Chu Qing had already been melted by the enthusiasm of the Nangong family, but Wei Ying's words instantly brought her back to her senses.
Right, how did the Nangong family know...
Wei Ying's background...
Hearing Wei Ying's words, Nangong Siqi's smile froze on his face.
Wei Ying still showed no expression on his face. He continued, "Did she tell you?"
The smile on Chu Qing's face also gradually faded. If they really invited them after hearing what Nangong Yin said, then... it would be really disappointing.
"So you're here to be her lobbyists and persuade... this king to go back?" Wei Ying raised a faint smile, but it was cold.
Nangong Jin didn't know the situation. Seeing the somewhat oppressive atmosphere around, he wanted to say something to ease it, but he didn't know how to respond.
As a junior, it was better for him not to get involved too much.
After a long while, as if having gathered his strength, Nangong Siqi heaved a heavy sigh and said guiltily, "Yes, the imperial noble consort sent someone to inform me about this."
"She wanted us to be lobbyists. But don't worry, child. This old woman won't persuade you." The old matriarch of the Nangong family suddenly took over the conversation, looking extremely serious.
Seeing Wei Ying's expression soften a bit, the old matriarch grabbed Wei Ying's hand and patted it gently.
Although Wei Ying felt a bit awkward, he didn't pull his hand away.
The old matriarch's eyes were a bit red, and her voice trembled, "That dead girl has always been too utilitarian since childhood, and she's extremely competitive. She never cares about others. Back then, she... believed that national teacher's words and abandoned you. This old woman can't forgive her for you. Moreover, whether you forgive her or not has nothing to do with this old woman. Because we didn't experience the hardships you endured after being abandoned by her, so no one is qualified to dictate to you on this matter. If you want to return to Dongyi, you can; if you still want to go back to the Great Yan, you can. This old woman won't say a single extra word. There's only one thing..." At this point, the old matriarch was in tears, "You... can't abandon your maternal grandfather's family just because of your unqualified mother... We didn't know before, but now that we know the truth... how could we just leave you alone..."
Chu Qing felt a pang in her heart.
Nangong Yin was undoubtedly an unqualified mother.
But the Nangong family was innocent in this matter.
The old matriarch still tightly held Wei Ying's hand, fearing that if she let go, the child would leave completely.
"You don't have to worry about what others think of you. If you don't want to come back, then don't. There's no reason to impose others' wishes on yourself. It's just... this old woman only has one wish before she dies, which is for you to..." At this point, the old matriarch seemed unable to continue.
The old matriarch's words really touched Chu Qing's heart.
After all, no one understood the old woman's thoughts better than she did.
She yearned for a reunion but was afraid that too much restraint would make people rebel and leave.
Chu Qing walked to the old woman's side and put her arm around the old and somewhat frail shoulders. "Old... madam, you don't have to be sad. His Highness the Prince of Ning... will figure it out eventually. He understands what others say, but whether he can walk out of that darkness depends entirely on himself. Moreover, he needs time."
Chu Qing almost blurted out "old sister". She felt quite complicated.
To be honest, this old matriarch of the Nangong family was no different from an old sister to her.
But now, it was really hard for her to call her "grandmother".
While Chu Qing was complaining about her own age in her heart, a ray of light suddenly shone into Wei Ying's heart. He couldn't escape anymore.
After struggling in his heart for a while, Wei Ying looked at the old matriarch with a clear look in his eyes and then said, "Madam, I... already understand your intentions. But just as Qingqing said, I need time."
Seeing that Wei Ying was no longer as cold and distant as before, the old matriarch smiled with red eyes. "It's okay, it's okay, child. After all these decades, this old woman can wait."
The fact that the old woman no longer dwelt on this issue made Wei Ying heave a sigh of relief.
After that, the whole family sat together for a meal.
"What are your plans next?" Nangong Siqi was no longer as cautious as before. He was a meticulous person and thought more.
"I want to know who that national teacher is exactly?" Mentioning the national teacher, Wei Ying's face darkened again.
The national teacher of Dongyi didn't always exist.
It was only after Wen Lang returned from the Great Yan and ascended the throne that he ordered the appointment of a national teacher.
The position of national teacher was specially set up for him.
It was said that on his way back to Dongyi, Wen Lang was assassinated, and this national teacher saved him.
As for how the national teacher gained his trust, there were various rumors.
Some said that he helped Wen Lang successfully obtain the throne.
Others said... he fulfilled a wish of Wen Lang's.
Nangong Siqi wracked his brains to say something about this national teacher, but all he could say was just these things.
The national teacher seemed very far away from them. No one really knew this national teacher.
No one knew how his younger sister Nangong Yin had come into contact with him. Moreover, the emperor didn't seem to mind this.
Chu Qing frowned slightly. She really wanted to meet this national teacher now.
She had only seen him from afar in the palace hall before.
Just looking at his appearance, he really did have an otherworldly charm.
...
After the meal, the old matriarch of the Nangong family wanted Chu Qing and the others to stay for a few days, but Wei Ying politely declined.
Although the old matriarch was a bit disappointed, she had no choice but to let them go.
After leaving the Nangong Mansion, Wei Ying and Chu Qing went straight back to the Guest Reception Office.
Sure enough, as soon as they arrived at the Guest Reception Office, someone came up to them and said that the emperor had summoned them.
However, the person timidly added, "The emperor said that if the prince wants to enter the palace, he can; if he doesn't want to, it's okay."
This attitude made the people in the Guest Reception Office somewhat unable to figure out what their emperor was thinking.
According to some eunuchs, the Prince of Ning and his princess were supposed to stay in the palace last night, but somehow, even though the palace gates were already closed, they still managed to get out. And the emperor just let them do as they pleased.
Everyone knew that their emperor always attached great importance to rules and was clear about rewards and punishments.
Was it a bit... beneath his dignity to indulge a foreign prince like this?
But these people could only whisper about it in private. When facing the Prince of Ning, whom the emperor treated with caution, they were still extremely respectful.
Unexpectedly, the Prince of Ning readily agreed.
Chu Qing wasn't surprised by Wei Ying's decision.
Both of them wanted to enter the palace again.
Their goal wasn't Wen Lang but that national teacher.
Especially Chu Qing. She couldn't wait to drag that national teacher out right now and see what kind of person he was.
At least, she had to know why he could so easily judge that Wei Ying was an unlucky star!