Because they had spent quite a bit of time helping a cow give birth at the home of a farmer... It definitely wasn’t because Mr. Zi Wu took so long. By the time the group returned to the Capital City, it was already past midnight.
Ji Feng held the Token of the Crown Prince Mansion, and had the guards at the city gates open the doors.
Lu Zhaoyan, worried that the carriage was too bumpy, instructed Ji Feng to slow down.
Lu Yuan said nonchalantly, "The old man can handle a bit of bumping."
Mr. Zi Wu looked at Lu Yuan expressionlessly.
Without batting an eye, Lu Yuan replied, "Sir, your vigor remains undiminished, brimming with health, full of vitality, unyielding and as mighty as in your prime."
Earlier on their way, Lu Yuan had sat between Lu Zhaoyan and Lu Qi.
On the way back, with Mr. Zi Wu joining them, Lu Yuan sat beside him, while Lu Qi sat next to the Crown Prince.
All the climbing up and down mountains had left Lu Qi more fatigued than ever before. His body felt as though it was falling apart as he dozed off in the carriage.
His head slowly leaned onto Lu Zhaoyan’s shoulder.
Lu Yuan crossed his arms, watching the father and son share a tender moment with a cold expression.
Suddenly, he let out a sharp scoff and extended his hand, mercilessly pushing Lu Qi’s head to one side.
Lu Zhaoyan: "..."
Within the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study Room was brightly lit.
Eunuch Yu carried a bowl of chicken soup into the room with measured steps. Watching the Emperor work late into the night, he let out a long sigh. "Your Majesty, it’s late. You should rest."
Emperor Liang pinched his slightly sore temples. "Is there any news from the Crown Prince’s side?"
Eunuch Yu placed the chicken soup on the table and shook his head softly. "No news yet. The night air is chilly. Please have some soup to warm yourself."
Emperor Liang picked up the bowl and took a few sips, saying, "If nothing es up, I’ll make the journey myself another day."
"Your Majesty, is Mr. Zi Wu truly so important?"
Eunuch Yu wasn’t trying to meddle in court matters. He had served the Emperor since his youth, weathering countless storms together over the decades. pared to the fate of Great Liang, he was more concerned about the Emperor’s health.
The journey to the old temple wasn’t a short one, and the mountain was steep to climb.
Emperor Liang replied, "Mr. Zi Wu holds the same importance to me as the Jade Seal."
Eunuch Yu was taken aback.
He had never expected such an answer.
After finishing the soup, Emperor Liang was just about to return to reviewing official documents when a eunuch’s voice came from outside the Imperial Study Room. "Your Majesty, Ji Feng requests an audience!"
Emperor Liang’s gaze flickered. He quickly said, "Let him in."
Ji Feng entered the Imperial Study Room and respectfully saluted Emperor Liang. "Your Majesty."
A slight shift appeared in Emperor Liang’s expression. "Speak quickly!"
Ji Feng reported, "Mr. Zi Wu has left the mountain!"
Emperor Liang exclaimed in astonishment, "Truly?"
Ji Feng replied, "Yes. Early this morning, the Crown Prince personally went to Mr. Zi Wu’s residence. By nightfall, Mr. Zi Wu agreed to leave the mountain and pledged his loyalty to the Crown Prince."
Mr. Zi Wu had plainly stated his allegiance was to the Crown Prince.
Emperor Liang didn’t mind.
The Crown Prince was his chosen successor.
Loyalty to the Crown Prince was, in essence, loyalty to the Imperial Family of Great Liang.
He didn’t doubt his son, believing him unfit to rule.
Joy spread through Emperor Liang’s heart; even the wrinkles on his brow seemed to ease. "What did Mr. Zi Wu say?"
Ji Feng recounted every word Mr. Zi Wu had said at the farmer’s home to Emperor Liang.
Eunuch Yu chuckled. "Your Majesty, as expected, your strategy worked. Sending both the Crown Prince and the mandery Prince to invite Mr. Zi Wu—they truly succeeded in bringing him out of the mountain!"
Emperor Liang stood and took a few steps around the Imperial Study Room, smiling as he said, "This child carries the fate of Great Liang on his shoulders. At first, I had some doubts, but now, they’re pletely dispelled. I’d like to see who in the court dares to question Qi’er’s status as the Guardian Qilin of the nation!"
Eunuch Yu laughed heartily. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness the mandery Prince!"
Emperor Liang smiled. "Tomorrow, after court, I’ll visit the Crown Prince Mansion in person to pay my respects to Mr. Zi Wu!"
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