The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 298 Qingzhuang Assembly 1

The celebration of Chonglou Manor was not only a major event for the manor itself, but also a grand gathering of people from all walks of life. Yin Quan disguised himself as Xiahou Ying's page. Xiahou Ying was quite pale due to his injuries, but with the human skin mask on, he looked like a very good scholar.

Gu Changxi called over a few advisors. The group of men stood together, and although they were all frail scholars, they possessed an air of arrogance that commanded respect. Xiahou Ying was right; although these princes came from humble backgrounds, none of them were ordinary. Just by looking at their demeanor, one could tell they were extraordinary.

Gu Changxi introduced Xiahou Ying to the three men, "This is Wen Ying from the Wen family of Jiangnan." Xiahou Ying cupped his fists in greeting, and the three men returned the greeting, "We have long admired the Wen family's reputation. I am Chen Yunsheng." Chen Yunsheng had striking features and a bright, spirited appearance that made him unforgettable at first glance.

"My name is Qu Changliu." Qu Changliu was not particularly handsome, but his eyes seemed shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern his true nature. "My name is Mu Xun." Mu Xun had regular features, his lips were tightly pursed, and his white robe, though not expensive, was spotless without a single wrinkle.

The five walked ahead, with Yin Quan following behind. She looked around and wasn't bored at all. Just as she was watching a lively crowd gathered in the streets and alleys, the person in front suddenly stopped. Yin Quan stumbled and bumped straight into Xiahou Ying's back, her nose tingling and her eyes reddening.

"Young Master, could you please let us know before you stop next time?" Yin Quan looked at Xiahou Ying with dissatisfaction. Xiahou Ying smiled wryly and rubbed her nose. To outsiders, their actions were indeed somewhat ambiguous, and the way the three of them looked at Xiahou Ying changed.

At this moment, Gu Changxi coughed lightly.

"Chunxi, go check on Fang Quan." Xiahou Ying and Yin Quan realized that their actions just now were a bit unusual, so they subtly distanced themselves. Xiahou Ying followed Yin Quan's gaze to the place where the crowd was gathered, and frowned. "Isn't that Elder Gu Feiyun?"

Gu Changxi squinted and observed for a moment. "It seems my uncle has encountered some difficulties. Why don't you all go to the Qingzhuang Assembly first? I'll go check on the situation and be right back." Qu Changliu smiled and said, "Nothing major is likely to happen in this Chonglou Manor area. The Qingzhuang Assembly would be rather boring without Brother Gu. Why don't I go with you to take a look? What do you all think?"

Qu Changliu's suggestion was unanimously agreed upon. The group turned and went to the center of the incident, where they saw Gu Changyun being tightly hugged by a young man in the crowd. The young man looked extremely disheveled. "I really don't know you! If you don't let go, I'm really going to get rough!"

The elder was red-faced and bulging with anger, but in front of everyone, he couldn't hit or scold the boy, and for a moment, they were at an impasse. As soon as Gu Changxi arrived, everyone made way for him. "Second Uncle?" Gu Changyun saw Gu Changxi and hurriedly said, "Oh, finally an acquaintance has arrived! Quickly drag this kid away, this kid is sick!"

Yin Quan looked closely at the boy. His clothes were tattered and his face was covered in mud. His hair was also filthy and messy, making him look like a homeless person who had been wandering for a long time.

"Chunxi, go help your second uncle." Chunxi pouted, looking unwilling, but no matter how much she tore at the boy, he wouldn't let go. Just as Chunxi was about to strike the boy's head with a palm, Yin Quan couldn't bear to watch any longer.

"Stop!" Everyone turned their attention to the frail pageboy. Yin Quan looked at Chunxi and chuckled twice. "How about I give it a try?" Gu Changyun was already getting impatient. "Young man, he's mute, and probably has some mental issues too. He won't let go unless we use some tricks."

Chunxi hesitated and looked at Gu Changxi, who nodded slightly. Chunxi returned to Gu Changxi's side, and Yin Quan walked up to the little boy. She saw the little boy lower his gaze and hug Gu Changyun even tighter.

She gently patted his back, and the boy couldn't help but shrink back, probably because he had been quite frightened before.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here to help you. They won't hurt you. Are you hungry?" A hint of emotion finally flickered in the boy's eyes, but he remained silent. Yin Quan pulled a paper bag from her bosom. "Look, these walnut pastries are still warm. Would you like to try some?" The boy stared intently at the paper bag. "Hungry...hungry..."

The boy's first words immediately stunned everyone present. Gu Changyun was also somewhat surprised. "He...he's not mute?" Yin Quan took out a piece of pastry and handed it to him. The boy finally released his grip on Gu Changyun and pounced on the pastry in Yin Quan's hand, burying his head in it. His face and hair were covered in crumbs from eating.

Yin Quan felt a pang of sympathy and patted his back. Gu Changyun breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the boy had finally stopped bothering him and was about to leave when the boy behind him suddenly panicked and was about to rush up and hug Gu Changyun again. Yin Quan quickly stopped him.

“Don’t worry, you don’t need to look for him. I have food here.” The boy panicked. “No…no…” Yin Quan frowned and kept patting his back until he calmed down. Yin Quan asked tentatively, “Why won’t you let him go?”

"He is...he is...father...father..." "Father?" The boy nodded frantically. Yin Quan's heart sank. Could it be that she had stumbled upon another melodramatic father-son reunion drama? Wasn't it a bit too much of a coincidence? These words caused a huge uproar, and Gu Changxi's expression also turned somewhat ugly.

"Don't talk nonsense! My second uncle and second aunt have always had a very good relationship, and my second uncle has always been very upright and meticulous in his conduct. He would never do such a thing!" Yin Quan looked at Gu Changxi's overreaction and a surge of anger rose in her heart. She sneered at Gu Changyun, "Since Elder Gu is upright in his conduct, he is naturally not afraid of having any leverage. We will take good care of this young man, so you don't need to worry about it."

Yin Quan helped the boy up, intending to go back, but the boy grabbed Yin Quan's hand, "Father... Father..." Yin Quan patted his hand, "Silly child, that's not your father. Come with me home, I'll take you to find your real father!" The boy kept shaking his head and took out a ring from his pocket. Even Gu Changyun's expression couldn't hold back anymore.

Qu Changliu said meaningfully, "This is an elder's ring, each elder only has one..." Gu Changxi looked at Gu Changyun, "Second Uncle, didn't you say that you lost your ring more than ten years ago when you were on a mission?" Gu Changyun blushed, "This...this..." Just as he finished speaking, a woman walked out from the crowd. She was dressed in a dark blue Chinese dress and wore an ancient hairpin.

“Your second uncle’s ring was indeed lost more than ten years ago when he saved me. It’s a bit ridiculous that this child picked it up from somewhere and is now pretending to be his child.” Gu Changxi bowed to the woman and said respectfully, “Second Aunt, it’s not that I don’t trust your second uncle, I’m just curious. Since you say so, it must be true.”

The second aunt glanced at Yin Quan and said, "Since this young man is destined for you, you should take him home. Chonglou Manor is a reasonable place, and we will not mistreat this child." With a few words, she stabilized the situation that was originally a bit out of control, and Gu Changyun finally returned to normal. "There are still many things that need my attention at the Changxi Qingzhuang Conference, so I will take my leave first."

Watching Gu Changyun walk away, the boy struggled restlessly, but Yin Quan held him down tightly until Gu Changyun's figure disappeared from sight. Gu Changxi then said to Chunxi, "Chunxi, take him home and settle him in. Remember, don't let anyone hurt him." Chunxi nodded.

Watching the departing boy, Gu Changxi and Xiahou Ying walked behind, their voices hushed under the cover of the market. "This gift you gave your second uncle is quite substantial," Xiahou Ying said with a smile, but Yin Quan looked up in shock. Was this boy someone Xiahou Ying had found?

“Brother Gu, I only pity this child for losing his mother. If his father doesn’t take him in, how will he live in this world?” Xiahou Ying’s gaze was intense. Gu Changxi smiled and said, “What you said is true. But my second aunt is no ordinary person, as you have already met. She is the niece of the current Empress, and her status can be considered half of the royal family. Isn’t it a bit risky to start with her?”

"No rush, this is just the beginning. The excitement at Chonglou Manor is yet to come. Just relax and enjoy the show. I certainly won't drag you into it." Yin Quan felt a little awkward watching the two of them go back and forth. In front of these people, everyone in the world was just a pawn, and their joys and sorrows were so easily manipulated.

After this little incident, the group decided not to wander to Qingzhuang Assembly anymore, but to take a carriage instead. When they arrived at Qingzhuang Assembly, it was already bustling with people. The gate of Chonglou Manor was wide open, with ancient characters engraved on the majestic gate. Behind the gate was a square courtyard, a full 1,000 square meters, with a cliff behind it. Such an ingenious design left Yin Quan speechless.

Even in modern times, this technology might not be achievable. Birds flew in long formations in the air from time to time. The design here perfectly blends man and nature. Red lanterns hung all around the courtyard. People from all factions in the martial arts world gathered together. Gu Changxi led the group forward and introduced as they walked, "This is where the outer martial arts people gather. Guests invited by our Chonglou Manor can go into the inner circle."

The group arrived at the cliff, only to find everything shrouded in mist. Gu Changxi walked to the edge and shot a small silver dart from her sleeve, which struck a piece of metal with a hiss. A chain then climbed up from the ground where they were standing. Yin Quan couldn't help but sigh, realizing that the title of the number one manor in the world was indeed well-deserved.

At the same time, sensing that their mission was likely not simple, Gu Changxi waved a bottle of magical liquid in the air, dispersing most of the mist and revealing a suspension bridge just wide enough for one person to pass under their feet. "Below is a sheer cliff, please be careful where you step, brothers."