Chapter 187: Chapter 187: The Plan
The blizzard was too intense. Even though the males huddled closely, a cold wind still cut across Wen Shu’s cheek, bringing a sharp sting.
She pulled aside her robe and looked out through the gap, seeing the world covered in flying snow, drawn into slanted lines disappearing rapidly backward.
Nan had transformed into his beast form, carrying them toward the Royal City, but the snow was so heavy it obscured the vision. Considering this, Yining was standing on the back of the Snowy Owl, guiding the way.
Meanwhile, dozens of bird beasts flew arduously around them.
This was the biggest snowfall they had encountered since arriving in the Yisha Empire.
Has the Divine Tree reached its limit?
Wen Shu gazed at the thick snow lines in the air, worry budding in her heart.
Luckily, as they approached the Royal City, the snow gradually lessened.
As the Flying Beast landed, everyone shook off the snow accumulated on their robes, appearing visibly shaken, "Is the apocalypse, is the apocalypse really coming?"
"In the past, let alone the Royal City region, the entire Southern Continent never had such heavy snow!"
"Have we angered the Divine Tree?"
From the Royal City to their residence, the Beastmen they passed were rushing about, discussing anxiously and fearfully.
Listening along the way, Wen Shu couldn’t help but feel a bit heavy-hearted. She sat in a soft chair, discussing with the males about advancing their plans, but before she could finish, there was a knock on the door.
"Is Wen Shu’s female present?"
Wen Shu paused, opened the door, and saw a gown glittering with streaming light and encrusted with Black Gemstones, quietly lying on a Glazed Tray.
A male dressed in a court uniform smiled obsequiously, "Her Majesty the Queen sent me to deliver this dress for you. Her Majesty hopes you will wear it to tomorrow’s banquet."
At such a time, the Queen still had the mind to hold a banquet?
"I will. Please thank Her Majesty the Queen for me."
Wen Shu closed the door, placed the tray on the small side table, and observed it carefully, thinking it somewhat strange; the material of the dress was overly luxurious.
Yining, who had much contact with the court, pressed her fingertips on a corner of the dress, her brow slightly moving, "Why would the Queen send such a styled dress?"
Before Wen Shu could ask, Nan stepped closer, glanced at it lightly, took her hand, and led her back to the soft chair, whispering, "Only Royal Family members could wear such styles."
He tightened his palm, looking thoughtfully at Wen Shu.
Afraid she would worry, he slightly curled the corners of his lips, "It’s indeed against the rules, but after all, she’s the Queen, it’s not good to embarrass her. Here’s what we’ll do..."
He glanced at Wu Xuan and the other three, "Which one of you will be in the Royal Palace to receive Ashu, and bring her a new set of clothes?"
Nan smiled, but inside he was a bit displeased.
He wasn’t lying; that was indeed attire only the Royal Family could wear, but the Royal Family consisted of more than just the Queen and Prince; their spouses could wear it as well.
"We take the items, leave the dress and leave directly, it’s not like we’re taking advantage of them."
Also, it would prevent someone from using this to get close to Ashu.
Luo Fei heard the implications in his words, vaguely understood, and thought of that time in Bain City, when Prince Youna sent food to Wen Shu.
He knew that guy had impure intentions; lacking the courage to approach directly, he turned his attention to this matter!
Luo Fei wrinkled his nose displeasedly, resting one hand on his forehead, a malevolent thought crossing his mind, "I..."
But before he could finish, Mious, who had remained silent, interrupted, "I’ll do it."
Sitting across from Wen Shu, his cold features were shrouded in shadow, and his voice was low and deep, "Of the five of us, only my juvenile beast form is small enough, making infiltration into the rear hall safer."
Luo Fei raised a brow slightly, seemingly surprised that Mious would speak up; this black snake had been playing the enigmatic since asking a few questions that night.
He thought Mious would give up, but unexpectedly, at this moment, his mind became active again.
However, not wanting to miss the opportunity to exclude a rival, Luo Fei didn’t want to give away the chance freely.
"Let’s forget it," Luo Fei rested his hands on the armrests and leaned back slightly, implying, "What if you suddenly have some important matter and leave Ashu alone in the rear hall? I wouldn’t feel at ease."
He wore a challenging expression, and after days of listening to such mockery, Mious’s face remained unchanged despite the bitterness in his heart.
He raised his eyes to meet Wen Shu’s gaze, his fingers trembled slightly, gripping his hand tightly, his green eyes flashing with sincerity, "Ashu, trust me, let me accompany you."
Luo Fei, seeing his unchanging expression, was unwilling to back down. He held Wen Shu’s hand and raised his brow, "I’ll go with you."
Head aching from their quarrel, Wen Shu withdrew her hand and leaned back into Wu Xuan’s embrace.
She had already made up her mind, and since it was about to be carried out, she said it directly, "Luo Fei, you’re the fastest flyer, meet us at the city gate."
The words were stuck in his throat as Luo Fei put his crossed leg back on the ground, opened his mouth to retort, but a glare from Wen Shu made him stop, reluctantly saying, "Got it!"
"Yining, you were also invited, if you can’t get away, help us stall for time."
Wen Shu looked at Yining, saw him nod, and held Nan and Wu Xuan’s hands, "Nan will go with me, so any danger can be mitigated quickly, Wu Xuan will meet us outside the Royal Palace. As for Mious..."
"Your juvenile beast form is the smallest, remember to be careful when scouting, if you get a chance to succeed first, leave immediately, we’ll catch up with you soon." She looked at the male opposite her.
When it comes to matters of life and death, Mious never handles things carelessly, she trusted him on this point.
"Do you have any other suggestions?"
Wen Shu’s arrangements were reasonable, except for Luo Fei’s scowling face. The males looked at her with admiration, their eyes shining bright with agreement.
In the Illusion Realm, they had witnessed Wen Shu as the Deputy Commander, leading the people at Dawn Base out of the zombie siege—a shocking scene.
Yet in reality, this was the first time they truly felt her identity as a leader so vividly.
Wu Xuan, closest to her, couldn’t see her serious expression, but hearing her resolute voice, his heart trembled.
Noticing their gaze, Wen Shu sensed a familiar feeling.
In the apocalypse, those who had just joined the base and clamored to worship her, always showed this expression.
Indeed, she still wasn’t accustomed to such looks.
Feeling slightly awkward, she relaxed her brows to ease the atmosphere, "That’s settled then, flying all night must be exhausting, let’s go rest!"
Wen Shu glanced back at Wu Xuan, seeing him dazed, she tightened her grip on his arm, "I’m tired."
Wu Xuan snapped back to reality, blinked his golden eyes, his arm slightly strengthened as he pulled her into his embrace, lowering his voice gently, "Sleep, Ashu."
The two got up and left, Luo Fei glanced at Mious, then stood and followed immediately. Yining came to the Yisha Empire for the first time in the identity of the High Priest, to prepare the gift for Queen Niss.
Soon, only Mious and Nan were left in the living room, both silent without words, after a long silence, it was the taciturn Mious who first spoke.
"Nan."
His stagnant gaze slowly withdrew from the staircase where Wen Shu disappeared, asking his rival for opinion, "Ashu, will she never forgive me..."
Although he didn’t know what happened, after these days of interaction, Nan roughly understood the current situation.
Luo Fei was not a good person, let him squeeze out Mious, and later he might cause more trouble, but...
Thinking of Wen Shu, Nan’s heart was filled with warmth, she always softened for those who treated her sincerely.
Mious was no fool, as long as he persisted, Luo Fei would not have his way.
"Mious, sincerity is most important..." Nan murmured softly as he turned to leave.
At noon the next day, the lingering joy from the Divine Tree celebration temporarily dispelled the fear in the Beastmen’s hearts, the melodious music combined with the cheerful laughter reached the castle.
Wen Shu dressed in a long gown, was tidying the red gold decorations on Wu Xuan’s collar, when a prompting voice sounded from outside the door.
"Ashu, the carriage from the Royal Palace has arrived."
"Coming!"
Fastening the last button, she clapped her hands in satisfaction, as her eyebrows relaxed, Wu Xuan suddenly leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss on her lips.
The scorching sensation vanished in an instant.
Wen Shu lightly pursed her lips, looked up at Wu Xuan, saw his golden eyes sparkling, an ear tip blushing, and her heart felt light.
"Let’s go."
With reddened ears, she walked towards the door, a low voice sounded from behind, "Ashu, am I very clumsy..."
Wen Shu turned puzzled, seeing his dark eyes, she held his arm, "It’s normal to not be able to see the collar."
Hearing her words, Wu Xuan’s lips curved, staring straight at her, "Then, could you help me in the future?"
"Of course."
Wen Shu nodded without hesitation, but upon noticing his sparkling eyes, she understood, grabbing his arm with a laugh and tease, "Wu Xuan, you’ve learned bad habits from Luo Fei!"
The two were still laughing as they boarded the Royal carriage.
At this moment, a distinctly jointed hand lifted the curtain, Nan bent forward and entered, sitting close to Wen Shu, lowering his voice, "Mious has already set off."
