In an inn in Donghai City.
Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan returned from the Donghai pier. As soon as they stepped onto the main street in front of the inn where they were staying, they saw two familiar figures at the entrance of their inn.
Two handsome men, one in red and one in white, stood at the entrance of the inn, looking at the couple from afar.
Among them, the one wearing a standard long red robe was Ming Jiuxiao. His black hair cascaded down his shoulders, only his forehead was secured by a red tassel hairband, the string winding around the back of his head to tie a small knot to hold the stray hairs in front. Paired with his handsome facial features, a pair of peach blossom eyes, and his slightly sun-kissed bronze skin, he exuded a wild, unrestrained, and devilishly charming aura.
The man dressed in white, gentle and refined as jade, was Leng Ruoli's elder brother, Leng Ruorui. He was an extremely beautiful man with sharp, chiseled features, eyebrows like willows, and a body like a jade tree. His thin lips always held a faint, charming smile, giving him an approachable and comfortable presence.
These two, standing with Jun Mohan, each possessed a unique charisma. Jun Mohan's handsomeness was "cold"; Ming Jiuxiao's was "evil"; Leng Ruorui's was "gentle".
Leng Ruoli wondered how Ming Jiuxiao had attached himself to her elder brother and come to Donghai. Neither she nor Leng Jinyu had notified him.
However, Leng Ruoli forgot that Ming Jiuxiao had a brothel in the capital, a place frequented by people from all walks of life. Moreover, when the King and Queen of Leng went out, they did so with great fanfare, making it not difficult for Ming Jiuxiao to have Mama Feng track the couple's whereabouts.
At this moment, before Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan had even approached, they heard Ming Jiuxiao's effeminate voice.
"Girl, you're finally back."
Upon hearing Ming Jiuxiao's words, Leng Ruoli rolled her eyes dramatically.
Meanwhile, Jun Mohan felt goosebumps every time he heard this "hermaphrodite" Ming Jiuxiao speak, feeling disgusted and nauseous.
"Ming Jiuxiao, can't you speak normally? A perfectly good sentence becomes so disgusting when it comes out of your mouth."
Leng Ruoli criticized him without mercy.
"Oh my! Girl, this is just my way of speaking, my characteristic. You can't dislike me so much, I'll be very sad!"
Ming Jiuxiao continued to act coquettishly, unconcerned about the expressions on others' faces.
"Hey, you Ming Jiuxiao, that's enough! If you can't speak properly, don't ever appear before me again."
Enraged, Leng Ruoli spoke harshly to him.
"Don't do that, girl. I came to Donghai City with Elder Brother Leng to help you find Auntie. You can't drive me away."
After Leng Ruoli's harsh words, Ming Jiuxiao finally agreed to speak like a normal person.
"Then it depends on whether you can change your old habits."
Leng Ruoli retorted.
"I, I, I will change..."
Ming Jiuxiao stuttered for a long time, finally admitting defeat.
"Alright, Li'er, let's go in and report our safety to Father first."
Leng Ruorui quickly interrupted them, reminding Leng Ruoli.
Then, the group entered the inn together and went up to the third floor. Upon hearing that Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan had returned, Leng Jinyu rushed out of his room anxiously.
"Li'er, Your Highness, did you find any clues about the Hua Clan today?" Leng Jinyu asked urgently.
"Father, don't worry. Although we still haven't found any clues about the Hua Clan, we have gathered a lot of useful information from the Shui family. Let's go inside and sit down before we talk." Leng Ruoli first appeased Leng Jinyu, then said calmly.
"Father, Li'er is right. It's too public and noisy outside, so we should talk inside. I also have some clues about the Hua Clan."
At this moment, Leng Ruorui also chimed in.
"Alright, alright, let's all go inside and talk."
Leng Jinyu immediately understood his children's intentions.
After that, except for the ten guards from the Leng Prince's mansion guarding the door, everyone else entered the room to discuss matters.
In the room, Leng Jinyu looked at Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan with anticipation.
"Li'er, tell me quickly, what did you gain from your visit to the Shui family today?"
"Father, we learned that Mother and the Shui family head were old acquaintances and former business partners. We also learned from the Shui family head that some people within the Hua Clan want to stop us from finding Mother..."
Leng Ruoli spoke unhurriedly.
"Your mother did come to Donghai to do business in the past and made many business friends. She was also very popular, but I don't know much about her affairs with the Hua Clan."
Leng Jinyu said truthfully.
"According to what we learned from the Shui family head, the people of the Hua Clan are not only skilled in medicine but also in formations and secret arts. Later, due to an internal conflict, the Hua Clan experienced a period of infighting and self-destruction, almost leading to their annihilation. It was only later that a master appeared in the Hua Clan who resolved the conflict and hid the Hua Clan."
Leng Ruoli continued.
"Yes, I heard my adoptive father say the same thing." At this, Leng Ruorui added. "Although my adoptive father and I have visited the Hua Clan, I was too young at the time and couldn't remember how we got there. However, when my adoptive father learned that I was going to the Hua Clan, he specifically drew me a sea chart, but I haven't deciphered it yet."
After speaking, Leng Ruorui took out a rough sketch drawn by his adoptive father from his sleeve and spread it on the table for everyone to see.
Everyone's eyes immediately converged on the hand-drawn sketch Leng Ruorui had produced.
Leng Ruoli took a closer look at the hand-drawn sketch from Leng Ruorui. It was a casually drawn sea chart with various unknown islands around it.
"Elder Brother, if your adoptive father has been to the Hua Clan, why didn't he tell you directly how to get there?" Leng Ruoli said with some exasperation.
"Although my adoptive father and I have been to the Hua Clan, when my adoptive father and I entered the Hua Clan back then, someone from the Hua Clan specifically came to escort us in. We had to abide by the Hua Clan's rules and had our eyes covered with two layers of black cloth before they could guide us in," Leng Ruorui explained on behalf of his adoptive father.
"Then we can only wait until tomorrow morning and take this hand-drawn chart from your adoptive father to the seaside to ask nearby fishermen if anyone knows this place?"
Leng Ruoli could only suggest this.
"Alas... it's late tonight. Everyone should eat first and get a good night's rest. We'll discuss this matter tomorrow,"
Leng Jinyu sighed, saying with some desolation and dejection.
The next morning, as soon as a red sun emerged from the sea horizon, Shui Yihe rushed to Donghai and inquired about the inn where Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan were staying.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Your Highness, Your Highness, are you awake?" Xing'er called out from outside the door in a low voice.
Leng Ruoli, just waking up from her sleep, responded groggily and weakly, "I'm awake. Is something the matter outside? Xing'er."
"Yes, Your Highness, Young Master Shui came looking for you early this morning."
Xing'er replied quickly.
"Shui Yihe???"
Leng Ruoli murmured after hearing the name, then quickly regained her senses and said, "Tell him to wait a moment, the Prince and I will be out shortly."
"Okay!"
Immediately after, Xing'er responded and left.