"The person behind the scenes created discord between the people here and the barbarians, leading to conflict and ultimately rebellion. This entire series of tactics must have required considerable time and resources, yet his ultimate aim suggests that failure is inevitable?"

Li Qingmu found it laughable. Knowing it was bound to fail, why bother with such schemes? Unless...

Suddenly, Li Qingmu thought of a possibility, and a chill rapidly spread throughout his body!

He turned and said, "Yue’er, let’s go, we need to return quickly!"

Long Yue looked at Li Qingmu’s anxious expression, a bit surprised. What was going on?

"A Mu, you...?"

"Yue’er, if my guess is correct, the opponent might not be targeting me directly, but rather... trying to draw us away. His aim might be something other than the obvious!"

"Something other than the obvious?"

Long Yue was stunned, then realized something as well. Her face instantly changed color. Could this diversion be...?

"This isn’t good!"

No need for Li Qingmu to say more, she panicked on her own, quickly pulling him to hurry back.

"Don’t rush, calm down first. I’ll have Xuan Xu deal with the Southern Territory issues, then you and I will hasten back to Shengjing!"

"Agreed!"

Long Yue was already anxious, having long been unwilling to deal with the matters of the Southern Territory. Li Qingmu could manage multiple tasks at once. They returned to the Southern Border Camp to see Yao Yan, summarized the situation for him, asked him to appease the barbarians first, and then returned with Long Yue.

"Giddyup, giddyup!"

Two fine steeds, one large, one small, galloped swiftly and soon disappeared without a trace.

Long Yue and Li Qingmu were both anxious. They hoped to arrive in time; otherwise, they would regret it for a lifetime!

...

Capital City, north of the Imperial Palace, Beiyuan Palace.

Here lay a small courtyard. Compared to the vast Beiyuan Palace, it was truly insignificant, yet its facilities were the best in the entire palace.

Because it housed the Supreme Emperor, the former Princess Consort Yun, and the Regent King’s two children. Who would dare to be negligent? Who could be negligent?

Lately, Qi Yun had truly been living the life of an immortal, spending each day lovingly with his wife or playing with his grandchildren.

Two small chubby darlings, wouldn’t you love to pinch them?

Such days were exceedingly blissful, comfortable, and happy.

Qi Yun felt this might be the best and most enriching life. Having only power without family ties would make life incomplete.

Throughout the ages, how many emperors’ affections were distorted, incomplete? Even perverse?

Countless, no one knows how many!

But Qi Yun did not wish for that; he felt that living like a mere shell, there was no difference between being alive or dead.

Hence, he was thoroughly content with his current life.

"Big Teddy Bear? Big Teddy Bear, where are you, where did you go?"

A crisp and melodious voice traveled over. Qi Yun’s face showed a gentle smile: "I’m here."

He was feeding Yaoyao and, upon hearing the call, he set down his task and went outside to see Rong Si.

Rong Si walked toward him with a charming smile and enchanting eyes, holding a paper windmill.

"Big Teddy Bear, this is for you!"

Qi Yun softly smiled, his face full of tenderness. He reached out, took the windmill, and gently stroked Rong Si’s beautiful hair.

Rong Si was truly too youthful, even at forty, she still looked as captivating as a girl in her twenties.

"Big Teddy Bear, you’re so bad, why are you staring at me like that? You’re making me shy!"

Rong Si pouted, then turned her head away, looking bashful.

For a woman in her forties to act so coquettishly might seem odd, but for Rong Si, it felt natural, as if meant to be.

Qi Yun was momentarily in a trance, feeling as if they were from two different worlds now.

"Big Teddy Bear!"

Rong Si’s voice sounded again, but this time, her voice lost its youthful innocence, replaced by a special allure.

"Hmm."

Qi Yun responded lightly.

"Big Teddy Bear..."

Rong Si’s voice grew more enchanting, with a hint of a sweet chill.

Qi Yun stood by the window, with Rong Si behind him. Her eyes flickered with a green light, and anyone who saw it would undoubtedly find it terrifying.

She slowly raised her hand to touch Qi Yun’s body.

Suddenly, Qi Yun, who had been silent, spoke: "How long do you intend to hide?"

With a simple question, Rong Si’s expression changed instantly, followed by her maniacal laughter: "Haha, hahaha..."

Though it was a woman’s laughter, it carried a masculine boldness. Only then did Qi Yun slowly turn to gaze at the "Rong Si" opposite him.

"Should I address you now as Daliang State Preceptor, You Su? Or perhaps as the Tianxing Pavilion traitor? Or is it the Dark Envoy of the Ice and Snow World?"

Qi Yun spoke calmly, but his eyes grew increasingly profound.

The smile on the face of the opposite Rong Si faded, replaced by pride and mockery: "Our Dazhou Supreme Emperor truly lives up to the name; your ability to deduce matters is impressive! Admirable!"

The tone of voice unmistakably You Su!

Qi Yun stared at his opponent, chillingly said: "I have no interest in hearing these vague words, I have but one thing to say: enough, you should leave Rong’er’s body!"

Conversing like this grated on Qi Yun, especially as You Su had possessed Rong Si’s body!

"Rong’er? Tsk tsk, what deep affection, but how does it happen that I recall Rong Si didn’t actually love you? Haha, the real Rong Si, she would never have loved you. Your Rong Si is merely a damaged version, with her main memories sealed!"

You Su’s words were vile, making Qi Yun’s face immediately sour.

"Shut up! You Su, leave Rong’er’s body promptly, or I will not be polite!"

Qi Yun didn’t mind anything You Su said about him, but possessing his woman was entirely intolerable.

You Su squinted, "Rest assured, I shall leave her body shortly because I think I’ve found a more suitable body to take over, hahaha!"

Qi Yun sneered, "You plan to possess me?"

"Indeed, should I possess you, how do you think your son would react? Kill me? Haha, he won’t have the heart to! I know your son better than anyone! He’s all about feelings!

He can be cold to anyone else, decisively ruthless, but when it comes to his own family, he’ll be emotionally ensnared. If I possess you, would he dare to kill me? Haha..."