A Shocking Dream

"Big brother, Master is here to see you." Yuanyuan's clear voice rang out. She followed Du Yingmeng's gaze and saw that Du Yingmeng was staring at Qin Ruoyu closely.

Qin Ruoyu nodded slightly, his expression grave, and said, "I know. I think I know why I was brought here." His mind was racing with thoughts. The Su Nu Sect, existing in the Jianghu, naturally sought no conflict with the major sects. After all, within the Jianghu, conflicts of interest were inevitable, and any clash would have disastrous consequences. Qin Ruoyu, however, was different. As the Crown Prince, he served in the imperial court. Even if there were conflicts of interest with the Jianghu, the major sects would not dare to take action against him. Previously, Qin Ruoyu had been puzzled as to why the Su Nu Sect had simply arrested a Seven Star Sect disciple for questioning, rather than investigating the source of the rumors and resolving the unrest below. Now, he finally understood. The Su Nu Sect intended to use him to stop the rumors, fueled by greed. His mere presence at Qiuluo Mountain would intimidate the greed-driven inhabitants at the foot of the mountain, forcing them to flee. No one would dare to intrude again. While the Jianghu and the imperial court had always maintained a non-interference policy, the Jianghu never dared to openly confront the imperial court. The moment Chen Xiao saw Qin Ruoyu, despair welled up in his heart. He knew he was doomed. Everything he had done was in vain before the Crown Prince. He had thought that Su Nu Sect's Master Du would kill him, thus antagonizing the Seven Star Sect and damaging its reputation, making his death worthwhile. However, the current situation plunged him into deeper confusion and fear.

Unexpectedly, a Crown Prince appeared. In this case, his death would be useless. Chen Xiao pondered in his heart, and then bowed to Qin Ruoyu.

"Your Highness, there are some things that you will understand even if I don't say them clearly." Qin Ruoyu was naturally clear about the deep meaning in Du Yingmeng's words.

"I understand, I know what to do." Qin Ruoyu said, looking at Chen Xiao.

"Everyone, disperse." Du Yingmeng said this and turned to leave. Once the leader left, the disciples of the Su Nu sect realized that the matter had nothing to do with them and left one after another.

"Yuanyuan, you stay here." Yuanyuan was about to leave with everyone when Wen Ruqing called her in a gentle yet firm voice.

Yuanyuan paused when she heard Wen Ruqing's call and turned around with a puzzled look on her face. "I..." Her eyes were filled with confusion, not knowing why she was left alone. She subconsciously looked at Kankan, as if seeking an answer.

Wanwan frowned slightly, a hint of helplessness and worry in her eyes. But she still whispered to Yuanyuan, "Since our uncle-master has sent you to follow him, you must follow him for as long as he stays in Qiuluo Mountain, until he leaves. This is our uncle-master's order, and we must obey it."

Yuanyuan listened to Kankan's words, feeling somewhat reluctant but knowing she had no other choice. She bit her lip and said, "Yes," with a hint of grievance and helplessness in her voice. She watched Kankan leave with the others. She stood there, watching the others disappear from sight, a sense of loneliness and unease welling up in her heart.

Ninghua Palace in Beijing

"Your Majesty, there is an urgent letter from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Madam Liu, the head waiter, came quickly to report.

"Is it Yu'er? Where has he been these days? Read it quickly." When Kou Jing heard Qin Ruoyu's letter, her worried heart was immediately relieved a lot.

Nanny Liu unfolded the letter and read, "My grandson was angry when the Empress Dowager came to see me, so I rode alone to the Qiuluo Mountain area to have fun and relieve my boredom. I also took the opportunity to observe the folk life and enrich my experience. I was assassinated because I mistakenly entered the mountains and forests. The assassin has been captured by my grandson, but the mountains and forests are complicated and I cannot get out of the predicament, so I wrote this letter. I hope the Empress Dowager will send elite soldiers to rescue me. You must not tell my father about this, so as not to worry him. Your grandson, Qin Ruoyu, kowtows." After Nanny Liu finished reading, she put the letter away skillfully.

"Qiuluo Mountain, what is that area?" Kou Jing was not panicked at all after hearing the letter, and asked about the situation calmly.

"Empress Dowager, that area was once a war-torn wasteland. Later, the leader of the Wu Nian sect founded the sect on Qiuluo Mountain. Since then, the sects have split, and the Su Nu sect has disappeared. The mountain has long since become a deep forest. The Sage King visited once some time ago, but the reason is unclear." As someone who holds the position of Head Nanny, she naturally knows a lot. Nanny Liu bowed her head slightly and respectfully reported to the Empress Dowager.

"Rong Chen..." When Kou Jing mentioned this name, a complicated expression appeared on her face. She sighed helplessly and continued, "Why does Yu'er always run to these uninhabited places and even encountered an assassin? It really makes us worry. Can't we give this child a little more worry?" The empress dowager frowned, her face full of worry.

"Empress Dowager, I have heard that there are rumors in the martial arts world recently that there are treasures and martial arts secrets worth enough to rival a country in Qiuluo Mountain, and many people have gathered at the foot of Qiuluo Mountain. I think His Royal Highness the Crown Prince went to Qiuluo Mountain because he heard the rumors." Nanny Liu continued to report the rumors in the martial arts world.

"Treasure? Martial arts secrets? These people in the martial arts world are so forgetful. Back then, the leader of the Wu Nian sect practiced medicine to save people, and founded the Wu Nian sect with only a meager amount of silver. When she founded the sect, she had no choice but to choose Qiuluo Mountain as the location due to a land dispute. Now, it is rumored that there is a treasure inside. In my opinion, the treasure is just a cover. Some people are jealous of the Su Nu sect for not getting involved in right and wrong, and want them to appear in front of the martial arts world. Yu'er is not greedy for these material things. I think he just went there to join in the fun." The queen mother shook her head slightly, disdainful of the rumors in the martial arts world.

"Has there been no movement at Jinyuyuan these days?" The empress dowager changed the subject and asked about the situation at Jinyuyuan.

"There has been no movement, everything is normal. The Saint has been silent for such a long time, could it be..." Nanny Liu hesitated to speak, seeming a little worried.

"Personally, I hope she will never wake up. Publicly, she was assassinated in our Daqi country. If something really happens to her, we will have a hard time explaining it to the Yun country." The Queen Mother looked solemn, knowing the seriousness of the matter.

"Empress Dowager, I haven't seen anyone from the Jinyuyuan looking for a famous doctor to treat her in these days. Could it be that the saint lady is beyond help?" Nanny Liu raised her doubts.

"Send someone to ask all the doctors in the Imperial Hospital to go to the Jinyuyuan for treatment. If she is not seen for one day, let the doctors report there every day and say that I am worried about the safety of the saint. She was assassinated in my palace. We should do this out of both emotion and reason to avoid being gossiped and laughed at. She can die anywhere, but she cannot die in my Daqi country." The Queen Mother gave the order decisively, with determination in her eyes.

"Yes, I understand. As for the prince..." asked Madam Liu.

"Give this letter to the Sage King and ask him to mobilize troops to Qiuluo Mountain. Once he leaves the capital, Yunshuang should have left after such a long time. But if Rongchen mobilizes troops out of the capital, the emperor will definitely know about it and arouse suspicion. Let Rongchen meet with the emperor to ask for permission to leave the capital, and say that he is going to investigate whether the rumors about Qiuluo Mountain are true. If those treasures really are there, they should belong to the court." The empress dowager gave orders in an orderly manner.

"Yes." Nanny Liu took the order and left.

Hanmei Villa.

After reading the letter, Qin Rongchen knew that the rumor was not simple. It was related to Qiuluo Mountain, and the matter was urgent. He had to go.

"I understand. I will meet the emperor and ask for permission to leave the capital." Qin Rongchen looked solemn, with determination in his eyes.

Royal study room.

"Are you going to lead troops out of the capital to Qiuluo Mountain to verify the rumors?" Qin Ronghuan asked doubtfully. He wasn't unaware of the rumors; they concerned a treasure trove rich enough to rival an entire nation. He knew about Qiuluo Mountain before anyone else, but he simply didn't believe it held any treasure. Even when a considerable force gathered at Qiuluo Mountain, he never sent anyone to investigate. Why was Rongchen now requesting permission to lead troops? Could it be true that the rumors weren't true? The Queen Mother had just mentioned this to Rongchen, and she was clearly angry with him, so why would she do this today? Had they already discussed this? Could there truly be a treasure hidden in Qiuluo Mountain? Qin Rongchen's current position as prince was a nominal one, with no military authority at his disposal. He had no soldiers under his command. Even if he simply disappeared and remained at Hanmei Villa, he would still be under Qin Ronghuan's watchful eye. Such a Qin Rongchen posed no threat to him. But if he were to lead his troops out of the capital, and become greedy for the treasure, and later think he would recruit soldiers and horses, wouldn't that be the greatest threat to him? But if he refused, he would lose his status. When it comes to treasure, the court should intervene together with the martial arts world.

"Come here, call General Yang to see the emperor." Qin Ronghuan ordered.

"According to the order."

"Rongchen, I believe you have also heard about the rumors about Qiuluo Mountain? What do you think about it?" Qin Ronghuan looked at Qin Rongchen, waiting for his answer.

"Your Majesty, rumors stop at the wise. Qiuluo Mountain was just a war-torn wasteland before, and no powerful or famous people were buried there, so how could there be treasure?" Qin Rongchen analyzed calmly.