Chapter 126

Inside the Fifth Prince's Residence.

Cheng Chengxuan paced back and forth in his room, unable to settle his mind.

He glanced toward the window from time to time.

That fellow Chu Yuan—usually running around eight times a day, but at the critical moment, where has he gone off to?

Just as he was thinking this, a creak suddenly came from the window.

He hurried to look over, and after seeing who it was, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Why is it you? Where is your Pavilion Master?"

The one who came was a killer from the Dark Pavilion, Yuan Jiu.

These past days he had been passing messages between him and Chu Yuan, so he could be considered a familiar face.

Yuan Jiu's face was covered with a black cloth, revealing only his forehead and a pair of eyes without the slightest ripple. With lowered gaze, he said in a low voice.

"General Situ has gone to Da Yin. After the Pavilion Master found out, he went after him."

Cheng Chengxuan's brow knotted tightly.

"Situ Kuo has gone to Da Yin?!"

Although Situ Kuo was stationed at the border, even if he rushed back at the fastest speed, it would take at least four or five days.

And that was only if he happened to be heading back at this very moment.

Not to mention, Situ Kuo had not yet received the news!

"I understand. You may go back first. I have other arrangements for this matter."

After Yuan Jiu left, he glanced at the color of the sky outside.

It was still the small hours of the morning.

But there was no other way.

Thinking this, Cheng Chengxuan reached out and pressed the Light Screen, sending a voice call request.

Afterward, his hands clenched slightly as he waited anxiously and uneasily.

Meanwhile, on the other side, An Luo was sleeping soundly when she was suddenly woken by her phone ringing.

She rolled over, groggily took the phone from the nightstand, half-squinting as she answered. Then, keeping her side-lying posture, she tucked the phone against her ear.

"Hello?"

The moment Cheng Chengxuan heard that soft, sweet voice with a slight nasal tone, a touch of dazed innocence, a flush gradually crept across his entire face.

But the next moment, the window that hadn't been latched tight was blown open a crack by the wind, and the cold air hit his body, instantly sobering him up.

He secretly cursed himself in his heart.

What kind of time is this, and he's still thinking about such things!

He walked over to stand by the window, took a deep breath, and pressed down those lingering thoughts.

"Miss An, I have a very tricky matter on my side that needs your help."

The cool, faintly magnetic voice line that came through her ear instantly put An Luo on alert.

Cheng Chengxuan?

Could something have happened to Zaituan?

"Has something happened to the Cheng Family?"

Cheng Chengxuan's face was grave.

"The Second Prince of Muyuan Kingdom failed in forcing the palace, and the National Lord of Muyuan has been poisoned—he only has a few days to live. These next few days are the perfect opportunity for us to act."

"But General Situ has suddenly gone to Da Yin. He must have gone to find Gu Shang. We have to get him back as soon as possible."

"If we wait until Shang Xiaomin ascends the throne, pulling him down afterward will be difficult."

After he finished speaking, a rustling sound came through the phone.

An Luo was putting on her shoes and changing clothes.

"Alright, I'll go find Yu'an right now and have him hurry home to tell Gu Shang the news."

"You be careful too."

After getting the news downstairs, Yu'an rubbed his big eyes that wouldn't open, yawned, and headed back to the Cheng Family.

The little fellow pushed open the door and ran straight toward his mother and grandmother's room.

"Grandmother, Mother!"

"Why has Yu'an come back so early today?"

"Grandmother, Little Uncle says we have to get General Situ back quickly!"

When Small Dumpling got anxious, he tended to mumble his words.

"Is Yu'an speaking of General Situ?"

The little fellow nodded.

"That's right. Little Uncle said something big has happened, and General Situ needs to hurry back."

Hearing this, Meng Shi and Tian Qin, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, exchanged a glance, their expressions both very grave.

"Cheng Feng!"

Several guards had already come out upon hearing the commotion. Hearing her words, Cheng Feng stepped forward.

"Lady Da."

"You hurry into the city, find Gu Shang and General Situ, and tell them something has happened in Muyuan Kingdom—have him go back as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

Just as Cheng Feng turned to leave, he heard:

"Wait!"

The few of them looked over at the sound and saw Cheng Old Madam, already dressed, walking out of the room.

"Go tell him to come here first, no matter what."

"Yes!"

After Cheng Feng left, Tian Qin asked in confusion.

"Grandmother, if it weren't urgent, Shengxuan wouldn't be this anxious. Why do you still want General Situ to come to our place?"

Cheng Old Madam smiled and beckoned to Small Dumpling.

"Yu'an, come to your great-grandmother."

The little one trotted over on his short legs, clip-clop-clip-clop, took his great-grandmother's hand, and walked toward the room.

"Great-grandmother, it's cold outside. Yu'an will help you inside."

Cheng Old Madam rubbed Small Dumpling's fuzzy little head.

"From here on, it'll be up to Yu'an."

Hearing this, Yu'an stood up straight, puffed out his chest, and patted his little chest.

"Great-grandmother can leave it to Yu'an with peace of mind. Yu'an is very capable!"

"It's just…"

The little one tilted his small head, his big dark eyes wide, looking at her in blank confusion.

"What does Yu'an need to do?"

Meng Shi and her daughter-in-law exchanged a glance.

Could it be—?

……

On the other side, Situ Kuo chatted with his dear nephew until the middle of the night and only fell asleep in the small hours.

But he had slept less than an hour before being woken up.

"Didn't you say we needed to hurry back to Muyuan? Why are we going to the Cheng Family first?"

On horseback, Situ Kuo turned his head to look at Cheng Feng.

Cheng Feng shook his head.

"I don't know either, but since Old Madam said so, she must have her reasons."

Arriving at the gate of Cheng Jia Xiaoyuan, the corner of Situ Kuo's eye twitched uncontrollably.

He looked at the few Tigers lying on the ground, swallowed hard with great difficulty, and couldn't even speak properly.

"Th-this is?"

Although this group of Tigers was raised by the Cheng Family's little child and was very understanding of human nature, their aura was simply too intimidating.

Cheng Old Madam smiled faintly.

"The matter is urgent. In this winter weather, a Horse's speed really can't compare to a Tiger's. Let Yellow Three and the others see General Situ off."

"See… see me off?"

Situ Kuo forced out a smile uglier than a cry.

Off to where?

If they see me off, will I even make it home?

Yu'an patted each of the three Tigers' big heads one by one, giving earnest instructions in his milky little voice.

"You have to be good. Don't play around on the way, and don't scare Grandpa Situ. After you see Grandpa Situ home, come back quickly."

"Off you go."

Yellow Three nuzzled his little master's sweet, milky little hand, then walked over to Situ Kuo and slightly lowered its body.

Situ Kuo was so frightened by it that his whole body went stiff. Not instinctively stepping back a few paces was the last shred of dignity he left for himself!

After waiting a while and seeing no movement, Yellow Three grew a little impatient.

It turned its head and roared at its two underlings.

Then it stood up, walked aside, and stared with its tiger eyes, sizing up the old man before it.

What's wrong with this guy?

It's already lowered its body, and he still can't get on?

Those long legs of his are really grown for nothing. They're not even as nimble as his master's chubby little short legs.

And the underling Yellow Three had called over, Yellow Six, walked over to Situ Kuo and lay flat on the ground.

Yellow Three looked at Situ Kuo again.

He should be able to get on now, right?

But don't expect it to do the same for the rest of the journey!

The only one who could make it bow in submission, prostrate itself completely, was its little master alone!

Situ Kuo rubbed his eyes.

Was he seeing things?

Was that Tiger just now looking down on him?

"Roar-wooo!"

The Tiger King impatiently roared at them.

So annoying, stop dawdling, hurry up and go!

Little master still needs to go back to sleep in!

Hearing this sound, Yellow Three's whiskers twitched.

Fine, add one more boss to the list.

"Grandfather Situ, why aren't you moving yet?"

Yu'an looked at him in confusion.

Situ Kuo gave an awkward chuckle.

"I…"

I don't dare move.

But the moment he thought of how dire the situation in Muyuan was now, and how the chance for his nephew to avenge himself was right before his eyes, he gritted his teeth and stamped his foot.

Trembling, he lifted his leg and sat down on the tiger's back.

The three tigers leaped up, and in no time vanished into the mountain forest.

On the road, Situ Kuo, riding on the tiger's back, had long since cast his fear behind him; he spread his arms wide and laughed heartily at the sky.

"Ha ha, this feels really great!"

"Awesome!"

The key thing is how imposing it looks!

Oh my goodness, who would have thought that one day I would actually be riding a tiger to travel!

I've really made something of myself!

"Roar!"

Seeing his crazed appearance, Huang San gave an unhappy roar.

Situ Kuo was instantly so frightened he gave a shudder.

Huang San's nostrils flared slightly, and he let out a heavy snort.

Hmph, what a coward!