Chapter 567

Two attendants stepped forward, one on each side, lifted the soldier and dragged him out.

The soldier only then came to his senses, desperately struggling and shouting: "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!"

Xue Tong was stunned, then hurriedly waved his hands: "Wait! Wait!"

Wei Chi Ming raised his hand to stop the attendants.

Xue Tong scratched his head, embarrassedly saying: "Actually, there's no need to be so strict."

I already scolded him just now, and I scolded him pretty harshly.

He paused, looking at Tuan Tuan, his tone carrying a bit of pride: "Besides, my disciple also helped teach them a lesson."

Wei Chi Ming followed his gaze.

Tuan Tuan was looking at him with an innocent face.

Wei Chi Ming blinked slightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile: "This little child is actually Old Valley Master's disciple? How interesting."

Old Valley Master is still the same as before: sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.

Since Old Master has shown mercy, I will withdraw my order." He glanced at the soldier: "Get out and receive twenty military strokes; this is not to be repeated."

The soldier kept kowtowing: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Old Valley Master! Thank you… little immortal!"

Wei Chi Ming withdrew his gaze, looking at Tuan Tuan, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny: "These birds, did you summon them?"

Tuan Tuan nodded, speaking confidently: "Yes!"

Wei Chi Ming looked up at the flock still circling above, gave a wry smile: "Could you please ask them to leave first?"

If this continues, my palace will be buried in bird droppings.

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but lower their heads and chuckle.

Tuan Tuan tilted her head: "As long as you let us in, they'll leave!"

Wei Chi Ming blinked, then burst into loud laughter: "Good, good, good! Please, come in!"

He turned sideways, raised his hand, turned around, and personally led the way.

Tuan Tuan put her arms around Xiao Ningxun's neck: "Third Brother, let's go in!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled slightly, hugged her, and lifted his foot to step into the palace's main gate.

Just as the group stepped over the threshold.

The flock overhead turned in unison and scattered, vanishing in an instant.

The glaring sunlight poured down again.

All the soldiers stared up, mouths agape, at this unbelievable sight, their faces full of awe.

Wei Chi Ming's steps paused, he turned back and gave Tuan Tuan a deep look, his gaze growing deeper.

The attendant behind him asked softly: "Your Majesty, where shall we entertain the guests?"

The cool hall, bring the best kumis, grape wine, and also prepare some fruits and fermented milk.

Yes!

Entering the palace, they saw tall poplars and swaying willows lining the path, casting patches of shade.

Verdant grapevines climbed the wooden frames beside the walls, some bearing pale yellow and milky white flowers, some hanging strings of fruit like green jewels, a pleasing sight.

Tuan Tuan looked around: "When I go back, I'll have Imperial Uncle plant grapes all over the palace!"

They're both beautiful and delicious! All right, Third Brother?

Xiao Ningxun smiled and patted her sister's back: "All right."

Xiao Ningyuan laughed: "Then you'll have to keep those little princes under watch every day, haha, the Emperor's head will hurt."

Tuan Tuan snorted: "I've learned acupuncture from my Master! If Imperial Uncle's head feels bad, I'll give him a needle!"

Xue Tong was delighted: "Good disciple, that's right! Anyone who dares not to listen to you, you just needle them!"

Xiao Ningyuan and Xiao Ningxun: "……"

Old Valley Master, you'd better not teach her, that's the Emperor!

Xiao Er secretly made up his mind: the Miss likes grapes; I don't know if they can be grown in the palace, but when I return to the Prince's Mansion, I'll definitely plant them all for her!

Lu Qi was calculating: the Lord Master's idea is not bad; later, when I return to Yu Prefecture, I'll also plant a courtyard and can brew wine to drink.

Xue Tong thought: "Grapes are somewhat damp and cold; planting them is fine, but don't eat too much. You children have weak spleens and stomachs—how can you tolerate that?"

If you eat too much, watch out for bloating and diarrhea; at most you may have five or six a day.

Tuan Tuan's little face instantly fell: "Master!"

Wei Chi Ming, however, heard this and secretly felt startled: Old Valley Master's temperament is so strange, he buys no one's accounts, yet he dotes on this little child so much?

At such a young age to become Old Valley Master's disciple, spreading this would already shock the world; and yet there's even an Emperor as her uncle?

Imperial Uncle? Imperial Prince? Which emperor of Zhongyuan is this little girl's uncle?

Just now she could casually command those birds; this little child is truly unfathomable.

He glanced back at Kang An; this child looks about the same as that little girl—what is his identity?

Soon, everyone entered the cool hall.

Wei Chi Ming took the main seat: "Please, everyone."

After everyone was seated, the attendants brought over a table full of kumis, grape wine, honeydew melons, grapes…

They also specially placed two bowls of fermented milk in front of Tuan Tuan and Kang An.

Tuan Tuan stared at the bowl before her, white with a slight yellow tint, a fine layer of milk skin floating on top; she twitched her little nose and smelled the rich milk fragrance: "So fragrant!"

Wei Chi Ming smiled: "This is a food children all love; try it."

Tuan Tuan picked up the bone spoon beside her, scooped a spoonful into her mouth, sour, sweet, and cool: "Delicious! It's like the yogurt on the grasslands! Xiao An'an, you eat too."

"Mm." Kang An responded, also taking a sip.

Wei Chi Ming asked: "Have you also eaten the yogurt from the grasslands?"

Tuan Tuan ate while replying: "Exactly! I'm the Grassland Holy Maiden! When I was in Western Lu, every day my auntie would send me food to eat!"

"Grassland Holy Maiden?" Wei Chi Ming's heart was even more shocked, yet his face showed no change: "Nowadays the Great Khan of Western Lu, Jifeng—do you know him?"

Tuan Tuan didn't even lift his head, his little head was about to dive into the yogurt bowl: "Uncle Jifeng! Of course I know him!"

Jifeng... Uncle?

It seems she also has a deep relationship with this Great Khan of Western Lu—just who is she?

Wei Chi Ming pondered for a moment, then looked at Xue Tong: "Old Valley Master, I don't know what important matter brings you here from afar today?"

Xue Tong spoke bluntly: "I'm here to ask you about someone's whereabouts."

Kang An put down his spoon and lifted his head.

"Who?"

Xiao Ningxun took out a portrait: "Great King, please look."

The attendant took it and presented it to Wei Chi Ming.

Wei Chi Ming glanced at it, somewhat surprised: "Gu Li Han? Old Valley Master, what business do you have with him?"

Kang An's eyes turned cold—Gu Li Han, so this is my enemy's name.

Tuan Tuan looked at him, silently stretched out a little hand and grasped his hand.

Kang An suddenly recalled Xiao Ningxun's words before they set out:

"Kang An, Wu Jin Mud is the supreme treasure that the countries of the Western Regions have fought over for years; you must never let anyone know you possess Wu Jin Mud."

"Our trip is to seek help at the Palace, not to demand someone."

"Just stand aside and listen properly; don't lose your temper."

"If Wei Chi Ming is willing to lend a hand, then your parents' great grudge can be avenged sooner."

Kang An smiled at Tuan Tuan and nodded.

Xue Tong glanced at the two little ones: "Where is this person now? I remember he used to be your personal guard."

Wei Chi Ming nodded: "Yes, he stayed by my side for a few years."

Xue Tong frowned: "Formerly? Then what about now?"

Wei Chi Ming took a sip of kumis, then said slowly: "He has long since left; as for where he went, I'm not sure either."

Kang An shot up his head upon hearing that, sparks flying in his eyes.

"Left? Is it true or false? Or is this Great King deliberately covering for him?"