"As for Longteng, I don't want to go back for now. Since Father Emperor has kept this imperial decree for me for so many years, it shall remain sealed here."
Chu Qianli walked to the desk and, following the original path, placed the imperial decree back into the wooden box.
Then, she put the wooden box back into the bottom drawer of the desk.
"Long Ziyue is a good emperor. Perhaps her strategies are not outstanding, but with Wei Xian in civil affairs and Wei Qiong in military matters by her side, those two mother and daughter can surely assist her in governing Longteng well."
Most importantly, Long Ziyue possessed a benevolent heart.
A benevolent ruler would ensure the people lived good lives.
"So? If you're not returning to Longteng, you're going to Beiming, aren't you?" Although Chu Jiangnan had not spent much time with his daughter, he was, after all, Chu Qianli's father.
Blood was thicker than water.
He could somewhat sense what his daughter was thinking.
"Are you still feeling... unreconciled?"
This time, Father Emperor asked directly, and Chu Qianli could no longer hide anything.
However, it wasn't that she wanted to hide it, but rather, she didn't know how to answer.
"It's not exactly unreconciled, perhaps it's... confusion, bewilderment. There are things I want, yet I don't know what I want."
She bit her lip. Perhaps only in front of Father Emperor could she speak her feelings so frankly.
"I always feel that things are not that simple, yet I don't want to let myself fantasize too much. Therefore, I must go to Beiming. Only by going can I find the answers."
"Very good. Your current state of mind makes your father very pleased."
Chu Jiangnan sighed softly, looking at his daughter with smiles in his eyes.
"Your Father Emperor was indeed worried that you might only harbor resentment and be unable to see things clearly."
These words made Chu Qianli's heart jolt, and she stared at him blankly.
Father Emperor's perspective on matters was very different from Fourth Uncle's and the others.
Now, the facts were laid bare: Prince Xuan had taken the treasure map and left.
Anyone would first suspect Prince Xuan's intentions all along.
Even Fourth Uncle, despite his many years of friendship with Feng Yexuan, harbored doubts in his heart.
But Father Emperor's first thought was that there was a hidden reason.
If she were a woman, she would be called a love-struck fool.
But in truth, wasn't she the same?
It was just that she dared not say it, nor was she willing to admit it.
"If you have doubts in your heart, then go and find the answers yourself. What you hear may not be true, and what you see may not be the facts."
Finally, Chu Jiangnan ruffled her hair again, his voice gentle, "Go, child. Go and find everything you desire."
"You don't need to believe anyone, just believe what your heart tells you."
...
Ten more days passed, and Chu Jiangnan's condition stabilized completely.
On the twelfth day after waking, the Emperor attended the morning court.
That day was calm and uneventful; everything was gradually improving.
On the thirteenth day, Chu Qianli set off.
Without informing too many people, she simply bid farewell to Chu Jiangnan and greeted Chu Wang.
Taking the most trusted individuals – Fu Ning, Shi Yi, Xi Jiu, and the brothers they had brought from the beginning – they left the Southern Ming Imperial City in batches.
However, that evening, while checking into an inn, Fu Long arrived.
"Prince Jing sent people to guard the National Preceptor, so I came."
Fu Long put down his baggage and looked at Chu Qianli, smiling and reassuring her, "Don't worry. Now, everyone's biggest enemy is only Lan Fan."
"But with Lan Fan's power, if he comes, I won't be able to resist even if I'm here. If Lan Fan doesn't come, the National Preceptor should be safe. Rest assured."