Chapter 24

Qin Xiyi took the long way around, and it took her two months to finally return to Zhao Kingdom.

Fortunately, the journey, though eventful, was ultimately safe.

All along the way, she inquired, only to learn that Liang Kingdom was already in utter chaos, and news of Cheng Mozhi had almost completely vanished.

Bringing her child, she arrived at the capital of Zhao Kingdom, where a well-dressed young official met her and escorted her into the city.

The young official’s name was Han Su, and he served as the Imperial Guard Commander. He bowed deeply and said, “Father Emperor knows the princess has returned to the city and specifically ordered me to come and welcome you. First, I will escort the princess back to her residence to rest, and then you can enter the palace to meet His Majesty.”

Qin Xiyi knew Han Su; he was Prime Minister Han Liang’s only son. It was only now that she realized Han Su was actually Qin Luoke’s new consort.

As soon as she returned to the Princess’s Manor, Qin Xiyi immediately sent someone to inquire about Cheng Mozhi’s whereabouts, but the servant came back shortly after leaving.

To her surprise, the Princess’s Manor gate had been locked, and they said that without Commander Han’s order, no one was allowed to enter or leave.

Qin Xiyi sneered. Her own Father Emperor couldn’t even bother with superficial pleasantries anymore.

Little Crown Prince Liang Ying, despite the new environment, wasn’t happy in the slightest and remained sullen and unhappy all day.

Qin Xiyi pressed him repeatedly, and only then did Liang Ying, with red-rimmed eyes, say, “Mother, is that uncle really my father?”

Qin Xiyi was astonished that this child, not yet four years old, actually understood the implication. She picked up the child and placed him on her lap.

“Ying’er, do you not like that uncle being your father?”

Liang Ying shook his head, his voice thick with tears. “Ying’er likes him, but Father didn’t come back with us. Ying’er misses him…”

Qin Xiyi comforted him for a long time, until she had coaxed Liang Ying to sleep. Only then did the urgency in her heart truly emerge.

Three days had already passed. She couldn’t wait any longer; she had to know the situation in Liang Kingdom.

She demanded that the guards at the gate let her pass; she wanted to immediately enter the palace to meet His Majesty.

But instead of an imperial decree allowing her into the palace, an unwelcome guest arrived.