"I've already discussed with the Prime Minister. When the time comes, we'll take care of the scattered Blue Moon troops and help the reinforcements from the vassal states enter the Vermilion Kingdom."
Grace shot Leon Zane a sideways glance and said, "Evan Xiao, I'm going with you!"
Shannon, you're coming with us," Evan Xiao said.
Shannon nodded, "Yes!"
From what I know, Elder Shane's wife and mother have already been taken to the palace.
Leon Zane pouted and muttered, "It hasn't even started yet, and you're already calling her mother-in-law!"
Evan Xiao nodded. "In Blue Moon Kingdom, I have no parents, no wife—the only one they can use to control me is you. So Colin Gu will likely imprison you, to keep both me and your father in check."
A girl saying something like that... Do you even know what shame is?
Do you know what shame is? Why don't you explain it to me?
You—
"Alright, alright!" Shannon tried to mediate. "Cousin! Grace! Stop fighting the moment you see each other—this is serious business!"
Grace shot Leon Zane a sideways glance and said, "Evan Xiao, I'm going with you!"
"I'm afraid you can't," Evan Xiao replied.
"Why not? I'm officially enlisted now!"
"From what I know, Elder Shane's wife and mother have already been taken to the palace."
"Huh?" Qingluan was stunned. "Hostages?"
Evan Xiao nodded. "In Blue Moon Kingdom, I have no parents, no wife—the only one they can use to control me is you. So Colin Gu will likely imprison you, to keep both me and your father in check."
After a pause, he added, "And your grandmother and mother might also be summoned to the palace."
Qingluan fell silent.
Just then, Chushi was hurriedly brought in by Steward Qin.
Chushi announced that the Empress had issued a decree, summoning the Dowager Lady, Madam, and Qingluan to the palace.
And just like that, it happened.
Qingluan took a deep breath, stood up, and said to Evan Xiao, "Don't worry, you really don't have to worry about us."
Evan Xiao looked at her but said nothing.
Qingluan wanted to hug him, but with so many people around, it wasn't convenient. So she just left.
......
The atmosphere at the Prime Minister's residence was heavy.
Naturally, Zhuo Minghan understood what it meant for them to be summoned to the palace.
He hesitated, torn with worry.
Qingluan went to reassure him, telling Zhuo Minghan that with her there, he could rest easy.
Thinking of her ninth-level cultivation, Zhuo Minghan reluctantly let them go.
Before they left, he repeatedly reminded Qingluan to protect Lian'er and the Dowager Lady. Qingluan promised she would.
Before setting off, Qingluan worried that if they were really held hostage in the palace, her mother would suffer from lack of food and clothing.
So she asked Aunt Xueying to pack plenty of Lian'er's favorite foods and medicinal meals, as well as her usual clothes and daily necessities—all stored in her magical Sanctum.
She even brought along the pot for brewing medicinal meals.
Of course, she also prepared plenty of her own clothes and other things.
......
After entering the palace, they ate with Zhuo Guan'er and chatted about trivial things. Then Zhuo Guan'er asked if they wanted to see the Spirit Tree—she could take them.
"Spirit Tree?" The three of them were stunned. What did she mean?
"Let's go!" Zhuo Guan'er said with a smile, standing up. "I bet neither Sister nor Mother has ever seen the Spirit Tree, right?"
The Dowager Lady glanced at the mysterious bodyguard outside and smiled, "Sure! I saw it once as a child, but I've almost forgotten what it looks like. Empress, please take us to see it."
That bodyguard was Wolf.
He was the bodyguard sent by King Tianpeng of Vermilion Kingdom to serve Emperor Gu.