to recognize her parents. Seeing his wife in melancholy, Min Rui sorrowfully realized they would leave with disappointment.

Suddenly, a soft call went from behind the wagon.

"Your Highness, Your Grace, please wait."

Immediately, the carriage halted and the coachman reported behind the curtain,

"Your Highness, a group of people came from across the road leading by the imperial guards."

The couple looked at each other and then Duke Min pushed the door open and got down the wagon with the coachman's help.

The wagon across the road was exquisite. It had sandalwood window and gilded wheels. Even the red embroidered curtains were made with gold threads and the tassel pendants were all valuable jades.

Following the wagon were ten maids, ten eunuchs, and fifty guards. And Lord Zhao and Song Qin, who were the close servants of Concubine Yu, were standing by the two sides of the carriage.

While they were still in a daze, the vehicle's door opened and Song Qin put down the horse stool so Gu Yunyao could step on it. With Zhao An leading, the three crossed the empty road to the Duke and Duchess.

Ever since seeing Gu Yunyao emerging from the wagon, Duchess Min's gaze had never left her daughter. Confounded and worried, she did not relax until her daughter safely stood on the ground.

Only after her husband pulled her sleeves did Duchess Min come back to her senses. They hurriedly knelt and humbly lowered their heads,

"I'm honored to see Your Grace."

"Thank you for Your Grace's gracious visit."

Choked with tears, Duchess Min did not look up as she spoke gently.

Zhao An and Song Qin stepped forward and helped the couple up.

It went extremely quiet for a while. Gu Yunyao looked at Min Rui and then turned to Duchess Min.

After the long kneeling petition in the snow, the Duchess had been seriously ill and lost much weight. Newly recovered, the sallow woman had sunken cheeks. The scabs left by stone injuries on her forehead had just peeled off, underneath which the pink flesh was conspicuous.

Gu Yunyao was heartbroken upon seeing that.

Yesterday, Emperor had visited Xiaoye Chamber in person. On the one hand, he had wanted to check the preparation made for moving. On the other hand, he had tentatively informed Gu Yunyao that the Duke and Duchess were about to leave for Guiping.

Unexpectedly, Gu Yunyao's attitude had changed drastically and she had immediately asked Emperor's grace to leave the Palace and see the couple off.

It had been hard for her to make this move. Overjoyed, Emperor had immediately granted her wish and dispatched fifty Honor Guards to escort her.