Chapter 467: Friend

That day, Mu Yuanzhi returned from the Ministry of Works, and as soon as she reached the gate she saw a carriage stopped there; its style was that of the Splendid Strict State.

Yelu Kebao Ge?

She wondered, and a person stepped down from the carriage—it was indeed Yelu Kebao Ge.

"I've been waiting for you a long time, Guardian Princess."

Yelu Kebao Ge smiled and walked over.

"Grand Princess, how have you been? Haven't you gone back yet?" Mu Yuanzhi asked curiously.

The Grand Princess looked unchanged in complexion; presumably she had moved past her sorrow.

"I'm about to leave; I came especially to say goodbye." Yelu Kebao Ge said.

Especially to say goodbye?

"You and I share some fate; do you still recognize the dress I'm wearing?" Yelu Kebao Ge asked.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuanzhi looked up and down at the dress Yelu Kebao Ge was wearing.

She remembered—wasn't this the bolt of fabric Yelu Kebao Ge had fought over with Zhang Xixi last time?

"I recognize it; it looks quite nice on you." Mu Yuanzhi nodded.

"That's because I myself am beautiful." Yelu Kebao Ge arrogantly lifted her chin.

Seeing her like this, Mu Yuanzhi thought, 'Surely she has already moved past her heartache.'

After speaking, Yelu Kebao Ge's expression darkened, and she said, "Originally I planned to wear this dress when formally meeting the great general and his wife."

Mu Yuanzhi roughly understood.

"Who would have thought… never mind, I'll ask you: what punishment do you think Zhang Mengcheng will likely receive?"

"Hard to say—maybe ten or twenty years in prison, or exile; if they uncover other unforgivable crimes, he could be beheaded." Mu Yuanzhi also wasn't sure.

Yelu Kebao Ge didn't even frown; she just nodded, able to let go, and after a big cry she was fine.

"This trip to the Great Zhou has given me much; I never realized the world was so vast and beautiful—being confined to Huangli State narrows one's horizons." Yelu Kebao Ge said, "If I had the time, I truly would like to be friends with you."

Mu Yuanzhi: "Friendship doesn't depend on how long you spend together; a chance encounter can make friends, while constant companionship can breed enemies."

"Well said—so can I consider us friends?" Yelu Kebao Ge asked, feigning ease while actually feeling a bit nervous.

"Grand Princess, since you wish to befriend me, I naturally welcome it." Mu Yuanzhi smiled.

Upon hearing this, Yelu Kebao Ge laughed sincerely and said, "Our Huangli State previously had hostile relations with your Great Zhou; although it was a matter of the previous dynasty, relations were never very friendly. If possible, I would greatly welcome your embassy to Huangli State!"

"If the opportunity arises, certainly!"

"Even if not as an envoy, if you have free time I would welcome you to come as friends; I'll take you to tour the capital of Huangli State, our metropolis is also very prosperous!" Speaking of this, Yelu Kebao Ge felt proud.

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "Good, it's a promise!"

"I'm leaving; take care!" Yelu Kebao Ge clasped her fists.

"Safe travels."

"Goodbye!" Yelu Kebao Ge waved vigorously.

Mu Yuanzhi watched the carriage's receding back as it headed toward the Liaoling Office.

"Princess!"

Qi Shian shouted from behind Mu Yuanzhi.

"Miss Qi?" Mu Yuanzhi turned.

Looking at Qi Shian's appearance, her mood seemed terrible; it was likely someone had quarreled, and that person was probably Qi Shihuai.

"I'm certain you're right!" Qi Shian gritted her teeth: "My brother really can't get clear of that woman named Fanghua!"

Mu Yuanzhi raised an eyebrow.

"His reaction is too strange! I've never seen him like this—he's practically a different person; he must have lost his mind!" Qi Shian cursed.

"Miss Qi, why don't we go inside to talk?"

People coming and going here all had curious onlookers.

"No, I'll say it here! If he dares to do it, why wouldn't he dare let people know?!" Qi Shian sneered, pulling at the corner of her mouth: "Although I have no evidence now, I will surely dig it out! Even that disgusting wicked woman! Today I'm just here to tell you I have other business—I'm leaving first!"

Having said that, she stormed off, and Mu Yuanzhi didn't even have a chance to say more.

This Miss Qi truly has a temper as explosive as a firecracker, just as always.

Mu Yuanzhi returned to her mansion; later, Yun Jing Lou came and said that all the leads had broken off at the crucial moment, making it impossible to trace where Fanghua had gone.

Just as before in Juechen Valley, she seemed to have vanished from the mortal world.

One month later, the Imperial Court of Justice sentenced Zhang Mengcheng to be reduced to a slave for lifelong labor, and Li Pozi received thirty strokes and lifelong labor.

And Fanghua remained a wanted criminal, with notices posted all over the streets and alleys.

Wanfang Lou continued operating as usual, but every few days the Imperial Court of Justice would raid it, so business naturally declined compared to before.

Just as Mu Yuanzhi thought the capital had returned to peace, two major incidents occurred in Jingcheng: Qi Shian went missing, and the charitable estates outside the city suffered successive fires, causing many casualties, which the imperial court took especially seriously.

Mu Yuanzhi suspected that Qi Shian's disappearance was related to Fanghua!

"Little Yuanzhi, what are you pondering?"

As soon as Gu Rongjin returned, he saw his wife sitting stiffly like a doll, not reacting even when he arrived.

"How is General Qi? Did he say anything?" Mu Yuanzhi, having gathered her thoughts, asked.

Gu Rongjin: "Maybe he went to find someone."

"What could that mean?"

"He's always unhurried, you know—earlier he left his sister alone in the capital while the Deposed Emperor used Xiao Yang to exchange for a person, and he didn't seem particularly anxious either." Gu Rongjin said, "I think he might be quite cold-blooded, not caring whether his sister lives or dies."

"Would he?"

"Although that matter is indeed hard to put into words, she saw that the two siblings usually got along quite well."

"How could he not be? Don't judge him by his appearance—he really is quite cold‑blooded." Gu Rongjin said, "Perhaps if his sister goes missing, we'll all be more anxious than he is."

Did His Majesty send you to investigate the recent fires at the charity estate? Mu Yan Zhi asked.

Today, did His Majesty send you to investigate the successive fires at the Charitable Estate? Mu Yuanzhi asked.

Yes, His Majesty has made me Vice Minister of the Dali Temple. Gu Rongjin sat down, shook his head and sighed, "I'm just a carefree prince—how can I be busier than a first‑rank court official?"

Yes, His Majesty has made me act as Vice Minister of the Imperial Court of Justice. Gu Rongjin sat down, shook his head and sighed, "I'm just a carefree heir apparent—how am I busier than a first‑rank court official?"

Mu Yan Zhi laughed: "His Majesty trusts your abilities as the former leader of the Frost Descent."

Mu Yuanzhi then laughed, "His Majesty trusts your ability as the former Frost Descent Chief."

I used to command an entire independent assassination unit; now it's just me. Gu Rongjin pursed his lips, "I don't know how to perform autopsies either—unless we team up, the work won't be exhausting."

I used to have an entire independent assassination unit; now it's just me. Gu Rongjin pursed his lips, "I also don't know how to examine corpses—unless we work together, the job isn't tiring!"

Don't mistake me for a coroner! Mu Yan Zhi declared firmly, "I'm merely a healer who saves lives."

Don't treat me as a coroner! Mu Yuanzhi declared solemnly, "I'm merely a healer who saves lives."

Should we look for Cao Cixiu? He's a coffin maker—isn't the charity estate his hometown?

Should we look for Cao Cixiu about this? He's a coffin kid—isn't the Charitable Estate his hometown?

Wouldn't that be a bit impolite?

Won't that be a bit rude?

If there is, it's fine.

If there is, it's fine.