Chapter 341: Why Is the Purple Qi on Him So Faint?

"I have a moonstone that's the brightest on the grassland; at night it gives off a beautiful blue light—how pretty! Let you play with it, just let me touch it, okay?"

After saying that, she truly lowered her head, took out from her delicate little pouch a stone that sparkled with blue light, and, as if offering a treasure, placed it in her palm and reached it toward Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan looked at the pretty stone, blinked, and felt a little moved.

But she still shook her head: "I don't want your stone; Fanfan isn't for trading."

She thought for a moment, looking at Wuya's face that suddenly fell: "But if you promise me, you'll touch gently, not scare it, then I'll let you touch it a little."

Wuya's eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded eagerly: "I promise! I swear I'll touch gently! I definitely won't scare it!"

Only then did Tuan Tuan carefully bring Fanfan over to her in a hug.

Wuya leaned in, held her breath, stretched out her tiny hand, and ever so gently touched the tuft of snowy white fur on Fanfan's forehead.

Fanfan lifted its head, sniffed her fingers, didn't dodge—in fact, it narrowed its eyes.

"Wow! It's so soft! So well‑behaved!" Wuya exclaimed happily, then stroked Fanfan's smooth back fur, feeling satisfied.

Munren saw this, breathed a sigh of relief, and walked over: "Tuan Tuan, I'm Munren—may I touch it?"

"Sure!" Tuan Tuan readily agreed.

The three youngsters surrounded the wolf pup, taking turns to pet it.

All the adults in the room smiled faintly.

"Its name is Fanfan!"

"Fanfan? What a strange name."

"Because it smells especially good when it eats!"

"Really? Then tomorrow I'll bring him some tasty meat so I can watch how it eats."

"Of course!"

Only when a hesitant urging came from outside the tent did Wuya and Munren reluctantly rise to say goodbye.

As Wuya stepped out of the tent, she turned back and waved at Tuan Tuan: "I'll come play with you again tomorrow—wait for me!"

"All right!"

The tent curtain fell again, and everyone exchanged smiles.

This unexpected visitor actually dispelled much of their tension.

As night deepened, the whole Royal City fell into sleep.

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ran brought Tuan Tuan and Fanfan to stay in the largest main tent.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi, Harichagai and Qing Qing, respectively lodged in the left and right tents.

Everyone had fallen asleep, while Tiehe and the guards kept quiet watch around the perimeter.

All was silent.

"Yo——"

A mournful, long‑drawn cry, like a deer's call full of endless sorrow, suddenly came from the direction of Holy Mountain, instantly shattering the quiet night!

That sound was incredibly penetrating, clearly transmitted into every felt tent, echoing across the Royal City's skies.

Fanfan, curled in Tuan Tuan's arms, had its fur stand on end all over and let out an uneasy whimper from its throat.

Tuan Tuan rubbed its little head, sat up dazedly, and asked, "Third Brother, what's that sound?"

Xiao Ran instantly woke, pressed down on Tuan Tuan, and said, "It's fine, stay still."

Xiao Ningxun walked to the tent flap and lifted a corner of the curtain.

The moonlight was cold and clear; Tiehe and the guards all looked tense, gripping their sword hilts, staring uncertainly toward Holy Mountain.

Other felt tents also lit up one after another, and more and more people stepped out of their tents,

Exclamations and bewildered voices rose.

"What sound?"

"It's coming from Holy Mountain!"

"It sounds like a deer's cry!"

"How could there be a deer's call in the middle of the night?"

"It sounds so sorrowful, doesn't it?"

Xiao Ningxun frowned deeply and stepped out of the tent.

Qing Qing and Harichagai quickly walked toward him.

Qing Qing's eyes flickered.

Harichagai's face grew grave, and he said in a low voice, "It's the call of a white deer. On the grasslands there's a legend: when a white deer wails, it's an omen of great misfortune, foretelling impending disaster."

Before his words faded, the mournful deer cry sounded again, intermittently, each weaker than the last, then faded completely into the night wind, leaving no further sound.

Tiehe and the others exchanged fearful glances.

Xiao Ningxun gazed at the looming silhouette of Holy Mountain in the distant darkness, and a heavy unease welled up in his heart.

"Everyone, go back to sleep."

He turned and walked back into the tent, helped Tuan Tuan lie down again, and stroked Fanfan.

"Sleep, Tuan Tuan, it's all right." He whispered soothingly.

The next day at noon, everyone, invited, entered the Golden Tent of the Great Khan of Xilu, Menggen.

The interior of the Golden Tent was extremely spacious and grand, its top adorned with intricate gold paintings, and beneath one's feet lay a thick, dense, deep‑red brocade carpet that made no sound when stepped on.

At the innermost side stood a raised, wide platform, and on the throne atop it lay a complete white tiger pelt.

Below the platform, on both left and right sides were two rows of low tables and sitting mats, already occupied by many people.

The tent was filled with the fragrant aroma of roasted meat.

Seated at the upper left place next to the throne was none other than the Great Prince Bateer.

He changed into a solemn vermilion robe, smiling as he whispered with an old man with white hair seated below.

Further down were Mu Ren and Wu Ya.

Wu Ya winked at Tuan Tuan, and Tuan Tuan happily waved at her.

A maid led them to the seats on the right side below the throne.

Everyone took their seats.

Bateer nodded and smiled at them, and everyone else's gazes turned toward them.

Soon after, a heavy curtain behind the throne was slowly drawn back.

A man in a dark‑gold‑trimmed sapphire robe walked in slowly, and everyone rose to salute.

His face was angular, with thick brows and large eyes; he was tall but unusually thin.

He was the Great Khan of Xilu, Menggen.

Tuan Tuan looked at him and wondered, "Is this old man the father of Uncle Ji?"

How faint the purple aura on him is! It's almost gone.

Tuan Tuan tugged at the corner of Xiao Ningxun's robe.

Xiao Ningxun bent down, and Tuan Tuan quickly whispered into his ear, "Third Brother, his purple aura is so thin! It seems about to disappear."

Thin purple aura? Almost gone? Could it be that this Great Khan Menggen won't live much longer?

Xiao Ningxun's heart jolted, but his expression didn't change; he merely patted his sister's hand lightly to show he understood.

Menggen took his seat on the throne and waved for everyone to sit down.

Everyone reseated themselves.

A long toast sounded, and maidens in colorful robes entered single file, holding silver bowls full of kumis, to pour drinks for everyone.

After the elaborate and solemn ceremony, the atmosphere loosened up a bit.

Great Khan Menggen raised his cup: "Esteemed guests from the distant Lie Kingdom, welcome to the Xilu grasslands."

"This cup is for our distant friends; may the Eternal Heaven bless peace between our two nations and health for our peoples."

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ran stood, raised their cups, and replied, "Thank you, Great Khan!"

Menggen's gaze fell on Tuan Tuan: "You must be Princess Jiayou, right? Did you sleep well last night? Are you accustomed to the grassland's food?"

His tone was gentle, like an ordinary elder asking a junior.

Tuan Tuan, holding her rice ball, stood up and said in a clear voice, "I slept great! The meat and milk cakes are delicious—thank you, Great Khan Grandfather."

A faint smile crossed Menggen's face: "As long as you're used to it."

He paused: "I hear you are old acquaintances with my second son, Jifeng."

Inside the tent, silence fell at once; Bateer's expression shifted slightly, and Qing Qing's heart jumped.

Tuan Tuan nodded: "Yes! Uncle Ji is wonderful—he took me hunting, played with me, and helped me a lot."

"Great Khan Grandfather, may I see him?"