Murong Daoye said, "If His Holiness has decided, this old man has no objections."

Adopting Du Clan as a foster daughter is beneficial and harmless to the Murong Family.

The relationship between the Murong Family and the Royal Family may advance further.

"Then I thank the elder for this."

Yuan Qingshan helped Du Clan to her feet, and Du Clan slightly bowed towards Murong Daoye.

Du Clan is not yet the Empress and thus performs the courtesy of a junior.

Murong Daoye nodded slightly, accepting the gesture, then took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Du Clan, saying, "I've worn this Warm Jade for decades, it has the effect of calming the mind, you should accept it."

Du Clan blushed slightly, still a bit awkward, instinctively looking towards Yuan Qingshan.

Yuan Qingshan nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Father."

Only then did Du Clan respectfully receive the Warm Jade with both hands.

Murong Daoye said, "Later, I'll introduce her to my children, so they'll recognize each other and be able to look out for her in the future."

"Thank you for your trouble, old clan leader."

Yuan Qingshan slightly cupped his hands.

Murong Daoye said, "When does His Holiness plan to return to the Capital City? This old man will accompany you."

Yuan Qingshan's eyes lit up.

Before this, Murong Daoye had always refrained from agreeing to leave Cyan Mountain and go to the Capital City to serve as Grand General and Qilin Lord.

Now, by saying this, it's as good as agreeing to leave!

Yuan Qingshan pondered for a moment, saying, "Before returning to the Capital City, I must visit the Martial General Mountain in Yongzhou. Back when I escaped from the Capital City, I was fortunate to be taken in and cared for by a master."

"Now that the situation in the Capital City is settled, I must go to see him."

"Martial General Mountain?"

Murong Daoye was moved, pausing silently before saying, "It's quite fitting, as I have an old acquaintance on Martial General Mountain, and will make a detour to pay respects."

"The Former Emperor Wu?"

Yuan Qingshan suddenly asked.

Murong Daoye's expression remained unchanged, and he said lightly, "His Holiness wouldn't mind, would he?"

Yuan Qingshan smiled slightly, and said, "To not forget old friends shows the benevolence of the old clan leader."

...

Murong Daoye personally escorted Yuan Qingshan and his wife to the front hall.

At this time, his eldest son Murong You and second son Murong Kang had returned home and were chatting idly with Murong Hou.

Seeing Yuan Qingshan, Murong Kang was startled.

As the Governor of Yanzhou, he had visited the current Emperor and naturally recognized Yuan Qingshan.

Murong Daoye informed the three of them about taking Du Clan as a foster daughter.

Murong You and Murong Kang exchanged glances, suddenly realizing.

Only then did they understand what their third brother meant by the Murong Family achieving great prosperity.

Murong Daoye lingered in the front hall for a while, then returned to the Inner Courtyard.

Inside the residence.

Murong Daoye approached a row of bookshelves, and from the second shelf from the top, he took out two books, revealing a protruding stone on the wall behind the shelf.

Click! Click!

Murong Daoye twisted the stone, and the wall behind it split in two, sliding to the sides to reveal a secret chamber.

This secret chamber was similar in arrangement to the outside, furnished with a bed, table, and chairs.

"Has Your Highness been comfortable staying here these days?"

Murong Daoye walked into the chamber, the wall automatically closing behind him, and addressed the middle-aged man inside.

The person inside the secret chamber was Lu Qianshan, who was abducted halfway, also known as the son of Emperor Wu, Qin Xi!

Qin Xi smiled faintly and said, "Compared to falling into Yuwen Family's hands, it's much better here at least."

If he fell into Yuwen Family's hands, he'd surely be better off dead.

Here, although he was imprisoned by Murong Daoye, he had at least not suffered any physical harm.

Murong Daoye had been courteous to him since abducting him.

Qin Xi asked, "Is there any news of my wife and daughter?"

"Your daughter fled to the Gorge beside the mountains in Yongzhou, luring the Evil Emperor to intervene and kill all the pursuers."

Murong Daoye said, "As for your wife, her whereabouts are currently unknown."

Qin Xi remained silent.

Murong Daoye suddenly said, "The current Emperor visited today and is now at my residence."

"Oh?"

Qin Xi's expression changed, and he asked, "The Emperor wishes you to come out of seclusion?"

"Indeed."

Murong Daoye nodded and asked, "What else have you deduced?"

Qin Xi thought for a moment and said, "The rebellion in Pingzhou forced Emperor Qian to reappoint a Grand Commandant, and now he visits personally to request your assistance. It must be pressure from the Grand Commandant's faction."

"In terms of military prestige, only you can contend with Yuwen Mao."

"If he wishes to dilute the Grand Commandant's power, setting up the position of Grand General is inevitable."

Murong Daoye secretly nodded.

As expected of the son of Emperor Wu, he deduced much from mere hints.

Murong Daoye stared intently at Qin Xi, slowly saying, "With the death of the Emperor Qian and the ascension of the new Emperor, the Court may appear calm, but beneath the surface, there are turbulent undercurrents that may erupt in chaos at any moment! The opportunity to restore the nation is right before us, has Your Highness considered it?"

"What restoration? General, you must be joking."

Qin Xi responded with a faint smile.

Murong Daoye said solemnly, "As long as Your Highness is willing, with your identity, you can undoubtedly gather the former officials of the previous dynasty, rallying them at your call. This is a force that cannot be overlooked, and with the support of old ministers, how could the great endeavor not succeed?"

Qin Xi shook his head and said, "I have no desire for wealth and power, Golden Platforms hold no appeal. My aspirations do not lie here, General, you have misunderstood my intentions."

Upon hearing this, Murong Daoye slowly withdrew his gaze.

Qin Xi inwardly scoffed.

If he had betrayed any inclination of restoration, this former War God of the previous dynasty would have likely discarded him as soon as his usefulness ended, or even killed him!

Murong Daoye, with his enormous ambition, would never subjugate himself to others.

The strategist under his father's command had long seen this fact.

Even someone like his father, a towering hero of an era, could not suppress Murong Daoye; how could he, a mere cripple?

How would Murong Daoye willingly offer assistance?

The earlier words were merely a test by Murong Daoye!

"Even if Your Highness has no desire for restoration, do you not seek revenge?"

Murong Daoye continued, "The downfall of the previous dynasty and the death of Emperor Wu were caused by Yuwen Mao's betrayal, followed by Profound Celestial Sect's opportunistic invasion."

"Now that I am about to enter the Capital City, I will inevitably confront Yuwen Mao and Profound Celestial Sect. Why doesn't Your Highness assist me in crushing the Yuwen Family and avenging Emperor Wu!"

Qin Xi remained silent.

Murong Daoye continued, "Madam Lu's current fate is unknown, also due to Yuwen Family and Profound Celestial Sect. Does Your Highness not wish for revenge?"

Qin Xi indeed felt tempted.

He knew Murong Daoye intended to use him to gather the remnants of the former dynasty and control this part of the power.

Simultaneously, he wished to leverage Murong Daoye's hand to tackle the Yuwen Family and Profound Celestial Sect!

Both harbored their own intentions, mutually using each other, but with aligned objectives.

"If I agree, will you let me go?"

Qin Xi asked.

"I have hidden Your Highness here solely for your protection."

Murong Daoye smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness may leave at any time if you wish."

"However, I must remind you that Your Highness' identity has already been exposed. Who knows how many eyes are on you, and without my protection, Your Highness may not survive three days outside."

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