"General, are you feeling unwell?" Ming Hong looked at Wei Qiong with concern.
"Perhaps it's the fatigue from traveling for days on end. I wish to rest."
Wei Qiong clearly wanted to dismiss him.
Although Ming Hong didn't understand why, he would never question his general's words.
Ming Hong nodded, bowed, and turned to leave.
Only after the steady footsteps outside had vanished did the person on the rooftop lift a roof tile and leap down.
"After following you for so many years, don't you intend to give me a proper title yet?"
This light voice, this manner of speaking, was exactly the same as it had been back then.
A trace of bitterness flickered through Wei Qiong's heart.
"You're in this state, yet you dare to seek me out. Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you?"
"Arrest me for what? What crime have I committed? Did I, before I was even born, use my psychic powers to make my imperial grandmother do something wrong?"
Chu Qianli walked slowly towards her, settling into a chair opposite her.
Wei Qiong wanted to say something, but for a moment, not a single word could be uttered.
In the end, she had served the Empress for so many years.
Although Long Tianliu was in power later, her heart belonged only to Emperor Dingguo and Princess Xiyue.
Suddenly, to be asked to view someone she had respected for decades as a criminal, she still couldn't accept it.
"I am here to arrest you, General. Do not be presumptuous in front of me."
Finally, Wei Qiong could only deliberately put on a stern face, trying to appear more serious.
"Chu Qianli, do you have anything else to say? If not, then surrender quickly!"
Chu Qianli merely looked at her, seemingly having nothing to say.
Wei Qiong clenched her fingers. Her great saber was not far away, but at this moment, her anger couldn't be mustered, nor could her killing intent.
In the end, she looked dejected.
"What should I do?"
"Is that imperial decree real?" Chu Qianli suddenly asked.
Although few had the chance to see this so-called imperial decree, Wei Qiong, being the daughter of Wei Xian, must have seen it.
Wei Qiong glanced at her.
That glance was indescribably complex.
Her heart was heavy.
After an unknown amount of time, she said faintly, "The imperial decree is real. The seal of Empress Tengyuan, and the imprint of the imperial jade seal, are... real."
Chu Qianli's fingertips twitched.
The imperial jade seal was currently in her system.
She slightly turned her wrist, and the jade seal landed in her palm. She looked at Wei Qiong, wanting to say something.
But Wei Qiong wasn't looking at her.
Wei Qiong stared at an unknown corner, her face etched with worry.
Chu Qianli hesitated for a moment, then finally turned her wrist again, returning the jade seal to her spatial dimension.
"Did Ziyue ask you to tell me anything?"
"I never had the chance to be with Ziyue..."
Wei Qiong paused, then quickly corrected herself, "I never had the chance to be alone with the Empress."
Chu Qianli fell into thought.
"Is it because Ziyue has always been by Wei Xian's side?"
"My mother is loyal to the Dragon Ascending Kingdom!" Wei Qiong immediately defended her mother!
Her mother would never do anything like holding the emperor hostage to command the nobles.
"I know the Regent is loyal..." I only fear that this loyalty might be exploited.
However, Chu Qianli felt there was no need to mention these things to Wei Qiong.
After all, she had no idea about the current situation in Dragon Ascending.
"At least,"
Wei Qiong sighed deeply. Many things were helpless, but since they had already happened, they had to be faced.
"At least, the Empress is a good Empress. She... will not let the people of Dragon Ascending suffer."
She looked at Chu Qianli and said helplessly, "Your grandmother stole their mother and daughter's throne. Now, it's time to return it to them."