Accidentally dressed as an empress

In the evening when the setting sun shines, the sky is dyed a brilliant orange-red.

Xu Ling squinted his eyes and looked into the distance. Finally, in the hazy twilight, he could vaguely see the outline of the tall and majestic city wall of Yunyin City.

Xu Ling's tense nerves relaxed, and the fatigue and anxiety of the past few days dissipated. She breathed a sigh of relief, the heavy weight in her heart finally falling to the ground, and a long-lost look of relief appeared on her face. "Everyone, look! It's Yunyin City! We're finally here!"

The group sped up their carriages and headed towards Kumogakure Castle. When they arrived at the city gates, armored guards wielding spears stared at them solemnly.

Xu Ling straightened her slightly messy clothes, walked quickly to the guard, clasped her hands together and said, "I am Xu Ling, the envoy of Lingyun City. I have come to Yunyin City with the emperor's oral order and an important mission to find the prince. I hope you will give me some convenience and let me go into the city to look for him." As she spoke, she took out a token engraved with the word "Xu" from her bosom and handed it to the guard to prove her identity.

The guards carefully looked at Xu Ling and his group, and then checked the authenticity of the token. After confirming that it was correct, they looked at each other. One of the guards nodded and said, "Since it is the order of His Majesty, please enter the city."

Xu Ling thanked them quickly and led everyone into Yunyin City. As soon as they entered the city, a bustling and prosperous scene came into view.

There are shops on both sides of the street, people coming and going, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining can be heard one after another.

Xu Ling had no time to appreciate the bustling street scene. The guard who had just spoken to Xu Ling came forward and said in a calm tone: "Your Excellency, His Highness is in the prefectural governor's residence. I will take you there to have a look."

Xu Ling's eyes flashed with joy when he heard this, and he said gratefully, "Thank you very much."

So the guard led the way in front, and Xu Ling and his group followed closely behind.

They walked through the bustling streets, turned into alleys, and soon arrived in front of the prefect's mansion.

The guard spoke briefly to the guards in front of the mansion gate, then turned around and said goodbye to Xu Ling.

Xu Ling tidied his clothes and walked into the prefect's mansion with his companions.

As soon as they entered the mansion, a guard with outstanding temperament came up to them and asked them why they were there.

Xu Ling hurriedly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Please inform His Highness that I am Xu Ling, and I have come to see you at the order of His Majesty of Lingyun City. His Majesty is deeply concerned about Your Highness and hopes that she will return to Lingyun City soon."

The guard nodded, motioned for them to wait for a moment, then turned and hurried away.

After a while, the guard returned and led Xu Ling and his party through the antique corridors with carved beams and painted buildings to a spacious and bright hall.

In the hall, Yunxiu was handling official business. When he saw Xu Ling, a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then his expression returned to calm. He raised his hand slightly and said in a cold voice, "Sir Xu, it's been a long time since we last met. Why are you here?" Xu Ling stepped forward quickly, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, His Majesty misses you very much and has specially ordered me to come and take you back to Lingyun City.

The situation in Lingyun City is now turbulent, undercurrents are surging in the court, and various forces are harboring ulterior motives and ready to make a move.

Your Majesty is personally on the front lines, and Lingyun City is in chaos. The ministers are eagerly awaiting your return to take charge of the situation." Yun Xiu's expression remained unchanged after hearing this. She simply looked at Xu Ling quietly without responding immediately.

Xu Ling felt anxious upon seeing this, and continued, "Your Highness, His Majesty has said that you are the legitimate heir to the Yun Kingdom, a man of both talent and virtue, and the one whom the people look up to.

Lingyun City is in danger now. Only if you go back can you stabilize the people's hearts and deter those who have evil intentions.

The people of Lingyun City are eagerly waiting for you to return and rescue them from this dire situation." Yunxiu frowned slightly, tapping her fingers lightly on the armrest of the chair, lost in thought.

The hall was silent for a moment, and the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive. Xu Ling and his companions waited quietly for Yunxiu's response, not daring to breathe.

After a long while, Yun Xiu slowly spoke in a low voice, "Master Xu, please get up first. I'm not completely ignorant of the situation in Lingyun City, but... I also have many matters to attend to in Yunyin City. If I return rashly, I'll inevitably have concerns."

Xu Ling stood up, his eyes full of earnestness, and said, "Your Highness, Lingyun City is in a critical situation now. Every day of delay increases the danger.

As for the affairs of Yunyin City, we can discuss with you and find a proper solution.

I hope you can make a decision as soon as possible. The future of Lingyun City depends on you."

Yunxiu narrowed her eyes slightly and looked back and forth at Xu Ling, as if weighing the pros and cons.

After a long while, she stood up and walked slowly, with her back to the crowd, her voice low and solemn: "Master Xu, the situation in Lingyun City is critical, but Yunyin City cannot be without a governor."

Xu Ling's expression tightened, and he said with a bow, "Your Highness, I understand your concerns. Now that the royal bloodline is dying, the ruling Consort Lin is in a coma, and His Majesty has gone to the front, we all long for your return day and night.

As for Yunyin City, you can temporarily arrange for someone you trust to act as the city lord, and appoint a new governor once the situation in Lingyun City stabilizes."

The candlelight flickered in the hall, and the light and shadow danced and flickered on everyone's faces. The atmosphere was solemn and depressing.

Xu Ling cleared her throat and was about to explain her plan clearly, but Yun Xiu raised her hand to stop her first. Her expression was complicated and her tone was full of helplessness: "Master Xu, I have already been enfeoffed. My home is in Yunyin City. My husband Zhong Yi and our newborn child are here. How can I bear to abandon them?"

His Highness was so sentimental that Xu Ling's expression froze. The words he had prepared were instantly stuck in his throat, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment.

At this moment, the door of the hall was gently pushed open, and Zhong Yi walked in holding a swaddling baby.

Zhong Yi's eyes showed the tenderness and kindness of a new father. He walked very lightly, for fear of disturbing the sleeping baby in his arms.

Upon seeing the baby in the cradle, Xu Ling's eyes flashed with surprise. He hurried forward a few steps, leaned forward slightly, and with a smile on his face, he exclaimed in admiration, "This must be the little crown prince! He's a blessing to the Yun Kingdom! Look at his appearance, so delicate and graceful, he's obviously a blessed child. If His Majesty saw him, he would surely be overjoyed!"

Zhong Yi nodded slightly and smiled politely. Then he looked at Yun Xiu and asked softly, "You two are discussing important matters. Am I disturbing you?"

Yunxiu walked forward and gently touched Xiao Lingling's face, her eyes full of love. She said, "It's okay, you came just in time. Xu Ling came to take me back to Lingyun City on the orders of His Majesty, but I'm really worried about you and your daughter."

Zhong Yi's gaze flickered between Xu Ling and Yun Xiu. After a moment's thought, he slowly spoke, "Ah Xiu, Lingyun City is in a critical situation right now, and the ministers are all hoping you'll return to take charge. Although I'm reluctant to see you go, I also understand that some responsibilities cannot be evaded."

Yun Xiu frowned and held Zhong Yi's hand tightly. "But what will you do if I leave? This Yunyin City is not absolutely safe. I'm worried that you will get hurt."

Xu Ling said quickly, "Your Highness, since you're so worried about Master Zhong and the young crown prince, why not take them back with you to Lingyun City? Lingyun City is heavily guarded and will certainly provide them with better protection. Furthermore, His Majesty has been eager to see the young crown prince. If they return together, His Majesty will surely be overjoyed and will prepare generous rewards for him! Then, the family will be reunited in Lingyun City, and you can focus on handling government affairs without having to worry about their safety."

Yunxiu fell into deep thought. After a moment, her eyes moved back and forth between Zhong Yi and the child. Finally, she made up her mind and said slowly, "Since Lord Xu says so, let's go back to Lingyun City together. It's just that the journey will be tiring for Zhong Yi and the child."