The climax of the banquet gradually subsided, leaving only ministers to clink glasses and deepen friendships.
On the other side, Bai Li Fengge approached Fan Zehao, and during their casual conversation, smoothly brought up the matter of cooperation.
"My country produces fruits, and I've inquired privately. Neither Yun Country nor the Inner City seems to have them. I wish to cooperate with Your Highness the Regent."
Upon hearing about business, the first thing that popped into Fan Zehao's mind was that his wife managed such matters. However, recalling a private encounter with his wife, he dismissed the thought.
"Then tell me, if this King is satisfied, there's no reason we can't cooperate."
Bai Li Fengge, unaware of his unspoken thoughts, quickly stated her intentions. However, she held back on the pricing.
Fan Zehao was no fool. He learned from his wife and, feigning deep thought, nodded. "Exchanging fruits for fabrics is not a problem. It's just the price that requires further investigation. I'm unsure if our inventory is sufficient, so..."
Bai Li Fengge understood. This was simply about the price. Inventory was not an issue, as she wasn't demanding ten years' worth of stock at once.
Everyone understood that business deals weren't closed in a single negotiation. Moreover, she was also very eager about the Inner City, having already decided to visit once the Regent returned.
Meanwhile, Yu Meng had already left the palace to get some air. Helian Jinli's gaze followed her for a while. Before he could follow, he saw a man in white tailing her out.
Driven by curiosity, Helian Jinli also followed.
About an hour later, the Emperor felt tired and his focus shifted away from the banquet. He rose to leave, bidding the remaining guests to enjoy themselves.
As the night grew late, the ministers also departed after the Emperor and Empress left.
Once most people had gone, Fan Zehao realized his daughter was missing.
"Have you seen my daughter?"
Fan Xudong and Pingting shook their heads. They had been chatting and hadn't paid attention. After asking everyone, no one had an answer.
Zhao Jiaqi grabbed a few gate eunuchs and questioned them. She learned that the child had run out.
Despite their joint search, they still couldn't find her. This not only alerted the Imperial Guards but also the sleeping Huangfu Xi.
Disregarding the person in bed, he couldn't care less. He quickly put on his clothes and rushed out, barking orders to the Imperial Guards and even mobilizing the regular army.
A large group of people was in a commotion. At that time, the Prime Minister also discovered his son was missing. However, he dared not speak up and could only search discreetly.
An hour later, Helian Jinli returned with her. After seeing her safely back in the hall, he quietly departed.
Reunited with his lost daughter, Zhao Jiaqi embraced her tightly, examining her from head to toe. She noticed a slight change in her daughter's demeanor, but otherwise, she seemed fine.
"Father and Mother, don't worry. I just went out for some air, but I got lost and ended up in the cold palace. I couldn't find my way back for a while, which caused the delay!"
Although she spoke calmly, her eyes avoided meeting Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao's.
The couple knew their daughter was lying but couldn't expose her in front of the Emperor and the others. She only reprimanded her briefly before taking her leave with the Emperor.
Shaken by the scare, Huangfu Xi had lost all his earlier spirit. After seeing them depart, he returned to his chambers alone.
He had barely settled into bed when the commander of the Imperial Guards returned.
Kneeling by the Emperor's bed, he reported, "The County Princess did not return from the cold palace, but was escorted back by Helian Jinli."
Huangfu Xi raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"According to the gate eunuchs, after the County Princess went out, she was summoned by General Leng. What happened afterward is unclear, but General Leng left the palace limping and soaking wet, looking quite disheveled. Your Majesty, shall I investigate?"
"Investigate in secret. Do not alert them."
The commander of the Imperial Guards understood that "them" referred to the Leng family.
The commander retreated. Huangfu Xi lay back down, his mind replaying scenes. When he opened his eyes again, a ruthless glint flashed in their clear depths.
Back at the Prince's mansion, Yu Meng went straight to her room, refusing to open the door no matter who called. She only mumbled, "I'm tired today. We can talk tomorrow."
Fan Zehao, worried, wanted to question her further, but Zhao Jiaqi stopped him. "The child is tired. Let her rest. We can ask her tomorrow."
Though she said this, she was also worried and kept signaling her husband.
After leaving Yu Meng's courtyard, they ordered guards to patrol her area more frequently, fearing any further accidents.
Returning to their own room, Fan Zehao could no longer suppress his feelings. "Why didn't you let me ask?"
"Will she tell you if you ask? Don't you know her personality?"
Zhao Jiaqi met his anger with a retort.
They looked at each other in silence, eventually washing up. However, their minds were filled with anxieties, and neither couple slept well that night.
Despite being in the dead of night, the hours felt long.
The next morning, after washing up, both of them sported dark circles under their eyes. They sat at the dining table, anxiously waiting for Yu Meng to join them for breakfast.
When their two sons came to join them, Fan Zehao promptly sent them to the kitchen, as if they were adopted and he barely tolerated them.
Zhao Jiaqi couldn't be bothered to argue with him, knowing he was preoccupied with their daughter's affairs.
However, when Yu Meng reappeared before her parents, she had returned to her usual mischievous self. After paying her respects, she sat down to eat.
Before he could say anything, she proactively said, "Father, I'm hungry. After I finish eating, I'll tell you about last night."
The words Fan Zehao had on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down. He ate without savoring his food. Finally, after she finished breakfast, the father placed his chopsticks down.
He straightened his posture, quietly awaiting her account.
After a night of contemplation, Yu Meng knew this matter had to be explained, and she didn't hold back, recounting everything as it happened.
Upon hearing her story, Fan Zehao was astonished, his eyes filled with disbelief. "So it seems our daughter isn't just coveted by one person; now there's another."
Zhao Jiaqi shot him a look. At a time like this, his attention was still misplaced?
Was this the time to discuss who was vying for their daughter's affection?
"Since you refused Leng Han, why did it take so long for you to return?"
Zhao Jiaqi's question made the father realize. "That's right! Did Leng Han bully you? Don't worry, Dad will get revenge for you."
Yu Meng playfully linked her arm around her father's, giggling. "How could he!"
"Leng Han, seeing that I rejected him, became angry and grabbed me, asking why. He said if it was because I was young, he could wait. But I told him I didn't like him at all and there was no need to wait. He couldn't handle it, squeezed my arm with force, and I cried out in pain. Then, I kicked him into the lake."
After speaking, she lowered her head bashfully, touching her nose, and whispered, "I was afraid he couldn't swim and would drown, so I only came back after I saw him climb ashore."
The couple listened and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
After Yu Meng finished speaking, she subtly glanced at her parents. Seeing that they had believed her, she also let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She had lied. After she refused Leng Han last night, he had gone mad, talking about making the raw rice into cooked rice, and then they had fought.
Leng Han shot a hidden weapon at her, and the next second she collapsed on the ground, completely paralyzed. Fortunately, Helian Jinli came to her rescue and, as a result, kicked Leng Han into the lake.
In the lake, Helian Jinli beat him severely. Only when she had regained some strength did she return to the main hall.