Long Yue and the others returned to Shengjing City in September.
Though September’s weather remained scorching hot, refreshing autumn breezes began to blow, making mornings and evenings less unbearable.
A carriage slowly approached the city gates.
"Giddy up, giddy up!"
Riders appeared ahead, and upon closer inspection, it was none other than Li Yao, the Left Captain of the Imperial Army, General Li.
He spurred his horse forward, dismounted before the carriage, and saluted, "Subordinate Li Yao, following the Emperor’s orders, here to welco Mr. Li back to the Capital City!"
"Hmm!"
A calm voice echoed from inside the carriage, and Li Yao saluted again before escorting the carriage into the city.
"The Emperor was concerned about Mr. Li encountering danger en route, so he wanted to co out and assist early, but I was delayed due to so issues, hence the tardiness."
Li Qingmu was already nearly at the city gate when Li Yao arrived to assist, which was difficult to explain away, hence his explanation.
Inside, Li Qingmu held the little one, frowning slightly, "What happened?"
Li Yao hesitated briefly.
"Speak!"
"The Emperor was assassinated on the way back."
Li Qingmu’s pupils shrank suddenly, nervously asked, "Was the Emperor injured? Were the culprits caught?"
"The Emperor only suffered superficial wounds, nothing serious. The culprit... committed suicide!"
Li Qingmu’s gaze turned profound, another death soldier!
It’s really laughable—too many death soldiers along the way; where did they all co from?
"Soon, I need to enter the palace to et the Emperor!"
He wanted to see how the Emperor was.
Li Yao actually intended to assist Li Qingmu for this reason as well. Over the years, he had noticed that Qi Yun seed particularly kind and trusting towards Li Qingmu.
Li Qingmu’s response to the Emperor’s trust was simple: no factions, no favoritism, maintaining a certain distance from all officials.
The only close acquaintance was Su Shi, whom he befriended when he first entered the capital, Su the Imperial Censor.
A minister without factions can only rely on the Emperor. Although favored by the Emperor, when this Emperor eventually passes, his situation may beco difficult, or even perilous.
Li Yao, being a military general, naturally was loyal to Qi Yun, who favored military n, but couldn’t understand why Li Qingmu would sacrifice his prospects to serve him?
Even if he wanted to serve, he should have found a backup plan for himself.
"Wah, wah... "
"Oh oh, little baby, don’t cry, don’t cry, hungry?"
From the carriage ca the loud crying of a child and Long Yue’s comforting motherly voice.
Li Qingmu glanced at the fussy little one, turning and said, "I’ll go with Yue’er later!"
Li Yao was montarily surprised and nodded, "Alright!"
Long Yue and Li Qingmu had returned.
The General Mansion was abuzz with a warm welco.
Long Yue held the little darling, glancing around but did not see her grandfather.
"Father left a while ago; it seems the Xiliang people in Xinan have been restless lately. These barbarians just need so discipline!"
Cao Xiao grinned and rubbed his face, revealing a sinister look.
Speaking of it, he also wished to follow his father to Xinan, but Qi Yun insisted he stay in the capital, for reasons unknown?
As a hostage?
That seed unlikely.
"Oh really? What a pity, I wanted grandfather to na the child!"
Long Yue pouted, looking gloomy. The child was almost two months old and still had no na.
No, there was a na, a nickna, Qiuqiu.
Isn’t it funny?
That’s right, Li Qingmu gave that na.
He said the child was a little rascal, calling him rascal wasn’t fitting, so Qiuqiu it was!
Because of this na, Long Yue didn’t fall out with him, but this man, usually ridiculously easy-going towards Long Yue, adamantly refused to change the na, no matter how much he endured punishnt outside.
Alright, when a man becos stubborn, even Long Yue was afraid.
"Qiuqiu, Qiuqiu, little Qiuqiu, why are you silent? Are you contemplating life? Haha..."
Long Yue held her son, the little one staring blankly ahead, seeming really to ponder serious life topics.
Long Yue occasionally prodded him, causing little Qiuqiu lazily to roll over.
"Sir, Madam, the newly constructed residence is ready. Choose an auspicious day, and we can move in."
With a child, it wasn’t suitable for Long Yue and Li Qingmu to stay at the General Mansion any longer, plus her younger brother was going to marry soon.
Living here was awkward?
Fortunately, Qi Yun had previously granted them a large house, now fully equipped, ready to move into.
Long Yue nodded gently, "Alright, you arrange it, I’ll review it later."
The steward replied and left; Long Yue and Li Qingmu bathed and dressed, then went to the Imperial Palace to et the Emperor.
Long Yue brought the child along.
The child’s na; Li Qingmu could have given it, but Long Yue knew he delayed naming him because he wanted Qi Yun to do so.
Upon entering the Imperial Palace, Long Yue saw Eunuch Xiao Chen and Chen Yan.
Seeing Long Yue and Li Qingmu, he bead with smiles. Though the adopted son of Chen Zhong and loyal to Qi Yun, he had one flaw: slick!
Slick people are easily driven by interests, usable but not worthy of heavy responsibilities.
No wonder Chen Zhong always served Qi Yun personally, while Chen Yan rely ran errands...
The thought crossed Long Yue’s mind as they followed Li Qingmu into Qi Yun’s chambers.
Here, she saw Chen Zhong looking distressed and Qi Yun half reclined on the Dragon Bed reading.
"Your servant (Minister’s Wife), pays homage to Your Majesty, long live forever!"
The couple bowed, Qi Yun put down his book and looked over.
His gaze was very calm, not the least bit agitated despite the assassination attempt, "Returned?"
"Yes!"
"On this journey, did you encounter any danger?"
"No."
"Good, that’s fine. With Duanmu Nan around, ordinary riffraff indeed would not dare act."
Qi Yun sighed with relief, he was truly worried when Li Qingmu and his wife separated from the main group, unguarded.
Thankfully, all was well.
His gaze fell on the baby in Long Yue’s arms, his eyes squinting with infinite affection.
"Born already? A boy or a girl?"
"A little boy."
Li Qingmu took the child and approached Qi Yun, and as soon as Qiuqiu was in Li Qingmu’s big hands, he began to squirm, his little mouth ready to pout, "Wah—".
This troublemaker!
Li Qingmu’s face darkened, causing disgrace before his wife was one thing, now even before the Emperor was infuriating.
"No crying!"
Li Qingmu wore a stern face.
The result, "Wah wah wah...", the child cried louder.
Qi Yun couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the father-son commotion.
"Co here, let hold him!"
Qi Yun seed in good spirits watching Li Qingmu’s plight and reached out to take little Qiuqiu, cradling him in his arms.
Surprisingly, the little one stopped fussing imdiately.
"Oh, Your Majesty, you’ve earned your title as a sage. This child is fond of you!" Chen Zhong laughed beside them.
Qi Yun nodded, pinching little Qiuqiu’s cheek, "Years ago, I didn’t hold you, so holding him now is nice!"
Uh...
The scene suddenly beca quiet.
After saying that, Qi Yun regretted it sowhat, an oversight amid his happiness.
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