C253

The next morning, Shang Yiqing went to the Xiao manor to find Ying Ying.

Entering the Xiao manor, he saw Ying Ying standing next to the osmanthus tree in the courtyard. With the gentle breeze blowing, the fragrance of the flowers filled the air.

"Ying Ying, why are you so interested today?" Shang Yiqing walked to Ying Ying's side as she spoke.

"Aren't you early?" As Ying Ying said this, her eyes lit up. "But you just happened to be here today. I was just about to go out."

Shang Yiqing chuckled and pointed at Ying Ying, teasing her, "Are you going to look for Dongfang Hao?"

Ying Ying's face turned red as she stammered, "H-how did you know?"

Shang Yiqing shook her head and smiled, "Other than Dongfang Hao, who else could it be?"

"It's good that you know this …" "Then let's go find him now." Ying Ying looked at Shang Yiqing with a pleading look.

"Fine, since I have nothing else to do, I'll accompany you." Shang Yiqing happily agreed.

After leaving the Xiao manor, he followed the main street to the west. After passing through a long street, he arrived at an extremely ordinary inn. The signboard read "Pleasing Hostel".

Ying Ying pointed at the signboard and smiled. "This is the place. Dongfang Hao told me that day that he would be staying at this inn. I believe that he hasn't left yet and will be staying here."

"Let's go in and take a look."

After entering the inn, Shang Yiqing walked towards the counter and asked, "Shopkeeper, do you have a young master called Dongfang Hao?"

"Oh, Young Master Dongfang is in Sky No. 2 Room." Since it was still early, there weren't many guests in the inn. The shopkeeper even pointed out the guest room to Shang Yiqing kindly.

"How strange. Since Dongfang Hao said that he's the King of Qi of Dongyu Country, why would he stay in such an ordinary inn?"

Ying Ying smiled but did not answer.

Shang Yiqing walked up and knocked on the door of Sky No. 2 Room that was in front of him.

Dongfang Hao's confused voice came from inside the room, "Who is it?"

"Young master Dongfang, I …" Ying Ying acknowledged.

The door opened with a "creak" and Dongfang Hao Ying's upright figure appeared before them. When he saw the two of them, he was stunned for a moment before a smile slowly appeared on his face. "Why are you two here?"

"We came to see you. You don't seem to welcome us?" Shang Yiqing asked mischievously.

"Not at all, not at all. Quickly invite him in." Dongfang Hao appeared to be in a somewhat passive state, and he was also a bit surprised.

After entering the guest room, Dongfang Hao called for the two to sit down and poured them some tea.

Shang Yiqing waved her hand, "There is no need to be courteous, Prince Qi."

"I wonder what kind of wind brought the two of you here today. Dongfang Hao is deeply honored."

Shang Yiqing looked around the room and laughed, "Prince Qi, there's something I don't understand. Why would the exalted Prince of Dongyu be staying in such an ordinary inn? Are you really that low-key?"

Dongfang Hao smiled coolly. "Princess is joking. In fact, Dongfang Hao has always been indifferent to fame and fortune. The four seas are his home. As for where he lives, it doesn't matter."

"I really didn't expect the Qi King to be so indifferent." Ying Ying said sincerely, her eyes filled with yearning.

It was a familiar look. Shang Yiqing had seen it many times before, but she had not expected it to appear again in such a short period of time. It was enough to prove that Ying Ying's heart had been moved. Was it because Dongfang Hao had saved her, or was it because he looked very similar to Fang Zinan?

"That's right, the Qi King said he's home in all directions. Don't tell me that you rarely come to the Kingdom of Dongyu?" Shang Yiqing tried to find something to ask.

Dongfang Hao nodded. "That's right. I've been out since I was young. I rarely return to the Kingdom of Dongyu, so what Qi King? It's not important to me at all."

"No wonder after you came to our Southern Swamp and heard that King Dongyu and Princess Liu Li had already returned with the army, you didn't plan to return, did you?"

"This time, the Southern Marsh Country has sent two hundred thousand troops to attack the Northern Mountain Army. It's already a certainty of victory, it's no longer important if I don't return. Besides, I don't understand fighting and marching at all. " As Dongfang Hao spoke to here, he looked at the two, "That's why I've decided to travel around here for a while."

"Great, you can let Yingying take you on a tour around this place. This is a fun place for me in the entire Southern Swamp Country!" It could be seen that Ying Ying had a deep affection for Dongfang Hao, so Shang Yiqing also wanted to play matchmaker for the two of them.

It was unknown if Dongfang Hao didn't understand the meaning behind Shang Yiqing's words, or if he simply wanted to walk around, but he nodded happily upon hearing Shang Yiqing's words. "That's great. I'll be troubling Miss Yingying when I have time."

"It's no trouble at all." Ying Ying tensed up and blushed again. She was afraid that Dongfang Hao would see through her, so instead, she lowered her head slightly.

Right, although one could tell that Ying Ying was interested in Dongfang Hao, they still had to ask whether Dongfang Hao was married or not first. Shang Yiqing pretended not to understand as she asked, "Prince Qi, why didn't you bring Princess Hua-Yang along when you were travelling?"

"Princess?" Dongfang Hao laughed. "You're all alone, where did the wangfei come from?"

Shang Yiqing was delighted, "Is the king not married yet?"

"Maybe I'm just used to being alone. I don't have any plans to get married at the moment." Dongfang Hao also laughed. His laugh was a bit different from Fang Zinan's. Fang Zinan's laugh was like the spring breeze, free and easy, and Dongfang Hao's laugh was a bit more heroic and confident.

"Oh …" Shang Yiqing nodded, "So the Qi King has yet to be married, then he must have someone in love, right?"

Dongfang Hao shook his head. "No."

"Then I really feel sorry for the Qi King. With his looks and talent, I'm sure there will be a lot of girls who would like him." Shang Yiqing was secretly happy for Ying Ying. Dongfang Hao neither had someone he liked nor married, this was a great opportunity. If Ying Ying wanted to fight for it, the chances were rather high.

"Imperial Concubine Rong sure knows how to joke around." Dongfang Hao smiled subtly and raised his teacup. "Princess, please have a cup of tea. Lady Ying Ying, please!"

After learning that Dongfang Hao wasn't taking a wife, Ying Ying felt as if she had eaten a pill of reassurance. She couldn't help but feel overjoyed. She hurriedly picked up the cup of tea and took a sip.

"Oh yes, I wonder how is the battle between Duke Rong and the rest going? "Although this one is indifferent, it is a matter of national security. I would like to ask if you know about the situation in the military?" Dongfang Hao seemed to have thought of something and asked.

Shang Yiqing shook her head, "I am not too sure either. A while ago, she sent a letter to report that she won a war. However, there has been no news of him these days."

"Perhaps Prince Rong and the others are trying to wipe out the army of the Kingdom of Northern Yue and help King Dongyu return to his homeland." Ying Ying said in a comforting tone.

Dongfang Hao glanced out of the window. "Perhaps Miss Ying Ying is right. With two hundred thousand soldiers, we will surely return victorious."

"We hope so too."

Dongfang Hao gazed out of the window for a moment. Then, he suddenly thought of something and silently smiled.

"What is the Qi King laughing about?"

"It's nothing. I'm still very happy to hear that Prince Rong has won, but I'm afraid that it's been eight to ten years since I've returned to the Kingdom of Dongyu."

"What? You haven't returned to Dongyu Country in ten years?" Ying Ying was at a loss.

"Yes, it's been almost ten years." Dongfang Hao raised his head and sighed, as if he was filled with endless thoughts.

Although Shang Yiqing was confused, she thought that it might have some secrets, so she did not continue asking.