240: Senior sister’s watch!

On the highest point of the Imperial Palace, the Heaven-Ascending Tower, Empress Mu Qingning, dressed in a bright yellow everyday robe, stood alone by the railing. The morning breeze rustled her clothes.

Her deep gaze pierced through the densely packed rooftops of the capital city, looking far into the distance at the massive flying boat, the sky abyss, which was gradually becoming a black dot on the horizon.

She remained standing there, motionless for a long time, until the flying boat completely disappeared from the skyline.

The sunlight cast a golden edge around her, but it also reflected a hint of complex emotions in her eyes, barely perceptible.

Within it was blessing, concern, and perhaps a faint trace of melancholy that she herself might not even admit to.

“What this Senior Sister can do is to stabilize the situation in the capital from here…”

She whispered softly, her voice dissolving into the wind, carrying a rare gentleness, “The waters of Jiangnan are deep. Even with your current heaven-defying cultivation, you must be careful in all things.”

“May your journey be smooth and may you have a safe trip… This Senior Sister will wait for your return in the capital.”

She spoke the last few words very softly, yet with extraordinary firmness, like a solemn promise.

Immediately, her gaze returned to its usual clarity and majesty. She turned and descended the Heaven-Ascending Tower, arriving at the Imperial Study, once again becoming the Empress of Daqian, who held sway over the world and ruled from the nine heavens.

On her desk, there were still mountains of memorials waiting for her to review.

…

At the same time, in the private room on the top floor of Bai Xiang Tower in the capital.

Bai Yurou, the Mistress of Bai Xiang Tower, dismissed her attendants and stood alone by the window, her beautiful eyes gazing in the direction the sky abyss had departed, her expression calm.

Afterward, she went to a secret chamber and began to cast spells on the communication artifact before her.

A moment later, a deep and authoritative male voice came from the other end of the communication artifact. It was Prince Wei Mu Weiran, who was far away in Jiangnan or within his sphere of influence:

“Yurou? What urgent matter do you have to contact this Prince at this time?”

“Your Royal Highness Prince Wei…” Bai Yurou’s voice was soft and charming, yet clear and businesslike, “Li Shengyuan and his party have already left the capital and headed south. They are riding his rather ostentatious sky abyss. Besides his several confidantes, his parents, Li Mu and Wenren Qingxuan, are also accompanying him…”

“It looks like a family trip to explore the lands of Daqian, but…”

Bai Yurou remained silent. There was a moment of silence on the other end of the talisman, as if digesting the news, especially the information about Li Mu and his wife traveling together. Then, a light chuckle came:

“Li Mu and Wenren Qingxuan went too? Heh, quite a grand display. This family really can’t stay still. After causing such a stir in the Northern Borders, are they coming to Jiangnan again?”

“Do you know their specific purpose for heading south? Is it really just for leisure, or… have they discovered something and are coming for this Prince?”

Bai Yurou gently shook her head, even though the other party couldn’t see her: “Li Shengyuan claims it’s just for leisure and visiting relatives, with no official business. That person also didn’t issue an imperial decree for him to handle cases or anything like that…”

“But Your Highness should know that this child is deeply cunning and by no means as simple as he appears on the surface. Coupled with the sudden accompaniment of Li Mu and his wife, there must be a profound meaning behind it. Forgive Yurou’s incompetence, but their true purpose is still difficult to ascertain at present. Perhaps it’s a combination of factors?”

She paused, then added, with a hint of warning in her tone: “Your Highness, you still need to pay more attention in Jiangnan. Li Shengyuan is by no means an easy opponent. Although his father, Li Mu, is not as highly cultivated as he is, his mind and experience are extraordinary, and he is a very steady person. Yurou believes their trip south will definitely not be a simple affair of romance.”

“This Prince understands.”

Prince Wei’s voice did not betray much emotion, but it was clearly a few shades more solemn. “Thank you, Yurou. Continue to monitor the movements in the capital, especially the reaction of that one in the palace.”

Mu Weiran’s voice softened slightly, “When you return to Jiangnan another day, we can catch up, and this Prince will also take you to explore the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.”

“That is natural, Your Highness, rest assured.”

Bai Yurou responded, her beautiful eyes softening considerably, with a hint of anticipation. Then, she ended the communication.

Leaving the secret chamber, she once again looked out the window at the southern sky. A shrewd calculation and a faint worry flickered in her charming and gentle eyes.

The sky of Jiangnan, I’m afraid, is truly about to become turbulent with the arrival of these people.

Your Highness… you must be careful!

On the sky abyss flying boat.

Li Shengyuan seemed to sense something, looking back at the direction of the capital, which was long out of sight. The corner of his mouth curved slightly, then he focused on piloting the flying boat, transforming into a streak of light, soaring towards the rich and prosperous, yet also turbulent, water towns of Jiangnan.