Gu Qianying's mind was a jumble of complex information, leaving her feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
Therefore, she looked up at everyone and asked for their thoughts: "Everyone, what do you think about these matters? Should we first go to our tribal village to search for traces of Lu Zhu, or should we find an opportunity to infiltrate the imperial palace to rescue Duan Xifeng and Meng Qinghua?"
She was not alone now; she was with her good friends.
She felt that seeking everyone's opinion on some matters was a good thing.
It was a sign of respect.
Su Cheng, hearing Gu Qianying's question, was the first to voice his considered opinion. He said in a deep voice, "I think we can split into two groups and carry out both actions simultaneously."
Ouyang Qinglin also agreed with Su Cheng's proposal and shared his thoughts with Gu Qianying: "Both going to the imperial palace and searching for Lu Zhu in our tribal village are urgent. Splitting into two groups is the best option right now. Your brother, Gu Yi, should not be in any serious danger at the moment. Moreover, we cannot locate the Evil King's current whereabouts. Even if we were to look for Gu Yi, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. It's better to resolve the immediate pressing situations first."
Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze nodded upon hearing the well-reasoned suggestions from Su Cheng and Ouyang Qinglin, agreeing that they were right.
Gu Qianying pondered their words. She lightly tapped the table with her palm and made a decision: "Then, we will do as Su Cheng suggested and act in two groups. You have all seen my current appearance, and it is not suitable for me to enter the imperial palace. Therefore, I will take a few people to our tribal village to search for Lu Zhu's whereabouts."
The Empress and the Grand Tutor had seen her face. If she were to go there rashly, she would definitely be targeted by them.
Furthermore, she was very worried about Lu Zhu.
In fact, she did not know if what Wu Cheng had said was true or false.
No, she should say, she hoped that what Wu Cheng had said was false, and she did not allow herself to believe that Lu Zhu had become as Wu Cheng described.
So, she had to go to their tribal village to verify.
She naturally hoped that Lu Zhu was still alive.
She wanted to find Lu Zhu.
She absolutely had to go.
Ouyang Qinglin, hearing Gu Qianying's arrangements, also said, "Alright. Take Xiao Yi Hao with you. He just came out of the imperial palace and cannot be put in danger again. Going with you to our tribal village can also help alleviate his current mood. I will go to the imperial palace."
Su Cheng stepped forward, approaching Gu Qianying. He did not want to be separated from Gu Qianying again due to the need to split up, so he immediately stated, "Qianying, I will go to our tribal village with you. Besides, Xiao Yi Hao doesn't dislike me. The three of us traveling together would be a good choice."
Gu Qianying thought about Xiao Yi Hao's current emotions and how Xiao Yi Hao had clung to Su Cheng when he first woke up. She also wanted them to develop more affection, so she agreed to Su Cheng's request to accompany her to their tribal village.
"Alright, you and I will take Xiao Yi Hao to our tribal village to find Lu Zhu."
Afterward, Gu Qianying remembered Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze standing by. She ordered them, "Xuan Ling Nu, Bai Ze, you two will go to the imperial palace with Ouyang Qinglin and find an opportunity to rescue Duan Xifeng and Meng Qinghua. Be sure to protect Qinglin's safety."
Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze immediately bowed and replied, "Your subordinates understand."
Thus, the action plan for Gu Qianying's group was established. Everyone returned to their respective rooms to rest and recuperate, awaiting departure.
The next morning, Gu Qianying, holding Xiao Yi Hao who was still asleep, knocked on Su Cheng's door.
Inside, Su Cheng had already packed his belongings and was waiting for Gu Qianying. Hearing the knock, he immediately opened the door and welcomed them in.
"Have you packed everything?" Gu Qianying asked Su Cheng softly.
Su Cheng nodded and reached out to take Xiao Yi Hao from Gu Qianying's arms, intending to relieve her burden.
Seeing Su Cheng's gesture, Gu Qianying did not refuse. She smiled and handed Xiao Yi Hao to Su Cheng.
In fact, she was touched. Su Cheng was a warm man, and his kindness to her was the same as Nangong Mo's kindness to her in his previous life.
It seemed that some things, some feelings, would never change.
Looking at Su Cheng holding her son, Gu Qianying felt a warmth in her heart, like a spring breeze.
Xiao Yi Hao, the little fellow, sensed the change in his surroundings and slightly opened his eyes. Seeing that Su Cheng was holding him, he knew he was safe and, unable to resist his sleepiness, drifted off again.
Su Cheng and Gu Qianying walked together to the inn's entrance, where they met Ouyang Qinglin, Xuan Ling Nu, and Bai Ze, who were preparing to head to the imperial palace with their horses.
"Take care," Ouyang Qinglin cautioned Gu Qianying and the others.
In truth, he was very reluctant to part, but he also knew that Gu Qianying preferred being with Su Cheng rather than with him.
At the same time, he also knew that Su Cheng was the third reincarnation of Nangong Mo.
Therefore, it was only natural for Gu Qianying and Su Cheng to be together.
Gu Qianying and Su Cheng also replied, expressing their concern: "You all take care as well."
With that, Ouyang Qinglin, Xuan Ling Nu, and Bai Ze mounted their horses and set off for the imperial palace.
Seeing this, Su Cheng and Gu Qianying also went to get their horses and set off towards their tribal village.
Shortly after everyone left the inn and split up, a sinister man in black and a proper man in white arrived at the inn together. These two were the Evil King and Gu Yi, who wanted to see his sister.
The Evil King had learned from his subordinates that Gu Qianying and Su Cheng had been staying at this inn recently. After agreeing to Gu Yi's request to see his sister, he brought him here.
However, the time they arrived was exactly when Gu Qianying and her group had just left.
Gu Yi and the Evil King searched several rooms in the inn, but Gu Qianying and her group were no longer there, not even their belongings were left behind.
Gu Yi stood in the room where Gu Qianying had previously stayed, his head lowered, his breathing heavy.
Seeing him like this, the Evil King understood that he was sad and upset because he couldn't see his sister. At the same time, the Evil King feared that Gu Yi would get angry with him again for not seeing his sister, so he quickly spoke up, trying to comfort Gu Yi.
"Although we didn't see Gu Qianying this time, doesn't that just show that she is currently free and safe? My subordinates did not harm her, nor did they harm anyone around her."
The Evil King saw Gu Yi's brows relax slightly at his words, knowing his comfort had an effect. He quickly increased his efforts to comfort Gu Yi and promised to help him find his sister.
"Don't worry, I will immediately have my subordinates search for your sister's whereabouts, and we will reunite you as soon as possible."
Seeing Gu Yi's worried expression, the Evil King also felt a pang of sympathy.
"Alright, believe me, I can really help you."
The waiter brought a plate of pastries. The Evil King took it, held the plate himself, and then placed a small piece of pastry into Gu Yi's mouth.
Gu Yi didn't want to eat, but seeing the Evil King's enthusiasm, he took a bite.
The Evil King then directly put the half-eaten pastry that Gu Yi had bitten into his own mouth.
Seeing him do this, Gu Yi's cheeks turned slightly red, but he didn't say anything.
At the same time, the Evil King put his finger into his thin lips and let out a sharp whistle, summoning his subordinates who were lurking in the shadows.
The Evil King's subordinates, hidden in the darkness, appeared immediately upon hearing the Evil King's signal and knelt on the ground awaiting orders.
"Go find Gu Qianying's whereabouts and report back as soon as possible." The Evil King commanded his subordinates in a deep voice, not hiding anything from Gu Yi to reassure him.
Upon receiving the order, the subordinate immediately disappeared to scout for Gu Qianying's whereabouts.
Seeing the Evil King's actions, Gu Yi knew that he was no longer deceiving him. Moreover, the Evil King's subordinates were efficient, and it was likely that Gu Qianying's whereabouts would be found soon.
Considering this, Gu Yi finally stopped being dejected and left the inn with the Evil King.
At this moment, Gu Qianying and Su Cheng, with Xiao Yi Hao, were galloping at full speed, rushing to their tribal village.
Along the way, although Xiao Yi Hao was young, he knew he couldn't cause trouble for his mother and stayed obediently in Su Cheng's arms.
Su Cheng and Gu Qianying were both busy dealing with the urgent matters at hand, not daring to linger or rest for even a moment.
Finally, before their strength completely gave out, the three of them arrived at their tribal village.