Chapter 272: Don't be so hard to look at, okay?

National Teacher smiled but did not answer.

Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin glanced at each other, and neither wanted to continue dwelling on the topic.

Everyone has their own choices and convictions; she also couldn't say much.

Her grudges and gratitude toward her foster father should also come to an end.

He had already lost the most important thing.

Leaving the Imperial Observatory, Mu Yuanzhi gazed at the deserted streets of Jingcheng at night.

This place would no longer weigh her down to the point of being unable to breathe.

She could live freely and at ease here.

"Rongjin, I want to ask His Majesty to repair the Grand General's residence."

She wanted to move back and live there!

Gu Rongjin nodded: "Actually I've been thinking about this too, but I was afraid you'd be hurt by the memory, so I never brought it up."

"The Grand General's residence shouldn't fall into decline," Mu Yuanzhi said with a determined gaze.

The next day, they entered the palace, and after the morning court, Mu Yuanzhi went to Xuanshi Hall to see the new emperor and explain her purpose.

Upon hearing this, the new emperor agreed without hesitation: "With such filial piety, your parents in the afterlife must be pleased."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting this." Mu Yuanzhi bowed in gratitude.

"However, merely repairing the Grand General's residence won't restore its prosperity unless there is an heir to carry on," the new emperor said.

"It's a pity I know nothing of warfare; I cannot continue my father's glory," Mu Yuanzhi said, biting her lower lip in regret.

This requires talent, and it's clear hers does not lie here.

The new emperor then laughed: "What's so hard about that? Just have a son or daughter, and it'll be fine."

Mu Yuanzhi's ears quickly turned red.

Gu Rongjin said: "Your Majesty, don't tease her; she's thin-skinned."

"I'm serious," the new emperor laughed. "The children you two will have will surely be outstanding dragons and phoenixes, and I have great expectations for them."

Mu Yuanzhi thought it over carefully and indeed it was also a method!

"By the way, Di'er has been mentioning that you accompany him back to the Infant Void Kingdom; I don't know when you two, my beloved officials, can set out," the new emperor asked. "My wife's health is poor; she cannot endure travel, and I really worry about leaving her alone there."

Saying this, the new emperor's expression grew sorrowful.

Mu Yuanzhi had never seen him like this before; she thought he must truly love his wife.

Recently, court officials have been submitting memorials requesting the establishment of an empress, but the new emperor has continually postponed it.

He likely wants to make his first wife the empress, but she simply cannot come from such a faraway place.

Mu Yuanzhi said: "Your Majesty, we can set out at any time!"

Gu Rongjin nodded, "Wherever my wife goes, I go too!"

"That's excellent; I'll place all my hopes on you."

Three days later was the day Mu Yuanzhi would take action; the new emperor dispatched Qi Shihuai to accompany them, and although Qilin originally wanted to come along, he fell ill and could only rest obediently.

Pei Di knew he had to return to the Infant Void Kingdom to treat his mother; he felt both excited and nervous, and these three days he hadn't slept well.

"As crown prince, your Father Emperor even lets you return to the Infant Void Kingdom; aren't you afraid something might go wrong on the road, or that you'd be seized by the Infant Void Kingdom as a hostage?" Gu Rongjin said.

Pei Di disagreed: "I've said before, I'm just a decoy; the Father Emperor truly intends to make my elder brother the crown prince, and this position of mine is merely a target. If someone aims at me, it only means the Father Emperor's plan succeeded."

After all, who would choose to save a stranger over their heir? This shows that so-called heir is even worse than a stranger.

He had long understood this and grown accustomed to it.

Mu Yuanzhi: "Crown Prince, actually……"

"Just call me Pei Di; don't call me Crown Prince—I dislike that title. You're my friend, so don't address me that way, Miss Mu." When Pei Di said the four words "Crown Prince," his brows furrowed with disgust.

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "All right, Pei Di, actually that day's cliff……"

"Miss Mu, don't say it—I know you want to comfort me, but facts are facts, I don't want to bring it up." Pei Di turned and got into the carriage, not letting Mu Yuanzhi finish.

Mu Yuanzhi sighed, "I originally wanted to tell him the truth, but he wouldn't even let me finish speaking."

"Princess, children need to be taught gradually; you can't rush." General Qi laughed.

Mu Yuanzhi: "General Qi, why don't you find a chance to tell Pei Di the truth? You're his teacher now, and he obviously trusts you completely."

"Why should I tell him? Doing so would lower my standing in his heart," General Qi retorted.

Mu Yuanzhi gazed at him speechlessly.

This guy really is as annoying as ever!

"Can you even be a role model like that?"

"Why not? Is it because my martial arts are lacking, my literary talent poor, my military ability insufficient, or my looks not handsome enough?" General Qi countered each point.

"What does that have to do with appearance?" Mu Yuanzhi's mouth twitched: "Your character is terrible!"

"My character bad? Ask the common folk—is my character bad?" General Qi smiled smugly. "Out of ten people, eleven would deny it; in everyone's eyes, I'm just that formidable a person."

"Little Yuanzhi, don't waste words on him—this guy is just asking for a beating."

Gu Rongjin came over, glared at General Qi, and said: "You'll surely capsize sooner or later."

"I won't capsize—I haven't in all these years." General Qi smirked and walked away.

Gu Rongjin: "We're setting off, wife—don't dwell on it. Their knots will eventually untie; I think the key may lie with Pei Di's mother. Let's go."

"Mm, let's go."

"Ah Zhi!"

When Xiao Yichen's voice sounded from behind, Mu Yuanzhi got straight into the carriage without even turning her head, and Gu Rongjin glanced back at Xiao Yichen dismissively.

By the way, he ordered the escort guards not to let idle people approach.

Those idle people naturally referred to Xiao Yichen; the guards were on high alert, not wanting to offend anyone.

"A Zhi!"

But unfortunately, this Grand Secretary insists on coming over.

"Grand Secretary, sorry, please don't make things difficult for us."

These guards steeled themselves to block.

Xiao Yichen was furious; if it were before, these guards wouldn't dare to stop him.

He is no longer what he used to be; his standing in the court has greatly declined, so naturally others see him as insignificant.

"A Zhi!" Xiao Yichen shouted here, "The journey to Infant Void State is far, and you're unfamiliar with the place; I've prepared some information here that will surely be useful for you!"

He held a thick stack of documents, which he had stayed up two nights to organize.

When the carriage curtain was lifted, Xiao Yichen's eyes brightened for a moment then dimmed; the one who leaned out was not Mu Yuanzhi but Gu Rongjin, who said, "We have three people here, plus one who is half a local; do you need me to curry favor here? Grand Secretary Xiao, don't make a fuss over another man's wife—don't embarrass yourself."

"I merely wanted to help as a friend."