Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 1275: Chapter 1275: Not Wanting to Bully Him

”By the way, I know of a mountain path that can lead us to the Capital, saving quite a bit of time, right?” Zhu Xiuqing asked.

”There is a mountain path, but it goes through the Longyan Mountain, and it might not be very peaceful. You, as a member of the Royal Family, are now ordered to escort the An Yun Envoy, so it’s better not to take unnecessary risks, lest you fail the Emperor’s mandate.” Li Dingfeng guessed his intentions as soon as he heard his words. Since leaving the Capital, this guy has been harping about the feast at Zuixian Building with Miss Yue’er. He’s eager to take a shortcut back to the Capital. He could only try to persuade him patiently.

”Are you underestimating my skills?” Zhu Xiuqing’s face sank.

”I certainly don’t doubt the General’s skills, but the Emperor specifically instructed that escorting the An Yun Envoy this time is of great importance, and nothing should go wrong on the way. I fear...” Li Dingfeng expressed his concern.

”What the hell are you afraid of? Do you really think they are envoys? They’re just here to cause trouble at our Royal Sword Sound Academy. If they don’t even have the capability to handle this, they might as well roll back home.” Zhu Xiuqing glared and shouted loudly.

”Go tell Zeng Wenxin that we’re taking the Longyan Mountain path back to the Capital,” Zhu Xiuqing ordered.

”Yes, sir.” Li Dingfeng thought for a bit and then left to follow the order.

In fact, the purpose of Mu Hanyan’s group coming to Shangyue this time was somewhat known to them, with a bit of hostility in their hearts. Zhu Xiuqing’s decision to make a fuss was fine with them. Besides, he’s not wrong. If they can’t even handle a mountain path, they have no right to challenge the Royal Sword Sound Academy. They might as well go home.

”This is not good, not good at all. The Emperor repeatedly instructed that the An Yun Envoy must be escorted to the Capital without any harm, no mishaps must occur.” Upon hearing Li Dingfeng’s words, Zeng Wenxin shook his head repeatedly.

”It’s just a change to the mountain path, and there are many villages along the way. What danger could there be? Mr. Zeng, don’t you believe our elite Shangyue army is inferior to ordinary mountain folk?” Zhu Xiuqing rode over and spoke to Zeng Wenxin.

Zeng Wenxin was momentarily speechless. This mountain path, though passing through the Longyan Mountain, wasn’t in the heart of the mountain. There are many villages along the way where ordinary mountain folk live and thrive. With several hundred elite Imperial Guards escorting, there’s really not much danger. Moreover, Mu Hanyan’s group are not helpless scholars but elite disciples of Long Yan Academy. If not for the fear of causing a conflict that could provoke public anger, they wouldn’t even need an escort.

However, remembering the Emperor’s repeated warnings, he dared not take risks easily.

”In my opinion, it’s better to take the official road, right?” Mu Hanyan spoke up.

The fiercely wounded Stone Demon just now made her feel something was off.

”Hahaha, Mu Hanyan, are you afraid now? With that courage, you dare to challenge our Royal Sword Sound Academy? I think you’d be better off being a turtle hiding in Anyun Country.” Zhu Xiuqing laughed heartily.

”I heard someone dared to challenge our Royal Sword Sound Academy. I thought they must be a formidable fighter, but it turns out they’re just a coward,” other soldiers chimed in.

Zeng Wenxin discreetly frowned. Even he wasn’t completely clear about Mu Hanyan’s group’s reason for coming to Shangyue, only catching a bit of rumor. But with Zhu Xiuqing’s big mouth spreading it, it became public knowledge.

”What did you say!” Huayue and others gripped the hilt of their swords, exuding a dense killing intent.

Li Dingfeng and the Imperial Guards’ expressions hardened, each drawing their Longswords. Though their strength was not as great as Huayue and the others, as Imperial City Guards, they were no less ruthless when it came to combat.

Though they held some hostility towards Anyun Country, they dared not offend Mu Hanyan and the others due to the Emperor’s order. But if Zhu Xiuqing started a fight with them, they certainly wouldn’t stand by the outsiders.

”Don’t engage, don’t engage.” Zeng Wenxin was so frightened that his heart nearly leapt out of his throat.

The Emperor tasked him with ensuring nothing went wrong with the escort of the An Yun Envoy, and barely on the journey, the envoy and escorting Imperial Guards were already drawing swords against each other. If a fight broke out, he wouldn’t know how to report back.

Leading the troops was a princely heir, whom he dared not scold. As he wiped cold sweat, he looked pleadingly at Zhu Xiuqing and then at Mu Hanyan.

”Fine, let’s follow your plan and take the mountain path.” Mu Hanyan waved his hand and said.

She had long noticed the hostility from Zhu Xiuqing’s soldiers towards them, even Zeng Wenxin wasn’t exempt, though he hid it well due to his duty.

Looking at the situation, it’s likely their trip to Shangyue had already been gossiped about in Shangyue Country. If they took the official road, they didn’t know what trouble might arise. In Shangyue Country, where martial prowess is highly valued, the populace is much bolder than Anyun Country’s. With her and Huayue’s group’s strength, they weren’t afraid of common folks, but once a fight started, it would be hard to contain.

With Jiuyou Netherworld resurfacing on the continent and a catastrophe impending, Mu Hanyan didn’t want to, at such a time, cause a war between An Yun and Shang Yue over her own actions. Upon further reflection, taking the mountain path seemed quite peaceful after all.

”Haha, as expected of an envoy, you do have understanding.” Seeing Mu Hanyan ”not dare” to act, Zhu Xiuqing was exceedingly proud and said mockingly.

After speaking, he led the Imperial Guards into the mountain path.

”With just that boldness, still daring to challenge our Shangyue Country, truly overestimating oneself.”

”Even the elite of Long Yan Academy are such cowards, much less others. No wonder they couldn’t lift their heads after that great battle with our Shangyue Country.”

”I don’t know what the Emperor is thinking, restoring diplomatic ties with Anyun Country. If you ask me, it would be better to just obliterate them.”

”Shhh, you shouldn’t speak recklessly, if this spreads, it would be disastrous.”

”What is there to fear? General Yue is a young prince; with him backing us, who dares criticize?”

The Imperial Guards chatted quietly as they walked, mocking Mu Hanyan’s group while also flattering Zhu Xiuqing.

The more Zhu Xiuqing heard, the more delighted he became, practically soaring with pride.

Their voices weren’t loud, but neither were they soft—a word didn’t escape Mu Hanyan’s ears.

Mu Hanyan smiled slightly, choosing not to argue with them. Huayue and the others were initially full of righteous indignation, but seeing Mu Hanyan’s smile, they thought it over and let it go.

In the end, the future young prince was nothing but a spoiled playboy; there was no need to stoop to his level. Considering how the Fifth Prince had been bullied by Mu Hanyan and ultimately left the Capital without a sound, they didn’t really see this playboy young prince as worth their attention.