8: Come to my sister's place

Even after leaving the Imperial Study, Mo Yingqi was still in a state of disbelief.

With this string of events, he couldn't react or understand. To be honest, this truly exceeded the limits of his comprehension.

"Imperial Son-in-Law, this way, please." The Eunuch guided him forward. "Apologies, Imperial Son-in-Law, the Grand Chancellors of the Cabinet will be arriving at the Imperial Study soon. The Emperor means that it is best you do not run into them, to avoid trouble."

"No matter, it's appropriate." Mo Yingqi didn't mind. "Thank you, Eunuch, for seeing me out."

"Imperial Son-in-Law is too kind. In the future, we will rely on Imperial Son-in-Law for patronage." The Eunuch said respectfully. "Your servant will take you now. Please, Imperial Son-in-Law, do not wander. There are many rules in the Grand Palace, so please bear with us."

Mo Yingqi said nothing. The Imperial Palace wasn't his own backyard; how could he stroll around freely? But as he walked, Mo Yingqi felt that something was amiss.

"Um, Eunuch, why are there fewer and fewer people the further we walk?"

"Imperial Son-in-Law need not panic. Her Ladyship instructed this servant to have you walk through the Imperial Garden to enjoy the scenery." The Eunuch appeared unconcerned. "Since it is Her Ladyship's Decree, this servant naturally dares not disobey, wouldn't you agree?"

Mo Yingqi was even more confused. What was so great about the Imperial Garden? But being inside the palace, he could only follow behind the Eunuch, allowing himself to be led into the Imperial Garden.

"We have arrived, Imperial Son-in-Law. Please wait a moment; palace staff will escort you out." The Eunuch turned and bowed deeply to Mo Yingqi. "Your servant has other duties, so I shall take my leave."

"Wait, Eunuch, this..."

Before Mo Yingqi could finish speaking, the Eunuch turned and hurried away. Although he was walking, he looked swift as if flying... as if terrified of being chased by someone with a knife.

"What kind of arrangement is this?" Mo Yingqi scratched his head. "Just dump someone here and leave?"

Although the Imperial Garden was beautiful, Mo Yingqi was currently filled with questions and had no mind to admire the scenery. Moreover, as a Flying Fish Guard, he looked completely out of place here.

Occasionally, a few palace maids passed by. They were surprised to see him, but quickly seemed to recall something, then uniformly bowed: "Greetings, Imperial Son-in-Law."

Wait... Mo Yingqi felt that the fact he was the Imperial Son-in-Law must be known throughout the entire Imperial Palace? Given this situation, wouldn't the news spread across the Capital City in a few days?

"Greetings, Imperial Son-in-Law."

A few more palace maids came over and bowed to him. Mo Yingqi thought they would leave immediately, as this was the inner perimeter of the Imperial Palace, and even palace staff shouldn't stare rashly. However, these maids did not leave after bowing. The one leading them said respectfully, "Imperial Son-in-Law, the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess invite you to the pavilion over there for a chat."

"Ah? This, this is not proper etiquette..."

After saying that, Mo Yingqi found it amusing. Two Legitimate Princesses marrying him, one man, was already against propriety, yet they weren't even married yet. Although the customs of This Dynasty were relatively open, meeting before marriage, especially with royal daughters... But then he thought, this might be an opportunity. He could seize the chance to meet the princesses, and perhaps only they could answer why this was happening.

Following the palace maids to a pavilion, Mo Yingqi couldn't help but frown. Unlike the ordinary palace staff who had come to find him, those guarding the pavilion, although dressed as palace staff, were clearly martial artists—a fact Mo Yingqi could discern with his experience.

"Judging by their stance, they are likely Martial Experts, and... probably Masters of Light Footwork."

Mo Yingqi was surprised, especially since this was the inner perimeter of the Imperial Palace. These staff held short knives, and their demeanor differed from ordinary palace staff.

Outside the pavilion, a tall woman dressed as a Female Official stood with her hands clasped in front of her. Her almond eyes held a heroic spirit no less than a man's. When Mo Yingqi saw the Female Official, his pupils involuntarily contracted.

"Long time no see, Young Master Yingqi." The woman smiled. "It's been five years since we parted ways in the Northern Border, hasn't it?"

"Elder Sister Ying Hong?" Mo Yingqi never expected that his old acquaintance would now be a Female Official in the palace. "Why are you here?"

"Young Master Yingqi... no, rather, Imperial Son-in-Law. This servant is the Personal Maid of the young ladies, so naturally, I must follow them." Ying Hong smiled slightly. "Since this servant has said this, I presume Imperial Son-in-Law must have guessed?"

Mo Yingqi felt... even more absurd! He wasn't stupid, but if Ying Hong said so... an ominous feeling kept magnifying in his heart. Stepping into the pavilion, he saw sitting on the chairs... Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning.

Although five years had passed and their looks had become more mature and stunning, Mo Yingqi recognized them instantly.

So, it seemed nothing needed to be said now. Mo Yingqi quickly bowed low: "Your Humble Servant, Zhenfu Division Banner Commander Mo Yingqi, greets..."

"Yingqi, come here." Luo Yongan smiled and extended her hand. "Be obedient, come to your Elder Sister."

"Your Humble Servant dares not..." Mo Yingqi's feelings were extremely complicated. "Your Humble Servant does not know... why the two Princesses would, why they would choose Your Humble Servant to be Imperial Son-in-Law."

"Yingqi, are you blaming us?" Luo Yongning's voice trembled slightly, carrying a sense of inexplicable hurt. "Leaving without a word back then was due to circumstances beyond our control."

"Your Humble Servant dares not." Mo Yingqi lowered his head, his eyes fixed only on the flagstones before him. "The two Princesses are of noble birth; Your Humble Servant is merely a nobody. How could I harbor resentment?"

It was false to say he harbored no resentment. Mo Yingqi always appeared smiling, but in reality, childhood family upheaval had made him cold and emotionally detached.

It was as if he had been eroded by the perennial snow and wind of the Northern Border. Furthermore, his Master had told him more than once: "One who wields a blade needs no heart, needs no mercy. Since you have chosen your future path, do not regret it, and never look back."

But humans are not plants; who can truly be completely cold and detached? Two rays of light entered Mo Yingqi's childhood. At that time, he didn't even know the true names of Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning. Even their names back then, Wei'er and Xue'er, were merely aliases.

Not to mention the fact that they were imperial relatives, the legitimate daughters of a Prince.

Yet, this pair of sisters truly warmed his childhood, and during his naive youth, they gave him his first taste of subtle and innocent affection.

He just hadn't expected that in the year he turned 15, without any warning or even a letter left behind, the two sisters vanished overnight.

"Yingqi, since you know we are Legitimate Princesses, you should understand that for us, there were too many things beyond our control." Luo Yongan slowly rose and walked step by step to Mo Yingqi's side, then leaned down and pulled him up. "I apologize for not looking for you for five years. For the past year, Yongning and I have known you were in the Pacification Bureau and have been quietly watching over you. Only now can we openly come to your side."

"Yingqi, Yongning and I... we never forgot you. Whether you believe it or not, we... have always been waiting, waiting to be able to marry you like this."