“Mother, look at that!” Luo Siqian excitedly tugged Luo Wuhen’s hand, pointing at a big golden-furred dog in the distance.
Luo Wuhen instinctively smiled and nodded, but unease still lingered in her heart.
She felt that within the imperial court and government, the Deep Abyss Current was flowing once more, the undercurrents so fierce that for a moment she felt as if she had returned to that time when she had just inherited the throne…
Even though she didn’t know how, after just a few years of not paying much attention to state affairs, things had changed so drastically.
Still, she was no longer the same as before—without that person, she could handle everything!
But…
Luo Wuhen glanced at the tiny Luo Siqian. Now, she had one more attachment, one more weakness…
She could not allow Siqian to remain in such a dangerous environment! If anything happened to her, it was something Luo Wuhen could never bear!
But where could she guarantee Luo Siqian’s safety completely while she “cleaned up the mess”?
To take it a step further, if something were to happen to herself, where could she send Luo Siqian so that nothing would touch her…?
If she didn’t consider Siqian’s activities or feelings, she could have Siqian stay in the Royal Deep Treasury—but Luo Wuhen could never bear to lock her daughter away in such a place.
Moreover, if something were to happen to herself, even if she were just trapped, Siqian would also be trapped inside!
Just thinking about it made Luo Wuhen despair.
Even if the chance was infinitesimal, she could never allow it to happen!
So, was there any place now safe enough to guarantee Siqian’s safety no matter what happened to Luo Wuhen…?
The answer was obvious, and if she sent Siqian there, it would also fulfill Siqian’s long-held wish and curiosity…
But Luo Wuhen hesitated, torn by indecision. She was afraid, she was avoiding it!
Before Siqian was born, she had dreamed countless hazy dreams—grand Marriage Ceremonies taking place, but happiness always vanished in a flash.
Regret woke her time and again. She wanted to see Su Qianqian again, to tell the one who had left her, I’m truly sorry, but I really love you!
But now it was too late—no more meetings, nothing left to hold on to…
Ever since Luo Siqian was born, all her attention had focused on this little child.
Only by Siqian’s side could she feel peace, a feeling she’d missed for so long.
Now, though, fear crept back in… She feared seeing Su Qianqian again.
She feared the look of disgust Su Qianqian might have upon seeing Siqian!
She was terrified… Terrified of being someone Su Qianqian hated, and even more afraid of letting Siqian know that the family she missed so dearly might loathe her!
Every time she thought about it, Luo Wuhen could barely breathe in panic!
No, she could not allow this to happen. Siqian just needed to forget her; if she stopped missing her, she wouldn’t be hurt…
She knew in her heart that Su Qianqian would never treat Siqian that way… But the imagined scene kept surfacing in her mind, and she simply could not banish it!
“Mother, mother?”
Luo Siqian’s worried voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she forced a smile in reply.
Seeing her mother’s unnatural smile, tears welled up in Luo Siqian’s eyes. She hugged Luo Wuhen tightly: “Mother, what’s wrong? I’m so worried… Was it because I tried to find out about Father that you’re angry? I’m sorry, Mother, I don’t want to know anymore, I just want to be with you!”
Luo Wuhen crouched down and wiped away her daughter’s tears. Her smile was still a little forced, but this time, it was sincere…
“Siqian, I’m not angry about that at all. In a few days, how about I give you a surprise?”
“A surprise?!”
“Yes, a big surprise, and I’ll be with you for the next few days~.”
“Really? Yay!” Luo Siqian’s eyes widened in excitement. She looked forward to the surprise, but having her mother by her side was what made her happiest!
“Shun, Ying, I’ll be spending the next few days with Siqian. You two can take a few days off,” Luo Wuhen said, turning to the sisters.
Shun and Ying wanted to say something, but after receiving Luo Wuhen’s Transmitting Jade Talisman, their expressions turned serious. They quickly took their leave.
That night, as Luo Wuhen listened to Luo Siqian’s even, peaceful breathing, she gently kissed her forehead and then took out her Transmitting Jade Talisman to contact Shun and Ying…
She had Shun and Ying head to the Sword Sect ahead of her, telling them to inform the others that she would be bringing Siqian soon.
That’s right—for Luo Siqian, she had finally decided: if possible, she would send her daughter to the Sword Sect. With the Sword Sect’s strength, at the very least, Siqian’s safety would be guaranteed…
Of course, this was only if Su Qianqian could accept Luo Siqian.
If Su Qianqian showed any dislike for Siqian’s existence, Luo Wuhen would give the prepared gift to Siqian as a surprise, and let “Su Qianqian” fade completely from Siqian’s memory…
But if Su Qianqian could accept Siqian…
Luo Wuhen looked tenderly at her sleeping daughter. Her little girl was really so obedient…
At the Market, her mind had been muddled with worry, so she agreed too quickly to tell Siqian about “Su Qianqian” before even finding out what Su Qianqian herself thought. It was a reckless decision.
She’d been thinking about how to put off the answer without hurting her daughter, but… Even though Siqian clearly wanted to know, she hadn’t asked again before bed…
“I’m sorry, Siqian. This time, Mother didn’t keep her promise…”
……
In a corner unknown to Luo Wuhen, someone sensed Shun and Ying leaving the kingdom for the Sword Sect, but did not act.
He had no idea what they were up to.
Although he had always wanted to erode Luo Wuhen’s two confidantes, she had only just unearthed a lot of information today.
He didn’t dare to move rashly—was it a trap…?
So, traveling as fast as they could, the two arrived at the Sword Sect by noon the next day.
“Envoys from the Ziyuan Kingdom request an audience. We have important news to deliver to Her Majesty the Empress!”
Shun and Ying waited anxiously at the mountain gate, worried about what to do if Lin Muxue and Su Qianqian refused to see them—or worse, if Lin Muxue was still angry and just chopped them up!
Fortunately, their worries did not come true. After a short wait, Lin Muxue arrived at the sect’s gate.
Her face was cold enough to frighten anyone, but at least she showed up—and didn’t immediately chop them up!
“What is it?” Lin Muxue’s voice was icy and terrifying, making Shun shiver a little, but they had to complete Her Majesty’s task, had to fulfill little Siqian’s wish!
Even though they were scared, Shun still carefully organized her words and explained their purpose.
When Lin Muxue heard about Su Qianqian’s daughter, her spiritual energy lost control, and the sisters were sent flying far away!
They waited at a distance until Lin Muxue’s aura had calmed before approaching again, asking cautiously, “Can we continue…?”
“If you’re hoping to use her daughter to make Su Qianqian forgive her, you can leave. It’s impossible.”
“No, no, that’s not it. Her Majesty hopes that, if possible, Siqian can take refuge here until things are stable, and then we’ll take her back. Of course, if Su Qianqian doesn’t accept her, we’ll just leave, and Her Majesty will find another way.”
Lin Muxue was silent for a long time after hearing this, then suddenly looked hard at Shun and Ying.
They tensed up, but Lin Muxue did nothing, just turned and left, leaving only one sentence:
“Wait here. Qianqian is in seclusion.”
Hearing this, the two breathed a sigh of relief.
At least they’d gotten through Lin Muxue—if she refused to pass on the message, there was nothing they could do regardless of Su Qianqian’s thoughts.
Before long, Su Qianqian, still in seclusion, received Lin Muxue’s message:
“Qianqian, please end your seclusion for now. I need your opinion on something.”
“Hmm?” Su Qianqian was confused.
Lin Muxue had never disturbed her during seclusion; it had to be something important.
“What?! Luo Wuhen and my daughter?!”
Su Qianqian had expected something important, but this she had never imagined!