"From now on, do not call me Emperor," Emperor Xian said with a cold, charming voice. He reached out, his long and strong hand gently taking Xiao Yuer's soft hand, and he said in a low voice, "Come, Father Emperor will take you to find your mother."
His domineering and unrestrained demeanor could be called the foremost person of the age, the supreme ruler of the world. Xiao Yuer followed closely behind him, gazing at his tall and proud figure. Whether it was the bond of blood or a genuine feeling of this man's capability, she felt a sense of security.
As she was lost in thought, her small body was suddenly lifted into the air. The Emperor had scooped her up, soaring into the sky, and with a swift movement, they flashed out of the swamp.
His footwork was agile and precise. So, he knew Xuanmen techniques as well. Not only did he break through the formations above the swamp, but he also dispelled the formations in the Peach Blossom Forest, which was why he could enter the valley with such ease.
Xiao Yuer looked at everything before her, her heart suddenly relaxing. She had a deep conviction that he would be able to save her mother.
Mo Chou watched the figure ahead. Emperor, tall and handsome, was clad in a purple brocade robe, its hem fluttering in the wind. He held Xiao Yuer in his arms, his expression exceedingly natural. Though they had met for the first time, the father and daughter had a strange lack of repulsion towards each other, getting along harmoniously. Xiao Yuer was generally averse to strangers, yet the Emperor had easily won her heart. Perhaps this was the reason for the bond of blood.
The group quickly reached the opposite bank. Emperor Xian gently set his youngest daughter down, gazing at her with soft eyes. "Are you alright?"
Xiao Yuer shook her head, her eyes blinking. A strong warmth flowed through her heart. Though he was a high and mighty emperor, the feeling he gave her was precisely the kind of benevolent fatherly love she had craved in her past life. It seemed that with a father's presence, there was nothing to fear.
"I'm fine, Father Emperor."
Xiao Yuer uttered the words naturally. Emperor Xian's deep eyes flickered with light upon hearing this. His thin lips curved into a smile that bloomed brilliantly. "Little Yuer is so good. From now on, tell Father Emperor whatever you wish for, and Father Emperor will bestow upon you the thing you desire most." He was entirely like a doting father.
Chang Ting, Duan Hun, and two imperial guards were all stunned. Was this the Emperor? The Emperor who was so cold and charming, radiating an icy aura?
At this moment, the radiance on his face was dazzling, as brilliant as peach blossoms.
Xiao Yuer was delighted. She nodded vigorously, thinking that having such a Father Emperor was truly worthwhile. Not only was he caring, but he was also incredibly handsome, no less than anyone else.
As Xiao Yuer was excitedly busy with something, she suddenly remembered something and let out a gasp.
Emperor Xian's expression changed. He asked calmly, "What is it?"
"Father Emperor, I forgot Xiao Zun and Mao Xueqiu in the valley. If I'm not there, they will miss me."
The group was in an uproar, especially upon hearing the name of the wolfdog. Their lips twitched several times as they desperately suppressed their laughter. Mo Chou quickly pulled Xiao Yuer aside. "It's alright, don't worry. We'll be back soon."
"Okay," Xiao Yuer nodded.
Emperor Xian turned to look at the dense, verdant forest ahead. His expression instantly turned icy, the cold aura radiating from him, his dark eyes as deep as an abyss, making anyone who looked at them feel a sense of dread.
But Xiao Yuer was not afraid at all. She reached out and held Emperor Xian's hand, saying softly, "Father Emperor, let's go."
"Good, let's go find your mother."
With a command from Emperor Xian, he led his daughter into the dense forest. The group emerged from the mountains, where a luxurious carriage awaited. Emperor Xian led his daughter and Mo Chou to the carriage, while the other imperial guards followed closely on horseback, providing unwavering protection.
The group traveled by carriage to the Danfeng Kingdom. As they approached the border of Danfeng Kingdom, Emperor Xian disguised himself. Since Danfeng Kingdom was friendly with Xian Yue, his sudden appearance in Danfeng, if seen by ill-intentioned individuals, might lead to misunderstandings. The Empress of Danfeng would surely think he had ulterior motives.
After his disguise, Emperor Xian looked like a completely different person, yet he appeared remarkably familiar to Mo Chou. Her lips couldn't help but tremble slightly. She pointed at the disguised Emperor Xian inside the carriage, speaking after a long pause.
"So, Yin Xuan was the Emperor."
Emperor Xian's eyes were deep and unfathomable. He curved his lips, his expression indifferent, and replied.
"Yin Xuan was the guise I prepared for traveling between countries when I was still studying in the Heavenly Mountain."
After speaking, he fell silent, his demeanor calm. Mo Chou blinked her eyes, her emotions settling after a long while. She had never expected that the one who had saved her master's life back then was the Emperor. The Emperor's affection for her master was no less than that of Wuqing; perhaps even deeper. Both of these men were heart-wrenching.
Xiao Yuer, seeing Mo Chou's excited expression, raised her delicate eyebrows curiously. "What's wrong, Aunt Mo?"
"When master encountered danger outside the valley and was almost killed, it was fortunate that the Emperor appeared in time and saved his life. However, at that time, he looked like this, so none of us recognized him."
"So that's how it is," Xiao Yuer thought. A surge of pride filled her heart upon realizing that Father Emperor had saved Mother. It seemed everything Father Emperor did was only natural. Yet, she felt a slight confusion. Father Emperor seemed to care so much about Mother, so why would he abandon them? As she pondered this, she blurted out.
"Father Emperor, why did you abandon us?"
After saying this, her eyes dimmed a little, as no one was indifferent to such a fact.
Before Emperor Xian could speak, Mo Chou quickly explained, "Little Miss, the Emperor did not abandon you. It was master who secretly took you away from the palace?"
"Why?" Xiao Yuer was very curious, blinking her beautiful phoenix eyes. Anyone could see that Father Emperor was both handsome and beautiful, and he cared a great deal for Mother. Why would Mother leave?
This time, Mo Chou didn't know how to answer. Emperor Xian, sitting opposite Xiao Yuer, spoke with deep meaning. "This is not your mother's fault; it is Father Emperor's mistake. In any case, this time, Father Emperor will definitely rescue your mother. Rest assured."
"Father Emperor, I believe you."
Xiao Yuer nodded vigorously. Now, the only person she could trust was Father Emperor. Moreover, his tall and imposing demeanor, his world-defying presence, made her believe he could accomplish it.
The group smoothly entered the border of Danfeng Kingdom, their luxurious carriage heading towards the imperial city of Feng Kingdom.
Upon entering Danfeng Kingdom, Chang Ting had already sent a message, instructing his subordinates to swiftly investigate any unusual actions by the Danfeng King Consort and the Empress recently.
As soon as their group entered the imperial city, someone came to greet them. It was one of Chang Ting's subordinates, who respectfully led the group into a luxurious restaurant within the imperial city.
Wang Yue Tower, located within the Danfeng Imperial City.
While not the most luxurious restaurant, it was still well-known. The four-story building exuded an antique charm. People came and went before its entrance, creating a lively scene. This was Chang Ting and his subordinates' base of operations. They concealed themselves among the populace, gathering various pieces of information and delivering them to Emperor Xian.
Therefore, any stir in Danfeng Kingdom could not escape Emperor Xian's grasp. Correspondingly, it was possible that someone from Danfeng Kingdom was also concealed within Xian Yue Kingdom. This was the entanglement between nations; one move could affect the entire situation.
Chang Ting led his master directly to the detached small building behind Wang Yue Tower. This was his residence and also a secret place for discussing important matters, which was now used to entertain his master.