Chapter 1: Chapter 830: Going to Jue Yan

Mu Qingge traveled from the border to Jueyan, neither too fast nor too slow. After traveling day and night for about half a month, she finally arrived in Jueyan.

It was already night by the time she reached Jueyan.

Therefore, she did not go directly to find Ji Ziyan, but instead went to the place she had rented previously.

For one, the lease on this place was still valid.

For another, it was already late, and she did not want to disturb the two children.

Thirdly, the current situation was not exactly favorable, and it would be inconvenient to move into the palace rashly.

After finishing her meal and bathing, she intended to get some good rest.

Just then, a servant hurried over and said joyfully, "Wangfei, the two little masters are here!"

Mu Qingge was stunned for a moment, not reacting immediately. "Who did you say?"

"The little Shizi and His Majesty of Jueyan."

Mu Qingge hurriedly threw off the quilt, got out of bed, threw on a robe, and put on her shoes. *It’s late at night, why did these two little brats run out?*

She didn't know, and naturally, the servant knew even less; this was a question that couldn't be answered.

Mu Qingge had just finished dressing and reached the doorway when she heard someone calling her in a crisp, childish voice: "Mother!"

A teenage voice also rang out at the same time: "Little Mother!"

Mu Qingge looked toward the sound and saw a delicately carved, jade-like child being led by a handsome, dashing youth. Both were looking at her with anticipation.

She felt her heart instantly filled with something, overflowing with satisfaction. Her lips couldn't help but curl upward as she walked over and touched each child's face. "It's so late and so cold, why did you run out?"

The youth said obediently, "I have always had people watching for movement at this house. As soon as you returned, I knew. I handled a few things and told Zhan'er, and Zhan'er insisted on coming to see you."

Rong Zhan blinked his large eyes and said in a crisp voice, "Uncle is lying. I didn't insist; he wanted to come just as much as I did."

After saying this, he glanced cautiously at Mu Qingge. "Mother, are you unhappy that we came?"

"Of course I'm happy, how could I not be? Zhan'er, Mother missed you very much."

His cautious look just now made her heart ache. As she spoke, she bent down, unable to resist picking up the delicately carved, beautiful child, and kissed his cheeks lovingly.

He was her own son. She hadn't seen him for six years, and they had only been together for a short while before she left again. She owed him so much and wished she could give him everything good she possessed.

She was his mother; he shouldn't have to be so cautious with her.

Rong Zhan smiled, wrapped his arms around his mother's neck, and rubbed against her, acting spoiled.

Mu Qingge couldn't help but laugh.

Ji Ziyan was also very happy to see Rong Zhan’s rare display of affection.

"Don't stand outside the door; let's go back into the hall and sit," Mu Qingge said, holding the child in one arm and holding the young man's hand with the other as they went into the hall.

A servant brought tea and moved to pour some for the children. Mu Qingge saw this and reached out to stop them. "They are still young; it's better for them to drink plain water at night."

Ji Ziyan disagreed. "Little Mother, I've grown up."

Mu Qingge looked at his tall frame and knew she couldn't restrict him anymore. She said helplessly, "Fine, you can drink it, but don't drink too much, lest you can't sleep."

After saying this, she touched her son's head and kissed his soft, fragrant, beautiful face. "Zhan'er will drink plain water, okay?"

"Okay."

The child answered crisply.

"Such a good boy." Mu Qingge couldn't help but kiss him again, and Rong Zhan’s face turned red instantly.

Ji Ziyan drank a cup of tea, remembered something, and said unhappily, "Little Mother, why didn't you come directly to the palace to find me when you came to Jueyan? Why did you have to come to this place to stay?" If she were in the palace, he could have the palace servants wait on her properly.

"Wasn't it too late? I thought I shouldn't disturb you at night and let you get some good rest."

"Oh."

Ji Ziyan was reluctantly persuaded. "Then come into the palace with me tomorrow?"

"That works too."

Mu Qingge didn't mind; she just wanted to come and spend time with the two children. "However, it's best not to reveal my identity in the palace. The situation is not very clear right now, you should know that."

"I know." Ji Ziyan was, after all, the one in power and understood the situation Mu Qingge was talking about. He snorted lightly, "It's not for me to say, but the agreement was signed in black and white, yet those old fogies in your Tianqi still dare to object! They aren't afraid of affecting the demeanor of a great nation! The cities are so far away from them, yet they want to reach out and take them—they should see if their reach exceeds their grasp!"

When he said this, a sharp, oppressive force flickered in his eyes.

It was three parts similar to Rong Jue’s expression of authority without anger.

To have such presence and insight at such a young age made Mu Qingge feel a surge of admiration. "Not bad, it seems you've grown a lot in the years I've been away."

Ji Ziyan pouted. "It's been six years; I've grown up."

Mu Qingge helplessly held her forehead. "I take back my praise; you look no different than you did six years ago."

Ji Ziyan snorted, not refuting her, and said seriously, "Before we enter the palace tomorrow, I will have people handle everything. By then, you can stay in the palace with peace of mind."

"Good."

Mu Qingge trusted that he could handle it well.

Ji Ziyan’s eyes were bright. "Then we'll return to the palace early tomorrow morning?"

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow but didn't answer, instead asking, "You have a morning court session, right?"

"Mm." Ji Ziyan said quickly, "But I'm not very busy. There isn't much to do in court; I just need to find a way to implement the previously signed agreement as soon as possible, otherwise, the longer it drags on, the more troublesome it will be."

So, the morning court session was necessary.

Mu Qingge naturally knew this. "However, since you have a morning court session tomorrow, it's best if you don't stay here tonight. Go back to the palace first, otherwise, I'm afraid you won't be able to get up tomorrow."

Ji Ziyan blinked. "Why don't you come back to the palace with me now?"

"You haven't finished arranging my entry into the palace yet; it might be inappropriate to move in now." Mu Qingge was very cautious. "Besides, you just mentioned the issue of those cities. That is the key right now. If I go to live in the palace, I'm afraid it will attract attention. It's better to keep a low profile for now."

"Fine."

Ji Ziyan didn't dare to be childish about the cities and said seriously, "Then I will go back to the palace first, and once it's settled, I'll come to pick you up?"

"Good."

Mu Qingge nodded.

Only then did Ji Ziyan stand up and say to the child nestled in Mu Qingge's arms, "Zhan'er, let's go back to the palace."

The child shook his head and said in a milky voice, "I want to stay with Mother tonight. Little Uncle, you can go back."

"Zhan'er, it won't work tonight." Mu Qingge coaxed her son softly. "Once things are settled, Mother will go into the palace to stay with you tomorrow, okay?"

If Rong Zhan didn't return to the palace, it would also attract attention.

Rong Zhan looked at Mu Qingge, his face showing reluctance, but he didn't dare to contradict her for fear that she wouldn't like him.

Mu Qingge felt a pang of sadness and coaxed, "Mother will definitely go to stay with you tomorrow, okay? I'll even make you some delicious double-skin milk."