Feng Yexuan's arrival was not unexpected by Chu Qianli. A master like him could come and go freely, not just from the princess's manor, but even from the imperial palace. However, tonight, he brought someone with him. Long Ziyue. This did surprise Chu Qianli.
"Did Prince Dingqin also...?"
"Mother is gone." Long Ziyue's eyes immediately welled up. But she still managed to control her emotions, "A'Li, don't be sad. Mother knew what she was doing. She was just unwilling to pass away without seeing Princess Xiyue reclaim everything."
Long Ziyue suddenly knelt down with a thud. "Greetings, Your Highness!"
With these words, everything was made clear. Chu Qianli was not surprised. Prince Dingqin had traded his life for his daughter's freedom to leave the palace. When she made that decision, she should have known that the person assisting Chu Qianli in the future would inevitably be her daughter, Long Ziyue. Chu Qianli's identity would naturally need to be revealed to Long Ziyue as well. She was just puzzled that Feng Yexuan showed no surprise at Long Ziyue's demeanor. Although Long Ziyue was also somewhat surprised, Mr. Feng Si was of great help to them at this moment.
This matter could probably no longer be kept secret. Long Ziyue said, "Long Tianliu has ordered troops to intercept Wei Qiong and my army. The outside is already in chaos. We must evacuate."
She looked at Chu Qianli, her gaze passing over her, and through the screen, she glanced at the figure on the bed inside. Tie Xin guarded the outside, and inside, there was only Feng Wuya. Long Ziyue knew her request was unreasonable, but they were out of options now.
"Wei Qiong has already sent General Wei's token to the various generals. We are now waiting for Your Highness to return and unite the army, striking directly at the heart of the enemy." How many years had everyone waited! Princess Xiyue's daughter had finally returned; Chu Qianli was the true candidate for the throne of the Longteng Kingdom! Long Tianliu's ascension to the throne was illegitimate. Few who were loyal to the late emperor truly submitted to her. Everyone knew that the late emperor's murder and Princess Xiyue's forced exile to another country were all Long Tianliu's doing. It was just that evidence was lacking. But they were still waiting, waiting for the day Princess Xiyue would return!
"Your Highness, General Long's son, Long Feifan, has also joined forces with the Prince of Zhennan. We are all waiting! As long as Your Highness gives the order, we can unite all our forces and attack Longcheng." But before Chu Qianli returned, the three armies still dared not move rashly. Without seeing the descendant of Princess Xiyue, the generals dared not act recklessly! The army could not be without a commander; now, they were just waiting for Chu Qianli!
Chu Qianli turned her head and glanced at the figure on the bed through the screen. "With Wuya's current condition, I cannot leave at all." If he did not wake up in two more days, even she would be helpless!
"Mr. Feng Si, could you take Prince Xiaoyao with you?" Long Ziyue asked urgently. Feng Yexuan looked at Chu Qianli. He was not a doctor, and he was temporarily unclear about Wuya's condition. However, all of this must prioritize Wuya's safety. As long as there was danger, he could not move Wuya's body carelessly.
Chu Qianli said helplessly, "He cannot be moved carelessly now, we..."
Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard from outside. Tie Xin, who was guarding the door, shouted, "Greetings, Grand Princess."
"Who are you tipping off?" Long Xinghe was exceptionally intelligent. Seeing Tie Xin's expression, she immediately understood. After Jiang Tao stopped Tie Xin, Long Xinghe pushed open the door and quickly entered. Inside the room, Long Ziyue had already stood up and was standing beside Feng Yexuan, her hand on her waist, looking defensive. This was a gesture of being ready to draw her sword at any moment.
However, she did not expect Long Xinghe to seem not surprised to see them, nor did she show any anger. She merely glanced at them and then looked at Chu Qianli, "How is Wuya's condition now? Can he be moved?" These words surprised both Long Ziyue and Feng Yexuan. Chu Qianli shook her head, "He must not be moved carelessly within three days."
Long Xinghe wanted to go in, but Feng Si stepped forward and blocked her path. "I have no ill intentions towards Wuya!" But Feng Si still stood in front of the screen, refusing to let her approach. Long Xinghe felt a bit stifled, but she knew very well that the person in front of her was a supreme master. If a fight broke out, her guards would not have arrived to protect her before she might have already died by Feng Si's sword.
"I truly have no ill intentions." Long Xinghe had changed her usual demeanor; she looked very weary today. "Why is it so chaotic outside?" Chu Qianli asked. Actually, Chu Qianli should have been the clearest about Long Xinghe's feelings for Feng Wuya. That night, her arm was hit by a bullet, but she guarded here all night, completely disregarding her own wound, just to protect Feng Wuya. Her former senior sister had never been in love in that era. Apart from being somewhat foolishly loyal and obeying the leader of the Wolf Domain without reservation, her personality was otherwise very strong. Once such a person sincerely fell in love with a man, it would likely be difficult to change her mind. It would be for a lifetime.
"Consort An has brought the imperial guards. She knows you are here." Long Xinghe was indeed in a state of panic. She had known the princess's manor would not escape this calamity, but she had not expected it to happen so quickly. She had thought Her Majesty the Empress was busy dealing with Wei Qiong and Long Ziyue and would give her a few more days, not bothering her during this time. Then she could use these days to let Chu Qianli treat Wuya with peace of mind. She did not expect that it was only the second day, and the Empress's guard legion had already arrived.
Long Xinghe looked at Chu Qianli, her expression somewhat solemn, "Her Majesty has heard that Long Xiyue's daughter has returned." Long Ziyue's five fingers gripping the sword hilt instantly tightened. Although Feng Si remained outwardly calm, his killing intent instantly radiated outwards. Chu Qianli, however, remained expressionless, her eyes showing no ripples.
"What do you want to say?" she asked. "Her Majesty suspects that you are Long Xiyue's daughter, and your whereabouts here have been leaked for some unknown reason." It seemed there were also Her Majesty's spies in her princess's manor. The royal family truly had little familial affection; she would arrange for people around the Empress, and the Empress also knew to send people to watch her.
"Consort An wants me to hand you over."
"Don't even think about touching a single hair of hers!" Feng Si's voice was hoarse and cold. True energy was already accumulating beneath his palm. Long Xinghe quickly said, "If I truly wanted to hand her over, I would have brought the imperial guards in by now, instead of coming alone to take this risk!" Finally, her gaze passed over the screen, looking at Feng Wuya's peaceful profile.
"A'Li, she is not my mother, I don't care about her! The only person I care about now is Wuya. If you trust me, let's cooperate again!"