The peerless and dark princess

The Queen gradually calmed down after hearing what the old maid said. "Mammy, that's right. Since the sons of several masters have come to propose marriage, shouldn't my family also do their bit? I've won so much glory for our family over the years, so it's time for them to help me out in this matter, right?"

"Your Majesty, your mother said she would send the second son of the family to the Prince of Yan's mansion to test the waters. Don't worry, Your Majesty, I understand this matter." With that, the nanny left and summoned someone to the palace to clear things up. A moment later, the empress was back to her dignified and graceful demeanor. Putting aside the events within the palace, Zuo Ci was currently rushing to Southern Xinjiang, feeling extremely anxious.

Because the Beirong Kingdom in the southern border was attacked, and the general of the border did not fight the foreign enemy to the death and even wanted to give up the border city. His legitimate sister escaped the fire and was secretly sent to the southern border by Zuo Ci to be raised by Zuo Ci's confidants. Because when Zuo Ci found his legitimate sister Zuo Yunxin in the cellar, a ray of sunshine finally came into his desperate heart. At that time, he didn't know what he was thinking and subconsciously asked Zuo Qi who was following him to arrange to send her to the southern border. Over the years, the old servants who used to be with Prince Heng have always taken care of Zuo Yunxin as their own child, even though they have their own children. Zuo Yunxin never knew that Zuo Ci was her legitimate brother, but she knew that this brother treated her well and would visit her every year.

Zuo Qi, following Zuo Ci on the road, was also anxious. That was Zuo Ci's biological sister. The young lady had just begun to make some progress, and before he could even figure out how such a thing had happened. If the old prince was still alive, how could he have allowed the enemy to invade the southern border? But the old prince had defended the territory for Dali, but ended up with his family in decline, leaving only the two of them...

Zuo Qi and two others followed the secret guards on horseback, following Zuo Ci as they galloped down the official road...

At the same time, the battle report from southern Xinjiang also arrived in Kyoto. After all, the military situation was urgent. The eunuch who came to the palace to deliver the message also knew about it and had to wake the emperor from his comfortable bed.

Inside the Qinzheng Hall, listening to the urgent reports from the soldiers, a decision was at a loss. Emperor Chen Yan naturally knew that it would be best to dispatch the two Chu brothers from the Prince of Yan's Palace, but he was somewhat reluctant. The Chu family already held considerable prestige within the military, but now was no time for pretense. If Dali lost a few more cities to the Liang State, his reign as emperor would likely be over.

"Go summon the Prime Minister, the Grand Tutor, and the Minister of War..." Chen Yan paused, "and the Crown Prince of Chu."

This eunuch, having always been by Chen Yan's side, naturally knew what he was thinking. However, it wasn't his place to speak, so he quickly followed orders and went to find someone to summon someone to the palace. This eunuch was quite a shrewd person, but he understood Chen Yan very well. While he was secretly mocking him, he also spoke up for the Chu family. The reason was that many years ago, Chu Lianyao had accidentally saved him. Although Chu Lianyao might not remember the incident at all, he had kept it in his mind for years, always hoping to repay the Chu family someday...

Chu Lianyao and Chu Lianyue also learned about the fighting in Southern Xinjiang the day after Zuo Ci left the city. However, the officers had not yet sent the soldiers back to Kyoto, so the Chu family could not say anything. However, Huang Qinya and Yu Yan'er quietly prepared for their husbands to fight in Southern Xinjiang.

At the same time, Mu Wange also asked Old Madam Chu to return to the Shangshu Mansion, because Mu Heng would follow the prince back to Beijing the next day.

As Mu Heng's legitimate son and daughter, Mu Wange and Mu Haolin could not possibly not go home to see their nominal father.

The old couple Chu also understood this logic, and the Prince Yan's Mansion was in a turbulent time right now, and it was not certain that they could take good care of the two siblings. So they arranged a few reliable people to go to Mu Wange and agreed to let Mu Wange go back.

"Sister, don't we live at grandma and grandpa's house anymore? Isn't that our home too?"

"Lin'er likes grandma and grandpa's house?"

"I like it. I like Brother Liyin."

As he spoke, Mu Haolin smiled, revealing a few adorable little canine teeth, which made Mu Wange's heart flutter. "I hope we can come here often in the future. Now that father is back, we need to go back to the Shangshu Mansion to see him."

"Father?"

Mu Haolin was a little confused because he hadn't seen Mu Heng for a long time.

Seeing Mu Haolin's bewildered expression, Mu Wange felt even more heartbroken. If she weren't the original owner, the child would have been gone in a few days. Mu Wange didn't say anything else, letting Yihua hold him as they looked out the carriage window at the scenery of Kyoto's streets. Mu Wange knew he loved going out and playing; after spending several days at Prince Yan's mansion and being taken out by Chu Liyin, his temperament had become much more lively.

Mu Wange had just returned to the Shangshu Mansion with Mu Haolin. As soon as they got off the carriage, they saw Mu Ruohan and Mu Qiaoyun about to leave. They frowned slightly but said nothing. Mu Qiaoyun, who was standing beside them, could no longer hold back.

"Oh, you've been out for a few days, so you might have forgotten about the Shangshu Mansion, right?"

"Big sister, you're back. Why don't you stay a few more days before coming back?" Mu Ruohan asked softly.

"This third sister's manners are nothing but a waste. She's so disrespectful to me, her eldest sister, that anyone who doesn't know would think the girls in our Shangshu Mansion are uneducated."

While Wange was speaking, he gestured to Qingzhu and Yihua to take Mu Haolin back to Tingxue Garden first.

"Sister, you know that Third Sister has always had a quick temper. Let's forget about it for a moment. Sister, please stop talking about her." "Second Sister!! How can someone like Mu Wange be worthy of her?"

Mu Qiaoyun became even more angry when she heard Mu Ruohan speaking for her.

"Third sister, this is your eldest sister, hurry up and apologize to your eldest sister." Mu Ruohan said to Mu Qiaoyun with a bit of majesty.

"Forget it, I won't watch your sisterly love anymore. I'm going back to Tingxue Garden first."

Mu Wange was too lazy to look at Mu Ruohan's hypocritical face and Mu Qiaoyun's stupidity. If she continued to look at them like this, she would burst out laughing.

"Big sister!" Mu Ruohan only had time to look at Mu Wange's elegant back.

"Second sister, why do you want me to apologize to that idiot? Second sister is obviously the one with great reputation, but you are deeply oppressed by such a idiot. I really don't know what father thinks?" Mu Qiaoyun was indignant for Muruhan.

"Third sister, no matter what, the eldest sister is the eldest sister, the daughter of the Shangshu Mansion, you can't say that about her..."

Mu Ruohan's eyes flashed with a hint of fierceness, while she gently played the role of a gentle, well-educated sister. Unfortunately, Mu Qiaoyun didn't see it.

"You are the only one who is kindhearted, Second Sister. If you ask me, Second Sister is much better than Mu Wange. Fortunately, after the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Second Sister will be the real legitimate daughter. Then we will see how Mu Wange fares."

Mu Qiaoyun complimented Mu Ruohan, "By the way, Second Sister, let's go to the Treasure Pavilion. You see, I was so mad at Mu Wange that I almost forgot about going to the Treasure Pavilion."

"You brain, let's go."