After rebirth, I became a treacherous minister Black Moonlight

Chapter 715

A heavy rain fell in the capital, leaving waterlogged courtyards and glistening raindrops clinging to fallen leaves.

Meng Qianqian sat quietly by the window, looking through the maps of the ten kingdoms of the Western Regions.

Several days have passed since the Loulan envoys left the capital, and Emperor Liang's injuries have healed.

Logically, he should have returned to Liang to handle state affairs, but he couldn't bear to leave the old lady and his children, so he wrote another letter to Crown Prince Lu Zhaoyan, asking him to continue overseeing the country.

However, this morning, he received a message from Miao territory via carrier pigeon, informing him that Liu Qingyun was about to marry the Crown Prince of Liang as the princess of Miao territory.

As the ruler, he absolutely had to return to the Liang Kingdom.

The old lady is getting on in years and should not travel long distances.

"Mother, I'll be right back."

His return to Liang was not only to welcome his daughter-in-law into the family, but also to handle an important matter.

"Know it."

The old lady said understandingly, "You go ahead with your work, and come keep me company when you have time."

"I will."

Emperor Liang agreed, "Please take good care of yourself and don't stay up too late reading storybooks."

"I know."

The old lady waved her hand, "You're being long-winded."

Emperor Liang sighed deeply and reluctantly bid farewell to the Dowager Empress.

Just as he stepped out of the room, the old lady spoke up seemingly casually: "Go and offer incense to Yun'er."

Emperor Liang paused in his steps.

The old lady said, "Next time you come back, don't pretend to be your younger brother again."

Emperor Liang stared at the Dowager Empress in disbelief: "Mother..."

The old lady waved her hand again, saying nonchalantly, "Alright, alright, let's go."

Emperor Liang was utterly shocked.

It turned out that his mother had long recognized that he was not his younger brother, but she had never said anything about it.

His mother was mentally challenged, yet she never mistook her own child for her own.

And she was not a substitute for her younger brother.

After leaving the old lady's courtyard, Emperor Liang summoned Lu Yuan to his own courtyard.

"Are you and Qianqian sure you want to go to the Western Regions?"

Emperor Liang asked.

Lu Yuan nodded: "Yes."

Emperor Liang took a deep breath: "The King of Loulan is seriously ill, and the ten kingdoms of the Western Regions are not at peace right now. You have also made enemies with the Queen of Loulan, and she is probably ready to settle things with you."

Lu Yuan said nonchalantly, "She can do her thing, I'll keep my appointment."

"What agreement?"

Emperor Liang asked.

Lu Yuan downplayed the issue, saying, "In short, there was an agreement."

How could Emperor Liang not know his ulterior motives?

My own grandson, I can guess what kind of fart he's going to let out just by sticking his butt out.

"We don't know if the merchants' hostages are real or not. It's possible that it's a trap set by the Loulan Queen and that Yu Chenglou. In any case, you should be careful."

"You've become more cautious."

Lu Yuan said with some surprise, "If it were a few months ago, you would have wanted to send me to Loulan immediately."

Emperor Liang glared at him: "You have elderly parents and young children to care for. If something happens to you while you're out there, who will raise the children? Who will take care of your great-grandmother?"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said, "What about you?"

Emperor Liang wanted to beat someone up.

The once obedient and sensible eldest grandson in his presence was, in the end, a misplaced trust.

"It wasn't entirely about finding someone."

Lu Yuan said.

Meng Qianqian agreed to send Alna back to her homeland.

She does what she says.

And he was willing to accompany her.

Emperor Liang had, of course, heard about the little witch's story. While he sighed and thought it was possible to arrange for someone to conduct the funeral, he ultimately did not interfere with the children's decision. Lu Yuan was right.

he's changed.

He is no longer as autocratic as before.

In life, not every path is smooth, and not every choice is correct and risk-free.

Emperor Liang said nothing more.

On a drizzly morning, he boarded the carriage for his return journey.

Bao Zhuzhu sat in Meng Qianqian's arms and waved her chubby little hand: "Great-Grandpa, see you later!"

……

Meng Qianqian had only been back in Beijing for a short time when she was about to set off again.

Granny Li was worried and wiped away tears as she packed her things.

Banxia advised, "Granny Li, Miss is just going to the Western Regions with her husband for an inspection tour. It's not like they're not coming back. Her husband is an imperial envoy, so when they arrive in the Western Regions, they'll be received by someone!"

In order to ensure the smooth progress of the trip to the Western Regions, Lu Yuan entered the palace and obtained the Emperor Emeritus's consent, thus obtaining the identity of an imperial envoy.

The imperial son-in-law, Ji Li, was also in the entourage.

On the day of departure, Duan Mingyue visited the Governor's Mansion.

"I have something to say to you."

He said to Lu Yuan.

"We mean..."

Lu Yuan asked the question knowing the answer already.

Duan Mingyue said, "You two, husband and wife."

Lu Yuan was pleased by his address and gave him a friendly look before leading him to the study.

Meng Qianqian was looking at the map again.

Upon seeing Duan Mingyue enter, she raised her eyes and greeted him casually, "Young Master Duan."

Duan Mingyue smiled and said, "If you don't mind, you can call me Big Brother along with Third Brother."

Lu Yuan snorted, "I never acknowledged you as my older brother."

Duan Mingyue smiled and said, "Alright, let's get down to business. I heard you're going to the Western Regions."

Lu Yuan said, "Your information... is really outdated."

Duan Mingyue shrugged: "I've heard about it before, but I've been investigating something and only made some progress this morning."

Meng Qianqian looked at him: "Have you found the other twelve guards?"

Duan Mingyue smiled helplessly: "As expected of the Tiger Guards, that's right, I have their whereabouts. Once you go to the Western Regions, my people will contact you and lead you to the remaining twelve guards."

Meng Qianqian murmured, "So, the Twelve Guards also went to the Western Regions? Weren't Zishu and Wuma in Liang Kingdom a while ago?"

Duan Mingyue said, "Naturally, something has appeared in the Western Regions that attracts them."

Meng Qianqian asked suspiciously, "What is it?"

Duan Mingyue said, slowly and deliberately, "The secret of the Holy Maiden of the Western Night."

Meng Qianqian asked, "What secret?"

Duan Mingyue said, "There is a legend on Liuli Island that the Holy Maiden will descend again every time the seven stars align on a night. The last time the Holy Maiden of the Western Night appeared on Liuli Island was during the celestial phenomenon of the seven stars aligning."

Meng Qianqian asked curiously, "Why have I never heard of this before?"

Duan Mingyue sighed, "The Western Night royal family has kept this secret a secret, and it took me quite a bit of effort to find out about it."

"Is it you who's wasting your time, or Xun Wu?"

Lu Yuan ruthlessly sabotaged him.

Duan Mingyue sighed, "Alright, alright, let's not argue about this. In front of your sister-in-law, at least give your elder brother some face."

"Since you're going to the Western Regions, why don't you also visit Liuli Island? It's not far anyway."

Meng Qianqian had looked at the map, and to her surprise, Liuli Island was actually near Loulan.

The Snake has returned to Liuli Island; perhaps we'll run into another Snake.

I wonder how his investigation into the Holy Maiden of the Western Night is going.

Meng Qianqian pondered for a moment, then asked with a puzzled look, "But what does this have to do with Zi Wu and the others? Why would they care about the legend of the seven stars aligning?"

Duan Mingyue smiled and said, "Well, you'll probably have to ask him yourself, but I think the truth will be beyond your imagination."

(End of this chapter)