Yun Lie never bothered with such details. He casually glanced at the long benches with pillars in the central courtyard corridor and said, "It's fine, let's just leave it there."
Seeing his easygoing demeanor, Fu Ying became less reserved and led him and Song Jiuyuan down the corridor, glancing teasingly at the roasted orange in Yun Lie's hand.
"Your Highness is too kind. You've come all this way, and you even brought such a thoughtful gift."
Yun Lie picked up the roasted orange and waved it in front of her, explaining in a serious tone, "This was specially prepared for me by Her Highness the Princess."
This was the spoils of his successful flirting with his beautiful wife; how could he possibly give it away? Tch, think too much.
Song Jiuyuan, who was half a step behind him, really wanted to roll his eyes at him.
He clearly got it from Her Highness the Princess; I don't understand what he's showing off.
In fact, Fu Ying was just joking casually. Although she found his serious reply a bit strange, she didn't press the matter further.
The three of them casually sat down on a bench in the corridor and then got down to business.
“His Highness Prince Zhao is very busy, so his personal visit today must be for important matters,” Fu Ying stated bluntly.
"I've received some new information, and there are some things I need to verify with Miss Fu Qi." Yun Lie raised an eyebrow at Song Jiuyuan, then, as if nothing had happened, lowered his head and began peeling an orange.
Upon hearing this, Fu Ying's expression hardened, and she looked at Song Jiuyuan with a serious expression.
“Seventh Miss Fu,” Song Jiuyuan’s expression was much more serious than before, “Did the Fu family ever have any dealings with the Northern Di people in the past?”
****
Upon learning that the news came from the two spies Xiong Xiaoyi had rescued from the Northern Barbarians, Fu Ying knew that the matter could not be denied.
Those who could be sent out by the Linchuan Army as undercover agents were all loyal and upright warriors who had undergone rigorous selection.
These people were fearless of death; even with swords and axes at their feet, their resolve remained unshaken. They only sought to fulfill their mission, and every message they sent back was carefully verified. They would never submit dubious speculations or hearsay.
Fu Ying knew that this matter had to be told in its entirety, without any concealment or ambiguity.
After all, the Northern Barbarians had harassed the Northwest for decades, causing the six cities of Linchuan to suffer from a depleted population and the ruin of all industries. It was only after Yun Lie took over as the commander-in-chief of the Linchuan army a few years ago and, through numerous battles large and small, forcefully deterred the enemy that the six cities gradually regained some vitality.
If this matter is not clarified today, the Fu family may be branded as traitors, and their fate will be self-evident.
“It was the Northern Di people who came to Tongshan to see me,” Fu Ying said seriously, looking at Song Jiuyuan, but her eyes were fixed on Yun Lie, who was casually peeling an orange. “Back then, their leader intended to lead the Northern Di to end nomadism and develop agriculture and commerce. I don’t know what he heard, but he sent two people to Tongshan through the Qiu family in Changfan, saying that they wanted to do business with my family.”
Song Jiuyuan turned her head and saw Yun Lie casually stuffing a segment of orange into his mouth, seemingly not intending to take the lead in the conversation, so she had no choice but to continue looking at Fu Ying.
"What kind of business?"
Fu Ying shook her head: "I didn't ask. Although no one in the Fu family has ever been on the battlefield and we have no personal grudges against the Northern Di people, I know what national righteousness is."
After the other party identified themselves, she didn't have a proper conversation with them and immediately kicked them out.
"After that, I also ordered the entire Fu family to sever all ties with the Changfan Qiu family."
Seeing that Fu Ying and Song Jiuyuan were both looking at him, Yun Lie simply swallowed the remaining half of the orange in one gulp, patted the orange peel residue off his hands, and said, "Hmm, I believe you."
****
After leaving the Fu family, Song Jiuyuan opened his mouth as if to say something.
Yun Lie patted him on the shoulder, stopping him from speaking, "Let's talk about it when we get back."
The two walked one after the other for a while, and then arrived at the entrance of Prince Zhao's mansion, which had not yet been decorated with a plaque.
Just then, Luo Cuiwei was looking out the door, so Yun Lie left Song Jiuyuan behind, stepped up the stairs, and walked up to her.
"It seems I finished my business before you. I need to go back with Song Jiuyuan to discuss some matters," Yun Lie raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "Want to come together?"
As he spoke, he reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
Luo Cuiwei shook her head. "The carpenter will be here soon, and I need to see the cabinet design he drew for me."
"Can't we let Xiahou take care of it for you? You've been out for so long, be careful not to tire yourself out." Yun Lie frowned.
“The doctor said I should also get some exercise,” Luo Cuiwei’s eyes darted around, a strange smile flashing across them. “Hey, where are my oranges?”
Seeing her extend her hand in front of him, Yun Lie was taken aback and said awkwardly, "I ate it."
Luo Cuiwei put on a stern face, tugged at his sleeve, and led him inside. "Come in with me for a moment."
Yun Lie was completely bewildered as she pulled him through the gate.
There was a carved stone stool in the corner behind the gate. Luo Cuiwei lifted her skirt and stood on it, then pointed to the wall in front of her, "Stand here."
The corner of the wall was behind the door, and there was no one else around at the moment. So, although Yun Lie was completely bewildered, he still followed her instructions with indulgent eyes, walked over, stood obediently against the wall, and looked up at her slightly.
Not knowing what she was up to, he didn't dare to say a word; fearing she might fall off the stone pier, he quickly raised his hand to catch her.
Standing on the stone pier, Luo Cuiwei looked down at him, one hand on the wall next to his head, making a fierce face.
"Who gave you permission to eat my oranges? Here you go again."
Yun Lie swallowed hard for some reason, and weakly suggested, "I... I'll go back and bake another one for you?"
"Dream on! Pay it back right now!"
Before Yun Lie could even ask "How do you want to repay me?", she suddenly lowered her blushing face and fiercely kissed his lips.
The kiss was extremely thorough, with lips and tongues intertwined, sharing every drop of passion, and displaying the most sensual and provocative behavior.
Her unusual initiative came too suddenly, especially in broad daylight...