Xiao Mos handsome face was pinched into a thin line, his eyebrows tightly locked, and a gloomy atmosphere filled him.

  He is very angry.

  Zhang Qi lowered her eyes, and with this slight bow of her head, she forcibly suppressed the tears that had welled up in her eyes the moment she saw him.

  Xiao Mo saw it.

  She had just reassured her with a big smile, but in the blink of an eye, she was forced onto the horse carriage again, and Xiao Mo felt extremely frustrated.

  He stretched out his hand and gently stroked Zhang Qis face, wiping away a tear with his finger. He gritted his teeth and said, "It was my incompetence."

  Zhang Qi just shook her head.

  She is so helpless.

  Xiao Mo felt even more guilty.

  He raised his head and said in a low voice: "I will think of a way, you dont have to be afraid."

  Staring at Zhang Qi, staring at the face that had become vulgar and unbearable after her clever craftsmanship, Xiao Mo found that he was becoming more and more concerned about this little girl, more and more tense...

  She is so clever, yet so pitiful. Once I have her in my hands, I must protect her and not let those people get to her. After getting her, I will also take care of her, pamper her, and make sure she lives a life free from worries, happily and joyfully.

  Under the wide sleeve, his hand slipped out and grasped hers. Holding her small hand tightly in his palm, Xiao Mo said gently: "I wont be able to attend the banquet with you, but Ill think of a way."

  He slowly released her hand and backed away until the carriage had gone a long way off, but he still stared after it, unable to tear his eyes away.

  It was originally just for fun, but when did he start taking it so seriously?

  Many people came on this road, and horse-drawn carriages lined up to head towards the imperial palace.

  After a while, Zhang Qi saw Chen Ou, who was sticking his head out of the carriage and staring in her direction. When Zhang Qi looked at him, Chen Ou frowned slightly, then suddenly his eyes lit up and he winked at her.

  He saw her dressed like this and was full of praise.

  The palace has arrived.

  The horse-drawn carriage drove over the moat and into the imperial road. As the sunset layered, the beautiful and magnificent palace walls came into view one by one, and the crowd gradually quieted down.

  Before long, the carriage came to a stop. Zhang Gui looked up and saw that there were carriages stopped in front of them as far as the eye could see.

  Under the shouting of outsiders, she got off the horse carriage. Next to Zhang Gui, there was also a girl named Zhang, who knew Zhang Gui. She and Zhang Gui, as well as Zhang Cen, had studied characters under Zhao Jiao Xi for three months. Her name was Zhang Yi.

  Zhang Wei was dressed beautifully, with her hair styled in a slanted crescent moon shape and just the right amount of rouge applied to her pale face, making her look especially delicate. She was originally older than Zhang Gui, and had developed well, but wearing the same style of soft yellow silk dress as Zhang Gui, she had a smaller waist and rounder hips, with radiant skin.

  Compared with her, Zhang Qi is vulgar to the extreme.

  Zhang Wei also looked at Zhang Qi, her expression was tinged with a faint sadness, but there were no tears in her eyes, apparently, she had long accepted her own fate.

  Apart from Zhang Wei, there were several young masters from the Zhang family and a middle-aged master, but none of them knew Zhang Qi.

  As they chatted and laughed with each other, the group moved forward towards the palace ahead.

  As she walked, Zhang Qi saw dozens of horse-drawn carriages parked in a corner. These carriages were exceptionally spacious and tall, obviously for the dignified gentlemen of the Qi state to ride in.

  Zhang Qi raised her eyes and looked over.

  At this moment, her eyes narrowed!

  There is a horse-drawn carriage on the right side ahead!

  That carriage was black and shiny with a hint of mystery, the horses were majestic and tall, it was exactly what she had seen before, the chariot of the King of Guangling!

  Didnt he leave Jiankang?

  Like Zhang Qi, there were many people who looked at the horse-drawn carriages. The aristocratic families were somewhat annoyed by the behavior of these northern barbarians forcibly taking away the daughters of each family.

  But they were just angry, Jiankang had the danger of the Yangtze River, and it should be safe in a corner. However, Chens country was newly established, and the northerners were strong and good at fighting, not afraid of death. If we offend them for a few little girls, and let their troops march south, who can bear that guilt?

  The palace appeared before Zhang Guis eyes.

  Her head also lowered further.

  Until a eunuchs sharp voice came, "Jiankang Zhangs family enters the palace—" She followed behind the crowd of young masters, walking forward in step.

  As she walked, she quietly lifted her head up.

  It was just a glance, and she saw the young man sitting on the right side. He was still wearing a black robe, with a thick veil covering his face. In this grand hall where thousands of dignitaries gathered, he should be inconspicuous, shouldnt he?

  But this young man seemed to be a natural-born attention absorber. Naturally, everyones first glance fell on him.

  As if sensing Zhang Qis attention, the young man slowly raised his head and glanced in her direction.

  It was just a simple action, but there was still a small commotion around Zhang Qi.

  Zhang Qi lowered her head after exchanging a glance with the young man.

  Xiao Mo lost, and the Prince of Guangling did not leave Jiankang.

  At this time, all the Zhangs took their seats one by one. Zhang Gui and Zhang Yi knelt down on the low stool in front of everyone else. This position was normally something they would never get to occupy. Now that it had come to them, it was a pitiful sight.

  As I looked around, on both sides were rows of low tables facing each other. The first row was a vibrant red and green, and surprisingly, they were all the daughters-in-law from various families. Dozens of these young women were dressed up like flowers, allowing the young men present to gaze at them freely.

  A buzzing noise erupted all around. Amidst the commotion, Zhang Guis head hung even lower as he was scrutinized by the young masters with unblinking eyes.

  In fact, she was not very attractive. Among the dozens of girls, there were some who looked even worse than her. But although they didnt look great, their entire being exuded a delicate and pitiful air that only southern girls had. Where did she get this common and unbearable appearance from? People didnt even need to ask, one glance and they knew she was from the countryside!

  The King of Guangling was still looking at her.

  A messenger beside him followed his gaze, looking left and right for a while, and the messenger curiously asked: "Chang Gong, is there a beauty in that direction? Why cant I see it?"

  Guangling Kings first sun.

  He was tall and powerful, with slightly protruding finger joints, lightly and forcefully tapping on several surfaces, coldly saying: "There is no beauty, but there is a cunning woman."

  He smiled slightly and raised his wine cup in Zhang Qis direction, then drained it in one gulp.