The Capital City experienced a heavy rain, water pooled in the courtyard, and crystal-clear raindrops remained on the fallen leaves.
ng Qianqian sat quietly by the window sill, leafing through the maps of the Western Regions’ ten countries.
It had been several days since the Loulan Envoy left the Capital City, and Emperor Liang had recovered from his injuries.
By right, he should have returned to Liang Country to handle state affairs, but he was reluctant to leave his grandmother and a few children, so he wrote another letter to Crown Prince Lu Zhaoyan, asking him to continue as Regent.
However, just this morning, he received news from Miaojiang that Liu Qingyun was about to marry Crown Prince of Liang Country as a Princess of Miaojiang.
As a lord, he must return to Liang Country.
His grandmother was too elderly to withstand the toil of travel.
"Mother, I’ll be back soon."
This ti, returning to Liang Country, besides welcoming his daughter-in-law ho, he also had an important matter to handle.
"Understood."
His grandmother said considerately, "You take care of your matters first, and co keep company when you have ti."
"I will."
Emperor Liang agreed, "Please take good care of your health and don’t stay up too late reading storybooks."
"Yes, yes."
His grandmother waved her hand, "Nagging."
Emperor Liang sighed deeply, reluctantly bidding farewell to his grandmother.
Just as he stepped out of the room, his grandmother casually said, "Go light so incense for Yun’er."
Emperor Liang paused his steps.
His grandmother said, "When you co back next ti, don’t pretend to be your brother anymore."
Emperor Liang looked at his grandmother in disbelief, "Mother..."
His grandmother waved her hand again, unconcerned, "Alright, alright, off you go."
Emperor Liang was beyond shocked.
His mother had long known he wasn’t his brother, she just never ntioned it.
His mother, though seeming a bit muddle-headed, never mistook her own children.
And he wasn’t rely a stand-in for his brother.
Leaving his grandmother’s courtyard, Emperor Liang called Lu Yuan into his own courtyard.
"Are you and Qianqian sure you want to go to the Western Regions?"
Emperor Liang asked.
Lu Yuan nodded, "Yes."
Emperor Liang took a deep breath, "The Loulan King is gravely ill, the current situation in the Western Regions is unstable, and you’ve made enemies with the Loulan Queen, she might have set traps waiting for you."
Lu Yuan said indifferently, "She sets her trap, I’ll keep my appointnt."
"What appointnt."
Emperor Liang asked.
Lu Yuan evaded, saying, "In short, there’s an appointnt."
Emperor Liang knew his little tricks all too well.
As his grandson, he could predict his intentions with just a glance.
"The hostage from the Shang Family might be fake, beware it could be a trap set by the Loulan Queen and that Yucheng Building. Be cautious in everything."
"You’ve beco more cautious."
Lu Yuan remarked with so surprise, "A few months ago, you couldn’t have waited to send off to Loulan imdiately."
Emperor Liang glared at him, "We have elders and children to take care of; if sothing happens to you out there, who will take care of the kids? Your great-grandmother?"
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Isn’t there still you?"
Emperor Liang felt like hitting soone.
The well-behaved and understanding Imperial Grandson from before, he had misplaced his trust.
"It’s not just about finding soone."
Lu Yuan said.
ng Qianqian had promised to take Alina back to her holand.
She always kept her word.
And he was willing to accompany her.
Emperor Liang had heard about the little witch, though he thought soone else could take care of the funeral, he ultimately didn’t interfere with the children’s decision.
Lu Yuan was right.
He had changed.
He was no longer as autocratic as before.
In life, not every road is smooth, and not every decision is correct and risk-free.
Emperor Liang didn’t say anything more.
On a drizzling morning, he boarded a carriage for his return journey.
Treasure Piggy, sitting in ng Qianqian’s arms, waved her chubby hands, "Great-Grandfather, see you later!"
...
ng Qianqian had just returned to the Capital not long ago, and now she had to set off again.
Nanny Li, worried, packed things while wiping her tears.
Ban Xia consoled her, "Nanny Li, Miss is just going with the young lord to inspect the Western Regions, it’s not like they’re not coming back. The young lord is an Imperial Envoy, people will surely receive them in the Western Regions!"
To ensure the smooth journey to the Western Regions, Lu Yuan went to the palace to obtain the Supre Emperor’s approval, taking on the identity of an Imperial Envoy.
Prince Consort Ji Li was also in the traveling party.
On the day of departure, Duan Mingyue ca to the Governor Mansion.
"I have sothing to say to you guys."
He said to Lu Yuan.
"By ’we’ you an..."
Lu Yuan pretended not to know.
Duan Mingyue said, "You and your wife."
Lu Yuan was amused by his wording and gave him so good treatnt, taking him to the study.
ng Qianqian was looking at the map again.
Seeing Duan Mingyue enter, she looked up and greeted him lightly, "Mr. Duan."
Duan Mingyue laughed, "If you don’t mind, follow the third brother and call big brother."
Lu Yuan snorted, "I never acknowledged you as my big brother."
Duan Mingyue chuckled, "Alright, business, I heard you’re going to the Western Regions."
Lu Yuan said, "Your news... is really not tily."
Duan Mingyue shrugged, "I heard earlier but was investigating sothing, only got leads this morning."
ng Qianqian looked at him, "Have you found the rest of the Twelve Guards?"
Duan Mingyue smiled helplessly, "As expected of the Yin Hu Guard, yes, I found their whereabouts, once you’re in the Western Regions, my people will contact you, to help you find the remaining Twelve Guards."
ng Qianqian murmured, "So, the Twelve Guards are also in the Western Regions? Weren’t Zi Shu and Wu Ma in Liang Country recently?"
Duan Mingyue said, "Sothing must have appeared in the Western Regions that attracted them."
ng Qianqian asked suspiciously, "What is it?"
Duan Mingyue said word by word, "The secret of the West Night Holy Daughter."
"What secret?"
"There is a legend on Liuli Island, that whenever the night of Seven Stars in a Row appears, the Holy Daughter will reappear. Last ti, the West Night Holy Daughter appeared on Liuli Island during the celestial phenonon of the Seven Stars in a Row."
"Why haven’t I ever heard of it?"
"The West Night Royal Family has been keeping this secret. I had to go through much trouble to find out."
"Was it you or Xun Wu who went through the trouble?"
Lu Yuan exposed him.
"Alright, alright, let’s not argue about this, give your big brother so face in front of your sister-in-law."
"Since you’re going to the Western Regions, you might as well visit Liuli Island, after all, it’s not far."
ng Qianqian had looked over the map, and to her surprise, Liuli Island was indeed near Loulan.
Si Snake had returned to Liuli Island, maybe they could et Si Snake there.
"But, what does that have to do with the Twelve Guards? Why would they care about the Seven Stars in a Row legend? Does the Western Regions Holy Daughter have so kind of connection with them? Doesn’t seem like it."
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