Chapter 568: It Would Be Difficult to Act Again

Tuan Tuan saw this, hurriedly scooped a spoonful of yogurt drink from Kang An's bowl and shoved it into his mouth: "Xiao An'an, why are you eating so little? This is so delicious!"

Kang An was startled, subconsciously swallowed it, the cold yogurt drink slid into his stomach, and his mind instantly cleared.

He looked at Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan was blinking his big, sparkling eyes at him, and even broke into a sweet smile.

Thank you, Tuan Tuan.

Kang An lowered his head and began eating spoon after spoon in silence.

Tuan Tuan let out a breath and glanced at everyone.

Xiao Ningxun's raised heart settled back into his stomach.

No matter what, confronting the ruler face-to-face would be extremely disrespectful, and asking him for help afterward would be difficult; fortunately, his sister reacted quickly.

Xiao Ningyuan couldn't help but roll his eyes; he hadn't wanted to bring Kang An on this trip, but his younger brother was soft-hearted and couldn't resist his earnest pleas—and sure enough, they almost caused trouble.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi looked at Tuan Tuan, "Our young lady is really clever!"

Xue Tong frowned tightly: "Your guards were carefully selected to protect you—how did he leave? And you don't even know where he went?"

Xiao Ningyuan nearly choked on a sip of horse milk wine, while Xiao Ningxun lowered his head and let out a soft sigh.

This Divine Doctor! Having him is enough.

Wei Chi Ming smiled: "Old Valley Master, you don't know."

"Gu Li Han was someone who stayed by my elder brother's side back then; by my side he was merely a spy."

"When the Old Valley Master rescued me back then, it was he who, acting on my elder brother's orders, secretly poisoned me."

"Later, I kept him by my side, but that was only to turn his own schemes against him."

"After I inherited the throne, my elder brother fled to Kucha Kingdom."

"Gu Li Han has always been his confidant."

"Since my elder brother is in Kucha, he must be there too, though I have never actually seen him in person."

"Gu Li Han is eloquent, adaptable, and meticulous in thought—indeed a rare talent."

"But his heart is cruel and venomous, like a snake fanged with poison."

"If I ever get the chance, I would gladly take his life, lest he find an opportunity someday and bite someone."

Wei Chi Ming scanned the crowd: "I don't know which of you this venomous snake has bitten—yet it could even summon the Old Valley Master himself to come all the way to the Western Regions."

His gaze blazing, he looked at Kang An: "Child, is it you?"

Everyone gasped upon hearing that.

Xiao Ningyuan and Xiao Ningxun exchanged a glance; anyone capable of ruling a state is indeed hard to deceive, and he had seen through them.

Kang An's hand trembled, and the spoon clattered into the bowl.

He lifted his head, met Wei Chi Ming's gaze, opened his mouth, but didn't know how to answer.

Tuan Tuan, however, lifted his little head, full of righteous confidence: "Xiao An'an can't speak! If you have questions, just ask my master! Master, right?"

Xue Tong was taken aback, also right… but also not right; oh well, my disciple's words are correct!

He instantly adopted the same confident air: "Exactly! I've been giving this child acupuncture every day!"

"His speech… is quite difficult, yes, difficult!"

Everyone: "……"

Wei Chi Ming laughed: "Ah, I see, I understand."

Xiao Ningxun cupped his fists: "Your Majesty, as you said, Gu Li Han is very likely in Kucha Kingdom, still by your elder brother's side."

"If we go to Kucha Kingdom, how should we seek your elder brother?"

Wei Chi Ming sized up Xiao Ningxun, a playful glint in his eyes: "It seems you are determined to succeed."

Xiao Ningxun didn't hide it: "Exactly."

Wei Chi Ming picked up the glass goblet before him and drained the grape wine in one gulp.

He slowly set down the cup: "Since that's the case, I won't ask why you're looking for Gu Li Han—after all, his death would be beneficial and harmless to me."

"I can also provide you with a guide, money, even troops, to help you reach Kucha."

Everyone was shocked upon hearing that.

Wei Chi Ming shifted tone: "However, I have one matter for you to accomplish."

Tuan Tuan lifted his head from the bowl, a ring of white yogurt still around his mouth: "What is it? Is it difficult?"

Wei Chi Ming looked at her petite appearance and couldn't help but laugh: "Whether it's hard depends on who does it."

Xiao Ningxun said: "Your Majesty, please speak."

Wei Chi Ming lifted his gaze to the window: "The three largest countries in the Western Regions are Shule, Kucha, and my Yutian."

"Northern Shule is vast, with many tribal bandits, its people fierce; no one can conquer it, and they never seek to annex other states."

"My Yutian lies in the west, its culture flourishing, trade prosperous, but its military is the weakest."

"Southern Kucha controls the trade routes, its forces strong, ambitions high; for years it has been embroiled in war, continually devouring neighboring small states."

"My elder brother now sits beside the king of Kucha as an honored guest."

"I hear he daily whispers into the Kucha king's ear, claiming he is the legitimate ruler of my Yutian, and that if Kucha sends troops to aid him, Yutian will become Kucha's vassal."

He withdrew his gaze, looking at the crowd: "My elder brother has no other talents, but he is exceptionally skilled at winning people's favor."

"Kucha has not yet sent troops, simply because it lacks confidence in swallowing Yutian."

"But they keep him as a pawn, presumably because they believe he will be useful someday."

Xiao Ningxun, hearing this, already understood somewhat in his heart.

Wei Chi Ming looked at him: "If you want to find Gu Li Han, you must first find my elder brother. Only by finding my elder brother can you get close to that venomous snake by his side."

He paused: "What I want you to do is simply bring my elder brother back alive."

Xiao Ningyuan blinked: "Bring him back to Khotan?"

"Yes." Wei Chi Ming said in a flat tone, "He is my royal older brother; I won't kill him."

"But as long as he remains in Kucha for a day, he is a serious threat to me."

Xiao Ningyuan's eyes widened: "Your Majesty means, let us take your royal older brother from right under the nose of the Kucha king?"

Wei Chi Ming smiled and replied with Xiao Ningxun's earlier words: "Exactly."

"What? You can't do it?"

Xue Tong snorted: "Who said it can't be done? Didn't you see just now?"

"My disciple is incredibly capable—let alone bringing a person back, even snatching whatever that Kucha king's crown off his head, she could do it!"

Tuan Tuan heard Master mention her, lifted her head and pouted: "Master! I don't want to pluck a turtle's crown!"

Xue Tong blinked: "Um, Master was just speaking figuratively."

Everyone: "……"

Wei Chi Ming's smile deepened as he raised his wine cup: "If you agree, tell me what you need; I will certainly give my full support."

"If you don't agree," he took a sip of wine, "then today let it be as if the Old Valley Master has come to visit an old friend; we'll drink and catch up, and mention nothing else."

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ningyuan exchanged a glance, then both looked at their sister.

The two little ones, having not understood their conversation, now had their heads together, eating the yogurt drink spoon by spoon.

Xiao Ningxun laughed, "What's there to fear? We've overcome all these obstacles."

With Tuan Tuan around, what can't be accomplished?

He raised his head, locking eyes with Wei Chi Ming: "Good! It's settled!"

Wei Chi Ming nodded: "How fortunate that you came now."

"Next month is Kucha's great sacrifice festival; the whole kingdom celebrates for three days, and the Kucha king will publicly attend the rites with his royal entourage."

"You will set out tomorrow and arrive in seven days, just in time."

"My royal older brother will surely be there then; acting will be far easier than inside the palace."

"Only," he paused, "there are only three days. If we miss it, trying again will be difficult."