Chapter 371: Confusing Outside Eyes

The garden was half empty.

The palace attendants were dismissed, and Song Yan, Song Lujing, and Jun Chenling all went inside.

Qing An sat alone, not knowing what he was thinking, with a low pressure around him.

Ruo Ya walked over, sat down beside him, and spoke gently: "What are you spacing out for, being alone here?"

Hearing his sister's voice, Qing An kept his original posture, merely lifting his eyelids lazily, lacking spirit: "I'm not spacing out; how did you come over?"

"I'm done talking, came to see you." Ruo Ya turned her head, her warm gaze falling on her brother's slightly listless face, and asked, "What are you doing sitting here?"

Qing An gave a casual reply, his gaze drifting to the distant tree shadows, his tone perfunctory: "Just thinking about things."

Qing Wei sat down on his other side, saying nothing, just quietly watching him.

Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze of the two, Qing An finally muttered: "Song Yan and Song Lujing went inside, and Jun Chenling went to find Ae."

Ruo Ya raised her eyebrows, playing along: "Then why didn't you go?"

"What would I go for?" Qing An turned his head, not understanding: "Ae and Jun Chenling have something to discuss, I can't chime in."

Then you're just sulking here?

"I'm not sulking!" Qing An insisted urgently, paused, then added listlessly: "I'm just a bit bored; the M Guo matter has been dragged on for so long, it's annoying."

He couldn't help much with his sister's affairs; at most he could suppress some M Guo insiders and warn them.

Ruo Ya: "Got it, got it, so don't worry about it."

Qing Wei spoke timely: "The M Guo side of things will be settled soon."

Qing An startled, immediately turned his head to look at him, a flicker of joy crossing his eyes, and eagerly asked: "Really?"

Qing Wei: "Yes, the police are cooperating well; those who should be arrested have been arrested, those who should be investigated are being investigated, and the rest is just cleanup work."

What about that batch of kidnappers?

They're with Uncle Jiang Liangjin; he'll handle them.

The weight on his heart lifted completely; Qing An's eyes lit up instantly, he sat up straight, and eagerly said: "Then can I organize a gathering for my sister?"

Ruo Ya and Qing Wei exchanged a glance, each seeing helplessness in the other's eyes.

Seeing the two silent, Qing An immediately grew anxious, leaned forward slightly, and repeatedly said: "You both clearly agreed before—no going back!"

"No going back." Ruo Ya soothed, "Just thinking about when would be appropriate to hold it."

"These two days." Qing An feared even a second's delay would change things: "The sooner the better, preferably now."

He had already secretly arranged people to set up the banquet.

The enemies haven't been fully resolved yet, the risk remains; looking from another angle...

Qing Wei pondered a moment, a hint of calculation flickering in his eyes: "That works; we can use this gathering to make outsiders think Ai Luoxiu and the others are still in M Guo, giving them cover."

Qing An looked puzzled: "What cover?"

Ruo Ya replied gently: "In a few days, Mingxi's sister and Ai Luoxiu's group will go to Y Guo; this matter is somewhat related to a Y Guo noble; Xun Li told you about it, right?"

"I have."

Qing Wei added: "They need to secretly return to Y Guo to handle things there, without letting the Y Guo people notice anything unusual."

The Investiture Banquet happens to be able to confuse outside eyes, making outsiders think they're all in M Guo and that they haven't noticed Y Guo, which conveniently facilitates their covert actions.

After hearing that, Qing An straightened up a bit on the rattan chair: "You guys are something! Then let me have the banquet arranged on a larger scale!"

Ruo Ya chuckled: "No problem."

Qing Wei cautioned: "If you want to follow them to Y Guo, don't be too flashy, don't disturb them—it's not a pleasure trip, there's a mission."

Ruo Ya added: "Exactly, and don't let slip so Mingxi's sister hears it."

"Got it, got it!" Qing An eagerly said: "They've probably finished catching up by now; I'll go find Ae too."

Having said that, he walked toward the side hall without looking back, his steps noticeably lighter than before.

The two watched his brother's back, shaking their heads, not knowing who he learned this temperament from.