Gong Xishuo stepped forward and looked them over one by one, feigning surprise, and said, "Third Prince, come and take a look. They seem to be your guards."

After being reminded by Gong Xishuo, Emperor Liang also remembered that he had seen these people at Jingping Palace.

Mo Ziyan vehemently denied it, saying, "Lord Gongxi, don't make baseless accusations. I don't know any of these people."

Those people had already revealed their accomplices hidden in the Liang court and military camps when they were in Wanling.

They had long been prepared to die, and by remaining silent, they could protect their families.

Seeing the two sides arguing, they both lowered their heads and pretended to be dead.

"Xuan'er, these people..."

Emperor Liang looked at Nangong Zeyue with a puzzled expression.

Nangong Zeyue frowned slightly and sighed, "Father, I was inexplicably assassinated by these people in Wanling. If it weren't for the protection of the Emperor of Wanling, I might not have known my identity until my death."

“Father, he is making false accusations. I have personal guards who must have been bribed to frame me.”

Mo Ziyan's words implied that Mo Ziqian had suffered a stroke.

Mo Ziqian didn't respond after hearing this, as everyone knew he valued romance over fame and fortune.

His father and mother both knew that his true interests lay in literature and calligraphy, and trying to frame him was futile.

The ministers present knew perfectly well that the struggle between princes had existed since ancient times; there was no right or wrong, only the victor becoming king.

Seeing that Mo Ziyan's power was waning, some people began to defect.

"Your Majesty, assassinating the Crown Prince is a heinous crime and he should be executed immediately."

"Your Majesty, the brave men who escorted His Highness back have rendered meritorious service and should be rewarded handsomely."

Seeing his own people turning against him and offering their advice, Mo Ziyan swept his cold gaze over them.

The Liang Kingdom has few heirs, and he knows perfectly well who did these things.

He immediately summoned the guards to drag the prisoner out and execute him.

In order to quickly end the dispute between the legitimate and illegitimate sons, he immediately announced that his eldest son, Mo Zixuan, would be the crown prince.

(My dear darlings, from now on, Nangong Zeyue will be Mo Zixuan, don't forget.)

The Crown Prince's ceremony will be held five days later.

The Emperor of Liang wanted to reward Nangong Jun and the others handsomely. Nangong Jun, having received his master's orders, led his fellow disciples to stay in Liang to protect their junior brother.

Master's arrangement suited Mo Zixuan perfectly. He really wouldn't feel confident if his fellow disciples weren't around.

Mo Zixuan immediately petitioned the Emperor of Liang, refusing the generous reward and requesting that his fellow disciples be appointed as the Crown Prince's personal guards.

With a legitimate identity, Mo Zixuan returned to his father's bedroom with his father and mother.

The empress pulled him aside and asked him all sorts of questions, wanting to know even which foot he stepped with first when he was learning to walk.

The mother and son had so much to talk about.

Emperor Liang drank a bowl of medicine and lay down on the soft couch, quietly listening to the mother and son talking.

That heartwarming scene was something he had never experienced before.

When he used to visit Consort Lan's palace, Consort Lan would always keep Mo Ziyan at a distance, claiming it was to teach her son to be independent.

Mo Ziyan was sent to live in Jingping Palace when he was less than seven years old.

Although there was something wrong with the water in that bowl today, Emperor Liang still felt uneasy.

Consort Lan was a princess of the Nanzhao Kingdom, a country known for its open-mindedness.

From that day on, a thorn was planted deep in the heart of the Liang Emperor.

...

Jiang Shuyue stayed at Peach Blossom Nunnery for three days. Aunt Meng's health visibly improved, and Jiang Shuyue then decided to return to the city.

Back in the capital, she went to the Women's Workshop and told the shopkeeper about the nuns from Peach Blossom Nunnery selling handicrafts.

The shopkeeper immediately promised that as long as someone from the nunnery came to deliver goods, the Women's Workshop would buy them at the highest price.

After leaving the Women's Quarters, Jiang Shuyue went directly to the Su Residence.

Aunt Meng gave her two jars of honey, and she had to send one jar to her aunt and ask how the cloth shop was doing.

When Jiang Shuyue arrived at the Su residence, Su Nan had just returned with Sui Sui.

"Mother, Sui Sui hasn't seen you in so long." Sui Sui broke free from Su Nan's hand and ran over, burying her head in Jiang Shuyue's arms.

Jiang Shuyue reached out and pinched Sui Sui's chubby little face, "Mother has only been away from home for three days, it's not like it's been a long time."

"It's true, Father said that a day apart feels like three autumns. Plus, I haven't been home for two days while I was in the palace, so I haven't seen Mother for five autumns."

As Sui Sui spoke, she buried her little face in her mother's neck and rubbed against her.

His fluffy little head was soft and cute, and Jiang Shuyue gently stroked his soft back.

She jokingly said, "You haven't seen your mother for five autumns, but your mother has seen you for almost five years."

Qiuju couldn't help but laugh from the side, "Young Master Sui Sui is referring to the traditional Chinese age system."

"Sui Sui, the teacher said tomorrow is a holiday. I haven't seen my sister for a long time. Shall we go back to the Jiang residence tonight and stay here tomorrow?"

Su Nan pulled Sui Sui out of Jiang Shuyue's arms, and Sui Sui smiled and nodded, "Okay."

Jiang Shuyue went to the flower hall, had a cup of tea, and chatted with Madam Su for a while.

Mrs. Su said that the fabric shop was doing well. Although the daily sell-outs were no longer a thing, the new fabrics were the best-selling items.

After listening to Jiang Shuyue talk about the people and things in Peach Blossom Nunnery, Madam Su sighed and said, "It is already difficult for women in this world, and it is even more difficult for women who do not marry. Tomorrow I will send someone to deliver some cloth to Peach Blossom Nunnery, as a small contribution."

“My aunt is very generous. As soon as I entered the city, I went to the restaurant and told Hu Qing that our restaurant would buy all the peach blossom wine that my aunts make at a high price. We will help in any way we can.”

Jiang Shuyue was preoccupied with the letter from Liang Kingdom. After chatting for a while, she took her leave with Su Nan and Sui Sui and returned to the Jiang residence.

Back at the manor, Cangyun indeed brought a letter.

It's more like a note than a letter.

Looking at the few words on the screen, Jiang Shuyue felt an indescribable sadness.

"Miss, it's good that the young master is safe and sound. From now on, he is the prince of Liang." Qiuju said softly, seeing that Jiang Shuyue's eyes were red.

Jiang Shuyue's gaze fell on the signature.

"That's right, we were destined to be apart. Parting ways peacefully and wishing each other well is the best ending."

Jiang Shuyue had only been away from home for a few days, but the maids in the mansion acted as if she had been away for months.

Mei instructed the kitchen to prepare roast meat.

Dinner was very lavish; however, just as the food was set on the table, three uninvited guests arrived at the mansion.

"Moon Maiden, you're finally back. Have the peach blossoms at Peach Blossom Nunnery bloomed yet?" Xiao Jingzhao asked knowingly.

Upon learning that Jiang Shuyue had gone to Peach Blossom Temple, he was secretly worried that she might leave Wanling for Liang Kingdom during her spring outing, so he took Xiangyang and Xiangsong to Peach Blossom Temple in person.

However, they arrived at night and saw Jiang Shuyue staying at Peach Blossom Nunnery with their own eyes before he felt relieved and returned to the city.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Your Majesty has come at just the right time."

Seeing Xiang Song and Xiang Yang following behind, Jiang Shuyue asked Gao Mu and Cang Yun to take the two to the dining hall for a meal.

Su Nan, being very perceptive, took Sui Sui to the dining room.

Jiang Shuyue invited Xiao Jingzhao to sit down, and said with a worried expression, "The peach blossoms at Peach Blossom Hermitage are blooming beautifully, but the people there are not doing well."

"What does Yue Niang mean?"