Not knowing why she suddenly asked this, Helian Qi replied truthfully, "No matter what you become, the only one I love is you."
These words were very touching, but only Dongfang Yi knew that if she changed back to her former self, it meant she would leave this time - space. The person Helian Qi loved would no longer exist.
"What's wrong? Why do you suddenly ask this?"
Noticing that the little woman in his arms seemed a bit sad, Helian Qi looked down at Dongfang Yi worriedly and asked.
Dongfang Yi didn't say a word, but tightened her hold on Helian Qi.
After a long time, Dongfang Yi suddenly blurted out an out - of - context sentence, "I won't leave you."
Hearing Dongfang Yi's sudden promise, Helian Qi felt a warm current in his heart. He quickly said, "Even if the seas run dry and the rocks crumble, I, Helian Qi, swear that I will never leave Dongfang Yi in this lifetime."
Dongfang Yi was amused by Helian Qi's serious oath. She got out of his embrace and joked, "Just this lifetime?"
"No, no. In the next life, the life after that, no, for all eternity, I will never leave Dong'er." Seeing that Dongfang Yi was not satisfied with his previous words, Helian Qi quickly made amends.
Dongfang Yi, no longer in Helian Qi's arms, picked up Xiaoweiba and murmured softly, "He has quite a strong sense of self - preservation."
Seeing that Dongfang Yi had said another word he had never heard before, Helian Qi carefully pondered over her words. What did it mean by suddenly changing back to the former self?
Before Helian Qi could figure it out, Liancheng said outside the carriage, "My lord, we're here."
Liancheng and Donghua got off the carriage first and lifted the curtain. Helian Qi got out of the carriage first. He glanced at the inn they had arrived at and then turned around to help Dongfang Yi out.
The group entered the inn. The waiter quickly wiped the table and asked, "Gentlemen and lady, are you here for a meal or to stay?"
Liancheng replied, "To stay. Three best - class rooms."
The waiter nodded. Seeing that these guests were well - dressed and seemed wealthy, he asked again, "You've come from afar. Must be hungry. Do you want to order some special dishes?"
At the waiter's reminder, Dongfang Yi realized she was indeed a bit hungry. She asked, "What dishes do you have?"
This waiter was good at business. Hearing this question, he proudly replied, "Our small inn has everything. Whatever dish you want, we can serve it."
Dongfang Yi nodded appreciatively at the waiter and said, "Serve us several signature and special dishes. Hurry up a bit."
"Sure thing, sir and madam. Have some tea and wait a moment. I'll go tell the kitchen right away." After pouring tea for the guests, the waiter rushed to the kitchen.
Donghua watched the waiter leave and said, "We've tasted all kinds of special dishes at the mansion gate."
"I just wanted to have some fun with that waiter. He's quite interesting."
Dongfang Yi smiled and picked up the teacup to drink the tea. Suddenly, she felt a sour smell around her. She said to Donghua, "Donghua, do you smell something strange?"
"Smell?" Donghua quickly sniffed the air. "No. Madam, you're being too sensitive."
Dongfang Yi firmly shook her head. She followed the smell and found it came from Helian Qi. She took a step back in surprise. Thinking of the waiter just now, she said incredulously, "He's just the waiter in the inn. I can't stop talking to him, can I?"
Helian Qi, who was a bit jealous, stopped talking. He snorted and drank tea while holding Xiaoweiba.
The inn served the dishes very quickly. Soon, two dishes were served in succession.
"Not too slow, right?" The waiter carried the dishes and came to Dongfang Yi with a big smile. He was about to say something else, but seeing the murderous look in Helian Qi's eyes, he quickly said, "Hehe, gentlemen and lady, enjoy your meal first. I'll go urge the kitchen."
After saying that, he quickly left, muttering as he walked, "Why are they so hungry? They're almost eating me up. These dishes are freshly made. How can they be served so quickly?"
Hearing the waiter's complaint, Dongfang Yi laughed so hard that she could hardly straighten up. Donghua also covered her mouth and snickered. Even Liancheng, who didn't usually like to laugh, couldn't help it. The corners of his mouth kept twitching.
"What are you laughing at?" Helian Qi said threateningly to the three people beside him.
Liancheng and Donghua immediately stopped laughing and sat there seriously. Seeing the two of them so serious, Dongfang Yi, who had almost stopped laughing, burst out laughing again.
Helian Qi could threaten others, but facing this woman who was laughing almost to the point of convulsions, he could only helplessly help her calm down. "Is it really that funny?"
"Of course. This waiter's way of thinking is so strange. He even mistakes jealousy for hunger." Dongfang Yi tried hard to stop laughing and took a sip of tea.
Because of Dongfang Yi's laughter, the three of them didn't notice the words in this sentence. After stopping laughing, they started to eat.
Just then, the other dishes were served one after another. The waiter was very considerate. He served the dishes from beside Helian Qi and deliberately moved the dishes closer to Helian Qi. He said, "Sir, enjoy your meal first. There are only two dishes left. I'll go urge them again. You eat first. I'll definitely make sure you're full."
Dongfang Yi, who had been eating obediently, was amused again by the waiter's words. She ate while snickering.
If looks could kill, the waiter would have died many times under Helian Qi's gaze. Helian Qi had no choice but to order the waiter to leave. Then the group started to eat in peace.
After the meal, Dongfang Yi felt a bit sleepy. She went back to her room to rest. Since the main person who came out to play was gone, Helian Qi told Liancheng to take care of the carriage. Then everyone went back to their own rooms.
Dongfang Yi slept until evening. When she woke up again, it was already dark. "Can we still go out today?"
Seeing Dongfang Yi wake up, Helian Qi put down the scroll and walked to the side of her bed. "Of course we can. The streets are different from the palace. It's bustling at this time."
"Then let's go out for a walk."
Dongfang Yi picked up Xiaoweiba, tidied her clothes, got out of bed and left the room.
Liancheng and Donghua quickly followed. The group left the inn and prepared to stroll around.
At this time in the palace, everyone was in their own palaces. Concubine Chu put on the same night - suit as yesterday and went to Concubine Dong's palace.
Concubine Dong had expected that Concubine Chu would come to find her tonight. She had sent the servants away in advance and was waiting.
Seeing Concubine Chu coming, Concubine Dong quickly got up and bowed.
"Alright, sit down." Concubine Chu sat down and also asked Concubine Dong to sit beside her. "Since you've chosen this path, there's no room for regret. You must do your best to accomplish whatever I ask you to do."
"I'll follow your orders, my lady." Concubine Dong nodded obediently at Concubine Chu.
Seeing this, Concubine Chu was very satisfied. She asked, "Is your father, Minister Dong, still in close contact with the assassination organization?"
Concubine Dong immediately looked up at Concubine Chu in horror.
Concubine Chu waved her hand in disgust and explained, "Don't worry. I won't expose it."