The rag picking sister turned out to be a weapon refiner

There was nothing else lively in Xiacheng except the Lantern Festival. After thinking and discussing for a while, the few people decided to go directly to the capital of Li Country - Jindu.

The main reason was that when everyone was preparing to move on to the next city, Xiao Yuheng's whereabouts were exposed. Many people recognized this young man as the prince who went to seek immortality and Taoism. Therefore, the news of Xiao Yuheng's return to the country spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and soon reached the ears of the current emperor. So, on the second day after several people were preparing to set off, the palace sent someone to secretly convey the decree to summon Xiao Yuheng back to the palace.

"When I go back this time, there will definitely be a huge fanfare, but the palace is not peaceful. If possible, I would like to ask you to stay in the dark and protect yourselves." Xiao Yuheng bowed to Hu Xingtong and the other three. Unlike his usual lively self, he was now as polite as the day he first became their apprentice, showing the demeanor of a great man.

From the moment Xiao Yuheng closed the door and set up the barrier just now, Hu Xingtong had a premonition that the old emperor was critically ill. If the few of them did not go down the mountain to gain experience, the old emperor would secretly go to Fanyun Sect to summon Xiao Yuheng back to Beijing. Xiao Yuce also knew this, so the real mutiny should be on the way Xiao Yuheng returned to Beijing. Xiao Yuheng was too popular among the people, and if Xiao Yuce wanted to ascend the throne smoothly, he would definitely find a suitable reason. So what is the most suitable reason?

No one else knew what Hu Xingtong was thinking. Sun Ze, looking at his junior brother who looked different from before, couldn't help but feel worried. After helping him up, he asked carefully, "You are the crown prince. You can return to the capital at any time. We are by your side and can naturally protect your safety. Why do you have to do this?"

Xiao Yuheng shook his head, looking a little gloomy. "Brother, I asked you to accompany me back this time because I thought you could help me, but I just received a superstition that my father has been imprisoned in the palace by my brother. My father is ill and his time is running out. My brother's behavior is tantamount to trying to usurp the throne. He definitely doesn't want me to go back. I don't want the throne myself, and I don't want to implicate you."

"Then have you ever thought about this? We came here with you, and you asked us to protect your safety from the very beginning. The four of us have long been involved in the struggle for imperial power between your two brothers. If you really don't want the throne, just give it up and go back with us. Why bother coming back?" Tan Yuruo spoke lightly, her tone full of complaints, but after she said that, everything was laid out in the open.

"We just visited the Lantern Festival a few days ago and settled in the border area, but today you were summoned to return to the capital. Not only that, you have been practicing Taoism for eight years, and your spies can still bring you important news from the palace. It seems that your whereabouts have been known for a long time, and the other party is also sure that you will go back. The whereabouts of the four of us will also be noticed, so hiding in the dark may not be safe." Han Qianyu analyzed immediately afterwards.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuheng's brow furrowed, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. He was well aware that his status as the Crown Prince had already invisibly drawn those around him into a vortex of power. However, he had no interest in such matters, let alone fighting for the so-called throne. He was solely focused on seeking the truth of immortality.

"Go back and visit. You are carrying the burden of being the prince. If you really don't want to, just put it down. You have been away from home for eight years. You should go and visit your seriously ill father." Hu Xingtong, who had not spoken for a long time, finally spoke.

She thought that this was not a difficult task. The old emperor knew that Xiao Yuheng did not love the throne, but still made him the crown prince. He made him the crown prince but did not give him real power, and allowed the crown prince of a country to practice Taoism for eight years. It seemed that the old emperor might not value Xiao Yuheng very much, but Xiao Yuheng was too competitive. Eight years later, his control over the people's hearts was still surprisingly stable.

only……

Hu Xingtong looked at Xiao Yuheng. She didn't have a close relationship with Xiao Yuheng, but she knew that he was a very responsible person. What would he do if he knew what his father meant?

A few days later...

Early in the morning, Xiao Yuheng dressed neatly. Although he was not good at scheming, he knew that bluffing was the best way to deal with it. He had already been remembered by others, so he might as well walk back in a dignified manner and announce his return with the most grand ceremony.

Therefore, at dawn, all the cavalry of the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace were in place. Today, Xiao Yuheng had changed his brocade robes and put on a simple disciple uniform. His black hair was tied up, his eyebrows were sharp, and his eyes were bright. He looked gentle and elegant.

"Senior brothers and sisters, what do you think of me today?" He had to look presentable, so Xiao Yuheng changed his usual lively and funny look, stood in front of them steadily, and asked.

"Not bad, very magnanimous." Sun Ze patted Xiao Yuheng on the shoulder and praised.

"Very good, you feel like a prince." Tan Yuruo walked around pickily, and finally praised him jokingly.

Han Qianyu only nodded slightly. She wasn't that concerned about her junior brother, but she was more concerned about her junior sister. She turned her head to look at Hu Xingtong, who was leaning against the door panel behind her and drowsy, and asked, "What do you think, Third Junior Sister?"

Hu Xingtong was not very happy to be called out. He slumped against the door frame, looking limp and half asleep. He tried to get by with a perfunctory gesture, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and responded, "So handsome!"

Everyone didn't understand what this meant and wanted to ask for an explanation, but someone was already so sleepy that he fell asleep on the door, so they had to give up.

"Senior brothers and sisters, Third Senior Sister doesn't seem to want to wake up. You should go back and rest first. I'll go first and send someone to pick you up when I get back." Xiao Yuheng thought about it. After all, he was a cultivator who was about to become a golden elixir. Why did he still need protection? He didn't believe that he couldn't go back home.

"Well, you go ahead, the four of us will be there soon. If there is any danger, contact us in time." Sun Ze made the decision, and the others didn't know what to say. After sending Xiao Yuheng away, Hu Xingtong finally got the chance to take a nap and fell directly onto the bed and fell asleep.

It was not until noon that Hu Xingtong finally woke up. He stretched and went out. As expected, he met the three people who were waiting at the door drinking tea.

"I really think this group of people are very idle. If they don't sleep, they can just practice. But they always come to my room door to drink tea. It's like they're making me lazy." Hu Xingtong complained to the system about the three people in front of him in his heart, but he looked very enthusiastic. He walked to the small table, sat down, picked up a piece of cake and took a bite.

"You know what, these ancient pastries are really delicious. They're soft and sticky, not dry or greasy. A plate of these would cost me at least a few hundred yuan." Hu Xingtong continued to recommend them to the system while eating. The system just watched without saying anything. Hu Xingtong suddenly felt bored and looked at the three of them, asking, "How long has Fourth Junior Brother been gone?"

She was really sleepy in the morning, so she went back to sleep as soon as Xiao Yuheng left. She really didn't know how long he had been gone.

"Not long. I guess they should have arrived at the imperial city by now." Tan Yuruo stood up and tied Hu Xingtong's hair as usual, answering while tying her hair.

"It's not long now, we've already reached the Imperial City!" Hu Xingtong was so shocked that he almost stood up. Wouldn't it be a sin if he let Xiao Yuheng get into danger because of his late sleep? Oh, that's not right, they are cultivators. "No, did he go there on horseback, or did he fly directly?"

Sun Ze laughed at her slow reaction and replied, "Of course I'll fly over there. If I walked, I don't know how many assassins I'll encounter along the way."

"Fortunately," Hu Xingtong breathed a sigh of relief and continued to ask, "When are we leaving?"

"Don't worry. Once Fourth Junior Brother is settled, he will send me a message and we will go over then." Sun Ze explained after comforting him.

Hearing this, Hu Xingtong nodded. Tan Yuruo's hair had just been tied up, so she took a mirror and looked at it carefully. "Junior sister, your craftsmanship is really good. It looks so beautiful." Hu Xingtong touched here and there with satisfaction and liked her image in the mirror very much.

Seeing this, Tan Yuruo was also very happy. She smiled at Hu Xingtong with curved eyebrows and replied sweetly, "As long as Senior Sister likes it."

Oh, this call of "Senior Sister" is so sweet. No wonder the male protagonists in novels like the sweet girls next door. It feels so comfortable.

……

At night, Hu Xingtong returned to his room and placed the cakes he had bought during the day on the table. He called out to the system in his mind: "Xiao Wuzi, come out and eat."

A pink light flashed, and the next moment Chen Wu's figure appeared in the room.

Picking up a piece of cake and tasting it, she nodded in agreement. Chen Wu asked her, "Do you want to see what happened to Xiao Yuheng in the palace today?"

"Is there anything special?"

"I don't know if it counts, but the old emperor summoned Xiao Yuheng, and Xiao Yuce didn't send anyone to do it. Anyway, today is unusual."

Hu Xingtong raised an eyebrow and looked at the system, "Why do I feel like you're talking nonsense?"

"Forget it, just show me the video." Hu Xingtong smiled and shook his head. He was used to the system's occasional mischief.

Chen Wu waved his sleeves lightly, and the air in the room seemed to be gently stirred, and pictures slowly unfolded in Hu Xingtong's mind.

In the picture, Xiao Yuheng is wearing simple disciple clothes, but his noble temperament cannot be concealed. He walks into the magnificent imperial palace, where the old emperor is sitting on the dragon throne, his face haggard but his eyes sharp. He looks carefully at his son whom he has not seen for many years, with both relief and complex emotions in his eyes.

"Yuheng, you're back." The old emperor's voice was a little hoarse, but it carried unquestionable majesty.

Xiao Yuheng bowed respectfully and responded, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father."

The old emperor gently waved his hand, signaling him to excuse himself, and then changed the subject: "Yu Heng, you've been gone for eight years. Have you gained anything?"

Xiao Yuheng stood tall and straight, and answered without arrogance or servility, "Yes, I have some fellow disciples with whom I have good relationships, and I have also learned some skills."

"Are you leaving again after coming back this time?" the old emperor asked again.

Xiao Yuheng lowered his head, pursed his lips, and was unwilling to answer.

Seeing that he didn't answer, the old emperor changed the subject: "Yu Heng, the situation in the court is no longer as good as before. During the eight years you were away, your brother Yu Ce was helping me. Do you have anything to say about this?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuheng frowned slightly and answered in a formulaic manner: "Your Majesty, you have worked hard. I will definitely find Acé to thank him properly when I get back." Xiao Yuheng pretended to be stupid and never mentioned the issue of power. He only looked at the old emperor's attitude.

After saying this, the old emperor sighed visibly, "Although Yu Ce is capable, he is still young and full of energy. I hope you can come back and lend him a hand to stabilize the government."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuheng clenched his hands at his side into fists. The old emperor's actions had undoubtedly pushed him to the forefront of the power struggle. He was forcing Xiao Yuheng to make a choice.

"Your Majesty, I came back this time with the intention of visiting you. As for the affairs of state, I have no other requests. I just wish you good health and stability in the court." Xiao Yuheng had a bitter look on his face, as if he wanted others to see his struggle and helplessness.

The scene continued to change, and Xiao Yuce's figure quietly appeared. He stood aside seemingly respectfully, but the sinister glint in his eyes was hard to conceal. Although his conversation with Xiao Yuheng did not involve a direct confrontation, the air was filled with a strong smell of gunpowder.

"It seems that the situation in the palace is more complicated than I thought." Hu Xingtong murmured to herself. She looked at Chen Wu, "Xiao Wuzi, do you think Xiao Yuheng can handle it?"

Chen Wu shook his head gently: "It's hard to predict this matter, but Xiao Yuheng is not an ordinary person. No matter how stupid someone who grew up in the palace is, he can't be as stupid as you. Maybe he has his own way."