Chapter 179

Xiao Yuanhang was startled, and Cheng Ru'an's face changed dramatically: "No! The road is too far, too dangerous, Tuan Tuan, you absolutely must not go!"

Tuan Tuan looked at her mother: "Mother, I'll go tell Third Elder Brother, ask him to go together, and also second uncle, it won't be a problem."

Cheng Ru'an shook her head, firmly refusing.

Xiao Yuanhang patted his daughter's small shoulder: "What does Da Xia have to do with us? Go to sleep."

"Alright!" Tuan Tuan slid down from his knee, cheerfully walking away.

Cheng Ru'an looked at her husband: "Prince, you want Tuan Tuan to go?"

Xiao Yuanhang sighed: "An'er, I understand what you're worried about. But some things cannot be avoided."

"I even suspect Da Xia's move is aimed at Tuan Tuan. Otherwise, why mobilize so many and spread it everywhere?"

Cheng Ru'an still shook her head: "No, Yuanhang, this is absolutely forbidden."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled: "Then don't go. Stop worrying; whatever they plan, let them do it."

Cheng Ru'an finally relaxed.

The next evening, the family gathered around the table, joyful and harmonious.

Tuan Tuan was earnestly waving a small spoon, shakily scooping a piece of crystal cake from the bowl to her mouth.

A servant hurried in, presenting a letter to Xiao Yuanhang: "Prince! This letter was just nailed to the main gate with a dagger! When we chased outside to look, we saw no figure."

Everyone's hands froze.

Xiao Yuanhang took the letter, unfolded it, and his complexion instantly darkened.

"Prince?" Cheng Ru'an asked softly, "Whose letter? What happened?"

Xiao Yuanhang glanced at Tuan Tuan and read aloud:

"Princess Jiayou: You are specially invited to Da Xia's Tianqi Cheng to attend the Shen Tong's Manifestation Grand Ceremony. If you do not come, I will unleash plague on the border cities of the Fiery Nation, leaving no chickens or dogs. As the Fiery Nation's Immortal Envoy, you surely will not stand by idly."

Clang! Cheng Ru'an's face turned deathly pale, and the soup bowl at her hand crashed to the ground, shattering.

Xiao Ningxun slapped the table: "Alarmist!"

Xiao Ningyuan furrowed his brows: "Is there a signature?"

Xiao Yuanhang shook his head: "No. But the handwriting matches the previous letter, so it should still be the National Preceptor of Da Xia personally. It targets Tuan Tuan, so he wouldn't leave a signature; otherwise it would become Da Xia's declaration of war."

Cheng Ru'an cradled Tuan Tuan in her arms, looked at her husband, and silently shook her head.

Xiao Ningxun said: "Mother need not worry; the more the Da Xia National Preceptor forces Tuan Tuan to go, the less Tuan Tuan can go."

Xiao Ningyuan nodded: "Third Elder Brother is absolutely right. During the Heavenly Sacrifice for rain, Tuan Tuan made Gong Sunzhi embarrass himself publicly; perhaps they intend to use his own method against him. Otherwise, what is the point of a Manifestation Grand Ceremony!"

Xiao Yuanhang stared at the letter in his hand, silent.

Tuan Tuan walked up to him: "Dad! He wants me to go, so I'll go take a look."

Xiao Ningxun hurried: "Tuan Tuan! You must not go! This is clearly a trap!"

Xiao Yuanhang lifted his daughter into his arms, glanced at his wife and son: "That Da Xia National Preceptor does have some skill. Last time he asked for rain, his man hadn't reached Jingcheng yet, yet he could trap Tuan Tuan in a dream. The plague he mentioned in the letter is likely not empty talk."

"If at that time living beings are truly ravaged, they will spread the news again, claiming the Fiery Nation's Immortal Envoy already knew but turned a blind eye. Then how should Tuan Tuan act?"

"In this world one can be a thief for a thousand days, but how can one guard against thieves for a thousand days?"

He looked at his daughter: "Tuan Tuan, do you really want to go?"

Tuan Tuan thought a moment, then smiled sweetly: "Hmm! Dad, don't worry! He can't hurt me! Since he insists I go, I'll go then! I haven't been to Da Xia yet, so it's a good chance to have some fun!"

Xiao Yuanhang pondered for a while: "Alright! Then go. I'll let your second brother and Third Elder Brother, as well as Xiao Er, go with you."

Tuan Tuan recalled Xiao Ze: "And Third Elder Brother! Last time we went to Sacred Medicine Valley together, Third Elder Brother was impressive!"

Xiao Yuanhang forced a smile: "Alright! Tomorrow I will go to Sacred Medicine Valley, report the matter to His Majesty, and have Seventh Prince go as well!"

The next day, Xiao Jieyun saw the letter, his eyebrows bristling in anger: "This is outrageous!"

Xiao Yuanhang reported his concerns, and told Tuan Tuan that he also wanted to go but wished Seventh Prince to accompany; Xiao Jieyun approved.

In the Prince's Mansion, Cheng Ru'an wore a deep frown, watching Tuan Tuan running wildly across the floor, and thinking that her daughter was about to face danger, her heart in turmoil.

My little Tuan Tuan, how can mother possibly help you?

You must return safely.

Suddenly, she sprang up: "Tuan Tuan! Quickly! Come with mother to Guoshi Residence!"

The two arrived at Guoshi Residence, and Cheng Ru'an recounted the whole chain of events, including the first letter, in full detail.

Chu Yuan looked at Tuan Tuan: "Princess, do you really intend to go?"

Tuan Tuan nodded: "Yes! Their fortune is stolen, nothing to fear!"

Cheng Ru'an, with a tense and urgent expression, said: "National Preceptor, last time Tuan Tuan was saved by you; now she is traveling to an enemy nation, I cannot rest easy. I earnestly request you to intervene again on her behalf."

"I don't care whether she serves as this Immortal Envoy; I only ask that she return home safely."

Tuan Tuan walked up to her, leapt into her arms: "Mother, you're so kind!"

Cheng Ru'an held her tightly, tears unable to stay from slipping down her cheeks.

Chu Yuan looked at the mother and daughter: "Everyone knows my name is Chu Yuan. Princess, do you know my secular family name?"

Tuan Tuan shook her head: "I don't know!"

Cheng Ru'an looked at him in surprise: "The National Preceptor's secular family name? What does that mean?"

Chu Yuan smiled faintly: "Then remember, my secular name is Lin Chuan."

Tuan Tuan nodded: "Got it!"

Chu Yuan drew an object from his sleeve and handed it to Tuan Tuan.

It was not a dazzling treasure, but a small bundle of five‑colored silk threads wound together into a peach‑seed‑shaped skein, plain and unremarkable.

"The Da Xia National Preceptor's greatest skill is to use human desire, weaving an invisible cage that confuses the five senses and muddles the mind."

"Though this item cannot increase your fortune nor actively defeat enemies,"

He gently placed the skein into Tuan Tuan's small hand: "But if you become trapped in chaos, unable to see through, grip it tightly. It can pierce the most intricate illusion, allowing you to see the truth."

Tuan Tuan took the thread ball in hand, turning it over and over to examine it, then carefully placed it into the sachet: "I'll use it! Thank you, National Preceptor!"

Cheng Ru'an thanked profusely, bringing Tuan Tuan back to the Prince's Mansion.

Three days later.

A four-horse carriage stood quietly at the gate of Ning Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Er, dressed in tight-fitting attire, held the reins, seated firmly on the carriage.

Cheng Ru'an tightened the little strap on Tuan Tuan's cloak, eyes slightly red, holding back reluctance, repeatedly urging: "Tuan Tuan, be careful on the road, listen to your older brothers."

Tuan Tuan nodded vigorously, excitement filling his little face: "Got it, Mom!"

Xiao Yuanhang patted Xiao Ningchen's shoulder: "Chen'er, the safety of this journey, I entrust to you."

Xiao Ningchen replied: "Father, please rest assured; with me here, I will absolutely not let Tuan Tuan come to any harm."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded, looking at Xiao Ningxun: "Xun Er, you are meticulous; along the way, you should take on more responsibility for your second older brother."

"Yes, Father."

He finally looked at Xiao Ze: "Seventh Prince, thank you for your trouble."

Xiao Ze clasped his hands: "Please rest assured, we will all return unharmed!"

Xiao Yuanhang personally placed Tuan Tuan into the carriage: "Let's set off."

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ningxun then climbed in, Xiao Er took the lead, and Xiao Ningchen rode behind to guard the rear.

Xiao Er gave the reins a shake, calling out low: "Go!"

The four fine horses stepped forward together, the heavy wheels turned slowly, and the carriage headed toward the city gate.

Ten guards simultaneously mounted their horses, movements uniform and orderly, forming two rows to firmly protect the carriage in the center.

Xiao Yuanhang took his wife's hand, and together they watched the carriage fade into the distance until it disappeared from sight.