"Qilin?"
Emperor Liang was greatly shocked. "Sir, do you an—"
Mr. Zimu softly replied, "Your Majesty has two Imperial Grandsons, but there is only one Qilin, and it resides in the Crown Prince Mansion."
Emperor Liang furrowed his brows and asked, "Sir believes that Yuan’er is the Guardian Qilin?"
Mr. Zimu t Emperor Liang’s sharp gaze and calmly said, "It’s not what this humble one believes, but heaven’s will dictates so."
That was clearly inconsistent with the State Preceptor’s prophecy.
Emperor Liang withdrew his gaze and turned toward the lush, green branches outside the window. "Though I have long admired your renowned reputation, Qi’er was brought back to the Imperial City by the State Preceptor. Your opinion rather contradicts his, which puts in a quandary."
Hearing these words, Mr. Zimu did not imdiately launch into a fervent argunt. Instead, he chuckled and calmly said, "Your Majesty has heard this humble one’s words and feels conflicted, rather than accusing of spreading slanderous lies. Doesn’t this alone prove that Your Majesty is not fully satisfied with the current Qilin?"
Emperor Liang paused and sighed, shaking his head. "It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with Qi’er."
Lu Qi was the first Imperial Grandson he acknowledged, the one who shattered the curse of his being childless. The hope and joy Lu Qi brought him were irreplaceable.
But Yuan’er is indeed extraordinary, making him experience the genuine warmth of familial bonds.
Yuan’er is also irreplaceable.
Both are dear to him.
If there’s anything troubling him, it’s likely Prince Jin’s scheming against his brothers that left him disappointed.
Naturally, in the Royal Family, sibling rivalries are inevitable.
This throne is bound to be fought over fiercely.
Grandsons can be nurous, but Emperor Liang understood that the Guardian Qilin could only be one.
"Matters concerning the nation’s foundation must be handled with the utmost caution."
These words from Emperor Liang were already quite courteous toward Mr. Zimu.
After all, in Emperor Liang’s mind, Lu Qi was deeply ingrained. If it weren’t for Lu Yuan’s endearing qualities... Emperor Liang might have long expelled Mr. Zimu from the Imperial Palace.
Mr. Zimu also understood that overturning Lu Qi’s position was no easy task.
He bowed and said, "Your Majesty needs rest after attending to state affairs from dawn until dusk. This humble one has only disturbed you over a casual divination. Your Majesty need not dwell on it overly."
Emperor Liang said, "I understand your intent, sir. No need for indirect persuasion."
Mr. Zimu thought: As expected from a family of sharp tongues.
Emperor Liang turned to Eunuch Yu and said, "Escort Mr. Zimu."
Mr. Zimu tactfully rose and said, "This humble one takes his leave."
Eunuch Yu politely said, "Mr. Zimu, this way please."
After leaving the palace, Mr. Zimu boarded the carriage bound for the Crown Prince Mansion.
The mont he lifted the curtain, he was startled by the sight of a carriage packed with heads.
Who could explain to him where all these weird people ca from?
White-haired ones, blue-eyed ones, a child polishing a bow, and a masked killer.
"Why are even Thousand chanism Pavilion people here?"
Mr. Zimu’s gaze landed on Shangguan Ling.
Shangguan Ling cupped his hands. "Greetings to you, sir."
The carriage was so tightly packed that Mr. Zimu had nowhere to put his feet.
"Yu Zichuan."
Lu Yuan spoke faintly.
"Oh."
Yu Zichuan lifted the curtain and climbed onto the roof of the carriage.
Shangguan Ling imdiately dragged him down and pressed him into the outer seat. "Get down! Do you want the world to recognize you or sothing?"
Yu Zichuan’s face turned dark with indignation.
He had just wiped three strokes on the left.
As soon as Shangguan Ling released him, he flew back up to the roof, swiftly wiped three strokes on the right side of the bow, and then settled comfortably onto the outer seat.
"Rooster Guard, Ji Li."
"Chen Long."
"Si Snake."
The three introduced themselves to Mr. Zimu in turn.
Mr. Zimu: "...I don’t want to get involved in your shady sches."
Lu Yuan: "Too late."
Ji Li shook his folding fan. "Since the sir has uncovered our identities, from now on, we’re all stuck in the sa boat."
Mr. Zimu: "I refuse."
Ji Li smiled and extended his hand. "May I trouble you to return the Compass and tortoiseshell to ?"
Mr. Zimu sat in the seat vacated by Yu Zichuan and pulled the items out from his wide sleeves, handing them back to Ji Li.
Lu Yuan asked, "How did it go? Did His Majesty believe it?"
Mr. Zimu glared at him. "I’m not His Majesty; go ask him yourself."
Ji Li shook his folding fan and said, "I guess it won’t be that easy to shake Thousand chanism Pavilion and Lu Qi."
Chen Long coldly stared at Lu Yuan. "It’s still all your fault for being so inferior. Your studies don’t asure up, your virtue is lacking, and at the Imperial Palace, all you do is indulge in eating, drinking, and making trouble. Pretending to be a Qilin? At least fake it convincingly!"
Lu Yuan leisurely replied, "I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t bother arguing with you."
Chen Long sneered. "If you can’t win, you can’t win; stop creating excuses for yourself."
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