If Jun Mohan were to refuse his father-in-law, his consort would surely hate him.
"Heh, Father-in-law, if you miss Li'er, you can always visit the Cold King's manor," Jun Mohan said with a wry smile.
"With Your Highness's words, I won't be polite. Haha..." Leng Jinyu laughed heartily again.
After the three finished their meal, Leng Jinyu hurried back to the military camp, while Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan went to wander the bustling streets.
The streets were crowded with people. Small stalls lined both sides of the street, selling food, clothing, and toys. The Cold King and his consort browsed and chatted as they walked, their pace leisurely and their mood relaxed.
As they walked, Leng Ruoli noticed a vendor selling melon seeds ahead. She quickly pulled Jun Mohan towards the vendor and bought a large bag of seeds, planning to eat and chat with him.
Unexpectedly, at that very moment, a disheveled, dirty old man with an unclear appearance suddenly ran towards them. He bumped into Leng Ruoli, knocking over the bag of melon seeds she was holding, scattering them all over the ground.
"Catch him! Quickly help me catch him, this beggar old man stole my money."
At that moment, a familiar voice reached Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan's ears. The person was chasing the old beggar, and soon passed by the Cold King and his consort.
When Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli got a clear look at the man chasing the old man, they immediately grabbed him.
"Jun Mohu (Prince Xian), when did you return to the capital?" Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan asked with curiosity.
Jun Mohu was also surprised to encounter his second brother and sister-in-law on the street.
"Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, quickly have your guards get my money pouch back. I just returned to the capital, and I originally wanted to ditch my guards and sneak out to play by myself. However, after playing on the street for a while, I got hungry and wanted to buy a bowl of lamb wontons. Just then, a little old man holding a wine pot rushed over and snatched the money pouch from my hand. It truly infuriates me."
Jun Mohu stomped his feet in anger on the spot.
"Ye Ying, go get his money pouch back," Jun Mohan commanded.
Ye Ying vanished into the crowd.
Jun Mohu was still very angry and incessantly complained to Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan.
After only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Ye Ying returned, carrying the old man who had stolen Jun Mohu's money pouch.
"Your Highness, Consort, Your Highness Prince Xian, this subordinate has apprehended the thief," Ye Ying said respectfully, holding the old man with one hand and returning the retrieved money pouch to Jun Mohu with the other.
Jun Mohu took back his money pouch, counted the contents, and then looked at the old man, who reeked of alcohol and was swaying drunkenly. The old man had his head bowed, a conspicuous and exquisite small gourd hanging from his waist, and his entire body was limp. Enraged, Jun Mohu raised his foot, intending to kick the old man twice.
"Wait! Don't hit him yet!"
Leng Ruoli, spotting the small gourd on the old man, immediately stopped him.
"Second Sister-in-law, why are you stopping me?" Jun Mohu asked, confused.
"There are many people passing by here, and everyone's eyes are sharp. If they see you, a young man, hitting a drunk old man, what will they think of you? Moreover, if those who know your identity in the shadows seize upon this, who knows what trouble it might stir up," Leng Ruoli said meaningfully.
Jun Mohu also felt that Leng Ruoli's words were reasonable and immediately withdrew the foot he had raised.
"Fine, I'll listen to Second Sister-in-law and won't kick him!" Jun Mohu said, holding back his anger.
At this moment, Jun Mohan, who had been watching the commotion, spoke.
"Jun Mohu, how long have you been practicing martial arts in Wind Valley?" Jun Mohan asked in a very indifferent tone.
Upon hearing Jun Mohan's words, Jun Mohu's spine chilled.
"Second Brother, Second Brother, I... I have been practicing for over half a year," Jun Mohu said tremblingly.
"Since you've been practicing for so long, why hasn't your martial arts improved at all? You can't even catch up to a drunk old man. What have you learned in Wind Valley?"
Jun Mohan's sword-like eyebrows were furrowed, and he glared at Jun Mohu with his deep purple eyes, his gaze like a blade.
"Uh... Second Brother, since my money pouch has been retrieved, I... I won't disturb you and Second Sister-in-law's stroll. I'll be going back to my manor now."
With that said, Jun Mohu disappeared from the Cold King and his consort's sight in a flash.
Everyone: "..."
"Jun Mohan, why is your seventh brother so afraid of you?" Leng Ruoli asked curiously.
"Except for you, not many people aren't afraid of me," Jun Mohan said coolly.
Leng Ruoli: "..."
"Are you very scary? Why don't I feel it?" Leng Ruoli muttered to herself.
"Your Highness, Consort, what should we do with this old man?" Ye Ying suddenly asked.
"Send him to the authorities and let them handle it," Jun Mohan replied indifferently.
"No, no, no, we both know this old man. He is Lu Riluo's grandfather—Old Man Lu. Ye Ying, have someone take him back to the manor and have Chu Mingxuan detoxify him. Your Consort and Your Highness still want to go shopping."
Today, Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan had a rare opportunity to go shopping in the streets. They were usually too busy to do anything else.
After Leng Ruoli instructed Ye Ying, she pulled Jun Mohan to a teahouse to sit down.
"Li'er, don't you usually dislike listening to opera? Why are you at a teahouse today?"
Jun Mohan was filled with confusion.
"I don't like listening to opera, but I like listening to gossip," Leng Ruoli said, raising her eyebrows.
Jun Mohan: "..."
"Alright, what you say makes sense. Then I'll accompany you, even if it means sacrificing my own pleasure."
Jun Mohan said, shrugging his shoulders.
Afterward, the two chatted about various other things.
But just then, Leng Ruoli noticed a figure in the opposite private box who was both familiar and unfamiliar.
Leng Ruoli looked closely at the man. Wasn't it Prince Kang of Nanzhao?
Jun Mohan followed Leng Ruoli's gaze and immediately recognized the man as Prince Kang.
"Li'er, this Prince Kang of Nanzhao is extremely cunning and his methods are vicious. Try not to provoke him if you can," Jun Mohan cautioned.
"Mm, as long as he doesn't cause trouble for me, I don't have the time to bother with him," Leng Ruoli replied.
Then, Leng Ruoli saw two men walk into Prince Kang's private box. The group seemed to be chatting happily, with smiles on everyone's faces.
Soon after, Prince Kang and his companions left the teahouse one after another.
"Jun Mohan, guess what big plan this Prince Kang is brewing now?" Leng Ruoli asked idly.
"It's definitely nothing good," Jun Mohan replied casually.