My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Su Wan was deeply moved. She naturally understood that after Li Chengqian arrived in the Western Regions, he would definitely need an army to gain a foothold.

On the one hand, the imperial court will definitely continue to send people to hunt down Li Chenggan;

On the other hand, the kingdoms of the Western Regions were probably not very friendly towards Li Chengqian.

Take Tibet for example, Songtsen Gampo treated Li Chengqian well.

However, within Tibet, Princess Chizun and others were probably not so welcoming to Li Chenggan; they wished nothing more than to put him to death.

Su Wan knew about the relationship between Li Chengan and Qu Zhili.

Qu Zhili naturally had nothing to say about Li Chengan.

but,

What was the attitude of the King of Gaochang and his sons towards Li Chenggan?

Su Wan had already learned that Gaochang and Yanqi had been in close contact recently, and that they had reached an agreement and were preparing to oppose the Tang Dynasty.

And the King of Yanqi hated Li Chengqian to the core.

Last time, Li Chengan led his army to fight against Yanqi in the Western Regions, killing and wounding many of their soldiers.

The Longtu cavalry deeply hate Li Chenggan and are trying every means to deal with him.

Therefore, it was extremely difficult for Li Chengqian to establish himself after arriving in the Western Regions.

To Su Wan's relief, when Li Chengqian was in trouble, the people led by Luo Cheng did not abandon him.

They were still willing to follow Li Chenggan, especially Ashina Simo.

Commanding 100,000 soldiers—that's something else entirely.

With just a command from him, the 100,000-strong Turkic army would attack wherever they were directed.

Furthermore, Murong Shun, Shanbei Daxiong Wang, and Tuoba Chici, among others, all held varying degrees of military power.

These people were all of paramount importance to Li Chenggan.

After discussing with the others, Su Wan decided to split into three groups and enter the Western Regions one after another:

The first team, led by Luo Cheng and his troops, together with Xue Rengui, traveled lightly and directly to Tibet.

The second team, led by Ashina Simo, marched westward in a grand procession.

The third team consisted of the others, who traveled together with Su Wan and Su Gui.

at this time,

A man on the main road caught up with them, calling out, "Princess Consort, wait for me! You have to take me with you!"

Su Wan turned around and saw that the person running towards her was none other than Qin Ying, who was covered in dust and sweat.

"Didn't you say you were going back to ask your grandfather for help? Why have you been silent for so long?"

Qin Ying, catching her breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve: "Oh dear, Crown Princess..."

After I got back, my grandfather kept a close watch on me. Even going to the outhouse was done with me; how could I possibly get out?

"Oh, why is that?" Su Wan frowned, because she couldn't understand why Qin Shubao would treat Qin Ying this way.

Qin Ying then recounted the story of how she met his grandfather.

Everyone who heard this sighed in dismay.

Luo Cheng knew that Qin Qiong was cautious and prudent, and did not want to get involved in these messy things, nor did he want Qin Ying to get into trouble.

Su Wan understood immediately: "Qin Ying, this isn't your fault."

Since your grandfather doesn't want you to come, then you should go back.

"No, no, no, I must be with the Crown Prince; otherwise, my life is meaningless."

I stayed in that room every day, eating, drinking, and waiting to die; I was going crazy.

Su Wan shook her head again: "What your grandfather said isn't without reason. You are the treasure of your Qin family. If anything were to happen to you, who would continue the Qin family line?"

We can't afford to take on this responsibility; you should go back now.

Qin Ying panicked when she saw this.

He ran up to Luo Cheng and knelt down with a thud: "Grandpa, please say a word for me, otherwise the Crown Princess won't take me with her."

Luo Cheng looked at Qin Ying and said, "You should get up first."